The Early Mock (12/08/06)
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by user Drpatriot
Welcome to my first edition of The Early Mock, an NFL mock draft created ridiculously ahead of schedule that will likely be completely irrelevant come draft time. Begun more than 4 1/2 months ahead of schedule, The Early Mock will keep up to date until the big day finally arrives with a fresh new mock draft every week or so.
Until the season is over, The Early Mock will use the draft order provided by www.gbnreport.com, which organizes teams according to record and strength of schedule.
And without further ado...
1 Detroit: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame: Though his game against Michigan was completely unconvincing earlier in the year, Quinn remains the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s draft, and the Lions could use an NFL-ready quarterback.
2 Oakland: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech: Despite their needs at QB, the Raiders select one of the most exciting prospects in ages: Calvin Johnson.
3 Arizona: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin: If any team could use an offensive tackle, it’s Arizona.
4 Tampa Bay: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan: Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly aren’t getting any younger. It would be good to address this need now before it’s too late.
5 Green Bay: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma: The Packers have absolutely no running game, and Peterson is the best runningback in the draft.
6 Washington: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson: Though defensive end is not their biggest need, Gaines Adams would still be a huge improvement over their current defensive ends.
7 Houston: Laron Landry, S, LSU: Having C.C. Brown and Glenn Earl as your starting safeties is slightly less than an ideal situation. Landry is the best safety in the draft and can help in both run and pass support.
8 Cleveland: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan: The Browns’ middle will be rock solid in future years with this massive run stuffer from Michigan.
9 Minnesota: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona: Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot leave something to be desired in the defensive backfield. Cason could drastically improve their secondary.
10 St. Louis: Paul Pozlusny, OLB, Penn State: Brandon Chillar is the starting strongside linebacker for the Rams. Enough said.
11 San Francisco: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh: The 49ers need desperate help in the secondary and Revis has the physical skills to make it in the NFL.
12 Miami: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State: The Dolphins’ offensive still could use some help, despite recent improvements.
13 Pittsburgh: Justin Blalock, OG, Texas: It is rare to see a guard go this high, but Pittsburgh really needs a good offensive lineman to put on their right side.
14 Buffalo: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: The J.P. Losman experiment has failed, and the Bills desperately need to bring in some new blood.
15 Tennessee: Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State: The Titans need new blood at defensive tackle, even if Albert Haynesworth doesn’t end up traded away or cut.
16 Atlanta: Jake Long, OT, Michigan: The Atlanta Falcons offensive line is not ideal, and Wayne Gandy is not a long-term solution at left tackle.
17 Carolina: Michael Griffin, S, Texas: Though Mike Minter can cover one safety spot, Shaun Williams is a less-than-ideal starter at the other position.
18 Philadelphia: Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia: Moses is an excellent defensive end who is easily the best player available in the draft at #18.
19 New York Giants: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville: The Giants are lacking in defensive talent at the tackle spot and Okoye is the best player available at the position.
20 New York Jets: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal: The Jets took a lot of strides last year. The next step is to draft a “real” runningback.
21 Kansas City: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC: The Chiefs could definitely use another threat in the air, as Eddie Kennison and Tony Gonzalez aren’t getting any younger.
22 Jacksonville: Lamarr Woodley, DE, Michigan: Though many teams are touting Woodley as the next great elephant, Jacksonville could simply use the next great defensive end.
23 Denver : Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State: The Broncos could use more WR depth and, more importantly, a better return game.
24 Cincinnati: Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State: The Bengals do not have a pass-catching TE, and Palmer could always use another target.
25 New England (from Seattle): Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss: The Patriots continue to get older and older at the LB position, and Willis will not need to play right away with Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau all able to play the ILB spot.
26 Dallas: Brandon Meriweather, FS, Miami: Meriweather will compliment Roy Williams with his ability to drop back and play the deep zone.
27 New Orleans: Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State: First off, who would’ve put New Orleans at #27 at the beginning of the season? Anyway, the Saints could use more depth in the defensive secondary, which is probably their worst unit this year.
28 Baltimore: Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State: Wait, WHAT? Troy Smith could take a page out of Steve McNair’s book in the way of passing style, and the Ravens do need a new quarterback when McNair retires.
29 New England: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida: The Patriots could use a competent safety, as Rodney Harrison will not be able to get the job done too much longer and Eugene Wilson is not doing as well as some would like.
30 San Diego: Jeff Samardzija, WR, Notre Dame: The sure-handed Samardzija will be a fantasy addition to the Chargers offense and another target for the developing Philip Rivers.
31 Chicago: Brandon Siler, LB, Florida: If Lance Briggs leaves, Siler would be an adequate replacement at OLB. If Briggs doesn’t leave, this pick will likely be traded off.
32 Indianapolis: Sam Baker, OT, USC: Peyton Manning will need to find another unit to blame the Colts’ playoff failings on with this selection at the bottom of the first round.
