sporting news round 1 mock draft 1/18/06

[GoPackGo]

1 (1) Raiders JaMarcus Russell* QB LSU
Owner/GM Al Davis loves Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.'s electrifying speed but should realize his team is in desperate need of a quarterback for the future.

2 (2) Lions Joe Thomas T Wis.
Offensive coordinator Mike Martz knows the importance of having a strong line and although Thomas is not as good as the Rams' Orlando Pace, a former Martz player, he projects as a solid NFL left tackle.

3 (3) Browns Adrian Peterson* RB Oklahoma
(pick subject to coin flip) With Thomas gone, Browns officials will debate long and hard between Peterson and Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch but should go with Peterson in the hope his great talent can be harnessed.

4 (4) Buccaneers Calvin Johnson* WR Georgia Tech
(pick subject to coin flip) The Bucs need an offensive spark; Johnson has the strength, hands, toughness and character to immediately boost their passing attack.

5 (5) Cardinals Justin Blalock G Texas
New coach Ken Whisenhunt, formerly the Steelers' offensive coordinator, surely will make improving the offensive line a top priority. The Cardinals must better protect Matt Leinart and open more holes for Edgerrin James. Taking Blalock here would be a bit of a reach, so the Cardinals could become a candidate to trade down.

6 (6) Redskins Gaines Adams DE Clemson
The Redskins have talent on defense but lack an explosive edge rusher who consistently can threaten the corner.

7 (7) Vikings Ted Ginn Jr.* WR Ohio St.
The Vikings need some offensive firepower and the super-fast Ginn Jr. would give them a downfield threat who makes big plays all over the field.

8 (8) Texans Alan Branch* DT Michigan
The Texans should continue to rebuild their defense. Branch is versatile and could line up in a variety of spots along the line.

9 (9) Dolphins Amobi Okoye DT Louisville
The Dolphins' to-be-named coach may go with this star athlete because in two seasons Okoye will be the best defensive tackle from this year's class.

10 (10) Falcons Jamaal Anderson* DE Arkansas
It's not just because of the familiar Falcons name; Atlanta has battled injury issues with veterans Patrick Kerney and John Abraham, and this Anderson gives them a young pass rusher to develop.

11 (11) 49ers Daymeion Hughes CB Cal
The 49ers' secondary has been inconsistent in recent seasons and the local product Hughes would give them a productive and tough young cornerback.

12 (12) Bills Zach Miller* TE Arizona St.
The Bills have great young talent at running back (Willis McGahee) and wide receiver (Lee Evans). Miller would give J.P. Losman yet another big-play option.

13 (13) Rams Paul Posluszny OLB Penn State
Rams officials would prefer to draft a speed/edge pass rusher, but none figure to be available at this spot. Instead, the team should take the top linebacker on the board.

14 (14) Panthers Greg Olsen* TE Miami (FL)
The Panthers have some concerns at safety and would consider LSU's LaRon Landry if available, but the chance to finally add an explosive tight end to the offense makes too much sense.

15 (15) Steelers Leon Hall CB Michigan
The Steelers' secondary was inconsistent and riddled by injuries in 2006, and the team would be wise to add the physical and productive Hall.

16 (16) Packers Kenny Irons RB Auburn
Packers officials want a running back and will debate long and hard about whether to take Irons, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman or Cal's Marshawn Lynch. Irons is the safest option and also has the most big-play speed.

17 (17) Jaguars Quentin Moses DE Georgia
The Jaguars should gamble on Moses, who played like a high first-round prospect in '05 but performed like a fourth-rounder as a senior and thus has slid way down some teams' draft boards.

18 (18) Bengals DeMarcus Tyler DT NC State
The Bengals need to boost their interior defensive line and the raw Tyler would give them a very talented young lineman for the near future.

19 (19) Titans Dwayne Jarrett* WR USC
The Titans improved greatly down the stretch of the '06 season with rookie Vince Young at the helm despite mediocre wide receivers. Jarrett would give Young a major weapon outside as he continues to develop.

20 (20) Giants Marshawn Lynch* RB Cal
The Giants have a surprising number of needs, but Tiki Barber is retiring and the coaches are not sold on backup Brandon Jacobs becoming the feature back. Lynch would be a fine complement to Jacobs.

21 (21) Broncos Darrelle Revis* CB Pitt
The Broncos need to address the Darrent Williams tragedy on the field and Revis is an elite athlete who can help their secondary as a rookie.

22 (22) Cowboys LaRon Landry S LSU
The Cowboys need a good safety to pair with Roy Williams so this way someone can cover deep while Williams attacks the run.

23 (23) Chiefs Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame
The Chiefs are expected to go for defense but if Quinn falls into their laps, they won't be able to pass on getting their quarterback of the future to replace Trent Green.

24 (24) Patriots Anthony Spencer DE Purdue
(from Seattle) The Patriots place a premium on versatility and toughness and Spencer would give them a pass rusher who can play both inside and outside linebacker.

25 (25) Jets Antonio Pittman* RB Ohio St.
The Jets need a full-time back to replace Curtis Martin and could very well go with the underrated but very talented Pittman.

26 (26) Eagles Brandon Meriweather S Miami (FL)
The Eagles have a gaping hole alongside Brian Dawkins. Team officials will debate between Meriweather and Virginia Tech's Aaron Rouse and could gamble on Meriweather because of his on-field impact in all aspects of defense.

27 (27) Saints Tanard Jackson CB Syracuse
(if Chicago wins Sunday) The Saints need help in their secondary for the future and Jackson would give them a tough cornerback with great physical tools.

28 (28) Colts Marcus McCauley CB Fresno St.
(if New England wins Sunday) The Colts need more defensive help and McCauley would gives them a tough, versatile and explosive corner who can make a real impact if he plays as he did as a junior.

29 (29) Ravens Aaron Ross CB Texas
The Ravens' cornerbacks, Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are talented but are heading into their ninth and 10th NFL seasons, respectively. It's time to inject some youth into the unit. Ross could play the nickel role in '07 and take over as a starter in '08.

30 (30) Chargers Reggie Nelson* S Florida
The Chargers have struggled to find consistency at safety. Nelson, an instinctive defender, makes plays all over the field.

31 (31) Patriots Patrick Willis ILB Ole Miss
(if New England wins Sunday) The Patriots are old at inside linebacker and Willis has all the intangibles they covet.

32 (32) Bears Tony Ugoh T Arkansas
(if Chicago wins Sunday) The Bears already have a great team but adding youth and athleticism along their offensive line is a priority. Ugoh isn't ready to start now but will be in time

[Zool]

Boy I just dont think Quinn will slip that far. I'm not real high on him myself but I just think too many teams need a QB.

[Partial]

This is an awful mock. No way does Irons go that high.

[Packnut]

Irons

This is an awful mock. No way does Irons go that high.

If there really is ANYONE in the Packer organization who thinks Irons should go this high, he should be fired for pure stupidity. These mock drafts come up with some dumb picks but this one tops the list.

[Partial]

Re: Irons

This is an awful mock. No way does Irons go that high.

If there really is ANYONE in the Packer organization who thinks Irons should go this high, he should be fired for pure stupidity. These mock drafts come up with some dumb picks but this one tops the list.

That, and the fact that their is no way TT goes after a running back in the first round.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Re: Irons

This is an awful mock. No way does Irons go that high.

If there really is ANYONE in the Packer organization who thinks Irons should go this high, he should be fired for pure stupidity. These mock drafts come up with some dumb picks but this one tops the list.

Amen to that. Some guy got paid for this mock? That's just sad.

I count at least 7 guys who are taken way too early, some a whole round early. Landry, Quinn and Jarrett all won't be available after the #13 pick, let alone in the 20's.

Anybody up for doing a mock draft here?

[lod01]

Horrific pick. if you are taking a RB, the pick is Marshawn Lynch all day. Irons is nothing. Totally overrated.

[Pack_Attack88]

if the Pack takes a RB over the players drafted after their pick according to this draft, I will be very upset!!!!

[BF4MVP]

Irons?! I don't mind him, but in the first round?! You gotta be kiddin me..Especially with Lynch still available...But there's just NO way I would even think about taking Irons in the first..

[Freak Out]

Irons is a good ball player...if he would have stayed healthy this year he MAY have gone in the first. He will be there in the second round for us but not the third. I would be fine with him being taken in the second.

This draft guy must be a Tiger Alum....

[Brando19]

Worst mock I've ever seen.

[esoxx]

I mock this mock draft.

[ND72]

horrible mock draft...this person should be fired.

[PackerPro42]

Why would you even post a ridiculous mock like this? This is by far the worst mock draft I've ever seen, and I've seen some bad ones.

[BallHawk]

I actually like Irons. He runs with more power than his size suggests. However, in the 1st round? No way in hell. I'd rather have Irons than Lynch, however. I'd also rather have Michael Bush than Lynch. Sounds crazy. However, most RB's taken in the first round do not live up to expectations and at the end of the day, IMO, do not warrant the risk of spending a first round pick on one. Look at the starting backs in the NFL and you'll find that the majority of them are not first-rounders. RB is a position that can be filled from all over the draft. Spending a 1st on one, especially when it isn't a gaping hole, is unnecessary.