Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[Bretsky]

PICK MEACHEM

[Rastak]

Scouts inc on 12-19


12. Buffalo Bills
The pick: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Scouts take: Buffalo placed need over value with this pick. Lynch has shown flashes of developing into a difference maker. He's big enough to carry a heavy workload and his speed should make him a homerun threat in the NFL. In other words, he can pound the ball inside turn the corner as an outside runner. There's also reason to believe he'll emerge as a dangerous receiver out of the backfield so he compares favorably to Peterson in a lot of ways. However, Lynch isn't on the same level as Peterson. He isn't as shifty as Peterson in the open field and, more importantly, there are concerns about his character stemming from an off-the-field incident with a woman.



In addition, Lynch, much-like Peterson, has had some problems staying healthy so this is a bit of a reach and Buffalo may have been better served taking a corner. However, running back is clearly a need and this could prove to be a great pick if Lynch pans out.

13. St. Louis Rams
The pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Scouts take: It's the best of the best worlds for St. Louis fans, as the Rams filled a pressing need by drafting an excellent player and no one should be happier than Leonard Little. Though Carriker isn't fast enough to consistently turn the corner, he has the quickness to prevent blockers from getting into good position and he already shows a good variety of pass rush moves. His ability to get after the quarterback should make it more difficult for teams to adjust their pass protections to account for Little. Carriker could have an even bigger impact on the run defense.



Few young players use their hands and shed blocks as well as Carriker. He's also big enough to hold his own at the point of his attack and the non-stop motor to make plays in pursuit. However, no prospect is perfect and there is a reason he was the third defensive end taken in the draft so Carriker has to continue to work on his pass rush moves and work on his ability to protect his legs when blockers try to cut him.

14.New York Jets
Pick acquired from Carolina
The pick: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
Scouts take: With both of the top two corners available and the Jets' top need a corner, they decided to pull the trigger on the day's first trade and pick up Revis. Although Revis can take too long to change directions at times and has some problems matching up with explosive slot receivers, he is still a first-round talent. More importantly, his instincts should him an excellent fit for head coach Eric Mangini's defensive schemes and he is a playmaker than can make a difference.



He could also make an impact as a punt return man, which is probably one of the bigger reasons the Jets chose Revis over Leon Hall. Another reason may be Revis' fluidity. He does a slightly better job of opening his hips when he's forced to turn and run downfield so he's less likely to get beat deep when left on an island.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers
The pick: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
Scouts take: Joey Porter's reign over Pittsburgh ended during the offseason and there is no heir apparent on the roster, so the Steelers are desperate need of getting an edge rusher that can make an immediate impact. Timmons should be just the man for the job since he has the burst to turn the corner, athletic ability to develop an arsenal of pass rushes and the closing speed to quickly get to the quarterback. He won't make as much of an impact dropping into coverage and defending the run but he should hold his own when asked to drop into coverage and he should chase plenty of backs down from behind. And if indeed the Steelers transition to a 4-3 defense at some point, Timmons is versatile enough to move to weak-side linebacker.

16. Green Bay Packers
The pick: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Scouts take: Make no mistake about it Justin Harrell is a talented player and staying away from a player who has problems keeping his weight down like Alan Branch makes sense considering the problems the Packers had with Grady Jackson. However, tight end is a far greater need and Greg Olsen was still on the board so they probably could have gotten a little more bang for the buck here, especially considering QB Bret Favre does a great job of finding his tight ends.



Harrell is coming off a serious arm injury so there's reason to worry about his ability to stay healthy and he isn't a great pass rusher but he should immediately improve the Packers' run defense. He has excellent lower body strength and is virtually impossible to move once he establishes position. His ability to collapse the pocket will also make it easier for the edge rushers to get to the quarterback.

17. Denver Broncos
Pick acquired from Jacksonville
The pick: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Scouts take: Denver executes the second trade of the day and takes a chance on Moss in the hopes of getting an elite pass rusher. While saying the Broncos are making a deal with the devil here would be harsh, but there are some minor character concerns about Moss after Florida suspended him for a game last year. With the league cracking down on players that commit off-the-field infractions, it's important Moss stay out of the trouble. If he can, he is capable of giving the pass rush a substantial boost. Moss anticipates snap counts well, explodes off the ball and he closes extremely well. The Broncos will likely use him as a situational pass rusher but there is a chance he develops into an every-down player if he can add some weight without sacrificing any quickness.

18. Cincinnati Bengals
The pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Scouts take: Hall is an excellent addition and he should push for immediate playing time opposite Jonathan Joseph. He is a physical cover corner who is tough enough to match up with bigger receivers, athletic enough to stay with slot receivers and can make big plays in coverage. Character isn't a concern either. Hall hasn't had any problems off-the-field and he works hard at improving his game. However, Ohio State fans will be quick to point out that he lacks ideal turn-and-run skills despite his excellent 40-time. The Bengals will have to give him safety help over the top when he lines up opposite a premiere deep threat. But the bottom line here Cincinnati has done a good job of using the draft to build a potentially excellent secondary.

19. Tennessee Titans
The pick: Michael Griffin, S, Texas
Scouts take: This is isn't as bad as Miami taking Ginn Jr. but drafting Griffin was still bad for the Titans. Most teams are looking to add one or two starters through the draft unless it's quarterback and then there's Tennessee. The Titans need to a corner that can step into the starting slot opposite free agent singing Nick Harper, a receiver that can make an immediate impact and a running back that can share the load with LenDale White. Taking a safety here rather than a receiver like Robert Meachem or Dwayne Bowe makes it a lot more difficult to fill those holes. That's not to say Griffin isn't going to be a player in this league. Though he gets caught out of position at times and he needs to get a little bigger he will smack the ball carrier in the mouth and he has above-average cover skills so he should push for immediate playing time.

[Carolina_Packer]

How do we know that TT didn't have his eye on Harrell? It's so easy to second guess picks and think of more sexy picks, but you should reserve judgement until the guy plays. I don't think anyone's throwing darts at a draft board, so TT and staff must have had a plan, which likely was affected by at least one or two picks made 1-15. I wondered if Okoye dropped to 16 if GB would have taken him over Harrell.

[BallHawk]

No surprise there.

[green_bowl_packer]

On the other hand, Jeff West of Consensus Draft Services could't be more thrilled with the pick. "I'll tell you right now, I love the pick by the Packers. Justin Harrell is an outstanding DT and I feel he's as close to a can't miss player as there is (next to Calvin Johnson, of course)."

[Charles Woodson]

Hmm, Dwayne Bowe to KC

[Rastak]

Bowe to Chiefs......



Dwayne Bowe
WR | (6'2", 221, 4.51) | LSU

Scouts Grade: 94

Strengths: Possesses very good size and adequate speed for a bigger receiver. He is a fluid and smooth athlete. Shows a high ceiling for development and continues to improve with more experience. He is learning to use his wide wingspan to his advantage as a route runner. He has long arms and big hands. A potential weapon on jump-balls, fade routes, red zone, etc. His hands are extremely strong and he shows the ability to take the ball away from defenders in the air. He does a good job of catching the ball over his head. He possesses excellent body control and balance for a bigger receiver. He lacks ideal initial burst or acceleration after the catch, but he's a shifty and physical runner that will make the first defender miss and carry the second defender a few yards before going down. Gives a good effort as a blocker and should continue to improve in this area with better technique. Certainly big and strong enough to become an effective stalk blocker in the NFL.

Weaknesses: Continues to improve with experience but a bit of a late-bloomer who did not play football in high school until his junior year. Lacks ideal recognition skills. Does a below average job of finding soft spots in zone coverage. Rounds off too many of his routes and must learn to get in and out of his breaks without gearing down as much. He has a tendency to loose focus on occasion and will drop some "catchable" passes. Possesses adequate speed for his size but lacks elite speed to consistently get over the top of NFL defensive backs one-on-one. He has had some minor durability issues throughout his collegiate career.

Overall: Bowe played in all 13 games for LSU as a true freshman in 2003 as the team's fourth wide receiving and made nine catches for 106 yards. In 2004, Bowe played in all 12 games and had 10 starts. He finished the year with 39 receptions for 597 yards (15.3 average) and five touchdowns. Bowe missed the 2005 opener against ASU with an ankle injury and then played in the remaining 12 games, making nine starts. He led the Tigers in receptions (41), receiving yards (710), and touchdown catches (nine), while averaging 17.3 yards per receptions. In 2006, he earned first team All-SEC honors after playing in all 13 games (started 11 games) while catching 65 passes for 990 yards (15.2 average) and 12 touchdowns.
Bowe is one of the most naturally gifted wide receiver prospects in this class. He still has room to improve in terms of his route running and recognition skills, but Bowe is a late-bloomer who continues to make noticeable strides with more playing experience. He projects as a good No. 2 receiver in the NFL and he should come off the 2007 draft board in the bottom-half of the first round.



* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

[4and12to12and4]

well guys this has been fun. My daughter is buggin me to chat on the computer. DAMN HER!! LOL Anyways, Go Pack!! See y'all later. I'm gonna watch my cubbies kick the shit out of the hated cards.

[Guiness]

So, Cleveland takes Quinn?

Yes

Good call Ras. Back on p 12!

[HarveyWallbangers]

REACTIONS:

Pat Kirwan said he expected Justin Harrell to be selected around the point in the draft he was taken. Kirwan says Harrell "unique ability to disengage from blockers and make plays in the backfield."

Vic Carucci says "concerns over [Alan] Branch's tendency to play too upright and over his health made him too much of a risk for the Packers. Harrell is healthy and a safer choice. He should be a force against the run and a solid anchor for Green Bay's defensive line for a long time."

Meanwhile, collegefootballnews.com's Pete Fiutak is the latest to bring up the ol' buzzword "value." Says Fiutak: "One of the best values in the draft, he’s a top ten-caliber pick who dripped because of question marks about his health suffering a torn biceps early on last year. When he’s right, he’s a quick, strong defender who can play almost anywhere on the line and can be an anchor who takes on two blockers at a time. That’s if he stays healthy."

The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer isn't sold on the pick. Iyer thought the Packers should have gone offense, writing, "Wow, so much for offensive help in the form of Olsen, Bowe or even another Tennessee prospect, wide receiver Robert Meachem. Instead, the Packers go with an athletic but inconsistent defensive tackle. I don't get it. I really think this team had the potential to win now if they brought someone in to help Favre. With a decent tackle group in Corey Williams, Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins, Harrell is a real head-scratcher."

On the other hand, Jeff West of Consensus Draft Services could't be more thrilled with the pick. "I'll tell you right now, I love the pick by the Packers. Justin Harrell is an outstanding DT and I feel he's as close to a can't miss player as there is (next to Calvin Johnson, of course)."

SportsLine.com's Pete Prisco gives the Packers a B for their selection of Justin Harrell, saying "He is a speed rusher who will help a pass defense that needs it. Some scouts worried that he disapeared in the LSU game, but he's a need pick. They obviously wanted him, but I think Anthony Spencer was the better pick."

Pro Football Weekly uses buzzwords like "best value" and "durability": "Ted Thompson is a value-oriented, decision-maker and almost always takes the best player on the board. He clearly followed his approach here. However, when Cullen Jenkins kicked outside to end, a void was created inside, and Harrell does also fill a position of need. Harrell is quick off the ball and shows the ability to dominate. However, durability remains an issue, and he has not shown he could stay healthy throughout his career. Harrell follows in the path of former teammate Jason Allen, who the Dolphins drafted 16th overall after he missed most of the season with injury."

Over at Foxsports.com, John Czarnecki says "Once again, the Packers were great at leaking misinformation. They kept saying they needed playmakers to help Brett Favre in his final season. Every team tells some lies at draft time, but when I asked specifically about Justin Harrell two days ago, the Pack told me he wasn't their guy. ... Harrell may have been a top-ten player if he didn't have a biceps surgery after the Florida game last season. With the need at running back and receiver, you have to believe that the Packers are still thinking about Chargers running back Michael Turner and Oakland's Randy Moss. ... Harrell is a quality player and valiant player. He played with a torn biceps in that Florida game."

Peter Schrager says, while Packer fans aren't enamored with this pick, "I fell hard for Harrell hard last year, when he played in the Florida game despite having torn biceps. Ever TEAR a biceps? What's that feel like? I stubbed my toe last week and almost shut it down. Tough kid. Packers fans will love him. Not sure whether his intangibles are on or off the charts — but he's a solid clog in the middle."

In his blog for ESPN.com, Matt Mosley says "Did the Packers reach? The Packers fan to my right is not inspired by the choice of Tennessee DT Justin Harrell at No. 16. Some of us thought Green Bay might go with another UT player, WR Robert Meachem. My former officemate and draft genius Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News had Harrell going No. 27 to the Saints. McShay and Kiper both had him going at No. 23. So far, I think fans of the Browns, Dolphins and Packers have the biggest gripe."

[Rastak]

So, Cleveland takes Quinn?

Yes

Good call Ras. Back on p 12!

Delayed reaction!

[Guiness]

I bet he doesn't start, at least at first. Let him sit behind Fry.

You mean the way Couch did? He was under center what, game 3?

[Rastak]

REACTIONS:

Pat Kirwan said he expected Justin Harrell to be selected around the point in the draft he was taken. Kirwan says Harrell "unique ability to disengage from blockers and make plays in the backfield."

Vic Carucci says "concerns over [Alan] Branch's tendency to play too upright and over his health made him too much of a risk for the Packers. Harrell is healthy and a safer choice. He should be a force against the run and a solid anchor for Green Bay's defensive line for a long time."

Meanwhile, collegefootballnews.com's Pete Fiutak is the latest to bring up the ol' buzzword "value." Says Fiutak: "One of the best values in the draft, he’s a top ten-caliber pick who dripped because of question marks about his health suffering a torn biceps early on last year. When he’s right, he’s a quick, strong defender who can play almost anywhere on the line and can be an anchor who takes on two blockers at a time. That’s if he stays healthy."

The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer isn't sold on the pick. Iyer thought the Packers should have gone offense, writing, "Wow, so much for offensive help in the form of Olsen, Bowe or even another Tennessee prospect, wide receiver Robert Meachem. Instead, the Packers go with an athletic but inconsistent defensive tackle. I don't get it. I really think this team had the potential to win now if they brought someone in to help Favre. With a decent tackle group in Corey Williams, Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins, Harrell is a real head-scratcher."

On the other hand, Jeff West of Consensus Draft Services could't be more thrilled with the pick. "I'll tell you right now, I love the pick by the Packers. Justin Harrell is an outstanding DT and I feel he's as close to a can't miss player as there is (next to Calvin Johnson, of course)."

SportsLine.com's Pete Prisco gives the Packers a B for their selection of Justin Harrell, saying "He is a speed rusher who will help a pass defense that needs it. Some scouts worried that he disapeared in the LSU game, but he's a need pick. They obviously wanted him, but I think Anthony Spencer was the better pick."

Pro Football Weekly uses buzzwords like "best value" and "durability": "Ted Thompson is a value-oriented, decision-maker and almost always takes the best player on the board. He clearly followed his approach here. However, when Cullen Jenkins kicked outside to end, a void was created inside, and Harrell does also fill a position of need. Harrell is quick off the ball and shows the ability to dominate. However, durability remains an issue, and he has not shown he could stay healthy throughout his career. Harrell follows in the path of former teammate Jason Allen, who the Dolphins drafted 16th overall after he missed most of the season with injury."

Over at Foxsports.com, John Czarnecki says "Once again, the Packers were great at leaking misinformation. They kept saying they needed playmakers to help Brett Favre in his final season. Every team tells some lies at draft time, but when I asked specifically about Justin Harrell two days ago, the Pack told me he wasn't their guy. ... Harrell may have been a top-ten player if he didn't have a biceps surgery after the Florida game last season. With the need at running back and receiver, you have to believe that the Packers are still thinking about Chargers running back Michael Turner and Oakland's Randy Moss. ... Harrell is a quality player and valiant player. He played with a torn biceps in that Florida game."

Peter Schrager says, while Packer fans aren't enamored with this pick, "I fell hard for Harrell hard last year, when he played in the Florida game despite having torn biceps. Ever TEAR a biceps? What's that feel like? I stubbed my toe last week and almost shut it down. Tough kid. Packers fans will love him. Not sure whether his intangibles are on or off the charts — but he's a solid clog in the middle."

In his blog for ESPN.com, Matt Mosley says "Did the Packers reach? The Packers fan to my right is not inspired by the choice of Tennessee DT Justin Harrell at No. 16. Some of us thought Green Bay might go with another UT player, WR Robert Meachem. My former officemate and draft genius Rick Gosselin of The Dallas Morning News had Harrell going No. 27 to the Saints. McShay and Kiper both had him going at No. 23. So far, I think fans of the Browns, Dolphins and Packers have the biggest gripe."

You are a detailed fellow! Nice recap. Sounds like the guy should be good. Not sure DT was the need but BPA is a wise way to go IMHO.

[HarveyWallbangers]

You are a detailed fellow! Nice recap. Sounds like the guy should be good. Not sure DT was the need but BPA is a wise way to go IMHO.

I stole it from JSO.

[BallHawk]

Thanks for posting Harv.

In TT we trust!