Official 2007 Live Draft Thread

[BallHawk]

Here, it could be Carriker, Branch, or maybe even Willis.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

I'm sick to my stomach...TT will end up picking Quinn if he's there. No immediate help.

wrong, if Quinn is there at 16 we hit a coup de grace with trading down.

[Bretsky]

I'm sick to my stomach...TT will end up picking Quinn if he's there. No immediate help.

Isn't No immediate Help TT's offseason motto for 2007 ?

[mmmdk]

Okoye is going to be a hell of a football player, hopefully enough to match his character.

Landry, Okoye, carriker & Willis - I luv those kind of players!

[Rastak]

Scouts inc first 6 picks analysis


NEW YORK -- As expected, the Oakland Raiders made LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft. Our scouts explain the rationale behind that decision and every other first-day pick as they unfold.


Inside the first round
1. Oakland Raiders
The pick: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Scouts take: Russell is the obvious pick for the Raiders because he fills a pressing need and has the most value at the position. Although he needs to continue to improve his decision making and work on his footwork, he has rare size and arm strength. He is accurate enough to hit receivers anywhere on the field and lead them when throwing underneath. He isn't a great scrambler, but he can pick up yardage with his feet when nothing is available downfield.

Now the question is can he succeed at Oakland? There is no question the offensive line has underachieved so he is going to take some hits but he is big enough to absorb that kind of punishment and quick enough to buy him some time. An even greater concern may be surrounding him with quality character players. That could prove difficult considering the problems they had with their talented receivers last year and the fact that Lane Kiffin is a young, first-year head coach. If Kiffin can get Russell to buy into his system, the sky is the limit for Russell and the Raiders.

2. Detroit Lions
The pick: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech.
Scouts take: Detroit Lions' general manager Matt Millen will undoubtedly take a lot of heat for drafting yet another receiver in the first round but Johnson is the best overall talent. In fact, he is arguably the most talented receiver taken in a decade. Blazing speed, impressive body control and formidable size could make Johnson one of the most difficult receivers in the league to cover this year. If he improves his consistency catching the ball and sharpens his route running skills, defensive coordinators will have a difficult time finding ways to slow him down.



Offensive coordinator Mike Martz should be smiling right now because he knows exactly how to get the most out of a player like Johnson. Johnson will benefit from playing under Martz as well because Martz's scheme demands his receivers run crisp routes. However, it's important to note that Johnson may not be in a Lions' uniform next year. Detroit will likely entertain any trade offers from teams like Tampa Bay in an effort to stockpile picks.

3. Cleveland Browns
The pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin.
Scouts take: The Browns really had to decide between Thomas, RB Adrian Peterson and QB Brady Quinn. The truth is all three were good values at this pick but taking Quinn would have made more sense because Charlie Frye isn't a franchise quarterback. That being said, Frye should be more effective with Thomas protecting the edge. A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Thomas gets into his pass set quickly, uses his long arms to ride edge rushers past the quarterback and can counter when ends try to redirect inside after starting outside.



While he isn't a great run blocker who can consistently drive two-gap defenders off the ball, he gets into sound position and plays with a bit of a mean streak. Thomas also does a good job of throwing blocks downfield. With the Browns already adding Seth McKinney and Eric Steinbach though free agency, Cleveland's offensive line should be substantially better this year.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Scouts take: The Buccaneers would have loved to have drafted Johnson and reportedly considered taking Quinn here but at the end of the day Adams is the right pick. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's Cover-2 schemes need productive pass rushers up front to be truly effective and the front four needed a boost. Veteran Simeon Rice recorded just two sacks in the eight games in 2006 and Dewayne White, who recorded five sacks, is now with Detroit. Adams, who is the most explosive pass rusher in this class, should provide that much-needed shot of adrenaline. He has excellent first-step quickness and shows rare closing speed once he turns the corner. If he doesn't get to the quarterback, he generally gets his hands up and times his jumps well.



The biggest concern with him is his ability to anchor against the run and teams should have some success running right at him but the scheme will help mask this weakness. Kiffin will generally ask Adams to use his burst to get into the backfield rather than asking him to stack the blocker up and then react to the play.

5. Arizona Cardinals
The pick: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Scouts take: Most draft analysts including ourselves didn't see Brown going this high but it doesn't come as a complete shock because his stock has been steadily rising over the past two weeks. In fact, some front offices saw Brown as an equal if not better talent than Joe Thomas heading into this weekend. Of course, the departure of Leonard Davis has created a vacancy at left tackle so getting Brown fills the Cardinals' most pressing need. Brown should immediately step in as the starter opposite free agent signee Mike Gandy and for good reason. He is bigger and more physical than Thomas. His ability to open up holes and wear down opponents over the course of a game should please both RB Edgerrin James and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt who is expected to run early and often.



Though Brown isn't an elite pass blocker and he needs to work on his footwork, he's no slouch either so he should be able to hold his own depending on the matchup. More importantly, he has the athleticism and quickness to develop into an excellent pass blocker who can consistently hold his own on an island.

6. Washington Redskins
The pick: Laron Landry, S, LSU
Scouts take: It's impossible to say whether or not this is the perfect move for Washington at this point because the Redskins have so few picks and no one knows exactly what transpired in terms of trade offers leading up to the pick. If they weren't offered quality value for the pick, then taking Landry is an excellent move. Though the Redskins have more pressing needs than safety, it is a need and there's nothing Landry can't do. He is a tough run defender who takes the shortest path to the path and delivers big hits. He times hits well and punishes receivers that go over the middle. He can cover the deep half of the field and can match up with slot receivers.



One area of concern is his ability to play the ball when it's in the air but he has adequate ball skills and he should benefit from lining up next to Sean Taylor. Taylor's excellent range and ability to play a centerfielder type role will help protect Landry. Finally, having such talented safeties gives the Redskins more freedom in terms of mixing as well as hiding coverages and helps the pass rush out by forcing quarterbacks to hold on to the ball longer.

[Bretsky]

Here, it could be Carriker, Branch, or maybe even Willis.

I think it's Willis; I'd love to see him fall to 16

[Brando19]

I'm sick to my stomach...TT will end up picking Quinn if he's there. No immediate help.

Isn't No immediate Help TT's offseason motto for 2007 ?

Thans for slappin me back to reality. You're right.

[Freak Out]

If TT picks Quinn he had better get a bodyguard or three.

[Rastak]

Here, it could be Carriker, Branch, or maybe even Willis.

I'll go with Willis......or at least that's what I'd do.

[motife]

Here, it could be Carriker, Branch, or maybe even Willis.

I'll go with Willis......or at least that's what I'd do.

best player available period. always, regardless of position, unless there's a tie.

TT says the draft is not for the next minicamp or the next season. it's for the next 8 years.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Lots of good players left. Of the top players left, the only ones I really don't want to see the Packers draft are Leon Hall, Alan Branch, and Brady Quinn. Please no Hall or Branch.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

man i'm getting excited, at 16 I don't see how we can pick a bad player, so much talent out there

[Charles Woodson]

I'm sick to my stomach...TT will end up picking Quinn if he's there. No immediate help.

wrong, if Quinn is there at 16 we hit a coup de grace with trading down.

I wouldnt really mind this, but what if the dolphins traded both 2nds and a 3rd for our 16 pick?

[Rastak]

Lots of good players left. Of the top players left, the only ones I really don't want to see the Packers draft are Leon Hall, Alan Branch, and Brady Quinn. Please no Hall or Branch.

You're back......why not Quinn?

How did you like the Ginn pick?
How bout them Vikes!

[Freak Out]

The Bears should trade Briggs and their #1 to us so they can draft Quinn if he is still there at 16.