[dillinger319]

Putting together a mock draft in February before the free-agency period begins is tough duty.

It's really just a test run before the real race begins in early April. You try to go slow just to be safe, realizing that there is a lot more work to do.

We all know the positions of need for each of the 32 teams, but what we don't know is how they will fill them in free-agency. That's what makes putting together a mock draft at this time of the year so tough.

Heck, we haven't even had the combine.

What if a player who is expected to go high throws like your sister? What if a speed receiver suddenly isn't so speedy?

There's still a lot of evaluation left to do, a lot of player dissecting still to come. We saw all this with the idea that the mock draft that follows should not be printed and kept. It is just a start, nothing more.

So when it comes grading time for mock drafts -- yes, there are sites that do such a thing -- don't use this one.

It's just a start. The real race comes a little over two months from now.

(Updated on February 15, 2007)


2007 NFL Mock Draft
1. Oakland Raiders

Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame -- The Raiders will be tempted by LSU's JaMarcus Russell, but Quinn is the better prospect. I think in the end the Raiders will take the safer quarterback.
2. Detroit Lions

Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin -- They pass on taking Russell to take a rock-solid tackle in the second spot. They might also consider a runner here with the news that Kevin Jones is out for half the season.
3. Cleveland Browns

Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma -- This guy can be the next Eric Dickerson. The Browns need that kind of runner to help set up the passing game.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- They can't believe he's still here. What a steal he will be. He is a game breaker this team needs.
5. Arizona Cardinals

Alan Branch, DT, Michigan -- They need a power player in the middle of their line. Branch is a strong player who will help make Darnell Dockett better.
6. Washington Redskins

Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson -- They have to get better on their defensive front. Adams is a strong player who can play the run and the pass.
7. Minnesota Vikings

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State -- They lack a big-play threat and Ginn Jr. can be that. This is a need pick.
8. Houston Texans

Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville -- They need to get better inside to help Mario Williams outside. Okoye has a chance to be a star.
9. Miami Dolphins

JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- They're still not sure about Daunte Culpepper, so they take a shot on Russell. Plus, Cam Cameron was in San Diego when Philip Rivers learned behind Drew Brees before taking over.
10. Atlanta Falcons

Leon Hall, CB, Michigan -- The corner spot opposite DeAngelo Hall is a mess. Now they have Hall and Hall.
11. San Francisco 49ers

Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC -- They have to get a go-to guy for Alex Smith. Jarrett has that type of ability, although he isn't a burner.
12. Buffalo Bills

Levi Brown, T, Penn State -- They need to improve their offensive line, and Brown can play left tackle, which would allow them to move Jason Peters back to right tackle.
13. St. Louis Rams

Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas -- This is a team in dire need of help along the defensive line. Anderson is a pure speed rusher off the edge.
14. Carolina Panthers

Reggie Nelson, S, Florida -- He will give the Panthers a rangy safety who can cover a lot of ground. They need that type of player in their back two.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers

Charles Johnson, DE-LB, Georgia -- He is a speed player who can factor in at both spots for the Steelers, depending on the defense. If Mike Tomlin wants to use a 4-3, Johnson can be a down end, or an outside linebacker in the 3-4.
16. Green Bay Packers

Marshawn Lynch, RB, California -- The Packers are in need of a big-play back, and Lynch can be that guy. He has explosive speed.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida -- The value here is too great to pass up. For all their success on defense, they still don't have a great speed rusher.
18. Cincinnati Bengals

LaRon Landry, S, LSU -- The Bengals are considering moving safety Madieu Williams to corner and Landry can make that a reality. He didn't play as well as a senior as he did as a junior, but the skills are there.
19. Tennessee Titans

Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU -- When you get a franchise quarterback, it makes sense to get him a big-play receiver. Bowe can be that guy.
20. New York Giants

Darrell Revis, CB, Pittsburgh -- They have to get better and younger on the corners. Sam Madison is on his last legs.
21. Denver Broncos

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska -- This is a team that needs help along the defensive front. Carriker is a perfect guy who can play both the run and the pass.
22. Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi -- He is a fierce tackler who will add a lot to the middle of the Dallas defense.
23. Kansas City Chiefs

Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina -- They need a threat outside to help the passing game. Too many teams can load up against the run without respecting the receivers.
24. New England Patriots (from Seattle)

Michael Griffin, S, Texas -- Rodney Harrison is running out of steam and they need a replacement. Griffin would seem to be a perfect choice with his ability to tackle.
25. N.Y. Jets

Greg Olsen, TE, Miami -- They get little from the tight end position in terms of pass catching, and Olsen can change that. Eric Mangini comes from the Bill Belichick tree and saw him draft Daniel Graham and Ben Watson in the first round.
26. Philadelphia Eagles

Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State -- The linebacker spot is a big area of concern for the Eagles defense. This kid can play in the middle or on the outside.
27. New Orleans Saints

Tank Tyler, DT, North Carolina State -- They need to get more physical in the middle of their line and Tyler can do that at 320 pounds. A corner is also possible here.
28. New England Patriots

Anthony Spencer, OLB, Purdue -- He played defensive end in college, but can be a 3-4 speed rusher for the Patriots.
29. Baltimore Ravens

Aaron Ross, CB, Texas -- Samari Rolle is on his last legs and their defensive style mandates having quality cover corners. Ross is a smooth player who has played at a high level at a big-time program.
30. San Diego Chargers

Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee -- The Chargers need to improve their receiving group and Meacham can run. He has the explosive speed NFL teams love.
31. Chicago Bears

Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State -- He gives Rex Grossman a pass-catching threat in the middle of the field. That will take some of the pressure off his making down-the-field throws.
32. Indianapolis Colts

Jon Beason, LB, Miami -- They might lose Cato June and Rob Morris, so they have to get a linebacker who can run. Beason is that guy.