NFLDraftScout.com
Team Report
1 *JaMarcus Russell QB LSU The Raiders released Aaron Brooks and then lost out on free agent Jeff Garcia, leaving a gaping need at quarterback. Russell is more of a project than Brady Quinn, but his size and amazingly strong arm make him a better fit for the deep passing attack preferred by the Raiders.
Team Report
2 Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame Just to be clear, Jon Kitna was not the problem with the Lions' offense in 2006. Of course, neither is he the long-term answer. Quinn could be a star in Mike Martz's offense after sitting and watching for a season. In filling needs through trade and free agency, the Lions have also put themselves in an enviable position to auction this pick.
Team Report
3 *Adrian Peterson RB Okla Just who the Browns prefer between Joe Thomas and Peterson, if both are available here, figures to be one of the more intriguing decisions early in the draft. Thomas makes a lot of sense, but the team needs to improve quickly to save coach Romeo Crennel's job. Peterson might be the draft's most immediate impact player, but his lack of durability has to be a concern for a seemingly snake-bitten franchise.
Team Report
4 *Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech If Johnson, arguably the draft's top prospect, is available, offensive-minded Bucs coach Jon Gruden won't hesitate to make him the pick.
Team Report
5 Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin After losing Leonard Davis in free agency, this is a huge area of need for the Cardinals. And if Thomas falls into their lap, the team's representative may be caught doing back-flips en route to handing the selection card to the commissioner.
Team Report
6 *Alan Branch DT Michigan The Commanders' lack of a pass rush last season belied the fact that there is some outside speed on this team. What is lacking, however, is an interior run-stuffer.
Team Report
7 Gaines Adams DE Clemson Kenechi Udeze managed to start all 16 games at defensive end last season for Minnesota without producing a single sack. Adams posted 12.5 last season, despite being the focus of every opponent's blocking scheme.
Team Report
8 Levi Brown OT Penn St Rookie Charles Spencer looked like a future standout left tackle before suffering a terrible knee injury last year that some feel is career-threatening. The Texans made the mistake of relying on veterans returning from injury last season and bypassed Reggie Bush. They won't make the same mistake twice.
Team Report
9 Amobi Okoye DT Louisville With reigning Defensive MVP Jason Taylor, the defensive line wouldn't appear to be an area of need for the Dolphins. That said, the team traded Dan Wilkinson and Keith Traylor is a free agent. The Dolphins would like to get younger along the defensive line and Okoye is continuing to move up the board after impressing everyone at the Combine.
Team Report
10 LaRon Landry FS LSU The Falcons' safety tandem of Chris Crocker and Lawyer Milloy was one of the league's worst in 2007, especially with Crocker struggling mightily against the pass. LaRon's older brother, Dawan, was a fourth-round pick for the Ravens last year and made an immediate impact on one of the best defenses in the league. LaRon is even more talented.
Team Report
11 Patrick Willis ILB Ole Miss In filling numerous needs through free agency, the 49ers put themselves in great position here to take the best available player. Willis likely emerged as a legitimate top 15 pick with his standout performance at the Senior Bowl and Combine.
Team Report
12 Leon Hall CB Michigan The Bills will be looking for reinforcements at cornerback after losing Nate Clements in free agency. By answering questions about his speed at the Combine with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, Hall may have vaulted back atop the cornerback rankings on many teams' boards.
Team Report
13 *Jamaal Anderson DE Ark The Rams added James Hall in a trade with Detroit, but they aren't done seeking help opposite Leonard Little. Anderson, a former receiver turned 6-6, 270-pound terror, has too much upside to let fall any further.
Team Report
14 *Greg Olsen TE Miami The Panthers have been looking for a top flight tight end for several years. Starter Kris Mangum retired and top backup Michael Gaines remains a project as a receiver. Olsen's spectacular Combine performance likely solidified his position as a mid first-round pick.
Team Report
15 Adam Carriker DE Nebraska Carriker, arguably the Senior Bowl's most dominant defender, is versatile enough to help regardless of new coach Mike Tomlin's defensive plan. Carriker is athletic enough to play inside and tough enough to slide inside in some schemes.
Team Report
16 Dwayne Bowe WR LSU Donald Driver continues to be Green Bay's only consistent receiving threat, and at 32 years old the team must plan for the future. Greg Jennings flashed early as a rookie, but his production tailed off in part to injuries. Bowe, the most impressive skill position player at the Senior Bowl, is a perfect fit in the West Coast Offense.
Team Report
17 *Reggie Nelson FS Florida The Jags will be looking help at safety with FS Deon Grant a free agent and SS Donovin Darius finishing each of the past two seasons on injured reserve. No safety made more game-changing plays last year than Nelson. The All-American recovered a fumble, blocked two kicks and intercepted six passes for the national champions, and has been compared to Pro Bowler Brian Dawkins. Jacksonville would be wise to keep him in state.
Team Report
18 *Jarvis Moss DE Florida Moss, long compared to former Titan star Jevon Kearse, is the type of versatile athlete the Bengals need on defense. Cincinnati kept Justin Smith with the franchise tag, but Moss could help fill the void left by injured David Pollack as an end who could see time at outside linebacker.
Team Report
19 *Robert Meachem WR Tennessee Having a potentially great quarterback with no receivers is kind of like having a Ferrari with no gas. Meachem has the size (6-2, 214) and speed (4.39 at Combine) to stretch defenses deep, opening more room underneath for Vince Young to operate.
Team Report
20 *Marshawn Lynch RB Cal The Giants said they are leaving no stone unturned in their search for Tiki Barber's replacement, even inquiring about the availability of Buffalo's Willis McGahee. Should they resort to the draft, Lynch makes sense due to his natural running and receiving skills.
Team Report
21 Aaron Ross CB Texas The Broncos traded for Dre Bly, but they're also in the enviable position of going for the best talent available because they have very few holes remaining. Ross, the 2006 Thorpe Award winner, has the speed and playmaking skills to be a Pro Bowl-caliber cover man down the road.
Team Report
22 Brandon Meriweather FS Miami Off-field red flags will be enough to scare off some teams, but the Cowboys have always shown a willingness to gamble on greatness. Due to the press given to LaRon Landry and Reggie Nelson, Meriweather doesn't always get his due, but the former Hurricane is among this draft's top defenders and would fill a huge need as a coverage safety to pair with Roy Williams.
Team Report
23 *Dwayne Jarrett WR USC The Chiefs' once-potent offense has steadily declined in production each of the past two years. The Chiefs could look at a variety of prospects here, including help for their aging offensive line, but Jarrett possesses the size coach Herm Edwards prefers at the position and would be a significant upgrade to their current receiving corps.
Team Report
24 *Darrelle Revis CB Pitt With questions about his pure speed arising, the Patriots could be in position to fortify their depth at cornerback with the falling Revis. Revis can pop back up to the top of the cornerback class with an impressive showing at his Pro Day, but scouts are questioning why he didn't run at the Combine, and for now, at least, are dropping Revis.
Team Report
25 Anthony Spencer DE Purdue The 3-4 defense has gained in popularity due to the explosive pass rush provided from its outside linebackers. Spencer may be the draft's best overall pass rusher, but his lack of prototype size (6-3, 261) may drop him down the board and leave him best suited as a 3-4 OLB.
Team Report
26 Paul Posluszny OLB Penn St The Eagles' run defense dropped to 26th in the league last year, giving up an average of 136.4 yards per game. Despite media speculation that he is dropping down the board, scouts insist the former Penn State star remains a viable first-round prospect. Posluszny's instincts and versatility make him one of the better linebackers available.
Team Report
27 *Chris Houston CB Ark The Saints' clear priority this off-season is to improve their defensive back seven. Mike McKenzie is a solid veteran, but Fred Thomas was continuously torched late last season. Houston's spectacular showing at the Combine likely cemented him in the draft's first round.
Team Report
28 Justin Blalock OG Texas With two first-round picks, the Patriots are looking for depth. Blalock, a four-year starter with experience at guard and tackle, would provide flexibility for a team that prides itself on versatility.
Team Report
29 *Michael Bush RB Louisville The release of Jamal Lewis was characterized as a salary cap move -- and he might eventually re-sign -- but since rushing for a staggering 2,066 yards in 2003, Lewis has averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. Bush, a 6-2, 243-pound bruiser with surprising agility, wasn't able to workout at the Combine due to his recovery from a broken leg suffered in Louisville's first game last season. That said, some feel he could have emerged as a top 10 prospect had he not suffered the injury.
Team Report
30 *Ted Ginn Jr. WR Ohio St While Ginn is certainly explosive, he is viewed as more of a return threat who can help as a receiver rather than a receiver who can help as a returner due to his less than reliable route running and hands. Ginn is viewed by some as luxury pick, and with few holes the Chargers are in position to add just such a player.
Team Report
31 Ben Grubbs OG Auburn Three of Chicago's five starting linemen are over the age of 30, with guard Ruben Brown (34) the elder statesman. The Bears also lack quality depth along the line. Grubbs emerged as one of the draft's top guards with a stellar season and Senior Bowl.
Team Report
32 *Lawrence Timmons OLB Florida St With Cato June and Rob Morris unrestricted free agents, the Colts will likely be looking at linebackers with the final pick of the first round. Timmons left FSU after only starting one season, but what a season it was: 79 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, two blocked kicks and returned touchdowns on an interception, fumble recovery and blocked punt.