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Ask the experts
Which team do you think did the best job in the 2007 NFL draft?
By PFW staff
May 16, 2007
Dan Arkush, executive editor — Cleveland Browns
Kudos to Browns GM Phil Savage for being quick enough on his feet to switch gears and aggressively pursue Brady Quinn once he realized he had a shot of trading back up to the 22nd overall spot in the first round to acquire the guy a lot of people thought he should have grabbed with the third overall pick. I know the Browns had to trade a No. 1 pick next year to get Quinn, but they won’t be sorry. Quinn would love to be the local boy that makes good for the team he rooted for growing up, and with Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas, the Browns’ selection at No. 3, protecting him at left tackle for a long time to come, on a line that had already been fortified with the free-agent addition of OG Eric Steinbach, I think Quinn will be a mighty big success not too far down the road. What about the rest of the Browns’ 2007 draft class? Actually, aside from second-round CB Eric Wright, who is an intriguing gamble with character issues, it’s pretty nondescript. But there’s no denying Savage, who needed to do something bold for a teetering franchise, pulled off one of the all-time draft heists with his first two picks.
Trent Modglin, associate editor — New England Patriots
If I look at the long term, I probably like the jobs Cleveland, Arizona or Carolina did more, but with Bill Belichick and the Patriots on the cusp of another Super Bowl title, they wanted to get over the hump now. And by drafting Brandon Meriweather and trading for Randy Moss, I think they may have done just that. Meriweather was the team’s only pick on the first day, but he’s going to fit the Pats’ system well because of his instincts, versatility and playmaking ability. He’s drawn comparisons to fellow Hurricane alum Ed Reed, if that tells you anything. Trading a fourth-round pick for Moss was brilliant. No question, Moss was disinterested with the Raiders last year, but look for him to be out to prove himself all over again, this time in a quality system with a great quarterback and a no-nonsense locker room. Imagine if he stays focused and gets 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. For a fourth-round pick! And let’s not forget the Patriots traded the second of their first-round picks to the 49ers, netting them San Francisco’s first-rounder next year. A .500 record for the Niners means a pick in the No. 12-18 range. Those three moves represent a coup, in my mind.
Eric Edholm, associate editor — Carolina Panthers
There isn’t a pick they made that I didn’t like at least a little. Start up top. They got LB Jon Beason, who adds some fire at a position of need, 11 picks below where they considered taking him. He’s an instant starter and a John Fox type of kid. Second-rounder Dwayne Jarrett might never be a 1,000-yard guy, but he’s a big red-zone target who adds size at wideout. C Ryan Kalil has 10-year starter written all over him. He’s the kind of guy who will anchor your line despite lacking top-shelf physical ability. And the hits keep coming. DE Charles Johnson could start as a rookie and has a great motor. WR Ryne Robinson has a big heart and good return ability; I picture Steve Smith taking this kid under his wing. TE Dante Rosario and LB Tim Shaw at worst will be key special-teamers. Rosario will fit well in Jeff Davidson’s scheme, which should have expanded roles for the tight ends and H-backs. Even seventh-rounder C.J. Wilson has a chance to make the team, considering the need at safety. This could end up being the team’s most productive draft since 2001, when it netted Super Bowl XXXVIII starters Dan Morgan, Kris Jenkins and Smith.
Mike Wilkening, associate editor — Dallas Cowboys
Many will remember Brady Quinn’s fall down the draft board more than anything else about the 2007 NFL draft. Me? I’ll remember Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wheeling and dealing in a manner that would make Jimmy Johnson proud. When the Cowboys were on the clock, the Browns came calling, desperate to make a deal. Jones held out for an ’07 second-rounder and Cleveland’s 2008 first-round selection. The Browns agreed, and Jones picked up a No. 1 pick that’s likely to fall in the top 10-15 selections next season. Jones wasn’t done dealing, trading back into Round One and acquiring Philadelphia’s first-rounder (No. 26 overall) for picks Nos. 36, 87 and 159. The Cowboys selected Purdue OLB Anthony Spencer, a 3-4 pass-rushing threat in the mold of Rosevelt Colvin and Shaun Phillips. Later in the draft, the Cowboys added intriguing OT prospects James Marten (Boston College) and Doug Free (Northern Illinois) as well as Washington QB-WR Isaiah Stanback, a marvelous athlete. Here was a draft where the owner, coaching staff and evaluators were all seemingly on the same page.
Chris Neubauer, associate editor — Carolina Panthers
After consecutive uninspiring drafts that yielded only one full-time starter, the Panthers struck gold this year, netting four potential starters on the draft’s first day, even after trading down. Carolina traded its first-round pick (No. 14 overall) to the Jets for New York’s first-round pick (No. 25) and second- and fifth-round picks. With the No. 25 pick, the Panthers selected Miami LB Jon Beason, who was their target if they would have stood pat at No. 14. Beason should win the starting WLB job and could move to the middle if injuries catch up to Dan Morgan again. Second-rounders WR Dwayne Jarrett and C Ryan Kalil, both from USC, are expected to nail down starting jobs as rookies, replacing disappointing 2006 free-agent signings Keyshawn Johnson (who was released just days after the draft, on May 1) and Justin Hartwig, respectively. The Panthers closed out Day One by picking Georgia DE Charles Johnson, who is the starter of the future opposite Pro Bowler Julius Peppers and will log heavy minutes until veteran Mike Rucker recovers from a late-season knee injury.
Court E. Mann, associate editor — Arizona Cardinals
It was a banner day for the NFL cellar dwellers. The hapless Cleveland Browns scored two blue-chip first-rounders, but the Cardinals quietly weren’t far behind in their first-day exploits. They grabbed monster ORT Levi Brown with the fifth overall pick to address a long-standing need up front. Some scouts are convinced that Brown has more upside than Joe Thomas, and the big fella will pay dividends protecting franchise QB Matt Leinart’s blind side and creating running room for workhorse Edgerrin James. Arizona then moved up in the second round to grab mammoth NT Alan Branch. The Michigan product was once considered a top-10 prospect, and the Cardinals’ new coaching staff didn’t hesitate to pounce when an opportunity arose. Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm saw firsthand in Pittsburgh that championships are won in the trenches, and they acquired two instant-impact building blocks on each side of the ball. The trade up left them with few remaining picks, but they made them count. LB Buster Davis was a top ILB prospect, WR Steve Breaston may return kicks from the start and TE Ben Patrick has first-day ability.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2007/ask2203.htm
Which team do you think did the best job in the 2007 NFL draft?
By PFW staff
May 16, 2007
Dan Arkush, executive editor — Cleveland Browns
Kudos to Browns GM Phil Savage for being quick enough on his feet to switch gears and aggressively pursue Brady Quinn once he realized he had a shot of trading back up to the 22nd overall spot in the first round to acquire the guy a lot of people thought he should have grabbed with the third overall pick. I know the Browns had to trade a No. 1 pick next year to get Quinn, but they won’t be sorry. Quinn would love to be the local boy that makes good for the team he rooted for growing up, and with Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas, the Browns’ selection at No. 3, protecting him at left tackle for a long time to come, on a line that had already been fortified with the free-agent addition of OG Eric Steinbach, I think Quinn will be a mighty big success not too far down the road. What about the rest of the Browns’ 2007 draft class? Actually, aside from second-round CB Eric Wright, who is an intriguing gamble with character issues, it’s pretty nondescript. But there’s no denying Savage, who needed to do something bold for a teetering franchise, pulled off one of the all-time draft heists with his first two picks.
Trent Modglin, associate editor — New England Patriots
If I look at the long term, I probably like the jobs Cleveland, Arizona or Carolina did more, but with Bill Belichick and the Patriots on the cusp of another Super Bowl title, they wanted to get over the hump now. And by drafting Brandon Meriweather and trading for Randy Moss, I think they may have done just that. Meriweather was the team’s only pick on the first day, but he’s going to fit the Pats’ system well because of his instincts, versatility and playmaking ability. He’s drawn comparisons to fellow Hurricane alum Ed Reed, if that tells you anything. Trading a fourth-round pick for Moss was brilliant. No question, Moss was disinterested with the Raiders last year, but look for him to be out to prove himself all over again, this time in a quality system with a great quarterback and a no-nonsense locker room. Imagine if he stays focused and gets 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. For a fourth-round pick! And let’s not forget the Patriots traded the second of their first-round picks to the 49ers, netting them San Francisco’s first-rounder next year. A .500 record for the Niners means a pick in the No. 12-18 range. Those three moves represent a coup, in my mind.
Eric Edholm, associate editor — Carolina Panthers
There isn’t a pick they made that I didn’t like at least a little. Start up top. They got LB Jon Beason, who adds some fire at a position of need, 11 picks below where they considered taking him. He’s an instant starter and a John Fox type of kid. Second-rounder Dwayne Jarrett might never be a 1,000-yard guy, but he’s a big red-zone target who adds size at wideout. C Ryan Kalil has 10-year starter written all over him. He’s the kind of guy who will anchor your line despite lacking top-shelf physical ability. And the hits keep coming. DE Charles Johnson could start as a rookie and has a great motor. WR Ryne Robinson has a big heart and good return ability; I picture Steve Smith taking this kid under his wing. TE Dante Rosario and LB Tim Shaw at worst will be key special-teamers. Rosario will fit well in Jeff Davidson’s scheme, which should have expanded roles for the tight ends and H-backs. Even seventh-rounder C.J. Wilson has a chance to make the team, considering the need at safety. This could end up being the team’s most productive draft since 2001, when it netted Super Bowl XXXVIII starters Dan Morgan, Kris Jenkins and Smith.
Mike Wilkening, associate editor — Dallas Cowboys
Many will remember Brady Quinn’s fall down the draft board more than anything else about the 2007 NFL draft. Me? I’ll remember Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wheeling and dealing in a manner that would make Jimmy Johnson proud. When the Cowboys were on the clock, the Browns came calling, desperate to make a deal. Jones held out for an ’07 second-rounder and Cleveland’s 2008 first-round selection. The Browns agreed, and Jones picked up a No. 1 pick that’s likely to fall in the top 10-15 selections next season. Jones wasn’t done dealing, trading back into Round One and acquiring Philadelphia’s first-rounder (No. 26 overall) for picks Nos. 36, 87 and 159. The Cowboys selected Purdue OLB Anthony Spencer, a 3-4 pass-rushing threat in the mold of Rosevelt Colvin and Shaun Phillips. Later in the draft, the Cowboys added intriguing OT prospects James Marten (Boston College) and Doug Free (Northern Illinois) as well as Washington QB-WR Isaiah Stanback, a marvelous athlete. Here was a draft where the owner, coaching staff and evaluators were all seemingly on the same page.
Chris Neubauer, associate editor — Carolina Panthers
After consecutive uninspiring drafts that yielded only one full-time starter, the Panthers struck gold this year, netting four potential starters on the draft’s first day, even after trading down. Carolina traded its first-round pick (No. 14 overall) to the Jets for New York’s first-round pick (No. 25) and second- and fifth-round picks. With the No. 25 pick, the Panthers selected Miami LB Jon Beason, who was their target if they would have stood pat at No. 14. Beason should win the starting WLB job and could move to the middle if injuries catch up to Dan Morgan again. Second-rounders WR Dwayne Jarrett and C Ryan Kalil, both from USC, are expected to nail down starting jobs as rookies, replacing disappointing 2006 free-agent signings Keyshawn Johnson (who was released just days after the draft, on May 1) and Justin Hartwig, respectively. The Panthers closed out Day One by picking Georgia DE Charles Johnson, who is the starter of the future opposite Pro Bowler Julius Peppers and will log heavy minutes until veteran Mike Rucker recovers from a late-season knee injury.
Court E. Mann, associate editor — Arizona Cardinals
It was a banner day for the NFL cellar dwellers. The hapless Cleveland Browns scored two blue-chip first-rounders, but the Cardinals quietly weren’t far behind in their first-day exploits. They grabbed monster ORT Levi Brown with the fifth overall pick to address a long-standing need up front. Some scouts are convinced that Brown has more upside than Joe Thomas, and the big fella will pay dividends protecting franchise QB Matt Leinart’s blind side and creating running room for workhorse Edgerrin James. Arizona then moved up in the second round to grab mammoth NT Alan Branch. The Michigan product was once considered a top-10 prospect, and the Cardinals’ new coaching staff didn’t hesitate to pounce when an opportunity arose. Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm saw firsthand in Pittsburgh that championships are won in the trenches, and they acquired two instant-impact building blocks on each side of the ball. The trade up left them with few remaining picks, but they made them count. LB Buster Davis was a top ILB prospect, WR Steve Breaston may return kicks from the start and TE Ben Patrick has first-day ability.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2007/ask2203.htm
