Av's 12 plus 1 Mock (Version 1.0)

[AvengerRam]

Rather than doing the whole first round, I'm just going to do the picks that really matter - the 12 before the Rams' pick and the Rams' selection:

1. Oakland Raiders - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Raiders have fallen off the map and need a franchise QB who can become the face of the team. I'm not fully sold on Quinn, but I think Al Davis will be.

2. Detroit Lions - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
The Lions could use another pass rusher and playmaker on the line. I suspect that Anderson will do very well in workouts, and was very productive on the field.

3. Cleveland Browns - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
The Browns are clearly not satisfied with their QB situation and Russell is a great prospect.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
They need a big anchor to their aging defense, and Branch fits that role perfectly.

5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Need to rebuild the offensive line. This is a good start.

6. Washington Redskins - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Skins need some playmakers and get a good one here.

7. Minnesota Vikings - Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
A much needed injection of youth and talent to the defensive backfield.

8. Houston Texans - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Will pair with Mario Williams to create a fearsome DE combo.

9. Miami Dolphins - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Dolphins need more firepower in the passing game.

10. Atlanta Falcons - Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
More protection for Vick, as Falcons continue to pretend he can be a pocket passer.

11. San Francisco Niners - LaRon Landry, S, LSU
The Niners have visions of Ronnie Lott dancing in their heads.

12. Buffalo Bills - Amobi Akoye, DT, Louisville
Bills take a chance on a very young prospect to help improve run defense.

13. St. Louis Rams - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Very big and athletic. This is the kind of guy I believe Haslett wants on this defense.

[Nick]

Way too high for Carriker, IMO. I view him as a borderline first round pick right now, but I think he's a better fit in the second round. I don't see him going in the top fifteen, especially with the kind of talent at DE ahead of him.

[AvengerRam]

Okay... you don't like the "plus 1"... but what do you think of the 12?

[Bar-bq]

I think the 12 is good, but where is Adrian Peterson? If he doesn't go to Oakland, Cleveland, Houston or Atlanta, i'll eat my hat.

[AvengerRam]

I thought of sending him to Atlanta, but I have this sneaking suspicion that their new coach might hold out for Bush in the second round.

[Nick]

Okay... you don't like the "plus 1"... but what do you think of the 12?

I dunno, half of them I think are fine, half of them I think would go a different way.

First three picks are fine IMO. I think the Lions would look Gaines Adams over Anderson because I think he's a better fit in the Tampa 2 off the edge, but if Anderson has a good combine he could surpass Adams as the #1 DE.

I don't think the Bucs can pass on Calvin Johnson. Washington already has plenty at receiver between Moss, Randle El, and Lloyd; I think they'd take Adams in that situation to improve their pass rush. Houston is probably unlikely to take two ends that high in two years.

I don't see Levi Brown as a top ten pick, nor do I see the Falcons going O-line in the first round. Safety would be better for them. Buffalo just spent a first round pick on McCargo at DT last year; they need help at LB and CB.

And as BBQ said, I don't think AP falls out of the top ten.

[Country]

I don't think the Bills go witha DT they took one in the first last year Jon McCargo.

Carriker to me is a late 1st early 2nd round type guy, but if the Rams do go DE at 13 they should be looking ar guys like Lamarr Woodley ro my favorite Charles Johnson.

If Adams, Anderson, Branch are not their the Rams should not hesitate to move down and get picks.

[Nick]

For what it's worth Av, Scott Wright of NFLDraftCountdown.com has Adam Carriker going at 15th overall to the Steelers so maybe I'm wrong about where his value currently lies.

[BigGame]

For what it's worth Av, Scott Wright of NFLDraftCountdown.com has Adam Carriker going at 15th overall to the Steelers so maybe I'm wrong about where his value currently lies.

I saw that too... He must have read Av's mock.

[tomahawk247]

i agree on the Bills probably not taking Akoye, that would be two First Round DTs in as many years. They could go for Patrick Willis to replace London Fletcher-Baker if he leaves in FA (which is expected)

[AvengerRam]

For what it's worth Av, Scott Wright of NFLDraftCountdown.com has Adam Carriker going at 15th overall to the Steelers so maybe I'm wrong about where his value currently lies.

Hey, its all guess work at this point. Once the combine and campus workouts happen, we'll have a better idea. One thing is almost certain: there is a player who's probably not on anyone's list of first rounders who, due to a phenomenal workout, will jump into the top 20 picks.

[Nick]

Hey, its all guess work at this point. Once the combine and campus workouts happen, we'll have a better idea. One thing is almost certain: there is a player who's probably not on anyone's list of first rounders who, due to a phenomenal workout, will jump into the top 20 picks.

Plus, because of Carriker's ability to play end in the 3-4, I expect him to likely be looked at a bit earlier than he normally would. It would make sense for a 3-4 team to maybe reach a bit if they think he's going to fill a role that might otherwise be difficult to address. Though in my most recent projections, I anticipated him going to the Jets at the bottom of round one.

[AvengerRam]

Here's how I came up with the pick (for what its worth):

I see the Rams, at Haslett's urging, making a run at Charles Grant, who is a 290 lb. DE. If the Rams fail to sign him, Haslett will go for the next best thing, Carriker, a 295 lb. DE.