Av's (somewhat unconventional) Round 1 Mock Draft

[AvengerRam]

Here are my picks. Many seem to differ from other mock drafts I've seen, but that's okay.

1. Oakland Raiders: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
The Raiders will take a chance on finding a QB later in the draft. Johnson is too talented to pass up and, besides, he’ll make any QB they put on the field look better.

2. Detroit Lions: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Lions haven’t had a big name QB since… um… well, its been a while. Quinn could be a good fit in Mike Martz’s offense.

3. Cleveland Browns: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Taking a chance here, but the Browns need a defensive anchor.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Edge pass rusher with huge upside will fit well in Tampa.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Ken Whisenhunt wants to run the ball and needs to protect Matt Leinart.

6. Washington Redskins: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Redskins had no pass rush last year. Anderson a major upgrade.

7. Minnesota Vikings: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Russell falls to a team with a dire need for a young QB. A good fit.

8. Houston Texans: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Texans signed Ahman Green, but there’s no way they’re going to pass again on a Blue Chip RB.

9. Miami Dolphins: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Dolphins need youth on DL, and Carriker offers flexibility to play DE or DT.

10. Atlanta Falcons: Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
Falcons need to improve LB corps after failing to do so last year through FA.

11. San Francisco Niners: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Moss could be a good LB/DE tweener in the Niners’ 3-4 scheme.

12. Buffalo Bills: LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Landry should make an immediate impact as a starter.

13. St. Louis Rams: Amobe Okoye, DT, Louisville
Never mind that he’s not a classic NT. Okoye is the best defensive prospect on the board.

14. Carolina Panthers: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State
Panthers LB corps have taken some hits recently. Posluszny not flashy, but makes a lot of tackles.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Reggie Nelson, DB, Florida
Nelson’s flexibility to play CB and FS will be a valuable asset to the Steelers.

16. Green Bay Packers: Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Ohio State
Its still about making Brett Favre happy in Green Bay.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence Timmons, LB, FSU
Will likely start as a rookie on an already strong defense.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Best player on the board, and fits a need for the Bengals.

19. Tennessee Titans: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
Good fit for a team that is paper thin at WR.

20. N.Y. Giants: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Giants need a boost to their pass defense, and Houston has great closing speed.

21. Denver Broncos: Ryan Kalil, C, USC
A perfect fit for the Broncos’ blocking schemes.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
Interior line still rebuilding. Here’s a big block.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Jarret, WR, USC
Will help in Red Zone, but does he have the speed to separate from NFL DBs?

24. New England Patriots (from Seattle): Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Will protect Tom Brady from pass rushers, if not ex-girlfriends.

25. New York Jets: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Jets need to upgrade their running attack. Lynch troubled, but talented.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Eagles have not had a steady WR corps. Rice could help change that.

27. New Orleans Saints: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (FL)
The Saints probably should go with a defensive player here, but Olsen is a good value and a good prospect.

28. New England Patriots: Anthony Spencer, LB/DE, Purdue
Most teams have him as a second round guy, but he’s a good fit for the Pats.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Justin Blaylock, OT, Texas
Ravens need youth and talent infusion on OL.

30. San Diego Chargers: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Chargers don’t have a lot of holes other than WR.

31. Chicago Bears: Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
DL is a strength area, but Johnson is a good value here to make it even stronger.

32. Indianapolis Colts: DeMarcus Tyler, DT, NC State
A big body to help improve the run defense.

[general counsel]

Interesting that you dont have Big Levi getting drafted in round one. I dont think the falcons pass on landry.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[AvengerRam]

Originally Posted by general counsel

Interesting that you dont have Big Levi getting drafted in round one.

I have him at #24 to New England.

[general counsel]

My apologies av, i read it too quickly. As always, you are correct.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[AvengerRam]

No problem, GC!

[Nick]

Top nine is certainly possible and looks good. Like GC, I don't see the Falcons passing on Landry. I believe they're moving Keith Brooking inside and have two young LBs to play outside in Boley and Williams. The Bills just drafted a safety round one last year (Donte Whitner) so I don't see them doing it again. Same for the Jags and a tight end (Marcedes Lewis). Kalil to Denver is an interesting pick that I haven't seen before and makes sense, as current starting center Tom Nalen turns 36 this year. I don't think Dallas needs to spend a first round pick on O-line after signing Davis and resigning Columbo; defensive secondary will likely be the pick there. Jets probably won't take a running back in the first after trading for Thomas Jones and signing him to a four-year deal. Everything else looks pretty good, nice work!

[laram0]

Hey, the DraftNick says it looks good. So I have to agree. Nice job.

[rams_fan81]

Looks pretty good AV. But I can only wish Adrian Peterson had gone to The Ohio State...

[HUbison]

I love the pick of Johnson to the Raiders. Everybody (including my soon-to-come mock) has either Russell or Quinn going to Oakland, but Johnson appears to be a near consensus pick as the best prospect in the draft. Yes, the Raiders need one of nearly everything, including a franchise QB, but how stable will the existence of Moss and Curry in Raider Nation be?

[AvengerRam]

I have to admit, I totally missed the boat sending Olsen to the Jaguars. So, to fix that, I've switched selections with New Orleans, which makes actually sense for both teams - Timmons to the Jags, Olsen to the Saints.

[txramsfan]

Justin Blaylock to the Ravens might be the best pick of the draft with Ogden aging and the Ravens primed for a Super Bowl run.

[CRAZYHORNS]

I hope the Rams are considering moving up if they plan to draft a Defensive Lineman. WHy select the 3rd or 4th best available player. This team is ready to make a playoff run and the only thing holding it back is the special team and the Defense.

I say lets sacrafice some of next years picks and some of our 2nd day picks to get the players that can make a positive impact this year.

Do not read too much into this I am not saying the Rams should sell the farm but if we need a Defensive Lineman and the Rams are projected selecting the 3rd or 4th best skill player at this position then I say why not trade up or consider drafting the best player at another position like a SS or LB....

I know the draft is far from an exact science. But if you take a guy at a position you need and he is not rated as high as these other guys and you get a servicable lineman but do not get a potential star is it worth keeping extra picks or would it be better to take a risk by giving up some picks to move up. I rather see the Rams take a player at another position such as the SS or LB that has the potential than to settle for the next available Defensive lineman.....

If you were the GM what would you do?????

[rams_fan81]

Yeah the only thing holding us back is defense and special teams and offense is keeping us together but thats twice as many bad things as good things