FanHouse Nfl Mock Draft

With each pick of the FanHouse Mock Draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know you will pick and why.

The Ravens have made no secret of their first-round intentions. And luckily -- at least in this little exercise -- Texas guard/tackle Justin Blalock is still available when Baltimore goes on the clock late in the first round.

Blalock played right tackle in college -- he was a unanimous All-American and All-Big 12 Conference selection as a senior -- but he could move to guard in the NFL. The Ravens have former second-rounder Adam Terry at right tackle (he played left tackle at Syracuse, but made the move because of, well, Jonathan Ogden) but could use Blalock at right guard. Keydrick Vincent currently holds down the position, but he's more of a backup than starter.

However, if Ogden retires -- which he's talked about this off-season -- Terry could move back to his natural position and Blalock could play right tackle. Even if Ogden comes back for 2007, the Ravens will be very young along the offensive line. Chris Chester, a 2006 second-rounder, could start at center, and Justin Brown, drafted in the 2005, will be the starting left guard. That could lead to some 2007 growing pains, but the o-line could be dominant in three or four seasons.

The Skinny:
Team Needs: OL, LB, CB, RB,QB
The Pick: Justin Blalock, G/T, Texas
Also Considered: Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn; Aaron Sears, G, Tennessee; Tony Ugoh, T, Arkansas; Joe Staley, T, Central Michigan

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

See all mock draft picks so far

Next Pick: No. 30, San Diego Chargers

With each pick of the FanHouse Mock Draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know you will pick and why.

The Saints really, really need a cornerback who can at least start his career in nickel packages, but with their two top options in Chris Houston and Darrelle Revis gone, they won't reach (or "manufacture" in Sean Payton's words) for a corner. From there, the team can go basically anywhere.

Mickey Loomis has always been a "best player available" sort-of guy, so the team won't dig low on their board just because cornerback is their greatest need. With Houston and Revis gone, the team turns toward defensive tackle, their second-greatest need. Harrell fits at this spot and gives the Saints a fresh body for the team's defensive line rotation. Last year the team made strides at defensive tackle. Hollis Thomas, the big addition, is playing year-to-year, 306 lbs. and asthmatic, and seemed to wear down as last season progressed. The other starter, Brian Young, is a 3-tech tackle whose high motor only occasionally prevents him from being swallowed by blocks. They'll each be 30+ by the time the season starts.

Oh, also: the Saints still finished 23rd in rushing defense last year.

Harrell's stock is rising as teams are growing more comfortable with the fact that he's fully recovered from a ruptured biceps tendon. His play against the run will benefit the rush defense, and his ability to disrupt in the backfield fits in perfectly with the Saints' aggressive blitz. His toughness (he delayed surgery on that injury for a week to help Tennessee in an important game) fits in with the team's personality.

Payton's theory about drafting offensive linemen every year might lead them to draft Joe Staley to play right tackle or Justin Blalock at left guard. They could also take Lawrence Timmons to play weakside linebacker or Greg Olsen, which is less likely after signing Eric Johnson. But Harrell seems like the right choice, at 27th he's not a reach and he fills a position of need.

The Skinny:
Team Needs: CB, DT, TE, WR, LB
The Pick: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Also Considered: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami; Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State; Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State; Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan; Justin Blalock, OG, Texas

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

See all mock draft picks so far

Next Pick: No. 28, New England Patriots

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The beauty of the Cowboys offseason was that they did an outstanding job filling their glaring needs. So much so that they could've gone a number of ways with this pick and wouldn't be backed into a corner picking need over talent. That's where Dwayne Bowe comes in. Bowe, who would be the first offensive first round pick for Dallas since 1997, is a big receiver that could be the replacement for the aging Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens.

Similar to T.O., Bowe is a fluid receiver with nice size. Isn't as fast as Owens, but uses his big frame and long arms to shield defenders from the ball and should be of instant value in the redzone and on fade routes. He does need some work in his route running, but that's something that he can be taught ... especially on a team with Owens and Glenn.

While the USC guys of Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith could give Jerry Jones a name guy to salivate over, Jones will do the smarter thing and take the big receiver with, seemingly, a bigger upside.

The Skinny
Team Needs: OT, CB, CB, DE, WR, DT, LB
Player Selected: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Also Considered: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC; Aaron Ross, CB, Texas.

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
See all mock draft picks so far

Next Pick:
No. 23: Chiefs

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

Pacman Jones' year-long suspension means that cornerback just went from being a position of strength to a weakness, as does punt and kick returner. But with Leon Hall gone, there isn't much difference from the second-best cornerback and the seventh-best, so the Titans can wait until the second round for a corner.

There are several other glaring needs for the Titans. They need a running back to compete with Lendale White if they don't sign somebody in free agency. They need a defensive end to improve the pass rush and the could use another safety to compete for the free safety job. But in most of those cases, the Titans are looking for backups, they don't need immediate help, so they can wait a round or two to fill the holes.

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The Bengals need defense as Cincy was 31st in pass defense last year. In last season's draft, the Bengals nabbed CB Jonathan Joseph who should be ready to be the starter this year. However, there is still a need here as Tory James will be leaving and 2005 free agent stud Detha O'Neal struggled last season.

Revis is an athletic corner with nice size and could be ... in a good way ... another Pac-Man Jones. Not the "Make It Rain" Pac-Man ... the Pac-Man who makes big plays on defense and special teams. He's excellent at reading the quarterback, excels in zone coverages and can be used as a return specialist. This could be a key since Chris Henry's suspension could force a reshuffling of the depth chart. He's the kind of guy that can make a huge play defensively, something the Bengals used to great advantage in their AFC North championship season of 2005.

Of course, while the temptation of taking Florida's Jarvis Moss or Penn State's Paul Posluszny will be great, the Bengals could find quality with their 2nd round pick at those spots.

The Skinny
Team Needs: DT, LB, CB, S, WR
Player Selected: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt
Also Considered: Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State; Jarvis Moss, LB/DE, Florida.

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
See all mock draft picks so far

Next Pick:
No. 19: Titans

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The Steelers biggest need heading onto the draft is at linebacker. With Joey Porter cut, Clark Haggans in the final year of his contract and James Farrior now on the other side of 30, the Steelers need to bring in some new blood. Linebacker has traditionally been the Steelers' strongest position--with a Pro Bowl legacy that stretches from Andy Russell, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert all the way to Porter and Farrior.

But sitting at No. 15, there aren't many linebacker/defensive ends worthy of the pick. The two most often tied to the Steelers are Florida State's Lawrence Timmons and Florida's Jarvis Moss. But Timmons is undersized to be a 3-4 outside linebacker (and he couldn't even be bothered to get in shape for his Pro Day), while Moss has some injury concerns and has to prove he can adjust from 4-3 defensive end in college to 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros--the difficulty of that switch is why the Steelers have taken a conversion project in the first round only once in the past 25 years--and we all know how well Huey Richardson turned out.

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The Rams will have to settle for this playmaker. In all honesty, they hope for a sudden slip by Amobi Okoye or Alan Branch to fill their biggest need at defensive tackle. But with both tackles off the board early, the team has to consider other options. They might ponder taking Darrelle Revis here, but the team has a greater need at receiver and, more importantly, kick/punt returner.

Torry Holt is still Big Game-worthy, no doubt, but he'll be 31 when the season begins. Isaac Bruce, at 35, has defied age, but the shoe hanging above his head is only tenuously perched. Drew Bennett is nice, but with the losses of Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald this offseason, the team needs a slot receiver to groom for starting duty. Ginn is extra-super-appealing in that regard because he can also return kicks and punts. Devin Hester made returners more desirable; the Rams will have to worry less about defense if they're constantly winning the battle of field position or getting points from special teams.

Some see Ginn slipping after a disappointing workout, but one of three coaches in attendance that day was Scott Linehan. The interest is there. The knock on Ginn is that, while undoubtedly fast and with good hands, route-running is a weakness. The ability to work with one of the best route-runners in the league should be beneficial. In the meantime, Ginn can stretch the field with the fly route, allowing space for Torry Holt, Randy McMichael, and Steven Jackson to do their things.

The Skinny:
Team Needs: DE, DT, LB, CB, S, WR, KR
Player Selected: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
Also Considered: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh; Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State; Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
No. 4 Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

See all mock draft picks so far.

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The 49ers are a team on the rise. They've got a young offense with growing playmakers in Alex Smith, Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis. The team is lacking at receiver, where Antonio Bryant is departed and replaced with perennial underachiever Ashley Lelie. But despite the selection of hybrid Manny Lawson last year, and the signing of Nate Clements in the offseason, defense is still noticeably devoid of playmakers.

Let's face it: Bryant Young isn't going to play forever. It's not a good sign when the best player in your front seven started playing football when Jesus was in shortpants. With the end of his career nigh, the team needs to select a defensive end to take the torch. Carriker is a great fit, a high-motor guy from Nebraska who's size (6'6'', 300 lbs) makes him a prototypical end in the 3-4 defense the 49ers are switching to this offseason.

This is actually a good scenario for the 49ers. Though Carriker is almost universally ranked behind fellow ends Gaines Adams and Jamaal Anderson, he fits the 49ers scheme better than those two ends. The 49ers get the guy they want and need without having to move.

Linebacker and receiver could also be the targeted position here, but, as MDS has pointed out before, Carriker's ability to rush the passer and anchor the run would be too much for the 49ers to pass up. The 49ers ranked 19th in rush defense last year, surrendering 121.0 yards per game, and ranked 20th in sacks with 34. Carriker will help improve both areas. He and Lawson could pair to lock down half of the field, and his character and intangibles will provide the solid presence Mike Nolan's trying to build in his young team.

The Skinny:
Team Needs: DL, WR, LB
Player Selected: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Also Considered: Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State; Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
See all mock draft picks so far

Next Pick:
No. 12: Bills

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The Dolphins have many needs on this draft day and with 9 draft picks, they can pick up a lot of help. First up: Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch.

Branch is a bulky beast who can eat up blockers and free up lanes for pass rushers [hmm, Joey Porter, Jason Taylor?] to get to the quarterback. Dude is huge. He's 6'5, around 320 lbs and is surprisingly quick. Miami lost Keith Traylor, Kevin Carter, Jeff Zgonina, David Bowens and traded away Big Daddy Wilkinson [uh, but that thing was canceled] and will be looking at getting someone to pair up with Taylor and Vonnie Holliday on this defensive front.

The issue with Branch [and the reason his stock is falling] is his motivation. He's gained weight during the spring and showed up to Michigan's on-campus workout out of shape. That leaves some to wonder if he'll be content once he gets paid. Also, the Dolphins may not be enamored with what's at this #9 spot and may decide to package some picks [they do have two 2nd rounders] to move up a few slots to grab someone they desire.

The Skinny
Team Needs: OL, DL, TE, CB, QB, RB
Player Selected: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Also Considered: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State; Leon Hall, CB, Michigan.

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
No. 3 Browns: Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
No. 4 Bucs: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
No. 5 Cardinals: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
See all mock draft picks so far

Next Pick:
No. 10: Texans

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

Yes, another receiver. Though the remnants of Matt Millen's receiver frenzy leaves a trail of disaster in its wake, the Lions still have to make this pick. There are rumors about Detroit trading down, teams looking to move up haven't been crazy about offering fair value for such a high pick lately. The Lions shouldn't short-sell the price of their selection just because they've got Roy Williams and Mike Furrey already on the roster.

Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas were tempting choices, but the Lions have made improvements on the line in bringing in Edwin Mulitalo, George Foster, and Zach Pillar, and I think Josh McCown could be at least serviceable in Mike Martz's offense (with Drew Stanton possibly available in the second round). Though the Lions haven't filled all of their holes in free agency (on the contrary, there are still holes just about everywhere), no one hole deeper than the others. Thus, you've got to take the best player on the board, and that's Calvin Johnson.

CJ has the measurables and the immeasurables. His speed will give the Lions a deep threat, his size will offer them a reliable target in the endzone. He'll open the rest of the skill players up for additional looks, and he'll bring a renewed interested in the Lions.

The precedent was set last year at this very spot in the draft. The Saints selected Reggie Bush despite holes on defense and the offensive line (and the presence of Deuce McAllister), and Bush -- even in a limited role -- won at least three games alone for New Orleans and made defenses constantly nervous. CJ can have that same effect, and if the Lions draft properly the rest of the way, they can have their cake and eat it too.

The Skinny
Team Needs: QB, OL, LB, DB, GM
Player Selected: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Also Considered: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame; Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin.

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Next Pick:
No. 3 Browns