Rick Gosselin's First Mock

[N.Y. Orangeman]

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Rick Gosselin's first mock draft

 

12:56 AM CDT on Sunday, April 15, 2007

 

The last time the Oakland Raiders held the first overall selection of a draft, they chose a quarterback. That was in 1962 when Oakland played in the AFL – but the Raiders lost out for the services of Roman Gabriel in a bidding war with the Los Angeles Rams.

 

The Raiders have the first pick of the 2007 draft and have as much need for a quarterback now as in 1962. Raiders owner Al Davis believes in the vertical stretch offense and loves big-armed quarterbacks like Gabriel. LSU's JaMarcus Russell has an even bigger arm than Gabriel.

 

The Raiders would consider Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson along with Russell. But wideouts historically don't go first overall – only two since the AFL and NFL merged drafts in 1967. Fifteen quarterbacks have gone first overall since then, including five in the last six years.

 

So give Russell to the Raiders in the first mock draft offering from The Dallas Morning News. Here's the rest of the draft:

 

 

Team Player Pos. School

1. Oakland JaMarcus Russell QB LSU

2. Detroit Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma

Matt Millen has struggled with top-10 picks in his stint as general manager of the Lions. Peterson would be a safe and popular choice. Detroit had success using first-round picks on Oklahoma runners Steve Owens (1970) and Billy Sims (1980).

3. Cleveland Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech

4. Tampa Bay Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame

5. Arizona Joe Thomas OT Wisconsin

6. Washington Gaines Adams DE Clemson

7. Minnesota LaRon Landry S LSU

8. Atlanta Leon Hall CB Michigan

9. Miami Alan Branch DT Michigan

10. Houston Amobi Okoye DT Louisville

11. San Francisco Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

12. Buffalo Marshawn Lynch RB California

13. St. Louis Darrelle Revis CB Pittsburgh

14. Carolina Patrick Willis LB Mississippi

15. Pittsburgh Adam Carriker DE Nebraska

Carriker is the prototypical defensive end for a 3-4 scheme. But his true value lies is his versatility. With his size (6-6, 296), he can line up at any of the four positions along the defensive line.

16. Green Bay Ted Ginn Jr. WR Ohio State

17. Jacksonville Jarvis Moss DE Florida

18. Cincinnati Reggie Nelson S Florida

19. Tennessee Robert Meachem WR Tennessee

20. N.Y. Giants Levi Brown OT Penn State

21. Denver Lawrence Timmons LB Florida State

22. Dallas Dwayne Bowe WR LSU

With two starting wide receivers in their 30s, the Cowboys need a young player to build a future downfield passing game for Tony Romo. Bowe is a physical receiver in the Michael Irvin mold.

23. Kansas City Justin Harrell DT Tennessee

24. New England Jon Beason LB Miami

25. N.Y. Jets Aaron Ross CB Texas

26. Philadelphia Chris Houston CB Arkansas

27. New Orleans Dwayne Jarrett WR Southern California

28. New England Michael Griffin S Texas

29. Baltimore Joe Staley OT Central Michigan

30. San Diego Anthony Gonzalez WR Ohio State

31. Chicago Paul Posluszny LB Penn State

32. Indianapolis Greg Olsen TE Miami

[Beerball]

Gosselin really does a decent job in covering the NFL. His mocks are usually not far off base, but I hope his #12 choice is.

 

Please Marv....no reaches.

[Steve O]

.. His mocks are usually not far off base, but I hope his #12 choice is.

Me too

[Lurker]

Gosselin really does a decent job in covering the NFL. His mocks are usually not far off base, but I hope his #12 choice is.

 

Please Marv....no reaches.

I agree that Gosselin is good. He must have a really good gig with the Dallas paper not to have gone national over the years.

 

He has Willis and Poz slotted about right, too.

[downsoufbfan]

Gosselin really does a decent job in covering the NFL. His mocks are usually not far off base, but I hope his #12 choice is.

 

Please Marv....no reaches.

4 real