Ed's NFL Mock Draft

With the NFL scouting combine completed, I thought it might be a good time to do a mock draft:

1. Oakland (2-14)- Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
All the mock drafts have the Raiders taking JaMarcus Russell, but Calvin Johnson is the once-in-a-lifetime prospect. To satisfy their quarterback needs, I predict the Raiders will either sign a free agent quarterback or trade for David Carr. Also, considering the Raiders draft history of quarterbacks, Al Davis has to be a little trigger shy on taking a quarterback with this pick (anyone remember Todd Marinovich?).

2. Detroit (3-13)- Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
The Lions have a lot of needs, but Thomas is the best player available at this point.

3. Cleveland (4-12)- JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Russell's invisibility at the scouting combine drops him, but only to here. Rumor has it the Browns are in love with him. He won't last past this point. In fact, don't be surprised if the Browns trade up to the first pick in order to get Russell.

4. Tampa Bay (4-12)- Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
No, I don't think the Bucs will take a running back. I actually think someone else will trade up for this pick and take Peterson.

5. Arizona (5-11)- Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
It is safe to say the Cards will pick a defensive player, but which one? Anderson is arguably the most highly rated defensive prospect.

6. Washington (5-11)- Laron Landry, DB, LSU
The Redskins need a receiver or a defensive player who can contribute immediately. Landry may fit that second part. With the expected release of Adam Archuleta, the Skins will need a safety.

7. Minnesota (6-10)- Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Expect the Vikings to draft some secondary help later in the draft. For now, this team needs some offense.

8. Houston (6-10)- Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
If the Texans don't trade up for Adrian Peterson, Brown is a good pass blocker, which is what they desperately need.

9. Miami (6-10)- Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
The Dolphins could also go with DT Alan Branch, but Okoye has more upside.

10. Atlanta (7-9)- Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
With Patrick Kerney leaving, Adams is the logical pick for the Falcons in a secondary-weak draft. If Laron Landry is still here, they will take him instead.

11. San Fransico (7-9)- Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Coach Mike Nolan could use Branch like a Tony Siragusa for his defense.

12. Buffalo (7-9) - Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
If the Bills do get rid of Willis McGahee, they almost have to pick Lynch here. They might also try to trade up for Adrian Peterson.

13. St. Louis (8-8)- Ted Ginn Jr, WR, Ohio State
Ginn would fill two needs for the Rams. First, Isaac Bruce isn't getting any younger. Second, the Rams return teams were nothing special last year.

14. Carolina (8-8)- Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
The Panthers will need a defensive end, and they might also need a wide receiver if Keyshawn Johnson decides to retire. I would go with the obvious need and take Johnson.

15. Pittsburgh (8-8) - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Carriker is a nice fit for new coach Mike Tomlin, who likes to play a 4-3 defense, even though the Steelers are built to play a 3-4. Carriker is big enough to play DT, but fast enough to play DE. A good tweener that gives the Steelers some flexibility.

16. Green Bay (8-8)- Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Don't be surprised if the Packers trade up to get one of the top running backs. If they don't do that, expect them to take the top corner in the draft. They need one considering the age of their current starters, Charles Woodson (30) and Al Harris (32).

17. Jacksonville (8-8)- Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
This team got the most out of mediocre talent. They can afford to take the best player available and fill a need. Timmons is probably it, but I could easily be wrong on this one.

18. Cincinnati (8-8)- Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
The Bengals need an infusion at linebacker, having cut Brian Simmons, having off-the-field issues with Odell Thurman, and having lost David Pollack to a neck injury. Willis is the value pick here.

19. Tennessee (8-8)- Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Vince Young needs someone to throw to, and Jarrett fills the bill nicely.

20. NY Giants (8-8)- Paul Poslouszny, LB, Penn State
The Giants might reach for this one considering they need linebackers.

21. Denver (9-7)- Greg Olson, TE, Miami (Fl)
I can see the Broncos giving Jay Cutler another target. They haven't had a great tight end since Shannon Sharpe, but Olson could fill that role.

22. Dallas (9-7)- Reggie Nelson, FS, Florida
The Boys need another safety, and Nelson is the value pick here.

23. Kansas City (9-7)- Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
The Chiefs best wide receiver is Eddie Kennison. This is a wide receiver heavy draft. They could also take Sidney Rice or Craig Davis here.

24. New England (from Seattle)- Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Pick a receiver, any receiver...

25. NY Jets (10-6))- Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
Even though the Jets don't need a receiver, this is too good a value to pass up.

26. Philadelphia (10-6) - Ryan Kalil, C, USC
Andy Reid likes to draft offensive and defensive lineman early. He may also pick OL Arron Sears or DE Jarvis Moss here.

27. New Orleans (10-6) - Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
The Saints are solid on offense, so expect them to take the best defensive player available. SS Michael Griffin is another possibility here.

28. New England (12-4)- Michael Griffin, SS, Texas
The Patriots always seem to need secondary help.

29. Baltimore (13-3)- Craig Davis, WR, LSU
One of the glaring weaknesses the Ravens showed was an inability to dominate in the passing game. Davis is either a steal or a reach here, depending on which ranking list you look at.

30. San Diego (14-2)- Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
The Chargers may also go with CB Aaron Ross.

31. Chicago (13-3)- Drew Stanton, QB, Michigan State
After Rex Grossman's performance in the Super Bowl, this pick is kind of obvious.

32. Indianapolis (12-4)- Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
The Colts don't have any glaring needs, so this is a BPA pick.