NFL Mock Draft Number Two

Georgia Tech's Johnson leads the pack

April 21, 2007

By Howard Balzer

Special to CSTV.com from NFLDraftScout.com

1. Oakland: WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech - Simply put, he's the best player in the draft, so the Raiders will take him, then find a quarterback later.

2. Detroit: DE Gaines Adams, Clemson - A rusher off the edge is what coach Rod Marinelli would like to add, and Adams is the answer.

3. Cleveland: RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma - The Browns will be tempted to take a quarterback, but Peterson can help them win now.

4. Tampa Bay: DT Amobi Okoye, Louisville - Bucs add a difference-maker on the defensive line who will eventually make fans forget Warren Sapp.

5. Arizona: OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin - An anchor for the offensive line is what the Cardinals have to find.

6. Washington: LB Patrick Willis, Mississippi - They flirted with Chicago's Lance Briggs, and Willis in time will be better.

7. Minnesota: QB JaMarcus Russell, Louisiana State - The Vikings simply won't be able to pass on a legitimate quarterback of the future.

8. Atlanta: S LaRon Landry, Louisiana State - One of the best players in the draft at a position the Falcons need badly.

9. Miami: QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame - New coach Cam Cameron will love placing Quinn in his offense.

10. Houston: OT Levi Brown, Penn State - The Texans have to build an offensive line, and Brown will be a solid foundation.

11. San Francisco: DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska - He can play end or tackle, and would be a fit in the 49ers' multiple defenses.

12. Buffalo: DT Alan Branch, Michigan - Line coach Bill Kollar will believe he can make Branch an every-down player. It could be boom or bust.

13. St. Louis: WR/KR Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State - He'll excel in the return game, and be a young receiver to develop behind other older pass-catchers on the roster.

14. Carolina: TE Greg Olsen, Miami - The Panthers are searching for a tight end who can diversify the offense, and Olsen can do just that.

15. Pittsburgh: CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh - The Pitt star stays home, upgrading the Steelers' secondary and helping the return game.

16. Green Bay: WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee - The Packers need a running back, but they can't pass up the value that the speedy Meachem brings.

17. Jacksonville: CB Leon Hall, Michigan - They need someone opposite Rashean Mathis, and Hall is the answer.

18. Cincinnati: CB Aaron Ross, Texas - More help is needed at cornerback, and Ross would be a quality addition.

19. Tennessee: RB Marshawn Lynch, California - The Titans need a running game to help Vince Young, and they can't put all hope on LenDale White.

20. N.Y. Giants: DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas - This complete lineman is the perfect heir apparent to Michael Strahan.

21. Denver: DE Jarvis Moss, Florida - He makes a lot of sense as the Broncos look to upgrade their pass rush.

22. Dallas: WR Dwayne Bowe, Louisiana State - Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are in their 30s, and Bowe brings youth and athleticism to the receiving corps.

23. Kansas City: OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn - He makes all the sense in the world after the retirement of Will Shields.

24. New England: LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State - Somehow, he seems to belong with the Patriots.

25. N.Y. Jets: CB Chris Houston, Arkansas - Jets need to improve the secondary, and Houston should have no problem stepping in.

26. Philadelphia: S Reggie Nelson, Florida - Brian Dawkins will be 34 this year, and the Eagles will be trying to groom his successor.

27. New Orleans: DT Justin Harrell, Tennessee - He's rising up the rankings, and should help the Saints' interior for years to come.

28. New England: OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan - The Patriots don't often pick linemen in the first round, but at No. 28, this makes too much sense.

29. Baltimore: LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida State - Adalius Thomas is gone, and more young blood is needed.

30. San Diego: WR Dwayne Jarrett, USC - Doesn't have great speed, but has size and will make the tough catches.

31. Chicago: LB Jon Beason, Miami - Even if Lance Briggs plays this year, he won't be around in 2008, and Beason can step right in.

32. Indianapolis: CB Marcus McCauley, Fresno State - Colts have a knack for drafting new defensive players to replace the expensive ones that got away.

Howard Balzer is a Senior Writer for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.