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NFL Draft 07: First Round Recap

by David Kindervater on April 28th, 2007

As the first round comes to a close here at Radio City Music Hall, my first thought is to applaud the Cleveland Browns for not only grabbing Joe Thomas, the best offensive lineman in this Draft, with the third overall pick, but also for getting their future quarterback, Brady Quinn, all the way down at #22. It was a lot like the Aaron Rodgers situation of two years ago when Aaron could easily have been the #1 choice but fell to Green Bay at #24. It’s all about team needs and a lot of teams didn’t feel they needed a QB. It was a stunning turn of events as team after team passed on Brady, especially the Dolphins at #9 who most would agree are in need of a QB. Obviously, they had other plans. The Green Room cam was turned off as Brady and his family sat for what seemed like an eternity before the Browns came calling. It had to be a humbling experience. In his press conference afterwards, Brady said:

“When it comes to the Draft, everyone knows that at a certain point, teams are going to stop needing requests, because if they are successful or a veteran or they have got somebody they picked the year before, that’s where it all falls in and they have to start addressing other needs. I realized that and I realized that was a possibility. So really, I mean what can you do? You have to sit back and wait. Whether I was here in New York or if I was in Columbus, one way or another it worked out this way.”

I think every team would say they are happy with their first round pick, but I see a couple of these choices a little differently. Here are my thoughts on ALL 32 of the first-round picks:

• 1. Oakland - JaMarcus Russell - A no-brainer pick for the Silver and Black. See my previous post.
• 2. Detroit - Calvin Johnson - I know. The Lions have a history of selecting WRs. And it doesn’t always work out. This one will. Calvin is the best overall player in this Draft and with Roy Williams on the other side, there won’t be any possibility of double-teams. Now they just need someone to throw to them. Will they draft that player?
• 3. Cleveland - Joe Thomas - Joe is the best offensive lineman in this Draft. If only LeCharles Bentley could get healthy, the Browns might have something.
• 4. Tampa Bay - Gaines Adams - The Bucs get another great pass-rusher. Remember, Simeon Rice is on the other end.
• 5. Arizona - Levi Brown - Maybe a reach here, but the Cards were in desperate need of O-line help and Levi was the best available. Still a solid pick that fills a great need.
• 6. Washington - LaRon Landry - Maybe the best defensive player in this Draft. LaRon and Sean Taylor make two great safeties in DC.
• 7. Minnesota - Adrian Peterson - The Vikes desperately need offensive weapons and AD is just that. Minnesota gets a big-time playmaker running back to tag-team with Chester Taylor. Now they need a couple WRs.
• 8. Atlanta - Jamaal Anderson - Wait a minute. Jamal Anderson in Atlanta again? The Dirty Bird? Oh, this is Jamaal not Jamal. What a weird coincidence, though. The second-best pass-rusher in this Draft will help the Falcons get more pressure on the QB because Pat Kerney plays in Seattle now.
• 9. Miami - Ted Ginn Jr. - I expected the Dolphins to take Brady Quinn here. The need for speed wins, though, and Miami has a lethal return man and great deep threat.
• 10. Houston - Omobi Okoye - This young defense is getting better. Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson and now 19-year-old phenom Okoye. Nice.
• 11. San Francisco - Patrick Willis - My favorite LB in this Draft. The Niners’ too, based on their experiences coaching Patrick at the Senior Bowl.
• 12. Buffalo - Marshawn Lynch - In need of a RB with Willis McGahee departed for Baltimore, the Bills nab Cal’s playmaker. But from Cali to Western New York? Culture shock, dude.
• 13. St. Louis - Adam Carriker - The pass-rushing DEs are just disappearing in predicted order, aren’t they? Meet Leonard Little’s new sidekick.
• 14. N.Y. Jets - Darelle Revis - I was puzzled by the Jets trading second and fifth round picks to Carolina so they could select CB Darelle Revis. Darelle is from my alma mater so God bless him, but I didn’t even think he was the best CB on the board. He’s a very good corner, but was he worth the price? I think not.
• 15. Pittsburgh - Lawrence Timmons - With Joey Porter in Miami, the Steelers need a new backer and L.T. is the best of the OLB’s in this Draft.
• 16. Green Bay - Justin Harrell - This was something of a head-scratcher to me. The best DT (Okoye) was already off the board, but what about Alan Branch? Even Tank Tyler? I thought Justin Harrell was a mid-second-rounder at best.
• 17. Denver - Jarvis Moss - The Broncos need more than they’ve been getting from their defensive ends. Kenard Lang, Ebenezer Ekuban, Courtney Brown and John Engelberger weren’t getting it done. I don’t know if Moss is the answer, but he’s the best available DE and Denver traded up to get him.
• 18. Cincinnati - Leon Hall - With Tory James off to New England along with everyone else, it’s Leon Hall, the best CB in this Draft, to the rescue.
• 19. Tennessee - Michael Griffin - Chris Hope’s new best friend at safety, he might also play on special teams.
• 20. N.Y. Giants - Aaron Ross - Buddies from Texas go back-to-back. The Giants need youth here (Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters are great, but old) and Aaron will make plays. Look for him to possibly return punts, too.
• 21. Jacksonville - Reggie Nelson - Defensive back was not a glaring need for the Jags, but they couldn’t resist this addition to an already stingy D. Reggie only needs to travel upstate to work with and learn from Rashean Mathis.
• 22. Cleveland - Brady Quinn - Good things come to those who wait — to be drafted, that is. Brady gets to play in his home state, but there will certainly be some growing pains first.
• 23. Kansas City - Dwayne Bowe - It was no secret the Chiefs would take the best available WR here. Remember JaMarcus Russell back at #1? This is who he threw to.
• 24. New England - Brandon Merriweather - I believe his part in the brawl with Florida International was a fluke. He’s not a thug. I like this pick by the Pats. They’ve had a ton of injuries at safety and Brandon fits nicely.
• 25. Carolina - John Beason - He might play ILB depending on what Dan Morgan’s status is, but the Panthers need linebacker help and Beason provides that immediately.
• 26. Dallas - Anthony Spencer - Nice pick here because every good defensive end (DeMarcus Ware) deserves another. I’ll tell you what. Don’t be surprised if Anthony Spencer makes an immediate impact.
• 27. New Orleans - Robert Meachem - The Saints will try their hand at another Tennessee receiver (remember Donte Stallworth). They’ve got some offensive weapons. Here’s another one.
• 28. San Francisco - Joe Staley - The Niners have some guards (Allen, Smiley). Now they need some tackles. Former TE Staley will protect the investment (Alex Smith) in San Fran.
• 29. Baltimore - Ben Grubbs - The best guard in this Draft, Grubbs will bring youth to a line that is aging and hurting.
• 30. San Diego - Craig Davis - I really thought Dwayne Jarrett or Sidney Rice would go here, but the Chargers will take anyone who can catch the ball and Craig Davis is more than capable. Remember JaMarcus Russell back at #1? And Dwayne Bowe at #23? This is the other LSU receiver.
• 31. Chicago - Greg Olsen - The rich get richer. The best TE in this Draft falls to the NFC Champs.
• 32. Indianapolis - Anthony Gonzalez - The other wideout at Ohio State might have been their best pure receiver. Sorry, Ted. Again, I was thinking Dwayne Jarrett or Sidney Rice here, but Gonzalez comes ready to play on Day 1. This could be a really clever pickup for the Super Bowl Champion Colts.

Sadly, it’s time for me to pack up and head out. It’s been a whirlwind day. And I still need to do a phone interview with B5 brethren Aaron Brazell over at the Suicide Fan podcast. I really don’t want to leave. I’m enjoying myself. But, if I want to catch my flight back to Buffalo, I’d better get outta here. As always, it’s been exciting and an honor to work on-location at the NFL Draft.

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