GTripp's Official Mock Draft Thread

As much as I would love to have a guy like Branch, I think we need depth via more draft picks. So, I'd like to see us trade down to about the 20th pick for more picks and grab ILB Patrick Willis and a DT with a 2nd round pick (acquired via trade). If we do not trade down I see us taking Branch.

Absolutley. I mean I love Branch, Adams and Andersen (Especially Adams), but I dont view any of them as "Can't Miss" type guys. I really think we should trade down to 15ish, and pick up a few extra picks on day one. I would love if we could turn our 6th pick into the 15th with a few picks down the road. I wouldnt be shocked if we could get a second and a later round pick (with swapping firsts) with the way teams covent these draft picks, I really think trading down is somthing we need to at least look at. If the offer isnt there, then so be it, but if we get somthing good, trade.

if we can trade down and get a DE/DT/MLB in the first and a DE/DT in the second (that are reasonably talented) i'd be cool with that. working a trade may be hard unless someone like calvin johnson is still on the board though.

I kinda doubt the cards go S, since they already got a playmaker there. what they really need is some O linemen that can actually block. i'd also be a little surprised if leonard went that early or if ginn goes after jarrett (though it's perfectly possible).

Being able to trade down still seems like a big "if". Most teams wind up staying where they're at - other than Eli for Philip Rivers, there hasn't been a big trade in the top ten in a while.

There would have to be an irrational line of thinking (i.e. Ditka for Ricky Williams) on a certain player for our 'trade down' dreams to come true.

Being able to trade down still seems like a big "if". Most teams wind up staying where they're at - other than Eli for Philip Rivers, there hasn't been a big trade in the top ten in a while.

There would have to be an irrational line of thinking (i.e. Ditka for Ricky Williams) on a certain player for our 'trade down' dreams to come true.

I definately agree that trading down is still a big "if." I think, however, that there are enough big names that someone would be willing to trade up. Between QBs Russell and Quinn, RB Peterson, WR Johnson, OT Thomas, DT Branch there is a lot of talent at key positions.

Moreover, teams do (oftentimes unwisely) trade up into the top 10. In 2005, Minnesota traded into the #7 slot to get Troy Williamson. In 2004, Cleveland traded up to #6 to nab Winslow. In 2003, the Jets moved up to #4 to grab DT Robertson and the Saints traded up to #6 to get DT Sullivan. In 2002, Kansas City moved up to #6 to get DT Sims. In 2001, Atlanta moved up to #1 to get Vick, San Francisco moved up to #7 to select DE Carter, and Green Bay moved to #10 to get DE Jamal Reynolds. So, while trading into the top 10 isn't necessarily a frequent occurence, it's not rare either.

I definately agree that trading down is still a big "if." I think, however, that there are enough big names that someone would be willing to trade up. Between QBs Russell and Quinn, RB Peterson, WR Johnson, OT Thomas, DT Branch there is a lot of talent at key positions.

Moreover, teams do (oftentimes unwisely) trade up into the top 10. In 2005, Minnesota traded into the #7 slot to get Troy Williamson. In 2004, Cleveland traded up to #6 to nab Winslow. In 2003, the Jets moved up to #4 to grab DT Robertson and the Saints traded up to #6 to get DT Sullivan. In 2002, Kansas City moved up to #6 to get DT Sims. In 2001, Atlanta moved up to #1 to get Vick, San Francisco moved up to #7 to select DE Carter, and Green Bay moved to #10 to get DE Jamal Reynolds. So, while trading into the top 10 isn't necessarily a frequent occurence, it's not rare either.I don't think a team should ever pass up a chance to trade down, barring a guy you want just slipped into your lap. At #6, it's hard to get a good value pick that satisfies a need, so I think if you have a trade offer on the table, you take it.

It's just difficult for a team to come up with enough value points to trade up into the top six. The price is very steep, and in many cases, its just foolish to do so. I'm guessing we will be stuck at six.

GTripp's Mock Version 2.0 (February 2, 2007)

Oakland Raiders-Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame-The question isnt about Quinn v Russell here. The real question is Quinn v Calvin Johnson. Do the Raiders try to rebuild their offense around a franchise QB, or around a franchise WR? It'd be nothing short of foolish to think we know what the Raiders are going to do here. We do know that Al Davis will set the tone for this whole draft, and may God help us all.

Detroit Lions-Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin-Could the Lions make a surprise pick like Gaines Adams here at No. 2? Oh Matt Millen, you crazy wonderful lunatic. Don't make me regret my decision to trust that you know what you are doing. Thomas is a massive prospect at tackle.

Tampa Bay Bucs-Calvin Johnson, WR, Ga. Tech-I don't think taking recievers in the top 10 is ever a good strategy, but what do I know? Jon Gruden took Michael Clayton in the first round in 2004, and got results from him as a Rookie. But with Clayton yet to duplicate the results from his rookie year, and Joey Galloway becoming less serviceable with every passing year, the need for Calvin Johnson is just great enough to the point where they can't pass on his talent, me predicts.

Cleveland Browns-Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma-It seems to me from watching film of Peterson at Oklahoma that Adrian will bounce it wide if the hole isn't huge. This is a habit that will bite him at the pro level. I think he could be the first big RB bust since Curtis Enis, or at the absolute best a very slow learner. The Browns would be better off taking a QB here. It just seems like they see something in Charlie Frye that they like. Whatever that is, I'm still looking. Peterson is the selection.

Arizona Cardinals-Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas-This is the first really really tought pick to project. The Cardinals are a team who have more needs on the offensive line than at every other position on the team combined. But if they stay at No. 5 there's no lineman they could select worthy of this selection. It makes this team a prime candidate to try to deal their selection for more picks. This, in turn, will make it more difficult for Washington to trade down, simply because any team that would want to trade up to 6 could likely get up to 5 for similar value. Assuming the Cards hold this pick, a player could fly up the board over the next 3 months and get selected here, such as Florida's Reggie Nelson. Right now in this version of the Mock, I'm going to give them the best player available, Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson.

Washington Redskins-Alan Branch, DT, Michigan-Branch is massive at 335 and can rush the passer as well as any DT on the board. With this selection, the Redskins go from a quesitonable situation in the middle of the DL to a very solid one with a young stud in the middle and great depth behind him. He may very well be the best player available at pick No. 6.

Minnesota Vikings-JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU-I think Brad Childress is smart enough to realize that Tavaris Jackson is not the future of this franchise. Brad Johnson could very well be cut and this team could be left without a quarterback. Either way this is a squad in rebuilding, but JaMarcus Russell could remind fans of Daunte Culpepper with his arm and whatnot. Or something. Look, the pick is going to be Russell.

Houston Texans-Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville-The Texans are making a strong effort to build the defensive line up first. Word is that they aren't impressed by 2005 first round DT, Travis Johnson a Dom Capers/Charley Casserly selection. The ideal situation would be for Johnson to pan out and to pair him with the 19 year old Okoye and have a dominant defensive line with Anthony Weaver and Mario Williams at defensive end. Either way, they hope to get a stud in Okoye.

Miami Dolphins-Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB, Purdue-We all know how the "'tweener" players end up flying up the board after workouts. Dom Capers, now left in charge of the Dolphins Defense in the wake of Saban's departure is likely to push for the selection of an athletic linebacker type to play in his 3-4 scheme.

Atlanta Falcons-Reggie Nelson, S, Florida-Athletic safety in the mold of Michael Huff who I expect to fly up the boards after workouts. Will compete with Lawyer Milloy and Jimmy Williams for playing time in the secondary. Will be very, very good.

San Francisco 49ers-Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
Buffalo Bills-Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
St. Louis Rams-Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Carolina Panthers-LaRon Landry, S, LSU
Pittsburgh Steelers-Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Green Bay Packers-Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Jacksonville Jaguars-Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia
Cincinnati Bengals-Tank Tyler, DT, NC State
Tennessee Titans-Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
New York Giants-Levi Brown, T, Penn State
Denver Broncos-Daymeion Hughes, CB, California
Dallas Cowboys-Michael Griffin, S, Texas
Kansas City Chiefs-Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State
New England Patriots (f/SEA)-Patrick Willis, ILB, Mississippi
New York Jets-Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida St.
Philadelphia Eagles-Darrell Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
New Orleans Saints-Paul Pozluzny, OLB, Penn State
New England Patriots-Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State
Baltimore Ravens-Tony Ugoh, T, Arkansas
San Diego Chargers-Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Indianapolis Colts-Buster Davis, ILB, Florida State
Chicago Bears-Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn

Pretty good mock. I still think Russell will go higher. Also, the Lions already have a great LT in Backus. The Lions need help on the O-line, but not at LT and I wonder if they would be reluctant to invest such a high pick in a guy, only to change him from an LT to a RT. Finally, Carricker keeps climbing draft boards.

Pretty good mock. I still think Russell will go higher. Also, the Lions already have a great LT in Backus. The Lions need help on the O-line, but not at LT and I wonder if they would be reluctant to invest such a high pick in a guy, only to change him from an LT to a RT. Finally, Carricker keeps climbing draft boards.I like Carriker, but after I had Denver taking a corner, It just seemed like every other team would prefer a player who wasn't Carriker. Just means someone gets a 2nd round steal.

Backus I think was on the franchise tender this year, although I seem to remember him signing a big deal last year. I think this is a position Detroit could upgrade.

As far as I'm concerned, that could be us. If we could trade down, get Okoye then pick up Carriker, I think we'd be looking good draft-wise.

As far as I'm concerned, that could be us. If we could trade down, get Okoye then pick up Carriker, I think we'd be looking good draft-wise.That would be pretty ideal. I think with Arizona also looking to trade down, its going to be difficult to find a suitable trading partner.