GTripp's Official Mock Draft Thread

Does "sneaky suspicion"=(ESPN) inside information?

The only reason why I would have to disagree is that Rocky supposedly had difficulty picking up Williams' system and relied on his athleticism to recover from mental errors. Given that the MLB is the QB of the defense, I would doubt that Rocky would start in the middle unless he showed dramatic signs of improvement in grasping Williams' defensive scheme.

No inside info, just a gut feeling. As you know, I'm very selective in how I divulge inside info.

....however, other info has contributed to this feeling

No inside info, just a gut feeling. As you know, I'm very selective in how I divulge inside info.

Unfortunately I know. I wish you blabbed more about tidbits (even rumors) you picked up at ESPN.

maybe dale lindsey was the problem, and that was part of his firing.

at the time of that draft i would have preferred taking richard marshall at 53 (right before the panthers actually took him), and using the 3rd on an OG/contingency plan with dock having too many ups and downs and an expiring contract. marshall did have a great year though. two picks against us, even though one was nullified by a stupid roughing call (peppers COULD NOT have stopped in time no matter what).

GTripp's Mock (Ver 3.0)
Date: 3/6/07

Oakland Raiders-Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame-The Raiders are really split on this pick. If the draft was tomorrow, I think JaMarcus Russell would be the pick. However, as the draft process runs its course, I remain confident that the Raiders will decide to take the best overall player at the position, as opposed to hoping that Russell can be a moster in thier vertical system. Brady Quinn still has a pro day left and Russell also has his pro day, so really nothing has been decided yet.

Detroit Lions-Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin-Despite trading for George Foster and having Jeff Backus on the roster, the most logical move for the Lions would be taking Thomas. It is conceivable that the Lions could try to trade this pick, and it is known that they are trying to bate the Browns into trading up a spot, but this is a tradeless mock draft, so Thomas is the pick.

Cleveland Browns-JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU-The Browns have a rocket in their pocket for Russell. But in the spirit of creating debate, a better question is: Would the Browns take Quinn over Adrian Peterson if Russell was gone?

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.

Arizona Cardinals-Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas-Who knows what the Cards are going to do with this pick. They need offensive linemen. No lineman is suitable at this pick. They will probably consider all their options including trading up for Joe Thomas and trading down for Levi Brown. If they stay put, the could opt to take a flyer on a guy who will be shooting up draft boards. It's too early to take a guess on who that might be. Maybe they like Jamaal Anderson? Who knows?

Washington Redskins-Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville-The Redskins have been very quiet regarding their interest in Okoye, which perhaps is very telling considering their frankness on prospects like Branch and Adams. Maybe they are seriously looking at the 19 year old. Trading down is obviously an option, maybe even the number one option, but with the market against teams trying to trade down, the Skins could find themselves "stuck" with Okoye.

Minnesota Vikings-Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma-The Vikings would rather get a QB with this pick, but with both guys gone in the top 3, they would move their attention to fixing the other dysfunctional part of their offensive backfield, the RB situation. Chester Taylor gained 1000 yards in the starter role, but is much better suited to be a backup. Minnesota has enough cap room to justify paying their 2nd RB like a starter. If Peterson does eventually pan out, the Viking QB, be it Tavaris Jackson or someone else, would be much better off.

Houston Texans-Laron Landry, S, LSU-The Texans will continue to improve their defensive situation in this draft. Amobi Okoye is the guy they want, but he's gone in this mock. They turn their attention to the secondary where their starters at S are Glenn Earl and CC Brown. Earl and Brown. Yeah, Landry is the pick.

Miami Dolphins-Levi Brown, OT, Penn State-The Dolphins have needed OL help for about 5 years now. A position ignored by Nick Saban as he built his defense, new HC Cam Cameron knows the importance of building the line first.

Atlanta Falcons-Adam Carriker, DE, Nebrakska-Carriker is flying up the boards. The Falcons need a guy capable of replacing Patrick Kerney, and a guy who can bookend John Abraham.

San Francisco 49ers-Ted Ginn Jr, WR, Ohio State-The Niners have poured all their defensive resources on the defensive side of the ball, which makes me think that they are leaning the way of giving the young Alex Smith another weapon with this selection. Ginn can also return kicks/punts.

Buffalo Bills-Leon Hall, CB, Michigan-Judging by the amount of money given to G Derrick Dockery, it wouldn't have been unreasonable for the Bills to give Clements a big money deal. It seems like they have been planning to replace Clements since they used the franchise tag on him last season.

St. Louis Rams-Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson-Gaines Adams would be the replacement to the aging, block avoiding, Leonard Little.

Carolina Panthers-Greg Olsen, TE, Miami-The Panthers really need to upgrade their QB. Since that can't be done immediately, taking Greg Olsen does two things: gives Carolina an another receiver threat other than Steve Smith, and solves a TE issues that they've had for years.

Pittsburgh Steelers-Darrell Revis, CB, Pitt-This pick gives Revis a chance to play his pro football in the same city where he played his college ball, and helps solidify a questionable Steeler secondary.

Green Bay Packers-Marshawn Lynch, RB, California-This pick assumes that the Packers wrap up that Randy Moss deal, otherwise they could opt for a receiver here with a plethora of RBs already on the market.

Jacksonville Jaguars-Charles Johnson, DE, Georgia-The Jaguars biggest need is a defensive end who can bring the pressure. They are better off improving their pass D and allowing Matt Jones and Reggie Williams to develop.

Cincinnati Bengals-Reggie Nelson, S, Florida-The Bengals secondary STILL needs help even after drafting CB Jonathon Joseph last season. They would be wise to draft at the safety position this time around.

Tennessee Titans-Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC-Getting Vince Young another receiving option could be a good idea. Jarrett's a possession receiver, which may complement David Givens well. Norm Chow.

New York Giants-Michael Bush, RB, Louisville-Tiki Barber? Brandon Jacobs? Michael Bush.

Denver Broncos-Alan Branch, DT, Michigan-I'm predicting that Denver defensive coaches head to the Michigan pro day to scout CB Leon Hall and end up falling in love with another prospect from Michigan. They may trade up to make this happen.

Dallas Cowboys-Eric Weddle, S, Utah-It's getting to the end of the mock, and I hadn't had a team make a reach selection in a while. Who better to do so than Dallas?

Kansas City Chiefs-Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas-SEC cornerbacks are really fast. And, according to Herm Edwards, he can "play football".

New England Patriots (f/SEA)-Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss-The Patriots can nab their highest rated LB with the pick obtained from Seattle in exchange for Deion Branch. My only question is what was Seattle thinking?

New York Jets-Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State-Justin Miller is a good return man but if the Jets are going to improve on their 10 wins in 2006, they really need to pour a lot of resources into their defense.

Philadelphia Eagles-Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee-The Eagles really don't like to take WRs but with Stallworth likely to walk, they can justify using a late first round pick on a receiver in a draft that is very deep at the position.

New Orleans Saints-Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State-Timmons has slipped all the way down here in this mock, but the Saints badly need to improve their LB corps.

New England Patriots-Justin Blalock, G, Texas-The Patriots will likely not pass on a chance to improve their offensive line after helping the defensive side of the ball 4 picks before.

Baltimore Ravens-Joe Staley, T, Central Michigan-After Tony Pashos signed in Jacksonville, Staley is a near necessity to help upkeep their offensive line production in a year where the market for veteran offensive lineman is off the hook.

San Diego Chargers-Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU-With Cam Cameron out of the way, the Chargers just might draft a WR.

Chicago Bears-Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn-If the Bears are going to let Ruben Brown walk, they need to replace him in this draft.

Indianapolis Colts-Paul Pozluzny, LB, Penn State-The Colts need to improve their front seven badly. Cato June and Rob Morris out is a start. Pozulzny in is a great move if he falls this far.

Hey GTripp that new mock has almost all of the first rounders IMO. Why do you have Adams falling hard to the #13 pick and Branch falling even harder to #21. Both are projected top ten picks. Maybe one could fall a little??

Hey GTripp that new mock has almost all of the first rounders IMO. Why do you have Adams falling hard to the #13 pick and Branch falling even harder to #21. Both are projected top ten picks. Maybe one could fall a little??Simply teams drafting for need. Branch and Adams don't necessarily deserve to drop, but if team's aren't going to take them, they will fall.

I still think the Redskins should take Branch. But of course, if they dont, the above could feasibly occur.

Quinn over Russell? I don't know about that. Russell has the best physical ability I think I have ever seen at the QB position. I don't think anyone in the draft throws a better deep ball. Plus he has really good mobility at 260lbs.

Quinn over Russell? I don't know about that. Russell has the best physical ability I think I have ever seen at the QB position. I don't think anyone in the draft throws a better deep ball. Plus he has really good mobility at 260lbs.I think Russell is going to be a very good NFL QB (his 67% completion this year is phenomenal), but Quinn's on a whole different level. Quinn's game is as flawless as any prospect since Peyton Manning. It's a shame that the draft analysts are too wrapped up in who is going to be the first pick to see that.

There is very little difference between this QB class and 2003's QB class. You had the clear cut No. 1 in Palmer, and another very sought after QB in Leftwich. Leftwich is putting together a solid career, but Palmer is already among the league's elite.

JaMarcus Russell right now is the beneficiary of a media bias against Quinn. I say this because I haven't heard one good argument from any source about why Quinn shouldn't be the first overall pick. It's almost if they blindly assume that it's a given that Russell is the better prospect. News flash, guys: It's not a given. Quinn was the consensus No. 1 pick throughout the season for a reason. No one was even mentioning Russell in the same class as Quinn until January.

It's easy to tout Russell's physical skills. He has world class size and arm strength. He put up sensational numbers in college this year. He deserves to be a high end first rounder. But he's not mobile, he's not nearly as athletic as Quinn, and I don't see any noticeable differences between him and Byron Leftwich. I think Russell could have used another year in college. If he put up another year above 65% completion percentage as a senior, we would know for sure that this season was no fluke. Because he left early, he's a bit of a risk. Even if he fufills his potential, meaning some team gets a very solid QB, he's still likely not going to be on the same level of Quinn.

I don't think the Raiders have a great scouting department, but I believe that after the ENTIRE draft process runs it's course, it will be obvious to anyone who has paid attention that Brady Quinn is the best quarterback in this draft. Right now, Russell has yet to work out, so certainly it's too early to think the Raiders prefer one guy over the other yet.

I think Russell is going to be a very good NFL QB (his 67% completion this year is phenomenal), but Quinn's on a whole different level. Quinn's game is as flawless as any prospect since Peyton Manning...

against service academies.

GTripp's Mock (Ver 4.0)
Date: 4/24/07

Trades are allowed this time!

Oakland Raiders-Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Arizona Cardinals (from Lions)-Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Cleveland Browns-Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Tampa Bay Bucs-Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Detroit Lions (from Cardinals)-JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU (poor saps)
Washington Redskins-Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Minnesota Vikings-Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Atlanta Falcons (from Texans)-Laron Landry, S, LSU
Miami Dolphins-Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Houston Texans (from Falcons)-Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
San Francisco 49ers-Adam Carriker, DE, Nebrakska
Buffalo Bills-Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss
St. Louis Rams-Jammal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Carolina Panthers-Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
Tennessee Titans (from Steelers)-Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Green Bay Packers-Ted Ginn, WR, Ohio State
Jacksonville Jaguars-Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Cincinnati Bengals-Darrell Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers (from Titans)-Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
New York Giants-Paul Pozluzny, LB, Penn State
Denver Broncos-Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
Dallas Cowboys-Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Kansas City Chiefs-Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
New England Patriots (f/SEA)-Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
New York Jets-Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (Fl)
Minnesota Vikings (from Eagles)-John Beck, QB, Brigham Young
New Orleans Saints-Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
New England Patriots-David Harris, LB, Michigan
Miami Dolphins (from Ravens)-Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston
San Diego Chargers-Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Chicago Bears-Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
Indianapolis Colts-Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee

Round 2 continuation tomorrow. Final version Friday night. Come mock me when I miss horribly.