2007 NFL Draft - Wunkle’s Big Board
Feb 16, 2007
Author: Bill Wunkle, staff writer/senior draft analyst
All right all you draft junkies; you know you want it. The only question that I have is, “Why?” For those of you who just can’t get enough NFL draft talk, here’s my big board of top prospects.
1) Calvin Johnson – WR – Georgia Tech: He is far and above the most complete receiver to come out of college in quite some time with his combination of dominating size (6’-4”/225), sound speed (4.4 in the 40), precise route running, great leaping ability (40” vertical jump) and incredible hands – and is the most complete player regardless of position since Peyton Manning. When coaches want to describe their idea of the perfect receiver, they can sum it up in just two words: Calvin Johnson.
2) JaMarcus Russell – WR – LSU: His size will remind you of Daunte Culpepper, but his arm will remind you of Randall Cunningham. Physically, Russell is the total package. The Tigers faced a tough SEC schedule and came up favorably. His crowning moment was the demolishing Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. As with any quarterback that gets drafted highly, there’s a very high risk/reward factor; and Russell’s “X-Factor” is what’s going on between his ears. Just how well does he read defenses and how well can he audible out of one play and into another? Most importantly, does he have the heart and desire to work at his craft and become an elite NFL quarterback?
3) Adrian Peterson – RB – Oklahoma: Productive and explosive, this Sooner was the center piece of the offense, accumulating nearly 4,000 career rushing yards – all this while suffering significant injuries during his sophomore and junior seasons. If he can stay healthy, he’ll have a dominant NFL career. Fortunately, both of his knees are sound – and that’s what makes him less of a risk. Many draft pundits agree on is that Peterson will be the first running back to go off the board.
4) Brady Quinn – QB - Notre Dame: His abilities to read defenses and operate a pro style offense are big plusses on his side. Physically, Quinn has the ability to make all the throws. In terms of length to impact ratio, because of the offense run at Notre Dame; he’s the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft, and thus the safe pick of the two.
5) Jamaal Anderson – DE – Arkansas: This kid put up some very impressive numbers in a very tough and competitive Southeastern Conference schedule. Anderson can flat get after the opposing quarterback and he’s more adept against the run than his counterpart from Clemson, but it’s a very close call between the two players.
6) Gaines Adams – DE - Clemson: Pass rushing defensive ends are a premium commodity at the next level, and Adams is a pure pass rusher. Just have him put a hand down, point him in the direction of the opposing QB and tell him, “Go get him, boy!”
7) Alan Branch – DT - TSUN: Being an Ohio State fan, part of me wants to reach for the Pepto-Bismol, but I’ve got to give this Wolverine his due. At 6’-6” tall and 330 lbs., Branch is physically a man among men. He has the ability to take on multiple blockers and clog up the middle of the line, or manhandle a single blocker to blow up a play in the opposing backfield. Not very sexy, but quite effective.
8) Joe Thomas – OT – Wisconsin: Thomas is the only O-lineman who’s projected to go as high as the top five. His size, footwork and pass blocking techniques are very good; however he needs to work harder at run blocking. Orlando Pace or Jonathan Ogden he isn’t but he’s no Tony Mandarich either. If he turns out to be more comparable to Jackie Slater, I think a top ten pick would be justified. Many draft pundits have him ranked significantly higher, but I’m not one of them. Maybe I need to back to the videotape room.
9) Levi Brown – OT – Penn State: Here’s another left tackle from a Big Ten school, so what? I’ll tell you so what. About the only thing keeping Brown from being a top five selection is the fact that he’s 6’-5” and not 6’-7”. He has long arms, quick footwork and balance that can keep an opposing pass rusher at bay and the strength to knock the guy lined up across from him out of the play when it’s time to run with the football. He could end up being a better pro player than Joe Thomas.
10) Reggie Nelson – S – Florida: This kid has the speed to cover a slot receiver and the tackling ability of an undersized linebacker. Nelson may or may not go off the board in the top ten, but he certainly has the talent to justify being selected there.
11) Amobi Okoye – DE – Louisville: Talk about a “man-child”, Okoye is a college graduate and legitimate first round NFL draft prospect at the age of 19. He’s so quick off the line that you can literally line him up anywhere along the front four and he’ll produce. Listed at 287 lbs. at the Senior Bowl, Okoye’s a bit undersized for a tackle in some people’s eyes. My argument against that is to look at this kid in three years when he’s weighing in at 315 and reaping havoc all around the league.
12) Ted Ginn Jr. – WR/KR – Ohio State: Speed is his game. The question is not, “will he run under 4.4 in the 40?” but rather, “How close to 4.3 will he run?” His hands are solid, but he needs to be more disciplined in running his pass routes. Get him the ball in the open field and watch him make something exciting happen.
13) LaRon Landry – S – LSU: He always seems to be around the football and isn’t afraid to bring down the hammer and make the tackle. It’s hard to say where he might go off the board though, since safeties seem to slide much like running backs can.
14) Adam Carriker – DE – Nebraska: Perhaps best suited as a LE, Carriker’s motor always seems to be running at full throttle. He’s strong and relentless with a bit of a nasty streak – my kind of player.
15) Dwayne Jarrett – WR – USC: The two biggest question marks concerning this character concern his speed and, more importantly, his maturity level. I hope that I’m wrong when I say this, but he seems almost as narcissistic as Terrell Owens. Translated that means, “I think he’ll be a coach killer”.
16) Marshawn Lynch – RB – Cal: Lynch possesses a nice combination of size (5’-11” / 220 lbs.), speed (4.4) and nice moves to eat up big chunks of yardage. He’d look real nice in green and yellow – like in Green Bay.
17) Darrelle Revis – CB – Pitt: Nice size and adequate speed to play the position. He should be a starter at the next level for several years.
18) Leon Hall – CB – TSUN: A solid defender who endured the rigors of a Big Ten season year after year, Hall is a legitimate first round selection. He has a nice combination of size, speed and cover skills.
19) Paul Posluszny – LB – Penn State: By the time the draft gets into the mid teens, start looking for Posluszny’s name to be bandied about in the various war rooms. Posluszny does every aspect of line backing well – reads the play, covers the TE, sheds blockers, shoots the gap and wraps up the ball carrier. He just doesn't look spectacular doing it, though. If you like a safe pick at LB, the Paul Posluszny is your man.
20a) Robert Meacham – WR – Tennessee: Here’s another kid good size (6’-3” / 210 lbs.), speed (4.4) and good hands. Tennessee seems to have a knack for developing receivers (Willie Gault, Tim McGee, Dante Stallworth and I’m sure that there are more), and Meacham has all the tools to be an impact player in the NFL.
20b) Jarvis Moss – DE/OLB – Florida: With the advent of the attacking version of the 3-4 defensive alignment, players who can rush the passer from the edge are becoming even more valuable. Moss is more of a “tweener” as a pro, which means that he’ll play either DE in a 4-3 or OLB in a 3-4 and put a hand down when it’s third and long. He has the speed to play OLB, and he could be something really special should he have the “want to” to do it.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Troy Smith – QB – Ohio State: Will likely go significantly lower than his talent level simply because he’s only 6’-0” tall. His development and maturity level has grown in leaps and bounds from the time he was recruited to play football for the Buckeyes. He’s probably a second round selection, but some team in need of a QB in the bottom third of round one could possibly take him.
Patrick Willis – LB – Mississippi: Hard hitting ILB that could be something special if he gets regular coaching from Mike Singletary.
Anthony Spencer – DE/OLB – Purdue: May or may not go in the first round, but will be an impact player as an edge rusher/rushbacker.
Michael Griffin – S – Texas: Fast enough to cover a slot receiver and skilled enough to be the last line of defense, Griffin could find himself landing in the first round with a contender.
Well, there’s my big board as of February 15, 2007 and it will probably see some tweaking here and there between now and draft day. Let me know what you think – whether it's good or bad. Do you have a list of your own? I’d love to see it. You can either PM me on our website or e-mail me with your lists, questions or comments.
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