Freep mock draft: WR Johnson to get dealt

April 25, 2007

Free Press Lions beat writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika reveals his top-10 picks in his mock NFL draft. Come back tomorrow for his full first round.

1. Oakland

LSU QB JAMARCUS RUSSELL

The Raiders passed on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last year. They desperately need a quarterback. JaMarcus Russell is raw but has tremendous upside. If the Lions snag a QB later in the draft, they might send Josh McCown to Oakland. Russell could sit and learn for a year.

2. Detroit

GEORGIA TECH WR CALVIN JOHNSON (TRADED TO TAMPA BAY)

The Lions take Calvin Johnson and field offers for the player many consider the best in the draft. They are prepared to keep Johnson if they can’t find a good deal, but they find one. Tampa Bay makes the most sense — shortest move up, enough picks to offer, plus players who might fit. Coach Rod Marinelli and defensive coordinator Joe Barry used to work for the Bucs and run the Tampa Two defense.

3. Cleveland

OKLAHOMA RB ADRIAN PETERSON

Brady Quinn would be a popular pick. He grew up in Ohio and fills a need at quarterback. But Adrian Peterson is a top-three talent.

4. Detroit

(from Tampa Bay)

CLEMSON DE GAINES ADAMS

The Lions get the best of both worlds — value for Calvin Johnson and the pass rusher they need for their Tampa Two defense. Rod Marinelli got his Derrick Brooks last year in Ernie Sims. Now he gets his Simeon Rice in Gaines Adams. Some question Adams’ football character, and Marinelli says that is very important to him. But Adams’ college coordinator says he just needs a good mentor. Marinelli might be that man.

5. Arizona

WISCONSIN OT JOE THOMAS

Joe Thomas enters the NFL as a … right tackle. The Cards need him to protect the blindside of last year’s first-round pick, left-handed QB Matt Leinart.

6. Washington

LOUISVILLE DT AMOBI OKOYE

Aggressive owner Dan Snyder tried to trade up to get Calvin Johnson, offering the Lions next year’s first-rounder and cornerback Shawn Springs. But the Bucs outbid him. So the ’Skins address their defensive line.

Minnesota

NOTRE DAME QB BRADY QUINN

The Vikings need a quarterback and can’t pass up Brady Quinn. Pick: Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.

8. Atlanta

(from Houston)
ARKANSAS DE JAMAAL ANDERSON

The Falcons also made an attempt to get Calvin Johnson, hoping to keep him in Atlanta, but the price was too high to move up that far. They lost defensive end Patrick Kerney in free agency, and Jamaal Anderson is the best pass rusher on the board now that Adams is gone.

9. Miami

PENN STATE OT LEVI BROWN

The Dolphins would have loved to get a quarterback, but they’ll get Trent Green in a trade with Kansas City. They get a left tackle to protect him.

10. Houston

(from Atlanta)

LSU S LARON LANDRY

!When you play Peyton Manning twice a year, you need all the help you can get in the secondary. The Texans need a safety and are thrilled LaRon Landry fell this far.