Inside the 2007 NFL Draft

TRY, TRY AGAIN: The Detroit Lions' selection of Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson was not only their fourth first-round wide receiver in the past six years, but also their fourth top-10 receiver and their second top-two pass catcher in that span.

The Lions had reasons to remain so persistent at the position.

The first of their No. 1 wide receivers, Charles Rogers, who went second overall out of Michigan State in 2003, is no longer with the team.

The third such selection was no longer in Motown by the conclusion of Saturday's festivities. The Lions dealt Mike Williams and quarterback Josh McCown to the Raiders for a fourth-round pick today (105th overall).

BACK TO BASICS: The Browns made their sixth top-10 pick since re-entering the NFL in 1999.

For the first time, Cleveland invested such a prized commodity in an offensive lineman, grabbing Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas.

The Browns had taken an offensive lineman in the first round just once previously (center Jeff Faine, 21st overall, out of Boston College in 2003).

Cleveland's first five first-round draft picks since its franchise resurrection (1999-2003) are no longer with the franchise.
BY-PASSING BRADY: The Dolphins must have had their reasons not to select Brady Quinn ninth overall. Solid quarterback play since Hall-of-Famer Dan Marino called it a career following the 1999 season couldn't have been one of them.

The likes of Jay Fielder, Damon Huard, Ray Lucas, Sage Rosenfels, Brian Griese, Jay Feeley, Gus Frerotte, Dante Culpepper, Joey Harrington and Cleo Lemon certainly haven't made anyone forget Dolphin Dan since 2000 -- or Earl Morrall, for that matter.

The Not-So-Mighty Quinn finally went to Cleveland on the 22nd pick, a choice the Browns acquired from Dallas.

Miami got receiver/special-teams burner Ted Ginn Jr. at No. 9.

Maybe the Dolphins believe Ginn Jr. is fast enough to throw the ball and then run under it.

Or, just maybe, they're onto something in their apparent belief that BYU's John Buck (second round, 40th overall) is a superior prospect to Quinn.
ONE IS ENOUGH: The Patriots added Miami, Fla. safety Brandon Meriweather on the 24th pick, then decided to trade out of the round rather than select again at No. 28. In doing so, New England acquired a 2008 first-round pick from San Francisco as well as a fourth-rounder today (No. 110 overall).

Seeing as how New England had already acquired cornerback Tory James, linebacker Adalius Thomas, tight end Kyle Brady, running back Sammy Morris and wide receivers Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker and Kelley Washington this off-season, the move seemed prudent.

GETTING PICKY: Atlanta began the day with three picks among the first 44 selections, but apparently that wasn't good enough for the Falcons. They traded up to get the 41st overall pick (ninth in the second round, Arkansas cornerback Chris Houston), to go along with the 39th pick (seventh in the second round, Texas offensive lineman Justin Blalock) and the eighth pick (Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson). ... Denver (defensive end Jarvis Moss, Florida) still hasn't taken a running back on the first round under head coach Mike Shanahan (1995-present) ... The Cowboys went with defense on the first round (linebacker Anthony Spencer of Purdue) for the 14th time in their last 16 first-round picks ... The 49ers began the day with 10 picks at their disposal, and with 20 players on their current roster having been drafted since 2004. They traded one of their four fourth-round picks (No. 110 overall) and a 2008 first-rounder to get Central Michigan offensive tackle Joe Staley at No. 28 after grabbing Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis at No. 11.

- By Mike Prisuta