2007 NFL Mock Draft

With the majority of the NFL draft order now set, it's time to take a more in-depth look at the possible destinations for some of the nation's top collegiate players.

Many of these same players will make immediate contributions to their respective franchises, while others contribute sparingly and some eventually flame out into football oblivion.

Here is my 2007 NFL Mock Draft:

1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU

Russell over Quinn wasn't even a possibility when the collegiate season began but he has opened a ton of eyes lately and looks like a player who could revolutionize the quarterback position even further with his amazing size and mobility.

2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

The Lions will take Quinn if they have one ounce of common sense. Quinn is already a polished quarterback who could genuinely turn out to be the Lions' quarterback of the future. Then again, he could turn out to be the next Joey Harrington if the Lions never figure out that they need an offensive line to protect him, duh.

3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

At either No. 3 or 4, the Browns had better take Peterson, who has all the makings of an NFL star. Cleveland desperately needs a game-breaking back to go along with their talented young receiving core.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

At either 3 or 4, Tampa Bay will go for Johnson, whom many are already suggesting will go down as one of the great wide receivers in NFL history.

5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

This selection is a no-brainer for Arizona. Thomas is already good enough to overpower most NFL defensive linemen and will protect prized quarterback Matt Leinart for years to come.

6. Washington Redskins - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan

The Redskins could go for defensive end Gaines Adams here, but Branch would be a better selection for the Redskins inferior interior defensive line.

7. Minnesota Vikings - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC

The Vikings desperately need another playmaking wide receiver and Jarrett, who would be the top receiver picked in any other draft, fits the bill to a tee.

8. Houston Texans - Marshawn Lynch, RB, Cal

Lynch is going to be a bonafide star at the next level. If the Texans are wise, they'll take Lynch without flinching. Then again, we all know what happened last year now don't we?

9. Miami Dolphins - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

The Dolphins are aging rapidly on the defensive side of the ball and need defensive line help in the worst way. Either Adams, or Branch, will suffice for Miami.

10. Atlanta Falcons- LaRon Landry, S, LSU

Atlanta needs help in the defensive secondary immediately and Landry will be able to step in and start right away, giving Atlanta two quality defensive backs in Hall and Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

11. San Francisco 49ers- Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

San Francisco will continue their immense improvement from this season by selecting a defensive player, most likely Hall, if he is still available. If not, the Niners could go for a wide receiver, possibly Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr.

12. Buffalo Bills- Levi Brown, T, Penn State

Bills quarterback J.P. Losman showed enough this season to make me believe that the Bills could take an offensive lineman to better protect the supposed future of their franchise. Brown, who will start right away, is the best, and safest, pick here for Buffalo.

13. St. Louis Rams- Reggie Nelson, S, Florida

The Rams need help on the defensive side of the ball in the worst way and would be wise to select Nelson, who would start right away in St. Louis.

14. Carolina Panthers- Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss.

The Panthers, will look to shore up their sagging defense by selecting a linebacker and there is none better than Willis, who could start right away. On the flip side, Carolina could surprise everyone by selecting Ohio State quarterback, Troy Smith.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers - Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno St.

The Steelers could really use a cornerback and McCauley would probably start at some point as a rookie. On the other hand, they could also use another receiver and I think Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija would look good in Pittsburgh black and gold.

16. Green Bay Packers- Ted Ginn Jr. WR, Ohio State

The Packers haven't had a playmaker like the electrifying Ginn in quite some time. Green Bay could also go for Ginn's Ohio State teammate, running back Antonio Pittman.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars- Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia

The Jags will immediately upgrade their pass rush by selecting Moses, who still has plenty of potential for growth.

18. Cincinnati Bengals - Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State

The Bengals suddenly appear to have several defensive needs. None more so than along the defensive line, where Quinn will immediately help to shore up the Bengals porous run defense.

19. Tennessee Titans- Michael Griffin, S, Texas

The Titans' Adam "Pacman" Jones could use some help in the secondary and Griffin is a player with a huge upside that would fit the Titan's needs perfectly. If Tennessee decides to strengthen its defensive line, they could possibly select DE Jamaal Anderson out of Arkansas.

20. New York Giants - Antonio Pittman, RB, Ohio State

With the incredible Tiki Barber retiring, the Giants will need another elusive running back to pair with promising power runner Brandon Jacobs, and Pittman could immediately step in and fill that role in New York. The Giants could go for defense and select defensive lineman DT Amobi Okoye from Louisville.

21. Denver Broncos - Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh

The Broncos, who could obviously use another cornerback in the wake of the tragic loss of promising youngster Darrent Williams, would do well to select Revis, whose stock has soared as of late.

22. New England (from Seattle) - Daymeion Hughes, CB, California

New England needs to get younger on the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the secondary, where they seemingly suffer two or three serious injuries every season. Hughes won't start right away, but could see significant playing time, even under strict head coach Bill Belichick, at some point in his rookie season.

23. Dallas Cowboys - Justin Blalock, G, Texas

Blalock is the best offensive lineman left on the board and the Cowboys would be wise to select him here and shore up their mediocre offensive line - or watch mobile quarterback Tony Romo run for his life every other pass play.

24. Kansas City Chiefs - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

The Chiefs need defensive help badly at both linebacker and along the defensive line. Selecting Okoye here would be a wise pick and a public relations boon since K.C. has already employed one famous Okoye already.

25. New Orleans Saints - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

The Saints, will select a defensive player, most likely, a defensive back, making Cason the right choice - and an immediate starter next season - for New Orleans.

26. New York Jets - A.J. Davis, CB, NC State

Although the Jets overachieved immensely in their first season under rookie head coach Eric Mangini, they could use some more quality defensive backs, making Davis, who has a bigger upside than most, a wise choice here. Worst case scenarion, Davis turns out to be a nickel back. Best case scenario, he turns out to be the Jets best shutdown corner.

27. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami

The Eagles need help at both linebacker and safety and the talented but troublesome Merriweather could be the answer to their on-going problems in their defensive secondary. Then again, the Eagles usually like to bring in quality players, so either FSU's Lawrence Timmons or Pittsburgh's H.B. Blades, could end up being the pick here for Philly.

28. New England Patriots - Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina

This pick is a no-brainer for the Pats, who are lacking quality wide receivers after parting ways with some of Tom Brady's favorite targets over the years. I also wouldn't be surprised one iota to see Belichick select Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija, if he is still available.

29. Indianapolis Colts - DeMarcus Tyler, DT, NC State

Hmmm, let's see, the Colts run defense is about as bad as any I've seen in my entire life. Tyler, who is still improving, could come in and upgrade Indy's defensive line with his eyes closed.

30. Baltimore Ravens- Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State

The Ravens are going to need another quarterback to replace Steve McNair at some point in the very near future and what better mentor could he have than McNair? Of course, if junior Brian Brohm comes out, the Ravens may go with potential and Brohm's physical stature over Smith's elusiveness and leadership abilities.

31. Chicago Bears- Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State

If Miller lasts this long, Chicago had better grab him to provide a target down the middle of the field for tunnel-visioned quarterback Rex Grossman.

32. San Diego Chargers- H.B. Blades, LB, Pittsburgh

Like the Chargers need to get better these days. Selecting Blades here would give San Diego another promising young linebacker to pair with the explosive, sack-happy pass rusher, Shawne Merriman. Oh boy.

Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun, and Sr. NBA analyst for basketball.com as well as a nationally syndicated freelance writer for both print and online publications.

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