AC's 2007 NFL Mock Draft!

1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU) - The consensus right now seems to be that Al Davis will choose Russell with this year's number one overall pick. And it makes sense on multiple levels. Clearly the Raiders are in dire need of a quarterback. Aaron Brooks is one of the least consistent signal callers in the game, and Andrew Walter does not seem to be the long-term answer. Davis also likes big, athletic players, and Russell is certainly that. The 265 pound and nearly 6'6" quarterback has one of the strongest arms in all of football, and Davis has missed the vertical passing game recently. If the Raiders move Randy Moss by draft day, they could always go with Calvin Johnson. Joe Thomas would be tempting here as well, but with all of their needs the team will probably address QB or WR with this pick and look to pick up lunch pail guys later on.

2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame) - If Quinn gets passed up by Detroit and Cleveland, he may fall the way Matt Leinart fell last year. I don't see him dropping to 9th or 10th like some do. Despite some criticisms concerning his lack of big game wins, Quinn's numbers were spectacular throughout his tenure at Notre Dame and he did lead the Irish to some absolutely jaw-dropping comebacks. People should also remember that the team around him was not the powerhouse team Notre Dame has been in the past. His defense, save for a player here and there, was nothing to write home about. And while Darius Walker is a talented back, he was not the elite player that many other top QBs in college had in recent years. When all is said and done, Quinn has the exact make-up you look for in an NFL quarterback, from size to arm strength to intangibles. He is a proven leader and knows what it takes to win football games. I would be willing to bet the Lions won't be taking a wide receiver here, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Joe Thomas ended up going this early if the Lions do in fact pass on Quinn.