Round 1
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| NFL Draft History
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Analysis by ESPN Scouts Inc. | NFL Draft HistoryRound: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
| Round 1 | ||||
| PK(OVR) | TEAM | NAME | POS | SCHOOL |
| 1(1) | Oakland | JaMarcus Russell | QB | LSU |
Russell is the obvious pick for the Raiders because he fills a pressing need and has the most value at the position. Although he needs to continue to improve his decision making and work on his footwork, he has rare size and arm strength. If Lane Kiffin can get Russell to buy into his system, the sky is the limit for Russell and the Raiders. Video  Complete analysis  | ||||
| 2(2) | Detroit | Calvin Johnson | WR | Georgia Tech |
| Calvin Johnson is arguably the most talented receiver taken in a decade. Blazing speed, impressive body control and formidable size could make Johnson one of the most difficult receivers in the league to cover this year. If he improves his consistency catching the ball and sharpens his route running skills, defensive coordinators will have a difficult time finding ways to slow him down. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 3(3) | Cleveland | Joe Thomas | OT | Wisconsin |
| A three-year starter at Wisconsin, Thomas gets into his pass set quickly, uses his long arms to ride edge rushers past the quarterback and can counter when ends try to redirect inside after starting outside. Thomas also does a good job of throwing blocks downfield. With the Browns already adding Seth McKinney and Eric Steinbach though free agency, Cleveland's offensive line should be substantially better this year. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 4(4) | Tampa Bay | Gaines Adams | DE | Clemson |
| Adams, who is the most explosive pass-rusher in this class, should provide that much-needed shot of adrenaline for the Bucs. He has excellent first-step quickness and shows rare closing speed once he turns the corner. If he doesn't get to the quarterback, he generally gets his hands up and times his jumps well. The biggest concern with him is his ability to anchor against the run. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 5(5) | Arizona | Levi Brown | OT | Penn State |
| The departure of Leonard Davis has created a vacancy at left tackle, so getting Brown fills the Cardinals' most pressing need. Brown should immediately step in as the starter, and for good reason. His ability to open up holes and wear down opponents over the course of a game should please both RB Edgerrin James and new head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who is expected to run early and often. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 6(6) | Washington | LaRon Landry | DB | LSU |
| Landry is a tough run defender who takes the shortest path to the ball and delivers big hits. He times hits well and punishes receivers that go over the middle. He can cover the deep half of the field and can match up with slot receivers. One area of concern is his ability to play the ball when it's in the air, but he has adequate ball skills and he should benefit from lining up next to Sean Taylor. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 7(7) | Minnesota | Adrian Peterson | RB | Oklahoma |
| Peterson is a tough runner who can pick up yards between the tackles and break tackles when he gets into the open field. He has the burst to turn the corner, make the first defender miss and turn on the jets when he gets a seam. While the Vikings have more pressing needs at several other positions, including defensive end and running back, Peterson was too good to pass up on. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 8(8) | Atlanta (from Houston) | Jamaal Anderson | DE | Arkansas |
| Anderson is a relentless pass-rusher who has good closing speed and can deliver the big hits when he gets to the quarterback, which should soften the blow of losing Patrick Kerney. Atlanta's run defense should also benefit from getting Anderson. Anderson has the size to hold his ground against the run and the upper body strength to shed blocks quickly once he learns how to use his hands a little better. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 9(9) | Miami | Ted Ginn, Jr. | WR | Ohio State |
| Ginn Jr. is a playmaker with blazing speed. He can go the distance every time he touches the ball whether it's on returns or catching the ball on offense. However, there are no guarantees Ginn Jr. will develop into a quality No. 2 receiver. While he has excellent speed, he ran just three routes at Ohio State so he has a tremendous amount of work to do in that area.Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 10(10) | Houston (from Atlanta) | Amobi Okoye | DT | Louisville |
| Okoye is still an excellent pick and the reason is great defenses are built from the inside out. He has excellent initial quickness, good strength and the frame to comfortably add weight. He can get after the passer and disrupt running plays in the backfield. In addition, defensive tackle is also a need and Okoye should compete for a starting role. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 11(11) | San Francisco | Patrick Willis | LB | Mississippi |
| A stout run defender, Willis takes the shortest path to the ball and wraps up upon contact. Willis can also match up with most backs and tight ends when he drops into coverage. Finally, he is a leader on the field and a hard worker off it. In other words, he is the kind of player defenses are built around and he immediately improves San Francisco's defense. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 12(12) | Buffalo | Marshawn Lynch | RB | California |
| Lynch has shown flashes of developing into a difference maker. He's big enough to carry a heavy workload and his speed should make him a home run threat in the NFL. In other words, he can pound the ball inside turn the corner as an outside runner. There's also reason to believe he'll emerge as a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 13(13) | St. Louis | Adam Carriker | DE | Nebraska |
| Carriker has the quickness to prevent blockers from getting into good position and he already shows a good variety of pass rush moves. His ability to get after the quarterback should make it more difficult for teams to adjust their pass protections to account for teammate Leonard Little. Carriker could have an even bigger impact on the run defense. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 14(14) | NY Jets (from Carolina) | Darrelle Revis | DB | Pittsburgh |
| Although Revis can take too long to change directions at times and has some problems matching up with explosive slot receivers, he is still a first-round talent. More importantly, his instincts should make him an excellent fit for head coach Eric Mangini's defensive schemes and he is a playmaker than can make a difference. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 15(15) | Pittsburgh | Lawrence Timmons | LB | Florida State |
| Timmons has the burst to turn the corner, athletic ability to develop an arsenal of pass rushes and the closing speed to quickly get to the quarterback. If the Steelers transition to a 4-3 defense at some point, Timmons is versatile enough to move to weakside linebacker. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 16(16) | Green Bay | Justin Harrell | DT | Tennessee |
| Harrell isn't a great pass-rusher but he should immediately improve the Packers' run defense. He has excellent lower body strength and is virtually impossible to move once he establishes position. His ability to collapse the pocket will also make it easier for the edge rushers to get to the quarterback. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 17(17) | Denver (from Jacksonville) | Jarvis Moss | DE | Florida |
| Moss is capable of giving the pass rush a substantial boost. He anticipates snap counts well, explodes off the ball and he closes extremely well. The Broncos will likely use him as a situational pass-rusher but there is a chance he develops into an every-down player if he can add some weight without sacrificing any quickness. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 18(18) | Cincinnati | Leon Hall | DB | Michigan |
| Hall is a physical cover corner who is tough enough to match up with bigger receivers, athletic enough to stay with slot receivers and can make big plays in coverage. The Bengals will have to give him safety help over the top when he lines up opposite a premiere deep threat. Cincinnati has done a good job of using the draft to build a potentially excellent secondary. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 19(19) | Tennessee | Michael Griffin | DB | Texas |
| This was a bad pick for the Titans, from a need perspective. And that's not to say Griffin isn't going to be a good player in the NFL. Although he gets caught out of position at times and he needs to get a little bigger he will smack the ball carrier in the mouth and he has above-average cover skills so he should push for immediate playing time. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 20(20) | NY Giants | Aaron Ross | DB | Texas |
| The Giants got an excellent pick in Ross. He possesses a very good blend of size, speed, instincts and ball skills. If he develops as expected, he'll emerge as a playmaking starter in the NFL. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 21(21) | Jacksonville (from Denver) | Reggie Nelson | DB | Florida |
| The Jaguars filled their need with Nelson. Critics point out that Nelson is somewhat one-dimensional because he isn't big enough to line up in the box or a great run defender but he has great range. His ability to cover so much ground should make him an immediate upgrade over FS Gerald Sensabaugh and he gives the Jaguars another playmaker to complement DC Rashean Mathis. Video Complete analysis
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| 22(22) | Cleveland (from Dallas) | Brady Quinn | QB | Notre Dame |
| Quinn has the poise to step in right away and enough confidence to learn from his mistakes along the way. It also helps that the Browns have done an excellent job of improving the offensive line during the offseason so Quinn won't get harassed as much as Charlie Frye did last year. Video Complete analysis
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| 23(23) | Kansas City | Dwayne Bowe | WR | LSU |
| Bowe has outstanding size, he catches the ball well and he makes fluid cuts so he clearly has the potential to develop into a reliable possession receiver. Though he doesn't have elite speed and he isn't going to run by defensive backs, he is big and fast enough to make the occasional play downfield so he can stretch defenses vertically. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 24(24) | New England (from Seattle) | Brandon Meriweather | DB | Miami (FL) |
| Depsite Meriweather's off-the-field concerns, he should see significant playing time because of durability concerns surrounding the Pats' starters, and the fact that he is too talented to keep on the sidelines. Meriweather has excellent instincts, he shows great range and he is an effective open-field tackler. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 25(25) | Carolina (from N.Y. Jets) | Jon Beason | LB | Miami (FL) |
| Beason is an excellent value at this point in the first round and he is more than capable of pushing Na'il Diggs for playing time on the weak side. The Panthers will likely work on his cover skills but he has a great bend of instincts, quickness and tenacity. He has adequate size and the frame to get even bigger. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 26(26) | Dallas (from Philadelphia) | Anthony Spencer | LB | Purdue |
| Spencer is an explosive up-the-field player who has excellent initial quickness and closes well once he turns the corner, so he should make an immediate impact rushing the passer. He's also big and tough enough to develop into an effective run stopper. However, he may not be athletic enough to develop into an every-down outside linebacker. Video Complete analysis
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| 27(27) | New Orleans | Robert Meachem | WR | Tennessee |
| Although the Saints had other needs, they picked up a talented receiver in Meachem. He has the speed to stretch the field and open up the underneath routes for Marques Colston. He can also produce after the catch. However, Meachem isn't a great route runner and he needs to get more physical or corners will have some success pushing him around. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 28(28) | San Francisco (from New England) | Joe Staley | OT | Central Michigan |
| Staley is a former tight end who has the quick feet to redirect in pass protection and the quickness to prevent edge rushers from turning the corner. He's also big and tenacious enough to develop into an effective drive blocker once he gets a little stronger, learns to keep his hips under him and use his hands. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 29(29) | Baltimore | Ben Grubbs | OG | Auburn |
| Grubbs is the best available guard and he is a great fit for this offense. He is a powerful drive blocker who can open up holes in short-yardage situations and is always looking to put defenders on their backs. Baltimore should also be confident about his ability to hold up in pass protection because he has excellent quickness. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 30(30) | San Diego | Craig Davis | WR | LSU |
| Davis made great strides at the collegiate level and there's no questioning his natural ability. He reaches his top speed quickly and he has the second gear to run past defensive backs. A playmaker with the ball in his hands, he can create after the catch and return punts as well. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 31(31) | Chicago | Greg Olsen | TE | Miami (FL) |
| Chicago should be excited about Olsen's ability to stretch the field and give their young quarterback a legitimate threat over the middle. Though he should also take advantage of the Bears' commitment to the run setting up the play-action, Olsen is a mediocre blocker at best. If he is to play an every-down role, he'll have to get a lot stronger at the point of attack and a lot tougher. Video Complete analysis | ||||
| 32(32) | Indianapolis | Anthony Gonzalez | WR | Ohio State |
| With the departure of Brandon Stokley, Indianapolis needed a No. 3 receiver, and Gonzalez should slide right into that role. Though Gonzalez isn't as explosive as Ohio State teammate Ted Ginn Jr., he runs crisp routes, he isn't afraid to go over the middle and he doesn't drop passes he should catch. Video Complete analysis | ||||