NFL Mock Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Owner |
| 1 | 1 | LaDainian Tomlinson (RB) | Brandon Funston |
| 1 | 2 | Steven Jackson (RB) | Mike Beller |
| 1 | 3 | Jospeh Addai (RB) | Geoffery Stein |
| 1 | 4 | Larry Johnson (RB) | Martin Signore |
| 1 | 5 | Shaun Alexander (RB) | Jeff Erickson |
| 1 | 6 | Frank Gore(RB) | Chris Liss |
| 1 | 7 | Rudi Johnson (RB) | Derek VanRiper |
| 1 | 8 | Brian Westbrook (RB) | Tom Kessenich |
| 1 | 9 | Laurence Maroney (RB) | Dalton Del Don |
| 1 | 10 | Willie Parker (RB) | Brad Evans |
| 1 | 11 | Willis McGahee (RB) | Peter Schoenke |
| 1 | 12 | Clinton Portis (RB) | Herbie Teope |
| 2 | 13 | Edgerrin James (RB) | Brandon Funston |
| 2 | 14 | Marvin Harrison (WR) | Mike Beller |
| 2 | 15 | Peyton Manning (QB) | Geoffery Stein |
| 2 | 16 | Thomas Jones(RB) | Martin Signore |
| 2 | 17 | Torry Holt (WR) | Jeff Erickson |
| 2 | 18 | Marshawn Lynch (RB) | Chris Liss |
| 2 | 19 | Cedric Benson (RB) | Derek VanRiper |
| 2 | 20 | Ronnie Brown (RB) | Tom Kessenich |
| 2 | 21 | Steve Smith (WR) | Dalton Del Don |
| 2 | 22 | Maurice Jones-Drew (RB) | Brad Evans |
| 2 | 23 | Reggie Bush (RB) | Peter Schoenke |
| 2 | 24 | Travis Henry (RB) | Herbie Teope |
| 3 | 25 | Terrell Owens (WR) | Brandon Funston |
| 3 | 26 | Randy Moss (WR) | Mike Beller |
| 3 | 27 | Chad Johnson (WR) | Geoffrey Stein |
| 3 | 28 | Reggie Wayne(WR) | Martin Signore |
| 3 | 29 | Deuce McAllister (RB) | Jeff Erickson |
| 3 | 30 | Antonio Gates (TE) | Chris Liss |
| 3 | 31 | Larry Fitzgerald (WR) | Derek VanRiper |
| 3 | 32 | Javon Walker (WR) | Tom Kessenich |
| 3 | 33 | Brandon Jacobs (RB) | Dalton Del Don |
| 3 | 34 | Anquan Boldin (WR) | Brad Evans |
| 3 | 35 | Roy Williams (WR) | Peter Schoenke |
| 3 | 36 | Andre Johnson | Herbie Teope |
| 4 | 37 | Carson Palmer (QB) | Brandon Funston |
| 4 | 38 | Jamal Lewis (RB) | Mike Beller |
| 4 | 39 | Marion Barber (RB) | Geoffery Stein |
| 4 | 40 | Tom Brady (QB) | Martin Signore |
| 4 | 41 | Ahman Green (RB) | Jeff Erickson |
| 4 | 42 | Plaxico Burress (WR) | Chris Liss |
| 4 | 43 | Adrian Peterson (RB) | Derek VanRiper |
| 4 | 44 | Donald Driver (WR) | Tom Kessenich |
| 4 | 45 | T.J Houshmandezadeh (WR) | Dalton Del Don |
| 4 | 46 | Cadillac Williams (RB) | Brad Evans |
| 4 | 47 | Lee Evans (WR) | Peter Schoenke |
| 4 | 48 | Marques Colston (WR) | Herbie Teope |
| 5 | 49 | Hines Ward (WR) | Brandon Funston |
| 5 | 50 | Darrell Jackson (WR) | Mike Beller |
| 5 | 51 | Fred Taylor (RB) | Geoffery Stein |
| 5 | 52 | Santana Moss (WR) | Martin Signore |
| 5 | 53 | Laveranues Coles (WR) | Jeff Erickson |
| 5 | 54 | DeAngelo Williams (RB) | Chris Liss |
| 5 | 55 | Drew Brees (QB) | Derek VanRiper |
| 5 | 56 | Julius Jones (RB) | Tom Kessenich |
| 5 | 57 | Reggie Brown (WR) | Dalton Del Don |
| 5 | 58 | Marc Bulger (QB) | Brad Evans |
| 5 | 59 | LenDale White (RB) | Peter Schoenke |
| 5 | 60 | Vernand Morency (RB) | Herbie Teope |
| 6 | 61 | Chris Chambers (WR) | Brandon Funston |
| 6 | 62 | Tatum Bell (RB) | Mike Beller |
| 6 | 63 | Deion Branch (WR) | Geoffery Stein |
| 6 | 64 | Joey Galloway (WR) | Martin Signore |
| 6 | 65 | Braylon Edwards (WR) | Jeff Erickson |
| 6 | 66 | Donte Stallworth (WR) | Chris Liss |
| 6 | 67 | Calvin Johnson (WR) | Derek VanRiper |
| 6 | 68 | Donovan McNabb (QB) | Tom Kessenich |
| 6 | 69 | Vince Young (QB) | Dalton Del Don |
| 6 | 70 | Jerious Norwood (RB) | Brad Evans |
| 6 | 72 | Chester Taylor (RB) | Peter Schoenke |
| 6 | 73 | Brandon Jackson (RB) | Herbie Teope |
| 7 | 74 | Lamont Jordon (RB) | Brandon Funston |
| 7 | 75 | Phillip Rivers (QB) | Mike Beller |
| 7 | 76 | Warrick Dunn (RB) | Geoffery Stein |
| 7 | 77 | Kevin Jones (RB) | Martin Signore |
| 7 | 78 | Leon Washington (RB) | Jeff Erickson |
| 7 | 79 | Michael Turner (RB) | Chris Liss |
| 7 | 80 | Jerricho Cotchery | Derek VanRiper |
| 7 | 81 | D.J. Hackett | Tom Kessenich |
| 7 | 82 | Tony Gonzales (TE) | Dalton Del Don |
| 7 | 83 | Bernard Berrian (WR) | Brad Evans |
| 7 | 84 | Devery Henderson (WR) | Peter Schoenke |
| 7 | 85 | Greg Jennings (WR) | Herbie Teope |
| 8 | 86 | Chris Henry (RB) | Brandon Funston |
| 8 | 87 | Dominic Rhodes (RB) | Mike Beller |
| 8 | 88 | Alge Crumpler (TE) | Geoffery Stein |
| 8 | 89 | Chicago Bears (DEF) | Martin Signore |
| 8 | 90 | Michael Vic (QB) | Jeff Erickson |
| 8 | 91 | Santonio Holmes (WR) | Chris Liss |
| 8 | 92 | Jeremy Shockey (TE) | Derek VanRiper |
| 8 | 93 | Todd Heap | Tom Kessenich |
| 8 | 94 | Matt Jones (WR) | Dalton Del Don |
| 8 | 95 | Vincent Jackson (WR) | Brad Evans |
| 8 | 96 | Tony Romo (QB) | Peter Schoenke |
| 8 | 97 | Ladell Betts (RB) | Herbie Teope |
| 9 | 98 | Vernon Davis (TE) | Brandon Funston |
| 9 | 99 | Drew Bennett (WR) | Mike Beller |
| 9 | 100 | Terry Glenn (WR) | Geoffery Stein |
| 9 | 101 | Kellen Winslow (TE) | Martin Signore |
| 9 | 102 | Mark Clayton (WR) | Jeff Erickson |
| 9 | 103 | San Diego Chargers (DEF) | Chris Liss |
| 9 | 104 | Kevin Curtis (WR) | Derek VanRiper |
| 9 | 105 | Matt Hasselbeck (QB) | Tom Kessenich |
| 9 | 106 | Baltimore Ravens (DEF) | Dalton Del Don |
| 9 | 107 | Chris Cooley (TE) | Brad Evans |
| 9 | 108 | DeShaun Foster (RB) | Peter Schoenke |
| 9 | 109 | Eli Manning (QB) | Herbie Teope |
| 10 | 110 | Dallas Cowboys (DEF) | Brandon Funston |
| 10 | 111 | New England Patriots (DEF) | Mike Beller |
| 10 | 112 | Robert Meachem (WR) | Geoffery Stein |
| 10 | 113 | Joe Horn (WR) | Martin Signore |
| 10 | 114 | L.J. Smith (TE) | Jeff Erickson |
| 10 | 115 | Jon Kitna (QB) | Chris Liss |
| 10 | 116 | Denver Broncos (DEF) | Derek VanRiper |
| 10 | 117 | Issac Bruce (WR) | Tom Kessenich |
| 10 | 118 | Matt Leinart (QB) | Dalton Del Don |
| 10 | 119 | Mike Bell (RB) | Brad Evans |
| 10 | 120 | Dallas Clark (TE) | Peter Schoenke |
| 10 | 121 | Ben Watson (TE) | Herbie Teope |
| 11 | 122 | Jerry Porter (WR) | Brandon Funston |
| 11 | 123 | Greg Olsen (TE) | Mike Beller |
| 11 | 124 | Adam Vinatieri | Geoffery Stein |
| 11 | 125 | Jeff Garcia (QB) | Martin Signore |
| 11 | 126 | Jacksonville Jaguars (DEF) | Jeff Erickson |
| 11 | 127 | Jake Delhomme (QB) | Chris Liss |
| 11 | 128 | Tony Hunt (RB) | Derek VanRiper |
| 11 | 129 | Nate Kaeding (K) | Tom Kessenich |
| 11 | 130 | Ricky Williams (RB) | Dalton Del Don |
| 11 | 131 | Robbie Gould (K) | Brad Evans |
| 11 | 132 | Jeff Wilkins (K) | Peter Schoenke |
| 11 | 133 | Shayne Graham (K) | Herbie Teope |
| 12 | 134 | Jason Hanson (K) | Brandon Funston |
| 12 | 135 | Matt Stover (K) | Mike Beller |
| 12 | 136 | Philadelphia Eagles (DEF) | Geoffery Stein |
| 12 | 136 | Josh Brown (K) | Martin Signore |
| 12 | 137 | Neil Rackers (K) | Jeff Erickson |
| 12 | 138 | David Akers (K) | Chris Liss |
| 12 | 139 | Jason Elam (K) | Derek VanRiper |
| 12 | 140 | Miami Dolphins (DEF) | Tom Kessenich |
| 12 | 141 | Stephen Gostkowski (K) | Dalton Del Don |
| 12 | 142 | Carolina Panthers (DEF) | Brad Evans |
| 12 | 143 | Pittsburgh Steelers (DEF) | Peter Schoenke |
| 12 | 144 | Seattle Seahawks (DEF) | Herbie Teope |
By Peter Maingot
Rotowire Writer The RotoWire Magazine Mock Draft -- an annual post-NFL Draft ritual -- took place just 48 hours after the completion of the "real" selection process in late April.
A 12-team contingent took part in a 12-round snake-formatted draft with the following starting positions: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1K, 1 defense and three reserves of any kind. Scoring is the standard three points for a TD pass, six for a TD scored, a point for every 10 yards rushing/receiving and 20 passing, kickers at face value and defenses receive one point for a sack, two points for a safety or turnover and six for a touchdown. The draft was conducted on Mock Draft Central (www.mockdraftcentral.com).
Below is a team-by-team review of the results.
1. Brandon Funston (Yahoo! Sports) had the pleasure of taking LaDainian Tomlinson first overall (lucky youknow- what). Initially, I wasn't that crazy about his sixth-round selection of Chris Chambers based on the uncertainty at QB in Miami as well as the mediocre offensive line and the loss of Randy McMichael at TE (David Martin? Puhleaze). I was surprised to discover that there was only one pick in the seventh round that I would've taken over Chambers -- Tony Gonzalez -- who went ninth in the seventh round. Despite rumors of his imminent demise, I liked LaMont Jordan in Round 7. He'll need to hold off Dominic Rhodes and rookie Michael Bush, but the potential is there for a decent buy-low bounce-back after his putrid 2006 campaign. Eighth-round pick Chris Henry has a real shot at the starting RB gig in Tennessee with only oft-injured and doughy LenDale White as his competition. 2. Next up was Michael Beller (RotoWire Writer), whose first pick of Steven Jackson over 2006 RotoWire cover boy Larry Johnson, mirrors our magazine's running back rankings. Beller was one of four owners who went against the RB/RB trend in the first two rounds when he took steady Marvin Harrison in the second round and then Randy Moss in Round 3. Still needing another starting running back, Beller picked up Jamal Lewis with the 11th pick in the fourth round. As a full-time running back with no serious competition, Lewis is a decent value there. But while the young Browns offense added three linemen, including first-round pick Joe Thomas, Lewis has averaged just 3.4 YPC the last two seasons and is not the back he once was. The next potential red flag was Tatum Bell. Beller covers the Lions for RotoWire and obviously has a strong opinion on the Kevin Jones-Bell battle for Motown RB supremacy. Jones is coming off a foot injury and has had injury issues throughout his young career, but how will Bell fare outside of Denver's run-friendly scheme? Round 7 seemed to be when many owners hiccupped, and Beller was no different when he chose San Diego QB Philip Rivers. Beller could have snagged Jones to control the Detroit RB position, or he could have had Tony Gonzalez. Despite San Diego's run-heavy offense, he took Rivers before Tony Romo (Round 8), Michael Vick (Round 8), Eli Manning (Round 9), Matt Leinart (Round 10), Jon Kitna (Round 10), and Jake Delhomme (Round 11). Taking rookie Greg Olsen as his tight end is an odd choice – Desmond Clark will still start for the Bears – but Beller got him in Round 11, and he can always waiver-wire a safer choice like Jason Witten or Heath Miller later.
3.Geoffrey Stein (Mock Draft Central) raised a few eyebrows with his pick of Joseph Addai over Larry Johnson. The rationale behind that pick became clearer when he chose Peyton Manning next, intent on riding the Colts' high-powered offense. Stein's choice of timeshare back Marion Barber over fulltime Jamal Lewis in Round 4 was a gamble, but Barber has more upside if things break his way again – Barber led the NFC in rushing touchdowns with 14 last season in the same role. Stein threw a late-round dart at Robert Meachem (Round 10). Meachem has better fantasy prospects this year than fellow rookie receivers Ted Ginn and Dwayne Bowe because of the Saints' gunslinging offense and the departure of Joe Horn. Unfortunately for Stein, however, Meachem showed up for minicamp overweight and poorly conditioned and looks to battling David Patten for the No. 4 WR spot behind Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper.
4. Marty Signore (Fantasy Football for Dummies) started the draft by snapping up Larry Johnson. (After Johnson's NFL-record-setting 416-cary workload, I might have taken Shaun Alexander, but we're splitting hairs here.) Kevin Jones was his third RB pick, taken in Round 7. Jones at that point presents value, assuming he's able to get healthy for the start of the season. In Round 6, Signore took the aging Joey Galloway, who despite his age (35) still had more than 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Signore must like older wideouts as he also selected 35-year old Joe Horn as his fourth receiver in Round 10.
5. Jeff Erickson (RotoWire Senior Editor) went next and took Shaun Alexander fi fth overall. Erickson then bucked the RB/RB trend by taking WR Torry Holt in Round 2. This gamble paid off when Deuce McAllister was available on his next turn. I'm less excited about fourth-round pick Ahman Green, who can't stay healthy and is on the down side of his career. Five of the next six picks taken in this mock draft after Green -- RB Lewis, QBs Tom Brady and Carson Palmer, and WRs Hines Ward and Darrell Jackson -- all seem like better choices. Leon Washington in Round 7 also defi es logic. At this point he already had three RBs. Thomas Jones will start for the Jets and is also a good receiver, so Washington's value hinges on Jones getting injured, and even then it's not clear that Washington would be a full-time back. Erickson could have chosen Tony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey, Alge Crumpler or Tony Romo, among others, with that seventh-round pick.
6. Next up was Chris Liss (RotoWire Managing Editor), who likes high risk/high reward picks (often taking a chance on younger players), and this draft was no different. While Liss started with Frank Gore sixth overall, he then rolled the dice in Round 2 with Marshawn Lynch. Lynch was a stud at the University of California and will have virtually no competition in Buffalo (unless you consider Anthony Thomas to be competition) for the starting gig. Still, Liss chose the rookie ahead of Thomas Jones, Edgerrin James, Deuce McAllister, Brandon Jacobs and Cadillac Williams. Liss at that point also had his choice of any QB and any receiver other than the Panthers' Steve Smith. After four error-free rounds, things became dicey again in Round 7, when Liss gambled on Michael Turner. Liss apparently hopes the Chargers will eventually trade Michael Turner, which they had not done at press time. The decision left him scrambling for a third starting wideout in Round 8 and he made the call on Santonio Holmes, an upside play. Liss could have chosen among the more proven trio of Terry Glenn, Drew Bennett or Kevin Curtis.
7. Derek VanRiper (RotoWire Editor) started seventh and grabbed Rudi Johnson. Next he took Cedric Benson and Larry Fitzgerald. He then went against need by taking rookie Adrian Peterson, his third back, in the fourth round. While this is a high-upside play, VanRiper might have been better off taking a solid second receiver like Plaxico Burress or Hines Ward. His draft could ultimately be decided by this pick --if Peterson takes over the full time role early in the year, he'll have a lot of depth at RB. VanRiper also took fellow rookie Calvin Johnson in Round 6, another high risk/high reward option. Jerricho Cotchery in Round 7 was also interesting with proven veteran Terry Glenn still available.
8. Tom Kessenich (Krause Publications) began his draft with Brian Westbrook, Ronnie Brown, Javon Walker and Donald Driver. Nice work. I am less thrilled with his fi fth-round pick -- Julius Jones. He didn't need another back that early and passed on talented QBs Marc Bulger and Vince Young among others. Like many teams in this draft, Team Kessenich had a questionable Round 7 when he chose D.J. Hackett. Hackett has the most upside of Seattle's receivers, but he probably could have been taken later in the draft. The Isaac Bruce pick in Round 10 also was dubious, as he's the Rams No. 3 receiver at press time, and he'll turn 35 during the season.
9. Dalton Del Don (RotoWire Writer) had the best ninth pick in recent memory -- Laurence Maroney. If there is one major fl aw in his drafting it was that he virtually ignored RBs after Round 3. He took Steve Smith in Round 2 and covered himself at RB with Brandon Jacobs in the next round. Triple D went WR with the next two picks in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Reggie Brown. Next he took Vince Young (love it), Gonzo (value!) and Matt Jones in Rounds 6-8. Triple D fumbled in Round 11 with the Ricky Williams pick, but it's Round 11, so there isn't much harm there. He can dump Williams and get someone decent on the waiver wire such as Reuben Droughns for Jacobs insurance. This team is paper thin at RB but loaded elsewhere.
10. Brad Evans (Yahoo! Sports) apparently likes RBs. He took backs with four of his fi rst six picks. Evans started with Willie Parker, Maurice Jones-Drew and WR Anquan Boldin. Based on value, Cadillac Williams is a decent pick in Round 4, though he's not likely to see a lot of touches near the goal line. Marc Bulger in Round 5 works for me as head coach Scott Linehan loves to throw the ball near the goal line, and the Rams added two more receiving threats this offseason in Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael. Needing two starting WRs, a TE and a QB, Evans took Jerious Norwood in Round 6. Not prudent, though Norwood has tremendous upside. Perhaps Evans wants to play "Let's Make a Deal" after the draft. Ironically, Evans is one the few owners who didn't fumble in Round 7, when he took Bernard Berrian, a good value, but I'd be a little leery of him as my No. 2 WR. He then swung for the fences with the Vincent Jackson pick in Round 8, taking the big fella over more proven wideouts. Jackson does have sleeper potential, though.
11. Peter Schoenke (RotoWire President) batted 11th and took Willis McGahee in the fi rst round. Pete stayed with RB when he drafted Reggie Bush 14th overall. That's a bit premature in my view (Deuce McAllister is still around to take almost all of the goalline looks) but not a bad pick. Maurice Jones-Drew, Steve Smith, Ronnie Brown were potential options there. Schoenke stayed with the big-play guy theme in going WR/WR next with Roy Williams and Lee Evans. The fi fth-round pick of LenDale White wasn't a need pick, but rather a risky play. White is even odds to win the Titans RB job against rookie Chris Henry. That's pretty early to be drafting totally unproven guys who don't have a sure starting assignment.
12. On the wrap-around, Herbie Teope (Kansas City Star) went RB/RB with Clinton Portis and Travis Henry. Twenty-two picks later he was back on the clock and scooped up Andre Johnson and Marques Colston. So far so good. Herbie then went back to RB by covering the Green Bay backfi eld with Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson. Interesting strategy if you like the Packers running game this year (I don't). Teope was back in the insurance business next when he took Redskin backup RB Ladell Betts. This was smart as Portis' shoulder still isn't 100 percent. At this point, Teope was on dangerous ground with no QB or TE through eight rounds. He covered both needs next when he took Eli Manning and Ben Watson back-to-back. Both present good value and a nice save by Teope after spending higher picks on backups.
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