Mock draft: I know you won't like it

I can tell you right up front that many of you will not like what I'm about to do with the #8 pick of the draft, but I just couldn't keep myself from doing it. I tried, but failed.

In this version of the mock draft, I take a look at a very real possibility and that is Al Davis and the Raiders passing on JaMarcus Russell. Al Davis has been burned by QBs before and he might not be willing to sink "first pick of the draft" money into a QB with "potential" rather than a monster like Calvin Johnson.

1. Oakland - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech: I know that JaMarcus Russell is the consensus here for most mocks, but don't forget that Al Davis isn't your average owner and he also remembers being burned by Todd Marinovich and Marc Wilson as first round QBs in 1991 and 1980 respectively. I'm going to gamble that the Raiders trade one of their disgruntled WRs and the Raiders go with the best player on the board, Calvin Johnson.

2. Detroit - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU: Supposedly the Lions love Joe Thomas, but if JaMarcus Russell is on the board, the Lions may find it difficult to pass on a QB who would be a great fit with WR Roy Williams.

*3. Tampa Bay - Joe Thomas, LT, Wisconsin: The Bucs are in bad shape all over the field but the chance to solidify their LT spot for the next decade is an opportunity Tampa won't be able to (or want to) pass up.

*4. Cleveland - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma: Sources close to Adrian Peterson's pre-draft workouts are telling me that Adrian Peterson is weighing right at 220 pounds and running sub 4.4 fortys and will blow teams away with his breakaway speed. Provided his medical reports come up okay, he won't get past Cleveland.

5. Arizona - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson: The Cardinals dream scenario would have Joe Thomas dropping here but I just can't see that happening. The Cardinals need help in the secondary and defensive line as well and Adams gives the Cardinals a pass rush threat. If it isn't Adams, it will likely be Jamaal Anderson.

6. Washington - Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas: The Redskins were the worst in the league at rushing the passer and that has to be addressed. There will be two DTs and a DE to choose from in this spot, but my guess is that they will stick with a DE like Anderson to try and shore up the pass rush.

7. Minnesota - Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State: I had him high in the mock when it first came out based on a scout's recommendation and I think he is going to be right. The same scout called him the "fastest player I have ever seen on tape" and the Vikings are in desperate need of a WR. Dwayne Jarrett could be the selection here if his forty time surprises. Dwayne Jarrett is a better pure WR than Ted Ginn Jr..

8. Houston - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame: It took me forever to come up with this selection. I'm dying to put DTs Alan Branch or Amobi Okoye here but here is my reasoning behind Brady Quinn. The Texans need to get better at QB and this doesn't appear to be a strong QB draft and there isn't anyone out there in free agency. If the Texans pass on Brady Quinn, they might have to wait until next year to find their "QB of the future" and even then there are no guarantees. While people may not be in love with Brady Quinn, if the Texans feel like he has the skill set to fit into their offense, they may decide to take him and hope that he can become the type of QB to help them win games even if he won't be one of the elite QBs in the league. Coach Kubiak said he wants playmakers and the only four guys I put into that category (I'm not including safeties) here would be Okoye, Marshawn Lynch, Dwayne Jarrett and Brady Quinn.

9. Miami - Levi Brown, LT, Penn State: Brown has moved himself up the draft board and with starting LT Damion McIntosh scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent (UFA), Brown could help fill a void while giving Cam Cameron's QBs better pass protection for years to come.

10. Atlanta - Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville: Don't underestimate the fact that new head coach Bobby Petrino will be very excited to see his former star DT Okoye still on the board. Okoye can be worked into the rotation at DT relatively quickly.

11. San Francisco - Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska: You heard it here first. Everyone likes Dwayne Jarrett here and it makes sense; however, this draft is fairly deep at WR. On the other hand, teams who play a 3-4 covet "perfect fits" on the defensive line and Carriker's frame and strength are just that. The Niners still need a makeover on their defensive line to help them play the 3-4 and Carriker fits the description of strong and athletic.

12. Buffalo - Alan Branch, DT, Michigan: If Branch falls here (and scouts tell me that there is a growing consensus that he is somewhat overrated), then Buffalo will likely snap him up. The Bills are in desperate need of help up the middle and Branch would be a picture perfect fit. They also wouldn't mind if Levi Brown were available here.

13. St. Louis - Laron Landry, FS, LSU: If Landry falls past the Falcons, it probably won't be beyond here. The Rams were an atrocity against the rush and a sure tackling safety like Landry will help against the run and the pass.

14. Carolina - Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC: This one is tough to call because I feel like the Panthers could look at a DE with Mike Rucker's position up for grabs. However, with Keyshawn Johnson on the way out, the Panthers need to be able to take some pressure off of WR Steve Smith's shoulders.

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