2007 NFL Draft
April 24, 2007
 

The War Room Report staff tackles important questions as the draft nears. Be sure to visit the Hot Reads home page for more 2007 draft analysis and the War Room Report Blog for the latest 2007 NFL draft rumors..

Justin Davis, War Room Report College Football Writer:  The player most likely to be a surprise top 10 pick in this year's draft in my opinion is OT Joe Staley from Central Michigan.  Just a couple of weeks ago it was said to be a given that Levi Brown would be the second OT to be selected, but from everything I've heard the last several days Staley has closed the gap.  Staley was unable to run at the scouting combine, but at his pro day he dazzled the scouts by running a 4.82 40 yard dash and by doing so instantly put himself near or atop everyone's list of OT to select after Thomas goes off the  board.  This converted TE has the athletic ability that teams seek when selecting a prospect that will hopefully be the cornerstone of their OL for years to come.  

Matt MacCoy, War Room Report Offensive Scout: The player that could most surprise experts and fans and become a top 10 selection in the 2007 NFL Draft is Darrelle Revis. I for one, have been a huge supporter of Revis from the beginning of the 2006 season and have a recent surge in popularity causing the stock of Darrelle Revis to soar. Most pundits assumed that Leon Hall would be the first CB taken in the 2007 Draft, however, with Darrelle Revis's ability to be a force in the return game do not be stunned to see several teams consider him with the 8th, 9th, or 10th overall selection.

Rob Tribbett, War Room Report Editor: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas could surprise everyone on draft day. Minnesota and Houston both desperately need a CB prospect and while many consider Leon Hall to be the #1 CB on the board, teams may fall in love with the physical ability of Chris Houston. He is not only the fastest CB in the draft, but he is better at man coverage than virtually any other CB. His performance shutting down Robert Meacham and Dwayne Jarrett may be enough to raise his stock to the top part of the draft.

Chris Otwell, War Room Report NFL Writer:  Patrick Willis, I think that this is not a stretch, but given the needs, this would be a surprise to see him go in the top 10.  I think its possible, because he is that dominant of a force on the defensive side of the ball. 

2. What position will have the most players drafted in round one, and why?

Davis: The position that will have the most players taken in the first round this year is DE.  I see at least 4, probably 5 going in round one this year.  I believe that Adams, Carriker, Anderson, and Moss are sure things and I also believe that Spencer or Crowder may sneak into the first round as well.  Plenty of depth at that position this year for anybody looking to upgrade their pass rush.
 

MacCoy: This is going to be a close call, but I am going to say that Wide Receiver will have the most players selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. I believe that Calvin Johnson, Ted Ginn Jr., Robert Meacham, and Dwayne Bowe are locks to be selected with the first 32 selections. Many scouts believe Dwayne Jarrett is sliding down the draft board, but I believe he is too talented for all 32 teams to pass on the Rose Bowl MVP. A few other positions could conceivably have 5 players selected in Round 1, but Wide Receiver gets the nod from me because it is possible that several other WR prospects Sidney Rice, Anthony Gonzalez, or Steve Smith could slide into the bottom portion of the round.

Tribbett: There are only two reasonable choices here - wide receiver and defensive end. Both positions seem to have four locks. I am going with wide receiver, as Dwayne Jarrett or Anthony Gonzalez could easily sneak into Round One. A number of teams need a wide receiver, and there may not be enough quality players at other positions to allow them to pass on a receiver. Defensive end is a possibility if Moss and Spencer are taken in Round One.

Otwell: Wide Receiver...This was a tough one, as  Defensive end is a possibility here as well.  I just think that with the talent at the WR position, that teams will want to take them earlier because of the need of WR on so many teams.  Defensive Ends could go early too, but they are so deep that teams could afford to wait it out and get one in the second round.

3. What player not considered a first round pick is going to have the biggest impact his rookie season?

Davis: The player I think will have the biggest impact in his rookie season not taken in round one is David Harris, LB out of Michigan.  I see a lot of similarities between Harris and DeMeco Ryans, last season's Defensive Rookie of  the Year. Not flashy when it comes to the combine numbers, but is always around the ball and brings the intangibles and reliability to the core of whatever defense he joins.

MacCoy: In the latest War Room Report Mock Draft we do not project David Harris as a first round selection, so David Harris will be my selection for the player drafted after round one to have the biggest impact in year one. I think that there are several prospects that will surpass David Harris in time, but Harris is NFL ready right now and could step right into the middle of many NFL defenses and perform. I do not believe he will have the impact as last season's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and 2nd round selection DeMeco Ryans, but he is one of the few prospects in round 2 that could start 16 games in the National Football League today.

Tribbett: Eric Wright will have the most impact of a player not drafted in Round One of the 2007 NFL Draft. He has elite coverage skills. Wright is, by my estimation, the most physically gifted corner in this draft, and has one of the highest upsides of any corner to enter the draft in recent years. He would be a lock to be a Round One pick if not for character concerns. It seems that the majority of those problems are behind him and Wright will be a starter from opening day for the team that drafts him. It may be hard to measure his impact, but as long as he stays out of trouble off the field, we will look back and see Eric Wright as the one of the best players to come out of this draft, regardless of round.

Otwell: Brandon Siler, given the right team, will make an immediate impact on a team this season.  Siler has all the tools and big game experience to start, and be a consistent contributor in his rookie season.