The NFLDraftguys staff is going simulate playing the GM of each of the 31 teams picking in the first round and justify their picks. You can look forward to a new pick every other day leading up to April 28, when the staff will be in Radio City Music Hall to see if they took our advice.
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Marc Faletti
With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders SHOULD take Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
With a 4.35 in borrowed shoes and the sick highlight reel to prove he's a natural ballhawk, I hope it's not too hard to convince you Johnson's an elite WR worthy of the #1 overall pick.
The Raiders are suffering at quarterback, but by my tally, both JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn grade out behind the Big 3 from last year's class. Drafting a QB like Troy Smith or Drew Stanton at the top of the 2nd and pairing him with a FA veteran makes more sense this year. At RB, Jordan, Fargas, and co. are serviceable, but whether the Raiders run Kiffin's USC offense or the ol' Raider heave-ho, they need a stud WR to make it work. Porter and Moss appear fed up in Oakland, so the Raiders should grab the wideout Moss should've become at #1.
Cecil Lammey
With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders SHOULD take JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU Tigers.
This pick will really pain me. I am a huge LSU fan, and a Raider hater. But I will root for him nonetheless because he is an amazing athlete. Defenders just slide off Russell when trying to sack him. Mountains cower in fear when JaMarcus is near by. He is simply a gigantic man that is even more pronounced because he is a QB. His frame allows him to sluff off would-be sackers and when he does take a big hit it may hurt the defender more than it does him.
He's not just a statue behind the center, this kid can move around well behind the line of scrimmage. While he's not Michael Vick, or even Daunte Culpepper, Russell is athletic enough to make plays with his feet. While on the run he can still throw the ball with great accuracy. His arm is on elite level that we haven't seen since Drew Bledsoe's heyday. He can rocket the ball from anywhere on the field and throw the ball 60 yards on a rope. The Raiders need to start with a franchise QB, and JaMarcus is clearly the #1 QB on the board. Russell could help take advantage of the disgruntled WR corps that includes Randy Moss. We'll see if they'll address their OL problems with their later picks/free agency.
Sean Baca
With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders SHOULD take JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
The Raiders require O-line help if they intend to do anything long term in the AFC. They have a stout defense, led by a great defensive coordinator. That said, the Raiders won't mess up like the Texans did in 2006. There is NO WAY they should pass on Russell. The depth in the draft at O-line allows for late round, solid picks to improve in that area. Russell is mobile, which is very important with a weak line. His strength and agility will help in converting 3rd downs and allow a very good defense to rest, while allowing a new line time to find a groove. Any player that can benefit both sides of the ball should be a no-brainer.
Sigmund Bloom
With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders SHOULD take Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
...and it should take about five seconds of the fifteen minutes to make the pick. Calvin Johnson is THE PROTOTYPE. He didn't need to work out at the combine to be a top five pick, but he did, and did he deliver. Like his play, it must be seen to be believed.
We are witnessing a once in a generation constellation of physical attributes and talent in the form of Johnson. I've heard plenty of arguments that a wide receiver just can not be worth the #1 overall pick, but Calvin Johnson is the exception to that rule. If Johnson doesn't outleap or outmuscle you, he'll outrun you. If you somehow can hang with him, he can make a transcedent play in the air and still demoralize you. Johnson's character? Just about impeccable. I just don't put enough stock in the value added argument at the QB position to advocate Al Davis taking JaMarcus Russell - an equally rare, but infinitely riskier physical specimen.
