Despite growing speculation that Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson has moved to the top of the Raiders' draft board, JaMarcus Russell remains the No. 1 pick in my mock draft. The only change in the first round involves a pair of wide receivers. USC's Dwayne Jarrett falls from No. 23 to No. 30, trading places with Tennessee's Robert Meachem.
Here is my complete seven-round mock draft.
+ -- Underclassman
1. Oakland Raiders (2-14)
Projected pick: +JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Needs: QB, DT, OT/G, TE, WR, LB, CB, RB
It seems owner Al Davis' captivation with WR Calvin Johnson grows with each passing day. If the Raiders can talk the Lions into a deal for veteran QB Josh McCown, it will free Davis to pull the trigger on Johnson with the No. 1 overall pick. Until then, Russell makes the most sense for a team loaded with talented wide receivers (Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry) but with nobody to get them the ball.
2. Detroit (3-13)
Projected pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Needs: QB, ILB, CB, TE, S, WR, C, DT, DE
The Lions hold the keys to the entire top of the draft, but the aforementioned McCown trade could throw the entire top of the board into flux and rob the Lions of their trade value at No. 2. The Buccaneers are rumored to be interested, but only if Johnson is still on the board. Assuming, for these purposes, Russell goes No. 1 to the Raiders, the Lions should strike a deal to move down at least two spots and get a better value for Adams, who is the top pass-rushing talent in the 2007 class.