The 2007 NFL Re-Draft

Each and every year at the NFL Draft—this year included I'm sure—you will hear guys like Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, and Mike Mayock start handing out draft grades. Sometimes as early as day one!

To me, it's absolutely ridiculous to start giving draft classes grades before any players have even put on pads, much less before the draft class is even finished.

I think that the minimum amount of time required to look back on a draft and speculate on how it turned out is three years. So here I am, attempting to put together the way the first round would've gone if teams knew what they know now.

I did the same thing a year ago for the 2006 draft. And now that it's three years after the 2007 draft, it's time to try again. There will be some teams wishing they could stick with their real picks, and some teams who would be very grateful for a second chance.

Looking at the draft I quickly realized that the 2007 draft is far behind the 2006 draft as far as depth of talent three years in.

And now, the Raiders are on the clock... again...

Pick 1: Oakland Raiders

Original Pick: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU

Re-Draft Pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

There are a lot of options here at number 1, the last of which should be JaMarcus. In an actual re-draft Al Davis may still go with the flashy pick of Adrian Peterson or Calvin Johnson, but I'm going to make the smarter move and give Oakland Joe Thomas to be the rock on their line that he is in Cleveland.

Pick 2: Detroit Lions

Original Pick: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Re-Draft Pick: Darrelle Revis

The Lions could actually consider taking Calvin Johnson again here. He's turned out to be a great player on an awful team. He has been a bit one dimensional, but that could be a function of the bad offenses he's been on. As the team rebuilds we'll see what he can offer.

I'm going to give Detroit Darrelle Revis, who 3 years in is the safer pick to be the best player available here at no. 2. Revis is coming off one of the best years a cornerback has ever had in the NFL, and is looking to continue that for a career's worth of shutting down receivers. A corner as good as Revis can let a defense do a lot of things, and Detroit would welcome that.

Pick 3 - Cleveland Browns

Original Pick: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin

Re-Draft Pick: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

Adrian Peterson got off to a faster start than anyone of this class. Just halfway though his first season he set a major record.

He's been a tremendous player in the NFL but his fumbling issues drop him to number 3, 4 spots above where he was actually drafted. Cleveland gets a heck of a playmaker out of their backfield; something they haven't had since this draft.

Pick 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Original Pick: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

Re-Draft Pick: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech

Tampa Bay used this pick to select the recently deceased Gaines Adams. I remember Tampa tried desperately to trade up and get Calvin Johnson in '07 and here they actually get him. In the Re-Draft they get him. Calvin falls to no. 4 but not because he's been a disappointment. The three above him have just been out of this world in their short-careers.

If Tampa still gets Josh Freeman, at least this pick would've given him someone to throw to.

Pick 5: Arizona Cardinals

Original Pick: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State

Re-Draft Pick: Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss

Patrick Willis is about as athletic and complete a MLB a team could hope for. I know Mike Singletary loves him in San Fran, but Arizona gets a chance to get him here at no. 5. He would be a real playmaker on a defense behind Darnell Docket and in front of Adrian Wilson.

They're still hopeful for Levi Brown, but he's not giving them what you'd expect from a no. 5 pick.

Pick 6: Washington Redskins

Original Pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU

Re-Draft Pick: Jon Beason, LB, Miami

It was a tough call between Hurricanes here, but talent outweighed team need. By not drafting Landry here, the death of Sean Taylor leaves a big hole at safety for the Redskins and Brandon Meriweather could definitely be a possibility.

Instead, they go with Jon Beason who is one of the best young linebackers in the NFL, being just a half-step behind Willis.

Landry has progressively gotten worse from year to year after a strong rookie campaign and now looks like a liability in coverage, but he still has the athletic ability to be a playmaker on a defense.

Pick 7: Minnesota Vikings

Original Pick: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma

Re-Draft Pick: Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami

I'm sure the Vikings would love to hang on to AD, but he's long gone. Instead they get a playmaker in their secondary that they haven't had since Darren Sharper left.

The Vikings wound up with a great '07 class, and they could take Sidney Rice here, but I think Meriweather would be the best value.

Pick 8 - Atlanta Falcons

Original Pick: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

Re-Draft Pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

I was torn between Wolverines here, but opted to go with Hall. LaMarr Woodley could've given the Falcons a better pass rush than they got out of Jamaal Anderson, but Leon Hall would be a better player in a secondary that really hasn't had any quality players since '07, although 2nd rounder Chris Houston showed early promise.

Hall is part of one of the best corner tandems in the league in Cincy, and could bring the same ability to Atlanta.

Pick 9: Miami Dolphins

Original Pick: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State

Re-Draft Pick: LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Michigan

One of the reasons Pittsburgh could let Joey Porter go to Miami seamlessly winds up in Miami himself. Woodley's the hard-nosed edge rusher Miami desperately needs now. There were some questions about how he would transition from DE to a 3-4 OLB, but he's shown that it's not an issue at all.

Considering Miami just dumped Ginn for a 5th round pick, I'm sure they would've rather taken Woodley, who lasted until the 2nd round in 2007.

Pick 10: Houston Texans

Original Pick: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

Re-Draft Pick: Michael Griffin, S, Texas

Michael Griffin would've been the best playmaker the Texans' secondary has ever had. He could offer a lot of protection to the mediocre corners the Texans have had.

Safety is currently a big need for Houston, but would've have to be with Griffin. As far as Okoye goes, even 3 years later he's still only 22 and has a lot of potential. He's a starter on an above average defensive line in Houston.

Pick 11 - San Francisco 49ers

Original Pick: Patrick Willis, LB, Ole Miss

Re-Draft Pick: David Harris, LB, Michigan

They hit the jackpot with Willis here, but he's gone so they get the third best MLB from this class in David Harris.

Harris has made a name for himself as a big hitter in New York, and Mike Singletary could certainly cope with the downgrade presented to him in the Re-Draft.

Pick 12: Buffalo Bills

Original Pick: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California

Re-Draft Pick: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan

For many reasons, Marshawn Lynch has not worked out in Buffalo. Here they're going to pass on Lynch and get a guy to fill the void they've had for many years at offensive tackle. Staley's been incredibly solid for San Francisco and continues to improve.

He'd be a good fit in Buffalo.

Pick 13: St. Louis Rams

Original Pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

Re-Draft Pick: Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina

Carriker has struggled to fit in at DT in St Louis. He's solid, but has yet to pan out to his first round potential. Instead they grab an emerging playmaker in the NFL.

Sidney Rice fell to the 2nd round because of character issues, but hasn't shown the slightest of behavioral problems while in Minnesota. Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce got old real quick in St. Louis, and Sidney Rice would give them a viable option out wide.

Pick 14: New York Jets

Original Pick: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh

Re-Draft Pick: Steve Smith, WR, Southern California

Steve Smith gets to stay in the big apple, but goes to the Jets.

The Jets would definitely love to stick with their pick of Revis, but he's proven to be one of the elite players and went very early in this Re-Draft. The Jets get to add the sure-handed Smith to their arsenal of offensive weapons.

Pick 15: Pittsburgh Steelers

Original Pick: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State

Re-Draft Pick: Le'Ron McClain, RB/FB, Alabama

Timmons hasn't been a bad pick for the Steelers but he's still got a lot of room to develop. McClain, who plays for the rival Ravens plays a style of football that is very much what the Steelers are trying to get back to. He's an excellent rusher, blocker, and pass reciever—and with his power and versatility he's worth grabbing here at 15.

Pick 16: Green Bay Packers

Original Pick: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee

Re-Draft Pick: Jared Gaither, OT, Maryland

Harrell can barely see the field in Green Bay. Three years ago I thought they reached for him, and I feel it even stronger now. Gaither was taken in the 2007 supplemental draft, so I will include him. Gaither is a bit of a project, but he has a lot of potential, so it would be a smart pick for Green Bay with ever-aging Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher.

Pick 17: Denver Broncos

Original Pick: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida

Re-Draft Pick: Steve Breaston, WR, Michigan

The fourth and final Michigan Wolverine in the first round (only one of which went in the real first round).

Breaston has flourished in the slot and in the return game for Arizona. Jarvis Moss, on the other hand, has already flirted with retirement and has been a disappointment especially considering that Denver traded up for him.

Pick 18: Cincinnati Bengals

Original Pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

Re-Draft Pick: Ryan Kalil, C, Southern California

2007 pick Leon Hall is off the board, so Cincinnati bolsters their line with the promising Ryan Kalil. The former Trojan just got recognized this past season with a pro bowl nod. Kalil could help a lot on the interior line for the Bengals.

Pick 19 : Tennessee Titans

Original Pick: Michael Griffin, S, Texas

Re-Draft Pick: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State

Another team who had a fortunate draft day in 2007, but an unfortunate Re-Draft. Their guy is gone so they go with a solid linebacker prospect to help in the defensive rebuild that they are going through now.

They'd much rather have Griffin, who allows them to use some exotic formations up front, but Timmons is a solid consolation prize.

Pick 20 - New York Giants

Original Pick: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas

Re-Draft Pick: Eric Weddle, S, Utah

Ross got off to a flashy start as a rookie, but has really fallen off showing his lapses in coverage. Weddle is a much more consistent performer in the secondary so the Giants let Ross pass this time around and help their defensive backfield in a different way.

Pick 21: Jacksonville Jaguars

Original Pick: Reggie Nelson, S, Florida

Re-Draft Pick: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State

Reggie Nelson is lacking in about every aspect of football. He can't cover at his free safety spot and misses a lot of tackles.

Drafting Gonzalez gives Jacksonville a great route runner with a great pair of hands, something they only got recently with an aging Torry Holt. Getting a guy like Gonzalez in Jacksonville could really help out the rest of the offense, especially Maurice Jones-Drew.

Pick 22: Cleveland Browns

Original Pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame

Re-Draft Pick: Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston

Cleveland went nuts over this pick, but it didn't pan out. Brady Quinn was just sent to Denver for a late pick and Peyton Hillis.

A team may decide to take Kevin Kolb earlier than this, but he has had such little playing time I think he would still fall here, to a team with a never-ending need for a QB. He's shown flashes of greatness in his short stint as Eagles QB and he would fit well with whatever Cleveland wanted to do offensively so this would've been a better pick than Quinn.

Pick 23: Kansas City Chiefs

Original Pick: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU

Re-Draft Pick: Pierre Thomas, RB, Illinois

Bowe has had an interesting start to his career. He got off to a fast start, but this past season he was near the top of the league in drops. Instead of going with the inconsistent Bowe again, the Chiefs get a dependable running back with Pierre Thomas, who went undrafted in 2007. He gives them a solid running game before Larry Johnson fizzles out.

Pick 24: New England Patriots

Original Pick: Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami

Re-Draft Pick: Stewart Bradley, LB, Nebraska

Meriweather is long, long gone and I'm sure they'd love to keep him. But here at 24, they've got a few decisions.

I think they would start getting some young guys in their front seven on D. A couple years from 2007 the Patriots started to really play their age in that department and Bradley could fit in well with what Belichick wants to do. Another solid consolation prize for a team who drafted really well in real life.

Pick 25: Carolina Panthers

Original Pick: Jon Beason, LB, Miami

Re-Draft Pick: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU

Here in the draft they got their stud defender Jon Beason, and then in the 2nd round they tried to give Steve Smith a compliment with Dwayne Jarrett. With Beason gone at six, they give Smith a much more competent option opposite him. Bowe's big frame may actually take some coverage away from Steve Smith in Carolina.

Pick 26: Dallas Cowboys

Original Pick: Anthony Spencer, DE, Purdue

Re-Draft Pick: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee

Anthony Spencer hasn't been bad for Dallas but in this Re-Draft they've got some better options. Meachem, who was non-existent in New Orleans his first year and a half in the NFL, has really elevated his game to being a viable receiving option.

Getting a solid wide out like Meachem could be the remedy in Dallas for the woes that they've had with the likes of Terrell Owens and Roy Williams.

Pick 27 - New Orleans Saints

Original Pick: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee

Re-Draft Pick: Melvin Bullitt, S, Texas A&M

They just missed out on Meachem, but they get a good tough defender in their secondary. Bullitt has turned spot-duty for Bob Sanders into a full time job and has done very well at it. He's a very similar player and in New Orleans, could be a good piece to a young and developing defense.

Pick 28: San Francisco 49ers

Original Pick: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan

Re-Draft Pick: Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

They're happy with Staley but he went earlier than here. Carriker has done less than expected in St Louis, but many think that he's out of position at defensive tackle. He could thrive in a 3-4 as the DE especially under a defensive minded coach. San Fran is much happier with Willis and Staley then they would be with Harris and Carriker. Lucky for them, there is no Re-Draft.

Pick 29: Baltimore Ravens

Original Pick: Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn

Re-Draft Pick: LaRon Landry, S, LSU

As I said earlier, Landry has regressed every year in Washington, and Grubbs has been solid. But like I also said earlier, Landry could really thrive if he's surrounded by talent and good cover guys.

Being able to play with his brother Dawan and more importantly in front of Ed Reed, Landry could be scary good.

Pick 30: San Diego Chargers

Original Pick: Craig "Buster" Davis, WR, LSU

Re-Draft Pick: Kevin Boss, TE, Western Oregon

Pretty coincidental nickname for Craig Davis because, busting is about all he has done in the NFL. The players left at the top of my board include three tight ends: Boss, Brent Celek, and Greg Olsen. Boss gets the nod because his blocking ability will help compliment Antonio Gates.

Pick 31: Chicago Bears

Original Pick: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami

Re-Draft Pick: Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Central Florida

Greg Olsen is a possibility but talks of late say he may be on his way out of Chicago. Instead they get an actual receiving threat at WR. He would be one of the most complete receivers on the Bears roster.

Pick 32: Indianapolis Colts

Original Pick: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State

Re-Draft Pick: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville

Anthony Gonzalez worked out well except for this season, where he wound up on IR early. With him gone, Indy takes a chance on the then 19, now 22 year old defensive tackle. If they could get any presence at all on the inside it would help their defensive prowess considerably.