Thumbs up or thumbs down by Denver Post staff writer Anthony Cotton:
NO. 1 | RAIDERS
JaMarcus Russell
QB LSU 6-6 263
The mammoth Russell has incredible arm strength and above-average accuracy, especially on long throws. Makes good decisions, both before and after the snap, but occasionally will force balls into coverage. He is not a running quarterback, but he has good speed, and his size makes him a tough QB to bring down.
Thumbs up: The Silver and Black definitely needed a quarterback, and apparently there was only one worth taking with the first pick.
NO. 2 | LIONS
Calvin Johnson
WR Georgia Tech 6-4 237
Simply the most jaw-dropping talent in the draft. His size and strength let him close off defenders in traffic. Ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Can defeat press coverage and outrun most defenders. Tough to bring down after the catch, though he is more strong and fast than elusive.
Thumbs up: The best player in the draft goes to the team with the worst luck drafting wide receivers.
NO. 3 | BROWNS
Joe Thomas
OT Wisconsin 6-6 313
A near-prototypical NFL left tackle, Thomas is big, but light on his feet. He is quick enough to slide with fast end rushers, but strong enough to wall them off. Has greatly improved his technique with his hands, although they could be a touch quicker.
Thumbs up: A team with myriad needs didn’t prematurely fall for the Brady Quinn hype.
NO. 4 | BUCCANEERS
Gaines Adams
DE Clemson 6-5 260
Quick and dangerous as a pass rusher, he also has shown a knack for batting down passes with his agility and leaping ability. Could be a better tackler.
Thumbs up: Might seem like a slight reach, but when you are next-to-last in the NFL in sacks last year, like the Bucs were, you pull the trigger.
NO. 5 | CARDINALS
Levi Brown
OT Penn State 6-4 328
Has all the physical skills to hold down a job as a left tackle, but his aggressiveness and technique are wanting. He beats himself against speed rushes with his poor footwork, but is excellent in the running game.
Thumbs up: Matt Leinart needs some time to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
NO. 6 | REDSKINS
LaRon Landry
S LSU 6-0 205
He’s a free safety prospect who could thrive in man coverage, particularly against slot receivers and elite tight ends. Against the run, he’s quick and loves contact.
Thumbs up: After throwing away money on Adam Archuleta, the Redskins get perhaps the best defensive player available.
NO. 7 | VIKINGS
Adrian Peterson
RB Oklahoma 6-2 218
Has excellent speed, strength and field vision. He has good acceleration, but is happier to run over defenders rather than juke them. Most of his yards come after contact.
Thumbs up: The Vikings cannot believe their good fortune at finding Peterson available.
NO. 8 | FALCONS
Jamaal Anderson
DE Arkansas 6-6 279
An excellent prospect when he plays with the proper amount of aggression. He reads plays well and can run down ball carriers on running plays. His Achilles’ heel is his speed off the snap, which is not that good.
Thumbs down: Anderson is a fine player, but there were many other needs, like wide receiver, to be filled.
NO. 9 | DOLPHINS
Ted Ginn Jr.
WR Ohio State 6-0 180
Explosive and speedy, he is a major threat on long balls as well as after the catch on shorter passes. Compensates for his slight build by being able to dodge a jam and take off. A serious return threat.
Thumbs down: Was this because Trent Green is on the way? Was it the Devin Hester/return sensation effect? Either way, a pretty questionable choice.
NO. 10 | TEXANS
Amobi Okoye
DT Louisville 6-1 300
A rare teenager in the NFL draft, Okoye moved from Nigeria to Alabama at age 12. He has his degree and is the youngest player drafted by an NFL team. Very athletic and quick off the snap.
Thumbs up: Only 19 years old, Okoye should be beating up offensive linemen for years to come.
NO. 11 | 49ERS
Patrick Willis
LB Mississippi 6-1 240
Instinctive defender who often reads plays and schemes like a book. Excellent sideline-to-sideline player, but he also is quick and agile in pass coverage, though his technique needs work.
Thumbs up: After going offense-heavy (Frank Gore, Alex Smith, Vernon Davis) in recent drafts, the Niners address their defense.
NO. 12 | BILLS
Marshawn Lynch
RB California 5-11 217
An elusive, nimble runner who sees the field well, especially cutback lanes. Occasionally will get too high in his runs, but can be devastating with the correct pad level.
Thumbs up: Might have been better served with a defensive back, but Willis McGahee (off to the Ravens) isn’t around anymore.
NO. 13 | RAMS
Adam Carriker
DE Nebraska 6-6 292
Kind of an in-between player whose bulk could serve him well as an interior tackle or a power end in a 3-4 system.
Thumbs up: Should be a Grant Wistrom-like terror on the Rams’ artificial turf.
NO. 14 | JETS
Darrelle Revis
CB Pittsburgh 6-0 197
Late-riser who moved to the top of the list of cornerbacks by flashing blazing speed in his workouts. Very good size. Talented, quick, hard-hitting corner whose footwork needs work.
Thumbs up: Not an obvious choice, but given Eric Mangini’s defensive prowess, the J-E-T-S get the benefit of the doubt.
NO. 15 | STEELERS
Lawrence Timmons
LB Florida State 6-3 232
Great natural talent who reads plays well and executes against the run and pass. Should be able to cover TEs well.
Thumbs up: Team definitely had a need to replace Joey Porter, but if it wasn’t the Steelers and their success at the position, this might be considered a stretch.
NO. 16 | PACKERS
Justin Harrell
DT Tennessee 6-4 305
A top-10 talent who lost most of his senior season to a ruptured left biceps tendon. Put off his surgery for a week to get some playing time in the Florida game, which speaks well for his toughness.
Thumbs down: Certainly can help collapse the pocket, but Brett Favre was probably looking for some offensive help.
NO. 17 | BRONCOS
Jarvis Moss
DE Florida 6-6 1/2 250
See draft package at the top-right rail of this article for info on Moss.
NO. 18 | BENGALS
Leon Hall
CB Michigan 5-11 193
A hard-working and instinctive defender who might eventually wind up at free safety. He has a great work ethic and is fluid in coverage. He also set a school record for pass deflections.
Thumbs up: On the character issue alone, this pick was a positive move for the Bengals.
NO. 19 | TITANS
Michael Griffin
S Texas 6-0 195
Lots of athletic ability here, but he is a step behind on field smarts. Struggles in coverage and, occasionally, with wrapping up. Aggressive and willing, especially against the run.
Thumbs down: Perhaps took the best athlete available, but could have addressed other needs.
NO. 20 | GIANTS
Aaron Ross
CB Texas 6-1 192
Reads plays well and can come from almost out of nowhere to make a play on the ball. Great hands, too. He doesn’t attack the run with great enthusiasm, which is probably his only weakness, and a correctable one at that.
Thumbs up: Who were the Giants’ starting cornerbacks last season? Exactly. That’s why they took Ross.
NO. 21 | JAGUARS
Reggie Nelson
S Florida 6-0 193
Violent, aggressive player who loves to hit. Very instinctive on the field, he also has the speed and burst to play center field as a free safety, especially in a cover-2 or cover-3 scheme.
Thumbs down: Some teams had Nelson going in the second round, but the former Gator might help sell some tickets.
NO. 22 | BROWNS
Brady Quinn
QB Notre Dame 6-3 226
Having thrived the past two seasons in a pro-style offense, Quinn’s draft stock solidified. He’s put up good numbers, except in games when his offensive line left him scrambling for cover. Good arm strength and accuracy.
Thumbs up: Gave up a No. 1 pick, but Browns get a player who could have been the first pick overall.
NO. 23 | CHIEFS
Dwayne Bowe
WR Louisiana State 6-2 217
A tough, long-legged receiver who overcomes his relatively slow acceleration by overpowering his defender. Needs to improve his technique and ability after the catch. Tough player who isn’t afraid to go over the middle.
Thumbs down: Receiver is definitely a need, but not the biggest one for the Chiefs.
NO. 24 | PATRIOTS
Brandon
Meriweather
S Miami 5-11 192
Smart, heads-up player who is tough to fool with misdirection and tough for TEs to shake in coverage. Has the grace of a cornerback when playing the deep ball. Was a central figure in the brawl between Miami and Florida International.
Thumbs down: Arguably the most questionable character in the draft, but the Patriots might be the team to handle him.
NO. 25 | PANTHERS
Jon Beason
LB Miami 6-0 236
Motivated, hard-working player whose aggressiveness can get him into trouble. His speed and athleticism serve him well, but he needs to improve his coverage awareness and stop biting on play-fakes.
Thumbs down: Took a Hurricane, but with tight end Greg Olsen still available, it was probably the wrong one.
NO. 26 | COWBOYS
Anthony Spencer
DE Purdue 6-3 266
The Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation’s best defensive end as a senior, he led the nation in tackles behind the line of scrimmage with 26 1/2, including 10 1/2 sacks. A speed rusher who has to prove he can hold up against the run and be an every-down player.
Thumbs down: The Cowboys already have Marcus Spears and DeMarcus Ware to rush the passer, and you give up three picks to division rival Philadelphia?
NO. 27 | SAINTS
Robert Meachem
WR Tennessee 6-3 211
Big and fast playmaker, but needs to get better at going over the middle and blocking. Does well on jump balls. Set a school record with 1,298 yards receiving last year.
Thumbs down: Ignoring the defense, it’s clear the Saints plan on winning most games 50-49.
NO. 28 | 49ERS
Joe Staley
OT Cent. Michigan 6-5 302
A former tight end who is seriously explosive and quick off the line. Shows good footwork, though he sometimes stands up tall and loses his base of stability.
Thumbs up: A lukewarm endorsement, but if the Niners were willing to trade back into the first round to get him …
NO. 29 | RAVENS
Ben Grubbs
OG Auburn 6-3 314
Quick, considering he’s more than 300 pounds, a sturdy and well-built guard who can ward off athletic pass rushers. In the running game, he shows good pop at contact and a consistent ability to get to the second level.
Thumbs up: Reportedly one of the best pure offensive linemen available, Grubbs didn’t go higher because he can only play guard.
NO. 30 | CHARGERS
Craig Davis
WR LSU 6-1 207
Runs precise routes and has excellent hands. Not as athletically gifted as his teammate, Dwayne Bowe, but drops fewer passes and shows a willingness to block aggressively. Needs to perform better in crowds and fill out some in the upper body.
Thumbs down: The rumor was that after AFC West rivals Oakland and Kansas City took Tigers players, the Chargers didn’t want to feel left out.
NO. 31 | BEARS
Greg Olsen
TE Miami 6-4 252
Athletic player who can catch the ball if it’s near him. He’s fast and explosive enough to force safeties to cover him. His blocking is a liability, both in the running game and especially against the pass rush.
Thumbs up: The Bears needed a tight end but couldn’t imagine Olsen would be there at No. 31.
NO. 32 | COLTS
Anthony Gonzalez
WR Ohio State 6-0 195
Speedster with good hands who occasionally looks upfield before securing the ball. Struggles against physical coverage, though. Hard worker.
Thumbs up: It will be interesting to see if Gonzalez, playing with Peyton Manning, has better numbers than Ted Ginn Jr. in Miami next year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
