NFL draft: 2007 re-do
17. Denver Broncos
Brandon Mebane, DT, California
Actual pick: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Mebane is one of the most underrated pass rushers and run defenders in the league. He and the rest of Seattle’s front seven helps generate great pass rush which in turn makes the secondary as great as it is. Mebane is definitely an upgrade over Jarvis Moss.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
William Gay, CB, Louisville
Actual pick: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
The Bengals need a cornerback, and Leon Hall at 18th turned out great for the team. However, he went in the top ten. William Gay had been a very consistent player for the Steelers from the time he took over in 2009 to the time he left and signed with Arizona in 2012.
19. Tennessee Titans
Michael Griffin, S, Texas
Actual pick: same
It turns out that the Titans made a wise selection with Griffin. I wouldn’t pick anyone else here, as Griffin has been a productive and consistent player in his time with Tennessee.
20. New York Giants
Corey Graham, CB, New Hampshire
Actual pick: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
Graham looks like a Pro Bowler on some days (such as the 2012 divisional game against Denver) and sometimes he looks completely out of it. He’s inconsistent, and wasn’t a full-time starter in his time with the Ravens, but I think he would be an upgrade over Aaron Ross. Graham just landed himself a shiny new contract with the Bills and Ross, once regarded as a lockdown corner, is still looking for work after having a rocky last few seasons.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars
Reggie Nelson, S, Florida
Actual pick: same
If there was one consistent player the Jags have had on defense, it has to be Nelson. This is the same scenario as that of the Titans. There’s no reason not to keep the pick the same with the way it worked out.
22. Cleveland Browns
Brent Celek, TE, Cincinnati
Actual pick: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
The Browns wanted a potential franchise quarterback in this draft. Unfortunately no quarterback from 2007 became even an average starter. The receiver position had good talent in Braylon Edwards, Josh Cribbs, and Joe Jurevicius, but tight end could’ve used an upgrade. Kellen Winslow was getting older and he was eventually let go, so Celek would be a good replacement.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina
Actual pick: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Louisiana State
If Dwayne Bowe is taken away from the current Chiefs’ roster, there would be no depth at all at receiver. The starting receivers in 2014 would be Donnie Avery and A.J. Jenkins, who are journeymen – Jenkins was a first round pick in 2012 who has done little to nothing since entering the NFL. Rice would be what Bowe has been for the team. Although he got hurt in Seattle, he was a stud receiver in Minnesota.
24. New England Patriots
LaRon Landry, S, Louisiana State
Actual pick: Brandon Meriweather, S, Miami
Landry finally gets off the board here. Landry has been a better player than Brandon Meriweather has been. The Patriots went on to an undefeated regular season in 2007 thanks to its offense, and its defense could’ve used a hard-hitting playmaker on the back end. Landry has had his injury issues, but he was effective when healthy. He was a borderline bust in Washington, but turned it around in New York.