Top 10 Draft Surprises

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 29, 2007

Top 10 Draft Surprises

Brady Quinn falls

As late as Friday, there was talk the Notre Dame quarterback could go No. 1 overall to the Raiders, and many experts thought he'd go No. 3 to Cleveland. They had the right team, just the wrong spot. The Browns traded with Dallas to get Quinn at No. 22.

The Dolphins take Ted Ginn, Jr. at No. 9

Miami needs a quarterback and could have taken Brady Quinn. Instead, new coach Cam Cameron went for the speedy Ohio State receiver/returner. Ginn didn't impress people this offseason. He hasn't recovered quickly from a foot injury he suffered in the national championship Game. But the 'Fins didn't seem to mind.

The Packers take Justin Harrell at No. 16

Green Bay was expected to find a new weapon for Brett Favre, but the Packers opted to go with defense. The Tennessee defensive tackle was not listed that high on most mock drafts.

The Lions don't trade Calvin Johnson

Everyone figured Detroit would take Calvin Johnson and then move the talented wide receiver. But Matt Millen quickly announced the Lions were keeping Johnson. This is the team that has now used a top-10 pick on a receiver in four of the last five drafts.

Kevin Kolb is the third quarterback taken

Trent Edwards, Drew Stanton and John Beck were the front-runners to be the third QB off the board, but the Eagles took Kolb ahead of them with the fourth pick in the second round. Even with Donovan McNabb recovering from an injury, quarterback didn't seem like a pressing need for Philly.

The Bills select Marshawn Lynch at No. 12

Most mock drafts had Lynch going to the Packers at No. 16 or falling into the late part of the first round. But Buffalo's Marv Levy apparently likes taking guys ahead of where they're slotted. Remember last year when Levy took Donte Whitner at No. 8, even though the safety was expected to be around for a while.

Alan Branch drops to the second round

In January, the Michigan defensive tackle looked like a certain top-10 pick. But questions about his intensity and, perhaps, his health, caused him to drop to the Cardinals with the first pick of the second round.

The Patriots take Brandon Meriweather at No. 24

No one doubted Meriweather's talent, but he had some very serious character issues that experts thought would push him into the second round. He was involved in an incident in which he fired a gun at assailants in self-defense. And he was caught on camera stomping on the head of a Florida International player in Miami's infamous brawl.

Paul Posluszny falls to the second round

There were reports the Bills wanted Posluszny at No. 12 in the first round, but they didn't get him until the second pick of the second round. Teams apparently thought the Penn State linebacker's lack of speed was a bigger issue than most experts thought it would be.

The Colts go offense

Indy has lost defenders Cato June, Jason David, Nick Harper, Mike Doss and Montae Reagor this offseason. So they need to draft defenders, right? The Colts first two picks were receiver Anthony Gonzalez and offensive tackle Tony Ugoh.