They’re everywhere you look in the sports world at this time of the year. It’s the only reason why Mel Kiper Jr. wakes up in the morning other than to pour a whole container of mousse in his hair. The mock draft is a peer pressure that even the great Pipe Dream has succumbed to, so without projecting trades here is your ‘

2007 NFL Mock Draft

PickTeam Player Position School Class

1.Raiders JaMarcus RussellQBLSUJunior

Al Davis is in love with this kid and who wouldn’t be? Russell can throw a football from midfield though the goal posts from his knees. Now if only the 6-foot-6 QB came with an offensive line ‘

2.LionsGaines AdamsDEClemson Senior

Matt Millen could pick his fourth first-round WR in four years, but Detroit fans might revolt if he does. With a defensive-minded coach, the Lions could go with the top defensive prospect in the draft.

3.BrownsAdrian PetersonRBOklahomaJunior

Romeo Crennel is on the hot seat in Cleveland and needs a player that can impact the team immediately. Peterson is just that player. The former Sooner would be a nice 1-2 punch alongside Jamal Lewis, providing instant offense.

4.BuccaneersCalvin JohnsonWRGeorgia TechJunior

The best player in the draft will not slip past Tampa Bay. Johnson would be the type of play maker that any Buc QB would love to throw to. He is being heralded as one of the best WR prospects to come out in the past few years.

5.CardinalsJoe ThomasOTWisconsinSenior

Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm will thank their lucky stars if this blocker is still on the board. Thomas would help raise RB Edgerrin James’ yards per carry (3.4) after a career low year for him.

6.RedskinsAmobi OkoyeDTLouisvilleSenior

The ‘Skins have to make this pick count, as it’s their only one until the fifth round (#143 overall). The smart choice would be Okoye, and I mean that literally, considering Amobi graduated college this year at the age of 19!

7.Vikings LaRon Landry SLSUSenior

Last season, Minnesota had the best rushing defense in the league, but the worst passing defense. Landry should help close this gap with his great speed and coverage skills.

8.Falcons Alan Branch DT Michigan Junior

New coach Bobby Petrino would love to have his former player Amobi Okoye at this spot, but will not be disappointed with Branch. The former Wolverine will help a defensive line that is aging and just lost Patrick Kerney to free agency.

9.DolphinsBrady QuinnQBNotre DameSenior

The Dolphins have not had a respectable QB since the Dan Marino era but will try to change that with this pick. Charlie Weiss’ golden boy would thrive under the mentoring of former offensive coordinator and now head coach Cam Cameron.

10.TexansLevi BrownOTPenn StateSenior

David Carr might have made his share of mistakes in Houston, but new QB Matt Schaub will not fare any better unless he gets the protection Carr lacked. Brown should help Schaub stay upright long enough to get the ball to Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson.

11.49ersAdam CarrikerDENebraskaSenior

San Francisco made nice improvements to their linebacking core and defensive backfield during free agency. Now it’s time for them to address their defensive line. Carriker will bring youth to a line whose best player played on the same team as Steve Young and Jerry Rice in 1994.

12.BillsPatrick WillisLBMississippiSenior

Buffalo lost a lot of key players on defense over the offseason. The biggest unit to take a hit was the linebacking core, which lost starters London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes. Willis should be an opening day starter with his great tackling ability.

13.RamsLeon HallCBMichiganSenior

The Rams addressed any offensive need they had by signing WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael. This allows them to focus on any defensive deficiencies they have, and boy do they have them. Hall is the consensus No. 1 CB in the draft and solidifies a key position in the NFL.

14.PanthersGreg OlsenTEMiami (FL)Junior

Olsen’s stock skyrocketed during the NFL combine where he displayed his blazing speed and great receiving skills. Carolina could use another player to take the pressure off QB Jake Delhomme and give WR Steve Smith better separation from defenders. It’s a match made in heaven.

15.SteelersJamaal AndersonDEArkansasJunior

New coach Mike Tomlin comes into a 3-4 defensive system in Pittsburgh and hopes to add some 4-3 aspects to it (if not convert the whole defense this way). Anderson would give Tomlin depth at DE, a position crucial to the 4-3.

16.Packers Marshawn LynchRBCaliforniaJunior

Quick! Name a running back currently on Green Bay’s roster ‘ I rest my case. With Ahman Green bolting to Houston during the offseason, Cheeseheads desperately need a big-time runner, something Lynch should be.

17.Jaguars Reggie Nelson S Florida Junior

Jacksonville has taken an offensive player the past four seasons. It is now time for them to address their defensive side. With a safety core that is now inexperienced (Gerald Sensabaugh) and injury-prone (Donavin Darius), Nelson will easily fit in.

18.Bengals Darrelle RevisCBPittsburghJunior

If Cincinnati wants to send a message to its team and the NFL that it is no longer a cellblock that occasionally plays football, drafting Revis would be a step in the right direction. He is a good young player who will bring competition to a position where both starters were arrested.

19.TitansTed Ginn Jr.WROhio StateJunior

See Ginn. See Ginn run. Run, Ginn, run. See Tennessee. See Tennessee run (to the podium). Run, Tennessee, run. This WR will give QB Vince Young something to cheer about after being named Madden ’08 coverboy (and future curse victim).

20.GiantsPaul PoslusznyLBPenn StateSenior

Look at Big Blue’s linebacking core. If past seasons are any indicator, around two ‘backers will miss significant game time. Posluszny is a former Dick Butkus Award recipient who will help the Giants fight the injury bug as well as opponents.

21.Broncos Justin Harrell DTTennesseeSenior

This has to be done. When your team relies on former Brown rejects (the team, not the school) to bring pressure on your opponents, measures must be taken. Harrell is a big tackle who could probably do a better job than all the Browns combined.

22.Cowboys Robert MeachemWRTennesseeJunior

Though still productive, both Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens are getting up there in age. Meachem will have time to learn the ropes from these veteran players (hopefully more Glenn than Owens) before ultimately taking a starting spot from one of them (hopefully more Owens than Glenn).

23.ChiefsDwayne JarrettWRUSCJunior

Sports analysts made a big deal last season about the lack of quality WRs in New England, but Kansas City has been playing that tune for years now. Jarrett has been sensational in key games, and hopes to bring his skills and intangibles to a team that plays to win the game! (I’ll never get tired of saying that.)

24.Patriots (from SEA)Aaron RossCBTexasSenior

Asante Samuel is unhappy about being franchise-tagged without a respectable contract offer while Randall Gay has not signed his free agency tender yet. Under these circumstances, New England might have to go against its normal draft instincts and draft a corner.

25.JetsChris Houston CBArkansasJunior

I truly believe that, if they can, Gang Green will move out of this spot (either up or down) if the draft unfolds as shown above. If they don’t, though, Houston would give the Jets help at a position that was a revolving door for most of the season due to injuries and ineffective play.

26.EaglesMichael GriffinSTexasSenior

Philly had never taken a safety in the modern draft era ‘ until now. Like with Lito Sheppard in 2002, the Eagles organization likes to draft a player who might contribute some now, but impact a lot later. Griffin will be looked on as the eventual successor of Brian Dawkins (a 12-year veteran).

27.SaintsBrandon MeriweatherSMiami (FL)Senior

I’m not going to lie; this is my shakiest pick in the whole mock draft. The Saints need a corner, but would really be reaching here if they grabbed one. Instead, Meriweather will help a defense that was not all that good in an otherwise grand season.

28.PatriotsJarvis MossDEFlorida Junior

Moss is exactly the type of player that the Patriots love to draft. In New England’s defense Jarvis would play both time at DE and LB, giving Bill Belichick even more player versatility and play possibilities (as if newly acquired LB Adalius Thomas did not provide enough of that ‘).

29.RavensJoe StaleyOLCentral MichiganSenior

Jonathan Ogden’s contemplation about retirement after the team’s playoff loss should have made Baltimore worry about who would succeed him. Picking Staley here would solve that problem while giving depth to a position that could always use it.

30.ChargersDwayne BoweWRLSUSenior

San Diego’s offense last season was spectacular at every position except one ‘ wide receiver. QB Philip Rivers needs somebody else to throw to with confidence besides RB LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates. What I’m basically trying to say is that Bowe would put the icing on the chocolate cake that is the Chargers offense. (Mmm ‘ cake.)

31.BearsLawrence TimmonsLBFlorida StateJunior

Disgruntled LB Lance Briggs has vowed not to play for the Bears again after contract negotiations went badly between him and the team. This makes drafting Timmons Chicago’s No. 1 non-Rex Grossman related priority. The former ‘nole would work well playing alongside LB Brian Urlacher.

32.ColtsJon BeasonLBMiami (FL)Senior

While Eli Manning’s team seems to lose linebackers to injuries, his brother Peyton’s team always loses them to free agency. This year’s big loss was Cato June, who fled to the Buccaneers. Beason will fill June’s former role in the Cover-2 scheme while making a name for himself there.