Scout.com Seventh-Round Mock Draft

Lots of draft pundits publish first-round drafts, but former pro scout Tom Marino takes his best shot at projecting the seventh and final round of this year's NFL Draft. Find out who he thinks will be available and selected with the final 45 picks.

With all of the information available in the press, over the internet, in periodicals and on both television and radio, it is not a particularly difficult task for any draft enthusiast, writer — or for that matter a polar bear — to put together a credible prediction as to which players will be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft.

When I began my career with the Chicago Bears back in 1972, the late Carl Marasco and his brother Pete were the first to publish their list of the top players available in the upcoming draft. Carl went on to work with the Bears while Pete, an attorney, briefly worked in the CFL and later in personnel for the Jets.

They were quickly followed by Palmer Hughes, a former New York school teacher, the late Joel Buchsbaum, a reclusive former dietitian who died suddenly back in 2002, and Jerry Jones, a real life pharmacist who published "The Drugstore List."

The most well known of this new breed of internet scouts is ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., a likeable, fast-talking individual who was once described by veteran Bengals scout Bill Tobin as being about as qualified as his mailman to evaluate football talent. I'm sure it was an embarrassing moment for Mel, but in the end he had the last laugh, by today commanding a salary that may well be four to five times greater then the top professional scouts in the game. I'm not certain he knows the difference between "cloud coverage" and the barometric pressure outside his suburban Baltimore home, but as long as those checks clear on the first and fifteenth and the fans are satisfied, what does it matter?

Today there are literally hundred of these scouting wannabes hocking their publications online, on the newsstands or in associations with the major sports networks. Virtually none have ever done the necessary grunt work of viewing countless hours of film, attending practices, questioning coaches, trainers, interviewing players and —after the season — physically, mentally, and physiologically testing these athletes. And yet many of these draftniks are actually referred to by many media sources as experts.

Penn State QB Anthony Morelli sprints away from a Michigan State defender.
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

No, I'm afraid the real experts are actually people like Jerry Shay, Alonzo Highsmith, Phil Neri, Steve Verderosa, Marty Barrett, Dick Daniels, Jerry Hardaway, Tom Modrak, Dave Razzano and the countless other overworked, under-appreciated scouts toiling in relative obscurity for teams throughout the country.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to come in contact with some amateur draft enthusiasts who literally blew me away with their knowledge and instincts for evaluating football talent. The best of these was without question former Emmy-winning actor Bradford Dillman. Dillman, who became a fixture in the 49ers draft room during their glory years, took his film down-time hobby to another level, and over the years actually became a confidant of Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh.

That being said, other draftniks have had an impact on the pro game. Back in 2002, after four corners were drafted in the first round, two Rams officials asked me if I would have any problem drafting Travis Fisher, a relatively unknown corner from Central Florida originally slotted as a third-round selection with our second-round pick. I told them I didn't think he would be available on our third selection and if we truly wanted him, we needed to draft him a round sooner.

Over the years I have seen numerous occasions where scouts and coaches have disagreed with potential selections, but the answer I received regarding Fisher was truly one for the ages. He said (while holding a stack of seventy-five to a hundred sheets of paper), "Tom, I have read your reports, viewed his touch tape, and compared his workout numbers to all of the other corners in this year's draft.  But the problem I have with taking him is that his name does not appear in any of these mock drafts as a potential second-round selection." Fortunately, Mike Martz still had the final say in all personnel matters and pulled the trigger on Fisher, who started for five seasons with the Rams before signing with the Detroit Lions as a free agent in 2007

So next week, I will join the legion of experts and offer my assessment on the first round.  But I thought before doing so, I would first go out on a limb and give my opinion on who might be selected in this year's seventh round.

A former scouting colleague — without even viewing my selections — has wagered me a steak dinner at a restaurant of my choice — that I won't be able to name two of the 45 potential seventh-round selections. And for each correct prediction over two, he has promised an additional steak dinner. 

For the record, in my first attempt in 2007 I was able to hit on twelve seventh-round selections — a far cry from the twenty-eight of thirty-two first-round hits. But if I can duplicate that effort, it would be good enough to keep me on the free-meal gravy train for a very long time.

1-208	Miami	Joshua Johnson	QB	San Diego
Is a good athlete, and although a long-term project, is certainly worth the gamble in round number seven.
2-209	Minnesota	Nate Robinson	DT	Akron
Top prep defensive line prospect with strong hands, athletic ability and pop, but has never played to his potential.
3-210	Kansas City	Anthony Morelli	QB	Penn St
Has top-round physical skills, but his career has been characterized by inconsistencies.
4-211	NY Jets	Matt Caddell	WR	Alabama
Impressed me with his play in '07.  Is a smart, workman-like player with good hands and more speed than advertised.
5-212	Atlanta	Jason Jones	DE	E. Michigan
Former TE who was moved to DT in '06. Flashed during Senior Bowl workouts.  Falcons like his playing character.
6-213	Oakland	Alex Hall	DE	St. Augustine
Potential high reward project. Last Raider from this school was pass rush specialist Isaac Lassiter.
7-214	San Francisco	Thomas Williams	MLB	USC
Steady inside backer and special teams player who should add depth to the 49ers defensive unit.
8-215	Baltimore	Dowayne Davis	CB	Syracuse
Smart and experienced player who has played both corner and safety.  Good special teams potential
9-216	Detroit	Chad Simpson	RB	Morgan St.
Undersized South Florida transfer who showed run skills, speed, strength and balance. Might have some return potential.
10-217	St. Louis	Pierre Garcon	WR	Mount Union
Small-college star with the physical qualities, speed, hands and return skills you look for in a third or fourth receiver.
11-218	New Orleans	Jeremy Geathers	DE	UNLV
The Saints drafted his dad with their first selection and twenty-four years later they select Jeremy with their last.
12-219	Buffalo	Hilee Taylor	DE	N. Carolina
Special-situation, undersized nickel rusher with speed and a closing burst.  Must improve a good deal versus the run.
13-220	Denver	Marcus Smith	WR	New Mexico
Built like a RB and was productive in the under zones.  Lacks top speed and red zone production was marginal.
14-221	Carolina	William Hayes	DE	Winston-Salem St.
Impressive from an athletic standpoint. Could well be the class of this season's seventh-round. prospects.
15-222	Chicago	Colt Brennan	QB	Hawaii
No disputing his numbers, but has a questionable arm and lots of mechanical things that will need to be fixed.
16-223	Houston	Stanford Kegler	LB	Purdue
Texans look for Kegler to provide depth for what is fast becoming one of the league's top defenses.
17-224	Buffalo	Curtis Johnson	DE	Clark-Atlanta
Young nickel rusher.  You have to love his intensity, range and ability to rush the passer.
18-225	Arizona	Husain Abdullah	S	Washington St.
Brother of Broncos' Hamza. An experienced hand who should add depth while contributing on special teams quickly.
19-226	Oakland	Steve Korte	RB	LSU (Former)
Has virtually no playing production, but may be one of the most impressive athletes in this year's draft.
20-227	Denver	Jonathon Goff	MLB	Vanderbilt
Is both a smart and experienced hand who was particularly effective in pass coverage.
21-228	Washington	Ervin Baldwin	DE	Michigan St.
I love this undersized, potential nickel rusher's energy, effort and ability as a speed rusher.
22-229	Tennessee	Devin Clark	OG	New Mexico
College tackle who appears better-suited to play inside.  A mass guy who can bend his knees and get movement.
23-230	Philadelphia	Larry Grant	LB	Ohio St.
A top JC LB prospect who never lived up to his advanced billing at Ohio State, but has shown the athletic ability to develop.
24-231	Cleveland	Jeremy Zuttah	OG	Rutgers
Far better athlete then player at this stage, but one should not give up on big people too quickly.
25-232	Atlanta	Adrian Arrington	WR	Michigan
The Falcons like his size and potential as an inside receiver and special team player.
26-233	Seattle	Walter Scott	OG	Kentucky
A former TE who has only been a one-year starter at guard. Lacks strength, but the Seahawks like his athletic ability and intangibles.
27-234	San Diego	Dennis Keyes	S	UCLA
Doesn't have top speed, but the Chargers like his size, savvy, range, playing experience and ball skills.
28-235	Dallas	Johnny Dingle	DE	West Virginia
Undersized, one-dimensional player (pass rusher), who is going to have to improve run defending skills to have a chance.
29-236	Indianapolis	Davone Bess	WR	Hawaii
Undersized guy who doesn't have top speed, but is tough, instinctive and aware.  Has really matured as a college athlete.
30-237	Green Bay	Darrell Strong	TE	Pittsburgh
Prep QB and WR. Has excellent size and athletic skills, but has never been a full-time regular. Improved blocker and receiver in '07.
31-238	New England	Eric Young	OG	Tennessee
Big man who has all the athletic ability and size you look for. Is developmental in terms of playing skills.
32-239	Kansas City	Jason Rivers	WR	Hawaii
Has been highly productive, but his lack of vertical speed has always been a limiting factor.
33-240 (Comp)	Baltimore	Chris Horton	S	UCLA
The heart and soul of UCLA's defense the past three season, the Ravens like his run-stopping and special teams potential.
34-241 (Comp)	Carolina	Duane Brown	OT	Virginia Tech
Big, athletic prospect with good feet and body balance who will need to improve his core strength and finishing skills.
35-242 (Comp)	Washington	Kevin Robinson	WR	Utah St
One of the top kick and punt returners in the country. Robinson lacks top speed but has a chance to factor as a fourth or fifth WR.
36-243 (Comp)	Chicago	Zackary Bowman	CB	Nebraska
Might still be a year away from returning from a serious knee injury, but has too much size and speed not to consider here.
37-244 (Comp)	Cincinnati	Angelo Craig	DE	Cincinnati
Has moved around a lot, but may have found a home as a developing pass rusher.  Bengals like this local's upside.
38-245 (Comp)	Miami	Joseph Fields	S	Syracuse
Starting QB as a freshman who, although lacking in practical playing experience, the Dolphins like due to his intelligence and athletic ability.
39-246 (Comp)	Cincinnati	Chase Ortiz	DE	TCU
3-4 backer prospect who played hard and fast.  Doesn't have the hips and/or change of direction skills to project to linebacker.
40-247 (Comp)	Chicago	Paul Raymond	WR	Brown
Is small in stature, but rare speed, quickness and return potential enhance his overall playing potential.
41-248 (Comp)	Chicago	Eric Foster	DT	Rutgers
Is undersized, but is another player with quickness and range.  Bears like his hand use and playing leverage.
42-249 (Comp)	Washington	Kevin O'Connell	QB	San Diego St.
The Redskins feel this athletic big man over time can transform from strong arm thrower into a polished passer.
43-250 (Comp)	Carolina	Louis Holmes	DE	Arizona
Top JC player recruit in the country has the size and athletic ability , but has never shown either the maturity and or consistency.
44-251 (Comp)	Buffalo	Xavier Carter	WR	LSU (Former)
The third fastest man ever at 200 meters. Top prep player who was used primarily as a kickoff return man as a freshman and sophomore.
45-252 (Comp)	St. Louis	Vince Gliatta	S	Youngstown St.
Mr Irrelevant. A former QB and Penn State transfer who showed  playing savvy, instincts and toughness.