The Oakland Raiders made quarterback JaMarcus Russell the top overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The 6’6, 265-pound Russell entered the NFL after going 21-4 as a starter at LSU. However, Russell would go on to become one of the worst top overall picks ever, as evidenced by his 7-18 record as a starter in Oakland.

Russell appeared in 31 games over three seasons with the Raiders, throwing for 4,083 yards, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Russell was jettisoned from Oakland following the 2009 season.

Russell was one of 11 quarterbacks taken in the 2007 NFL Draft.

2007 NFL Draft Top Ten

A future Hall of Famer was selected immediately after one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history came off the board. With the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected wide receiver Calvin Johnson. At number three, the Cleveland Browns took future Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas. With the fourth pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose defensive end Gaines Adams. The Arizona Cardinals followed by taking offensive tackle Levi Brown at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

  1. Washington Redskins – LaRon Landry (S, LSU)
  2. Minnesota Vikings – Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
  3. Atlanta Falcons – Jamaal Anderson (DE, Arkansas)
  4. Miami Dolphins – Ted Ginn Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
  5. Houston Texans – Amobi Okoye (DT, Louisville)

Three future Pro Bowlers were taken just outside the top ten, as linebacker Patrick Willis went to the 49ers at 11, running back Marshawn Lynch went to the Bills at 12 and cornerback Darrelle Revis went to the Jets at 14.

One of the most fascinating stories of the 2007 NFL Draft was the freefall of quarterback Brady Quinn. Once projected to go as high as the top overall pick, the Notre Dame product tumbled to the Browns with the 22nd overall pick. The Browns made a trade with the Cowboys in order to take Quinn.

Notes from the 2007 NFL Draft

A total of 255 players were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft, 34 of which were wide receivers. Thirty-three linebackers, 30 cornerbacks and 25 defensive ends were also drafted. A pair of future Pro Bowlers went undrafted in 2007. Return specialist Eric Weems and long snapper Matt Overton signed as undrafted free agents after the draft.

Download: 2007 NFL Draft