Here are the latest rumors as we approach the draft. Hard to separate fact from fiction this time of year.

• New England is in love with MLB David Harris of Michigan and would like to select him in Round 1. Denver also has some interest in Harris who now appears likely to go in Round 1.
• Don Banks of SI.com reports that Adrian Peterson re-injured his collar bone in the Fiesta Bowl. If true - Peterson rushed for a TD on his final collegiate carry, the news may help Peterson slide past #3 and could present a situation where Green Bay or Buffalo trade up for the talented rusher.
• Banks also reports that Atlanta is very interested in moving up for Calvin Johnson, something that the War Room Report speculated on almost immediately after the Matt Schaub trade. It could still happen, but Atlanta should get a good value pick if they stay at #8.
• In an update to yesterday’s column regarding the third QB taken, Adam Schefter chimes in with a suggestion that Kevin Kolb could be the third QB taken.
• Schefter also reports that San Francisco could be targeting Patrick Willis - a player they coached in the Senior Bowl. We still think, as we have for months, that Adam Carriker makes more sense there.

Stay tuned to the War Room Report for the latest draft updates!

There are a lot of rumors floating around about who will be the 3rd quarterback selected in the 2007 NFL Draft, after JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. Some rumor sites are even speculating that the third QB could sneak into the end of Round One (via a trade up).

While we are not sure who will be the 3rd QB drafted (Our money is on Trent Edwards), we know who it should be:

Drew Stanton.

Stanton has ideal size, outstanding arm strength, and is one of the better athletes at the position. He has a good release and the ability to make all of the NFL throws (which separates him from many of the other QBs). Stanton uses his athleticism to expand the pocket and can throw well on the run. He was one of the most accurate QBs in the country during his junior season, only to regress slightly in his senior season. The main concern with Stanton is consistency, but it is hard to judge him since he played on an over-matched Michigan State team.

But Stanton has the base to become a very good quarterback if developed properly. His high upside makes him a deserving #3 QB. He has been rated our 3rd highest QB all along and we see nothing that indicates we should change our ranking.

Many other sites change their rankings frequently in the off-season, which we do not understand. The rankings should not be based on public opinion, but what you think of each player. Some changes will occur, but drastic shifts should not happen frequently. We applaud those who maintain consistency and conviction in their rankings like The Huddle Report and Draft Daddy.

Some of the other QBs that are rising are interesting - John Beck of BYU and Kevin Kolb of Houston are mentioned as possible 3rd QBs selected (Along with Stanton and Edwards). Beck is an older prospect who is a better athlete than some think, but he has a thin build and an awkward release point. We question his upside - can he ever been better than an average starter?

We like Kolb, but the development curve may be high. He played in a version of the spread in college and will have to adjust to the NFL. He seems an ideal fit for a West Coast offense, and while his future potential seems high, he needs to develop a more consistent delivery and is going to be limited in the scheme he can play in.

It will be interesting to see who will be the third QB selected, but for the War Room Report, that is little doubt that Drew Stanton deserves to be.

When doing our seven round mock draft, we analyze team needs, drafting history, and the projected value NFL teams are likely to place on different prospects. Some teams are easier than others. Several of our picks are different than many mock drafts out there, based on our view of the team and what they are most likely to do. We will be featuring several of the teams that gave us the most difficulty in projecting the mock draft.

Minnesota Vikings - Pick #7 - Many are projecting Brady Quinn or Adrian Peterson here. Quinn would be a terrible selection for a team that drafted a QB in Round 2 last season. It would be admitting that they made a mistake last season and it seems unlikely for the Vikings to do that this soon. Peterson makes slightly more sense. Despite giving Chester Taylor a starter’s contract, the Vikings could use a playmaker like Peterson. However, they have depth at the RB position and other needs that are more pressing. The other popular choice here is LaRon Landry. While Landry is our highest rated defensive player, the Vikings signed Mike Doss in the off season to add to the depth they already have with Darren Sharper, Tank Williams, and Dwight Smith. It seems like a waste of a pick.

The two areas of need we see for the Vikings are WR and CB. The top three WRs for the Vikings are Troy Williamson, Billy McMullen, and free agent signing Bobby Wade. The top three WRs combined for less than 100 catches last season and if the Vikings expect Jackson to develop, they must give him a target. The problem is that it may be too early at #7 to draft a WR.  The starters at CB are veteran Antoine Winfield and 2006 draft pick Cedric Griffin. However there is little depth behind the two players. The Vikings had the 2nd worst passing defense in the league last season and a CB may make sense early.

We felt that the value of Leon Hall versus the top WRs here made Hall the most logical pick for our seven round mock draft.  The Vikings do not always follow logic, so the pick may change. Like several of the other teams at the end of the top 10, the Vikings are prime trade down candidates.

The rumor mill is still cranking. Who is moving up and down the draft boards?

Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt - As predicted earlier today in the Hot Reads feature by WRR writer Matt MacCoy, there are now whispers that Revis could be the first corner off the board, possibly as early as 7th.

Jarvis Moss, DE/OLB, Florida - If Moss gets past Denver at #21 and the Jets at #25, Moss could easily slide out of Round One. There are concerns that he lacks the bulk to play DE every down after a poor workout in terms of his bench press reps.

Lawrence Timmons, OLB, Florida State - Timmons is a wanted man in the middle of the draft. He appears to be a likely target for Pittsburgh at #15, the Giants at #20, and the Broncos at #21.

Green Bay trading down? Packers GM Ted Thompson loves to trade down to acquire additional picks and mentioned yesterday that two teams have already called about the pick. The Packers have been projected to take Marshawn Lynch in virtually every mock draft, but the pick is far from a certainty. They may be tempted to move down if the offer is strong.

As the draft approaches, the draft rumor mill is in full swing. Many of the rumors this time of year can be taken with a grain of salt. Yahoo Sports points out some of the more ludicrous rumors of recent years, including the rumor that Kevin Hardy had a broken neck that broke just days before the draft in 1996. Below are some of the rumors we are hearing and our take on them.

Adam Schefter of the NFL Network is speculating that Adrian Peterson could be a player that falls. In fact, if he gets past Cleveland at #3, he could go all the way to #10 with Houston. The Bucs have Cadillac Williams, Arizona has a large investment in Edgerrin James, and Washington has two strong RBs. Minnesota is projected to take Peterson in some mock drafts, but after the investment they made in Chester Taylor last season and the huge needs they have at CB and WR, it would be a foolish move. Atlanta could certainly consider Peterson if he is there. The Falcons do not have a running back to fit Bobby Petrino’s system and Peterson would certainly be interesting there. Miami is unlikely to take a QB, which would potentially put Houston in the position to auction off #10 to Buffalo (#12), Green Bay (#16), or Tennessee (#19).

A casual mention in the Denver Post of a possible trade up by the Broncos has garnered a lot of attention. The article states that Denver offered #21, #56, #86, plus their first rounder in 08 for the #2 pick currently owned by the Lions, provided that Calvin Johnson is still on the board at #2. While this sounds good, it still may not be enough. Plus, Denver is more likely to target other players - potentially Patrick Willis or Amobi Okoye, than Johnson.

Lance Briggs trade rumors still persist. The latest rumor is that the Tampa Bay Bucs are interested in the disgruntled Bears OLB. The reliable Adam Schefter reports the rumor, but it seems very unlikely. The Bucs already have a pair of weakside Tampa 2 OLBs in Cato June and Derrick Brooks. The Bucs trading for Briggs makes even less sense than the rumored Redskins deal for Briggs. It just goes to show that the rumor mill can get out of control this time of year.

Stay tuned to the War Room Report Blog for the latest NFL Draft Rumors and be sure to check out our seven round 2007 NFL Mock Draft.

In the final installment of the most overrated players for the 2007 NFL Draft, we present defensive players we think are rated too highly. (Latest Mel Kiper Projection in parentheses)

Paul Soliali, DT, Utah - Soliali provides bulk, but he is a player of inconsistent technique. He is had problems keeping his weight down and does not provide any ability to rush the passer. He is probably best suited as a 3-4 NT, but he is getting play solely because of his size, and not his collegiate production. (Cincinnatti Bengals: 49th Overall)

Tank Tyler, DT, NC State - Much like Solaili, Tyler is a massive player at DT and has had problems with his weight. He succeed in college mostly due to brute strength, but he will not be able to rely on that at the NFL level. He has short arms and plays out of control at times. (Dallas Cowboys: 53rd Overall)

Jay Moore, DE, Nebraska - Moore is a workman like player who can be a decent rotation player, but his lack of explosiveness will prevent him from being an outstanding pass rusher. He is a high energy type who is close to reaching his full potential already. (Arizona Cardinals: 69th Overall)

Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame - Abiamiri is a favorite of some, but to the War Room Report he lacks the bulk and strength to bull rush offensive linemen and the agility to run around them. He also has battled injuries and has a tendency to get too high and then get knocked off balance. (Philadelphia Eagles: 90th Overall)

Tanard Jackson, CB/S, Syracuse - Jackson does not have the ideal timed speed or good ball skills, with only five career INTs. He looks out of place in man coverage, as was seen at the Senior Bowl. He may be better suited for safety, as he is an adequate tackler. (Denver Broncos: 56th Overall)

Josh Gattis, S, Wake Forest - Gattis has short arms and does not take very good angles in his tackling. He is more of a drag down player than a big hitter and needs to dramatically improve his cover skills. (Arizona Cardinals: 105th Overall)

The soap opera story of top prep QB Mitch Mustain is opening another chapter with the latest report that he is headed to USC.  The #1 recruit in 2006 (over other well known QBs such as Tim Tebow, Matthew Stafford, and Josh Freeman), Mustain’s departure from Arkansas is well chronicled.

Mustain’s decision to attend USC is surprising, as the Trojans have John David Booty entrenched as the starter in 2007 and #1 overall recruit by many, Mark Sanchez, set to win the starting job in 2008 - 2009. Mustain would be competing for the starting QB gig in 2010 with yet another top recruit, Aaron Corp. Maybe he is hopeful that he can either beat out Sanchez or that Sanchez will leave after one season.

What makes this debate even more interesting is that it all four QBs are legitimate PRO prospects, not just top college QBs. It is easy to envision five first round QBs in a row starting at USC (Palmer, Leinart, Booty, Sanchez, Mustain).

The War Room Report looks at the most overrated offensive linemen in the 2007 NFL Draft: (Latest Mel Kiper Projection in parentheses)

Levi Brown, OT, Penn State - Brown is generally considered a top flight offensive tackle prospect, and while he may have the physical skills for the position, he lacks the consistent effort or technique. He is certainly worth a first round pick because of his vast potential, but he is not a risk worth taking in the first half of Round One. (Houston Texans: 8th Overall)

Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan - There is no denying the athleticism of Joe Staley, but one has to question the transition from a smaller school that recently converted to the offensive tackle position. Staley has physical potential, but he has a long way to go. He would be a worthwhile prospect in Round Two of the draft, but a player that needs as much development as he does, does not deserve the first round grade many are giving him (New York Giants: 20th Overall)

Enoka Lucas, C/OG, Oregon - Lucas is a decent prospect, but he is not much better than many of the other centers in the draft. He is a solid technician, but he lacks the true bulk to succeed in the NFL immediately. With only average athleticism, he is going to have to add bulk to suceed long term. (Cleveland Browns: 103rd Overall)

LeRoy Harris, C/OG, NC State - Like Lucas, Harris is a solid prospect, but some rankings have him going in the first four rounds. He needs to add bulk, but at the same time needs to add muscle instead of just weight. He is probably just a center in the NFL. (San Diego Chargers: 96th Overall)

We have looked at the Safest Players in the 2007 NFL Draft, the most likely busts in the Draft, and the Sleepers of the 07 Draft. Who are the most “overrated” players according to War Room Report scouts? We will be profiling the most overrated prospects, starting with the skill position players. (Mel Kiper’s most recent projection in parentheses)

John Beck, QB, BYU - Beck is a decent prospect, but recent rumblings indicate that he could possibly sneak into the first day or at worst Round Four of the draft have us shaking our heads. Beck has some admirable qualities but does not appear to have what it takes to be a starter the next level. Add to that his age (25, older than most prospects) and lack of experience playing in a pro style offense, Beck seems out of place before the 5th round. (Miami Dolphins: 60th Overall)

Tony Hunt, RB, Penn State - We have been harping on Tony Hunt from the beginning - What elite qualities does he bring? He does not have the long speed or the agility to be a successful NFL back. His greatest attribute is his durability, which hardly seems to make him a Day One or early Day Two selection. (San Francisco 49ers: 124th Overall)

Chris Henry, RB, Arizona - A day one pick for a player that averaged 3.5 yards per carry in college? Henry’s size and speed combo is certainly intriguing, but apparently scouts have misplaced his game tapes. He only had one real standout game at college and is going to have to greatly outperform his college production to be worth a first day pick. (Cleveland Browns: 67th Overall)

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State - There is no denying Ginn’s speed, but his hands and route running are both suspect. Ginn did not produce to the same level as other first round WRs in college, despite having the Heisman Trophy winner at QB and a first day WR opposite of him. In college, Ginn was only targeted on crosses and jets. The War Room Report questions rather he has the toughness to handle NFL CBs (Tennessee Titans: 19th Overall)

Courtney Taylor, WR, Auburn - Taylor has surprisingly become a first day pick according to some, despite limited long speed and only average hands. Taylor ran his 40 in the 4.6s and his ceiling appears to be as a possession receiver who is little threat to run after the catch. Taylor is unlikely to become a prime red zone target either. (Green Bay Packers: 78th Overall)

Greg Olsen, TE, Miami - We like Greg Olsen, but his lack of an all around game prevents him from being a top 15-20 prospect that some are billing him as. A weak TE crop and a weak draft overall has made Olsen into something he is not. He does have the speed to be a vertical threat, but he was not as productive as you would like at Miami and will have to greatly improve his strength to be an NFL caliber tight end in the blocking department. (Carolina Panthers: 14th Overall)

As Michael Abromowitz at the Football Expert pointed out, one of the best tests of draft scouts is judging late round talent, the “sleepers” of the draft. The War Room Report Scouts have compiled their list of late round talent that could excel in the NFL.

QB Jeff Rowe, Nevada - Great size, good accuracy and decent athlete. Should excel in a West Coast type offense.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall - Very agile player with decent long speed. Productive in college and left after his junior season. Can make defenders miss at the line of scrimmage.

RB Justin Vincent, LSU - Lacks ideal long speed but a tougher runner. Great intangibles and works hard. Tore his ACL at LSU but came back to be productive.

FB Jesse Allen, Virginia Tech - Prototypical “old school” fullback who will punish defenders. He is a willing lead blocker who does not need the ball to contribute.

WR Legedu Naanee, Boise State - Physical receiver with great ball skills. Originally a quarterback, he improved each year. Uses his body to shield defenders well.

WR Ryne Robinson, Miami (Oh) - Excellent return man that is also a standout baseball player. Can contribute immediately on special teams and in the slot.

WR/TE Matt Trannon, Michigan State - A huge target who will transition to TE at the pro level. Developmental prospect who will take some time but has the skills to become a top flight TE

TE Kevin Boss, Western Oregon - Big target with good hands. Missed much of 06 after an injury and is probably a little under the radar.

OT Andrew Carnahan, Arizona State - Smart and physical blocker who has the frame to add considerable bulk. He has all of the intangibles and should benefit greatly from a NFL conditioning program. Best as a run blocker.

OT Stephen Heyer, Maryland - Very strong player who has some injuries at Maryland. Fits in well as a physical right tackle who has the strength to handle most defensive ends.

OG Mike Jones, Iowa - Top prep OL who was very well coached at Iowa and can be a leader on the line. He holds up well at the point of attack. He needs to add a little more bulk.

OG Stephen Berg, Arizona State - Ideal size and power for the position. Another player coming off of an ACL injury. He has the work ethic necessary to succeed in the NFL.

C Kyle Young, Fresno State - Huge player with a big motor. Young is very techincally sound and can play center or guard.

DE Jacob Ford, Central Arkansas - Well traveled player who is an explosive pass rusher. He has rare timed speed for a player of his size. He may be only a situational pass rusher or a 3-4 OLB, but he should be able to reach the passer.

DE Antwan Applewhite, San Diego State - He has speed but is even more one dimensional than Ford. He will come in on passing downs as part of a rotation and should be able to reach the QB.

DT Antonio Johnson, Mississippi State - A really underrated player by many, Johnson is still developing. He was a Juco transfer who occupied a lot of space for Mississippi State. He showcased his explosion at the Senior Bowl. His size/speed combination is hard to find and with more refinement he can become a full time NFL starter.

DT Larry Brown, Oklahoma State - Strong player who plays with a big motor. He lacks ideal size but makes up for it with his effort. Great rotational defensive tackle.

OLB Dallas Sartz, USC - A top prep player, he was a productive member of the standout defense at USC. Ideal intangibles, as he is a hard worker who is aggressive in tackling. He may never be a standout at the next level but a solid backup and could potentially be a starter.

OLB Antwan Barnes, Florida International - One of the most underrated players in the draft, Barnes was a herald recruit going to Florida International. He played an undersized DE at Florida International and is an ideal 3-4 OLB in the NFL. He is best if allowed to rush the passer and will be a playmaker at the NFL level.

ILB Marvin Mitchell, Tennessee - Strong player who can work through trash to make the play. He fits best in a 3-4 scheme that would hide his limited long speed. He had over 100 tackles for Tennessee. There are character concerns here though.

ILB Zach Latimer, Oklahoma - The son of a NFL player, Latimer was the leader of the Sooners defense. Latimer needs to get a little stronger, but he is playmaker who can contribute on special teams due to good tackling ability and be a quality NFL reserve.

CB Trumaine McBride, Ole Miss - A really good technician at the corner spot, McBride works hard. His ceiling may be as a nickelback, but for a late pick he has the potential to be a solid NFL player for a long time.

CB Bo Smith, Weber State - Good agility and he works very hard to keep receivers off the ball. There are some character concerns relating to his time at Kentucky, but his size/agility combination is intriguing.

S Leonard Peters, Hawaii - Lacks ideal speed but is a really good football player. More of an “in the box” safety, he was First Team All-WAC and scored a pair of TDs in 2006. Definitely a guy who can contribute for a long time.

S Brandon Sharp, Louisville - Understands the game very well and is quick to react to plays. He is strong for his size and a willing supporter in the running game.

The 2007 NFL Draft is fast approaching and this year could see an unprecedented number of trades. The needs of the teams at the top of the draft do not line up with the value of the players available. In addition, several of the top teams have multiple needs and few picks, so it would make sense for them to trade down.

Teams likely to trade down:

Detroit Lions - The Lions are likely to see Calvin Johnson on the board, but after recently spending 3 first rounders on WRs, with only Roy Williams to show for it, the Lions will be hesitant to pull the trigger. They need a player to pressure the QB to make the Tampa 2 scheme work and are reportedly in love with Gaines Adams. They should find no shortage of suitors for the pick, particularly if Johnson is available.

Washington Redskins - The Redskins have already tried to move out of this spot. The best move for the team, particularly if Adams is gone, would be to trade down to replace some of the picks they have lost in other trades. The Skins do not have a pick in rounds 2-4 and trading down slightly would help a team with several needs replace those needs and build for the future.

Minnesota Vikings - One of the best examples of a team whose needs do not fit the draft slot. The Vikings desperately need to add a cornerback or a wide receiver, but pick 7 is probably too high for Leon Hall or Ted Ginn. The Vikings would easily be able to make a trade out of the 7 spot if LaRon Landry was available.

Houston Texans - The Texans, like the Redskins, have a number of needs but not the necessary amount of picks to fill the spots. They traded their 2nd rounder in the Matt Schaub deal. Like the Vikings, they need to add a CB or a WR most of all, but may be better served by moving down slightly and targetting those two positions in the first 2 rounds.

Teams most likely to trade up:

Tampa Bay Bucs - The Bucs want Calvin Johnson and have the ammunition to make a move. Though it seems unlikely they will pay the price that Yahoo Sports has suggested (basically all of their picks) to move up to the #1 slot, if Oakland takes Russell, look for Tampa to move up to the #2 slot to add Johnson.

Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons may want Calvin Johnson too and the Lions may be able to start a bidding war. The Falcons, thanks to the Matt Schaub trade, have the ammo to move up to #2. If the Falcons decide they want Joe Thomas or LaRon Landry, they may choose to move up slightly to acquire one of those two players.

Denver Broncos - The Broncos have been very active in free agency and Mike Shanahan seems to think this team is ready to compete for the Super Bowl this year under second year QB Jay Cutler. The Broncos do not have a lot of needs, but the release of Al Wilson may make them players for Patrick Willis. The public statements that D.J. Williams will move to the MIKE linebacker spot could be a smokescreen from the calculating Shanahan.

As the draft is approaching the War Room Report has been keeping an eye on some of our favorite sites, in addition to working on our site.

For the latest in draft news, check out the blog at Draft Daddy

The Huddle Report has written some fascinating stuff after looking at the last 7 NFL drafts. A must read for any draft fan.

Mock Draft databases are a great way to keep track with the different opinions around the web. One of our favorites is the Mock Draft Database at The Football Expert. Michael Abromowitz and the other great writers at The Football Expert rank Mock Drafts not by the most recent update, like many other sites, which rewards those who just update frequently, but by the quality of the mock. It is a great idea by Michael and the War Room Report is proud to be ranked 4th.

Our friend Robert Bryant at NFL Draft Dog has his NFL Draft Board posted. It is very interesting to see the different opinions. We do not always agree with Robert but he has a very good eye to the draft and always has sound reasoning.

Be sure to check out our seven round mock draft and the accompanying team by team mock draft results. We put a lot of work into the mock draft and very proud of it.