NEW YORK (AP) -- JaMarcus Russell, the big-play quarterback from LSU, was the first pick in Saturday's NFL draft as the Oakland Raiders pulled no surprises.
The 6-foot-6 junior comes off an impressive season and a superb Sugar Bowl that helped catapult him to the top spot. And with the Raiders coming off a 2-14 year in which they had the league's worst offense, he easily could be the starter on opening day.
"I kind of had faith in it. Everybody had been talking about it for a while," Russell said of being chosen first. "It's a dream come true. Growing up as a kid playing every sport in life and always seeing the guys on the professional level, and here I am today."
Detroit then declined several trade options for the No. 2 overall pick and chose wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, considered the best athlete in this year's crop.
Cleveland took Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas No. 3 and Tampa Bay picked the first defensive player, Clemson end Gaines Adams, who at 6-foo-5 is an inch short and three pounds lighter than Russell. Arizona also went for offensive line help at No. 5, taking Penn State tackle Levi Brown, who should replace Leonard Davis, now with Dallas after leaving as a free agent.
It was the fourth time in five years the Lions chose a wideout high in the draft. Only one of the others, Roy Williams, has succeeded in Detroit. Johnson, an All-American junior, is 6-foot-4 and 237 pounds and can run a 4.35 in the 40.
Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, once considered the top prospect in this draft, had not been taken through 11 picks. When Miami selected Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., at No. 8, Dolphins fans at Radio City Music Hall let out a gasp, then booed. And then a huge portion of fans began chanting, "BRADY, BRADY."
While everyone else in the players' room was dressed in a sharp suit, Quinn had stripped down to his vest and looked puzzled. He kept flashing a smile whose brightness faded with each selection, perhaps recalling how Matt Leinart plummeted last year and Aaron Rodgers did in 2005.
Thomas spent the morning fishing back home rather than attend the draft.
"It didn't surprise me," Thomas said of being taken by the Browns, 4-12 last season. "I hoped for a few months that Cleveland would pick me. They showed a lot of interest in me all the way along."
A second LSU player, safety LaRon Landry, was the sixth pick, to Washington, where he figures to start next to Sean Taylor in a hard-hitting tandem. Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma was chosen by Minnesota, which apparently was unconcerned by the running back's history of injuries in college.
Oakland will count on Russell to invigorate the Raiders, who scored only 168 points last season.
When Roger Goodell, conducting his first draft as commissioner, announced Russell's name, Raiders fans in the crowd cheered loudly. But there was a mixture of cheers and boos when Russell, who is bigger than some NFL linemen, came on stage to don a Raiders hat and hold up a No. 1 black jersey.
Then came chants of "L-S-U, L-S-U" for the man who soon will be in charge of the Oakland offense
I can't wait to get in the black and silver and get to work," Russell said.
At No. 8, Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson went to Atlanta, which went to the Super Bowl in 1999 with a running back named Jamal Anderson.
Then Miami got Ginn.
But Johnson was the true prize at wide receiver, and Lions coordinator Mike Martz has a history of using such players well.
"He's ecstatic just like me," Johnson said of Martz. "Like I said, I'm going to be in a good situation."
The 10th pick was 19-year-old defensive tackle Amobi Okoye of Louisville, by Houston. He's the youngest player ever drafted and will join last year's No. 1 overall pick, defensive end Mario Williams, on the line.
San Francisco followed by choosing the best linebacker in the draft, Mississippi's Patrick Willis. Buffalo, selected next, was interested in Willis, as well but settle for Cal running back Marshawn Lynch.
The 6-foot-6 junior comes off an impressive season and a superb Sugar Bowl that helped catapult him to the top spot. And with the Raiders coming off a 2-14 year in which they had the league's worst offense, he easily could be the starter on opening day.
"I kind of had faith in it. Everybody had been talking about it for a while," Russell said of being chosen first. "It's a dream come true. Growing up as a kid playing every sport in life and always seeing the guys on the professional level, and here I am today."
Detroit then declined several trade options for the No. 2 overall pick and chose wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, considered the best athlete in this year's crop.
Cleveland took Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas No. 3 and Tampa Bay picked the first defensive player, Clemson end Gaines Adams, who at 6-foo-5 is an inch short and three pounds lighter than Russell. Arizona also went for offensive line help at No. 5, taking Penn State tackle Levi Brown, who should replace Leonard Davis, now with Dallas after leaving as a free agent.
It was the fourth time in five years the Lions chose a wideout high in the draft. Only one of the others, Roy Williams, has succeeded in Detroit. Johnson, an All-American junior, is 6-foot-4 and 237 pounds and can run a 4.35 in the 40.
Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, once considered the top prospect in this draft, had not been taken through 11 picks. When Miami selected Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., at No. 8, Dolphins fans at Radio City Music Hall let out a gasp, then booed. And then a huge portion of fans began chanting, "BRADY, BRADY."
While everyone else in the players' room was dressed in a sharp suit, Quinn had stripped down to his vest and looked puzzled. He kept flashing a smile whose brightness faded with each selection, perhaps recalling how Matt Leinart plummeted last year and Aaron Rodgers did in 2005.
Thomas spent the morning fishing back home rather than attend the draft.
"It didn't surprise me," Thomas said of being taken by the Browns, 4-12 last season. "I hoped for a few months that Cleveland would pick me. They showed a lot of interest in me all the way along."
A second LSU player, safety LaRon Landry, was the sixth pick, to Washington, where he figures to start next to Sean Taylor in a hard-hitting tandem. Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma was chosen by Minnesota, which apparently was unconcerned by the running back's history of injuries in college.
Oakland will count on Russell to invigorate the Raiders, who scored only 168 points last season.
When Roger Goodell, conducting his first draft as commissioner, announced Russell's name, Raiders fans in the crowd cheered loudly. But there was a mixture of cheers and boos when Russell, who is bigger than some NFL linemen, came on stage to don a Raiders hat and hold up a No. 1 black jersey.
Then came chants of "L-S-U, L-S-U" for the man who soon will be in charge of the Oakland offense
I can't wait to get in the black and silver and get to work," Russell said.
At No. 8, Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson went to Atlanta, which went to the Super Bowl in 1999 with a running back named Jamal Anderson.
Then Miami got Ginn.
But Johnson was the true prize at wide receiver, and Lions coordinator Mike Martz has a history of using such players well.
"He's ecstatic just like me," Johnson said of Martz. "Like I said, I'm going to be in a good situation."
The 10th pick was 19-year-old defensive tackle Amobi Okoye of Louisville, by Houston. He's the youngest player ever drafted and will join last year's No. 1 overall pick, defensive end Mario Williams, on the line.
San Francisco followed by choosing the best linebacker in the draft, Mississippi's Patrick Willis. Buffalo, selected next, was interested in Willis, as well but settle for Cal running back Marshawn Lynch.
