1. Miami Dolphins – OT Jake Long, Michigan. In a moderately weak year to have the number 1 pick in the draft, the Dolphins make the smart move and take sure thing in Long. Long will be a franchise tackle for the Dolphins as Bill Parcells will build this franchise from the offensive and defensive lines. Parcells’ eye for talent will enable the Dolphins to find their skill position players down lower in the draft and it is too early to give up on last years second round QB John Beck.2. St. Louis Rams – DE Chris Long, Virginia. The Rams take an electric player from the DE position to help to bolster their inept defense. Long may have more upside than any other player in this draft and his size makes him an intriguing pick to attack offenses from multiple looks and positions.
3. Atlanta Falcons – DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU. This might be the biggest toss up pick of the draft. The bushel of money they threw at RB Michael Turner takes McFadden off their board, and I am not sure that Matt Ryan is a #3 pick in the draft or a future franchise QB. This pick would give the hometown area fans a local face for the franchise, not to mention that Dorsey was a unanimous #1 pick after he decided to stay in school last year. Workout issues, weight problems and size questions have crept into the so called draft expert’s minds, but Dorsey is still a great pick at #3.
4. Oakland Raiders – RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas. McFadden is by far the best offensive weapon in the 2008 draft. The Raiders give last year’s #1, JaMarcus Russell, a weapon in the backfield. McFadden would be an absolute steal at #4 and would look great in the silver and black as they rebuild this franchise.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – DT Sedrick Ellis, USC. The Chiefs take the best player available here that also fills a team need. The Chiefs are that team in the top 10 that has to do the most homework, because they have no idea who will fall to them. If the Chiefs get Ellis at #5 after his dominating workouts and senior bowl performances, they will look like geniuses.
6. New York Jets – DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State. This is one of those consensus picks among mock drafts that seems like a foregone conclusion. The Jets are in need of a pass rushing DE and Gholson fits the bill. After a great 2007 season and impressive 40 yard dash time, Gholston secured his spot in the top 10.
7. New England Patriots – CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy. It seems the Patriots are going CB at #7, it is just a matter of what CB is tops on their board. The Patriots have plenty of options as they will start the run on corners in this draft unless someone above them reaches for one. McKelvin’s ability to play man and start right away in a position of need for the Patriots makes him stand above the other options in this draft.
4. Oakland Raiders – RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas. McFadden is by far the best offensive weapon in the 2008 draft. The Raiders give last year’s #1, JaMarcus Russell, a weapon in the backfield. McFadden would be an absolute steal at #4 and would look great in the silver and black as they rebuild this franchise.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – DT Sedrick Ellis, USC. The Chiefs take the best player available here that also fills a team need. The Chiefs are that team in the top 10 that has to do the most homework, because they have no idea who will fall to them. If the Chiefs get Ellis at #5 after his dominating workouts and senior bowl performances, they will look like geniuses.
6. New York Jets – DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State. This is one of those consensus picks among mock drafts that seems like a foregone conclusion. The Jets are in need of a pass rushing DE and Gholson fits the bill. After a great 2007 season and impressive 40 yard dash time, Gholston secured his spot in the top 10.
7. New England Patriots – CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy. It seems the Patriots are going CB at #7, it is just a matter of what CB is tops on their board. The Patriots have plenty of options as they will start the run on corners in this draft unless someone above them reaches for one. McKelvin’s ability to play man and start right away in a position of need for the Patriots makes him stand above the other options in this draft.
8. Baltimore Ravens – QB Matt Ryan. The Ravens need a franchise QB and Ryan is a value pick here. I don’t think Ryan is a top 5 talent in this draft, but at #8 he won’t have the pressure of a #1 pick and walks into a great situation in Baltimore where he won’t even have to take a snap in 2008 unless he is ready.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – LB Keith Rivers, USC. Rivers is exactly what the Bengals need, an explosive defensive player that isn’t in jail. Rivers is by far the best linebacker in this draft and could fill the Bengal’s line backing position for many years. Rivers fills the Bengals need here and is a value pick at #10.
10. New Orleans Saints – CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State. Rodgers Cromartie has proven to be this year’s diamond in the rough and the Saints need help in their secondary badly. The Saints would prefer help at safety, but Kenny Phillips from Miami here would be a stretch.
11. Buffalo Bills – OT Ryan Clady, Boise State. Clady can start right away for the Bills and the need is there at tackle. The Bills need some help at receiver and other spots, but Clady is the only need that is worth the pick here for Buffalo.
12. Denver Broncos – OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt. Denver takes the best offensive lineman left on the board and addresses their biggest need. Help on the defensive line would be nice here, but Williams could start in 2008.
13. Carolina Panthers – QB Brian Brohm, Louisville. The Panthers take a stab at the second best QB in the draft. Brohm’s arm strength has been questioned after a mediocre senior season, but Brohm is definitely worth a first round pick for a franchise in need of a face and leader.
14. Chicago Bears – RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois. Mendenhall stays at home in Chicago after the Bears miss out on two tackles and a QB that were in their sights. Mendenhall pairs up nicely with Cedric Benson in the backfield, who hasn’t shown himself worthy of carrying the load in Chicago.
15. Detroit Lions – CB Aqib Talib, Kansas. The Lions resist the urge to draft a WR and get some much needed help in the secondary in Talib. There is plenty of value at DE with this pick as well. You may see the Lions go there if the right guy is unavailable here at CB.
16. Arizona Cardinals – CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida. The run on corners continues here with the Cardinals who find themselves in need of another starter after the much rumored move of Antrell Rolle to safety comes to fruition.
17. Minnesota Vikings – DE Derrick Harvey, Florida. The Vikings have built the best defensive line in the NFL and Harvey fits right into their pressure style of defense. If the Vikings ever get a QB, look out.
18. Houston Texans – RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon. The Texans get a franchise running back in Stewart who is an absolute stud. Stewart could be the #2 running back behind McFadden and the Texans get a steal here if Stewart slips due to an injured toe.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State. The Eagles have been in need of a playmaking WR since T.O. rode his donkey out of town and Thomas is the only true first round talent at WR in this year’s draft.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –S Kenny Phillips, Miami. Phillips comes in right away and starts for Tampa, he is by far the most talented safety in the draft and the Bucs snag him if he is available here at 20.
21. Washington Redskins – CB Antoine Cason, Arizona. The Redskins get a little younger in the secondary with the addition of Cason, who is just another one of the many talented corners taken in the first round.
22. Dallas Cowboys – RB Felix Jones, Arkansas. Jones is a powerful and speedy runner who the Cowboys will use in tandem with Marion Barber. This will make Cowboy fans forget all about their old RB named Jones from last season.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – DE Phillip Merling, Clemson. Pittsburgh is in the situation of drafting the best player available here and gets a starting DE with their pick here.
24. Tennessee Titans – WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma. The Titans need to get Vince Young help at WR and Kelly’s upside makes him worth the gamble here at #24.
25. Seattle Seahawks – OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh. The Seahawks are also in a position to take the best player available, but see the writing on the wall with Walter Jones in his last couple of seasons. There is no first round pressure on Otah to start right away and he gets to learn from the best tackle in football. Otah also provides depth for the Seahawks on the offensive line.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Calais Campbell, Miami. The Jags bolster their defensive line with the selection of Campbell, his size and skill make him an intriguing pick here where Jacksonville can afford to gamble on his questionable work ethic.
27. San Diego Chargers – WR Limas Sweed, Texas. The Chargers reach here for a need at WR in Sweed. I’m not sure he is a 1st round talent, but the Chargers are in a position to address holes.
28. Dallas Cowboys – WR Mario Manningham, Michigan. Dallas continues the late run on WRs with Manningham, but pulls off a coup by snagging a RB and WR in the first round of the draft that fill their needs.
29. San Francisco 49ers – WR James Hardy, Indiana. Hardy provides a huge target and talent at WR for the 49ers who just cut ties with Darrell Jackson. While their best WR on their current roster is Isaac Bruce and his clock is running out.
30. Green Bay Packers – OT Sam Baker, USC. Without a TE worthy of a first round pick in this year’s draft, the Packers secure a solid future pro in Baker who can provide depth at several positions on the offensive line.
31. New England Patriots – Forfeited due to cheating.
32. New York Giants – LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma. Lofton is an absolute freak from the line backing position and the Giants are in desperate need of help here.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – LB Keith Rivers, USC. Rivers is exactly what the Bengals need, an explosive defensive player that isn’t in jail. Rivers is by far the best linebacker in this draft and could fill the Bengal’s line backing position for many years. Rivers fills the Bengals need here and is a value pick at #10.
10. New Orleans Saints – CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State. Rodgers Cromartie has proven to be this year’s diamond in the rough and the Saints need help in their secondary badly. The Saints would prefer help at safety, but Kenny Phillips from Miami here would be a stretch.
11. Buffalo Bills – OT Ryan Clady, Boise State. Clady can start right away for the Bills and the need is there at tackle. The Bills need some help at receiver and other spots, but Clady is the only need that is worth the pick here for Buffalo.
12. Denver Broncos – OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt. Denver takes the best offensive lineman left on the board and addresses their biggest need. Help on the defensive line would be nice here, but Williams could start in 2008.
13. Carolina Panthers – QB Brian Brohm, Louisville. The Panthers take a stab at the second best QB in the draft. Brohm’s arm strength has been questioned after a mediocre senior season, but Brohm is definitely worth a first round pick for a franchise in need of a face and leader.
14. Chicago Bears – RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois. Mendenhall stays at home in Chicago after the Bears miss out on two tackles and a QB that were in their sights. Mendenhall pairs up nicely with Cedric Benson in the backfield, who hasn’t shown himself worthy of carrying the load in Chicago.
15. Detroit Lions – CB Aqib Talib, Kansas. The Lions resist the urge to draft a WR and get some much needed help in the secondary in Talib. There is plenty of value at DE with this pick as well. You may see the Lions go there if the right guy is unavailable here at CB.
16. Arizona Cardinals – CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida. The run on corners continues here with the Cardinals who find themselves in need of another starter after the much rumored move of Antrell Rolle to safety comes to fruition.
17. Minnesota Vikings – DE Derrick Harvey, Florida. The Vikings have built the best defensive line in the NFL and Harvey fits right into their pressure style of defense. If the Vikings ever get a QB, look out.
18. Houston Texans – RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon. The Texans get a franchise running back in Stewart who is an absolute stud. Stewart could be the #2 running back behind McFadden and the Texans get a steal here if Stewart slips due to an injured toe.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State. The Eagles have been in need of a playmaking WR since T.O. rode his donkey out of town and Thomas is the only true first round talent at WR in this year’s draft.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers –S Kenny Phillips, Miami. Phillips comes in right away and starts for Tampa, he is by far the most talented safety in the draft and the Bucs snag him if he is available here at 20.
21. Washington Redskins – CB Antoine Cason, Arizona. The Redskins get a little younger in the secondary with the addition of Cason, who is just another one of the many talented corners taken in the first round.
22. Dallas Cowboys – RB Felix Jones, Arkansas. Jones is a powerful and speedy runner who the Cowboys will use in tandem with Marion Barber. This will make Cowboy fans forget all about their old RB named Jones from last season.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – DE Phillip Merling, Clemson. Pittsburgh is in the situation of drafting the best player available here and gets a starting DE with their pick here.
24. Tennessee Titans – WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma. The Titans need to get Vince Young help at WR and Kelly’s upside makes him worth the gamble here at #24.
25. Seattle Seahawks – OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh. The Seahawks are also in a position to take the best player available, but see the writing on the wall with Walter Jones in his last couple of seasons. There is no first round pressure on Otah to start right away and he gets to learn from the best tackle in football. Otah also provides depth for the Seahawks on the offensive line.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Calais Campbell, Miami. The Jags bolster their defensive line with the selection of Campbell, his size and skill make him an intriguing pick here where Jacksonville can afford to gamble on his questionable work ethic.
27. San Diego Chargers – WR Limas Sweed, Texas. The Chargers reach here for a need at WR in Sweed. I’m not sure he is a 1st round talent, but the Chargers are in a position to address holes.
28. Dallas Cowboys – WR Mario Manningham, Michigan. Dallas continues the late run on WRs with Manningham, but pulls off a coup by snagging a RB and WR in the first round of the draft that fill their needs.
29. San Francisco 49ers – WR James Hardy, Indiana. Hardy provides a huge target and talent at WR for the 49ers who just cut ties with Darrell Jackson. While their best WR on their current roster is Isaac Bruce and his clock is running out.
30. Green Bay Packers – OT Sam Baker, USC. Without a TE worthy of a first round pick in this year’s draft, the Packers secure a solid future pro in Baker who can provide depth at several positions on the offensive line.
31. New England Patriots – Forfeited due to cheating.
32. New York Giants – LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma. Lofton is an absolute freak from the line backing position and the Giants are in desperate need of help here.
For questions or comments contact Josh Sattler
No comments:
Post a Comment