The 2008 NFL Draft is over and many of the mock drafts that came before the draft ended up being somewhat inaccurate due to so many trades, but here is how this writer feels the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft should have came off in the first round.
1. Miami Dolphins-Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College-(selected Jake Long, OT, Michigan). The Dolphins might have gotten more mileage out of Ryan for the long run as offensive tackles, at times, have a history of washing out in the NFL. Ryan could have given them a ton of options for the future. Long is still a good choice however and should be able to help the Dolphins immediately. John Beck is still unproven and Ryan would have been a good insurance policy.
2. St. Louis Rams-Jake Long-OT-Michigan (selected Chris Long-DE-Virginia as Jake Long was picked by the Dolphins). The Rams have had a history of problems on offense but they could have used the help on the offensive line had Jake Long been available they would have most likely picked him. Orlando Pace is entering his 12th year and has missed considerable time lately.
3. Atlanta Falcons-Chris Long-DE-Virginia (selected Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College). If the draft would have played out like I think it should have, Ryan would have been gone before the Falcons made their pick. Chris Long would have been a solid selection and could have helped out a defense that had issues both against the run and the pass. Ryan isn’t a bad selection though and since he fell right into their laps they couldn't have passed on him..
4. Oakland Raiders-Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU (selected Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas). The Raiders could have gone either way here as they had both an anemic rushing attack and an anemic rushing defense and Dorsey might have been the better selection. Following Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s breakout season in 2007, every team hopes that they can get a player like that. McFadden could be that type of player, but they already have a crowded backfield including potential star Michael Bush who they drafted last year.
5. Kansas City Chiefs-Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC (selected Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU) The Chiefs couldn’t have gone wrong either way by taking either Dorsey or Ellis, but since I have Dorsey going to the Raiders, Ellis would have to go here. The Chiefs needed a defensive tackle and either Dorsey or Ellis would have fit them well. The Chiefs have so many holes they could have went any direction and many considered Dorsey the top talent in the entire draft.
6. New York Jets-Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas (selected Vernon Gholson-DE-Ohio State) Had McFadden been here the Jets would have snapped him up in a heartbeat. He would have helped out an offense that has been somewhat anemic in the past. Gholston will help them out as well but McFadden would have made them a much better team faster.
7. New Orleans Saints-Vernon Gholston-DE-Ohio State (selected Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC). The Saints really needed some help on the interior of their defensive line so moving up to get Ellis wasn’t a bad idea but imagine Gholston and Will Smith on the line. That would have been quite a combination.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars-Derrick Harvey-DE-(selected same player) I am not too sure Harvey was worth this high of a pick but the Jaguars thought so and they do need help at the defensive end position so perhaps they didn’t go wrong here. However, NFL Draft Dog's Robert Bryant thinks this was a bad pick, they just gave up to much to move up and get Harvey. He thinks the Jags could have traded down, got some extra picks and selected Phillip Merling from Clemson or Lawrence Jackson from USC.
9. Cincinnati Bengals-Keith Rivers-LB-USC (selected same player). There is no doubt that the Bengals needed some help on defense and they got it with Rivers who was a good selection for them at this point in the draft. However, Robert Bryant thinks LB Jared Mayo will probably end up as the better player in the long run.
10. New England-Leodis McKelvin-CB-Troy (selected Jerod Mayo-OLB-Tennessee) This one is a bit of a tossup. The Patriots are notorious for having problems at both the cornerback and the linebacker position but with a lack of talent at the cornerback position, McKelvin might have been a better choice for the Patriots at this point in the draft.
11. Buffalo Bills-Jerod Mayo-OLB-Tennessee (selected Leodis McKelvin-CB-Troy) The Bills have had some hiccups at the linebacker position and could use someone like Mayo to help them out. McKelvin was also a good selection though so the Bills really didn’t go wrong and could have benefited in either case.
12. Denver Broncos-OT-Ryan Clady-(selected same player). The Broncos did right by selecting Clady who should be able to come in and start for the Broncos right away.
13. Carolina Panthers-Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Illinois (selected Jonathan Stewart-RB-Oregon) I think that Stewart went way too early and Mendenhall went way too late. Mendenhall would have been the better starter and would have been able to start much sooner.
14. Chicago Bears-Chris Williams-OT-Vanderbilt (selected the same player) The Bears got the kind of player they needed in taking Williams who will be able to step in and start right away. Had Clady been there they probably would have taken him.
15. Kansas City Chiefs-Branden Albert-OG-(selected the same player). The Chiefs, who had one of the best drafts this year, needed a guard and they got a decent one with Albert. He should be able to come in and start right away and help upgrade the Chiefs offense.
16. Arizona Cardinals-Aquib Talib-CB-Kansas-(selected Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-CB-Tennessee State) Rodgers-Cromartie should not have been selected this high in the draft but Talib probably shouldn’t have been either. The Cardinals needed a cornerback and got one but Talib would have been the better choice.
17. Detroit Lions-Gosder Cherilus-OT-Boston College (selected the same player). The Lions needed help on the offensive line and they got it with Cherilus who appears to be a pretty solid player and should be able to step in and start right off the bat.
18. Baltimore Ravens-Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburgh-(selected Joe Flacco-QB-Pittsburgh) Flacco went way too high even though the Ravens do need a quarterback. They could have gotten a quarterback (Chad Henne or Brian Brohm) in the second round or they could have grabbed Flacco much later. Otah would have been able to come in and start right off the bat unlike Flacco (who shouldn’t be starting right away if the Ravens can help it). Otah would have been the better choice.
19. Carolina Panthers-Kenney Phillips-S-Miami-(selected Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburgh) The Panthers have always had issues at the safety position and it would have been a good idea to get someone like Phillips who could have come in and started right away. Otah was a need but he might have been available in the second round.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Mike Jenkins-CB-South Florida (selected Aqib Talib-CB-Kansas)-Mike Jenkins still might end up being the best cornerback taken in the first round despite the fact he is a small school player. Talib had some issues off the field as well and Tampa may have wished they had gone another way in the long run.
21. Atlanta Falcons-Sam Baker-OT-USC (selected same player). The Falcons took someone who can help protect whoever the starter is at quarterback. This was a solid pick. NFL Draft Dog's Robert Bryant doesn't agree, he thinks the Falcons panicked a bit, they could have traded down into the 2nd round and gotten Baker or Duane Brown. Baker didn't show up in shape at the combine and he doesn't think he will be ready to start as a rookie.
22. Dallas Cowboys-Jonathan Stewart-RB-Oregon (selected Felix Jones-RB-Arkansas) I think that Jones went to high and if the Cowboys are looking for a one two punch at the running back position then Stewart might have been able to fit the bill much better in the Dallas offense.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers-Felix Jones-RB-Arkansas (selected Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Illinois) Mendenhall should have went much higher than he did and Jones might be a bit of a better fit for the Steelers new two back system. Any good running back would be a great compliment for Willie Parker and the Steelers running game.
24. Tennessee Titans-Chris Johnson-RB-East Carolina (selected the same player). Yes it is true, taking Johnson may not have been the smartest move by the Titans but if he works out well and can help out their offense immediately, Tennessee might just have made the right decision.
25. Dallas Cowboys-Antoine Cason-CB-Arizona (selected Mike Jenkins-CB-South Florida) The Cowboys are looking for an upgrade at the cornerback position and since I have Jenkins going a little bit earlier Cason would be the next best choice for the Cowboys.
26. Houston Texans-Duane Brown-OT-Virginia Tech (selected same player) Houston needed help desperately on the offensive line and they got it with Brown. He should be able to come in and start right away for a team that needs someone to help protect the quarterback and help out the running game.
27. San Diego Chargers-Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-CB-Tennessee State (selected Antoine Cason-CB-Arizona) How ironic would it be to have to Cromarties on one team? Well in this instance it might have benefitted the Chargers to have both players on their roster giving them a solid set of cornerbacks and dangerous return teams.
28. Seattle Seahawks-Lawrence Jackson-DE-USC (selected same player). Since losing Grant Wistrom, the Seahawks have been lacking in rushing the passer and now they have picked up a player that should be able to help them in that area.
29. San Francisco 49ers-Kentwan Balmer-DE-North Carolina (selected same player) The 49ers needed some help on defense and they got it with Balmer. Their defense was showing some strong signs of life last season and should be much better thanks to the addition of Balmer.
30. New York Jets-Joe Flacco-QB-Delaware (selected Dustin Keller-TE-Purdue) The Jets needed to draft a player like Keller but they also need a quarterback due to Chad Pennington’s uncertainty. Flacco might have been a good fit for the Jets and should have gone here instead of going at number 18.
32. New York Giants-Dustin Keller-TE-Purdue-With tight end Jeremy Shockey often injured and possibly up for trade, the Giants could use the help at tight end. Keller would have been a nice fit here.
Article by Bryan Dietzler
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