Monday, January 28, 2008

2008 NFL Mock Draft, Version 5.0

Here is my most recent mock draft complete with a second round. The only draft positions left to be determined are 3 through 5, which will be done by coin flip within the next two weeks. There have been a few shakeups, most notably at the QB position.

1 Miami Dolphins 1

Chris Long
Defensive End
Virginia

There have been some grumblings that the Dolphins are still deciding whether or not to use the 3-4. I think this is bogus. They have been gradually merging to a 3-4 for the past three years and Bill Parcells has always favored it. New head coach Tony Sparano has been around it in Dallas for the past five seasons. The Dolphins will be using a 3-4 and with that said the pick has to be Chris Long. Glenn Dorsey is not big enough to play nose tackle in the 3-4. Unless the team plans on shifting him to end (why would you when Long already plays the position?), Dorsey will not be in Miami. The Dolphins have already let it be known that they’d be willing to deal the number one pick. Will any team want it? It is doubtful.

Will Also Consider:
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

2 St. Louis Rams 2

Glenn Dorsey
Defensive Tackle
LSU

With Miami passing on Dorsey the Rams have a chance to solidify their defensive line for many years to come. They selected Adam Carriker in the first round last year and promptly shifted him from DE to DT. With the acquisition of Dorsey the Rams can decide whether or not to keep Carriker inside or move him back to End. With the emergence of DT Clifton Ryan (5th Round, 2007) and the addition of Dorsey, St. Louis can trot out a line of Leonard Little, Glenn Dorsey, Clifton Ryan, and Adam Carriker.

Will Also Consider:
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Keith Rivers, LB, USC

***3 Oakland Raiders 3***

Darren McFadden
Running Back
Arkansas

What is Al Davis thinking? He wants to fire Lane Kiffin? After one season? That is crazy. Anyway the Raiders will take McFadden, who is considered the best RB in a very deep class. While RB isn’t the Raiders biggest need, McFadden fits the criteria that owner Al Davis loves: massive potential. With what Adrian Peterson did for Minnesota, teams will be drooling over McFadden. There is a possibility that a team that falls in love with McFadden trades with the Dolphins or Rams for the right to take him. In that case, Glenn Dorsey or Chris Long may fall here and Oakland would love either one of them.

Will Also Consider:
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

***position may change after coin flip***

***4 Atlanta Falcons 4***

Matt Ryan
Quarterback
Boston College

The Falcons organization is in shambles after the Vick saga and the Petrino debacle. Whoever the new coach is will need a QB to groom. It was thought to be Brian Brohm but a sub par ’07 season from him and the departure of Petrino take some substance away from this. For a good portion of the 2007 college season Ryan was a Heisman hopeful. He was the Eagles offense and with the right help at the next level Ryan could become a star.

Will Also Consider:
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

***position may change after coin flip***

***5 Kansas City Chiefs 5***

Jake Long
Offensive Tackle
Michigan

The Chiefs need a QB but Herm Edwards will give Brodie Croyle another shot in ’08. A glaring area of need is offensive line. The team hasn’t recovered from the retirements of Will Shields and Willie Roaf over the last few years. When Shields and Roaf teamed with stalwart Brian Waters, Kansas City had a dominating line. It is time to rebuild it. Jake Long is the best OT available in the 2008 Draft.

Will Also Consider:
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

***position may change after coin flip***

6 New York Jets 6

Vernon Gholston
Defensive End
Ohio State

It was thought in December that at least one of Rey Maualuga or James Laurinaitis would leave school early and be a Top 10 pick. Whoops. There are no true MLB worthy of a first round pick (Dan Connor will most likely become an OLB in the NFL). What to do with the J-E-T-S? They will most likely go D unless they deem offensive line an area of larger need. I do not. The Jets had only 29 sacks in 2007. That is less than half of what the league leader, and other Meadowlands dweller, accumulated. Gholston was dominant at times for Ohio State. He could play DE or OLB in New York. Gholston was the only college player to register a sack versus Jake Long.

Will Also Consider:
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
Sam Baker, OT, USC

7 New England Patriots (from San Francisco) 7

Aqib Talib
Cornerback
Kansas

This was considered a weaker class for CBs, and that was with Malcolm Jenkins in it (now he is back at Ohio State). The Patriots will need DBs once Asante Samuel bolts for more money (they also have four other DBs that are free agents). Young linebackers are also a need but Commander Hoodie and Co. have not shown the willingness to draft any early. If they still had the 32nd overall pick they may have taken one there. Talib and the other Jenkins (no relation) will fight through the combine for the right to be the first CB taken. I give the edge to Talib. I would actually be willing to bet that the Patriots trade this pick for team that is interested in Sedrick Ellis, whose stock continues to rise. Perhaps Cincinnati, New Orleans, or Denver could be trade partners?

Will Also Consider:
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Keith Rivers, LB, USC

8 Baltimore Ravens 8

Ryan Clady
Offensive Tackle
Boise State

The Ravens signed Kyle Boller to a one year extension last season and is back, along with the healing Steve McNair, for 2008. Troy Smith is a project but showed a ray of hope at the end of this past season. New coach John Harbaugh may want to start fresh and grab Brian Brohm here but a few experts feel that Matt Ryan may be the only QB selected in round one this year. I previously had Brohm here but have gone in another direction this time. While the Ravens have invested many draft picks in recent years in the offensive line, none had the potential of Clady. Clady could push Adam Terry as the starting RT this year and then slide over to LT whenever Jonathan Ogden decides to retire. Some secondary help is also needed and they could grab Jenkins.

Will Also Consider:
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Keith Rivers, LB, USC

9 Cincinnati Bengals 9

Sedrick Ellis
Defensive Tackle
USC

Cincinnati players were well behaved (well, for them) in 2007 with no arrests during the season. Cue the slow clap. Unfortunately the team looked awful. More specifically the defense looked awful. They need help at almost every position outside of CB (where they drafted Johnathan Joseph in 2006 and Leon Hall in 2007). At this juncture Sedrick Ellis is the best defensive player available and is quite a steal.

Will Also Consider:
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida

10 New Orleans Saints 10

Mike Jenkins
Cornerback
South Florida

New Orleans gave up 24.2 points/game (25th) and 245.2 passing yards/game (30th) in 2007. They have a strong offense (one that will be stronger with the return of Deuce McAllister) but a poor defense, not unlike Cincinnati. Their defensive line is steady but their linebackers and secondary are suspect. Mike McKenzie is old and Fred Thomas was continually beat in 2006. Jason David was brought in to demote Thomas to a nickel role. Unfortunately, Jason David was the new Fred Thomas in 2007. Someone to play opposite of McKenzie, and eventually supplant him, is a necessity. This is a bit early for Jenkins but he is the second best CB in the 2008 pool.

Will Also Consider:
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)

11 Buffalo Bills 11

Malcolm Kelly
Wide Receiver
Oklahoma

The Bills need a possession receiver to pair with speedster Lee Evans. They can grab him in Malcolm Kelly. Kelly was a huge presence for redshirt freshman QB Sam Bradford at Oklahoma this year and can do the same for the tandem of J.P. Losman and Trent Edwards. If either QB develops into a reliable starter then the Bills have the makings of a solid offense.

Will Also Consider:
DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida

12 Denver Broncos 12

Kenny Phillips
Safety
Miami (Florida)

Mike Shanahan never shies away from draft day deals and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him call New England about the seventh pick. At that slot they’d have a chance a Sedrick Ellis. At 12 they will not. Here they could go a number of ways with a LB or some offensive line help. However Phillips has the same amount of potential as his predecessors from Miami and could become a playmaker for the Broncos.

Will Also Consider:
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Sam Baker, OT, USC

13 Carolina Panthers 13

Sam Baker
Offensive Tackle
USC

Since John Fox was retained as coach I highly doubt that the Panthers will take a QB in the first round. Fox is on a win now mission and doesn’t have time to groom a QB. Jake Delhomme has great pocket presence and synergy with Steve Smith, something lacking from the Panthers other QBs after Delhomme was injured. Two areas are need are both lines. Baker worked through some injuries in 2007 causing his stock to drop a bit and fall behind Clady as the number two OT. He is still a strong prospect and has a lot of potential.

Will Also Consider:
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Florida)
Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida
Keith Rivers, LB, USC

14 Chicago Bears 14

Brian Brohm
Quarterback
Louisville

Rex Grossman and Brian Griese are so unpredictable and sporadic that it cost the Bears dearly this year. Though Grossman has expressed interest in returning the Bears should only do so if he is to be the backup. Brohm was the consensus number one QB entering 2007. After an average season he has fallen behind Ryan. The Bears would be crazy not to select a QB somewhere early in the draft. There could be a slew of prospects in round two, including Andre Woodson, Chad Henne, Joe Flacco, and John David Booty, but Brohm possesses better all around talent.

Will Also Consider:
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

15 Detroit Lions 15

Keith Rivers
Linebacker
USC

The Lions desperately need secondary help but unfortunately no prospects currently warrant the 15th pick. McKelvin may make his way up that far after his combine workouts but as of now he is a late first round selection. The Lions can choose Rivers and pair him with 2006 first rounder Ernie Sims to create a dynamic OLB duo. There will be plenty of secondary help available in round two.

Will Also Consider:
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

16 Arizona Cardinals 16

Derrick Harvey
Defensive End/Linebacker
Florida

Arizona is losing two of its starting LBs to free agency so at least one replacement is necessary if Calvin Pace or Karlos Dansby aren’t resigned. Harvey, a DE at Florida, could be wonderful rush LB in the 3-4 which is where the Cardinals seemed to be headed under the tutelage of Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt. Harvey is considered to be a better pro prospect than former teammate Jarvis Moss, who went 17th overall to the Broncos in the 2007 draft.

Will Also Consider:
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

17 Minnesota Vikings 17

DeSean Jackson
Wide Receiver
California

Unable to rectify their dismal secondary here, the Vikings can work at creating a dangerous offense (after they find a QB of course). Jackson can help stretch the field allowing even more running room for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. He will also upgrade the return game. Jackson is a better prospect than Ted Ginn was, who was selected 9th overall last year.

Will Also Consider:
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Florida)
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn

18 Houston Texans 18

Rashard Mendenhall
Running Back
Illinois

I don’t know whether to believe the hype surrounding Mendenhall. I watched him play a few times and wasn’t knocked over by his skill set. Sure he had a great junior season but will it be enough? Does he have the speed to produce in the NFL? The combine and campus workouts will prove a little more but I think the jury is still out on him. However, the Texans need a featured back and after McFadden the talent pool drops. Mendenhall or Jonathan Stewart will most likely be the second back selected.

Will Also Consider:
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

19 Philadelphia Eagles 19

Jeff Otah
Offensive Tackle
Pittsburgh

The Eagles should be looking for replacements for Jon Runyan and William ‘Tra’ Thomas. They could find one in Jeff Otah, a rising prospect from Pitt. After the performance of Winston Justice versus the Giants earlier this year the organization must realize that someone to groom is needed. Otah is that guy. He had a great year for the Panthers and may challenge Baker and Clady as the second lineman off the board. He is a mid- to late-1st round talent but has massive potential.

Will Also Consider:
Limas Sweed, WR, Oklahoma
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

Limas Sweed
Wide Receiver
Oklahoma

Michael Clayton had a phenomenal season as a rookie. Too bad that was in 2004. He was brought back to earth with injuries and inconsistent play over the last three seasons and is now the Buccaneers third WR. Their starters, Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard, though still productive, are on the wrong side of 30. Some new blood is needed and Sweed was a productive starter for Texas when he wasn’t injured. He is a bit slower than DeSean Jackson but runs better routes and is a threat in the red zone based on his size (6’4”, 219 lbs).

Will Also Consider:
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

21 Washington Redskins 21

Calais Campbell
Defensive End
Miami (Florida)

The Redskins need some help along both lines and at WR. The best value at this juncture lies with Campbell. He had a wonderful sophomore season in 2006 but regressed slightly this past year. If a team can unleash his true potential he could become a dominant DE. If Kelly, Jackson, or Sweed fall here it may be hard to overlook them.

Will Also Consider:
Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn

22 Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) 22

Leodis McKelvin
Cornerback
Troy

The Cowboys will have many options with this first pick since they have second one in another seven selections. The biggest areas of need in Dallas are CB, S, OT, and WR. McKelvin can immediately become the nickelback and could challenge, or supplant, Anthony Henry (who may be moved to safety). McKelvin could also upgrade the kick return game.

Will Also Consider:
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

James Hardy, WR, Indiana

23 Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Chris Williams
Offensive Tackle
Vanderbilt

Wow. What is available really does not fit the Steelers needs. They need interior lineman but none are worthy of a first round pick. If they take a tackle such as Williams they could slide Willie Colon into guard. The Steelers will also be searching for big DEs and more o-lineman. Some secondary help is also something to consider.

Will Also Consider:
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
Philip Merling, DE, Clemson

24 Tennessee Titans 24

Mario Manningham
Wide Receiver
Michigan

Surrounding Vince Young with weapons is a necessity. Manningham provides a vertical threat as well as a reliable red zone target. If a coaching staff can really get him fired up he could be a difference maker. The Titans will have a huge hole to fill if Albert Haynesworth leaves in free agency.

Will Also Consider:
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Early Doucet, WR, LSU

25 Seattle Seahawks 25

Jonathan Stewart
Running Back
Oregon

Shaun Alexander went from arguably the best back in the league in 2005 to an injured mess. Sub par seasons in 2006 and 2007 now have the Seahawks organization skeptical that he can regain his form. And he is now over 30, a bad omen for a rebound. I do not believe Alexander has completely lost it so drafting his heir apparent now would be brilliant. Stewart could be eased into the starting role over the next season or two (much like Ricky Watters did for Shaun).

Will Also Consider:
Fred Davis, TE, USC
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

26 San Diego Chargers 26

Dan Connor
Linebacker
Penn State

The Chargers need help at MLB and could take Connor and see if he can stand the punishment there. It also isn’t out of the question for them to look RB. This may sound crazy since they have the best back in the game but they are losing Michael Turner to free agency. You saw how much it mattered to have a capable backup in the Divisional Round game versus the Colts. Jones may sneak into the bottom of the first and it wouldn’t shock me if it was the Chargers making the selection (although there will be plenty of decent backups available in round three, when they pick again).

Will Also Consider:
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn

27 Jacksonville Jaguars 27

Quentin Groves
Defensive End
Auburn

The Jaguars are in desperate need of DE help. Bobby McCray is a free agent and Reggie Hayward never fully recovered from multiple injuries. Groves could start immediately and solidify a line that already features perennial Pro Bowlers John Henderson and Marcus Stroud.

Will Also Consider:
Philip Merling, DE, Clemson
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Pat Sims, DT, Auburn

28 Green Bay Packers 28

Ali Highsmith
Linebacker
LSU

Green Bay has a wonderful young core that will be dominant for as long as Brett Favre stays around. He has one ore two more years left in him. The Packers could really use some secondary help since Charles Woodson and Al Harris are on the wrong side of 30. No stud cornerbacks or safeties remain so they can shift their attention to offensive line depth or another linebacker. Ali Highsmith had a great year for the National Champions and could push Brady Poppinga for a starting OLB spot next to Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk.

Will Also Consider:
Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame

29 Dallas Cowboys 29

James Hardy
Wide Receiver
Indiana

The ‘Boys are back. A young WR is a necessity with T.O. aging and the health of Terry Glenn in question. Hardy is a big play WR. He has the tools to be a force in the NFL. He isn’t as fast as you would like but his build (6’ 5”, 218 lbs.) and hands may lead to a big career (if he can keep out of trouble). Terrell Owens, take two? Maybe. He could learn from the master this way. A tandem of Hardy and Crayton in the future would do well.

Will Also Consider:
Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

30 San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) 30

Early Doucet
Wide Receiver
LSU

The 49ers acquired this pick from the Colts during the 2007 draft. Bet they wish they had their original pick back (as does the rest of the NFL). But here they are. The 49ers need a WR and the best prospects are already gone (Jackson, Kelly, Sweed). Doucet is a speedster. He is a bit undersized and had problems staying healthy in 2007 but he possesses sure hands and can stretch the field vertically, something that should please Frank Gore.

Will Also Consider:
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma
Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

31 New York Giants 31

Kentwan Balmer
Defensive Tackle
North Carolina

Who honestly thought the G-Men would be playing in Super Bowl XLII? How about after they started 0-2 and surrendered almost 100 points? Didn’t think so. The team gelled well and will give the Cheatriots a tough time in Glendale. The team has a few weaknesses in the secondary but, again, no prospects are worthy of going here. The team could take a flier on Balmer who has flashed boatloads of potential only to disappear later. Putting a disruptive force in the middle will allow Umenyiora and Tuck even more time to attack opposing QBs.

Will Also Consider:
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma

32 New England Patriots 32

Forfeited

This selection has been forfeited by the Patriots as a consequence for taping signals of the New York Jets.

Will Also Consider:
Not Cheating Next Time
Additional Order of Hoodies
Gisele Bundchen




Round 2

Pick

Team

Player, Position, College

33

Miami Dolphins

Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

34

St. Louis Rams

Chilo Rachal, OG, USC

35

Oakland Raiders

Pat Sims, DT, Auburn

36

Atlanta Falcons

Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

37

Kansas City Chiefs

Philip Merling, DE, Clemson

38

New York Jets

Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

39

San Francisco 49ers

Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma

40

Baltimore Ravens

Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

41

Cincinnati Bengals

Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

42

New Orleans Saints

Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

43

Buffalo Bills

Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana

44

Denver Broncos

Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma

45

Carolina Panthers

Chad Henne, QB, Michigan

46

Chicago Bears

Jonathan Hefney, S, Tennessee

47

Detroit Lions

Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

48

Arizona Cardinals

Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia

49

Minnesota Vikings

Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

50

Atlanta Falcons
(Houston Texans)

Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas

51

Philadelphia Eagles

Marcus Griffin, S, Texas

52

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA

53

Washington Redskins

Branden Albert, OG, Virginia

54

Cleveland Browns

Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina

55

Pittsburgh Steelers

Justin King, CB, Penn State

56

Tennessee Titans

Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn

57

Seattle Seahawks

John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame

58

Miami Dolphins
(from San Diego Chargers)

Frank Okam, DT, Texas

59

Jacksonville Jaguars

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

60

Green Bay Packers

Trae Williams, CB, South Florida

61

Dallas Cowboys

Jordan Grimes, OG, Purdue

62

Indianapolis Colts

Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers

63

New York Giants

Thomas DeCoud, S, California

64

New England Patriots

Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech

Better Late Than Never?

So I woke up to a comment on my Ohio State Has No Class post. Ya know, the one I wrote three months ago. Below is the comment I received:
Boo fuckin' hoo! Crying over a fuckin' bed sheet. You should be more ticked off that The Ohio State University pounded your hapless Nittany Lions and your foot-in-the-grave coach.

Yeah, I also remember seeing the YouTube video of Penn State being classless assholes, too.

Remember, you shouldn't shit where you sleep, fucktard.
OK, just a couple of things. First off, way to be a man (or woman) and own up to leaving this comment. Posting as Anonymous? Wow. Way to punk out and not stand up for what you believe, as asinine and utterly ridiculous as it may be. Secondly, perhaps you missed this post that I wrote just two days later. That post detailed how an awful group of Penn State frat boys decided to throw cans at OSU fans. Guess what, I called them classless too (and for the record, the kid that threw the cans wasn't even a Penn State student, he was visiting from Pitt). Maybe you should have taken the time to read that before leaving your "thoughtful" comment. But most importantly, it's nice that you got the point that it was upsetting that the "bed sheet" was ruined because it was to be auctioned off for charity. It really shows that you, like some of your classless Buckeye fans, care. If you have no dignity and can't show respect then stay away from this blog.