It has been two months since I last created a mock draft. A lot has changed in those eight weeks. We had the overkill on analysis at the combine and a few of the University's Pro Day workouts for the prospects. Players have become better or worse prospects. I will update my mock draft two more times prior to the draft on April 26th. Version 7 should be released in early April while Version 8 will be released just a few days prior to the draft. I will also be live blogging while I watch the draft. Expect predictions and analysis all day on Saturday. The 2008 NFL Draft starts at 3pm on Saturday, April 26th. Without further ado...
1 | |
Jake Long | The Dolphins biggest weakness is currently the offensive line. They released starting RT L.J. Shelton and backups Anthony Alabi and Joe Toledo. Vernon Carey is underrated at LT but may be best suited for the right side, where he can show off his stronger run blocking abilities. Jake Long is a poor man’s Joe Thomas. Thomas graded higher in almost all categories last year than Long did this year. Each OT is a monster. With the Dolphins large need along the o-line and the fact that Jason Taylor is still a Dolphin, Jake is the pick over Chris. If Taylor and/or Joey Porter is traded/released, then Chris will more than likely be the pick.
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2 | |
Chris Long | Chris Long falls to the Rams and they are more than happy to take him. Long is a bit undersized to play DE in a 3-4 so he is a perfect fit for the Rams 4-3. With 2007 first rounder Adam Carriker inside at DT, teamed with 2007 fifth round selection Clifton Ryan, and now Long on the outside, the Rams have a young and formidable defensive line. Long may start as a rookie and will certainly be in the DE rotation with Leonard Little and James Hall. One of the prominent DT’s could go here, allowing Carriker to move back to DE, his position at Will Also Consider: |
3 | |
Matt Ryan | Despite my dislike of Matt Ryan, some team will be foolish enough to take Ryan in the Top 10. And he will set the franchise back five years. It seems more and more likely that it will be the Falcons. The current QBs on Will Also Consider: |
4 | |
Glenn Dorsey | The Raiders are an interesting pick because no one really knows what Al Davis is thinking…ever. Dorsey and McFadden are arguably the most talented prospects in the 2008 draft and neither has been selected. Until now. Both most likely will not slip past the Raiders. In terms of need, the Raiders should go DT. Warren Sapp has retired and Tommy Kelly, who was just signed to a very lucrative contract, is returning from an ACL tear. The Raiders defense struggled in 2007 after being one of the best in 2006. They had a rough time stopping the run. Dorsey can help immediately (as long as he stays healthy). Will Also Consider: |
5 | |
Leodis McKelvin | The kid from
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6 | |
| The Jets are a bit of a mystery due to their recent splurging in the free agent pool. They filled one of their OLB positions with Calvin Pace. They acquired a nose tackle (Kris Jenkins) and added to more cogs to their offensive line (Alan Faneca and Damien Woody). They could use more offensive line help, primarily at RG and another young tackle. But the FA signings let them look elsewhere for the time being. And it isn’t at RB. The Jets have Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, as well as Jesse Chatman (another FA signee). This probably means no McFadden. So where do the Jets turn? Honestly I think it means a trade, most likely with Will Also Consider: |
7 New England Patriots (from | |
Darren McFadden | If a team were to trade up with the Jets and Gholston falls to seven I don’t think the Patriots will hesitate to snag the man from Will Also Consider: |
8 | |
Ryan Clady | 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 but no QBs are available here. 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 Rodgers-Cromartie or Talib. Will Also Consider: |
9 | |
Sedrick Ellis | A player that Will Also Consider: |
10 | |
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | So the Saints drastically underachieved as I assumed they would. Their defense was atrocious in 2007 and did not give their offense any help at all. They have brought in two new MLBs (trade for Jonathan Vilma, signed FA Dan Morgan) which should improve a dreadful run defense. They have no glaring needs for a DE. They could use a DT such as Kentwan Balmer but the organization may feel burned from the disaster that was Johnathan Sullivan. LB Keith Rivers or CBs Talib could also be the choice but DRC is rising up draft boards just like McKelvin. Even though the Saints have signed free agent CBs the past two offseasons (Jason David in 2007 and Randall Gay in 2008) neither truly fits
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11 | |
Malcolm Kelly | 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
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12 | |
Chris Williams | Mike Shanahan never shies away from draft day deals and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him call Will Also Consider: |
13 | |
Kentwan Balmer | The Panthers need an heir apparent to the aging Jake Delhomme but with Coach John Fox back for at least one more year the Panthers can, and will, wait to grab him. The Panthers need some help along the defensive line and in the secondary. With the trade of Kris Jenkins to the Jets, there is a huge void at DT. Ma’ake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis are only slightly above average and have reached their peak. A youthful player is needed and Balmer has the talent to sufficiently replace Jenkins. The end positions could use some addressing with the loss of Mike Rucker but the Panthers signed Tyler Brayton and are high on the potential of Charles Johnson. Despite his awful year in 2007, Julius Peppers is still a force.
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14 | |
Jeff Otah | Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton were resigned meaning that the bears will not be taking a QB in round one. The Bears biggest need is along the offensive line. The starters are getting older and they played very inconsistently in 2007. Fred Miller was released so there is a hole at tackle. Otah is a bit raw but most likely start immediately. Some experts think the Bears will take another RB to challenge Cedric Benson. I think that is a waste. Not many RBs should be taken early and this draft is deep. If the Bears really want to take another back, do so in round three where you could get great value in Ray Rice or Mike Hart. Will Also Consider: |
15 | |
Keith Rivers | The Lions addressed some of their secondary needs by acquiring Leigh Bodden in the Shaun Rogers trade and signing former Buccaneer Brian Kelly. They may be able to pass with these additions for now. They should add a young CB but could do that in round two. The Lions should focus on their defensive front seven. The loss of Shaun Rogers will hurt. Linebacker depth is also a question with Boss Bailey in
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16 | |
Derrick Harvey | The Cardinals are a 3-4 team now and just lost two linebackers (starter Calvin Pace and backup Daryl Blackstock). They could really use a replacement. Derrick Harvey is an ideal rush OLB candidate and would fit
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17 | |
Phillip Merling | With the signing of Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams the Vikings have eliminated to areas of need at WR and S. Sure they could use some depth but I would be surprised if they used a day one pick on those positions. After numerous first round picks on Des they may go that way again. Kenechi Udeze, Ray Edwards, and Erasmus James all have potential but none have provided the constant pass rush the Vikings need. What makes matters worse is James is always injured and Udeze is fighting cancer. Merling has slowly risen up boards and could go even higher in April. Will Also Consider: |
18 | |
Rashard Mendenhall | Some draft analysts are saying tha Mendenhall has significantly closed the gap on Darren McFadden and is just as good a prospect. I don’t know about that. He has cemented himself in the first round but I don’t know if he is better than Darren. The Texans have lacked a great running game since Domanick Williams’ (formerly
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19 | |
DeSean Jackson | The Eagles should be looking for replacements for Jon Runyan and William ‘Tra’ Thomas but there are no candidates left worthy of the 19th pick. Despite Andy Reid's obsession with big men in the early rounds, he should grab a receiver here. Jackson is a more polished receiver than Ted Ginn was a year ago (9th to Miami). Jackson fills the need for more playmakers on offense, something Donovan McNabb craves. Will Also Consider: |
20 | |
| 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 Will Also Consider: |
21 | |
| The Redskins need some help along both lines and at WR. The best value at this juncture lies with Will Also Consider: |
22 | |
Mike Jenkins | The Cowboys will be looking for some secondary help. Terence Newman is a great number one but Anthony Henry is declining and may be better suited as a nickelback or safety. Jenkins probably doesn't fall this far in April. He has the shut down skills that some teams love. Jenkins would allow Henry to be primarily a nickelback and help solidify the Cowboys weakness in '07, pass coverage. Will Also Consider: |
23 | |
Branden Albert | The Steelers will be searching for offensive line help. Unfortunately for them a lot of teams are. The premiere OTs are gone by pick 23 so they look to the interior where the just lost stalwart Alan Faneca. Albert has been slowly on the rise and may squeak into the first round. Will Also Consider: |
24 | |
Mario Manningham | Surrounding Vince Young with weapons is a necessity. Manningham provides a vertical threat, something currently missing in Tennessee. Roydell Williams and Brandon Jones are being asked to do too much. They are adequate 2nd and 3rd receivers but not a huge threat. Manningham can be. He needs some fine tuning but with the right coaching he could thrive. Jeff Fisher is a coach that can bring the best our of his players. Will Also Consider: |
25 | |
Devin Thomas | Bye bye Shaun. With the signing of T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, Alexander’s days in Deion Branch hasn’t done a lot for Matt Hasselbeck. D.J. Hackett is a free agent and Bobby Engram is a great slot WR but not much else. Adding Thomas would give this offense a shot in the arm. A trio of Branch, Thomas, and Engram would do wonders for Hasselbeck and the new running game of Duckett and Jones. Will Also Consider: |
26 | |
Quentin Groves | The Jaguars really don’t have any glaring weaknesses. They have stocked the WR position with the additions of Troy Williamson and Jerry Porter. They re-signed Maurice Williams. The defensive front seven may be the weak spot. I am told the Jaguars are high on their young LBs so they’ll pass on Dan Connor, though they will still consider him. They traded Marcus Stroud but signed Jimmy Kennedy. Kennedy is a rotational guy and never lived up to his first round status (Rams, 2003). That’s why the Jaguars could reach and grab Also I think, if Stewart fell this far, every team would consider him. The Jaguars have a great ground game with Jones-Drew and Taylor but Will Also Consider: |
27 | |
Pat Sims | The Charges don’t have any glaring needs. Depth is an issue however. Jamal Williams is aging and there aren’t any suitable replacements. There is little depth at DE as well. I have them selecting Sims, who is a DT, but the Chargers will move him to DE in their 3-4. Olshansky and Castillo, both DTs in college as well, usually do not make it through an entire 16 game season plus playoffs. Adding Sims at DE adds quality depth. The Chargers really need an ILB for their scheme but no one available fits. Connor is undersized. Their best bet is to snag Jerod Mayo or Curtis Lofton in round two...but they don't pick again until round five. Based on their needs and the few picks they have, San Diego is a good candidate to trade down to a team that wants to secure Brian Brohm (Baltimore? Carolina? Chicago?). San Diego needs more picks. Will Also Consider: |
28 | |
Jonathan Stewart | Here is evidence that you do not always have to panic and trade draft picks to fill a need. Who would have guessed that Stewart is available this late? Stewart fits quite well for the Cowboys. He is a string more powerful finesse runner and will fill the spot vacated by Julius Jones. Marion Barber has never carried the full load so why would he start now? Plus, Barber is a bruiser which will wear him down quickly. Stewart provides the home run threat Jerry Jones craves. It is like a match made in heaven…at a discounted rate! Will Also Consider: |
29 | |
James Hardy | Will Also Consider: |
30 | |
| The CBs seem to be sliding a little, which makes teams like the Cowboys and now the Packers extremely happy. Talib can learn from two premiere, albeit old, shutdown corners. Talib will be a nickelback as a rookie but provide needed depth and security for the future. The Packers have very few glaring weaknesses so if a team, say Will Also Consider: |
31 | |
Forfeited | This selection has been forfeited by the Patriots as a consequence for taping signals of the New York Jets.
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32 | |
Dan Connor | I still can’t believe the Giants beat the Patriots. Wow. Anyway, the Giants have holes to fill on their defense with the defections of Reggie Torbor (
Will Also Consider: |
ROUND 2
Pick | Team | Player, Position, College |
33 | | Kenny Phillips, S, |
34 | | Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech |
35 | | Sam Baker, OT, USC |
36 | | Gosder Cherilus, OT, |
37 | | Fred Davis, TE, USC |
38 | | Carl Nicks, OT, |
39 | | Brian Brohm, QB, |
40 | | Jerod Mayo, LB, |
41 | | Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame |
42 | | Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana |
43 | | Curtis Lofton, LB, |
44 | | |
45 | | Joe Flacco, QB, |
46 | | Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue |
47 | | Erin Henderson, LB, |
48 | | Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue |
49 |
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50 | | Early Doucet, WR, LSU |
51 | | Felix Jones, RB, |
52 | | Chilo Rachal, OG, USC |
53 | | Antoine Cason, CB, |
54 | | Anthony Collins, OT, |
55 | | Mike Pollak, C, |
56 | | John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame |
57 |
| Ali Highsmith, LB, |
58 |
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59 | | DeJuan Morgan, S, |
60 | | Roy Schuening, OG, |
61 | | Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech |
62 | | Andre Caldwell, WR, |
63 | | Darrell Robertson, DE/LB, Georgia Tech |
64 | | Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU |
ROUND 3 | ||
65 | | Patrick Lee, CB, |
66 | | Tavares Gooden, LB, |
67 | | Steve Justice, C, |
68 |
| Thomas DeCoud, S, California |
69 | | |
70 |
| Charles Godfrey, CB, |
71 | | Chris Ellis, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech |
72 |
| Marcus Harrison, DT, |
73 | | Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech |
74 |
| Andre Woodson, QB, |
75 | | Heath Benedict, OG, Newberry |
76 | | John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame |
77 | | Jamaal Charles, RB, |
78 | | Marcus Griffin, S, |
79 | | Jermichael Finley, TE, |
80 | | Justin King, CB, |
81 | | Jason Jones, DE, |
82 | | Terrell Thomas, CB, USC |
83 | | Lavelle Hawkins, WR, |
84 | | John David Booty, QB, USC |
85 | | Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt |
86 | | Letroy Guion, DT, |
87 | | Dre Moore, DT, |
88 |
| Jack Williams, CB, |
89 | | Red Bryant, DT, |
90 | | Mike McGlynn, OG, |
91 |
| Ray Rice, RB, |
92 | | Martellus Bennett, TE, |
93 | | John Greco, OT, |
94 | | Jordy Nelson, WR, |
95 | | Chris Johnson, RB, |
96 | | Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech |
5 comments:
Ryan Clady cloned himself?
I think I fixed everything. Do you like the Steelers picks?
E, do you like the Jets picks?
Where is McPhadden in this. Im not a huge fan of him but Im guessing he will be drafted in the first 3 rounds.
only problem is the saints had a top 10 run defense last year. good call though
Sorry. Atrocious for the Saints run defense was a bad word. The Saints were average (13th in league, 102.9 rush yards/game).
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