Wednesday, March 12, 2008

2008 NFL Mock Draft, Version 6.0 (now with THREE rounds)

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 Miami Dolphins 1

Jake Long
Offensive Tackle
Michigan

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.

I do not see the Dolphins taking Matt Ryan. Ryan is completely overhyped and his play in the weak ACC does not stand out. He is benefiting from an extremely weak class of QBs, in terms of first round potential. This is a solid mid-round class, where as many as seven QBs could be taken between round two and five. Ryan may be the best of the bunch but he still is not worthy of a Top 20 pick, let alone the number one.

Will Also Consider:
Chris Long, DE/LB, Virginia
Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

2 St. Louis Rams 2

Chris Long
Defensive End
Virginia

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 Nebraska.

Will Also Consider:
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

3 Atlanta Falcons 3

Matt Ryan
Quarterback
Boston College

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 Atlanta’s roster are Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, and D.J. Shockley. Mike Vick is in prison and Byron Leftwich was released and is still a free agent. If they take Ryan he should sit on the bench for at least the first 8-10 games. By then the Falcons may have won two games and it is time to see what Ryan can do. The best case scenario would be Ryan sitting the whole year. But can a franchise be trusted to Harrington and Redman? Perhaps for one more year. Then it is Ryan’s team in 2009.

Will Also Consider:
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

4 Oakland Raiders 4

Glenn Dorsey
Defensive Tackle
LSU

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).

This pick could easily be McFadden since we know Al Davis loves the physical specimens. Teaming McFadden with Russell would give the Raiders a very young offensive core and could be dangerous to stop in the next year or two. But the Raiders have Justin Fargas (recently re-signed), LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes, and Michael Bush. Rhodes just renegotiated his deal so he is unlikely to be released before the draft. Jordan could be but that still leaves three capable backs.

Will Also Consider:
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State

5 Kansas City Chiefs 5

Leodis McKelvin
Cornerback
Troy State

The kid from Troy State has been shooting up draft boards after amazing performances at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. As teams continue to evaluate prospects and watch more film, McKelvin will continue to rise and I wouldn’t be shocked if he went as highs as five. The Chiefs are poised to release veteran Ty Law and need some youthful CBs. The bonus you get with McKelvin is a dynamite return specialist as well. This pick really kills two birds with one stone and gives the Chiefs a playmaker in their secondary.

The Chiefs desperately need offensive linemen but this draft is stocked with quality OTs. Why stretch and get one here when you can get a solid one at the top of round two?

Will Also Consider:
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

6 New York Jets 6

Vernon Gholston
Defensive End/Linebacker
Ohio State

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 Cincinnati (Sedrick Ellis) or Dallas (Darren McFadden). But I won’t be doing any trades here so the Jets must pick. And they’ll take Gholston to solidify their LB corps in their 3-4.

Will Also Consider:
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

7 New England Patriots (from San Francisco) 7

Darren McFadden
Running Back
Arkansas

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 Ohio State. Or if the Jets don’t trade with a team looking to grab McFadden look for a bunch of teams (Dallas, Detroit, Houston) to be calling the Patriots to move up and grab him...which is what I am technically having here. Even though the Patriots grabbing McFadden and keeping him would piss off the rest of the NFL, the Patriots actually have needs to fill (primarily at linebacker and cornerback). McFadden is simply trade bait; he could bring in Dallas' two first rounders or at least a first and a second from someone.

Will Also Consider:
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. State
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
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 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:
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. State
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

9 Cincinnati Bengals 9

Sedrick Ellis
Defensive Tackle
USC

A player that Cincinnati has been rumored to love actually falls to them?!?! I don’t know if Ellis will fall this far but, if he did, the Bengals would be happy. They have a plethora of needs on defense with the losses of DE Justin Smith (49ers), S Madieu Williams (Vikings), and LB Landon Johnson (Panthers). Plus they weren’t very good to begin with on defense. Ellis would fill a big hole at DT. Even if they trade for or sign Dewayne Robertson form the Jets, Ellis would still be a great pick. This pick will be for the D…so should their second round selection.

Will Also Consider:
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Derrick Harvey, DE/LB, Florida
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

10 New Orleans Saints 10

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Cornerback
Tennessee State

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 New Orleans’ scheme and are nothing more than a good number two AT BEST. Both probably are nickel or dimebacks. DRC is a great value here.

Will Also Consider:
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

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. Keith Rivers is a big option here but the recent signing of Kawika Mitchell lessens the need.

Will Also Consider:
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Derrick Harvey, DE/LB, Florida
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

12 Denver Broncos 12

Chris Williams
Offensive Tackle
Vanderbilt

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 at Sedrick Ellis. At 12 they will not. At 12 they could go a number of ways with a LB or some offensive line help. Williams is the best value at this juncture and will immediately play in 2008. Rivers is a storng alternative but the Broncos really need a stud MLB not another OLB.

Will Also Consider:
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Derrick Harvey, DE/LB, Florida

13 Carolina Panthers 13

Kentwan Balmer
Defensive Tackle
North Carolina

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.

Will Also Consider:
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
Derrick Harvey, DE/LB, Florida

14 Chicago Bears 14

Jeff Otah
Offensive Tackle
Pittsburgh

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:
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

15 Detroit Lions 15

Keith Rivers
Linebacker
USC

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 Denver and Teddy Lehman in Tampa Bay. Keith Rivers would look great opposite Ernie Sims and give the Lions a great LB duo. If they can snag the oft-injured Al Wilson from free agency, they could have a nice trip on their hands.

Will Also Consider:
Derrick Harvey, DE/LB, Florida
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

16 Arizona Cardinals 16

Derrick Harvey
Defensive End/Linebacker
Florida

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 Arizona’s scheme perfectly. Harvey is considered a netter prospect than former Gator teammate Jarvis Moss was a year ago.

Will Also Consider:
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

17 Minnesota Vikings 17

Phillip Merling
Defensive End
Clemson

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:
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Florida)
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)

18 Houston Texans 18

Rashard Mendenhall
Running Back
Illinois

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 Davis) strong season in 2004. Mendenhall has great combination of speed and size and could do wonders for Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The Texans may be on the cusp of breaking .500 and a solid running game could do it for them. However, the need for secondary help could trump Mendenhall. In this nock Talib is still available so the Texans may want to grab him since Dunta Robinson may not be back until mid-season…if at all (due to his ACL tear).

Will Also Consider:
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

19 Philadelphia Eagles 19

DeSean Jackson
Wide Receiver
California

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:
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Florida)
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

Limas Sweed
Wide Receiver
Texas

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 could really provide Garcia with a reliable target. Sweed could be eased in to the offense while Galloway and Hilliard stick around for another year or two.

The Buccaneers defense is starting to show signs of age. Brian Kelly is gone and Derrick Brooks will be 35 at the start of the 2008 season. Perhaps a replacement is in order? Dan Connor would make a fantastic WLB in the Bucs Tampa-2 scheme. He could learn from Brooks and be poised to take over within the next one or two years. He could also spell Brooks and June at SLB. Barrett Ruud is cemented inside and Connor could make a great young LB tandem.

Will Also Consider:
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Florida)
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

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. The offensive tackle prospects capable of going in the first are gone, save for Sam Baker. Durability questions and not working out at the combine have hurt his stock and he may slide into round two. The only other o-line option is guard Branden Albert.

Will Also Consider:
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
Branden Albert, OG, Virginia

22 Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) 22

Mike Jenkins
Cornerback
South Florida

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:
Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

23 Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Branden Albert
Offensive Guard
Virginia

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. Pittsburgh is his best chance. The Steelers may take as many as three o-linemen in the 2008 draft.

Will Also Consider:
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

24 Tennessee Titans 24

Mario Manningham
Wide Receiver
Michigan

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:
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

25 Seattle Seahawks 25

Devin Thomas
Wide Receiver
Michigan State

Bye bye Shaun. With the signing of T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, Alexander’s days in Seattle may be numbered. What a huge difference two years makes. At this time in 2006 the Seahawks were thinking of a second trip to the Super Bowl behind their feature back. Unfortunately Shaun was injured for basically all of 2006 and really did nothing in 2007. He looked slow and hesitant. Duckett and Jones have been brought in and Shaun’s days are numbered. Perhaps the smart move here would be to draft Alexander’s long term replacement. After all, Duckett is on his 4th team in four years and Jones couldn’t beat out Marion Barber. They don’t seem to be more than two year stopgaps. But I think Seattle’s management will wait another year to actually grab a rookie feature back…even though drafting home grown talent Jonathan Stewart is what the fans want.

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:
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Sam Baker, OT, USC

26 Jacksonville Jaguars 26

Quentin Groves
Defensive End
Auburn

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 Auburn’s Pat Sims. Rotating Henderson, Kennedy, Sims, and Meier would keep them all fresh and active. But Jacksonville has bigger needs at DE, where they recently lost Bobby McCray (Saints). Paul Spicer is aging and Reggie Hayward is injury prone. Groves would be a young pass rusher capable of taking over full time in 2009.

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 Taylor is aging and Jones-Drew is not an every down back. A complement will be needed soon. Not necessarily this year but if a talent like Stewart falls this far you have to consider him.

Will Also Consider:
Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

27 San Diego Chargers 27

Pat Sims
Defensive Tackle
Auburn

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:
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

28 Dallas Cowboys 28

Jonathan Stewart
Running Back

Oregon

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:
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
James Hardy, WR, Indiana

29 San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) 29

James Hardy
Wide Receiver
Indiana

San Francisco has no young WR threats. They have old ones that are overrated (Darrell Jackson, Isaac Bruce), but no young ones. Someone like James Hardy could do wonders for Alex Smith. The coaching staff must keep Hardy down to earth and force him to behave. That shouldn’t be a problem for Nolan, especially with Isaac Bruce around. If Hardy can control himself and become a student of the game he could be as great as Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens.

Will Also Consider:
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)

30 Green Bay Packers 30

Aqib Talib
Cornerback
Kansas

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 Baltimore or Chicago, wants to trade back into round one to grab Brohm, they should contact the Packers. The Packers will also look into replacing Brady Poppinga with Connor or find a replacement for their aging OTs.

Will Also Consider:
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

31 New England Patriots 31

Forfeited

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

Will Also Consider:
Matt Walsh
Not Cheating Next Time
Additional Order of Hoodies

32 New York Giants 32

Dan Connor
Linebacker
Penn State

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 (Miami) and Kawika Mitchell (Buffalo). They also could use more secondary help. The addition of Sammy Knight alleviates the need to grab Kenny Phillips. Connor will step in and start at WLB immediately.

Will Also Consider:
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami Florida
Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech



ROUND 2

Pick

Team

Player, Position, College

33

Miami Dolphins

Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)

34

St. Louis Rams

Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

35

Oakland Raiders

Sam Baker, OT, USC

36

Kansas City Chiefs

Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

37

New York Jets

Fred Davis, TE, USC

38

Atlanta Falcons

Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska

39

Baltimore Ravens

Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

40

San Francisco 49ers

Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

41

New Orleans Saints

Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame

42

Buffalo Bills

Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana

43

Denver Broncos

Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma

44

Carolina Panthers

Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

45

Chicago Bears

Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

46

Detroit Lions

Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue

47

Cincinnati Bengals

Erin Henderson, LB, Maryland

48

Minnesota Vikings

Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue

49

Atlanta Falcons
(from Houston)

Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma

50

Philadelphia Eagles

Early Doucet, WR, LSU

51

Arizona Cardinals

Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

52

Washington Redskins

Chilo Rachal, OG, USC

53

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

54

Pittsburgh Steelers

Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas

55

Tennessee Titans

Mike Pollak, C, Arizona State

56

Seattle Seahawks

John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame

57

Green Bay Packers
(from Cleveland)

Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU

58

Miami Dolphins
(from San Diego)

Chad Henne, QB, Michigan

59

Jacksonville Jaguars

DeJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina State

60

Indianapolis Colts

Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State

61

Green Bay Packers

Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech

62

Dallas Cowboys

Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida

63

New England Patriots

Darrell Robertson, DE/LB, Georgia Tech

64

New York Giants

Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU

ROUND 3

65

Miami Dolphins

Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn

66

St. Louis Rams

Tavares Gooden, LB, Miami (Florida)

67

Kansas City Chiefs

Steve Justice, C, Wake Forest

68

Carolina Panthers
(from NY Jets)

Thomas DeCoud, S, California

69

Atlanta Falcons

Tony Hills, OT, Texas

70

New England Patriots
(from Oakland)

Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa

71

San Francisco 49ers

Chris Ellis, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech

72

Jacksonville Jaguars
(from Baltimore via Buffalo)

Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas

73

Buffalo Bills

Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech

74

Minnesota Vikings
(from Denver)

Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

75

Carolina Panthers

Heath Benedict, OG, Newberry

76

Chicago Bears

John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame

77

Detroit Lions

Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas

78

Cincinnati Bengals

Marcus Griffin, S, Texas

79

New Orleans Saints

Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas

80

Houston Texans

Justin King, CB, Penn State

81

Philadelphia Eagles

Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan

82

Arizona Cardinals

Terrell Thomas, CB, USC

83

Minnesota Vikings

Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California

84

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

John David Booty, QB, USC

85

Washington Redskins

Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt

86

Tennessee Titans

Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State

87

Seattle Seahawks

Dre Moore, DT, Maryland

88

Detroit Lions
(from Cleveland)

Jack Williams, CB, Kent State

89

Pittsburgh Steelers

Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M

90

Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike McGlynn, OG, Pittsburgh

91

Chicago Bears
(from San Diego)

Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers

92

Green Bay Packers

Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M

93

Dallas Cowboys

John Greco, OT, Toledo

94

Indianapolis Colts

Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State

95

New England Patriots

Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina

96

New York Giants

Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech



5 comments:

Steely McDonati said...

Ryan Clady cloned himself?

J Mays said...

I think I fixed everything. Do you like the Steelers picks?

E, do you like the Jets picks?

Anonymous said...

Where is McPhadden in this. Im not a huge fan of him but Im guessing he will be drafted in the first 3 rounds.

Anonymous said...

only problem is the saints had a top 10 run defense last year. good call though

J Mays said...

Sorry. Atrocious for the Saints run defense was a bad word. The Saints were average (13th in league, 102.9 rush yards/game).