2008 NFL Mock Draft, v5

FIRST ROUND


1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long, DE, Virginia


The big decision for the Tuna Company will be whether or not to build the foundation with a new QB, new DT or new DE. The fact that Parcell's loves a strong defense and an especially strong pass rushing attack would indicate he may favor DE Long. But Parcells has also made 3 QB's his first picks in previous drafts (Simms, Testaverde & Bledsoe) so he could start the Dolphins over on offense. And will Parcells go with the 3-4 defense? If so, that pretty much cancels out a Glen Dorsey pick. I'll go with defense because I think Parcells is looking at snatching Tim Tebow as the QB of the future in the next draft, so he will opt to get strong on defense and ride it out at QB with Green or another FA.



2. St. Louis Rams - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.


The Rams need a serious pass rusher who can also help stop the run. Gholston races up the charts after an outstanding combine and becomes the second DE in a row taken in the draft, especially after the Giants showed what can happen with great pressure on a QB.




3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas


I cannot see the Falcons passing on a potentially fast, powerful backfield of McFadden and Jerious Norwood, not to mention veteran Warrick Dunn. They can pick up a QB in the next round, then work on the defense while adding offensive lineman as well.




4. Oakland Raiders - Glen Dorsey, DT, Miami


The franchise QB will have growing pains and he will need protection and receivers. But the Raiders can't let a prospect like Dorsey go. So they take Dorsey here and then will work to get the offensive tackle position and receiver positions addressed in later rounds. The worry about not taking Jake Long here is the protection of Russell. But if you can't stop the other team Russell is likely always playing without a lead.




5. Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long, OT, Michigan



The QB's cannot be any good at all without protection or a running game. They have to have extremely talented offensive lineman to do both. It's a no-brainer pick to me with limited, top-rated OT's at a premium. The Chiefs get a gift with Long falling in their laps here. True, they need a defensive end and a corner, but they can't move the ball without quality up front. Not moving the ball means the defense stays on the field much too long and eventually leads to season-ending injuries, while games lost in the 4th Qtr. pile up.




6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC



The speed of Ellis, especially as it relates to inside pass rushing, puts him just ahead of Dorsey in a fit for the NY Jets. Plus Dorsey is a prototypical 4-3 DT. The Jets were 30th in total yards allowed per game in 2007 and were especially atrocious against the run. They need help on the defensive line and at outside linebacker. I'm thinking that rotating Ellis and Robertson at the DT positions, it helps both in to stay healthy and fresh. It also allows Ellis to learn the ropes. This would help DE Shaun Ellis and Coleman on the outside too, as the Jets could later add depth at DE and help in the rotation on the edge with Ellis, Coleman and Mosely. But there's no doubt defense is a main theme in April, but it must start up front.


7. N.E. Patriots (from SF) - Derrick Harvey, DE/LB, Florida



The Pats need to revitalize their LB corps, and might be able to utilize Harvey as an OLB while having him fill in on occassion as an outside pass rusher at DE. Great versatility here with this pick, coming at a time when New England's only big problem is the aging backer corps.





8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College



The Ravens could potentially role the dice here and continue to hope the trio of McNair, Boller and Troy Smith will be enough for now. But other than Calais Campbell or Mike Jenkins, the Ravens really have no other first round value pick that matches up with a high enough need than does Matt Ryan. Look for the Ravens to say "Sayanora" to McNair, and have Ryan battle it out with Boller and Smith.




9. Cincinnati Bengals - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami



Could also be Kentwaan Balmer here, but I think Campbell is the more certain pick. With the Bengals, EVERYTHING in this draft will be about defense - except for the one pick they must make at the tight end position. And there should be some good tight ends in later rounds.




10. New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, So. Florida



Tough call here between a CB and DT Balmer, and it could go either way. I am going with cornerback because I just can't get those pictures of hopeless Jason David out of my mind. Now David isn't done, he just needs to be in that system a little longer and find his niche. Enter Mike Jenkins, who runs a 4.4 40 and is 6'0", 200 lbs. What's more, Jenkins could end up helping the Saints on special teams as a kick/punt returner rather than risking injury with Reggie Bush. The Saints desperately need a solid secondary to help New Orleans slow down opponents. To be sure, this will be one of many defensive picks for the Saints, unless they shop in FA.





11. Buffalo Bills - Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma



Adding a speedy, big wideout will help the Bills offense increase it's potential explosive force exponentially. A defensive tackle, cornerback and linebacker are needs too, but the ability to put points on the board within the same division as New England is the most important. Kelly will help that cause, creating multiple weapons for opposing defenses to try and defend.





12. Denver Broncos - Kentwaan Balmer, DT, N.C.


Stuffing the run and creating a more stingy defense is their primary consideration in this draft. They also need a pick at wideout and safety, as well as linebacker, but starting in the middle of the defensive line with Balmer will start them off in the right direction.




13. Carolina Panthers - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.



I'm torn between the offensive line and safety for Carolina, especially seeing a talent like Kenny Phillips available. Seems to me that a safety will likely be available in the second round and not a top level OT, so the Panthers go with Clady here.




14. Chicago Bears - Gosder Cherilus, OT, BC



Huge, very athletic OT helps the Bears solidify the offensive line and offer more protection for whomever they finally decide to put in at QB. Other than running back, the Bears will need better depth and production out of their offensive line.





15. Detroit Lions - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona



The passing defense of Detroit was horrid and must be addressed in the draft. They finished 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed and forced the Lions away from any chance at a running game to balance a prolific passing offense. It forced Jon Kitna and company to always play catch-up or to score on every drive. Look for one more pick in the next two rounds at corner, with adds at linebacker and the offensive line.




16. Arizona Cardinals - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh



The Cards have little protection for the QB, which spells doom for this highly charged offense. What's more, the offensive line is not doing the job in the running game as well. This pick is a bigger need than defensive end and must be addressed in the first round.





17. Minnesota Vikings - James Hardy, WR, Indiana


This pick is clearly dependent on the type of combine Hardy has, but with his size and quickness, this could be the answer the Vikes need at the wideout position. Philip Merling could be the pick at defensive end here if Hardy doesn't excel at the combine, and then Minnesota might be able to pick him up in round two.




18. Houston Texans - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois


The guy is flat-out good. Catches the ball, is fast, strong and patient enough to wait for his blockers to create the holes. And his burst through the hole is exciting. Unless the Texans decide an offensive tackle trumps a running back (which it may), Mendenhall is too valuable a pick to miss out on.





19. Philadelphia Eagles - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

The Eagles need up front defensive pressure as well as upgrades in the linebacking unit and secondary. Lawrence Jackson, DE, from Southern Cal may be the pick here instead.




20. Tampa Bay Bucs - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt


I was thinking more about a wideout with this pick, but the Bucs cannot afford to miss out on a top OT. They can probably find a suitable receiver in the next couple of rounds, so they go with Williams with this selection. Unless, of course, they find a good candidate in free agency. In that case, this is a definite wide receiver pick.






21. Washington Redskins - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

Washington needs several improvements in their defensive line and Merling should be a good starting point. It's possible Devin Thomas, the wideout from Michigan State, could be the selection here. The Skins also need some depth in the offensive line.





22. Dallas Cowboys (Cleve.) - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

The secondary help is a MUST for the first pick, and they could even go CB in the next pick of the first round. Another Troy alumni helps give the Cowboys stability in the secondary.






23. Seattle Seahawks - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

He will be the eventual heir to Shaun Alexander as the Holmgren era comes to an end following the upcoming season. Coach-in-waiting Jim Mora is already licking his chops.





24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sam Baker, OT, USC

Just what the Steelers needed to help make certain Parker still has the blocking he needs to break off the long one. Along with offensive line reinforcement, the Steelers will look to bolster the corners and need to find an explosive wideout. Devin Thomas or Early Doucet could go here, but I have a hunch the offensive line is the pick.



25. Tennessee Titans - Devin Thomas, WR, MSU

This is the sleeper of the wideout position, which may not last much longer than the combine. Thomas has the perfect size, strength and speed to be a consistently solid WR in the pros. Think of him as a slightly taller version of Reggie Wayne. The Titans could be forced to look for a DT if Haynesworth isn't re-signed, but I don't think Fisher will allow that to happen. Even if Haynesworth is back, the Titans still need to add some depth at DT in order to rotate Albert in and out along with Vickerson.





26. J'ville Jaguars - Reggie Smith, S/CB, Oklahoma





27. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Although the Cowboys might think about DT with this pick, if Jones is still on the board (and considering owner Jerry Jones' affinity for his alma mater) Dallas will not pass this pick up.

28. S.F. 49ers (from Indy) - DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State

Huge selection for the 49ers, as they need that disruptive, big body in the defensive front line to help create penetration up the middle and disrupt gaps for opposing RB's to slide through. San Francisco will select whichever of the DT's remain after the Cowboy pick, but will get a good one no matter which of them remain.




29. San Diego Chargers - D.R.-Cromartie, CB, LSU


Teaming up with another Cromartie will give play-by-play announcers fits having two Cromarties on the field. It will also pose additional challenges to opposing offenses searching for vulnerabilities in the Charger secondary. It is also possible the Chargers flirt with taking a DT at this pick. Someone like Trevor Laws or Dre Moore.




30. Green Bay Packers - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Chance of the Packers taking LB Rivers of USC with this pick, but the corner position is an area of concern.




31. New York Giants - Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska

Adding depth to a pretty tough offensive line.





32. New England Patriots - Forfeited









ROUND TWO PROJECTIONS:




33. Miami - Keith Rivers, LB, USC

34. St. Louis - Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

35. Atlanta - Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

The Falcons are now set in their offensive backfield for years to come. Potentially.

36. Oakland - Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma St.

37. Kansas City - Justin Lee, CB, Penn State

38. N.Y. Jets - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

39. Baltimore - Tony Hills, OT, Texas

40. San Francisco - Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU

41. New Orleans - Dan Connor, OLB, Penn St

42. Buffalo - Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame

43. Denver - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

44. Carolina -Thomas DeCoud, S, California

45. Chicago - Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida

46. Detroit - Shawn Crable, LB, Michigan

47. Cincinnati - Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami

48. Minnesota - Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida St.

49. Atlanta* - Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson

50. Philadelphia - DaJuan Morgan, S, NC St.

51. Arizona - Tommy Blake, DE, TCU

52. Washington - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

53. Tampa Bay - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

54. Cleveland - Frank Okam, DT, Texas

55. Pittsburgh - Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa

56. Tennessee - Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech

57. Seattle - Fred Davis, TE, USC

58. Jacksonville - Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama

59. Miami* - Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri

60. Green Bay -Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa

61. Dallas - D.J. Hall, WR, Alabama

62. Indianapolis - Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas

63. New York Giants - Letroy Guion, DT, FSU

64. New England - Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU


ROUND THREE PROJECTIONS:


65. Miami - Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida

66. St. Louis - Craig Steltz, S, LSU

67. Kansas City - Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.

68. N.Y. Jets - Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio St.

69. New England* - Erick Young, OG, Tennessee

70. Atlanta - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

71. San Francisco - Keenan Burton, WR, Kentucky

72. Buffalo* - Dustin Keller, TE/WR, Purdue

73. Buffalo - Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt

74. Minnesota* - Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton

75. Carolina- Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M

76. Chicago - Dennis Keyes, S, UCLA

77. Detroit - Dre Moore, DT, Maryland

78. Cincinnati - Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose St.

79. New Orleans - Jolonn Dunbar, ILB, Boston College

80 Houston - Marcus Griffin, S, Texas

81. Philadelphia - Heath Benedict, OT, Newberry

82. Arizona - Tommy Blake, DE, TCU

83. Minnesota - Jacob Tamme, TE, Kentucky

84. Tampa Bay - Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia

85. Washington - Andre Fluellen, DT, FSU8

86. Cleveland - Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton

87. Tennessee - Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame

88. Seattle - Kerry Brown, OG, Appalachian St.

89. Pittsburgh - Mike McGlynn, OG, Pittsburgh

90. Jacksonville - Darrell Robertson, DT, Georgia Tech

91. Chicago* - Jamar Adams, S, Michigan

92. Green Bay - Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech

93. Dallas - Allen Patrick, RB, Oklahoma

94. Indianapolis - Jameel McClain, DE, Syracuse

95. NY Giants - Chad Rinehart, OT, No. Iowa

96. New England - Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers