2008 NFL Mock Draft v4.0

My initial mock had the Dolphins trading out of the #1 spot with Dallas. You can view it and other items at my blog:

I still believe Parcells will trade down, but will go here with the no-trade version of the mock for now.

1. Miami Dolphins - Glen Dorsey, DT, Miami

Cornerback, Defensive and Offensive tackle are the top needs for the Dolphins. Rumor has it that Bill Parcells will stick with a core of Trent Green and John Beck at QB, bringing in a 3rd QB somewhere in the draft. I still think this is a trade down pick for Parcells, and it will probably be for the Cowboys two picks in the first round. And I think Parcells will trade down at least one of those two again. Just a hunch. But looking strictly at needs, we'll play along and go Dorsey.

TEAM NEEDS: CB, DT, OT, WR, QB2.


St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia

The Rams get a monster with a motor. Pairing him up with Adam Carriker will enhance the defensive line and give it plenty of flexibility. This pick could kill two birds with one stone, as they need someone to fill the DT position, and Long allows them to move folks around.

TEAM NEEDS: DT, ILB, WR, CB, OT

3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

Flip of a coin makes this the Falcons pick, or they fall to #4. Most Falcon observers feel it's a 50-50 shot between Ryan and McFadden. I would add McFadden and target a later round QB that could be a sleeper - and thus save more cap money. If it doesn't work out, there is always the possibility of getting Tim Tebow in the '09 draft.

TEAM NEEDS: QB, RB, OT, OG, DT, ILB, K, CB


4. Oakland Raiders - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Not sure what the Raiders will do here mainly because they could pick #3, #4 or #5. With Sapp gone they need a new presence in the middle of the D line. But they also need help protecting the franchise QB. Either Jake Long or Ryan Clady will be the pick for the Raiders at #4 or #5, depending on the coin toss.


TEAM NEEDS: DT, WR, DE, OT, OC, SS


5. Kansas City Chiefs - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

The aforementioned coin toss will ultimately determine the position for the Chiefs, but not the pick. The Chiefs need to re-establish their offensive line and get Brody Croyle protected. You cannot lay the blame of last season at his feet while he is getting sacked every other play.

TEAM NEEDS: OT, CB, OG, OC, LB, WR



6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio St.

The Jets get an immediate monster that can add needed flexibility to the Jet defense. If the Jets trade Jonathon Vilma it would have an impact on this selection.

TEAM NEEDS: OG, DE, ILB, OLB, DT, CB



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

The rich just keep on getting richer. Slight chance the Pats go CB with this pick, but they need a flexible pass-rushing OLB and Harvey (or Gholston) fits the bill.


TEAM NEEDS: CB, OLB, RB



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

I'm not convince ANY of the QB's will go first round in this draft because none of them stand out exceedingly well -unless the combine proves different, like it did for Jay Culter in 2005. But at this point, Ryan is tagged as probably the best bet of the three top candidates IF the Ravens go high for a QB. If they don't pick a QB here, they might opt to try and reach for an impact WR like Malcom Kelly or go for Jeff Otah or Gosder Cherilus to boost their offensive line.

TEAM NEEDS: OT, OLB, DE, CB, QB, WR,



9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Toss a dart on a Bengal defensive chart. Wherever it lands is as good a place to start as any other. Haven't changed my mind on this one at all since version 2 and 3 mock. The Bengals will take the best available defensive player, especially a defensive lineman.

TEAM NEEDS: DEFENSE, period. DT, OLB, CB, DE, Then MAYBE a TE.



10. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

When the Saints draft this year, the word "defense" will be a near perpetual one. The Saints take the best defensive player available at this spot, the next spot, the next spot and......well, you get the idea. It's also possible they choose to go with a linebacker first and pick Rivers from USC.

TEAM NEEDS: CB, ILB, OLB, DE, OT, OG



11. Buffalo Bills - Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

Imagine an offense with Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish and Marshawn Lynch available as the weaponry. The Bills could add Gosder Cherilus here for a sure bet, but the allure of an additional receiver might be too tempting. In round two, look for an OT or TE in the 2nd and Buffalo could be a formidable offensive nightmare for years to come.

TEAM NEEDS: WR, TE, OLB, CB, DT



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

Coach Shanahan won't want to give any other team a shot at a potentially great Bronco running back, but he has many more holes to fill than running back. So he goes to the middle of the defensive line and hopes to shore it up with Balmer. But Shanahan might salivate enogh over Jonathan Stewart to go ahead and scrap his draft "needs" setup.

TEAM NEEDS: DT, OT, ILB, OLB, S, WR, OC



13. Carolina Panthers - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

I have struggled on whether defensive or offensive line is the place to start for the Panthers. Could go either way, depending on the combine results, but Otah looks to be a solid choice.


TEAM NEEDS: OTm, OG, DE, FS, QB



14. Chicago Bears - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Other than going for Gosder Cherilus, the Bears have some serious needs. QB is not the biggest. The running game is. That's why the offensive line and running back positions are the most important for the Bears in this draft. With hometown college boy Mildenhall available, along with Stewart and Felix Jones, the Bears have a top back available at this pick. Cherilus might get the edge as the RB field is pretty deep, so perhaps the Bears go OT here. But seems to me Stewart is just too good to pass up, especially considering the regression of Cedric Benson.



TEAM NEEDS: OT, RB, SS, QB, OG, FS



15. Detroit Lions - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami

The Lions just allowed teams to pass all over them. Imagine this team with a decent pass rush and secondary. It would probably mean they'd have a solid playoff team. They were oh-so-close until the late swoon this past season. Adding Campbell to this team would immediately create a significant enough pass rush that would at least make it harder for opponents to pass. Picking up some secondary help in later rounds would do even more.


TEAM NEEDS: CB, DE, DT, ILB, OG



16. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Jenkins, CB, USF

The Cards are inching closer to breaking through to the next level. But will they make it in time to take advantage of that prolific offense? This phenom (should he drop this far down) will certainly be able to help start that move. Now if the Cards deem that the O-line is more significant than the secondary, they could go with big OT Gosder Cherilus here.



TEAM NEEDS: DE, OLB, CB, OT, DT



17. Minnesota Vikings - James Hardy, WR, Indiana

Tough call here. The Vikes need a pass rusher to create havoc on the outside for a defense that is stout against the run, but falls off in the passing game. Minnesota also desperately needs another wideout that can create a future tandem the opposite side of Sidney Rice. They are also in need of another TE, although I would say that would be a later option. Philip Merling or Quentin Groves are possible here, but I'll go with the 6-7 Hardy - a slight reach - who may give Viking fans that big wideout they have longed for since you-know-who left. Slight chance DeSean Jackson goes here.


TEAM NEEDS: WR, TE, DE



18. Houston Texans - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

This will be either a RB or OL pick, but either way the Texans are a team on the rise. If they can add one of each it could help them contend for a playoff spot immediately. I think Mendenhall will be too good a risk to pass up. Gosder Cherilus may be a pick here, but I would think the potential of Mendenhall - coupled with the question mark in the Texan running game - will be the ultimate deciding factor.


TEAM NEEDS: RB, OT, FS, CB, DE



19. Philadelphia Eagles - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

Good prospect for the Eagle defensive line. This will allow the Eagles to solidify their tough defense and then get set to snag a top tight end, OT or cornerback in the second round.



TEAM NEEDS: DE, TE, OT, CB, LB



20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

They lack weapons in their passing attack no matter the QB, while they have needs at four or five other positions. I think they opt to go with a big target at wideout, which means a Limas Sweed type. They could go instead with Marcus Harrison or Pat Sims at DT but Sweed is too much of a prospect to let go.


TEAM NEEDS: DT, QB, RB, WR, OT



21. Washington Redskins - Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn

Might be a slight reach, but the Skins need to grab either a top corner or defensive lineman at this pick. Trying to help increase the pass rush is a good move, but so is trying to regain some depth in the secondary, so it could be McKelvin or Calib here as well. Could go DT here but I doubt it if Groves is still on the board.


TEAM NEEDS: DE, DT, CB, WR, OG, OT



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

Assuming the Cowboys don't cut a deal with Bill Parcells to move up to #1, the secondary- and specifically Jaques "Torch Me Baby" Reeves - needs a boost. ( I'm a huge Boilermaker fan, but Reeves sucked even when he was at Purdue! ) McKelvin immediately makes an impact on an otherwise pretty solid team. Very slight chance they go WR here.

TEAM NEEDS: CB's, RB, WR




23. Seattle Seahawks - Gosder Cherilus, OT, BC

Holmgren could opt to go with a TE pick here to allow for more offensive options, but the line needs some help on both sides of the ball. This pick is BPA and Cherilus will most assuredly boost the effectiveness of the Seahawk offensive line.

TEAM NEEDS: OG, DT, WR, RB, DE



24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

The Steelers need offensive lineman and will not be thrilled to lose out on Cherilus, so Jackson is BPA at this pick. They hope he gives them a chance to get more pressure up front. Jackson will need to be "coached up" on run defense though, but is worth taking a gamble on at this point. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers snatch Devin Thomas at wideout.


TEAM NEEDS: OG, DE, WR, ILB, CB



25. Tennessee Titans - Devin Thomas, WR, MSU

Not as big as the Titans would want, but he is taller and just about as speedy as Doucet or Manningham. Thomas was underrated this past season in the Big Ten and should provide a good shot in the arm for the Titan passing attack.


TEAM NEEDS: WR, DT, DE, OGm, TE, CB



26. J'ville Jaguars - DeSean Jackson, WR, California

Since Hardy, Kelly, Sweed and Thomas are gone at the wideout positions, Del Rio takes the slipping Jackson. He fell not because of talent, but rather size. Ironically, he falls to a team that has huge WR's in abundance. But Jackson can fill the important slot role and return kicks. The Jags could go for a DE here, but Lawrence Jackson might not fit here.


TEAM NEEDS: DE, WR, CB



27. Dallas Cowboys - D. R-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St.

More work on the secondary and now they have two stellar prospects in McKelvin and Cromartie. The Cowboys can afford to "reach" on this pick for Cromartie, as they have already secured top prospect McKelvin. Now Dallas has two top 12 CB's on the roster from this draft.


TEAM NEEDS: CB's, RB, WR



28. S.F. 49ers (from Indy) - Adarius Bowman, WR, Ok. St.

This could be Early Doucet or Mario Mannigham with this pick, but Bowman is taller and close to similiar speed. The 49ers must get a big target at the wideout position, but might opt to go with Manningham's 4.4 speed and add a later round WR for depth. DT Red Bryant is also possible.

TEAM NEEDS: WR, DT, DE, OG, OC



29. San Diego Chargers - Keith Rivers, LB, USC

Rivers stays in California and the Chargers will no doubt shift things around enough to get him in the mix, as they cannot afford to pass up on Rivers - even though he's an OLB. But the added depth it will give to Merriman and Phillips, while pushing the entire backer corps, is legitimate. ILB Curtis Lofton is a possibility here as well.


TEAM NEEDS: ILB, DEm, WR



30. Green Bay Packers - John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame

Depending on the combine, either Carlson, Martellus Bennett, Martin Rucker or Jacob Tamme would be the pick here. Also a chance of OT here with Sam Baker and Chris Williams still available. The Pack looked pretty good in the line play last year, so the drafting of an OT would be for depth. They can't afford to miss out on a top TE or CB prospect, so Aqib Talib is a possibility here as well.


TEAM NEEDS: CB, OT, TE



31. New York Giants - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Look for the Giants to help solidify the secondary with this pick. They could go OT here as well since Sam Baker is still on the board just a single space ahead of Talib on the Overall. It will come down to the combine and how the Giants assess their overall needs.

TEAM NEEDS: CB, OT, FS, OLB



32. New England Patriots - Forfeited

RB, OLB, CB



ROUND TWO PROJECTIONS:

33. Miami - Sam Baker, OT, USC
34. St. Louis - Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
35. Atlanta - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
36. Oakland - Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
37. Kansas City - Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
38. N.Y. Jets - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
39. Baltimore - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
40. San Francisco - Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas
41. New Orleans - Dan Connor, OLB, Penn St
42. Buffalo - Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland
43. Denver - Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
44. Carolina -Andre Woodsen, QB, Kentucky
45. Chicago - Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
46. Detroit - DaJuan Morgan, S, NC State
47. Cincinnati - Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU
48. Minnesota - Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
49. Atlanta* - Tony Hills, OT, Texas
50. Philadelphia - Fred Davis, TE, USC
51. Arizona - Geno Hayes, OLB, FSU
52. Washington - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
53. Tampa Bay - Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
54. Cleveland - Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
55. Pittsburgh - Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma
56. Tennessee - Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech
57. Seattle - Letroy Guion, DT, FSU
58. Jacksonville - Tracey Porter, CB, Indiana
59. Miami* - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
60. Green Bay -Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
61. Dallas - D.J. Hall, WR, Alabama
62. Indianapolis - Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas
63. New York Giants - Thomas DeCoud, S, Auburn
64. New England - Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami



ROUND THREE PROJECTIONS:

65. Miami - Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
66. St. Louis - Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
67. Kansas City - Brandon Albert, OG, Arkansas
68. N.Y. Jets - Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
69. New England* - Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
70. Atlanta - Spencer Larsen, ILB, Arizona
71. San Francisco - Cliff Avril, DE/OLB, Purdue
72. Buffalo* - Dustin Keller, TE/H-Back, Purdue
73. Buffalo - Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
74. Minnesota* - Angelo Craig, DE, Cincinnati
75. Carolina- Oniel Cousins, OT, UTEP
76. Chicago - Barry Richardson, OT, Clemson
77. Detroit - Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
78. Cincinnati - Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU
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, FSU
86. Cleveland - DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State
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