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[SteveRobWhatever]

Updated December 20, 2007

1. MIAMI DOLPHINS GLENN DORSEY
DT | L.S.U. | Scouting Report

Schematically Dorsey isn't a perfect fit for the hybrid defense that Dom Capers runs but he is the type of impact defensive linemen that the Dolphins need which is why he gets the nod. Dorsey is extremely strong and active with a non-stop motor and in Miami he would play inside in the 4-3 and shift outside to end in the 3-4, much like he does in college. Jake Long will garner strong consideration here as well but even though he would certainly upgrade Miami's offensive line that unit has played much better than expected so it may not be quite as big of a concern as some might think.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS CHRIS LONG
DE | Virginia | Scouting Report

The defense continues to be a problem for St. Louis so they use this opportunity to select the top defensive end available. Leonard Little is still a factor but he's getting older and is coming off a season-ending injury while James Hall is solid but certainly nothing to write home about on the other side. Similar in some ways to former Ram Grant Wistrom, Chris Long is a terrific all-around end who is effective as both a pass rusher as well as against the run. Jake Long might be a possibility here as well since Orlando Pace is 32-years-old and has played in just 9 games since the 2005 season.

3. NEW YORK JETS DARREN MCFADDEN
RB | Arkansas | Scouting Report

This may end up being the ultimate battle of Talent vs Need. On one hand the Jets already have Thomas Jones, who is a very solid NFL running back, but McFadden is the best player in this draft and could be a real difference maker. On the other hand Chris Long is a perfect fit for the Jets 3-4 scheme and could be the impact defensive lineman they have been searching for while Jake Long is also a safe pick who would help shore up their troublesome offensive line. If McFadden is still available here this selection has the potential to develop into one this drafts most intriguing storylines.

4. ATLANTA FALCONS MATT RYAN
QB | Boston College | Scouting Report

With Bobby Petrino out of the picture there will be less pressure on the Falcons to pick Brian Brohm and they'll be free to take the guy who most feel is the consensus top quarterback available, Matt Ryan. In terms of physical tools (size, arm strength) Ryan easily earns passing grades and fits the profile but he certainly is not "special". What separates Ryan from the pack though are his intangibles and let's just say his nickname isn't "Matty Ice" for nothing. I don't think there is any question Atlanta has to be looking quarterback with this selection and in this scenario they land the best.

5. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (f/SF) JAMES LAURINAITIS
ILB | Ohio St. | Scouting Report

Talk about the rich getting richer!!! If the Patriots do wind up with a Top 5 pick their options would be virtually unlimited but based on need James Laurinaitis makes the most sense. A great all-around linebacker who may be just a notch below where A.J. Hawk was as a prospect coming out, Laurinaitis also has the type of intangibles that have helped make the New England organization so successful. Laurinaitis would be an ideal replacement for Tedy Bruschi, who is nearing the end of his career. Jake and Chris Long might also be possibilities and you can't rule out Darren McFadden either.

6. BALTIMORE RAVENS BRIAN BROHM
QB | Louisville | Scouting Report

After a long and distinguished career it sure looks like the end of the line for Steve McNair, at least in Baltimore, which means the Ravens will be in the market for a new quarterback next offseason. There still seems to be quite a bit of mixed opinion on how Brohm projects as a pro prospect but he is more prepared to step in and start right away at the next level than André Woodson is which tips the scale in his favor. Physically Brohm is adequate across the board and while Matt Ryan is the safe pick and Woodson has the most upside Brian probably falls somewhere right in between.

7. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS JAKE LONG
OT | Michigan | Scouting Report

The offensive line, which was once a team strength, has now become a liability so it's time for the Chiefs to invest a premium pick on a stud up front. I honestly have a hard time seeing Jake Long falling this far but if he does this is a no-brainer for the Chiefs. There is little or no doubt that Long is the top offensive lineman available this year but there's been some debate as to whether he is a left tackle or if he will have to move to the right side as a pro. Regardless of where he lines up Long is a terrific blocker who falls somewhere in between Joe Thomas and Levi Brown as a prospect.

8. OAKLAND RAIDERS VERNON GHOLSTON
DE | Ohio St. | Scouting Report

Everyone knows that Al Davis has always had an affinity for rare athletic specimens and Vernon Gholston certainly fits that bill. A physical marvel with a chiseled 6-4, 264 lb. frame and 4.6 speed, Gholston isn't merely a workout warrior because he has the production to go along with those measurables, tallying 29.5 TFL and 21.0 sacks the past two seasons. Able to project to either defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or outside linebacker in a 3-4, Gholston would be an excellent fit in the Raiders defense. Darren McFadden, Jake Long and Chris Long would all get some consideration here as well.

9. CINCINNATI BENGALS SEDRICK ELLIS
DT | USC | Scouting Report

For the second straight year the Bengals have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league and a lot of that can be attributed to their porous defense. One area that needs to be upgraded is the interior of their defensive line, where Domata Peko and John Thornton just haven't gotten the job done. Sedrick Ellis is a classic 3 technique who can be disruptive in the middle and perhaps more importantly he also has the type of character and intangibles that this troubled franchise so desperately needs. One way or another look for this selection to be used on an impact defender.

10. CHICAGO BEARS ANDRÉ WOODSON
QB | Kentucky | Scouting Report

All of the sudden the Bears seem to have a whole lot of needs but quarterback still takes precedence over all of them. Whether or not one of the "Big 3" of Ryan, Brohm and Woodson will still be available here remains to be seen but they'd almost have no choice but to jump all over one of the signal callers if given the opportunity. They could opt to go the veteran route with someone like Donovan McNabb too though... He isn't quite as polished as either Ryan or Brohm but Woodson has a higher upside and with some good coaching he just might end up being the best pro of the bunch.

11. ARIZONA CARDINALS MIKE JENKINS
CB | South Florida | Scouting Report

They took a step forward in their first year under Ken Whisenhunt but there is still a lot of work to be done in Arizona and the reality is they could go in any number of different directions with this selection. The offensive and defensive lines will receive strong consideration here but the Cardinals pass defense still ranks in the bottom third of the league so it might be tough to pass on the top senior cornerback in the draft. Jenkins appears to have all the physical tools you look for in a corner and by bringing him into the fold it could free them up to move Antrel Rolle inside to safety.

12. DENVER BRONCOS KEITH RIVERS
OLB | USC | Scouting Report

With longtime stalwart Al Wilson out of the picture due to injuries the Broncos were forced to revamp their linebacking corps this year and even though D.J. Williams and Ian Gold have been their usual productive selves Denver still needs an upgrade at the other spot. Keith Rivers doesn't have the ideal size or bulk that you look for in a linebacker but that has never been a big issue for the Broncos. In fact, Rivers could conceivably play the middle in Denver's scheme which would allow them to move D.J. Williams back to the strongside where he had been so successful early in his career.

13. CAROLINA PANTHERS KENNY PHILLIPS
S | Miami (FL) | Scouting Report

You could definitely make the case for a quarterback here but assuming John Fox is brought back he'll be firmly on the hot seat in 2008 which means he won't be able to afford to start a rookie signal caller or use this pick on someone who won't make an immediate impact. It looks as if the Panthers got a steal in their trade with the Bears for Chris Harris but the spot opposite him could certainly be upgraded and Phillips is far and away the premier safety available this year. He may not be in quite the same class as Sean Taylor or Ed Reed but Phillips is a great playmaker and a top prospect.

14. DETROIT LIONS JEFF OTAH
OT | Pittsburgh | Scouting Report

The George Foster experiment has been a colossal failure and the Lions once again have one of the worst offensive lines in the entire league. Jeff Otah is still very raw and only has two years of DI experience but he has mind-boggling size ( 6-6, 340 ) and great athleticism with almost unlimited potential. In college he played left tackle and did a fantastic job but he might have to move to the right side at the next level and a good way to think of him would be as a poor-man's Jake Long with more long term upside. Cornerback is also a problem but they must address that offensive line.

15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES DESEAN JACKSON
WR | California | Scouting Report

You might be able to make the case for an offensive tackle here but the bottom line is that DeSean Jackson is just too good of a player and too good of a fit to pass up at this point in round one. Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are nice players but Philly could definitely use another playmaker on offense and outside of Darren McFadden there isn't a more dynamic weapon in this draft than Jackson. Similar in many ways to Ted Ginn, Jackson may not be quite as fast but he is more polished as a receiver and an even better return man, which is an area where the Eagles need to upgrade.

16. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS MALCOLM JENKINS
CB | Ohio St. | Scouting Report

Despite signing Jason David last offseason the Saints still rank near the bottom of the league when it comes to pass defense and they need another top cornerback to team with Mike McKenzie. Malcolm Jenkins isn't an elite Deion Sanders/Champ Bailey type of prospect but he has all the physical tools you look for in a corner, although some feel his best position may ultimately be safety. The next in a long line of great Buckeye corners, Jenkins will try and add his name to a list that includes names like Antoine Winfield, Ahmed Plummer, Nate Clements, Chris Gamble and Ashton Youboty

17. BUFFALO BILLS MALCOLM KELLY
WR | Oklahoma | Scouting Report

Since Marv Levy returned to the organization the Bills have done a pretty good job of building though the draft but they still need to find another offensive playmaker, regardless of whether it's J.P. Losman or Trent Edwards under center. Lee Evans is one of the premier receivers in the league but beyond him the cupboard is relatively bare, with a bunch of #3 and #4 types inhabiting their depth chart. Even though he lacks elite timed speed Malcolm Kelly has excellent size end has proven himself to be a big play threat the last couple of years and he'd be a perfect compliment to Evans.

18. HOUSTON TEXANS RYAN CLADY
OT | Boise St. | Scouting Report

As usual the Texans still have a gaping hole at left tackle and you wonder if this will finally be the year they address it once and for all with a first round pick. If that's the direction they want to go they would be extremely fortunate to find Ryan Clady still on the board. At 6-6 and 317 pounds Clady has that rare mix of size and athleticism needed to neutralize elite pass rushers and protect the blind side in the pros, which is why he could easily be long gone by this point. The secondary is also an issue for the Texans and they couldn't go wrong with a top safety or cornerback here either.

19. WASHINGTON REDSKINS CALAIS CAMPBELL
DE | Miami (FL) | Scouting Report

Many felt the Redskins would look to address their defensive line with the #6 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and while you certainly can't criticize their selection of LaRon Landry from a value standpoint the fact remains that they still need an impact guy up front, whether it be at end or tackle. Andre Carter is solid on one side but Phillip Daniels is nearing the end of his career and their depth is lackluster at best. A huge (6-8, 280) pass rusher who can also hold his own versus the run, Campbell has 38.5 TFL and 19 sacks in just 3 seasons and he has the talent to be chosen much earlier.

20. TENNESSEE TITANS LIMAS SWEED
WR | Texas | Scouting Report

The Titans have done a great job of building through the draft in recent years but one exception has been their efforts at wideout, where despite investing a bunch of picks on the position they have yet to really have one pan out. Tennessee needs to get Vince Young some targets to throw to so why not go back to his alma mater and nab his old favorite receiver. Limas Sweed had his senior season cut short by a wrist injury but he has great size, excellent intangibles and is still the top senior wideout available so if he runs well in workouts he could very well be long gone by this point.

21. MINNESOTA VIKINGS DERRICK HARVEY
DE | Florida | Scouting Report

Logic would seem to dictate that the Vikings would select a wide receiver here but there isn't much value left on the board and Brad Childress doesn't believe in taking them in the first round anyway. No team in the league has a better set of defensive tackles but Minnesota's still lacking outside at defensive end. Kenechi Udeze is solid, albeit unspectacular, but Erasmus James is a bust and Ray Edwards continues to be plagued by off-the-field issues. Harvey is a terrific natural pass rusher and a better prospect than Jarvis Moss was a year ago so to land him here would be a real steal.

22. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS JONATHAN STEWART
RB | Oregon | Scouting Report

Yes the Seahawks do still have Shaun Alexander but he has a lot of mileage on his tires and is obviously wearing down. You may also remember that back in 2000 Mike Holmgren drafted Alexander even though they appeared to be set with Ricky Waters at running back. A local Washington product, Jonathan Stewart has everything you look for physically at 5-11 and 230 lbs. with 4.4 speed and when you combine those triangle numbers with his ability to be a threat as a runner, receiver and return man it is not hard at all to see why he will likely be such a highly regarded pro prospect.

23. DALLAS COWBOYS (f/CLE) FELIX JONES
RB | Arkansas | Scouting Report

Since they have two #1 picks the Cowboys can afford to be a little frivolous here, although with Julius Jones set to become a free agent they might need someone to compliment Marion Barber. Most assume that Arkansas alumnus Jerry Jones has his heart set on Darren McFadden but since that is unrealistic he turns his attention to another Hog. Even though McFadden gets most of the attention the versatile Jones is a top prospect in his own right, contributing as a runner, receiver and return man. In '07 he ran for 1,117 yards (9.1 avg.) and 11 TD's despite getting just 123 carries.

24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS GOSDER CHERILUS
OT | Boston College | Scouting Report

Traditionally the Steelers have been known to let many of their free agents leave rather than give them huge contracts and if that holds true they could be losing both Alan Faneca and Max Starks next offseason. It would require some reshuffling of the offensive line but Willie Colon could be moved inside to guard, where many had him projected when he was coming out of college, to replace Faneca and Cherilus could take over for him at right tackle. He has struggled at times as a senior, playing out of position on the left side, but Cherilus has the makings of a great pro right tackle.

25. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS SAM BAKER
OT | USC | Scouting Report

For the second straight year Luke Petitgout has had his season ended by an injury and at this point in his career he simply cannot be counted on. After Petitgout went down the Buccaneers were forced to insert Donald Penn, an undrafted free agent and waiver wire pickup, into the starting lineup at the critical left tackle position and needless to say that isn't an ideal situation. Sam Baker, who happens to be the son of AFL Commissioner David Baker, is a decent athlete and an excellent pass blocker with a lot of experience who could finally solve Tampa Bay's issues on the blind side.

26. NEW YORK GIANTS DAN CONNOR
OLB | Penn St. | Scouting Report

The defense continues to be a big problem for the G-Men and while the secondary is still a concern and definitely an area they may look to address here they also have some lingering issues at linebacker. Antonio Pierce is entrenched in the middle and Mathias Kiwanuka appears to be their man on the strongside but Kawika Mitchell is certainly not anything special and could be upgraded. A product of " Linebacker U ", Dan Connor may be a better prospect than Paul Posluszny was a year ago and he's a all-around threat who can be effective both against the run as well as in coverage.

27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS KENTWAN BALMER
DT | North Carolina | Scouting Report

For the most part the Charges are a team with relatively few holes so it's tough to predict what they might be looking for in round one. With that said they are a little thin along the defensive line when it comes to depth, which is particularly troubling since Luis Castillo has struggled to stay healthy and stud nose tackle Jamal Williams might be the most important player on that entire defense. Prior to his senior year Kentwan Balmer was viewed as an underachiever but he finally began to play up to his potential in 2007. This is probably somewhat of a reach but every draft has one.

28. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS MARIO MANNINGHAM
WR | Michigan | Scouting Report

The Jags front office may have to swallow their pride, go back to the well and draft a wideout in the first round yet again because as it stands now the position is still a major weakness for them. Reggie Williams finally showed some signs of life but Matt Jones has been a bust and will probably be sent packing so a guy like Manningham would make sense. Mario Manningham lacks great bulk but he runs terrific routes, is extremely fast and would be a perfect compliment to their other receivers, providing the Jaguars offense with the deep threat and big play dimension they currently lack.

29. GREEN BAY PACKERS AQIB TALIB
CB | Kansas | Scouting Report

For a while there it looked as though the Packers #1 need was going to be running back but Ryan Grant has done so well down the stretch that we can put that on the backburner for at least another year. The secondary's another story though because they have little or nothing beyond starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson at corner. A big, physical cover guy with fantastic ball skills and a knack for making the big play, Talib isn't the premier prospect that his press clippings might lead you to believe he is but at this point in the first round he'd be a solid pick and a good fit for Green Bay.

30. SAN FRANCISCO 49'ERS (f/IND) EARLY DOUCET
WR | L.S.U. | Scouting Report

For the second consecutive year it looks like wide receiver will be the Niners most glaring need. Credit the team with attempting to address the situation last offseason but Darrell Jackson hasn't lived up to expectations, Ashley Lelie was a complete bust and 3rd round pick Jason Hill has essentially been a non-factor. After biding his time behind two future #1 picks in Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis early in his career Early Doucet finally got his chance to shine as a senior and even though he's been limited by nagging injuries he has shown just enough to remain on that first round bubble.

31. DALLAS COWBOYS LEODIS MCKELVIN
CB | Troy | Scouting Report

The Cowboys may have finally solved their well documented problems at safety but the secondary is still a concern. Terence Newman has developed into one of the top shutdown cornerbacks in the business but Anthony Henry is slowing down and there is talk that he might eventually move to safety so at the absolute least Dallas needs to add some depth at corner. After having so much success with another former Troy Trojan the Cowboys go back to that program to select Leodis McKelvin, who has an ideal blend of size (5-11, 190) and speed (4.45) and is also an excellent return man.

[Jammin Jaguar]

Mario Manningham... Hmm, could be a good pick. I'd rather take a DE in round 1 though.

[jason baker's #1 fan!]

kenny phillips would be perfect

[ncnvader]

Originally Posted by jason baker's #1 fan!

kenny phillips would be perfect

indeed.

[brakos82]

I think the expansion teams have attacked this thread.

Now if we had a resident Browns fan...

[P16]

LOL, he has us picking a CB with Kenny Phillips still available. Our CB's aren't the problem, them having no help over the top, from literally one of the worst safeties I've ever seen play in the NFL, is. If Phillips is on the board, thats an eeeasy pick.

[dolphindude13]

Don't understand why a lot of the mocks I've seen have the Cowboys taking Felix Jones at RB. Marion Barber is a stud in waiting if they'll get rid of Julius Jones and let him run the show.

I also have to agree with P16....If Kenny Phillips is still on the board I promise the Cardinals will step all over themselves to pick him.

I also think the Vikes might look to WR other than taking a DE.

Other than that it looks pretty good. I was really hoping Limas Sweed would fall to the 1st pick of the 2nd round and the Dolphins but I don't think that's gonna happen.

[andy82]

There's no way we'd take Chris Long whilst having Jake Long still on the board. Then again, with our Front Office......

[mouse]

Originally Posted by P16

LOL, he has us picking a CB with Kenny Phillips still available. Our CB's aren't the problem, them having no help over the top, from literally one of the worst safeties I've ever seen play in the NFL, is. If Phillips is on the board, thats an eeeasy pick.

I didn't understand that one either.

[SteveRobWhatever]

I am not sure about Limas Sweed for the Titans. Word is his speed is not where it should be for a top pick. I would eventually like to land either him or Adarius Bowman. We need a big WR with a big catch radius who can get some of Vince Young's stray throws and block away defenders with a big body.