Sports Xchange's 2008 NFL Mock Draft

SteveRobWhatever · #1 03-17-2008, 03:42 AM

Quote:

According to multiple sources throughout the NFL, Miami is actively pursuing trading out of the No. 1 overall spot. With no obvious elite prospect worthy of trading up to get, however, teams are balking and making it very likely the Dolphins will be forced to stand pat. Faced with this reality, Miami would best be served in going for the safest prospect that fits their team needs. But who is that player?

Virginia defensive end Chris Long and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan have become media favorites to be the first pick, but if Miami is doing the picking, neither is likely to earn legitimate consideration. Long, 6-feet-3 and 270 pounds, simply doesn't match up to the 6-4, 300-plus prototype for the 3-4 defensive end position. And he lacks the elite athleticism to move to outside linebacker. Ryan, though the top quarterback in this draft, is not in the elite class No. 1 overall picks at the position demand. With only two first-round picks used on quarterbacks throughout his 19 years of heading up draft boards, it would take a passer of that caliber to convince Bill Parcells to divert from his preference of building teams through the lines.

With questions surrounding Glenn Dorsey's health and Sedrick Ellis falling down the board due to his Combine workout, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long is generating momentum to be the first pick.

2008 NFL Mock Draft

1. Miami Dolphins
Jake Long, OT, Michigan: The Dolphins are actively attempting to trade out of this pick, but if forced to stay here Long makes the most sense. Not since Orlando Pace was selected by the St. Louis Rams in 1998 has an offensive tackle been selected with the first overall pick. Long isn't in the same class as Pace, but would provide the immediate stabilizing force Miami needs along the offensive line.

2. St. Louis Rams
Chris Long, DE, Virginia: If the team drafting first operated in a 4-3 defensive alignment, it might be Jake Long, not Chris, the Rams would be drafting here. With Miami's focus on the 3-4, however, the Rams are in the enviable position of getting the top-rated player according to NFLDraftScout.com with the second pick.

3. Atlanta Falcons
Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State: New general manager Tom Dimitroff, hired away from the Patriots, is expected to build the Falcons in much the same manner as he helped shape New England. To do so, Atlanta will focus on rebuilding the lines early and look for quarterback help later in the draft. Dorsey's durability questions could drop him, but when healthy, he deserves consideration for the first pick overall.

4. Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: With Justin Fargas re-signed and Michael Bush healthy, running back is not an area of clear need for the Raiders. Al Davis loves speed, however, and in McFadden he'd be adding the player likeliest to bring the most immediate impact in this year's draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs
Sedrick Ellis, NG, Southern California: In terms of filling needs, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and defensive end Vernon Gholston each makes more sense for the Raiders. Until someone other than Al Davis is making the final call on who the Raiders draft, however, speed will continue to trump need.

6. New York Jets
Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State: If the Jets are fortunate enough that Gholston is still on the board, they'll almost surely pair him with free agent Calvin Pace to complete the reformation of their linebacking corps.

7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State: The Patriots are considering trading out of this pick. They are in position to trade up ahead of the Jets and add the pass rushing OLB they need in Gholston, or could capitalize on teams looking to jump ahead of the Ravens for quarterback Matt Ryan. The best combination of filling a need and picking for value might be Boise State's Clady, whose athleticism would give the Patriots options along the offensive line.

8. Baltimore Ravens
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: While most teams feel Ryan is the top quarterback in the draft, there is a general consensus that he isn't a rare enough talent to rank as a surefire top-five pick. Should he begin to slip, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome would likely pounce here even with new coach John Harbaugh standing behind Steve McNair to this point.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson: The Bengals appear to be in prime position to address their deficiencies along the defensive line. Florida's Derrick Harvey is also a possibility, but Cincinnati would be wise to focus on Merling. While he may lack Harvey's initial burst off the snap, Merling is a safer, more consistent prospect.

10. New Orleans Saints
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: Even with the addition of free agent Randall Gay, the Saints will continue to focus on the defensive backfield this offseason. McKelvin is not only a standout in coverage, his explosiveness as a return specialist gives him an edge in the race to be the first cornerback selected.

11. Buffalo
Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California: The Bills made a significant addition to their front seven with the trade for defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, but more help is required for this defense to take the next step. Rivers' speed and versatility make him a perfect fit -- and at this point in the draft, he also provides excellent value.

12. Denver Broncos
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State: Denver needs another playmaker to pair opposite young star Brandon Marshall, and someone who is a threat on returns would be a bonus. Thomas is skyrocketing up the board after a superb Combine performance, and in averaging nearly 200 all-purpose yards per game -- the second highest total in Big Ten history -- he's the versatile playmaker the Broncos need.

13. Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: In releasing embattled DeShaun Foster, Carolina finally admitted it needs to address the running game. LaBrandon Toefield brings some depth, but Stewart, the most physical back in the draft, would provide the Panthers with the power to go alongside DeAngelo Williams' elusiveness.

14. Chicago Bears
Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma: The Bears entered the offseason with their primary concern being to retool the offensive line. However, with the loss of receivers Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammed, the club would be wise to consider the 6-5, 215-pound Kelly if he's available.

15. Detroit Lions
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: If Clady were to drop to them, the Lions would likely snatch him up in a moment. Detroit needs a legitimate pass rusher nearly as much, however, and would have to strongly consider Harvey as a quality consolation prize.

16. Arizona Cardinals
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: Plans to move former first-round cornerback Antrel Rolle to free safety make an already thin cornerback position an area of clear need for Arizona. McKelvin is rising fast after strong performances at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He can also make an immediate impact in the return game.

17. Minnesoata Vikings
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: Minnesota was a statistical anomaly last year, finishing first in the league in rushing and stopping the run, and yet not earning a playoff spot. The primary reason for the Vikings' failure to make the postseason was the erratic play of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson has been publicly backed by Brad Childress, but if no pass rushing defensive ends are on the board, a poised, accurate signal-caller of Brohm's caliber could be too much to ignore here.

18. Houston Texans
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: The Texans gambled on the 30-year-old legs of Ahman Green and lost last season, once again reverting to a running back by committee approach when he suffered a knee injury in the first game. Mendenhall was the Big Ten's leading rusher in 2007, and has the soft hands to be equally effective out of the backfield in coach Gary Kubiak's offense.

19. Philadelphia Eagles
Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State: Jimmy Carter was President the last time the Philadelphia Eagles selected a linebacker in the first round (Jerry Robinson, 1979). The release of Takeo Spikes, however, leaves a hole in an already thin Philadelphia linebacking corps, making the local favorite a good pick in terms of need and public relations.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson, WR, California: Tampa Bay is desperate for playmaking wide receivers. Jackson, compared by many to Joey Galloway due to his explosive speed and versatility, could learn from the Pro Bowler before eventually taking over for him.

21. Washington Redskins
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: Coach Jim Zorn and recently promoted Executive Vice President Vinny Cerrato are expected to rely heavily on their scouting department and position coaches for assistance in their first draft together. New defensive line coach John Palermo, hired from the same position from the University of Miami, could persuade the selection of the 6-8, 290-pound Campbell.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves flashy athletes, and in this small school star he'd be getting one. Cousin to Charger Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie, "DRC" proved he could handle the jump in competition at the Senior Bowl and by posting one of the more impressive workouts of any athlete tested at the Combine.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Brenden Albert, G, Virginia: The one guard worthy of top 50 consideration, Albert is a rare combination of size, strength and agility. For a team looking to the draft for a potential replacement for guard Alan Faneca, Albert makes perfect sense.

24. Tennessee Titans
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: The addition of free agent tight end Alge Crumpler helps, but the Titans are still lacking the outside threats needed to aid in Vince Young's development. Sweed isn't the dominant prospect his statistics might indicate, but there isn't a receiver in the draft Young would more heartily campaign for than his former teammate.

25. Seattle Seahawks
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt: With the Seahawks addressing their running back needs through free-agent signings of T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, they'll likely turn to the offensive line in the draft. Williams has the athleticism to play left tackle, and with future Hall of Famer Walter Jones slowing, Seattle would be wise to look toward the future if Williams is available this late.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina: The trade of defensive tackle Marcus Stroud opens a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. Balmer is a legitimate first-round defensive tackle, but scouts have to wonder if he's the All-American candidate he played as last season or the under-achiever he was throughout his early career.

27. San Diego Chargers
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh: Otah is viewed by some as a potential top 10 selection, but his poor workouts and inconsistency on film could lead to a drop on draft day. The Chargers may ignore other areas of concern to add the talented blocker to compete with Jeromey Clary for the starting right tackle job.

28. Dallas Cowboys
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas: Jerry Jones, an Arkansas alumni, will be tempted to trade up to secure the rights to McFadden, but with another Razorback available later in the round the Cowboys can get the speed back here they need to complement Marion Barber III.

29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis)
Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan: In focusing their free-agent dollars elsewhere, the 49ers appear poised to capitalize on the depth of this year's incoming receiver class. Manningham was slower than expected in the 40 at the Combine, but is otherwise among the better receivers in this draft -- and a quality value at this point.

30. Green Bay Packers
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech: With Al Harris and Charles Woodson each getting a little long in the tooth and depth behind them a concern, the Packers would be wise to look for some young talent to groom. Flowers has the instincts and burst to handle Green Bay's physical man-to-man scheme, and is only available this late due to a stunningly poor workout at the Combine.

31. New York Giants
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn: Three dislocated toes robbed Groves of his trademark speed in 2007, but he remains one of this draft's most natural pass rushers. He has the athleticism to challenge Reggie Torbor at strong-side linebacker and also drop down as a pass rusher.

Crowned · #2 03-17-2008, 05:08 AM

Marion Who? · #3 03-17-2008, 08:02 AM

Hell, I'm happy with that!

Ridin Burgundy · #4 03-17-2008, 08:06 AM

STOP ALWAYS FUCKING GIVING US CALAIS CAMPBELL. Its nearly eery mock draft.
I think I will cry if we get him at 21

eaglesrule4ever · #5 03-17-2008, 09:54 AM

we need a veteran linebacker not a rookie.

BigBuckeyeFan · #6 03-17-2008, 10:23 AM

this is the first mock Draft having Phillip Merling going before Derek Harvey, I would hope they would trade down and get Merling before they would draft him at 9.