2008 Mock Draft

22 Apr

Team

1st Round

1. Miami Dolphins - OT Jake Long, Michigan

The Dolphins have a deal in place with Long and will make him the top pick in the draft.

2. St. Louis Rams - DE Chris Long, Virginia

The son of hall-of-famer Howie Long, Chris is very solid in his own right. Teaming him with last seasons standout rookie Adam Carriker on the line should help a weak Rams defense.

3. Atlanta Falcons - DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU

Injuries as always are a concern with Dorsey but there is no denying his superb talent. With Rod Coleman departed, Dorsey would figure to be a defensive building block on a rebuilding team. Matt Ryan is a possibility here as well but Dorsey and a second round quarterback would be a better option.

4. Oakland Raiders - DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio St.

Gholston is an immensely talented pass-rusher and the Raiders would be wise to add him to an already improved defense.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - QB Matt Ryan, Boston College

The Chiefs have more important needs (offensive line) but Ryan is just too good to pass up. Brodie Croyle has failed to establish himself as a NFL quarterback and it all begins with the most important position on the football field.

6. New York Jets - RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas

The Jets have done a great job in the offseason in adding offensive lineman. Now they need playmakers for the line to block for. McFadden is the best talent on the offensive side of the ball in this draft and this pick would sure make those Jets fans happy.

7. New England Patriots (From 49ers) - LB Keith Rivers, USC

The Patriots linebacking corps looked very old at times last year. Rivers, although a small reach at #7, will add youth and allow Adalius Thomas to move to the outside, where he is more comfortable.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Leodis McKelvin, Troy

McKelvin may be a little overrated because of his great returning abilities. The Ravens corners are getting a little up there in age and McKelvin will surely add youth to the secondary as well as great returning skills.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - DT Sedrick Ellis, USC

The Bengals would surely be ecstatic to see Ellis still on the board at #9. The Bengals would add an explosive playmaker along their line minus the character issues (had to do it).

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

The Saints will surely try their best and try to trade up to nab either Ellis or Dorsey. If all else fails, they will select the best defensive player available. Mike is a corner that has very good size and speed. He played in a tough Big East conference and more than held his own. The Saints have improved their corners this offseason (adding Randall Gay and Aaron Glenn) but with Mike McKenzie coming off an ACL injury and turning 32, Jenkins should be the pick here.

11. Buffalo Bills - WR Devin Thomas, Michicgan St.

The Bills are in need of a receiver to compliment Lee Evans. Thomas has a great combination of size and speed, which makes him the top rated receiver in this years draft.

12. Denver Broncos - OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt

Williams is an athletic lineman, which always helps in the Broncos zone-blocking scheme, and would fill a void created by the retirement of Matt Lepsis.

13. Carolina Panthers - OL Branden Albert, Virginia

Albert has seen his stock rise steadily in the past few months leading up to the draft. The Panthers have some line issues and should use this pick on their best available lineman.

14. Chicago Bears - OT Ryan Clady, Boise St.

The Bears could go running back here but with the solid depth at the position in the draft this year, offensive line should be their pick. Clady could come in immediately and move John Tait to his original right tackle position.

Team	1st Round
	15. Detroit Lions - DE Derrick Harvey, Florida The Lions have running back issues as well but they too should wait to the later rounds to select one. Harvey would be a solid pick here and add some needed pass rushing abilities to the Lions defense.
	16. Arizona Cardinals - CB Aqib Talib, Kansas With Antrel Rolle moving to safety, the Cardinals are in dire need of a corner. Talib, is clear the best available corner and should start immediately.
	17. Minnesota Vikings - OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh Assuming that Jared Allen is to be acquired (seems pretty close), the Vikings add the mauling Otah to an already outstanding line. The Vikings figure to run a ton this season and the giant Otah is a perfect fit.
	18. Houston Texans - LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee The Texans have other pressing needs but with the top corners and lineman in the draft already gone, the selection is Mayo. Mayo would be an instant upgrade on what they already have and should make a very formidable duo with the standout Demeco Ryans.
	19. Philadelphia Eagles - DE Phillip Merling, Clemson The Eagles have struggled getting a pass rush from the opposite side of Trent Cole. Darren Howard has not been the player they expected him to be. In Jim Johnson’s blitzing scheme a rush is a necessity. Merling is a great fit here.
	20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR DeSean Jackson, California There is no denying Jon Gruden loves speed from his wide receivers. The Bucs have lacked a true playmaker, outside of Joey Galloway, the past few seasons and Jackson would fill in that role.
	21. Washington Redskins - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee St. With Shawn Springs aging, the Redskins find a great talent to take his role. A season or two of learning would surely help the highly athletic Cromartie.
	22. Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) - RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois Mendenhall might become a victim of the quality depth at the running back position in this year’s draft. He is surely a high talent and is a steal at the 22nd pick. Jerry Jones has vowed to put some “wow” into the offense this season and Mendenhall would surely provide that.
	23. Pittsburgh Steelers - S Kenny Phillips, Miami The Steelers already have a great player at safety (Polamalu) and teaming him with Phillips should strike plenty fear into opposing teams.
	24. Tennessee Titans - WR James Hardy, Indiana Hardy has great size and would become a nice target for Vince Young. The Titans needed to add more weapons for Vince Young and with the addition Alge Crumpler already the Titans continue to help Vince.
	25. Seattle Seahawks - DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina Balmer had been a notorious underachiever until his senior season at North Carolina. He is a great talent available this late and the Seahawks may pounce on him.
	26. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Calais Campbell, Miami Campbell is an intriguing prospect with solid size and pass-rushing skills. The Jaguars lost Bobby McCray who was their third defensive end last season and can replace him with a similar player.
	27. San Diego Chargers - RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon There is no denying the Chargers are going for it all. They have traded draft picks in the past few years to acquire the players they felt they needed. Stewart is a great talent available here and will fill in admirably for the departed Michael Turner.
	28. Dallas Cowboys - WR Limas Sweed, Texas The Cowboys receiving corps is getting up there in age and the the local Sweed would add needed youth. Offense is clearly the focal point for the Cowboys draft and acquiring a running back and a receiver with their two first-round picks makes the most sense.
	29. San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) - DE/LB Quentin Groves, Auburn The Niners have done a solid job of improving their offense this offseason. The defense could use another pass-rusher and adding Groves appears to be a good fit.
	30. Green Bay Packers - OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College The Packers tackles are getting up there in age and the mammoth Cherilus would be a great replacement in the future.
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	32. New York Giants - LB Dan Connnor, Penn St. The Giants saw a pair of their linebackers depart during free agency and Connor would do well in filling in as a replacement. Connor would have to play on the outside with Antonio Pierce entrenched as the Giants middle linebacker but he did start a few seasons at that position with the Nittany Lions.