2008 NFL Mock Draft

1. Miami Dolphins-  Chris Long , DE

    Long is son of former great Howie Long and winner of the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the year award. Parcells will look to strengthen a weak dolphins team from the D-Line up. Parcells does not want to wait for a young QB to develop and if cannot trade the pick will take Long as the number one overall pick. Also look for a trade or a guy like Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis.

 

2. St. Louis Rams- Jake Long, OT

The Rams are a much better team than their record shows. They were devastated with injuries last year and Long, near to Joe Thomas caliber, can help prevent injuries to Bulger and Jackson. It would also provide support to an aging Orlando Pace. Again, the main competition for this pick are Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis.

 

 

 3. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan, QB                          

    The Falcons need to move on from Michael Vick. I do not think he will play football until at least the 2010 season and will never be the player he once was. Right now the falcons QBs are Harrington, Shockley, and Chris Redman. If they are smart they pass on McFadden and everyone else and get back on track to being a competitive football team.

 

 

4. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden, RB       

Al Davis will have a hard time passing on a playmaker like McFadden. I think he is a little overrated and this is too high but the raiders will hope McFadden did what Adrian Peterson did for the Vikings. If Chris Long is still available here which I think he will if the dolphins do not select him then I think Al Davis takes Long and continues his father's legacy in Oakland.

 

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Ryan Clady, OT                         

There is an extremely talented OL class this year. Expect to see 5-6 OL go in the first round. Chiefs struggled this year because LJ did not have a great year due to injury and a bad offensive line. Clady will help and this pick just feels like the right move for the Chiefs.

 

 

 

 

6. New York Jets- Vernon Gholsten, DE/OLB                

This is a good pick for the Jets because Gholsten will fit nicely in their 3-4 defense. It is hard to see Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis falling past this but there are reasons that the Dolphins, Raiders, and other teams keep ending up with early picks and that is because they do not use those picks wisely.

 

7. New England Patriots- Leodis Mcklevin, CB           

Asante Samuel is gone, Ellis hobbs may be to, nd a short list of other corners are gone for the pats. McLevin has to prove he is better that Flowers and I think it will be shown before the draft thet Flowers and McKlevin will show to be better than Mike Jenkins and Aqib Talib. What I really think will happen is the patriots will trade the pick like they always do with their 1st rounders. They always like to have two picks in the next draft.

 

 

8. Baltimore Ravens- Keith Rivers, OLB

Yes, I know, the ravens are strong at LB. But Ray Lewis cannot play forever, they lost Thomas to the Patriots, and Terrell Suggs has been franchised and it is unknown how long the Ravens will be able to hold onto him. Ravens are stuck in a tough position. The guy they wanted in Matt Ryan is gone. The BPA is Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis (amazing both have fallen this far) but they already have Haloti Ngata at DT. Keith Rivers is a top prospect and the ravens are stuck with a tough decision. Best case scenario for them is to trade down and get Donovan Mcnabb or a QB in the second round.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- Glenn Dorsey, DT

Finally, the Bengals have to be overjoyed with Dorsey falling here. He is the best player available and can help the terrible Bengals defense.

 

 

10. New Orleans Saints- Brandon Flowers, CB

Maybe the best corner in the draft. The saints need desperate help in the secondary. Flowers is an extremely physical corner who also gives run support. He reminds me of Rodney Harrison with his hitting and physicality. But maybe better in coverage. Good pick up for the saints.

11. Buffalo Bills- Sedrick Ellis, DT

This is the steal of the draft. Although the Bills may not need him, Ellis is may be the best  defensive player in the draft. I can see him being taken #1 by the dolphins. I do not think he will fall this far but it is hard to see where in the top ten he will go. Maybe the Saints, Raiders, Bengals or Jets will take advantage of this phenomenal player.

 

12. Broncos- Jeff Otah, OT 

When there is not a definite need to fill it is safe to take a LB in this draft. One of the strongest  years for tackles I have ever seen.

 

 

 

13. Carolina Panthers- Rashard Mendenhall, RB

This is an excellent pick. Mendenhall might be better than McFadden. With the Panthers releasing Deshaun Foster it looks like they will take a RB. Mendenhall is a beast and this pick mirrors the Bills getting Marshawn Lynch last year.

 

 

 

 

14. Chicago Bears- Limas Sweed, WR

The Bears are in a position similar to the Ravens. They both desperately need a QB but Ryan is the only one who looks like a 1st round guy. They need a QB so bad I think they need to trade into the top five to get Matt Ryan. If not they just released Mushin Muhammed and I guess that means Bernard Berrian is their #1 receiver. Sweed is the best wideout in the draft and will help the Bears. 

 

15. Detroit Lions- Mike Jenkins, CB

The Lions just seem like they will always be an average  team.  I like the offense, But the secondary needs help. I would be willing to bet my life that they wont take a wideout 1st but I already owe my life for making the same bet with people last year on the lions. Jenkins is a good corner who will have to fight with the other corners in this draft.

 

 

 

16. Arizona Cardinals- Phillip Merlin, DE

This is the smart pick for the Cardinals. They can go with a more glamorous offensive player with the running back Jonathon Stewart but that is a push. Merlin has fallen this far and he is a steal at 16. I do not think taking a RB here will help them make the playoffs next year or after. Still look for them to take Stewart or Felix Jones if not Merlin.

 

 

17. Minnesota Vikings- Mario Manningham, WR

The vikings do not have a good receiver and a guy like Manningham could really help the vikings to build an explosive offense. They already have a good running game and a good passing game would help support it.

 

 

 

 

18. Houston Texans- Jonathon Stewart, RB

Ahman Green is not reliable due to injuries and with a good run game this could be a fun team to watch. Chris Williams the OT is also a good pick here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

19. Philadelphia Eagles- Derrick Harvey, DE

I cannot believe Harvey has fallen this far, Another huge steal late in the draft. I think he will go much higher but I am not so sure where.

 

 

 

 

 

 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Desean Jackson, WR

They need an upgrade desperately, this guy can be a star. I do not see him being much more than a return man and number two wide receiver. Joey Galloway wont be around much longer and this is a good time to address this position. 

 

 

 

 

 

21. Washington Redskins- Derrick Harvey, DE

Another big steal in a year that is very rich at the defensive end position.

 

 

 22. Dallas Cowboys- Felix Jones, RB

Is this a stupid pick? I guess we will see. Jerry Jones is an Arkansas alum and takes Felix Jones here. He will be a good one-two punch with Marion Barber. And a good upgrade from Julius Jones.

 

 

 

23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Chris Williams, OT

 

With Alan Faneca leaving and other problems on the offensive line the steelers will go with offensive line. It would be a perfect fit if Jeff Otah, the Pittsburgh College OT, could land here but i think he is already gone by then. Williams is a solid tackle but this pick might also go to Brandon Albert the best guard in the draft.

 

 

 

24. Tennessee Titans- Malcolm Kelly, WR

Titans desperately need a wideout. Kelly is he best here. Take him or trade the pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25. Seattle Seahawks- Fred Davis, TE

Tight End is an extremely important position and if you look at all the good teams in the NFL they have a good TE. Fred Davis had a great combine and the Seahawks have noticed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kentwam Balmer, DT

Good pickup late in the 1st round here if the Jaguars can get him. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27. San Diego Chargers- Dan Connor, ILB

Connor will fill the gap put their by Donnie Edwards after he left last year. The Chargers can try to get back to the defense they had two years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28. Dallas Cowboys- Aqib Talib, CB

Don't be surprised if he goes ahead of Mike Jenkins. I do not think he should fall this low. Closer to draft day it will be easier to see where he goes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 29. San Francisco 49ers- Early Doucet, WR

Tied with the Bears and Titans they have the worst wideouts. Doucet might not make a dent on an offense so bad but they have to get Alex Smith a target.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30. Green Bay Packers- Calais Campbell, DE

Put him opposite Aaron Campman and they will have a vicious D-Line. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31. New York Giants- D.Rodgers Cromartie, CB

Cousin of Antonio Cromartie, Dominique-Rodgers could be the same kind of player. There are reports that Deangelo Hall will go to the Giants but whether they get Hall or Cromartie, when paired with Aaron Ross they will have an incredible secondary and an killer defense. Defense wins championships.