Thursday, March 6, 2008

Mock Draft 2.0

Like Mock Draft 1.0, this mock draft assumes there will be no trades.

1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
The Dolphins have clearly tried to fix their defensive line problem in the off-season, signing NTs Randy Starks from the Titans and Jason Ferguson from
the Cowboys. The Fins will take the #1 rated offensive line prospect in the 2008 Draft. Matt Ryan is overrated, so John Beck will get another shot as signal caller next season. Long will help out in both the passing and rushing attack - an immediate help for a terrible offense.

2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
The Rams offensive line was in shambles last year, mostly due to injury. They signed Tennessee Titan OG Jacob Bell to a one year contract which adds some depth to their line. With their top prospect off the board, the Rams will take the other Long. Adam Carriker doesn't have the speed to turn the corner in the NFL, but he did a pretty good job playing NT in his rookie season. Long will benefit from the attention that will likely be given to Glover, Carriker (who will be able to make more plays in his sophomore season) and Leonard Little at LDE.

3. Atlanta Falcons: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
I saw the Falcons drafting Rashard Mendenhall with the 3rd pick in the draft, but they recently bought Michael Turner, who will be effective, but not earn his paycheck. Although they released Warrick Dunn, they won't take a RB with Norwood and Turner in the backfield. The Falcons cut DT Rod Coleman and Ellis will be the perfect replacement in the interior defensive line. Like I have said before, Ellis can be just as much of a disruptive force as Glenn Dorsey, but he has more burst and is more athletic. Ellis is 6'1'' 305 and an absolute beast.

4. Oakland Raiders: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
It would be a reach to draft a WR at #4 to give JaMarcus Russell another weapon on offense, and with the running game averaging 130.4 yards per game (6th in the league); the Raiders will look to strengthen their defense. Glenn Dorsey will fill the giant void left by Warren Sapp's retirement. They allowed an average of 145.9 yards per game on the ground in 2007 (31st) and having to play LT, LJ, and the Broncos twice, the Raiders are going to need some help up front. Although Al Davis loves to sign a big name, they can't justify taking McFadden because they have a surplus of running backs - Fargas did well for himself last year. Clearly the Raiders have no problem giving guys with bum knees boatloads of money. Hello Oakland, Glenn.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
The Chiefs gave up 55 sacks last year, were ranked last in the league rushing and second to last in both yards and points per game. The Chiefs, like the Rams, had serious issues with their offensive line and with Jake Long off the board, Ryan Clady is a solid pick and is the second best OT in the draft.

6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, HB, Arkansas
The Jets suck. They need help everywhere. Thomas Jones - you know you should think about retiring when Reggie Bush averaged more yards per carry than you did. That's pathetic. Leon Washington is a burner, but he's a better return man than a RB. The Jets tried to fix their OL in free agency by signing Woody and Faneca. They also added ex-Viking Tony Richardson as their new FB. It looks as if the Jets are getting their offense ready for their new franchise back. McFadden made himself a couple of extra million dollars by running an impressive 4.33 40 at the combine. He silenced a lot of critics in February and will be an upgrade, if nothing else, to an awful running game in Jersey.

7. New England Patriots: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
The Patriots lost their starting CBs and their #2 WR to the bidding war that is free agency. They need a CB. Because they lost out on the really old, bruised white linebacker sweepstakes (Dan Morgan, Zach Thomas) the Patriots will take a page out of Rodney Harrison's playbook and inject some youth into their secondary. Rodgers-Cromartie had a great Senior Bowl and a better combine. He runs a 4.33 and has good closing and recovery speed and consistently makes open field tackles. He is an aggressive CB who increased his draft status after a great Senior Bowl and would be a welcome and necessary addition in New England.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
I can't wait for the QB position battle this fall! Kyle Boller vs Troy Smith. Any chance they can throw Trent Dilfer into the mix? Defense wins championships. The Ravens will take the #1 rated CB in the draft. Chris McAlister (who finished the year on IR) and Corey Ivy (who is atrocious) are in their 30s. Plain and simple, the Ravens need a new CB. McKelvin showed his showcased his athleticism in both Senior Bowl workouts and in the combine. He posted a 38 inch vertical. He can also be a factor in the return game. Ravens fans will have to wait another year for a functional offense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Dorsey and Ellis are off the board at this point and it would be too early to draft Keith Rivers or Dan Connor to help out their miserable LB corps. Marvin Lewis keeps drafting defensive players who make little or no impact. Lewis recently said, "We have to take a hard look at rushers on defense," Lewis said. "That has to be a priority. You've got to be able to affect the football game by knocking the quarterback around and pressuring the quarterback." Merling is one of the fasting rising pass rushers in the 2008 draft. If it's possible, the Bengals defense got worse since free agency started. DE Justin Smith is now a 49er and S Madieu Williams is a Viking. Although they signed Antwan Odom, the Bengals still don't have one of those fabled pass rushers Lewis has been talking about. Gholston, like McFadden, helped his draft stock a lot with his combine performance. He tied Jake Long for the strongest player in the draft with his 37 repetitions of 225. Gholston also ran a 4.67 40 and had a 35.5 inch vertical. Gholston will help the Bengals. Anyone would help, really.

10. New Orleans Saints: Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State
Well done New Orleans. Randall Gay will be a huuuuuuuuuuuge upgrade over Jason David. Dan Connor is better in pass coverage than Keith Rivers. He is a great tackler who has great speed, tenacity, and will improve a Saints LB corps that is almost as bad as the Bengals'.

11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
The Bills solidified their defense with the additions of Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell. So they will use the draft to give Trent Edwards some help. Lee Evans is 5'10'', Josh Reed is 5'10'' and Roscoe Parrish is 5'9''. Malcolm Kelly is 6'4'' 219 and has a 38 inch vertical. Kelly is big, fast, and can rack up yards after the catch.

12. Denver Broncos: Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt
The Broncos' OT Matt Lepsis retired and they will need to find a capable replacement to protect Jay Cutler's blind side as well as a huge body (6'6'', 339 lbs) to keep Shanatan's running game productive. The WR class in 2008 is pretty deep so there is no need to reach for a skill position player at pick 12.

13. Carolina Panthers: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Muhsin Muhammad signed with the Panthers and at 34, he is still faster than Dwayne Jarrett. According to Panther insiders, the offensive line could have a different starter at every position in 2008. They signed a G away from the Cardinals, but an OT is still needed. The Panthers also have needs at LB, RB, and DE, but ignoring the offensive line would be a huge mistake. We'll find out if DeAngelo Williams can carry the load next season.

14. Chicago Bears: Rashard Mendenhall, HB, Illinois
The Rex Grossman rollercoaster is actually NOT over. He signed a one year deal with Chicago. I'm assuming that Kyle "Neckbeard" Orton will get to compete for a starting spot in 2008 as well. He should try playing drunk. Maybe they both should. Cedric Benson is best described as a disappointment. The Bears will take my top rated RB prospect with the 14th pick. Mendenhall doesn't have much wear on his tires, is fast for his size, is very agile and is not afraid of contact. Mendenhall rushed 262 times for 1681 yards (6.4 ypc) and 17 tds. He also caught 34 passes for 318 yards and 2 tds. He has never fumbled. And against one of the best teams in college football in USC, he carried 17 times for 155 yards, averaged 9.1 yards and scored a td. He was one of the best players on the field that day.

15. Detroit Lions: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
They lost their best defensive player at DT, an offensive G, and their 2nd best LB in free agency. Well done Detroit. Initially I had Mike Jenkins of USF here, but the Lions signed Travis Fisher. While they could take an OL, look for the Lions to replace Shaun Rogers with Kentwan Balmer. Balmer is a relentless pass rusher who can play both DE and DT. He is a disruptive force who is generally in the right place on defense.



16. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Stewart, HB, Oregon
The Cardinals were one of the worst rushing teams in the league last year and while Edgerrin James' numbers were a bit better last season, he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry and he fumbled 5 times. Stewart averaged 6.2 yards a carry for the Ducks in '07. At 230 lbs, Stewart not only has the size to play in the NFL, but also the speed, having been timed at 4.34 in the 40 yard dash. He is also a great receiver out of the backfield and would be a great compliment to an effective passing game. If the Cardinals are able to keep Fitzgerald in the desert, they could have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL.

17. Minnesota Viking: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
I'm well of the QB free fall in this draft, but I don't see the Vikings drafting a QB here either. Harvey is one of the best pass rushers in the 2008 draft. DE Kenechi Udeze is battling leukemia and DE Ray Edwards only had 5 sacks last season. Merling would compliment what may be the best pair of DTs in the league.

18. Houston Texans: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
The Texans are now about as stable as Dunta Robinson's knee at CB with the Jacques Reeves signing. Their secondary is still suspect, though. While not the fastest CB, his size and athleticism make up for it. Talib is 6'1'' and recorded a 38 inch during the Combine. He is not afraid of a physical challenge.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Branden Albert, G, Virginia
The Eagles signed Chris Clemons, who like Fargas, was productive in the black hole that is Oakland. I think the Eagles will give him a shot at DE to replace the ineffective Kearse. With that said, the Eagles will add depth as well as youth to their fossilized offensive line. Albert has great leverage and positioning and can match up against both speed and bull rushers. This 6'7'' 317 lb lineman will be capable of playing with G and OT in the NFL.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
There.

21. Washington Redskins: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
With the West Coast Offense coming to DC, the Redskins will want another receiving threat. Hardy is 6'5'' 217 lbs and runs a 4.48 40. He is a fast possession receiver that caught every ball thrown to him in the Combine. He catches the ball away from his body and would have about half a foot height advantage over the other Redskin starting WRs.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, HB, Arkansas
Felix Jones is the lightning to Marion Barber III's thunder. Barber is a tough, punishing runner but doesn't have the breakaway speed and Jerry Jones doesn't seem to believe that Barber can carry the load by himself, otherwise he wouldn't have played Julius Jones as much as he did. Felix Jones is the home run threat that the Cowboys are lacking. If Jones can show a willingness to run between the tackles and not rely on his speed to beat defenders to the outside, which he did in college, Jones could be special. With Barber and Felix Jones in the Dallas backfield, their running game will be more productive; certainly more explosive.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The Steelers need to improve their offensive line. Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 47 times in 2007. Faneca is a free agent who the Steelers are not willing to resign. Cherilus has great leverage and positioning and can match up against both speed and bull rushers. Cherilus is massive and has the awareness to recognize and pick up blitzes. He moves very well for his size and he has the strength to wear down defenders.

24. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Vince Young seemed to have had a role in the firing of offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Since being drafted, Young has not had the weapons he needs to be effective in the passing game. And when he began to develop chemistry with some of his WRs, injuries prevented further improvement. Eric Moulds is no longer a real threat, Brandon Jones is pretty good, but not a #1 WR, and Roydell Williams and Justin Gage are effective cogs in the Titans football machine. Who better to have catching Vince Young's passes but Limas Sweed, his favorite target when he played for the Longhorns. Sweed adjusts to the long ball very well, is effective against zone coverage, can win jump balls consistently and can make defenders miss after the catch.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Fred Davis, TE, USC
See Dollars for Algernon. Davis is the best TE in the draft with exceptional speed, athleticism, and toughness.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
The Jaguars have spent too many first round draft picks on WRs who have not produced numbers to match their salaries, so look for the Jags to address other needs. Harvey is 6'4'', 250 lbs, and runs a 4.65 40 yard dash. He has a good initial burst and can beat blockers to the point of attack with his effective pursuit angles.

27. San Diego Chargers: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Chargers LBs are very solid and Shaun Phillips has really elevated his game. Jamal Williams is 31 and is coming off of a knee injury, but with many of the top prospects already off the board, the Chargers will fill Drayton Florence's spot at CB. He is very athletic, pretty fast, and at 6'0'' he is taller than most CBs in the NFL. He can develop into a quality starter opposite Antonio Cromartie.

28. Dallas Cowboys: DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are 34 and 33 years old respectively. Terry Glenn pretty much missed the entire 2007 campaign due to injury and has lost a couple of steps. TO still has a couple of years left, but Patrick Crayton isn't more than a stop gap as a starter. Crayton is 28 too. DeSean Jackson is the best vertical threat in the draft, running a 4.33 40 yard dash. Jackson doesn't run the cleanest routes, but he certainly has the biggest upside. He can make an impact on special teams from day 1. He is not afraid to run routes across the middle of the field and is willing to compete for the ball in the air.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Early Doucet, WR, LSU
The 49ers are atrocious and their offense is embarrassing. They had the worst passing attack in the league, ranked near the bottom in the run game, last in yards, and dead last in points. Somehow they managed to win 5 games. Alex Smith is a huge tool and somehow he hasn't yet worn out his welcome as the starting QB in San Fransisco. Shaun Hill, 28, played well when he stepped in as the starter, completing 68.4%, throwing 5 tds and only 1 int. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis were the 49ers leading receivers and both missed games due to injury. That's pathetic. Darrell Jackson just isn't a good receiver anymore. Doucet is deceptively fast, is hard to bring down, and has the ability to run any route asked of him. He is also a willing blocker and will add some intensity to a dull, lethargic 49er offense.

30: Green Bay Packers: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Charles Woodson is 31 and Al Harris is 33. Will Blackmon is incredibly athletic, but cannot stay healthy. Tramon Williams played pretty well as the nickelback and could develop into a starter, but it is too early to tell. Jarrett Bush can dance, but he just doesn't cut it as a starter. Flowers is a very physical CB. He is quick to read and react against the run and is a very good tackler. Although a bit undersized at 5'10'' 200 lbs, he is one of the most athletic CBs to come out of college this year.

31: New England Patriots: Pick forfeited because Bitch Tit Bill doesn't know how to play fair.

32: New York Giants: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
The Giants' offense is well balanced with both an effective running game and solid receivers (Burress, Toomer, Smith and the best receiver of all time David Tyree). After Eli's final drive in Super Bowl XLII his position is set even though his play, in general, hasn't been that spectacular. Kiwanuka is not a good LB and Kawika Mitchell will likely be a victim of free agency, so the Giants need an OLB. Rivers is an elite LB who reads and reacts to plays very quickly and has great speed as a LB. He is a powerful hitter and an impact player on defense.


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