|
04-24-2008
"The
FINAL Straw"
It's draft time, and all this mockery is about to be
done with. However, with the draft less than a week
away, I figured I might as well snap off my last mock
draft. This is how I think it will go down, except for
trades. I'm mocking around as if no trades happen. This
is how it looks.
1.
Miami Dolphins (1-15) - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
The
Dolphins already signed Long, so chances are, he makes
it official-official on Saturday. I hope the Dolphins
don't take the full 10 minutes - that'd really chap
my balls.
2.
St. Louis Rams (3-13) - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
It's
between Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey, and I think the
talent level is so close that they'll go for the defensive
end with fewer question marks. It doesn't always pay
to be safe, but I think it does in this case.
3.
Atlanta Falcons (4-12) - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Absolute
stud that could very well be considered the best player
in this draft. Yes, that's right McFadden fans. From
the defensive side of the ball, Dorsey is as dominant
as any player in the draft.
4.
Oakland Raiders (4-12) - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
The
Raiders signed Fargas to a nice sized contract and have
Rhodes and 2nd year player Michael Bush. However, none
of those guys has D-Mac upside, and if there's ever
been a perfect Al Davis player, this guy is it. He'll
instantly make the franchise more money - which is important,
because, you know, this is a business.
5.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-12) - Vernon Gholston, DE,
OSU
With
Jared Allen gone, Gholston is a nice pick up. He doesn't
have the complete package that Allen had, but he's the
best defensive end prospect left, and I think he's got
as much upside as anyone in this draft. His numbers
are grand and he's had very explosive games against
big-time competition.
6.
New York Jets (4-12) - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Remember,
the Jets are about to trade their starting defensive
tackle to the Denver Broncos. With Gholston, Long, and
McFadden all gone, this pick seems perfect, plus, Ellis
is a stud so the value is good.
7.
New England Patriots (16-0) - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise
State
I
don't see the Patriots picking here. Somehow, they'll
finagle their way down the draft board, maybe even out
of the 1st round altogether. However, if they stay,
and I don't mock trades so they'll stay in my draft,
Ryan Clady has great upside and decent value. He's the
best OT in the draft, in my opinion.
8.
Baltimore Ravens (5-11) - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Something
tells me Kyle Boller isn't the guy the Ravens hoped
he'd be. Troy Smith didn't get a chance late last season,
so he mustn't be more than a backup in their minds.
Enter the highest rated QB prospect in the draft. Matt
could be the savior this team always hoped for.
9.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Rivers
is legit. His ability to make plays all over the field
and use his brain to do the right thing (on and off
the field) makes him a great choice for this flailing
franchise. Oh, and trade Ocho Dinko.
10.
New Orleans Saints (7-9) - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
The
Saints could use McKelvin as a starting corner right
off the bat, because their secondary sucks. Leodis can
do many things, and his coverage skills will immediately
help a porous Saints defense.
11.
Buffalo Bills (7-9)Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee
State
The
Bills get the most gifted corner in the draft. He may
not be polished, and he may give up a few big plays,
but it'd be hard to argue anyone's upside over this
small school corner. Everyone knows he has the bloodlines,
and the Bills need secondary help.
12.
Denver Broncos (7-9) - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
The
Broncos never pick running backs high, and they need
help in more than a couple places, but I happen to think
the world of Mendenhall. I thought the same about Maroney,
and Splinter said he would have taken Laurence if Cutler
was gone. So, this year he takes Rashard.
13.
Carolina Panthers (7-9) - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
The
Panthers are said to love them some enormously powerful
and talented left tackle from Pittsburgh. For a team
that struggles to protect their quarterback and rarely
does any damage on the ground, I can see why Otah would
grab their attention.
14.
Chicago Bears (7-9) - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
The
Bears need help on the offensive line desperately, because
if they aren't a threat to run the ball, they are dead
in the water. I love Jonathan Stewart but the smart
pick would be to lock down a top-tier offensive lineman
like Williams. Then anyone can run.
15.
Detroit Lions (7-9) - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Mike
Jenkins would be a great fit in Detroit. I think he's
the most polished corner in the draft. He does things
right. Watching film of him has him moving up my draft
board, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
16.
Arizona Cardinals (8-8) - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
The
Cardinals could use a freak of nature type pass rusher
on the outside. Right now, offenses are allowed too
much time, putting pressure on their defense. I know
DE isn't the biggest team need, but a guy like Harvey
here seems like a great deal.
17.
KC Chiefs (via MN) (4-12) - Branden Albert, G, Virginia
The
Chiefs got two great cornerstones for their offense.
They'd be lucky to get Branden this late, as his stock
is flying right now. However, the way things went, two
tackles were chosen before him, and he makes his way
to Kansas City.
18.
Houston Texans (8-8) - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Talib
is a great physical corner with ball skills and illusiveness
in the return game. He's a game breaker, something the
Texans really need on a blossoming defense.
19.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Phillip Merling, DE,
Clemson
There's
a reason the Eagles have tried to pick up every high-profile
receiver with a "contract problem" that has
requested a trade. It's because they've been through
all these receiver prospects and don't like one enough
to take here. So, they go for a defensive end that could
help right away against the run and pass.
20.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) - DeSean Jackson, WR,
Cal
I
still like Jackson to go here. You either love him or
hate him, and who knows what Chucky is thinking, but
I'm willing to believe that a team with Joey Galloway
still making big plays in his 30s has to think highly
of a guy like Jackson.
21.
Washington Redskins (9-7) - Devin Thomas, WR, Mich
St.
The
Redskins have always needed size and athleticism at
the wide receiver slot, and Thomas gives them a great
opportunity to pick that up in Round 1. He's no Chad
Johnson, but he's available, and he only costs one pick.
22.
Dallas Cowboys (13-3) (via Cle.) - Felix Jones, RB,
Arkansas
Jones
may be a bit small but he's explosive. He's basically
a guy that would give the Cowboys everything they don't
think Marion Barber gives them. He sees the field really
well, and there's not too much wear on those tires.
23.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) - Jonathan Stewart, RB,
Oregon
I
know there's not a big need here, but Stewart is a superb
talent with the size to punish opponents. Pittsburgh
has always been a "best player available"
type team, and I think Stewart is that.
24.
Tennessee Titans (10-6) - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
I
like Malcom Kelly more, but apparently Sweed is higher
on most draft boards. His numbers are better, and his
body of work is at least as good. I just think Kelly
has more upside. The Titans won't and they'll make Vince
more comfy with his favorite receiver.
25.
Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Kentwan Balmer, DT, NC
Balmer
is a very good defensive tackle that received a lot
of attention from offensive opponents. He can rush the
passer and stop the run. The Hawks always seem to be
looking for defensive line help, and a guy from an unheralded
team seems to be a great fit here. From about here on
out, I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the quarterback-needy
teams make a trade to acquire the 2nd tier signal callers.
However, without a trade, Ryan will be the only QB chosen
in Round 1.
26.
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) - Lawrence Jackson, DE,
USC
I
like Jackson more than the rest of the defensive ends
on the board, and think he can really help a Jaguars
team that struggles with pressuring opponents. A wild
card here could be Jarod Mayo.
27.
San Diego Chargers (11-5) - Chilio Rachal, OG, USC
Without
the real need to reach for anyone, or take a value pick
here, the Chargers could be an ideal trade partner.
However, if they do stay here, why not take an offensive
lineman with humungous upside. USC's Chilio Rachal is
definitely that.
28.
Dallas Cowboys (13-3) - Gosder Cherilus, OT, BC
It
would be smart for the Cowboys to pass up the opportunity
to draft a receiver, because there are too many question
marks there. Another very good offensive lineman, like
Gosder would be a great choice and could really help
them moving forward. WR in Round 2.
29.
San Francisco 49ers (5-11) (via Colts) - Quentin
Groves, DE, Auburn
Groves
not only fits a need for the pressure hungry 49ers defense,
but he is a good value pick with nice upside. He had
a down year, sure, but his ability has never been questioned,
and he could be a nice piece for a young Niners defense.
30.
Green Bay Packers (13-3) - Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
People
talk about Keller like he's some workout warrior that
just jumped on the scene with some nice combine times.
Quit it, folks. Keller did work at Purdue, and was definitely
their most feared receiving threat. He'll be another
tool for the Packers passing game.
31.
New York Giants (10-6) - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
From
what people have been saying, Cason may slip into the
first round. I believe he is a first round talent, and
the Giants could always use more help against the pass.
Cason played on a bad team, but he's a very good player
that can do it all.
Mock
Draft Database
Mock
Draft Database
|
