2008 NFL Draft Update: MOCK DRAFT #1

1. Miami Dolphins Jake Long-OT- Michigan

a. The Dolphins don’t really have a legit QB but they drafted John Beck last year and they have Cleo Lemon that can start until Beck is ready. They have a great running back in Ronnie Brown and they drafted Tedd Ginn Jr. last year to address a receiver problem. I still think that getting a receiver in the first three rounds this year wouldn’t be a bad idea. However, what they really need to address is to get the offensive line better and to get some bigger holes for Ronnie Brown to run through. Jake Long is a big offensive linemen that will have an immediate impact on the Dolphins offensive line.

2. Atlanta Falcons Brian Brohm-QB-Loisville

a. The Atlanta Falcons had a very tough off season. They lost their starting QB in Michael Vick and they traded away their long time backup Matt Schaub. So in this situation they address the Quarterback situation. Brian Brohm is a great pocket passing QB with all the tools that he needs to be a successful one. However, Andre Woodson from Kentucky is moving up the charts drastically so don’t be surprised if Brohm isn’t the first Quarterback to go in the draft.

3. Buffalo Bills Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU

a. Well if Jake Long was here that may be an option but the way to go in this situation will have to be Glenn Dorsey. The other day on ESPN they were saying that if someone othe than a so called “skilled player” were to get the Heisman Dorsey would be the right choice. He is a big very good Defensive tackle who can help with both the run and the pass. This guy will make an immediate impact on the Bills horrific defense.

4. St. Louis Rams Calais Campbell-DE-Miami

a. Calais Campbell is only going to be a Junior but he is a physical specimen. He is 6’8″ and 280 lbs. Last year he had 20 tackles for a lost and 10.5 sacks while being named first team All-ACC. This is a big guy who can help the youth on the defensive line. They addressed the interior last year and this year they are going to improve the exterior of their d-line. Leonard Little isn’t getting any younger and this guy is the real deal with his size and ability to get past defenders. Jake Long or a the top offensive line on the board is still a big possibility here because of their loss of Orlando Pace who may not return.

5. New Orleans Saints Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas

a. I know other people are saying that New Orleans needs to improve there defense and defensive line. I agree but I also agree that if McFadden is still on the board here he will be too good to pass up. They can get another stud running back that will complement Reggie Bush and they can increase their future draft status by trading away Deuce McAlister. Darren is a hard runner and will be a good goal line back and will complement Bush well.

6. Minnesota Vikings Andre Woodson-QB-Kentucky

a. A lot of people don’t have Woodson ranked this high but I think that he is the real deal. He just recently defeated LSU the number one team in the country in overtime showing he can play under pressure. He is a big guy with a big frame and an even bigger arm. He has everything you need to be a good professional QB. Look for this guy to jump up everyone’s charts and become a top pick especially because a lot of teams will be looking for a QB this year. So they go from having a young stud running back to a stud QB as well.

7. Carolina Panthers Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College

a. I am going to be pretty bold and put three Quarterbacks in the top 10 players picked because it is such a big need this year. I am not sure how much time Delhomme has left in him but Ryan will be a good pick for the soon future. Matt Ryan has shown to be a very good Quarterback and the Panthers are going to need a good Quarterback if they are going to be successful in the future. Another choice here that is probably more probable would be a Defensive end seeing as though the Panthers have only registered 2 sacks in 4 games so far this season.

8. Oakland Raiders Sam Baker-OT-USC

a. The Oakland Raiders have there franchise QB in Russell and they are on their way to becoming a legitimate team this year. With this pick they may want to look receiver here depending on their depth in this position after the season. However, Sam Baker is a good linemen from USC. Baker at 6-5/305 lbs. has real time NFL lineman all over him and he will be the guy protecting Russell in the future.

9. New York Jets Derrick Dockery-DE-Florida

a. The Jets are always a decent team that never does really well but they never do really bad. If Pennington continues to struggle this year they may also look into getting a QB. However, Defense is important and getting pressure on the Quarterback is a huge part of slowing teams down and lowering 3rd down conversions. The Junior from Florida Derrick Dockery is a very athletic DE. He is known to be kind of a DE/LB player compared at times to the stud LB from Dallas Demarcus Ware.

10. Dallas Cowboys ( From:Cleveland Browns) Early Doucet-LSU-WR

a. The Cowboys are a really good team and it looks like they are going to be successful this year under the helm of Tony Romo. This year Witten has been the main receiver followed by TO (who has a lot of drops). TO is getting old and the defense is going to have to start keying Witten in passing situations. The Young Talent of Early Doucet from LSU would be a good fit here for Tony Romor. Both TO and Glenn are on there way out and Doucet is a speedy big time receiver that will be able to help them as a second or third receiver immediately.

11. New England Patriots( From:San Francisco 49ers)-Dan Conner-ILB-PSU

a. Who do the New England Patriots need. The Answer is nobody. They hammered the Cowboys tonight who are supposed to be one of the best teams in the NFL. They are lucky though because the 49ers lost their starting QB and the 49ers are looking to have a not so great season. They have a good defense and a very strong linebacking crew which is getting old. Vrabel, Bruschi, and Seau are all old and have been in the league for a long time. Dan Conner is a big time playmaker and is rumored to be better then Paul Posluszney. This is a quality pick as well as a perfect player for the Patriots. Conner will fit in very well with the Patriots other Linebackers and will get immediate playing time for an excellent team.

12. Philadelphia Eagles Gosder Cherilus-OT-Boston College

a. The Eagles allowed a slew of sacks to the Giants Defense setting all sorts of records in a bad way. So what does Philadelphia need to do? Draft an offensive lineman. Gosder Cherilus is 6-7 320 lbs and will make a big impact right away buy helping with pass protection as well as helping make bigger holes for Westbrook. The Eagles offense seems to be based on Westbrook more and more every game. The offensive line can be a big key in helping Westbrook be more succesfull in his pivotal role.

13. Cincinnati Bengals Kenny Phillips-FS/SS-Miami

a. Well let me think there offense is very good and is able to score a lot of points and their defense is awful and cannot stop anyone. The Bengals then draft a defensive player. Kenny Phillips is a real time playmaker and he will make a real big impact right away. Phillips can help with the pass and run because of his physical abilities.

14. Detroit Lions Justin King-CB-PSU

a. Receiver? No I think they are going to stick with Calvin and Roy for a year at least. Justin King will help the Lions secondary and will help their offense by not forcing their offense to score 50 pts a game in order to win. Look for them to draft a lot of defensive players.

15. Houston Texans Steve Slaton-RB-WVU

a. The Houston Texans are looking pretty good this year. Andre Johnson is the real deal at receiver and Jacoby Jones also has shown flashes of greatness. Matt Schaub has also done a much better job then David Carr and is doing a good job running the offense. What the Texans need now is a running back. Ahman Green is old and will be gone soon and Ron Dayne is definitely not an every down back. Well because McFadden is gone they look in the direction of West Virginia. Steve Slaton is an amazing athlete with unreal speed and the ability to juke out any defender on the field. Bye doing this Schaub will get a great offensive weapon. Slaton has been compared to Reggie Bush meaning he can split out in the slot, run the ball up the middle, and get huge gains on screens and short passes. Slaton will be the perfect fit because Dayne can continue to pound the short yardage plays and Slaton can be the playmaker.

 

16. SeattleSeahawks Jonathan Stewart-RB-Oregon

a. Back to Back Running Backs. Seattle is a pretty good team even though they are starting to get a little old and out dated. Alexander is in his early 30’s and is not anywhere near as productive as he has been in the past. He has been ridden with injuries and a lack of productivity. By giving him someone to split time with and eventually take over will make Alexander and the team more effective as a whole. Stewart is a big fast running back that can come in and play with and learn alot from the once Pro-Bowl running back Alexander.

17. Kansas City Chiefs Tony Hills-OT-Texas

a. Well it looks like they like Brodie Croyle is the QB for the future they improve the Offensive Line here. The Chiefs select Tony Hills to help LJ get some bigger wholes and get more yards per carry. He has had some tough games this year and a good offensive linemen could be a big help to the run and passing game in KC. Tony Hills the 6’6″ offensive line will be a good choice for the chiefs in this position.

18. Denver Broncos Frank Okam-DT-Texas

a. The Broncos have been having problems stopping the run this year allowing over 150 yards a game. Frank Okam is a very big (6-5, 320lb) defensive lineman that will be a solid run stopper. After they plug up the defensive line they may want to look into linebackers and defensive backs as well.

19. Chicago Bears Colt Brennan-QB-Hawaii

a. The Bears running game is struggling so that means take offensive linemen right? NO, Briane Griese is not the answer the Bears need to address the position of team leader or quarterback. The Top three QB’s are off the board so I have the Bears taking a really risky pick in Colt Brennan. Brennan is 6-3 190lbs which is a good frame for an NFL. He has thrown more passes probably more than anyone in the sport of football because he is in the Hawaii offense. Brennan has thrown a lot of Interceptions this year but I think if the Bears pace the game and give him some receivers he will be able to do a heck of a job.

20. San Diego Chargers Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC

a. The Chargers offense has been struggling from time to time but they have all the weapons they need to succeed. They also took a receiver last year in Craig Davis and have recently acquired Chris Chambers. So the Chargers need to take care of their on and off defense. They address this situation bye taking the best defensive tackle available, Sedrick Ellis. He came from a winning program with USC and he is a winner and a very good D-Tackle in the sense of run and pass.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Desean Jackson-WR-California

a. Everyone is not going to take a QB in the first round and Chris Simms is supposed to be the future of the Bucs. Garcia is doing good things so far but he doesn’t have enough offensive weapons as far as receivers are concerned. There are many different ways they could go with this pick considering Limas Sweed. Limas is injured for Texas and is out for the season so I am going to go with Desean Jackson. Jackson has amazing speed and great hands. He is a playmaker and can turn any play into a TD. Galloway is getting old and going to be done soon so Jackson is the Bucs selection if he is not already gone. The downfall with Jackson is that he is considered to be another Ted Ginn Jr. or an undersized receiver that is drafted way to high for return abilities.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars Malcolm Kelly-WR-Oklahoma

a. The Jags have no good receivers. Their defense is good and so are their running backs but they have no playmakers at the receiver position. Malcom Kelly is the real deal, 6’4″ 220lbs and has big time speed. This guy is the real deal and will be a big weapon for the newfound David Garrard. Though, I will trust whatever decision Del Rio makes because of the great decision he has made already bye going with Garrard over Leftwich.

23. New York Giants Antoine Cason-CB-Arizona

a. Their defense has improved drastically the last couple of games. But Cason is a quality pick this far into the first round. Some other choices would be Aqib Talib and DeJuan Tribble. Another quality pick here would be Limas Sweed because Toomer is getting old and everyone knows the only receiver weapon from the G-Men is Burress.

24. Baltimore Ravens Aqib Talib-CB-Kansas

a. Samari Rolle isn’t playing the best he has played in his career and the Ravens thrive on their defense. The Ravens could go with a QB because Mcnair is old and Boller doesn’t seem to be a good future starter. But their isn’t another QB that has first round talent. Aqib Talib is a good Corner that can Ravens defense and have an immediate impact.

25. Arizona Cardinals Mike Hart-RB-Michigan

a. The Edge is playing well this year but he is not the long term solution for the Cardinals offense. He is to old and to banged up to be the long term solution. Some people don’t like Mike Hart and think he is too small to be a productive NFL running back however I do like him. Hart is a hard running beast that cannot be stopped. Hart has been winning games himself this year and is a beast that can break multiple tackles. Look for hart to bring an initial impact and share time with Edge.

26. Tennessee Titans Limas Sweed-WR-Texas

a. If they choose Limas Sweed this year that would be three Texas players in the first round in three years. They need a legitimate receiver and right now they have none. Limas will bring a big body that is fast enough to get behind defenders as well as be a big goal line target. Another choice here could be Adarius Bowman from Oklahoma State. Another reason for taking Sweed here would be that Vince and Sweed have played together before and chemistry is a key part to successful football.

27. Washington Redskins Chris Long, DE, Virginia

a. The Skins are looking pretty good this year and I am not exactly sure what they should go with. Their defense has given up a good amount of points and Christ Long(Howie Longs son) is a quality pick at this late in the first round.

28. Green Bay Packers Terrell Thomas-CB-USC

a. The packers offense looks to be doing well with a young receiving group as well as some young running backs. The QB situation is taking care of with Favre for now. So the Packers address the defense and they go with the athletic corner from USC. Also if there is a quality running back still on the board don’t count them out.

29. Pittsburgh Steelers James Laurinaitis-ILB-Ohio State

a. The Steelers are looking really good this year and are looking tougher and tougher as the weeks move on. Holmes is turning into a promising receiver and they still have Hines Ward and you don’t need to even think abour RB. So look to the defense and Farrior is going to be older next year getting ready to retire in the near future. Laurinaitis is the real deal and is playing for the now #1 team in the country.

30. San Francisco 49er’s (From:Indianapolis Colts) Mario Manningham-WR-MI

a. Here they could address the defense but there are a lot of good receivers on the board still. The 49ers take Mario Manningham and give Alex Smith a big time player to throw to. Smith now has a really good running back, Tight End and a pretty good receiving group who can make some big time plays.

31. Dallas Cowboys Dejaun Tribble-CB-Boston College

a. I don’t know about you but after every game they play I am thinking hmmm…… secondary. They have already addressed the offense with their earlier pick so here they take the best corner/safety on the board. In this situation that happens to be the CB from Boston College Dejuan Tribble.

32. New England Patriots-

a. Lost because well you know…….