2008 NFL Mock Draft: Who's No. 1?

Derrick Harvey, who dominated Ohio State in the National Championship game in 2007, saw his stock fall dramatically during the '07 season. He might have been a top 15 selection had he come out after Florida's championship season. Harvey could still be selected in the top 15, but I expect him to be there for the Titans at No. 24.

25. Seattle Seahawks—Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Shaun Alexander is in the twilight of his career and the Seahawks will look to the future by selecting Mendenhall at 25. The future is now—Mendenhall is a budding star who not only ran all over Big Ten competition, but was the only bright spot for Illinois in the ass-whooping handed to them by USC in the Rose Bowl.

Mendenhall should be the starter in the backfield for Seattle on opening day. With his power and speed, I expect him to go for 1,500 yards and 10 TDs during his rookie campaign.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars—Early Doucet, WR, LSU

With Matt Jones likely headed toward the trash heap and Ernest Wilford departing via free agency, the Jags will look to take a receiver (again) in the first round.

LSU's Doucet had a disappointing senior season because of injury and inconsistent play that has caused his stock to drop from a potential top 10 pick to the end of the first round. Doucet will be nothing more than possession receiver in the NFL. Ideally he could become the equivalent of a Cris Carter, but he is more likely to be another Keenan McCardell, which isn't bad either.

Reggie Williams played well in spurts last season and, teamed with Doucet, will give Jags QB David Garrard a vast array of weapons for 2008.

27. San Diego Chargers—Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)

The Chargers have a wealth of riches at almost every position and boast one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Few remember that the Chargers selected CB Paul Oliver in the fourth round of the supplemental draft last season. Oliver, had he played last season at Georgia, would have been the first corner selected in the 2008 draft.

The Chargers are in the unique position to select the best player available regardless of need. Campbell is another player whose stock has taken a hit over the past year. Once regarded as a top 10 player, he too has fallen to the bottom of the first round. If Campbell can play like he did in 2006, the Chargers have once again hit the draft jackpot and can add more firepower to an already deep talent pool.

28. Dallas Cowboys—Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Julius Jones will be gone and the Cowboys are trying to re-sign Marion Barber as I type this. I will be surprised if Jerry Jones doesn't trade up to try and land Darren McFadden, but if they have to "settle" for his Arkansas teammate, that ain't bad either.

At times last season, Jones outplayed McFadden and had it not been for the fact that he shared the same backfield as No. 5, Jones probably would have gotten some Heisman buzz.

Jones is lightning quick and excelled as a kick-returner for the Razorbacks. He should provide the Cowboys with the same dichotomy that Julius Jones/Barber did, only  if Julius didn't suck.

Don't be surprised if the megalomaniac Jerry Jones bets the house on McFadden when he could have stayed put and selected someone who is just a notch below at pick 28.

29. San Francisco 49ers—Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian St.

Here is the wild card in the first round. With the addition of "Mad" Mike Martz as offensive coordinator I imagine he will do what he did in St. Louis on draft day: demand that they select receivers with speed. Jackson fits that description

I watched Jackson in awe this season. When he turned it on nobody could catch him. If he posts a 4.3 40 at the Combine he will enter end of the first round territory where Martz will beg those in charge of the War-Room to give him some toys to play with in his high powered offense.

Remember that in the 2000 Draft Martz selected a burner at the end of the first round named Trung Canidate. It was picks like Canidate that eventually got Martz fired, so stay tuned.

Whatever happened to Antonio Bryant? I thought he was a legit No. 1 NFL receiver. Bring him back.

30. Green Bay Packers—Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.

Charles Woodson and Al Harris form a respectable cornerback tandem, but they were exposed in the NFC title game when Plaxico Burress schooled them for four quarters. Both are on the back end of their stellar careers, so look for the Packers to infuse the secondary with some youth for 2008.

Rodgers-Cromartie is a small school standout who has been listed on some people's draft boards as their No. 1 cornerback. If the last name sounds familiar his cousin is Antonio Cromartie, one of the best, if not the very best, cornerback in the NFL, so the pedigree is there. Like his cousin, he is a standout athlete with exceptional leaping ability and outstanding speed, and also like his cousin he has a slight frame that he needs to add bulk to.

As a Rams fan I must admit that I hope he falls to the top of round two. This guy is impressive, but they probably would pass on him like they did his cousin and select some midget cornerback from Clemson instead.

31. New York Giants—Dan Conner, LB, Penn St.

The Giants have built a championship team mostly through the draft. They are another team that can sit back and simply take the highest rated player on their draft board, which is a time-tested strategy that has worked for Jerry Reese and company.

Conner is a tackling machine who is athletic and physical and should fill the possible void left by free agents Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor. A tad undersized, but so was Zach Thomas.

*order will be determined by coin flip

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