1. Miami Chris Long, DE Virginia
Unless Bill Parcells swaps the pick with Dallas--I expect the Big Tuna to take Chris Long, because Long is the best defensive college prospect, plus Long played the 3-4 in college which is the system that the Dolphins will utilize in 2008.
2. St. Louis Jake Long, OT Michigan
The future of Orlando Pace is uncertain. The Rams could have been much better in 2007 if not for a string of injuries, including Pace. Therefore, I expect the Rams to select Jake Long to insure the future of their franchise--even if that means parting ways with Pace.
3. Atlanta Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
This is practically a no-brainer. With Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood on board in Atlanta--the Falcons need only to complete the backfield. Let's just say that the QB situation between Matt Ryan and Chris Redman in Atlanta won't be a dogfight.
4. Oakland Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
I have to stay true to my opinion of whom the Raiders should and will select. So unless Al Davis sends this pick to the Cardinals for WR Larry Fitzgerald so that Arizona can take RB Darren McFadden--then I expect Oakland will take D-Mac.
5. Kansas City Ryan Clady, OT Boise State
Kansas City is rebuilding the defense and offense. Herm Edwards though is good at mining for defensive players in the later rounds. Thus, I expect the Chiefs to begin the rebuilding of their once great offensive-line that is down to the lone gunman, G Brian Waters.
6. NY Jets Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State
Projected as a defensive end, but I think that the Eric Mangini Jets will take this physical freak as a rush linebacker in the 3-4, and potentially spell the end of Bryan Thomas in New York.
7. New England Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
The health of Richard Seymour is uncertain, while the Patriots were weak against the run. Bill Belichick, though, does not seem to be fond of younger linebackers, so Glenn Dorsey makes the most sense. That is because Dorsey at this point will be the best available player and would give the Pats an option in regards to Seymour.
8. Baltimore Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
The Ravens will adhere to their philosophies of taking the best available player rather than the most needed position (Brian Brohm). That is what they did when they took Terrell Suggs first instead of Kyle Boller. Maybe the Ravens trade back into the first round in order to get Brian Brohm, but I think Ellis will be their first pick, regardless.
9. Cincinnati Kenny Phillips, FS Miami
The Bengals could use a running back of the future considering the age of Rudi Johnson. They could also use another linebacker with the free agency loss of Landon Johnson and the erratic career of Odell Thurman. Considering their luck with running backs and linebackers in recent history, I expect the Bengals to snap up the best available safety to replace Madieu Williams (who signed with Minnesota), and complete what looks like a stingy secondary with corners Jonathan Joseph, Leon Hall and safety Nedu Ndukwe.
10. New Orleans Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina
The Saints need a force in the middle of the defensive line. The mega-bust DT Johnathan Sullivan may still haunt them, but I think they have done enough in free agency to address their other holes on defense to tell me that defensive tackle is next on the list.
11. Buffalo James Hardy, WR Indiana
Flags will fire at this pick, but with the stock of Malcom Kelly falling and the size of DeSean Jackson lacking, I believe that Buffalo will take the big receiver James Hardy from Indiana to pair with Lee Evans.
12. Denver Keith Rivers, LB USC
Depleted at linebacker, the Broncos add the best LB prospect in the draft with Keith Rivers to pair with D.J. Williams.
13. Carolina Brian Brohm, QB Louisville
Brian Brohm falls all the way down to Carolina. With the future of Jake Delhomme uncertain, the Panthers need a QB of the future.
14. Chicago Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
Cedric Benson is a flop as a featured back and that is that. The Bears move on by taking the 2nd best running back in the draft. Lovie Smith still believes in Rex Grossman, and so I believe 'Da Bears will select Jonathan Stewart in hopes of recreating what they had with Thomas Jones.
15. Detroit Dan Connor, ILB Penn State
Matt Millen is practically a serial killer when it comes to draft day. His M.O. is to select wide receivers and linebackers in the first and second round. When Mike Williams entered the draft, I had Matt Millen taking Williams when everyone thought that was nuts. So here I go again—Matt Millen will take the linebacker, Dan Connor, from his alma mater, Penn State.
16. Arizona Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy
The Cards need a cornerback so they can move Antrel Rolle to safety. Taking Leodis McKelvin makes sense.
17. Minnesota Fred Davis, TE USC
Head coach Brad Childress loves to utilize the tight end in his offense as he did in Philly with L.J. Smith and Chad Lewis—while Minnesota is lacking in talent at that position, and could use an underneath target for QB Tarvaris Jackson. Thus, they take the best TE prospect in Fred Davis.
18. Houston Brendan Albert, OG Virginia
The interior of the Houston offensive line looks like crap on paper with the free agency departure of Fred Weary and the subtraction of C Mike Flanagan. Here’s to Brendan Albert going to Houston to bolster that line—and going sooner than most people think he will.
19. Philadelphia Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
Tre' Thomas and Jon Runyan have long been staples on the Philly o-line, but the Iggles could use an OT of the future or the option to part ways with either Thomas or Runyan.
20. Tampa Bay DeSean Jackson, WR-RS California
The Bucs badly need a receiver. Even though Jon Gruden despises rookies, DeSean Jackson’s raw speed can allow him to contribute as a rookie for Tampa Bay by returning punts.
21. Washington Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
If Dan Snyder doesn’t trade this pick to Atlanta for CB DeAngelo Hall, I believe that the Redskins will take a badly needed defensive end in Derrick Harvey.
22. Dallas Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
Jerry Jones will eventually wise-up when he realizes that he doesn’t need to mortgage the Dallas future to acquire Razorback Darren McFadden by taking Razorback Felix Jones to replace Julius Jones.
23. Pittsburgh Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Tennessee State
The Steelers desperately need another cornerback. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie strikes me as a corner that would fit well in Mike Tomlin’s defense.
24. Tennessee Phillip Merling, DE Clemson
The Titans are depleted at defensive end, despite the return of Jevon Kearse. Phillip Merling needs work but he should have the time in Tennessee.
25. Seattle Quentin Groves, LB-DE Auburn
Higher than most think Quentin Groves will go, assuming Seattle doesn't trade out from this spot, I expect the Seahawks to select Groves to insure their depth at linebacker and special teams after the free agency loss of Kevin Bentley and Niko Koutouvides. Plus it would give the ‘Hawks a future LB behind Julian Peterson and put pressure on Leroy Hill.
26. Jacksonville Calais Campbell, DE Miami
The Jags need support on the defensive line with the trade of DT Marcus Stroud and the free agency loss of DE Bobby McCray. Campbell is a mammoth lineman who could be converted to tackle.
27. San Diego Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
The secondary is San Diego’s single most significant shortcoming. The Bolts stockpile a corner by selecting CB Mike Jenkins.
28. Dallas Antoine Cason, CB Arizona
The Cowboys could use a nickel back in the mix with the free agency loss of Jacques Reeves and the age of Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry. Antoine Cason appears to be in line to move from Arizona through the badlands of New Mexico and unto the glory of Texas stadium out in Dallas.
29. San Francisco (from IND) Malcom Kelly, WR Oklahoma
The 49ers need an offensive tackle or a wide receiver to help the quickly diminishing career of former top pick, QB Alex Smith. Malcom Kelly might not be great in one particular area, but I don’t think that Kelly has any gaping deficits.
30. Green Bay Jerod Mayo, LB Tennessee
Quickly rising on many boards, I think Green Bay will select the LB from Tennessee, Jerod Mayo. Mayo would either give depth to the Pack or spell the end of Brady Poppinga on the left side.
31. New England NO PICK
32. NY Giants Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh
This will be the best available player for a team without many holes. The football philosophies of Tom Coughlin begin with the offensive line. The Giants could use another linebacker, but they will try to fill that need in later rounds because the best of the LB group will be gone by this point. Thus, I think the G-Men will add an offensive-lineman to the mix with, Jeff Otah.
THE ALTERNATE DRAFT:
1. Miami Chris Long, de Virginia
2. St. Louis Glenn Dorsey, dt LSU
3. Atlanta Matt Ryan, qb Boston College
4. Oakland Vernon Gholston, de-lb Ohio State
5. Kansas City Jake Long, ot Michigan
6. NY Jets Darren McFadden, rb Arkansas
7. New England Sedrick Ellis, dt USC
8. Baltimore Ryan Clady, ot Boise State
9. Cincinnati Keith Rivers, lb USC
10. New Orleans Mike Jenkins, cb South Florida
11. Buffalo Malcom Kelly, wr Oklahoma
12. Denver Chris Williams, ot Vanderbilt
13. Carolina Brian Brohm, qb Louisville
14. Chicago Jonathan Stewart, rb Oregon
15. Detroit Dan Connor, ilb Penn State
16. Arizona Rashard Mendenhall, rb Illinois
17. Minnesota Derrick Harvey, de Florida
18. Houston Brendan Albert, g Virginia
19. Philadelphia Jeff Otah, ot Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay DeSean Jackson, wr-rs California
21. Washington Kenny Phillips, fs Miami
22. Dallas Leodis McKelvin, cb Troy
23. Pittsburgh Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, cb Tennessee State
24. Tennessee Phillip Merling, de Clemson
25. Seattle Quentin Groves, lb-de Auburn
26. Jacksonville Kentwan Balmer, dt NC State
27. San Diego Antoine Cason, cb Arizona
28. Dallas Felix Jones, rb Arkansas
29. San Francisco (from IND) Limas Sweed, wr Texas
30. Green Bay Aqib Talib, cb Kansas
31. New England NO PICK
32. NY Giants Mario Manningham, wr Michigan
comments (24) write a comment »
write a new comment
7 months ago
this is absolute garbage. dan connor in the middle of the round and no rashard mendenhall??? do your homework please
7 months ago
Clearly, you don't understand "needs" as well as value. Teams 19-32 are not in real need of a runningback. Really, the only team after Chicago that could use a 1st round RB is Arizona, but I think they will take a corner since they need to shore-up their defense. I could imagine someone trading back into the 1st round with Seattle in order to grab a runningback, but I prefer to not predict trades. This draft looks loaded, so I expect 1st round talents to fall to the 2nd round, simply because there are so many. OT Marcus McNeill was a Top 15 prospect a few years back but fell to San Diego in the 2nd round, and has been a ProBowler ever since. It can happen.
from 6 months ago
I can see Millen taking conner....even though he probably shouldn't
7 months ago
Oh yeah---and Jerry Jones is nuts. He'll take Felix Jones just because Jones comes from Arkansas. The draft is always irrational--and so I like to try and predict some of that irrationality.
6 months ago
great job bro, maybe do a little more research on the players, you know maybe a bit of something bout their specific tendencies, but other then that not bad man not bad at all. I got Millen picking another wideout though... you know its gonna happen