This draft preview is under the assumption that there will be no trades made by teams trying to get into the top 10. I know that most likely won't happen, but you could write for days on what potential trades could be come draft day.
#1 Overall Pick- Miami Dolphins
Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU
The Miami Dolphins allowed 188 passing yards per game on defense last year, which is mediocre. They also allowed 153.5 rushing yards per game, which is horrendous. When Tony Sparano was brought in by Bill Parcells to coach the Dolphins this offseason, he brought defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers along with him from Dallas. In four out of five seasons as defensive line coach in Dallas, the Cowboys were in the top five in run defense. Look for the Dolphins to replace an aged Keith Traylor with Glenn Dorsey at the DT spot for 2008, and look for the Dolphins' run defense to improve mightily in 2008 as well.
#2 Overall Pick- St. Louis Rams
Jake Long-OT-Michigan
Lack of depth and overall talent on the offensive line has been a weakness of the Rams the last two seasons, and they need to look into addressing that need at some point in this draft. Quarterback Marc Bulger was sacked 37 times last year on just 378 dropbacks, and was held out of games when he could have played just to keep him from getting killed. With the depth at offensive tackle in this draft, the Rams could look to go somewhere other than offensive line, but the Rams need a blue chip stud on the line that will play right tackle next season and fill Orlando Pace's left tackle spot down the road.
#3 Overall Pick- Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College
In the aftermath in what has been one of the most embarressing offseasons for any franchise, the Falcons are looking to re-invent their football team. What better way to start than by drafting who is considered by many to be the only franchise quarterback in the draft. The Falcons need to move past Mike Vick at this point, and be proactive in changing the image and focus of the franchise.
#4 Overall Pick- Oakland Raiders
Chris Long-DE-Virginia
The Oakland Raiders are going to get very lucky that a player the caliber of Chris Long could fall to them at #4. If he isn't there, I believe this pick will be Darren McFadden, but I don't think Long will be taken in the top 3. No doubt, Long is a tremendous talent, and to me is the pass rushing of Patrick Kerney and the force against the run of Kyle Vanden Bosch in one body, but I think he will fall to the Raiders at #4, and even Al Davis can't miss this one.
#5 Overall Pick- Kansas City Chiefs
Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC
The Chiefs have gotten little production at the DT spot for the last few seasons, and could really use an athlete like Sedrick Ellis to compliment the outside pass rush from Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. They have a young guy from N.C. State that I like in Tank Tyler, and if you put Sedrick Ellis next to him, you could get that production you have been seeking from the defensive tackle position if you're the Chiefs.
#6 Overall Pick- New York Jets
Vernon Gholston-DE/OLB-Ohio State
3 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Adam Radochonski about 1 year ago
Miami won't pick Dorsey. He doesn't fit the 3-4 scheme that Parcells and Sporano (sp?) will implement this season. He shouldn't play the 5-technique because it would take away his best ability: rushing the passer. He's better suited as a 3-technique in a 4-3 defense. Miami would be wise to go with Chris/Jake Long, trade down, or Gholston.
Leodis McKelvin would be a better choice than Rodgers-Cromartie. He's a better overall corner and he has added value as a returner.
Clady is a more athletic tackle than Williams and would start immediately at LT because Ogden is all but retiring.
I think Keith Rivers would be a better pick than Merling. Merling has yet to work out because of his sports hernia, so no one really has any idea how he'll look. Rivers would be a tenacious force on a defense that lacks playmakers at the LB position. The DE pool is deep, and I think the Bengals could look in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Phillips is too high at this point. Hasn't worked out all that well and the safety pool isn't that great. I think he's more of a 20-25 guy; Rodgers-Cromartie would be a good fit here.
My Top 10:
1. Miami- Chris Long
2. St. Louis- Jake Long
3. Atlanta- Matt Ryan
4. Oakland- Darren McFadden
5. Kansas City- Sedrick Ellis
6. NY Jets- Vernon Gholston
7. NE- Leodis McKelvin
8. Baltimore- Ryan Clady
9. Cincinnati- Keith Rivers
10. NO- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Edit Comment Cancel
James McNamee about 1 year ago
Cincinnati needs a pass rusher though, Rivers is a slow, run stuffing linebacker. The Bengals need to get a guy like Merling or trade down to the late first round and get someone like a Calais Campbell out of Miami. I also think that the Dolphins are going to stick with the 4-3 for now, because Jason Taylor is not going to play outside linebacker, and I'm not sure they want to move Joey Porter or Crowder inside. I think Long probably will go if Dorsey doesn't, it all depends on what Parcells wants to do in the recent future as far as scheme is concerned.
Edit Comment Cancel
James McNamee about 1 year ago
Cincinnati needs a pass rusher though, Rivers is a slow, run stuffing linebacker. The Bengals need to get a guy like Merling or trade down to the late first round and get someone like a Calais Campbell out of Miami. I also think that the Dolphins are going to stick with the 4-3 for now, because Jason Taylor is not going to play outside linebacker, and I'm not sure they want to move Joey Porter or Crowder inside. I think Long probably will go if Dorsey doesn't, it all depends on what Parcells wants to do in the recent future as far as scheme is concerned.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.