2008 NFL Offseason: Mock Draft

This April’s NFL Draft is a mess!

This is one of the few years that there is no clear concise first pick. One of the NFL’s most storied franchises, the Miami Dolphins, gets the honor of making this first pick, which will be heavily analyzed before and after the draft.

You have a Super Bowl runner-up, the New England Patriots, with the seventh overall pick. Picks are being forfeited right and left (the aforementioned Patriots and the 49ers). Some teams have two first round picks (the Cowboys). Some teams don’t pick until the second round (the Colts), while some don’t pick till the fourth round (the Browns).

This is indeed an odd year for people who love the draft. No mock drafts are alike, and most can’t even agree on any of the top three team’s picks. I am about to offer some in-depth insight for those of you who, like me, are very confused by this year’s complex draft.

I will post possible draft day trades that I think will occur, and I will update this if any unexpected pre-draft trades happen (McNabb, Roy Williams, and Chad Johnson?). 

1.Miami: Jake Long, OT, Michigan.

This was probably the most difficult pick to make in the draft. Matt Ryan doesn’t make sense here because they drafted John Beck last year with a second round pick, and that would be like giving up on Beck and wasting a second round pick.

Dorsey doesn’t make sense here because they run a 3-4 scheme, and he is not a nose tackle. Chris Long makes a little sense, but they already have Jason Taylor. The reason they pick Jake Long is to sure up their terrible offensive line.

2. St. Louis: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU.

This is my big shocker pick. They really wanted Jake Long, but with him off of the board they move to defensive tackle. Adam Carriker is naturally a defensive end that has the ability to play defensive tackle. Chris Long and Vernon Gholston are also good picks here, but that would limit Carriker’s potential. I see Dorsey like Warren Sapp coming out of college (instant impact). With Carriker and Dorsey on the line that is just a combo that will strike fear into quarterbacks for years.

3. Atlanta: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College.

This is a no brainer. For those of you who think that the Falcons will go a different direction, you are fooling yourselves. Currently the best quarterback on that roster is DJ Shockley. Harrington and Redman are not the answer at all. Their defense has some holes, but not enough to take Long or Gholston. They need a franchise quarterback now.

4. Oakland: Chris Long, DE, Virginia.

This a perfect fit. The son of a Raider’s legend joins his father’s team. The defensive line is deplorable in Oakland (aside from Derrick Burgess). If they sure up the defensive end positions that would give the Raider’s a potent defense. They may select Darren McFadden here, but they already have four legitimate running backs, namely Justin Fargas who rushed for over a thousand yards and is showing some real potential. They get offensive line help later in the draft.

5. Kansas City: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC.

This is kind of a surprise to some, but if you really think, it makes a ton of sense. They have good defensive ends in Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. They have a good line backing core, as well. The secondary is a huge issue, but this is way too high to draft a corner. This may be their only chance to get an elite DT prospect like Ellis. This will sure up there D line. They can draft corner and OT prospects later in the draft.

6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas.

Eric Mangini would be ecstatic if McFadden fell to him. The versatile running back from Arkansas would be a great addition to any team, but especially a team that appears to have a good offensive line like the Jets. Thomas Jones is a good runner, but struggles last season in his first year with the Jets. McFadden will be a great addition to one of the NFL’s most stagnant offenses. They also make this pick so the rival Patriots don’t dig their claws into this talent.(Trading this pick to Dallas is also a possibility)

7. New England (from San Francisco): Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU.

This is a perfect fit for the Patriots. He is an extremely athletic versatile player who will add speed and youth to their linebackers. They added Victor Hobson who I think will fit in nicely. Now I know the secondary needs a lot more attention than the linebackers, but a talent like Gholson cannot be passed up.

8. Baltimore: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

What a terrible day for the Ravens. They want Ryan to be their quarterback of the future, but he is already taken. So they continue to boost their offensive line with Clady. They do this because they don’t know if Jonathan Ogden is going to retire or not. They need their line to improve from last year to help out Steve McNair or Troy Smith.

9. Cincinnati: Keith Rivers, LB, USC.

They have drafted corners far too often in recent years. Since the DT’s are off the board they now draft a linebacker to finally have one reliable linebacker. Rivers is an extremely athletic player who will be a great asset to the Bengals. Derrick Harvey from Florida is also an option, but Rivers is too good of a prospect to pass up.

10. New Orleans: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn St.

Cromartie is, in my opinion, the best corner prospect in the draft. He is an even better prospect coming out of school than his cousin. All of his combine numbers show talent, as does his game film. The only knock on him is that he played at a small school. This should be overlooked, and the Saints can get a potential shut down corner.

11. Buffalo: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy St.

The Bills luck out in this situation. Receiver is one of their biggest needs, but this class has few elite tear receiver worth a pick this high. The Bills are thin at corner and McKelvin is an extremely good prospect. He can also play special teams to give the Bills that added push for the playoffs.

12. Denver: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt.

The defense is a huge concern, but Jay Cutler needs protection in order to improve into the quarterback he has the potential to be. Williams is an extremely athletic player who will fit well into the zone blocking scheme of the Broncos.

13. Carolina: Branden Albert, OL, Virginia.

This may come as a surprise to people, but it makes a lot of sense. They lost Mike Wahle and their offensive line was in shambles last year. Albert is one of the more versatile OL in the draft, and will help protect Jake Delhome from getting injured for yet another season.

14. Chicago: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville.

The Bears luck out here with a great signal caller. Brohm is, in my opinion, much better than the next tier of quarterbacks, and a great pick up for the Bears. He will probably be starting halfway through the season.  If they do sign Brohm, though, they will need to pick up a receiver to help him out seeing as the best receiver that is currently on the roster is Brandon Lloyd.

15. Detroit: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida.

Detroit gets the player they wanted in the draft. The funny part of this team is they have question marks at every position except wide receiver. They get Jenkins and pair him with Leigh Bodden which may actually stop people who try and pass the ball. Running back, offensive line, and defensive end are all issues that will be dealt with later in the draft.

16. Arizona: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois.

This pick will ensure that the Cards' offense will continue to become more and more potent. Edgerrin James is getting old even though he is still effective so an injection of youth at this position is definitely needed. They can take a corner here but this is probably too high for most of the remaining corners. Mendenhall will work well with the improving offensive line and those great receivers.

17. Minnesota: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida.

I feel for Minnesota DE’s. Erasmus James is always injured and Kenechi Udezi has Leukemia. Everyone saw what those Florida DE’s did to OSU a few years ago. Harvey was a part of that demolition of Ohio State. He is an athletic lineman. He is one of the few in the draft who is a perfect fit for the 4-3 scheme. He will flourish with those great DT’s.

18. Houston: Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami.

This was one of my other draft shockers. I know that they need secondary help, namely at corner, but a prime time safety would be a great addition to Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, and Demeco Ryans. These four along with Dunta Robinson could be a feared defense for years to come. They can also draft a corner in the second round to firm up the secondary.

19. Seattle (Trade with Philadelphia):  Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma.

The Seahawks make one of the first trade moves in this draft to acquire what many consider the best receiver in the draft. Bobby Engram is getting up there in age, and Deion Branch does not appear to be a superstar. With this in mind, they turn to the injured Kelly to fill the void that Darrell Jackson created when he left, as Matt Hasselbeck’s go-to receiver

20. Tampa Bay: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas.

Many think that DeSean Jackson is the pick here, but why have two deep threats (the other being Joey Galloway)?  Jeff Garcia needs a big target with good hands. He gets this in Sweed, who showed a great deal of ability at Texas. He will be a great go-to receiver for Garcia.

21. Washington: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson.

Defensive end is one of the biggest glaring concerns for the Redskins. They may need secondary help too, but that can be addressed in the second round. Andre Carter is solid, but Philip Daniels is getting old and needs to be replaced. They barely managed to get any sacks after the death of Sean Taylor. An upgrade at DE is the first priority and corner is the next in the second round.  

22. Dallas (from Cleveland): Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon.

This is the ultimate injury risk pick. With that in mind, the rewards are great if he can be healthy. Stewart is a dominant runner with power and speed. He would be a perfect complement to Marion Barber. This is the first of Dallas’s two first round picks, so a corner or receiver is also possible here.

23. Pittsburgh: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh.

Can the fit be much better? Otah falls to his college town team. The Steelers lost Alan Fanaca to free agency, so now it is time to rebuild that offensive line. This isn’t a problem, seeing as how that same offensive line gave up almost 50 sacks. Otah is a monster, and this will fit perfect into the Pittsburgh mentality.

24. Tennessee: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.

Finally they give Vince Young help at receiver. Not much else needs to be said about this pick. Thomas had a great junior season, and his stock is as high as it will ever get. He will finally be that go-to receiver along with Alge Crumpler that will push Vince Young to the next level.

25. Philadelphia: DeSean Jackson, WR, California.  

The Eagles' gamble pays off. Not only do they trade down and get more picks, but they also get the player they would have probably drafted at the No.19 spot. McNabb loves deep threats, and Jackson is just that. He will be a great receiver and a return specialist. This will add an explosive playmaker, so Brian Westbrook won’t be the only one.

26. Jacksonville: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina.

They really could use a great DE, but all the top tier ones are off the board. So they go with their next biggest need and get a DT. With Marcus Stroud being traded a hole has filled in one of the DT spots. Balmer is easily the third best DT in this draft. I don’t know if he is really deserving of this high of a pick, but the Jags have little depth at the position right now.

27. San Diego: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas. 

I know that they need a right tackle at this point, but the position has a lot of depth. They can pick up Talib here and then get a good tackle in the second round. Talib had a good Kansas career, and is the consensus number four cornerback in the draft. He will be great in the nickel, and will be a replacement for Quentin Jammer if he ever leaves.

28. Dallas: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech.

Is this too high for Flowers? I don’t think so. He is one of the most intriguing CB prospects. He has the raw talent, but his moves are a bit flawed. The problem with this pick is that any WR would be a reach here, and that is the Cowboys next glaring hole. So with this in mind, they end up getting a WR in the second round. 

29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis): Dan Connor, LB, Penn St. 

Connor is one of the latest to come out of Linebacker University. Many will say that they do not need another inside linebacker, but the fact is that Connor is extremely versatile. He can play both inside and outside. They need help on one of the worst defenses in the league. Although offense is a big need having everyone healthy for next year is a big plus. They can look to any offensive position in the next round.

30. Green Bay: Antoine Carson, CB, Arizona.

This is a team with few holes in it (possibly more so than any other team in the league). I think that safety is a position that the Packers could look to, but this is way too high of a spot to draft any of the remaining safeties. So with this in mind, they go and add depth to their corners. Carson has proved time and again he is a game breaker, and he will prove this yet again. 

31. New England (pick forfeited)

32. New York Giants: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee.

They may have won the Super Bowl, but many players left in free agency. So now it is time to rebuild. Mayo is an athletic freak. He will be a great addition at inside or outside linebacker. Safety is also a concern, but with no good safeties worth this high of a pick they go with one of the best players left on the board.

So this is my mock draft. If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to write it down. I will make a second round and post it sometime next week. (I will also revise this if any trades occur. If Pacman Jones is traded to Dallas I still see them taking a corner because he is such a risk).