2008 NFL Mock Draft v. 3.0

1. Miami: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Parcells knows that you have to build from the inside out. Adding Long will give John Beck a chance, or any QB that the 'Phins may draft later on. Either way, you are getting the safest pick in the draft and a guy who will be a cornerstone from your offense.

2. St. Louis: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

I thought about Gholston and Dorsey here, but Long makes the most sense. They picked up a solid player in Carriker last year, but they need some pressure off the side. Long is a high-character, high-motor guy who is a fine football player.

3. Atlanta: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Dorsey is an animal and will have a great career. Coach Mike Smith was the defensive coordinator at Jacksonville, so he knows how valuable DTs can be in a defense. Dorsey is relentless and plays tough all the time.

4. Oakland: Darren McFadden, HB, Arkansas

He adds that explosive element that they desperately need on offense. He would certainly take pressure off of last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell.

Baltimore trades the #8 pick and a 2009 2nd round pick to the Chiefs for the #5 pick.

5. Baltimore: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

He may not be the flashy franchise QB, but he can get the job done and would be in a pretty solid situation in Baltimore with a great defense and an offense with some great potential.

6. NY Jets: Vernon Gholston, 3-4 OLB, Ohio State

They did overpay Calvin Pace this offseason, but you can never have too much of a good thing, especially when it comes in the form of a pass rusher. Gholston would play the OLB role in Mangini's base 3-4, but could also put his hand on the ground for 4-3 situations.

New Orleans trades the #10 pick and a 2008 3rd round pick to the Patriots for the #7 pick.

7. New Orleans: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

New England and Cincy had their eyes on him, but the Saints really wanted him. They already have a talented end duo and went out and got Jonathon Vilma, so adding Ellis to the DT position would be a big-time upgrade. Hopefully, he doesn't turn out like Jonathon Sullivan...

8. Kansas City: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Kansas City was able to move down, get an extra pick, and still get the guy they really wanted. Clady is great in both the run and pass and has excellent athleticism.

9. Cincinnati: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC

I somehow feel that Chad Johnson will be traded by this time, because he's just too much of a distraction. At this point, there is no receiver worthy of this spot, but they take the most complete OLB in the draft.

10. New England: Brandon Albert, OL, Virginia

He's been a hot commodity the past few weeks. Teams feel he can play the left tackle position because of his athleticism, and the Patriots know that their offensive line got embarassed in the Super Bowl.

11. Buffalo: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State

McKelvin is a better value at this point than Malcolm Kelly and fills a need. Not to mention, he has added value as a return man, but they already have Roscoe Parrish, but who says you can't have two good return men?

12. Denver: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Wouldn't this be pretty convenient...Williams played with Cutler in college, now he gets his chance to protect his blindside in the pros? Who saw this coming?

13. Carolina: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

They still have a void at the tackle position, and Otah would make sense because he would open up holes for DeAngelo Williams and the running back the Panthers will probably take in the second or third round.

14. Chicago: Rashard Mendenhall, HB, Illinois

Jerry Angelo would love to move back from this spot because of all the tackles gone, but in the end, this is a win-win situation. Mendenhall gets to stay in his home state and would really be a catalyst to the Bears' sputtering offense. Look for them to go with a tackle in round 2.

15. Detroit: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

This would be a tremendous pick for the Lions, who clearly don't have a clear-cut No. 1 CB. This seems like the right fit in terms of his value; I don't think he's a top 10 player.

16. Arizona: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

Reach? I don't think so. Cason is the most underrated CB in the draft in my eyes. He's a complete player who competed at a very high level in college and should develop into a solid corner in the pros. His game speed is better than expected, but he will need to work on his strength and work at the line of scrimmage.

Minnesota trades the #17 pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for DE Jared Allen.

17. Kansas City: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

The Chiefs have been looking to move Allen, who is unhappy in Kansas City. They find a suitor who is willing to give up a first round pick so they can implement a new, young corner to learn behind Surtain.

18. Houston: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

I don't think this is a reach at all; he's the most complete safety in a weak class, that's all. He is great in coverage and comes up and plays the run well.

19. Philadelphia: DeSean Jackson, WR, California

It seems odd that he's the first receiver off the board, but he's so explosive with the ball in his hands and after the catch.

20. Tampa Bay: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

I don't think the latest scandal about marijuana with Talib is that big of a deal...it happened, and it's time to move on. He needs some refinement on his technique, but he can be great in Kiffin's Tampa-2 defense.

21. Washington: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

Thomas is a great blend of size, speed, and athleticism. He had a great junior year, but that was about it in college. Could his best football be ahead of him? I think so.

22. Dallas: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

They get to keep Sweed in his home state. He is big and physical and has great hands — when he's healthy. If he can get back to full strength, he will be a great option for Tony Romo.

23. Pittsburgh: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

The Steelers will most likely reach for this pick because they need offensive linemen badly. They would love to trade out of here; if they can, that would be ideal.

24. Tennessee: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

He took a pretty good fall, but he could be in a great spot. He hasn't worked out well this post-season, but when he puts his pads on, he can play against anybody.

25. Seattle: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue

Keller won't be a dominant in-line blocker, but thanks to the Seahawks' pass-heavy offense, he would be a mismatch nightmare in the slot. You can never have too many pass catchers.

26. Jacksonville: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

Jacksonville has their choice of three very talented DEs at this point, and they go with the one who has the most complete game. Merling only lasts this long because of his sports hernia.

27. San Diego: Kentwam Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Balmer would be an excellent fit playing nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. Yes, Jamal Williams is still an excellent player, but he's long in the tooth. An infusion of youth would be great for the Chargers, who are basically stacked.

28. Dallas: Jonathon Stewart, HB, Oregon

I know he's not a speed back, but he has one of the best combonations of size, speed, and versatility in this draft. He's just too good to pass up. He should be ready to go by the time training camp rolls around and could turn into a monstrous steal.

29. San Francisco: James Hardy, WR, Indiana

He's had a very good post-season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he goes higher than this. He has great size, body control, and hands.

30. Green Bay: Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma

He hasn't worked out all that well, running some poor 40 times, but he has game speed and is at his best with pads on. He's versatile enough where he could interchange between safety and corner.

31. New England: Week 1 Victory vs. NY Jets

Well, the Patriots cheated and got caught. Was it really necessary against the Jets, who aren't even that great of a team? Their spying skills would have been more useful against the Giants and realizing their terrorizing pass rush.

32. NY Giants: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

He's a beast of an athlete and could turn into a great player. He still needs some work on anticipating plays, but his size, speed, and athleticism are so impressive.