2008 NFL Mock Draft

The Miami Dolphins are a good all-around team, but they’ve come up against some serious struggles this year with both offense and defense.  If there were a top tier receiver in the NFL Draft, I believe they would have to go that route—but, of course, there isn’t one.  

I see them going for either Jake Long or Chris Long.  

Jake Long is a very good offensive lineman—but the Dolphins are already strong here.  Dorsey has had some injury problems this year, so if they decide they want to go with a safer pick Chris Long has the leadership skills and talent to be a top tier defensive end like his father, Howie Long.  

Either way, the Dolphins need to build through the NFL Draft if they want to progress as a team.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

The St. Louis Rams were expected to perform much more skillfully this season than they did.  There were a couple of injuries throughout the year that hurt them, but all in all they just couldn’t win games in the fourth quarter.  

Look for the Rams to improve their offensive line here in order to eventually replace the oft-injured Orlando Pace.  Long, a very good offensive lineman from Michigan, gets the job done every play.

However, the Rams could potentially trade down to someone looking to get Darren McFadden and then take a WR to replace the aging Isaac Bruce.  

These guys could be good next year; they have the talent.  If they get things clicking, look for them to turn things around and make the playoffs.

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

The Falcons organization has faced some hard times this year, what with Vick’s arrest and the newly acquired coach’s abandonment of the team.  

I predict they’ll take a quarterback in this draft.  Matt Ryan seems to be the first QB up for consideration in 2008.  At Boston College he demonstrated both arm strength and intelligence.

However, if Jake Long is still available I think you’ll see that the Falcons will take a good look at him—they desperately need to improve the O-Line.  

If Bobby Petrino were still with the Falcons, I would say they’d pick Brohm.  But I think Ryan is the better choice in this situation.  

Lastly, McFadden is also a possible choice here because Warrick Dunn is getting old.   But then again, they still have a young Norwood, who seems to be the future of their RBs.

4. Oakland Raiders: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

This season the Oakland Raiders’ concerns ranged from QB to O-Line to wide receivers.  I would say that their offense was the main problem, but the defense did struggle as well.  

The Raiders have a lot of needs to meet, although they did satisfy a QB requirement in last year’s draft, picking up Russell.  Look for the Raiders to draft the best available player in this slot because they really do need the best players they can get.  

McFadden and Long could also be taken here, and the Raiders must improve their defense.  Chris Long has been a leader in Virginia this year and is an outstanding defensive end.  

Look for Long to come in and make an impact on the defense right away.  He will be a much sought after player in this 2008 NFL Draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Sam Baker, OT, USC

It is said that Ryan Clady out of Boise State is the top OT, but I believe Sam Baker to be a better overall player, even after his surgery.  Look for Baker and Clady both to be in the top 15—they are good players with experience at big programs.  

The Chiefs also could go either the McFadden route or pursue a QB.  But in the end, they must improve their offensive line to help starter Larry Johnson.

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

The Jets need to use the Draft to improve their team overall.  I had previously said that WR would be the best move for the Jets, but now Kellen Clemens has come around and is a much better QB than Pennington.  I don’t think that he will serve as the long-term solution, but he is a good temporary replacement.  

Even though the Jets recently acquired Thomas Jones, he is getting older and is simply not a great running back.  However, Leon Washington is a playmaker and if they decided not to go for McFadden here it would be in favor of Washington.  

Still, I think the best prediction is that the Jets will pursue McFadden—he really is just too good to pass up.  Having evaluated Adrian Peterson’s impact on the Vikings, McFadden is going to be a hot pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.  

Look for other teams to try and trade up for him as well.  If the Jets don’t want him, someone will—badly.

7. New England Patriots(49ers): James Laurinaitis, MLB, Oh S

People always say the Patriots will not draft a linebacker in the first round.  Maybe the team will keep this up, but I really don’t understand how they could pass up Laurinaitis, a stud MLB from Ohio State.  Their linebackers are aged 30 and over!

Another good choice might be a CB because Samuel is going into a free agent year.  

It is crazy that a team this good has the potential to get even better with this draft pick.  Anyway, it doesn’t really matter who they end up with; they’re good enough already.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Desean Jackson, WR, California

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

The Bengals’ offense struggled throughout the entire season and they need to improve just about every defensive position on the field.  

If they can have a strong defensive NFL Draft, the Bengals could really improve their chances for success next year.  They have all the offensive weapons you could hope for in TJ and Chad, along with the newly available Chris Henry.  

Look for the Bengals to draft bruiser Sedrick Ellis from USC to help them with their run-defense and also to put some pressure onto the QB.

10. New Orleans Saints: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State

The New Orleans Saints picked up their offense in the latter part of the year, making a run for the playoffs, and it was mainly their poor secondary defense that put a stop to the success.  The Saints defense has been horrendous at times, unable to cover receivers in the safety or corner positions.  

Another great pick here would be Kenny Phillips, the safety out of Miami who is also a great playmaker.  If the Saints improve their defense in the draft, I think they might really have a chance of making next year’s playoffs.  

11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

The NFL Draft has not always gone smoothly for the Bills, but last year they did make some good decisions to improve both offense and defense.  

Look for the Bills to give their new QB Edwards another offensive weapon.  The key is to  pick someone who can score in the Red Zone, so it will have to be someone 5’10".  

Another pick I like for the Bills (most likely in the second round) is Davis out of USC.  He is the number one TE in the Draft and if they manage to get him, they would have two Red Zone threats in Kelly and Davis, improving their chances in the playoff race.  Plus, I think these guys could also be a big help to Trent Edwards as a starter.

12. Denver Broncos: Frank Okam, DT, Texas

Frank Okam is a beast in the middle and has shown that he can stop the run as well as put pressure on the QB.  Okam is projected a little lower in some other drafts, but he is a big body that can help stop the run—very important for the Broncos.  Their offense is pretty strong but a receiver, DE, or Corner in this position are also other possibilities.

13. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

The Panthers have struggled all year at the QB position and so that is a very viable option here.  I think if they wait they will be able to get Colt Brennan or someone else in the 2nd or 3rd round.  Kenny Phillips is an awesome athlete and could go much higher than this depending on other teams’ needs.  Look for them to either take a QB or a top defensive player for this slot.

14. Chicago Bears: Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky

The Chicago Bears have also struggled with their QB situation this season.  With Devin Hester they have one of the best weapons in the league (if not the best).  The Bears need to augment their offensive assets, as in the O-Line, RBs, and WRs.  Look for the Bears to use the 2008 NFL Draft to improve their offense in the early rounds.  I say they take a strong, confident QB in Andre Woodson.  

15. Detroit Lions: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.

Most likely, the Lions will pick defense here.  However, I think Ryan Clady is a top 10 pick because of his speed and size.  Therefore, the Lions could take him to protect their QBs for the next 10 years and help with strong run blocking.  

Some other very viable picks would be Calais Campbell or Vernon Gholston, as the Lions were looking for a DE last year before they decided to take another WR.  

Look for the Lions to either take a DE in the first or second round.  I like Clady here because he is a great lineman and will be a good player for the next decade.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

The Cardinals need to help their struggling defense, having had trouble this season in pressuring opponents' QBs.  Gholston could pressure the QB and help with the run as well.  

Another good pick here would be Calais Campbell, the 6’8" monster from Miami who easily disrupts a QB’s throwing line with his long arms.  

I think the Cardinals will draft the best possible defensive player, and in this situation Vernon is that player.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

The Vikings’ defense has been excellent this year and wasa a significant factor in the team’s success.  Their offensive line has been spectacular at times as well, and we all know that Adrian Peterson is amazing.  So the Vikings need to use this draft to replace either receivers or the QB.  

At the end of the year Sydney Rice started to step up and make some plays for the Vikings and they still have Troy Williamson, the bust from a couple years ago.  So I’m betting that the Vikings take Brohm if he is still available.  

Tavaris Jackson had a couple good games but mostly struggled through the season.  Look for Brohm to be a QB who can not only throw but can also manage a game without turning over the ball, as Tavaris often does.

18. Houston Texans: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Jonathan Stewart managed to end the season okay, but not with as much strength as when he had his dual threat, Dennis Dixon.  Look for Stewart to be a power RB in the NFL, similar in style to Shaun Alexander, because of his combination of size and speed.  

Overall the Texans have a pretty decent offense, but not really a strong RB.  So look for them to take an RB or a defensive need other than DE—because Mario Williams did step it up this year!

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Gosder Cherilus, OT, BC

The Eagles didn’t do a poor job with run blocking this year and they did a very good job blocking for screens.  However, if they want to keep McNabb healthy for Kolb then they better protect the QB when they are trying to throw the ball.  The Eagles let up sack after sack in the G MEN game and they need to do something to counter this weakness.  Another choice here would be Otah, but I am not sure if he is athletic enough to fill this role and be a productive pass blocker.

20. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

The Cowboys will most likely let go of Jones this year because his contract is up.  Felix Jones played with McFadden in college and is used to running in a dual back system.  Jones is a very fast receiver and is a top 5 RB in the 2008 NFL Draft.  Look for the Cowboys to take either the best available RB here or the best available DB. 

21. Tampa Bay Bucs: Mario Manningham, WR, MI

Bucs receivers played very well this year, but they are very, very old.  Look for the Bucs to take the best WR available in this slot.  I am not sure, but Manningham has played very well lately so look for him to go mid to late first round.  Also look at prospects like Early Doucet, Limas Sweed, and Adarius Bowman in this slot.

22. Washington Redskins: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami

In this spot Campbell is a great pick for the Redskins.  They struggled in their playoff game to get to Hasselback and pressure him—Calais could be the perfect person for this job.  He is a massive individual at 6’8" and he is a good all-around player.  Look for the Skins to draft him here, that is, if he’s still available.

23. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

I think that the Titans have to take the best tall receiver available at their first round pick.  In this situation Doucet and Bowman both might to be better choices, but because Sweed has played with Vince before they’ll go with him.  Another possibility is James Hardy from Indiana as he could give Vince a nice big target. 

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeff Otah, OT, PITT

The Steelers need some more strength at their line for protection and for running, so look for them to take the best O-Lineman here.  The Steelers will take their hometown boy Otah from Pitt.  Otah is a very big player so my guess is he’ll either lose a little weight and speed up or he’ll be moved to the interior of the offensive line.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers

Ray Rice is not ranked as high as some other RBs coming into this draft, but I disagree with that assessment.  I think that Rice will be taken in the first round because of his professional level of speed.  He replaced Brian Leonard in Rutgers who was a second round pick last year, so look for him to be drafted even earlier than that.  The Seahawks could use him right away, potentially as the main RB.

 26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Adarius Bowman, WR, Ok St

The Jaguars have looked really good in the playoffs so far.  Their QB was very impressive, and I will continue to tout Del Rio as the smartest coach in the league for his decision to get rid of Byron.  Look for the Jags to help improve their so-so receiving core with this tall, agile, and fast receiver.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Everyone knows the Cowboys’ defense is their weakness, so they’ll need to use at least one of their picks to help improve it.  They are a top tier team but they need to bolster there secondary, and Talib could come in and do this right away.  If they get good quality with their earlier draft pick, the Cowboys may take a CB first and then take the best RB available here

28. New York Giants: Antoine Cason, CB, AZ

The Giants looked very good in their first playoff game.  Their receiving core is certainly aging, but I believe they will address that in the second and third round.  Look for the Giants to take Cason, if he is still available, to support their much-improved defense. 

29. San Diego Chargers: Pat Sims*, DT, AU

The Chargers gave up the most rushing yards in a single game to Adrian Peterson.  Therefore, look for them to take a big DT to help stop this run.  Sims is not only over 300 lbs., but he can also run a sub-5 second 40-yard dash.  This guy is just a junior, but if he declares look for him to be a first round choice.

30. San Francisco 49ers(Colts): James Hardy, WR, IU

The 49ers' offense was very weak this season, relying solely on Frank Gore to carry the team.  Alex Smith needs some more weapons to work with and James Hardy is the perfect player to help a QB move forward in the passing game.  He's a very tall receiver with great hands.

31. Green Bay Packers: Dejaun Tribble, CB, BC

The Packers' corners are both over 30 years old.  The receivers are young and Favre is young at heart so the Packers will decide to draft a young CB and rejuvenate their team.  Overall this team will be set for the future with a young receiving group and a good backup QB.   

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newNFLDRAFT.com 2008 Mock Draft