2008 NFL Mock Draft: Detailed If Not Accurate Three Months From Now

Just three years ago the Chiefs offensive front was the envy of the other 31 franchises, while helping spring Priest Holmes to a then-record 27 touchdowns.  Retirement and free agency have since decimated this unit.  While playing the right side at Michigan, Long continuously dominated opponents with his 6'7 300-plus pound build.  Long could immediately step in and shore up one side of the Chiefs line, with the potential to have an impact that could remind many of Joe Thomas' rookie season.  If Ryan falls to them here the Chiefs could take a strong look at cutting the cord on the Brodie Croyle experiment.

6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE - Ohio State

A little-known entity before the season, Gholston improved game-in and game-out before capping an outstanding season by outplaying Jake Long in Ohio State's dominance of Michigan.  The Jets have struggled to get to the passer in the past few seasons since the loss of John Abraham.  Gholstons tools and raw talent could turn a weakness into a strength for the Jets and help them to field a strong defense in the '08 season.

7.  New England Patriots - Aqib Talib, CB - Kansas

And your reward for quite possibly the best season in NFL history and being stripped of your first round pick:  Grab on to San Francisco's rights to a top-10 pick.  With the possibility of shutdown corner Asante Samuel fleeing the Belichick regime to the highest bidder, a gaping hole could be left in the secondary.  Talib starred for the Cinderella Jayhawks, with 66 tackles to go along with six interceptions, none bigger than his highlight reel pick-six on the national stage in the Orange Bowl.  Talib possesses 4.5 speed with a 6'2 frame that give him the physical abilities to make an impact in his rookie season.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Brian Brohm, QB - Louisville

Brohm was considered the top QB prospect early this season, he was likely to be the the first QB off the board while Petrino still presided over the Falcons.  Although his value has slipped throughout the year, the Ravens (who boast Trent Dilfer as their only successful quarterback since fleeing Cleveland) will probably have to stretch here to bring in another signal-caller.  If Talib gets past the Patriots the Ravens could take a serious look at him as well as USF's Mike Jenkins to apprentice under the aging Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle.

9.  Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, LB - USC

Cincinnati's offense regressed this past season.  Before hitting the panic button the Bengals will address one of the worst defenses in the league.  This pick should come down to a battle between two Trojan defenders.  Sedrick Ellis has been climbing up draft boards, but I think the Bengals go for Rivers here.  A linebacker with the speed and intensity to play sideline to sideline comparable to recent top-10 pick Ernie Sims.

10. New Orleans Saints -  Dan Connor, LB - Penn State

Like Brohm, Connor's stock has fallen recently.  The Saints will probably have their cross-hairs locked on Rivers if he is still on the board, but with a weak line backing corps, the Saints may be looking to make this stretch.  Penn State is notoriously good for producing players from the position and Connor should be able to fit into any NFL defense.  The struggling Saints secondary could have them taking a long look at Mike Jenkins as well.

11. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Kelly, WR - Oklahoma

With a draft class full of talented wide receivers, there is no clear-cut number one.  Buffalo would love to add a strong complement opposite Lee Evans, and Kelly fits that mold.  A strong possession receiver who quickly developed into Sam Bradford's favorite target for the Sooners, Kelly utilizes the strong route running of a possession receiver that could take the pressure off deep threat Lee Evans, as well as give the Bills quarterback of choice another target in 2008.

12. Denver Broncos - Sedrick Ellis, DT - USC

    The Broncos D took a 180 degree turn this past season, going from a feared unit to a defense often shredded by the opponents' running game.  Despite adding Dre Bly to form arguably the league's best corner tandem, the front line of the Broncos needs immediate help.  Despite being slightly undersized at 6-1 Ellis has the talent to disrupt offenses as evidenced by his 58 tackles and 8.5 sacks in his senior season under Pete Carroll.

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