CSPN - Sports Joe the Crow's 2008 NFL Mock Draft | Joe the Crow's 2008 NFL Mock Draft |
| Written by Joe the Crot | |
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1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long (Defensive End, Virginia) This was a toss up for me being as though, post Combine, there are three viable number one pick options for Miami. Darren McFadden, Glenn Dorsey, and Chris Long. Ronnie Brown is the franchise back, so no on McFadden. Miami is going to run a 3-4 scheme under Parcells reign, and I don't know how well Dorsey would adapt (or his injury issue), even though he is a monster, do you take a risk? So by process of elimination, my choice for the Fins is Long. Long dominated the DE in a 3-4 with Virginia, and I feel he would be a good start to rebuilding a once proud defense. 2. St. Louis Rams - Jake Long (Offensive Tackle, Michigan) To me, this is a no brainer. I really feel like Jake Long is the second coming of Steve Hutchinson. Funny their both from Michigan. They do need some help on the defensive line, being as though their run defense was 20th in the league...but you have to take Jake here. Bulger was beaten up last year due to lack of protection, and Stephen Jackson could always use another big body to run behind and Orlando Pace is starting to show his age and after last years performance...it's an easy pick. 3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan (Quarterback, Boston College) This was another toss up for me, I could see the Falcons snagging McFadden, especially giving them a one-two punch of McFadden and the recently acquired Michael Turner, but after losing Vick and Schaub, and the perpetual bust that Joey Harrington has become, Falcons really do have to go with Ryan. Ryan is the top QB in poor QB draft class and the Falcons need someone who can get the ball down field. He's probably not the next coming of Manning, Favre, or Brady, but he should be a consistent QB in the league, and good building block for the Birds. 4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden (Running Back, Arkansas) With Warren Sapp retiring, defensive tackle is more of a pressing issue for Oakland, and with Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis still on the board of my draft, either guy would be a good pick for them, but then again it's Al Davis. Davis definitely missed his opportunity last year passing on Peterson, and the even though they re-signed Justin Fargas, the pick is for Al is McFadden. Just the type of playmaking athlete Davis wants. A backfield that has Russell and McFadden, coupled with newly acquired Javon Walker is a great start to a potent offense. 5. Kansas City Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey (Defensive Tackle, LSU) KC really needs to get themselves an offensive tackle, but in my draft, Dorsey has fallen far enough to where the Chiefs have to take him. His talent and value is too good not too. He would definitely be a complement in between Tamba Hali and Jared Allen on the ends. The Chiefs defensive line has been horrible for awhile, and retirements have also hindered the progress of building it to be a force. Dorsey would be a solid run stopper. 6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston (Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Ohio State) I've read in several reports that the Jets are dying to go after McFadden, so barring any draft day deals to move up ahead of the Raiders, I see the Jets going after Gholston. If they don't get him, then New England is going to pick him up, and that's the last thing the Jets needs. Gholston would fit nicely into the Jets 3-4 defensive scheme. 7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco) - Leodis McKelvin (Cornerback, Troy) With the loss of Asante Samuel to the Eagles, cornerback is definitely a hole that New England needs to look to fill. Lots of cornerbacks still available, but McKelvin is the cream of the crop of the coverage guys. He would be a solid pick because of his size, speed and athleticism. 8. Baltimore Ravens - Mike Jenkins (Cornerback, South Florida) With McKelvin off the board, the Ravens should select Mike Jenkins. He has the skill set to be a very good corner in the league and with McAllister and Rolle missing games last year to injuries, their depth at corner was exposed to be thin. Brian Brohm or Joe Flacco could be taken because the Ravens know that Boller is not the answer, and Troy Smith probably isn't, but it's probably to high a pick for either of those two. So look for the Ravens to snag Jenkins and his solid cover skills 9. Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis (Defensive Tackle, USC) Bengals are desperately in need of a defensive tackle, and Ellis is that guy. Ellis could very well be taken ahead of Dorsey, based on Dorsey's injury issue, but should KC take the risk, then Ellis could easily fall right into the Bengals lap. With the bust on the Shaun Rodgers trade, Ellis would fill the void that Cincinnati originally tried to fill. Ellis can float between the 4-3 or the 3-4 making him a perfect fit for the Bengals for whatever defense they decide to run this upcoming season. 10. New Orleans Saints – Keith Rivers (Outside Linebacker, USC) The Saints are hurting at corner, but just signed Randall Gay which should be a help. But the draft has left them no options with the two best corners already being snatched up by the Pats and Ravens. New Orleans just traded for Jonathan Vilma, and in adding Rivers to the fold, that is a huge makeover to the linebacking crew from last year. The draft is deep with corners, so the Saints should be able to snatch up a cornerback in the second round. Rivers is hands down the best linebacker in the draft and the shelf for talent at that position just falls off after him and Dan Connor. 11. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Kelly (Wide Reciever, Oklahoma) Buffalo has Lee Evans, and that's it. If Edwards is gonna be the guy in Bills-land, then he is gonna need more targets to throw too. Kelly is a big wideout at 6'4" and has decent speed. It would create a great combonation with Lee Evans, and help allieviate some of those double coverage situations he was constantly in last year. Kelly is the mismatch reciever that the Bills need. 12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady (Offensive Tackle, Boise State) The Broncs left tackle spot is vacant now with the retirement of Lepsis, and with Clady still available, this is the ideal and obvious pick for me. A 6'6", 320 pounder, Clady has been predicted to be a pro-bowl caliber offensive lineman...While Jake Long is NFL ready now, Clady should have the better NFL career most experts are predicting. 13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams (Offensive Tackle, Vanderbilt) Carolina re-signed both of their tackles, but lost guard Mike Wahle to free agency, the general consensus in my research shows that they are talking about moving Travelle Wharton inside creating a spot at the left tackle position, to make room for Chris Williams. The other option for the Panthers is defensive end, Phillip Merling, but Carolina's primary concern is the health of Jake Delhomme, so look for the cats to take Williams. 14. Chicago Bears – Jeff Otah - (Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh) I seriously doubt that the Bears are going to go after a first round QB again after the subpar performance of Rex Grossman, but I do think Chicago will bolster that front line with Otah. He's huge at 6'6" and tipping the scales at 340 pounds and will be a great way to beef up that line. The Bears could also go after DeSean Jackson at wide out, with the departure of Berrian and Mohammed, but no reciever would be worth anything if the QB doesnt have time. 15. Detroit Lions – Aqib Talib (Cornerback, Kansas) The Lions are probably going to go after a wide reciever though. This is Matt Millen we're talking about. But what they really need is a shut down corner after not getting much for Dre Bly and losing his services. George Foster sure as hell wasn't the answer, Matt. Leigh Bodden is a good cover corner, but nowhere near the abilities that Bly left void in his departure. 16. Arizona Cardinals – Rashard Mendenhall (Running Back, Illinois) The Cardinals moving Antrel Rolle to safety so it must mean they're gonna try to find a new cornerback replacement in either free agency or the draft. With Talib off the board and still only the only running back taken being McFadden, the Cardinals can get better value with a RB. Edgerrin James' best years are behind him and it is time to get a back to help James carry the load, and Rashard is the second best RB in the draft. But don't be suprised if the mega-athletic corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is taken by the Cards. 17. Minnesota Vikings – Phillip Merling (Defensive End, Clemson) Where to start. The Vikes are hurting on the right side of the line, at quarterback, and defensive end, and reciever. especially after Kenechi Udeze's battles with cancer. They needed an upgrade there anyway. With most of the top offensive lineman going early, a shallow QB class, the surefire pick for the Vikings is Merling. He could be the premier sack guru that Minnesota has been looking for. Merling is on the up and up since the Combine and is easily solidifying a spot as the #3 defensive end in my draft over Derrick Harvey of Florida. Limas Sweed may also be a pick at wideout, but the recent acquisition of Berrian might move Merling up Minny's list. 18. Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart (Running Back, Oregon) Texans have been using running back by committee for several years, looking for "that guy". Stewart may be "that guy". He has the combination of size and speed that is a recipe for success in the NFL and will complement Schaub and Andre Johnson to extend the field for those guys as well. 19. Philadelphia Eagles – DeSean Jackson, (Wide Reciever, California) The Eagles got Asante Samuel and helped with its defensive end depth by signing Chris Clemons to a five year contract. That being said, Philly should be able to help its offense and draft the athletic playmaker in Jackson. He's only 5'9, but if you watch any game film, you know the talent this guy has. Think Steve Smith of Carolina. The Eagles have good receivers in Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis, but they still lack the deep game that Jackson can bring. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kentwan Balmer (Defensive Tackle, North Carolina) With Brian Brohm still on the board, he would be a good pick at #20, but the Buccaneers can greatly upgrade its DT position with Balmer. Balmer has quickly risen up the draft boards and looks to be the #3 DT, but has questions because really only had one good year in college. Brohm could very well be the pick, but in my opinion, Tampa needs a lot of help on defense, the WR is another option along with safety Kenny Phillips. Bucaneers are a mess. 21. Washington Redskins – Derrick Harvey (Defensive End, Florida) Defensive end is the major weakness on this team and Harvey is the best remaining on the board.. Zorn is expected to use a pass happy offense, so WR is tempting here, and Manningham was on the radar, but his poor Combine performance should eliminate him from the Redskins sights, but with strong depth, a WR can be found later. Harvey is a sack happy end whose stock also has dropped off a little bit due to a poor 40 time at the Combine. 22. Dallas Cowboys (From Cleveland) – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Cornerback, Tennessee St.) The DRC, can anyone do it better? DRC may have locked himself being drafted in the first round after a great combine, where he ran a 4.33 forty. He has the speed and size that teams want in a corner. The bash on him is his level of competition, BUT the DRC is the real deal and the Cowboys and their fans should be thrilled to have him. Anthony Henry is getting older from my research show that he may possibly move to safety, creating an opening opposite the greatest player in the world, Terence Newman. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Branden Albert (Guard, Virginia) With Alan Faneca now in New York, the Steelers have a big hole to fill and Albert is by far the best guard in the draft. At 6'6", 315 lbs, Albert may be able to make the transition to tackle a few years down the road. Tackle is another option, but with the top 4 already off my draft list, Albert is a great value and should immediately start. 24. Tennessee Titans – Limas Sweed (Wide Reciever, Texas) Sweed’s wrist injury this past year is the reason he drops to the Titans, and if he shows that he is fully recovered, he could be a GREAT deal for the Titans at #24. After Kelly and Jackson, there are many receivers that can make a case for the third receiver drafted, but Sweed’s immense size at 6-5 and prior success with Vince Young at Texas makes him the pick here. Young is comfortable with Sweed, and his success with fellow Longhorn, Bo Scaife, has shown this move could be a good thing for the Titans and Sweed's transition from the NCAA to NFL. 25. Seattle Seahawks – Felix Jones (Running Back, Arkansas) Shaun Alexander definitely showed the effects of aging this year (and losing Hutchinson for this past season didn't help), and obviously only a few years left, and Jones is the last of the top first round running backs. Tight end is still a need with the Seahawks unable to sign Alge Crumpler, but a solid tight end can be found in the 2nd round. Jones may have played in Darren McFadden's shadow, but he sure has talent. His senior season he averaged 9.1 yards per carry. And he ran the ball 123 times, so those stats are not skewed. 26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Lawrence Jackson (Defensive End, USC) The Jags have some issues at defensive end. Usually like their DE's big, which is the reason they'll probably pass on Quentin Groves. Calais Campbell had a dissapointing Combine and his overall first round stock is on the decline. Jackson may not be the pretty pick, but he'll fill a major need for the Jags and fits well in their defensive scheme. 27. San Diego Chargers – Kenny Phillips (Saftey, Miami) Alright, the Chargers are one of those NFL teams with very little needs (aside from a good head coach). The one position the Chargers could certainly upgrade at is safety. McCree is gone, and Clinton Hart is more than likely not an ideal starter opposite last year's 2nd round pick Eric Weddle. Kenny Phillips still on the board makes this pick pretty easy. Phillips and Weddle would be a solid combo and not one that many quarterbacks would want to face. 28. Dallas Cowboys – James Hardy (Wide Reciever, Indiana) Well Randy Moss toyed with the notion of playing opposite T.O. but stayed in New England...Hardy is taller than Moss, and quite the playmaker and can be a great pickup at #28. The Cowboys are in need of a younger receiver to develop. Owens is in tip top shape, but also starting to come up on his later years. Mario Manningham also looked to be the cat the Cowboys were looking at, but again, after a poor Combine, his stock has taken a hit and will fall to the second round. However, Hardy's stock has benefited with a great combo of height and speed. He measured in at 6-6, and ran a solid 4.48 40. He always creates a mismatch and should be a fun target for Romo to toss balls to go up and get. 29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) – Quentin Groves (Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Auburn) Groves, as expected, had a great Combine showing and looks to be a perfect fit for the Niners' defense. The 49ers are investing in their 3-4 defense signing Justin Smith and Groves would be a great addition for SF. With 4.5 speed, Groves should be the pass rusher on the outside the Niners' defense needs. A wide receiver is another option, but signing veteran Bruce should allow the Niners to find a gem at wideout in the later rounds, but Groves' is such a perfect fit in the system, that they have to take him first round or the Giants could snag him at #31. 30. Green Bay Packers – Antoine Cason (Cornerback/Saftey, Arizona) Packers need depth behind Harris and Woodson, both getting up there in years and probably on the decline. Cason is an interesting prospect because he has the cover skills to be a first round pick, but lacks the speed for an corner. Arizona had considered moving Cason to the safety position, but didn't. If Cason is drafted at 30, he would be more useful to the Packers as a safety rather than a cornerback. 31. New York Giants – Dan Connor (Linebacker, Penn St.) Mitchell and Torber are now off the roster and Dan Connor is still on the board. This pick should be pretty crystal clear for the Giants. The Giants need to look at improving its secondary. Madison looks to be at the end of his great career, while Corey Webster has shown potential at times, but no consistency and the Giants could upgrade someone opposite Ross. Connor is a solid LB that can play all three linebacker slots. |
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