2008 NFL Mock Draft

NFL General Managers are dropping hints about players and their draft plans to mislead other teams and drive up the value of their pick in order to potentially get another team to trade for it. This year is no different, and with no clear-cut #1 choice, the scenario generator is going like crazy - especially at the top of the draft where those teams' needs are many and draft options plentiful.

1.) Miami Dolphins - Jake Long (OT-Michigan) - It has been widely reported that the Dolphins have begun negotiating with Jake Long. Even if the team is unable to sign him before the draft, he is the most logical pick. If the team is to be competitive, the team will have to play to its strengths, which right now is going to be a strong running game to take the pressure off the quarterback. The team structure will need to be similar to the NY Giants teams of the late 80's and early 90's - focused on running the ball to set-up the play action and shortening the game. Having already acquired two defensive tackles, Parcells has the luxury of focusing on the offensive line - which has been an annual weak spot on the Dolphins for decades.

2.) St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey (DT-LSU) - A difficult decision for the Rams between Dorsey and Chris Long. Anyone who watched Dorsey at LSU over the last couple of years knows he can be an impact player in the interior of the line. At the same-time, pass- rushing specialists such as Chris Long are vital in forcing a QB into making a quick decision. Hard-pressed to find fault with either direction the Rams go, I'm thinking they go with Dorsey who solidifies the middle of the line.

3.) Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan (QB - BC) - This is where the draft gets interesting. How convinced are the Falcons Matt Ryan can be an elite NFL quarterback? With so many holes to fill, even if they think Ryan is an elite QB, can they surround him with enough players to prevent setting him up to fail? Either the Chiefs or the Ravens should be attempting to acquire this pick in order to select Matt Ryan. I don't think the Falcons will need to be blown away by an offer to give it up either. If they are unable to work out a deal, I think the Falcons go with Ryan. Of course, the assumption is Dorsey & Jake Long are gone. What if one of the teams ahead them goes with Chris Long making either Dorsey or Jake Long available? Would the Falcons then pass on Ryan?

4.) Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden (RB-Arkansas) - Who knows what Al Davis and the Raiders will do? But with a young QB starter - a strong running game can take the pressure off Russell to carry the team himself - so I can't see how they wouldn't go with McFadden. Watching him at Arkansas, he is an elite player with the ability to score every time he touches the ball.

5.) Kansas City Chiefs - Sedrick Ellis (DT-USC) - I think the Chiefs either move up to draft Matt Ryan or more likely - drop back to select Brandon Albert. With the Bengals and Saints picking at 9 and 10 respectively, this is the spot those two teams to target as both would (should) be interested in getting Ellis from USC. He's a major upgrade for the interior either team's defensive line - including the Chiefs. My money's on the Saints getting a deal done and taking Ellis in this spot.

6.) New York Jets - Chris Long (DE - Virginia) - Stunned to see him available, the Jets will quickly scoop up the son of Howie Long as an immediate upgrade to their pass rush. To select a guy that was once considered the first players in the draft would be quite a coup for the Jets. He instantly improves the defense and as the NY Giants showed in the Super Bowl, New England can be stopped if you can consistently get after the quarterback.

7.) New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston (DE - Ohio St.) - A team that probably wouldn't mind moving back a few spots and going with the best available. That said, the versatility of Gholsten and his ability to rush the passer make him almost too logical a fit for the Patriots. Look for a team such as the Saints, Bengals or Broncos try to move up to this spot if Gholsten is available. If Matt Ryan pulls a Leinart and starts dropping - watch for Carolina and Chicago to try and trade up to this spot to nab him before the Ravens select at 8.

8.) Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Clady (OL - Boise State) If the Ravens brass think Matt Ryan is the answer at QB, I think they are making a huge mistake if they don't trade up to the 3-spot with Atlanta in order to ensure they get him. With McNair retiring, do you have enough faith in Kyle Boller over the next 5 years? However, if the team is unsure about Ryan, then this is a perfect spot to start looking to upgrade an aging offensive line.

9.) Cincinnati Bengals - Rashard Mendenhall (RB - Illinois) A team that should have traded up to the 5^th spot for Sedrick Ellis. If however, either another team beats them to the spot (Saints) look for them to surprise a lot of folks by going with offense. Rudi Johnson looked like he was starting to wear down last year and Kenny Watson is a short-term stop-gap. Mendenhall would help open up the offense for the receivers is a healthy running game and home-run threat out of the backfield. No one would blame the Bengals for trying to shore up the defense - but sometimes the best help to their defense would be to make some more first downs.

10.) New Orleans Saints - Brandon Albert (OL - Virginia) - I expect the Chiefs are making this pick, as I can't see how the two teams can't get a deal done. It's a win-win for both. The Saints have to know Ellis won't get past the Bengals ahead of them - so they will need to move ahead of the Bengals in order to get him, and I expect would be fairly aggressive in doing so. To be honest, Albert wouldn't be a bad pick for the Saints either to help open up some running lanes for Reggie Bush.

11.) Buffalo Bills - Keith Rivers (LB - USC) - This is a team that won ugly in 2007. Six of their seven wins were against teams picking in the Top 10. While fans might like the team to get some receiver help for new QB Trent Edwards, look for the team to continue to build its defense and try and get that receiver in later rounds.

12.) Denver Broncos - Derrick Harvey (DE - Florida) - Another team that may try and trade up in the first round to find some of the elite defensive line prospects though, they'd probably be happy to get Derrick Harvey to help them get some pressure on the passer. They could also look for an offensive tackle in this spot

13.) Carolina Panthers - Jeff Otah (OT - Pittsburgh) - Signing Mushin Muhammad and DJ Hackett indicates they probably won't go receiver. This is certainly a team that would likely try to move up if Matt Ryan started to fall into the 5 - 7 pick range (though likely doesn't have the goods to get to 3). Look for them to try and shore-up the offensive line or scoop up any defensive players that may fall to them.

14.) Chicago Bears - Jonathan Stewart (RB - Oregon) - Does the Bears brass think the running game suffered because of a mediocre offensive line or because Cedric Benson isn't that good? From the Bears games I saw, I'm leaning towards the latter and upgrading the position accordingly.

15.) Detroit Lions - Leodis McKelvin (CB - Troy) - Looks like they will have their choice from all the top CB's to help shore up a 31^st ranked pass defense in a division that looks to pretty wide open heading into 2008. I'll go with the guy that can return punts for them as well.

16.) Arizona Cardinals - Chris Williams (OT - Vanderbilt) - The Cardinals continue to try and build up an offensive line to build more balance in their offensive attack as they look to improve upon their 29^th ranked rushing game. Defensive back would certainly not be a surprise at this juncture either.

17.) Minnesota Vikings - Devin Thomas (WR - Michigan State) - You could realistically insert the highest ranked WR on your board into this spot. The Vikings need some receivers and it looks like they'll get to choose whichever one they want. A weak-spot since Randy Moss & Cris Carter left town, this will be a great opportunity to instantly upgrade the passing game and potentially provide balance with their already strong running game.

18.) Houston Texans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB - Tennessee State) - A team that could clearly go a couple different directions and probably willing to drop back a few spots if the right offer came along. For a team that had some success in the NFL's toughest division last year, there several holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Look for them to address their defensive backfield first, and help the offensive side of the ball in rounds 2 - 4.

19.) Philadelphia Eagles - Felix Jones (RB - Arkansas) - Andy Reid traditionally like to build his lines during the draft and the team certainly has more pressing needs than RB, however, the opportunity to draft a Brian Westbrook clone might be too great to pass up. Westbrook is 29 this year, creeping closer to the dreaded age when RB's start to decline. Knowing the division rival Cowboys are probably interested in Jones doesn't hurt either.

20.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Limas Sweed (WR - Texas) - The team was resurgent last year based on the play of its defense. They've been struggling to find a receiver to complement (and eventually replace) Joey Galloway for a while. Michael Clayton appears to have been a one-season wonder. How long can they rely on Ike Hilliard. Unless they think Maurice Stovall is about to make some progress, receiver depth should be a priority.

21.) Washington Redskins - Gosder Cherilus (OT - BC) - Coming off a playoff season, the Redskins can start to look to find replacements for some of their aging offensive lineman that they'll need to start replacing over the next couple of years. They should be pleasantly surprised to find Cherilus lasting this long into the first round.

22.) Dallas Cowboys - Malcolm Kelly (WR - OK) - The first of two first round picks, the Cowboys can look to adding a young receiver to ease into their receiving corps as neither Terrell Owens nor Terry Glenn are getting any younger. Despite recent comments by Kelly that will certainly make some teams question his attitude, the Cowboys are one of the teams in the league that are willing to take a chance on talented players with questionable backgrounds.

23.) Pittsburgh Steelers - Aqib Talib (CB - Kansas) - Teams struggled to move the ball against the Steelers defense last year, but when they did, it was typically through the air. Talib has the versatility that he can play multiple positions in the Steelers defensive backfield and at 6 feet, matches-up against some of the taller receivers in the game.

24.) Tennessee Titans - Dan Conner (ILB - Penn State) - It'd be great if they give Vince Young some help. I think they may try to move up to the 15 - 18 range of the draft to grab one of the receivers. Otherwise, I see them trying to fill the receiver spots later in the draft as opposed to reaching for one here. Instead, they continue to strengthen their defense which has been a hallmark of the Jeff Fisher era.

25.) Seattle Seahawks - DeSean Jackson (WR - California) - Unlike the Titans, the Seahawks can take a chance on Jackson in this spot. With a questionable receiving core, the Seahawks need to add a burner like Jackson. He fits the style of offense they play in trying to break short routes into big gains. They question is - can he catch the ball? Not a good question if you're planning to be a receiver.

26.) Jacksonville Jaguars - James Hardy (WR - Indiana) - They are a run first team that plays strong defense. The threat of the pass would be nice and may get them to the next level. They've had some terrible luck drafting wide receivers but unless they're going to ante up for Chad Johnson - unlikely - they'll be trying their luck finding an above average receiver in the draft again.

27.) San Diego Chargers - Phillip Merling (DE - Clemson) - For the team that is fairly well stacked with talent- you can never have enough depth on the defensive line. Expect their pick will be the highest rated guy on their board.

28.) Dallas Cowboys - Brian Brohm (QB - Louisville) - So I don't expect the Cowboys to actually make this pick. There are several teams (Carolina, Chicago, Kansas City) who will miss out on Matt Ryan yet have a need to find and develop a young QB. The Cowboys are traditionally an active team and would be willing to drop back a few spots to select from a number of RB's in round two.

29.) San Francisco 49ers - Joe Flacco (QB - Delaware) - It's probably not fair to judge Alex Smith on his progress thus far. Maybe Alex Smith will develop into an elite QB under the coaching of Mike Martz. Realistically, the chance Flacco goes to the 49ers is fairly slim but I think it's time to start building a back-up plan, you know, in case Smith doesn't work out.

30.) Green Bay Packers - Mike Jenkins (CB - South Florida) - The team got excellent play from Al Harris and Charles Woodson at the CB position last year. Still, both will be entering their 11^th years in the league and so the Packers can look to see if they can start to develop some younger corners.

31.) New England Patriots - Pick Forfeited - I wonder if this pick will be announced by Commissioner Goodell on draft day as having been forfeited. Currently, NFL.com doesn't list this in any of their draft materials, almost acting as though it doesn't exist. Several other sports related websites (ESPN, CNNSI, Fox Sports, and I'm sure there are more) remind you of what happened and include this spot on their draft coverage every time.

32.) New York Giants - Mario Manningham (WR - Michigan) - Built like Plaxico Burress, could take a year or two to develop into one of the top flight receiver. Paired with last year's 2^nd round pick Steve Smith, the Giants could have the receivers of the future develop with Eli Manning into a potent offensive force.