2008 NFL Mock Draft

Long is the OT in this draft, but may not end up being the best in the long run.   Long's strong combine and pro days only reiterated what everyone knows: that he is the premier tackle in this draft

Notes: 14 starts at right tackle and 11 at left tackle he is more suited to the right side at the NFL level, but showed the skills at the combine that have many believing he can play the left side at the next level.

Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, is a complete defensive end who is an explosive pass rusher as is evidenced by his 14 sacks this year playing in a 3-4 system.

Notes: Long won the 2007 Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. Long garnered "more than 60 percent of the votes, the most ever for a winner in the history of the award." Ted Hendricks and Long's father, Howie, played together for the Oakland Raiders.

Dorsey would be a serious upgrade to the D-Line and would help solidify their run defense. Dorsey has the speed and quickness to pressure and disrupt. It has been strange with the injury questions, but they never affected his play.

Everyone had the Raiders taking McFadden until the last couple of days and all the movement has gone Gholston's way. The Raiders want to put some pressure on quarterbacks and Gholston is jut the guy to do it. The Patriots would love to have Gholston so that is a possible trade partner for the Raiders.

Notes: Was second in the Big Ten and tied for third nationally with 14 sacks. He tends to disappear at times, though, and was completely invisible in the championship game.

The retirement of Warren Sapp leaves the door open for the Raiders to select Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, but pairing up McFadden with last years number one Jamarcus Russell will give the Raiders a backfield combo to fear for years to come. We all know that the Raiders are the wild cards as there is just no telling what the senile old fart will do

Notes: McFadden finished as the runner-up for the 2007 Heisman Trophy for the second year in a row. D-Mac is the most decorated player in Arkansas history, and holds virtually all of the universities rushing records, and is also in a number of the SEC's all-time top 10 rushing spots. As the offseason has progressed he has had some trouble staying out of trouble and if the Raiders pass on him, he could be in for an epic free fall down the board.

Other Possibilities: Vernon Gholston, Chris Long

Previous Mock Pick: Vernon Gholston
 

Rivers may be a bit undersized (He is smaller than QB Brian Brohm for example), but he has the speed and athleticism to excel in the NFL

Notes: USC linebacker coach Ken Norton, Jr. nicknamed Rivers "the Shark" for his aggressive play on the field, juxtaposed to his polite demeanor off of it.

Ryan is the consensus top quarterback in a weak quarterback class this year

Notes: Matt Ryan was awarded the 2007 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given annually in the United States to the Nation's most outstanding college football senior quarterback. He was selected to play in the 2007 Senior Bowl. He also won the 2007 Manning Award.

Other Possibilities: Keith Rivers, Derrick Harvey

The Saints defense was just horrendous in the back 7 last year. They signed Randall Gay and now they get McKelvin and the defensive backs are suddenly elite. McKelvin is one of the best defensive backs in the draft. He has everything you look for in a CB. Decent size, good speed, good hips, and a fluid backpedal; the only real knock on McKelvin is his hands. He gets his hands on a lot of balls, but cant seem to catch at all. He was a true shutdown corner in college as he hardly ever even got thrown toward as a senior also holding down his numbers, but with DB's many times the numbers mean nothing for that very reason. He also is an explosive punt returner.

Notes: McKelvin was only a two year starter and has a lot of upside.

Other Possibilities: Aqib Talib, Mike Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Keith Rivers

Dominique is a super fast and talented Division 1AA prospect that can play corner or safety. Should run under 4.40 at the NFL Scouting Combine he plays like his brother Antonio, another sleeper. He was by far the best corner at the Senior bowl. He was awarded the Under Armour New Prototype Award for his play in the 2008 Senior Bowl where he played mostly free safety. He showed speed and height, but also elite ball skills.

Other Possibilities: Malcolm Kelly, Mario Manningham, Keith Rivers, Devin Thomas

With the retirement of Matt Lepsis, the left tackle position becomes a need with Ryan Harris and Erik Pears at the two tackle positions, that could really be hazardous to Jay Cutler's health. Clady is a potential franchise LT with a huge frame and good athleticism. At 6’6, 320 his quick feet and decent strength make him a potential steal this late in the first round. Had he stayed a year he most likely would be a top 5 pick next year. Clady has ideal size and when he gets his hands on the defender he locks him completely out. He does struggle against speed rushers and that could hurt him at the next level. Still has room to grow.

Notes: First-team All-America by the AFCA and the Sporting News, second-team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and SI.com and third-team All-America by Rivals.com

Other Possibilities: Keith Rivers, Chris Williams, Jeff Otah, Kentwan Balmer, deSean Jackson

Notes: Harvey started football late, in junior year of high school so he still has a lot of learning to do, but also has a lot of upside.

Other Possibilities: Rashard Mendenhall, Jeff Otah, Kenny Phillips, Ryan Clady

HEIGHT: 6-6  WEIGHT: 340

In this mock, the Bears address their second biggest need, the offensive line. None of the other QB's warrant a first round pick. Otah can be a mauler in the run game but has also shown flashes of being a fleet-footed blindside protector, and could grow into a LT of the future. The Bears may look to trade up if they get a chance at Ryan by some miracle, or if Brohm is here they may take him as well, but he is really grading out to an early 2nd rounder at this point.

Current starter Tatum Bell has terrific speed and is an elusive back, but lacks the power to hold up as a feature back. Mendenhall  would give the Lions the type of tough runner that can move the chains and the speed to stretch the field. Mendenhall is a tough runner with good vision and adequate quickness, along with the ability to get yards after contact, an offensive playmaker.

Other Possibilities: Jonathon Stewart, Aqib Talib, Mike Jenkins, Sam Baker, Jeff Otah, Some wide receiver (it is still Detroit after all)

Yes we know he had surgery and will be out til July. So What?  Jonathon Stewart is just an amazing specimen and had he stayed a year would be the consensus number one next year. He is like Superman or something at 6-0 and 230 lbs and freakishly fast and strong (4.34 40 yard time!) He will be a better NFL back than McFadden.

You could switch the Lions and Cardinals picks and it would surprise no one.

Other Possibilities: Derrick Harvey, Mike Jenkins, Aqib Talib, Rashard Mendenhall

Merling brings speed, size, and athleticism where he could be the premier sackmaster to replace the departed for this pick Jared Allen.

Other Possibilities: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Derrick Harvey, Calais Campbell, BPA the Chiefs need help everywhere

Chris Williams, a big lineman who at 6’6, 320, has ideal size to play OT at the NFL level. Versatile, smart, and aggressive, Williams was the leader of the Vanderbilt offensive line and really improved his stock with a stellar senior season and a great week at the Senior Bowl

Other Possibilities: Aqib Talib, Ryan Clady, Jonathon Stewart, Rashard Mendenhall

HEIGHT: 6-2  WEIGHT: 215

Devin Thomas has the size, speed and the hands teams desire. Thomas has above average size to go with the speed to get behind a defense and when you watch him lay what you see is Dwayne Bowe and that style seems to be working out nicely. 

Other Possibilities: DeSean Jackson, Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly, Phillip Merling, Lawrence Jackson, Mike Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

This is a fall for Jenkins, and Tampa has a need in the secondary with Ronde Barber nearing the end of his career and Phillip Buchanan a bit of a wild card, the speedy and physical, Jenkins excels in man-to-man coverage and would immediately challenge for a starting spot. He has improved consistency over entire career since an injury kept him out as a freshman

Other Possibilities: Kentwan Balmer, Aqib Talib, DeSean Jackson, Jonathon Stewart. Malcolm Kelly, James Hardy

The Skins could look to add a wide receiver at this selection, especially with DeSean Jackson available. But adding a solid DE who can defend the run and rush the pass will add a lot to the defensive line. A giant of a man, Campbell can dominate when he wants to, and although staying another year would help him build character and technique, he is a smart person, already having graduated with a degree in Sociology, which made his decision to leave school early easier for him.

Other Possibilities: Kenny Philips, Phillip Merling, DeSean Jackson, Limas Sweed

Other Possibilities: DeSean Jackson, Mario Manningham, Leodis McKelvin, Limas Sweed, Reggie Smith, Malcolm Kelly

Pittsburgh's line surrendered 47 sacks in 2007. The unit couldn't even keep the Rams out of the backfield. It got worse against the Jaguars, as Ben Roethlisberger was sacked four times in the first 20 minutes. Now, Alan Faneca is gone so we think they have to go OL here and Cherilus is the best left on the board. He should start in first year and fits within the Steelers mold of tough, smart, physical linemen.

Other Possibilities: Jerod Mayo, Jeff Otah

At 6'5, 219, Sweed is a huge red-zone threat and a match-up nightmare for smaller DB's. This pick makes a lot of sense to bring the Texas connection back together.

Other Possibilities: Mario Manningham, Adarius Bowman, James Hardy, Jerod Mayo

HEIGHT: 6-05 WEIGHT: 295

Ballmer is a hustle player who makes plays and is a terrific run stopper. The interior of the defensive line struggled in the playoffs, and Marcus Tubbs is coming off an injury and return is questionable.  In our minds the Seahawks have a lot of needs, but right now they cant even field a receiving corps. Deion Branch is a solid receiver, but he's coming off an ACL injury suffered in the team's playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers and may not be ready to play when the 2008 season begins and Bobby Engram is 34 and can't go on forever so they may go receiver here.

Other Possibilities: Mike Jenkins, Jonathon Stewart, Martellus Bennett, Rashard Mendenhall, Mario Manningham

HEIGHT: 6-05 WEIGHT: 265

Jackson is a great physical specimen at 6'5" and 265 pounds he has excellent size for a defensive end. He is a bit raw, but rushes the passer very well. When Jackson does not sack the passer he does a great job of stopping quarterbacks from completing passes by either batting them down or intercepting them and he can stop the run cold from a 3-4 end spot.

Other Possibilities: Early Doucet, Limas Sweed, Mario Manningham, Malcolm Kelly

HEIGHT: 6-05 WEIGHT: 305

 He has good size and advanced technical skills, but Baker was very disappointing in workouts at the Senior Bowl. Was projected much higher and may move back up with some good workouts, the problem is that since he is not a physical marvel, he may not be able to wow people in workouts to move himself back up into the Top 10 but he is still a safe bet in the first round so the Chargers as usual get a ton of value here.

Everyone thinks that the Cowboys want McFadden, we are not so sure that his backfield mate Jones is a better fit with Marion Barber. Jones is lightning-quick with a great burst and the speed to get out on the edge. Also a threat as a kick-returner, Jones is a big-time playmaker and would make for a great change of pace for Barber.

Other Possibilities: James Hardy, Malcolm Kelly

Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn

HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 254

Groves has the size to line up at OLB or DE and the speed to be an effective edge rusher.

Other Possibilities: Gosder Cherilus, Quentin Groves, Malcolm Kelly, Brian Brohm?, Chris Williams, James Hardy, DeSean Jackson

HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185

Arizona's Antoine Cason is a polished corner with excellent skills. He will be an immediate nickle back and will be playing a lot in the first year as he gets to learn from two of the best.

Other Possibilities: Sam Baker, Quentin Groves, Reggie Smith, Aqib Talib 

Safety is a need, and Philips has everything you want in a safety. By far the best safety in the draft and quite possibly one of the best defensive players in the draft as a Junior available.

Other Possibilities: Aqib Talib, Antoine Cason, Trevor Laws, Keith Rivers, Dan Conner