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.
Video:
Jake Long discusses going number one,
what its like to be signed before the
draft, and Bill Parcells.
2.
St. Louis Rams
Chris Long, DE,
Virginia
HEIGHT:
6-4 WEIGHT: 284
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.
Video: Virginia Defensive End
Chris Long talks about the pressures of
being Hall-of-Famer Howie Long's son and
his future in the NFL
3.
Atlanta Falcons
Matt
Ryan,
QB, Boston College
HEIGHT:
6-5 WEIGHT: 220
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.
Video: McShay
Scouting Report: Matt Ryan
4.
Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden, RB,
Arkansas (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-2 WEIGHT: 205
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.
Video:
Some of
the best plays from Darren McFadden's
2007 college football season
5.
Kansas City Chiefs
Glenn Dorsey, DT,
LSU
HEIGHT:
6-2 WEIGHT: 299
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.
Notes:
Dorsey was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the
Outland Trophy, the Lott Trophy and the Lombardi
Award, becoming the only player to have won all four
awards. Team captain for LSU’s 2007 national
championship team.
Video: Glenn Dorsey
talks to Espn about fulfilling his NFL
dreams and overcoming personal
adversity.
6.
NY Jets
Vernon Gholston,
DE/OLB, Ohio State (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-4 WEIGHT: 264
The Jets want to
put some pressure on quarterbacks and Gholston is
jut the guy to do it. The Patriots would love to
have Gholston so this stops them as well
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.
Video:
Ohio
State's Vernon Gholston is sure to be
one of the top defensive players taken
in the NFL draft. He was a finalist for
the award given to college football's
top defensive end
7. New
Orleans Saints (from Patriots)
Sedrick Ellis, DT,
USC
HEIGHT:
6-1 WEIGHT: 285
No way Ellis makes it past the Bengals, especially
after they lost out in the Shaun Rogers and Dewayne
Robertson sweepstakes. So the Saints trade up.
Ellis is a little
short, but has the strength and explosiveness to
give interior linemen fits.
With the signing of
Antwan Odom, DE is no longer
a need, but with the
recent news out of Cincy WR might be.
Notes:Ellis was voted the
Pacific 10 Conference 2007 Defensive Player of the
Year by league coaches, and selected to the
All-Conference first team. Ellis was the strongest
person on the 2007 Trojans and only the third player
under Pete Carroll's Trojan tenure to lift over 500
lb, he had only started lifting weights since he was
15 (6 years as of 2007) because his father would not
allow him to lift at a younger age.
Video:
McShay Scouting Report: Sedrick
Ellis
8.
Jacksonville Jaguars (from Baltimore
Ravens)
Derrick Harvey, DE,
Florida (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-4 WEIGHT: 262
Harvey is a hybrid defensive end/ linebacker who can
play both right defensive end in a 4-3 and rush
linebacker in a 3-4. He is quick and will give some speed coming off the edge.
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.
Video:McShay
Scouting Report: Derrick Harvey
9.
Cincinnati Bengals
Keith Rivers, OLB,
USC
HEIGHT:
6-3 WEIGHT: 220
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.
Video:NFL Draft
Prospect Keith Rivers
10.
New England Patriots (from Saints)
Jerod
Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Mayo is an athletic
and versatile LB prospect with a lot of upside.
He is extremely physical
playing inside the box, has excellent range and a
quick burst as a blitzer that helped him collect 21
tackles behind the line of scrimmage during his last
two seasons at UT.
Video: McShay
Scouting Report: Jerod Mayo
11.
Buffalo Bills
Leodis McKelvin,
CB, Troy
HEIGHT:
6-3 WEIGHT: 220
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.
Video:McShay
Scouting Report: Leodis McKelvin
12.
Denver Broncos
Ryan Clady, OT,
Boise State (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-6 WEIGHT: 320
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
Video:
McShay Scouting Report:
Ryan Clady
13.
Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Stewart,
RB, Oregon (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-0 WEIGHT: 230
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.
Video: McShay
Scouting Report: Jonathan Stewart
14.
Chicago Bears
Chris Williams, OT,
Vanderbilt
HEIGHT:
6-06 WEIGHT: 320
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
Video:
15. Kansas City
Chiefs
Branden Albert,
OG, Virginia
HEIGHT:
6-7 WEIGHT: 315
Our own personal view
is that you never ever take a guard in the top ten,
the Chiefs will make a huge mistake if they stay at
5 and take Albert. he may be the best guard in the
last ten years, and he still is not worth the number
5 slotting money. The Chiefs really are
looking good in this draft with 6 of the top 100
picks and 2 in the first round. An OG with LT
potential, the word out of Kansas City is that he’d
be the pick over Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, or Chris
Williams. Obviously, the Chiefs workede this
draft to perfection.
Video: McShay
Scouting Report:
Branden
Albert
16.
Arizona Cardinals
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie,
CB, Tenn. State
HEIGHT:
6-02 WEIGHT: 178
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.
He should start in first year and
fits within the mold of tough, smart,
physical linemen. Started 37
consecutive games at right tackle but he moved to
the left side as a senior and had some struggles so
he is a right tackle prospect
Video: McShay
Scouting Report: Gosder Cherilus
18.
Baltimore Ravens
Joe
Flacco, QB,
Delaware
HEIGHT:
6-7 WEIGHT: 236
Transferring to Delaware
Flacco had a decent junior season,
getting acclimated to his new teammates
and offense. He followed that up with a
stellar senior campaign, as the Fightin'
Blue Hens fell just one game short of
capturing the NCAA Championship
Subdivision title in a tough loss to
Appalachian State. In just two seasons,
he holds the school record with 595 pass
completions on 938 attempts (63.4%),
ranking second all-time with 7,046
aerial yards. He threw for 41 touchdowns
and had 15 interceptions.
Video: Flacco and
Woodson Stand Out Among QBs at the NFL
Combine
19.
Carolina Panthers
Jeff Otah, OT,
Pittsburgh
HEIGHT:
6-6 WEIGHT: 340
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.
Notes: Might just have a higher upside
than any o-linemen in this draft since he started
playing football only as a high school senior.
Video:
McShay Scouting Report:
Jeff Otah
20.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Aqib Talib, CB,
Kansas (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-2 WEIGHT: 205
Talib is one of the top cover-men in the nation and
is just an all around playmaker even getting some
action at wide receiver. Aqib is a big corner
with good speed and ball awareness who can be
electrifying at times and sometimes just completely
busts a play as well. A lot of upside with a little
bit of Dale Carter swagger in him.
Video: McShay
Scouting Report: Aqib Talib
21. Atlanta Falcons
Sam Baker, OT, USC
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 Falcons get a ton of value
here.
Video:
Fox Sports draft preview
22.
Dallas Cowboys
Felix Jones, RB,
Arkansas (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-0 WEIGHT: 200
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.
Video: McShay
Scouting Report: Felix Jones
23.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rashard Mendenhall,
RB, Illinois (JR)
HEIGHT:
5-11 WEIGHT: 224
Mendenhall would give the
Steelers 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. Great value pick.
Video:
McShay Scouting Report:
Rashard Mendenhall
24.
Tennessee Titans
Chris
Johnson, RB, East Carolina
HEIGHT:
5-11 WEIGHT: 195
Johnson’s biggest assest
is his blazing speed - He has been
clocked at 4.20, which is lightning,
especially considering his size (5-11,
195 lbs.) However, this is way too high
for him to go in the draft. A one trick
pony who compare to Brian Westbrook, he
is better than Westbrook as a returner,
but not as good as a runner.
Video: Chris
Johnson Turns Heads With Combine Speed
25.
Dallas Cowboys (from Seattle)
Mike Jenkins, CB,
South Florida
HEIGHT:
6-0 WEIGHT: 197
This is a fall for Jenkins, and
Dallas has a need in
the secondary, 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
Video:
McShay Scouting Report: Michael
Jenkins
26.
Houston Texans
Duane
Brown. OT, Virginia Tech
HEIGHT:
6-5 WEIGHT: 308
Brown
is a former tight end who is very
athletic. He was a tight end
just two years ago, so he has the
natural athleticism, quickness, and
lateral agility to be a quality pass
protector in the NFL. The upside is
unbelievable as he learns to play the
position, but this is a little high for
him to go.
Video:
27.
San Diego Chargers
Antoine Cason, CB,
Arizona
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.
Video:
Antoine Cason Arizona CB#5 Highlights
28. Seattle Seahawks
(from Dallas)
Lawrence Jackson,
DE, USC
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.
Video:
USC Football 2007 Lawrence Jackson
29.
San Francisco 49ers
Kentwan Balmer, DT,
North Carolina
HEIGHT:
6-05 WEIGHT: 295
Ballmer is a hustle player who
makes plays and is a terrific run stopper.
Exceptionally talented but a risky prospect who is a
boom or bust type as he didn't really start to show
on his tremendous talent until this last year.
Video:
Balmer credits Butch Davis and his
coaching staff for helping him become
one of the most coveted defensive
linemen
30.
New York
Jets
Dustin
Keller, TE,
Purdue
HEIGHT:
6-4 WEIGHT: 240
Keller is the best tight
end in football, however, that doesnt
mean he is the next Tony Gonzalez. He
began his college career as a wideout
and transitioned to TE. hasn't learned
to be an effective blocker yet, but will
thrive in the right system catching the
ball, he can even play some slot.
Video:
The most athletic player in the draft.
6’3, 250 pounds, 38 inch vertical (from
the NFL Combine), 41 inch vertical on
pro day, 4.53 second 40 yard dash
31.
No Pick
NWE forfeited pick for
spygate
32. NY
Giants
Kenny Philips, FS,
Miami (JR)
HEIGHT:
6-2 WEIGHT: 210
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.
Chris Long, DE,
Virginia
Darren McFadden, RB,
Arkansas (JR)
Glenn Dorsey, DT,
LSU
Vernon Gholston,
DE/OLB, Ohio State (JR)
Sedrick Ellis, DT,
USC
Derrick Harvey, DE,
Florida (JR)
Keith Rivers, OLB,
USC
Jerod
Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Leodis McKelvin,
CB, Troy
Ryan Clady, OT,
Boise State (JR)
Jonathon Stewart,
RB, Oregon (JR)
Chris Williams, OT,
Vanderbilt
Branden Albert,
OG, Virginia
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie,
CB, Tenn. State
Jeff Otah, OT,
Pittsburgh
Aqib Talib, CB,
Kansas (JR)
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Felix Jones, RB,
Arkansas (JR)
Rashard Mendenhall,
RB, Illinois (JR)
Chris
Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Mike Jenkins, CB,
South Florida
Duane
Brown. OT, Virginia Tech
Antoine Cason, CB,
Arizona
Lawrence Jackson,
DE, USC
Kentwan Balmer, DT,
North Carolina
Dustin
Keller, TE,
Purdue
Kenny Philips, FS,
Miami (JR)