NFL mock draft last updated: 4/25/2008
| 1. Miami Dolphins |
|
| Jake Long |
OT |
HT: 6'7" |
WT: 315 |
Michigan Wolverines |
Movement: |
- |
GM slip or not the Dolphins will go with the safest player on the board. Miami builds for the future with the most complete LT in the draft. Huge combine numbers and consistent collegiate career solidifies him as the safest pick in this position.
|
| 2. St. Louis Rams |
|
| Chris Long |
DE |
HT: 6'4" |
WT: 285 |
Virginia Cavaliers |
Movement: |
- |
Had one of the more impressive combine performances this year eliminating any questions scouts had. No question what this kid will bring a non-stop motor and consistent play. Will help last years first rounder Carriker to make a formidable D-Line.
|
| 3. Atlanta Falcons |
|
| Glenn Dorsey |
DT |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 300 |
LSU Tigers |
Movement: |
- |
A massive chunk to build around in Atlanta. He will be a perennial pro bowler and an excellent locker room presence. This guy is a winner with a huge motor. Only downside is injury past.
|
| 4. Oakland Raiders |
|
| Darren McFadden |
RB |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 205 |
Arkansas Razorbacks |
Movement: |
- |
Al Davis can not pass him up if he is available although there are other pressing needs. Probably the biggest difference maker in the draft. A weapon on the ground and through the air. Question is: will he be Bush or Peterson.
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| 5. Kansas City Chiefs |
|
| Matt Ryan |
QB |
HT: 6'5" |
WT: 220 |
Boston College Eagles |
Movement: |
- |
NFL size and intelligence, but would benefit from sitting the bench for a year, but may be thown in early given KC's shaky QB situation. A clean prospect that would solidify the QB position not to mention the only QB worth taking in round one. After the Jared Allen trade this officially makes this draft a rebuilding one.
|
| 6. New York Jets |
|
| Vernon Gholston |
OLB/DE |
HT: 6'4" |
WT: 265 |
Ohio State Buckeyes |
Movement: |
- |
Monster junior year so decided to ride the wave into the draft. Has the potential to be an excellent 3-4 OLB given his size and athletic ability. Huge combine makes him a legitimate top 10 pick. Gholston will battle with Long and Dorsey to be first defensive player taken. This pick gives the Jets a dominant pass rusher to build the 3-4.
|
| 7. New England Patriots |
Pick From: San Francisco 49ers |
| Sedrick Ellis |
DT |
HT: 6'1" |
WT: 308 |
USC Trojans |
Movement: |
+2 |
Pats go with best available if they can not trade out of this pick. Nobody has risen as fast as Ellis before the combine. Manhandled offensive lineman during the senior bowl and seemed impossible to stop at times. Some are putting him above Dorsey. This massive man will bring Pats security as both Wolfork and Seymour's contract are due to expire at the end of next season.
|
| 8. Baltimore Ravens |
|
| Ryan Clady |
OT |
HT: 6'6" |
WT: 317 |
Boise State Broncos |
Movement: |
- |
Clady can pass block plain and simple. A need pick at this position, would love to trade down and still get this target. Clady is probably the consensus #2 LT in the draft and given Ogden's uncertain future the Ravens draft their future blind side tackle.
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| 9. Cincinnati Bengals |
|
| Keith Rivers |
OLB |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 236 |
USC Trojans |
Movement: |
+11 |
He is predicted by most as the most complete OLB prospect. Led the Trojans defense last year and can stretch from sideline to sideline.
Even after the reinstatement of Thurman the Bengals still need help at linebacker and get a "character" player here.
|
| 10. New Orleans Saints |
|
| Leodis McKelvin |
CB |
HT: 5'11" |
WT: 190 |
Troy Trojans |
Movement: |
-3 |
McKelvin had a good combine to propel him to this spot. Excellent in coverage and can also return kicks. Saints get one of the best corners in the draft to help in secondary due to disappointing CB play from David and injury to McKenzie.
|
| 11. Buffalo Bills |
|
| Devin Thomas |
WR |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 218 |
Michigan State Spartans |
Movement: |
+8 |
Had a huge junior year as WR/Retuner. Thomas showed very well at combine making him an intriguing prospect at his size. Edwards/Losman need a big time playmaker to team with speedster Evans.
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| 12. Denver Broncos |
|
| Chris Williams |
OT |
HT: 6'6" |
WT: 320 |
Vanderbilt Commodores |
Movement: |
- |
Good feet and ideal size. Will learn zone blocking scheme and excel due to good technique. Not overly powerful yet can take on speed rushers. Drafted a little high but would not be available much longer.
|
| 13. Carolina Panthers |
|
| Jeff Otah |
OT |
HT: 6'6" |
WT: 340 |
Pittsburgh Panthers |
Movement: |
- |
Not overly quick but does have great power and can create running lanes. A little raw at this point but the Panthers need an OT that can solidify the running game and allow Jake Delhomme some time to spread the ball around.
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| 14. Chicago Bears |
|
| Branden Albert |
G |
HT: 6'7" |
WT: 310 |
Virginia Cavaliers |
Movement: |
- |
Best guard in the draft. Looks the part and may be able to play right tackle. He looked athletic for his size at the combine and his versatility will allow the Bears to solidify the running game or protect whoever is throwing the ball.
|
| 15. Detroit Lions |
|
| Rashard Mendenhall |
RB |
HT: 5'11" |
WT: 224 |
Illinois Fighting Illini |
Movement: |
- |
A big, strong, deceptively fast back as apparent by blazing combine times. Only one year as feature back propelling the Illini into the national spotlight. The only bright spot in the thumping they took by USC in the Rose Bowl. With Mike Martz getting run out of town the Lions will focus on the run with more consistency.
|
| 16. Arizona Cardinals |
|
| Michael Jenkins |
CB |
HT: 6'0" |
WT: 200 |
South Florida Bulls |
Movement: |
-5 |
Good in coverage. Predicted to be the most NFL ready CB in the crop and looked good in pass happy conference. Should do some to shore up the CB position and allow Rolle to transition to safety.
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| 18. Houston Texans |
|
| Derrick Harvey |
DE |
HT: 6'4" |
WT: 262 |
Florida Gators |
Movement: |
-1 |
Texans go DL again to team with last 2 years #1 picks. An animal in the 2007 national championship probably still gives Troy Smith nightmares. The NFL covets pass rush which will probably get Harvey drafted before he should. He looked very athletic at the combine and with questions at DE opposite Williams, Harvey is the pick.
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| 19. Philadelphia Eagles |
|
| Jerod Mayo |
ILB |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 230 |
Tennessee Volunteers |
Movement: |
+8 |
Had a huge junior year and really excelled in the national spotlight. Mayo was in on about every play during the bowl game and SEC Championship game and should instantly upgrade the Philadelhia defense. Really fast combine. Eagles need an upgrade at LB and they land the most versatile ILB in the class.
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| 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
|
| Phillip Merling |
DE |
HT: 6'5" |
WT: 270 |
Clemson Tigers |
Movement: |
+1 |
Merling is a true defensive end that may be the best in the draft to fit the 4-3. Although questionable pass rusher he will be an every down starter in the NFL giving the Bucs a much needed DE.
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| 21. Washington Redskins |
|
| Malcolm Kelly |
WR |
HT: 6'4" |
WT: 220 |
Oklahoma Sooners |
Movement: |
+7 |
Washington will have their pick of WRs here. Some believe that he is the top receiver in the draft. Big receiver with separation questions but no question possesses playmaking ability. Campbell and the Redskins get the big target they haven't been able to acquire via free agency.
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| 24. Tennessee Titans |
|
| Limas Sweed |
WR |
HT: 6'5" |
WT: 219 |
Texas Longhorns |
Movement: |
- |
Sweed could make an instant impact in the offense giving Vince a big weapon he's comfortable with (former college teammates) that's sorely needed. Production slowed by injury but is an exceptional talent at WR. May not be overly fast but his size strength and ability will impress NFL scouts.
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| 25. Seattle Seahawks |
|
| James Hardy |
WR |
HT: 6'7" |
WT: 220 |
Indiana Hoosiers |
Movement: |
- |
Big receiver that ate smaller corners alive (see Penn State film against Justin King) Speed at his size propels him up the board. Seahawks fill hole from lost receivers and hope he doesn't have the dropsies.
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| 26. Jacksonville Jaguars |
|
| Calais Campbell |
DE |
HT: 6'8" |
WT: 280 |
Miami (FL) Hurricanes |
Movement: |
- |
Unbelievable size and athletic ability, but has not dominated on the field as he should have with his ability. Could gain 30 pounds and still be as athletic. Pick based on potential and need here but has the ability to be a disruptive end.
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| 27. San Diego Chargers |
|
| Aquib Talib |
CB |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 205 |
Kansas Jayhawks |
Movement: |
-11 |
Big time CB prospect with excellent size and speed. Can play against the bigger receivers and have success. Talib had big games when the games counted in the national spotlight. Talib is an instant upgrade on a fierce defense and could play right away opposite Jammer.
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| 28. Dallas Cowboys |
|
| Kenny Phillips |
S |
HT: 6'2" |
WT: 210 |
Miami (FL) Hurricanes |
Movement: |
-5 |
Phillips is the only safety worth considering in the first round. He follows in the footsteps of safeties from The U. Big hitter that can cover but is no Ed Reed. Cowboys get a safety with above average skills to patrol center field.
|
| 30. Green Bay Packers |
|
| Antoine Cason |
CB |
HT: 6'1" |
WT: 185 |
Arizona Wildcats |
Movement: |
-12 |
In my opinion the best CB in the draft. Cason was highly production in PAC-10 and limited the best receivers in the country when called upon. Draft experts are all over on this guy from early first round to third round. Playmaker on defense and his sub 4.5 40 solidifies him in the first round.
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| 32. New York Giants |
|
| Josh Barrett |
S |
HT: 6'3" |
WT: 231 |
Arizona State Sun Devils |
Movement: |
- |
Safety is a need for Giants after free agency. They hope Kenny Phillips slips if he doesn't their second option is Barrett. A huge safety with a great combine plays right away for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
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