2008 Mock Draft

1. Miami Dolphins - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
There are some, both in the media and in the general fan base, who are of the opinion that Arkansas RB Darren McFadden is a lock to be the #1 pick in the draft. With all due respect to those people, that would actually be quite unlikely unless the Dolphins trade the #1 pick, barring problems with Ronnie Brown recovering from his torn ACL. Brown has two years remaining on his contract.

Dorsey, who just won the 2007 Bronko Nagurski Trophy (beating out last year's winner, Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis), is a phenomenal talent. And the reality is that, for the Dolphins, stopping the run has been a huge problem this year. A player like Dorsey would be able to start immediately and have an instant impact in the middle. He is an elite player who has suffered through back and knee injuries and had the guts to remain on the field for LSU down the stretch.

2. New England Patriots (from 49ers) - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas *
As this mailbag reveals, there are people out there who are positively terrified at the thought of the Patriots landing Darren McFadden. And, after seeing McFadden play so well and look like such a special player, it's understandable.

From this spot, New England would have a number of options, from trading down to taking McFadden to taking Jake Long to boost its offensive line. Keep in mind also that, by taking McFadden, the Patriots would prevent him from falling to the Jets at #5.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
The talk out of Atlanta is that Chris Redman is going to be elevated to the starting QB spot after leading the Falcons roaring back against the Rams. Clearly, there are problems in Atlanta.

And as the Falcons free-fall, I'm sticking with my gut on the concept that Falcons coach (and former University of Louisville head man) Bobby Petrino is not only going to lobby for a QB at this spot, he'll push for the Falcons to take a player who knows his system in Brohm. Andre Woodson and Matt Ryan have had impressive seasons, and both have Brohm beaten in the height department, though at 6'3" Brohm is tall enough to be a quality NFL QB. The Falcons need a new face to push in the post-Michael Vick era (he's only still technically part of the team as part of the effort to recoup bonus money), and Brohm could fill that role nicely. I wouldn't be floored if Ryan or Woodson went here, since sometimes seemingly logical links like this are passed on, but if Atlanta drafts in the top five, or even perhaps the top ten, I think they are most likely going to take a quarterback, in most likelihood Brohm.

4. St. Louis Rams - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
The Rams have had an overwhelming number of injuries this year, but the most difficult of those to overcome has been the opening day injury to left OT Orlando Pace. Not only was in the second time in as many years that the Rams lost Pace with a triceps injury, it threw the team's capable offense into chaos.

Long is the best offensive tackle prospect in the draft. He has opened holes all year for Mike Hart (and his backups), and he should allow the Rams to go into 2008 with some much-needed depth at the offensive line, if not the opportunity for both Pace and Long to play (with Long moving into Pace's spot whenever Pace finally hangs it up.)

5. New York Jets - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
The Jets have desperate needs on defense that must be filled. Long is a near ideal fit for Eric Mangini's 3-4 system. A skilled defender who has faced double-teams all year, Long plays hard on every down, and he lead Virginia to a much better record than they otherwise would have had. Against Virginia Tech in the regular season finale, he beat a double-team and only missed out on a sack by being tackled. No flag was thrown, but that's the kind of chaos he can bring to the table.

6. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
The Bengals have had a difficult time stopping the run this year. The addition of a top-flight defensive lineman would be helpful. Glenn Dorsey would be an ideal pick, but with him off the board, Ellis is the next best option.

Ellis is strong (with a reported bench press max of 510 pounds), and while at 6'1" he's shorter than normal for the position, he would immediately improve Cincy's run defense. And, for the Bengals, that is critical.

7. Kansas City Chiefs - Sam Baker, OT, USC
The Chiefs have had a difficult time running the ball, average an anemic 3.3 yards per carry to date this season. Larry Johnson's problems (holdout, injury) haven't helped things, and the trade of Michael Bennett coupled with the career-ending neck injury to Priest Holmes has been terrible, but the lack of a top level offensive tackle has played a large part in the team's rushing difficulties.

Baker is a versatile talent who could fill a number of offensive line spots, though left tackle would make the most sense for him. But until the Chiefs are able to improve their offensive line, they won't be able to get their running game on track.

8. Oakland Raiders - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami *
Campbell is a massive DE who would be a nice addition to the Raiders' defensive line. Campbell is a huge human being at 6'8" 280 pounds. He had 10.5 sacks last year, and he has been continually double-teamed this year because of his constant threat at the line. Campbell will cause teams to have to adjust to handle the threat he presents.

The Raiders would love to land McFadden or Long, I'm sure, but ending up with Campbell could be a very beneficial thing for their defense. The Raiders are now dead last against the run, and a huge defensive lineman like Campbell would help to turn that around.

9. Baltimore Ravens - Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
The Ravens only have one major free agent to be in Terrell Suggs. They could go with a linebacker here, since in this mock the big names (Dan Connor, James Laurinaitis, etc.) would all be on the board. But, with the Ravens having so much difficulty performing on offense, and Steve McNair turning 35 this upcoming February, a quarterback like Woodson would be a great addition to the team. Matt Ryan may also be a consideration in this spot.

And, yes, Kyle Boller had perhaps his best game as a pro against New England on Monday night, but he will have to prove himself down the stretch, and even then the Ravens will likely bring in competition for him one way or another. An "X Factor" is the presence of Troy Smith on the roster, and how the team evaluates his development will also play a role in what they do in this spot.

10. New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, USF
I've finally come around on USF cornerback Mike Jenkins. The scouts across the board love him, and while I question if he's really the top corner prospect out there, there is no denying that he is a game-changing player. He's not great at stopping the run, but that's okay in this situation, since the Saints are okay against the rushing game but are being torn up all the time by the pass.

There is part of me that wants to put James Laurinaitis or Dan Connor in this spot, but the Saints desperately need to upgrade at the corner position, to the point where they might pass on higher billed players to go with a cornerback. Jenkins is lightning fast, and he would be potentially beneficial on kick returns.

11. Houston Texans - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas *
The Texans haven't had a strong option at running back since the 2005 injury, and subsequent retirement, of Domanick Davis (a.k.a. Domanick Williams). Ahman Green has proven to be yet another example of the low-end payoff of bringing in a 30-year-old running back to carry the load, and with the RB talent that should be present in this draft, there should be many players from which to choose for the Texans.

The four-year contract Green signed is going to haunt the Texans; the $5 million signing bonus was tough, the $3 million earned in salary and roster bonus in 2007 was stiff, and the large salaries lined up for the next three years will make it difficult to justify retaining him, particularly in years three and four.

There are a wide variety of running backs for the Texans to choose from, but Jones is an elite, elusive talent who could be a starter from the get-go for the Texans.

12. Denver Broncos - James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State *
The Broncos need help on defense, and an elite linebacker like James Laurinaitis could provide a great boost to the team. The Broncos are 31st against the run, something that Laurinaitis would be able to remedy right away. With Marcus Thomas developing at DT (no surprise to anyone who knew his play at Florida), and Elvis Dumervil turning into a sack machine at DE, the addition of Laurinaitis could take the Broncos to another level against the rush.

13. Carolina Panthers - Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami *
In a draft that is light at the safety position, Phillips stands out as a top-tier prospect. The Panthers have a strong need at safety that dates back to at least last year. Phillips is not an interception machine, but he is a skilled tackler and has great athleticism that would be very useful for the Panthers.

14. Chicago Bears - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
The Bears are struggling, in large part because of injuries on defense, but also because of problems at the quarterback position. Ryan would be a great selection for the Bears; some think Ryan is the best QB prospect of them all, and he could learn behind Brian Griese before taking the job. Rex Grossman is entering free agency this off-season, and he'll almost for sure be playing elsewhere in 2008.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State *
Gholston had a huge November, with great performances against Wisconsin and Michigan. He'll have his chance to showcase his skills against LSU in the BCS Title game. His ability to shed blocks, reach the QB, and blow up running plays makes him a very compelling prospect who could have a huge impact for the Eagles. With him and Trent Cole on the ends, the Eagles could have a very strong pass rush, the type of pressure that they had hoped they'd get out of Javon Kearse.

16. Washington Redskins - Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
Obviously, at this time the draft is the least of the Redskins worries. My deepest condolences and sympathies go out to Sean Taylor's family, the Redskins organization, and to those who were close to him.

Relative to the draft, Groves is a true game-changer, with the ability to come from multiple spots on the blitz or cover the middle from the OLB spot. Groves' injury (three dislocated toes) in the Florida game has taken him out of the spotlight, and when he's played since then, he has been far from 100%. But, when healthy, he is a difference maker who disrupts the passing game while stuffing the run. I personally consider him to be a legit Top 5 prospect, though he may settle into this range, if not lower. He is the real deal and would be a great pick for Washington at this spot.

17. Arizona Cardinals - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
This would arguably be *the* value pick of the first round. Arizona OLBs Karlos Dansby and Calvin Pace are both facing impending free agency, and both are making less than $1,000,000 each on the final year of their respective contracts. It would be tough for the Cards to keep them both, especially with an opportunity to land a high-end LB in this spot. While Connor played MLB in 2007, he was just as successful from the OLB spot in years past at Penn State.

18. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State *
There is little separation between many of the high-end corner talents in the draft, and Buffalo should have the chance to choose from a number of solid CBs at this spot. Jenkins has started at CB at Ohio State since he was a true freshman in 2005; he has good height and elite speed, and he could step in right away and help improve the Buffalo secondary.

19. Minnesota Vikings - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
The speedy Rivers may be considered slightly undersized for the prototype NFL linebacker position, but he has a knack for finding the ball carrier and making high impact plays. There aren't any glaring needs for the Vikings, unless you consider the QB position to be one, and the chance to add a super-talented linebacker at this point in the draft would be great for Minnesota.

20. Detroit Lions - Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
The Lions traded away CB Dre Bly this past off-season and lack a big-time playmaker at that spot. Thomas would be a great pick-up for the team here; he's a 6'1" corner with 4.45 speed and good containment skills. His torn ACL of 2005 is just a memory now, as he has returned to post back-to-back strong seasons on a USC team that is loaded enough on defense to make standing out be a difficult thing.

21. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
This isn't exactly the spot that the Cowboys had in mind when they acquired Cleveland's 2008 first round pick, but those are the breaks. As it is, the chance to land a top notch WR is still very positive for the Cowboys. Consider that while the Cowboys have had strong production from Patrick Crayton in place of the injured Terry Glenn, Glenn is 33 and Terrell Owens has just turned 34, and some youth would be most useful at the position.

22. Tennessee Titans - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma *
I've been saying for two years now that the Titans desperately need to bring in a top flight wide receiver for Vince Young. And after the embarrassing number of drops by the Titans receivers on national television against Denver last month, now others have jumped on the bandwagon. The regulars at LP Field know all about this, but it's becoming a much more obvious problem to the mainstream. Vince Young makes a mediocre receiving corps look much better than it is, and those who have criticized his play are off base.

I'm convinced that the Titans will do whatever they have to do to keep Albert Haynesworth after seeing the defense play at a much lower level without him in the three games he missed with a hamstring injury. Who would have thought that would happen just 14 months ago, when he stomped on Andre Gurode and received a five game suspension?

23. San Diego Chargers - Ali Highsmith, OLB, LSU
This is an interesting spot for the Chargers, as they need to gain maximum value from this pick since they have traded away (or lost via the 2007 Supplemental Draft) their picks in rounds two, three, and four.

San Diego trading down wouldn't surprise me at all, but with need at LB, Highsmith may be too tempting to pass up. Seeing him read the run and meet Darren McFadden head-on in the Arkansas/LSU triple overtime thriller like few others have impressed me greatly. Depth at LB is vital in a 3-4 defense, and Highsmith would provide that in a major way.

24. Seattle Seahawks - DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal *
Bobby Engram turns 35 in January, and D.J. Hackett is an unrestricted free agent after the season. There are other possible spots for the Seahawks to consider, but Jackson would be a solid selection at this spot. With elite kick return skills, he can provide the Seahawks with an instant special teams boost, and he has shown moments of brilliance at WR. While he hasn't posted the yardage in 2007 that he did in 2005 and 2006, he remains an elite talent who is a major "X Factor" in this draft. If Ted Ginn, Jr. could go in the top ten of the '07 Draft, where will Jackson go in the '08 Draft? Time will tell, but again his special teams skills alone make him a tempting first round selection.

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma *
The Bucs would face a tough choice here if both Aqib Talib and Reggie Smith declare for early entry in the draft and are on the board at this spot. I would give the nod to Smith, as along with being an outstanding CB prospect, Smith brings strong kick return skills to the table, which I think would give him the edge over Jenkins for what Tampa Bay needs.

26. New York Giants - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State *
From a need standpoint, the Giants sure could use help at offensive tackle. Clady has been an up-and-down player for BSU, but at 6'6" 320 he has the size to potentially develop into a very good NFL player. His athleticism is something many don't know about who don't follow Boise State football, but he has both unusual athleticism for the position and great fundamentals.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas *
For as strong as their defense has played, even with Marcus Stroud missing four games due to a suspension, they are 27th against the passing game. They have to face Peyton Manning, Vince Young, and Matt Schaub each twice a year. So while there might be consideration given to LB or even a sleeper like USC tight end Fred Davis, Talib would be a strong addition to a secondary that made a great pick last year in safety Reggie Nelson.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Otah is a relatively green player as far as his football experience goes, but he has impressive size (6'6" 340) and has perhaps made the greatest strides in improving of any offensive lineman in college ball. The Steelers should know all about Otah from him being in the same city, and he could turn into a solid pickup for Pittsburgh.

With Max Starks and Alan Faneca likely departing as free agents, adding skill players to the offensive line will be important for the Steelers this off-season, even though Starks lost his job to Willie Colon. Ask Peyton Manning about how important having depth at offensive tackle is.

29. Green Bay Packers - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon *
What is remarkable about the Packers' 10-2 start is that the team has done it with a pathetic rushing game (30th in the NFL.) If not for the amazing Patriots start and Tony Romo, Brett Favre would be a strong MVP contender, which is nothing short of remarkable at his age.

Fortunately for Green Bay, there should be a strong crop of running backs available in the draft, to the point where a talented player like Stewart may be on the board at this slot. Stewart, while being a thicker player than average for the position at 235 pounds, has great speed and would provide an instant upgrade for the team at running back.

30. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) - Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
The 49ers have been struggling mightily, in no small part because of the team's inability to throw the ball -- they're dead last in passing yards per game. Caldwell is not only a great receiver, he is also a strong blocker and a solid contributor on special teams.

Early Doucet may also be considered for this spot, as might DJ Hall and Adarius Bowman, and the 49ers sliding down into the early second round to take a receiver there might be a realistic consideration.

31. Dallas Cowboys - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Has any defensive lineman bettered his position going into the upcoming draft more than Balmer? A likely mid-to-late round pick coming into the year, the 6'5" 300 pound Balmer had a great senior season, to the point where he has skyrocketed up into being a first round consideration.

Balmer is not necessarily the type of player to ideally fit into a 3-4 system, and the Cowboys might be better off trading down and landing either Frank Okam or Red Bryant in the second round. But if Balmer can add a little more weight to his frame, he could end up being a surprise pick by Dallas in this spot. Balmer faced frequent double-teams this year, but he showed an uncanny ability to beat the blocks and reach the running back.

32. New England Patriots - FORFEITED
As punishment for the "Cameragate" scandal, the Patriots have been forced to forfeit their 2008 first round pick.

* indicates player with NCAA eligibility for 2008 who may opt to enter the 2008 NFL Draft

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