Mock Draft: The Sports Xchange
Updated April 25
For all the trade rumors and debates about rising and falling stocks, the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft should ultimately be remembered for linemen upstaging skill position players.
Nearly half of the first round is expected to be offensive and defensive linemen, but the focus will naturally remain on the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.
And it won't only come from television analysts and fans. Expect the focus to come from teams as well. The relatively low number of high profile skill position players is likely to spark several trades -- including moves within the top five.
Round 1 · Round 2
| 2008 NFL Mock Draft |
| 1. Miami Dolphins | ||
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Jake Long, OT, Michigan: In agreeing to a five-year, $57.75 million contract with Long on Tuesday, the Dolphins took all of the uncertainty out of the first pick. Considering that offensive linemen have historically been among the safest positions, the Dolphins get a player with minimal bust concerns, while also filling one of their greatest needs. | |
| 2. St. Louis Rams | ||
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Chris Long, DE, Virginia: While reports persist that St. Louis is leaning toward DT Glenn Dorsey, Long is the safer pick and fills the greater need. A trade out is possible with several teams looking to jump ahead of Atlanta for Dorsey. | |
| 3. Atlanta Falcons | ||
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Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State: If Dorsey is here, he's the pick over Ryan. If Dorsey is gone, the Falcons attention might then switch to the Boston College quarterback, but with three second round picks, the team has plenty of options and ammunition to choose between Brian Brohm, Chad Henne, or Joe Flacco at a position of much better value. | |
| 4. Oakland Raiders | ||
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Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC: Ellis isn't a great value here, but I don't anticipate the Raiders keeping this pick. With Darren McFadden, Vernon Gholston and Matt Ryan all holding more value, the Raiders may trade down a few spots, adding picks and saving some money after spending so much in free agency. | |
| 5. Kansas City Chiefs | ||
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Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State: Some believe Gholston has more upside than any other player in this draft. Trading Jared Allen creates a huge gap in Kansas City's pass rush and with the value at offensive tackle much better at No. 17 than here, expect the Chiefs to focus on sacking the quarterback, rather than protecting him, early. | |
| 6. New york Jets | ||
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Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: If the Jets want McFadden, they may have to trade up to get him, as there are reports that several teams are working the phone lines of teams ahead of New York in an attempt to grab the SEC star. If placed behind an offensive line as talented as New York's, McFadden could explode into the NFL in much the same way Adrian Peterson did last year. | |
| 7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco) | ||
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Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California: With Ryan still on the board, this would appear to be the Patriots' dream scenario, as they are actively pursuing trade-down opportunities. If only trading down a few spots, the versatile linebacker Rivers would make the most sense. South Florida's Mike Jenkins is another player the Patriots may target if they were to trade down lower in the first. | |
| 8. Baltimore Ravens | ||
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Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: The Ravens were quick to suggest that Steve McNair's retirement did not change their draft board. This assertion likely only means that Baltimore was focusing on Ryan already, as quarterback now arguably becomes the Ravens' primary need. To ensure landing him, however, the Ravens may be forced to trade up. | |
| 9. Cincinnati Bengals | ||
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Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: Certainly the Bengals would love to see Ellis fall to them, as defensive tackle is their greatest need. But with that unlikely to happen, the Bengals could focus on Harvey. While some might characterize this as a slight reach, Harvey's upside as a pass rusher is well worth a top 10 selection. The free-agent addition of Antwan Odom is nice, but considering the loss of Justin Smith, the Bengals didn't greatly improve a pass rush that finished with a league-worst 22 sacks last season. | |
| 10. New Orleans Saints | ||
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Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: Reports out of New Orleans have the Saints attempting to trade up to secure either of the two elite defensive tackles. With only six picks this year, Sean Payton and Co. lack the ammunition to make much of a move without exhausting most of their draft. Instead, the team could look to trade down or select the best defender available -- likely to be ascending cornerback and kick return extraordinaire McKelvin. | |
| 11. Buffalo | ||
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Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State: At 6-2, 215 pounds, Thomas has the size the Bills are looking to pair opposite Lee Evans. The Bills already feature one of the league's best kick returners in Terrence McGee, but considering that McGee's average return has dropped from fifth to 17th to 37th over the past three years, the Bills could use Thomas' return abilities. Thomas will be characterized by some as a reach here, but as the only consensus first-round receiver, his stock is high enough to warrant this pick. | |
| 12. Denver Broncos | ||
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Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State: Considering the Broncos only have two offensive tackles on their roster, Denver clearly is going to add some help this weekend. The team doesn't necessarily need to draft reinforcements this early, but should Clady fall into their lap, he'd not only fill a need and provide value, but also offer immediate help due to his experience in a zone-blocking scheme while at Boise State. | |
| 13. Carolina Panthers | ||
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Branden Albert, G, Virginia: With a gaping hole at right tackle, the Panthers are expected to focus on offensive linemen with this pick. John Fox and his coaching staff are reported to be especially intrigued with Albert. The former Virginia Cavalier has the long arms and natural explosiveness to make an immediate impact on the right side, while also possessing the lateral quickness to transfer to the left should current left tackle Jordan Gross not re-sign after next season. | |
| 14. Chicago Bears | ||
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Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt: The mini-run on offensive linemen continues with Chicago addressing its lack of youth and athleticism upfront. The SEC star is dropping down some boards a bit, as he doesn't play with the physicality scouts prefer. However, he does possess legitimate left tackle athleticism, which would allow the Bears to shift John Tait to the right side. Don't be surprised if the Bears trade out of this pick, as they've explored moving both up and down over the past few days. | |
| 15. Detroit Lions | ||
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Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: New offensive coordinator Jim Colletto has been adamant that the Lions will run the ball more often in 2008 than they did under Mike Martz. Considering Detroit's top two rushers from last season -- Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett -- no longer play for the Lions, some of the blame was clearly placed on this position for the Lions' rushing woes. Stewart, the draft's most physical back, would be an instant improvement over Tatum Bell and provides more value at this point in the draft than any remaining linemen. | |
| 16. Arizona Cardinals | ||
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Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. State: The anticipated move of Antrel Rolle from cornerback to free safety makes an already thin position for the Cardinals an area of true need. To overtake Seattle in the NFC West, the Cardinals have to develop an answer for Seattle's passing game. "DRC" has the size and athleticism to help. | |
| 17. Kansas City (from Minnesota) | ||
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Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh: With their new needs at pass rusher likely to be filled with their earlier pick, the Chiefs can now turn their attention to a crumbling offensive line. Expect Kansas City to devote at least four of their league-high 13 picks to this unit, with Otah penciled in as the starting right tackle. | |
| 18. Houston Texans | ||
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Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: The Texans hitched their wagon last season to the 31-year-old legs of Ahman Green and got a total of 240 rushing yards out of him before he broke down. The Texans won't reach for a running back in the first round considering the depth of this year's class, but should Mendhenhall be available, his blend of vision, burst and receiving ability makes him an intriguing fit in Gary Kubiak's offense. | |
| 19. Philadelphia Eagles | ||
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Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: Despite the addition of Asante Samuel via free agency, the cornerback position remains very much in flux with Lito Sheppard expected to be traded. Safety is also an area of concern for the Eagles. Rather than reach for a pure safety, the Eagles would be wise to add the versatile Jenkins. Not only does Jenkins have experience at cornerback and free safety, he averaged 30.4 yards as a part-time kick returner in 2007. | |
| 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ||
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DeSean Jackson, WR, California: Despite spending first-day picks on Maurice Stovall and Michael Clayton over the past four years, Tampa's only downfield threat remains 36-year-old Joey Galloway. Jackson would provide the club with a similar speed threat who could make an immediate impact as a receiver and punt returner. | |
| 21. Washington Redskins | ||
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Philip Merling, DE, Clemson: Generally speaking, team decision-makers spend the final few days before the draft holed up at their headquarters reviewing their board. Considering that Redskins head coach Jim Zorn, executive team president Vinny Cerrato and owner Daniel Snyder were all present at Merling's workout Thursday, the Redskins are clearly interested in adding his youth and versatility to a Washington defensive line needing an infusion of both. | |
| 22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) | ||
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Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas: While Jones lacks the size and power most teams prefer in a franchise back, his speed opposite Marion Barber would make perfect sense for the Cowboys. Considering the Cowboys would also like some help with their kick return unit, and can't rely on Pacman Jones' return until his is reinstated by Commissioner Roger Goodell, the former Razorback could be in for double duty early. | |
| 23. Pittsburgh Steelers | ||
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Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College: A lack of depth along the offensive line forced the Steelers to slap the transition tag on right tackle Max Starks, even though he was beaten out by Willie Colon last year before filling in capably on the left side. With left tackle Marvel Smith expected to receive just as much free-agent attention next year as new Jets guard Alan Faneca received this year, the Steelers would be wise to add depth now. | |
| 24. Tennessee Titans | ||
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Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: Realizing that if Vince Young is going to take the next step they need to surround him with weapons, the Titans signed TE Alge Crumpler in free agency. More help is needed at wide receiver, however, meaning that if Sweed were available here, the Titans would likely consider reuniting the former Longhorns. | |
| 25. Seattle Seahawks | ||
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Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern California: Considering how poorly the Seattle defensive line held up in the playoff loss at Green Bay, defensive tackle was a position of concern even before the arrest of veteran Rocky Bernard on investigation of domestic violence. Defensive tackle fills a greater need, and may even be a better value, but GM Tim Ruskell, who has preached consistency and reliability throughout his tenure, could struggle with the idea of taking a one-year wonder in Kentwan Balmer. Jackson isn't as flashy as his statistics indicate, but he's the safest remaining prospect available. | |
| 26. Jacksonville Jaguars | ||
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Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina: While Marcus Stroud was limited by injuries each of the past two seasons, his presence in the middle - when healthy - helped make Jacksonville one of the league's stoutest run defenses. John Henderson remains a Pro Bowl talent, but Rob Meier and Derek Landri are limited. Jacksonville, long a team willing to gamble on potential, could fall in love with Balmer's athletic upside. | |
| 27. San Diego Chargers | ||
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Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: With few holes on their roster, the Chargers will likely be in position to address depth along the offensive line and running back here. However, with this pick being San Diego's only one until the end of the fifth round (#150 overall), don't be surprised to see general manager A.J. Smith trade out. Kansas City (13), Atlanta (11), Chicago (11) and Minnesota (nine) -- each have the number of picks and need at quarterback to move into this spot and take Brohm. With San Francisco, Green Bay and Miami all within the next five picks and likely to add a quarterback at some point, teams would be wise to jump up and secure Brohm here. | |
| 28. Dallas Cowboys | ||
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Chad Henne, QB, Michigan: Like the Chargers, the Cowboys would be tempted to trade out of this pick if Henne remained on the board. While fans might prefer the team draft Malcolm Kelly or Brandon Flowers rather than trade out, the Cowboys are power players in this year's draft because of their decisions last year. In trading the 22nd pick to Cleveland (Brady Quinn) last April, the Cowboys walked into this draft in a position of great power. If a similar scenario presented itself this weekend, owner Jerry Jones and Co. would no doubt recognize the value of entering another first round with multiple picks to play with next year. | |
| 29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) | ||
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Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma: With the postseason additions of Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson, the 49ers addressed their receiving corps already. However, considering they didn't get much out of Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie last year, San Francisco may strike should a receiver with Kelly's combination of size and hands be available. | |
| 30. Green Bay Packers | ||
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Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech: With no glaring holes, the Packers are in prime position to draft the best available player of need. While starting cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson remain one of the league's better tandems, their age (33 and 31, respectively) and the relative lack of depth behind them is a concern. Flowers lacks elite speed, but he plays the physical brand of football Green Bay prefers and would offer very good value at this point. | |
| 31. New England Patriots | ||
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Pick forfeited. | |
| 32. New York Giants | ||
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Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee: The Giants are relying on former defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka to successfully make the transition to outside linebacker. He appeared well on his way toward doing so last year before fracturing his leg. Gone, however, is depth among the linebacker corps with Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell leaving via free agency. Mayo has the upside and versatility to make the first round. | |
