1. Miami Dolphins – Chris Long – DE, Virginia
I originally believed it was possible that the Dolphins trade out of the top pick, but that is looking less likely now. Long is solidifying his status as one of the top three or four talents in this year’s draft and the Dolphins will look to start the rebuilding process on defense.
2. St. Louis Rams – Jake Long – OT, Michigan
As the draft draws closer, this is becoming more and more of a sure thing. With Orlando Pace’s future in doubt, the Rams need to lock up the left side of the line and Long is the best offensive lineman on just about every team’s board. The combination of Long and Alex Barron at right tackle would solidify the two most important positions on the line and allow the Rams to address the skill positions for years to come.
3. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan – QB, Boston College
This is perhaps the biggest need pick of the draft, although drafting a defensive tackle or offensive tackle would make just as much sense. Ryan was impressive in his pro day, making all the throws and showing great mechanics. The Falcons need to put the Michael Vick fiasco behind them and there is no better way to do that than to get a new face of the franchise.
4. Oakland Raiders – Vernon Ghollston – DE, Ohio State
The original pick here was McFadden, but his off the field problems are apparently becoming more of an issue. Of course, such problems have never been too much of a deterrent for the Raiders, but Gholston had a remarkable pro day performance with some now believing his the draft’s best prospect.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Ryan Clady – OT, Boise St.
Once a strength for the Chiefs, the offensive line has been decimated, mainly due to the recent retirements of stalwarts Will Shields and Willie Roaf. If the Rams go with a defensive tackle at number two, it’s very possible Jake Long falls to Kansas City, where he would be a no-brainer. But Clady is no slouch and would give Herm Edwards the option of moving the reliable Damion McIntosh over to right tackle.
6. New York Jets – Darren McFadden – RB, Arkansas
McFadden also had a solid pro day, but it’s now looking more likely that he could drop out of the top five. If he does, the Jets are rumored to be as far as he’ll fall. Of course, it’s still very possible Jerry Jones makes the move up to take McFadden, but that rumor is losing steam.
7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco) – Leodis McKelvin – CB, Troy
It almost doesn’t seem fair, does it? The Patriots were never going to pay to keep Asante Samuel, so McKelvin, the best corner in the draft, would fill that need. But the famed linebacking corps is, of course, getting older and we all saw how well that offensive line held up against a serious pass rush. Also, if McFadden isn’t off the board yet and the Cowboys haven’t already made the deal with the Dolphins, Raiders or any other team in the top five, look for them to move up here and deal away their two first rounders. I’m sure Bill Belichick wants the one he lost to the Spygate incident back.
8. Baltimore Ravens – Sedrick Ellis – DT, USC
It’s still a little hard to imagine a scenario where Ellis is taken before Glenn Dorsey, especially if a team moves up to take the LSU star. But Ellis is a more natural fit in the 3-4 that the Ravens run and Ellis is generally rated only slightly lower than Dorsey.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Glenn Dorsey – DT, LSU
It’s unlikely that Dorsey falls this far, but if just one team likes Ellis better, it’s certainly possible. The Bengals’ biggest need is a pass rushing defensive end, especially with the loss of Justin Smith, but would scoop up Dorsey in a heartbeat if he were still available.
10. New Orleans Saints – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB, Tennessee St.
Rodgers-Cromartie is topping out on some draft boards as the number cornerback prospect and the Saints sorely need pass coverage help. The original pick was Mike Jenkins from South Florida, and he hasn’t necessarily hurt his stock. It’s just that Rodgers-Cromartie’s stock is soaring.
11. Buffalo Bills – Malcolm Kelly – WR, Oklahoma
Even though his production dipped last year, Lee Evans is still a legitimate number one receiving threat, but not quite in the upper echelon of wide outs. Opposite Evans, Josh Reed has started 16 games only once in his career and has been an overall disappointment. With the Bills finally deciding on a quarterback in Trent Edwards, it’s time to get him some weapons and Kelly fills that need.
12. Denver Broncos – Chris Williams – OT, Vanderbilt
With Jay Cutler established as the franchise quarterback, the job for the Broncos staff is now to make sure he stays upright. The draft is deep at offensive tackle and some believe Williams could potentially go in the top 10, so the Broncos should be satisfied if he’s still around at 12. Wide receiver is also a very strong possibility here, especially is Kelly falls. But 12 may be a bit too high for some of the others.
13. Carolina Panthers – Rashard Mendenhall – RB, Illinois
The Panthers chose to release DeShaun Foster, creating a gaping hole in the backfield. DeAngelo Williams rushed for more than 700 yards last season, but he’s not viewed as an every-down back. Mendenhall has been so impressive in postseason workouts that some have him ranked ahead of McFadden.
14. Chicago Bears – Jeff Otah – OT, Pitt
With John Tait anchoring down the left side, Otah would solidify the right and give the Bears at least a functional offensive line. Otah is a bit raw and 14 could be a little high for him, but the Bears run blocking certainly leaves something to be desired. In fact, going with a running back here is just as likely as an offensive tackle.
15. Detroit Lions – Mike Jenkins – CB, South Florida
With the change at 10 where New Orleans takes Rodgers-Cromartie, it essentially shifts down the rest of the cornerback prospects. Instead of Aqib Talib, Jenkins falls here.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Kentwan Balmer – DT, North Carolina
The Cardinals just have too many pressing needs to draft a running back like Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart, as was originally projected here. The Cardinals need help along the line to fortify their run defense.
17. Minnesota Vikings – Philip Merling – DE, Clemson
Ray Edwards and Kenechi Udeze combined for just 10 sacks last season as the regular starters for the Vikings. With the offense poised to be one of the best in the league, upgrading the pass rush can put the Vikings right in the playoff hunt in 2008.
18. Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart – RB, Oregon
The possibility that both Stewart and Mendenhall are off the boards by the time the Texans pick would be a nightmare scenario for Houston. And that scenario is very possible, especially if the Cardinals look strongly at a running back. Even though the Texans signed former Titan running back Chris Brown, the Texans still need a franchise back.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Mario Manningham – WR, Michigan
With Kevin Kolb waiting in the wings to take over at quarterback, and who knows when that could happen after Donovan McNabb rejuvenated his career in 2007, the Eagles need to provide a weapon for either of them. Reggie Brown hasn’t made the progress to a number one receiver some hoped he would and Kevin Curtis is more suited as a slot receiver than a number two.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Aqib Talib – CB, Kansas
Talib had a solid pro day and didn’t hurt his stock by running a 4.4-40. Jenkins, Talib, and Rodgers-Cromartie are so close, talent-wise, any or all of them could be gone by this pick.
21. Washington Redskins – DeSean Jackson – WR – California
With the Redskins releasing Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randle El becoming better suited as a slot receiver, the speed burner Jackson would give Washington a significant number two receiver opposite Santana Moss as well as a legitimate kick returner.
22. Dallas Cowboy (from Cleveland) – Felix Jones – RB, Arkansas
It’s still very likely Jerry Jones deals his two picks to move up to take Darren McFadden, especially if the Razorback running back’s stock continues to take slight hits. But this is a good spot for Felix Jones and Jerry Jones can still get his Arkansas guy.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Branden Albert – OG, Virginia
With the departure of Alan Faneca, the Steelers need to upgrade their line and do so quickly. Albert is the perfect fit here and the Steelers always seem to nail their traditional late round pick.
24. Tennessee Titans – Fred Davis – TE, USC
The rest of the NFL may be stumbling all over themselves to heap praise on Vince Young, but the Titans won last year mostly in spite of Young’s performance, not because of it. Of course, some of that had to do with the Titans having no legitimate deep threat. Getting Young some help is a priority and Davis the best tight end in the draft. Wide receiver would certainly be an option here, too, and Young’s former teammate Limas Sweed could be the choice.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Kentwan Balmer – DT, North Carolina
Brandon Mebane and Rocky Bernard were serviceable last year, helping the Seahawks to a respectable rush defense that finished 12th in the league in yards allowed. But the Seahawks lack depth along the line and drafting Balmer gives the Seahawks another solid run stopper.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kenny Phillips – S, Miami
Two weeks ago, it was nearly a given that the Jaguars would go with a wide receiver in this spot, but they have since traded for former first rounder Troy Williamson and signed Jerry Porter. A pass rushing defensive end could also be the pick here, but Phillips would give the Jaguars an absolutely frightful safety combination along with last year’s first round pick Reggie Nelson.
27. San Diego Chargers – Sam Baker – OT, USC
With Pro Bowler Marcus McNeill anchoring the left side, Baker would provide stability on the right to give the Chargers two young offensive lineman who could play for a decade. Shane Olivea started 10 games last year at right tackle, but isn’t the long-term answer.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Reggie Smith – CB, Oklahoma
If the Cowboys somehow stand pat and don’t deal away their two first rounders, they have the opportunity to upgrade what may be the only two soft spots on their roster. Terrance Newman has proven to be just an okay corner, the same with Anthony Henry and Roy Williams is the most overrated player in the NFL who somehow gets himself elected to Pro Bowls as a safety by playing linebacker. Smith would provide much needed depth and shift Henry to the nickel.
29. San Francisco 49ers – Limas Sweed – WR, Texas
Sweed first has to prove (No. 1) he is healthy and (No. 2) he can run. He battled a wrist injury much of the season and tweaked it again at the Senior Bowl. His 40 speed left something to be desired, but Sweed can do the main thing wide receivers are put on the field to do: he can catch. Sweed’s got excellent hands and would provide another pass catching threat for Alex Smith.
30. Green Bay Packers – Derrick Harvey – DE, Florida
The Packers are a team that may have more holes than may appear, especially along the offensive line and wide outs. But with Aaron Kampman emerging as one of the best pass rushers in the league, the Packers need to provide him with someone on the other side to take pressure off.
31. New England Patriots – Cameras? What cameras? The league taketh away.
32. New York Giants – Keith Rivers – OLB, USC
It’s always a challenge to identify a weakness on a Super Bowl winning team, but with the Giants choosing not to resign Kawika Mitchell, and either Penn State’s Dan Connor or Rivers almost certainly still available, either seem like a logical fit to solidify the defense and get younger in the process.
Go to Round 2 of Brian’s Mock Draft
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