2008 NFL Mock Draft

2008 NFL Mock Draft - Bodog Nation predicts picks 1-32

April 22, 2008

By Carlisle Richards
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer

The theme for this year's draft? Play it safe.

The Dolphins have already set the tone by signing offensive tackle Jake Long with their No. 1 overall pick. I think they've taken the wrong Long and are simply making the safest, cheapest move.

But that speaks volumes on how they and the other 31 teams view this year's draft.

The general consensus is that there's no guaranteed impact player like years past. Every playmaker position has questions that could leave a team grabbing third-round talent with their first pick.

There's one first-round quarterback, and most teams aren't sure if he'd have a first-round grade in most drafts. There isn't one top wideout without a glaring negative. All the top corners are from small schools and the strongest position in past drafts has become the weakest: safety.

That's why you'll probably see most teams take the safer route and go "best available" over "need." Expect at least five teams to keep it simple and solidify their offensive line, and expect some of the draft's offensive playmakers to be bypassed for solid defenders.

To give you an idea of how it could all go down, Bodog Nation shines up its crystal ball and gives you our first-round projection of the 2008 NFL Draft on Saturday, April 26.

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
I think defensive end Chris Long would be the best pick for the Dolphins, but they've settled for the "sure thing" over game-changing talent. Why? With his strength, work ethic and intelligence, the chances of Jake not being a solid tackle on either side of the line are slim. And the Dolphins got him for less than last year's No. 1 JaMarcus Russell.

2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
The Rams have a tough choice to make between Virginia star Chris Long and defensive tackle Dorsey. In the end, they'll opt for a guy who some consider the best overall talent in the draft: Dorsey. He should immediately improve the second-worst defense in the league.

3. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (NFL Draft Odds: 1/1)
The Falcons need a new face, and QB Matt Ryan is the best option here. Ryan is considered the best QB in this year's draft and doesn't have an underground dog fighting ring that we know of. Sounds like the perfect fit.

4. Oakland Raiders – Chris Long, DE, Virginia (NFL Draft Odds: 3/1)
Things couldn't fall any better for the Raiders. Howie Long had a Hall of Fame career with the Raiders' organization and they'll grab his equally talented son, Chris, at No. 4. His endless motor should immediately impact the D-line.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Albert, G/T, Virginia (NFL Draft Odds: 8/5)
What used to be the Chiefs' strength has now become their biggest weakness: offensive line. Albert could be a reach here, but apparently, the Chiefs are confident that he has the athleticism to start at either tackle or guard spots for years to come.

6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (NFL Draft Odds: 3/2)
With the teams above not desperate for a running back, the Jets will grab the most explosive RB in this year's draft. There are questions on whether he's another Reggie Bush type of player, but he should at least complement Thomas Jones at the next level.

7. New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State (NFL Draft Odds: 7/4)
The rich get richer. The 2007 Pats had everything except for youth and speed at 3-4 linebacker. They'll solve that with the most athletic DE/LB combo in the draft.

8. Baltimore Ravens – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (NFL Draft Odds: 3/1)
With their two top corners cracking 30, the Ravens need to inject their secondary with some youth. With solid cover skills and explosive speed, McKelvin is the best corner/returner combo in the draft.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (NFL Draft Odds: 29/20)
The Bengals need some pressure on defense. If they can't find a way to trade up and grab the best DT in the draft, they'll settle for the second best, Ellis.

10. New Orleans Saints, Keith Rivers, LB, USC (NFL Draft Odds: 4/1)
Like the Bengals, the Saints are desperate for a dominant DT. They may try to trade up to get one, but if it doesn’t happen, they'll opt for the best LB in the draft.

11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State (NFL Draft Odds: 6/5)
The Bills lack size at receiver and take the best available here. With Malcolm Kelly proving he doesn't have first-round speed, the best big receiver on the board is one-year wonder Devin Thomas.

12. Denver Broncos - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
The Broncos no longer boast the dominant, zone blocking O-lines of years past, but Williams has the athleticism to step in right away and help the running game while protecting young QB Jay Cutler.

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13. Carolina Panthers - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
With no sure-shot playmaker on offense or defense, the Panthers will opt to play it safe and solidify their O-line. Clady will be an instant starter at the Panthers' biggest hole: right tackle.

14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (NFL Draft Odds: 5/2)
Cedric Benson is a bust so the Bears will take a player that could be the best all-around RB in the draft. Mendenhall has the 4.4 speed to kick it outside and the 225-pound frame to pound it in the trenches.

15. Detroit Lions – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Despite the fact that he's recovering from surgery on his big toe, Stewart is still considered a top 20 pick. The Lions need a RB that can carry an offense 20-25 times, and Stewart has the bruising running style to do just that.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
With 2005 pick Antrel Rolle proving to be better suited to play safety than corner, the Cards pick the best corner available to hold down the left side. Jenkins has the skills to be the cover corner they need.

17. Minnesota Vikings- Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Even if the sign and trade for DE Jared Allen does go through, the Vikings won't hesitate to select Harvey. His speed off the edge should make him at least a pass-rush specialist in the NFL.

18. Houston Texans - Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St.
The Texans have a solid front seven but, besides Dunta Robinson, are weak in the secondary. Roger-Cromartie has the athleticism to be a dominant corner opposite Robinson.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
The Eagles need a playmaking receiver for Donovan McNabb but their history shows they'll wait later in the draft to address that and take the best lineman available to help improve a line that gave up a fifth worst 49 sacks in 2007-08.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
After testing positive for marijuana, Talib drops all the way to 20 for the Buccaneers to snatch up. Draft bust Philip Buchanon is currently the second best corner on the team, making this pick too good to pass up.

21. Washington Redskins - Philip Merling, DE, Clemson
The Redskins need size and speed at the receiver position. And with no sure-shot pick at 21, they'll opt for a DE that's only rated this low because of a hernia injury. If he stays healthy, Merling could be a regular starter in the NFL.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (NFL Draft Odds: 5/6)
Owner Jerry Jones will get the speed back that he's been looking for from his alma mater, Arkansas. He may not be as explosive as McFadden, but Jones' 4.4 speed and ability to catch out of the backfield make him the perfect complement to power back Marion Jones.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The Steelers were in the bottom eight in sacks allowed with squads like Atlanta and St. Louis in the 2007-08 season. Cherilus should be in the mix to start at tackle right off the bat.

24. Tennessee Titans - DeSean Jackson, WR, California (NFL Draft Odds: 4/5)
The Titans are desperate for playmakers for Vince Young and Jackson has the skills to fit in perfectly. What Jackson lacks in size (listed at 5 feet 10 inches), he makes up for with the ability to take a jail-break screen 40 yards in 4.35 seconds. Also, he'll fill a punt returner void with the loss of "Pacman" Jones.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
The Seahawks need a tight end but ones who rate high enough aren't available. So, the 'Hawks look to improve their aging and inconsistent receiver core with Sweed. His quickness off the line and durability has been questioned, but he has the hands to be an instant contributor in a West Coast offense.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
The Jags' biggest weakness is their pass rush. They'll solve that by drafting the best end remaining on the board. He has Mario Williams-like athleticism but will take time to develop.

27. San Diego Chargers – Sam Baker, OT, USC
The Chargers are still the most talented team on paper. Therefore, they'll look to add depth to their offensive line with the selection of Baker.

28. Dallas Cowboys - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
If the "Pacman" trade doesn't go through, Dallas could go corner here. If they do grab "Pacman," look for the 'Boys to bring in another target for Tony Romo. He's raw as a route runner, but Dallas has an offense talented enough to be patient with him.

29. San Francisco 49ers - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
The 49ers need to draft a WR but with the best four off the board, they'll solidify their LB core instead. Mayo has quickly turned into a first-round prospect and will form a formidable LB duo with 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year Patrick Willis.

30. Green Bay Packers - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris are 30-plus, so look for the Packers to bring a new young corner into the mix. Flowers won't wow you like the other prospects, but he's an aggressive CB, which should fit in with the Packers' style.

31. New England Patriots - Forfeited

32. New York Giants – Kenny Philips, S, Miami
The Giants have a big hole at safety and they'll grab the only one worth their time at the bottom of the first round.