NFL 2008 Mock Draft #5

[Shame About Ray]

1. Miami Dolphins- Jake Long, OT Michigan-

The Dolphins have already contacted Long’s agent and signed a contract and taking an offensive tackle at this spot is a good idea because they typically have the longest and most steady careers of any position. This pick will set the tone for the rest of the draft but it is also a pretty safe bet at this point.

2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long, DE LSU-

The Rams are most likely going with defensive line help here, and Chris Long fits coach Scott Linehan’s profile of a hard-working, team-first guy. Long is a relentless pass rusher and would give the Rams a solid all-around defensive line along with Adam Carriker and Leonard Little.

3. Atlanta Falcons- Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU-

Atlanta is good bet to take Dorsey here because he’s too talented to pass up and this is a team that needs everything. Matt Ryan is also a possibility but the Falcons are not quite sold on him right now. Most mock drafts have Dorsey going here; a few have Ryan but no one’s quite sure if he’ll be worth such a high pick while Dorsey is a sure-fire star.

4. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas-

The Matt Ryan/Darren McFadden odds of being taken first have McFadden as a -160/+130 favorite, and McFadden does indeed figure to be taken first because the Falcons are still up in the air about Ryan. McFadden’s big-play ability is too good for Al Davis and the Raiders to pass up. He’s a man who loves his offensive fireworks.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Ryan Clady, OT Boise State-

The Chiefs have always been a build-around-the-trenches kind of team and they really need to solidify the offensive line as it hasn’t been the same since Willie Roaf retired. The risk of taking someone Matt Ryan is that he won’t develop for a while so expect Clady to go here.

6. New York Jets- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB Ohio State-

This is a big swing pick here as it could send the draft spiraling into a number of different scenarios. The odds for whether Gholston or Sedrick Ellis will be taken first are at -300 to +220 respectively and I like Gholston going to the Jets because they need a rush linebacker to complement their run-stuffers at linebacker. The defense has some talent but needs a big play-maker with potential and the sky’s the limit for Gholston.

7. New England Patriots- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Tennessee State-

McKelvin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from Tennessee State are at even odds for being the first selection and the Patriots very well could be picking between them. The Patriots are a prudent team and they won’t take someone at number seven and commit money to them unless they have an upside. Cromartie has a higher upside and should become a very good player learning from all the consummate pros in New England and upgrade the speedy in the secondary.

8. Baltimore Ravens- Matt Ryan, QB Boston College-

The Ravens just lost Steve McNair and Troy Smith isn’t necessarily the answer at QB. Ryan is a good leader that the franchise needs and is a solid bet to be taken here.

9. Cincinnati Bengals- Sedrick Ellis, DT USC-

Ellis has been overshadowed by Glenn Dorsey but he would be a great value here for the Bengals who badly need defensive help. Don’t be shy about laying money down on this pick if you get a chance to because many mock drafts are predicting Ellis to the Bengals right now.

10. New Orleans Saints- Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy-

The Saints might take Keith Rivers here but McKelvin seems like a better bet because they need someone to fix their woeful pass defense. The Jason David experiment can already be declared a disaster.

11. Buffalo Bills- Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida-

Jenkins is a great fit in Dick Jauron’s zone defense schemes so Jenkins is very likely to go here if he’s still on the board, which he should be.

12. Denver Broncos- Keith Rivers, OLB USC-

The Broncos have a few more pressing needs so don’t be the house on this pick but this is one of those scenarios where Rivers will be too good for them to pass up.

13. Carolina Panthers- Derrick Harvey, DE Florida-

Julius Peppers needs someone to draw the attention away from him and Harvey should be the guy. This is a tough pick to predict, however, and the Panthers could also go with Rashard Mendenhall.

14. Chicago Bears- Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois-

The Bears have had a chance to scout him for a while and Cedric Benson isn’t cutting it in the Windy City. They need a big-play guy bad and Mendenhall is a good fit here.

15. Detroit Lions- Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon-

Matt Millen painted himself into a corner and now the odds are good that the Lions will take a running back after Kevin Jones’ departure. Stewart will be the best choice if Mendenhall is gone.

16. Arizona Cardinals- Antoine Cason, CB Arizona-

The Cardinals need a corner badly at this spot and will likely reach even if the best ones are gone.

17. Minnesota Vikings- Devin Thomas, WR Michigan State-

The Vikings love the short passing game and Thomas is shooting up draft boards because he can make big plays after the catch. This is a surprise pick but this is a tough one to figure.

18. Houston Texans- Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt-

The Texans have needed o-line help for a while so it’s a solid bet that they take one at 18 and Williams is a great fit for them here.

19. Philadelphia Eagles- Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma-

Donovan McNabb needs a big-play threat and Kelly can be that guy even though he’s a bit raw.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- James Hardy, WR Indiana-

The Bucs need someone who can make big plays and Jon Gruden has always loved big wideouts. They don’t get much bigger than Hardy.

21. Washington Redskins- Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh-

Otah is a good run-blocker with good quickness despite being a little bit raw.

22. Dallas Cowboys- DeSean Jackson, WR California-

Jackson has dropped on some boards but he would give the Cowboys a great spark in the return game.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Brandon Albert, OG Virginia-

The Steelers get another mauler for their run game.

24. Houston Texans- Limas Sweed, WR Texas-

Vince Young is reunited with his favorite college target.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Phillip Merling, DE Clemson-

A good value at this spot, Merling has a lot of potential.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Calais Campbell, DE Miami-

The Jags can afford to gamble on a high-risk potential star because of their overall talent.

27. San Diego Chargers- Dan Connor, LB Penn State-

The Chargers’ 3-4 defense could use a good front-line run defender like Connor.

28. Dallas Cowboys- Felix Jones, RB Arkansas-

Jones is too talented to pass up at this spot for the Cowboys.

29. San Francisco 49ers- Chad Henne, QB Michigan-

Henne has been shooting up draft boards and Alex Smith isn’t the answer for the 49ers.

30. Green Bay Packers- Jerod Mayo, LB Tennessee-

Mayo is a good all-around player with versatility at linebacker.

31. (Forfeited by New England)

32. New York Giants- Kenny Phillips, S Miami-

Phillips is a good cover guy who can help out in the secondary right away.


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