Anyone got a better Mock Draft than this?
1. Miami-Jake Long T Michigan, not sure why this pick is so hard for everyone to figure out, Parcells wants to rebuild the lines first, Matt Ryan is not worth the first overall pick and they are not risking this pick on chris long under the assumption that he can convert to an olb in their 3-4
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2. St. Louis-Chris Long DE <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:state w:st="on"> Virginia</st1:state> </st1:place> , they would love to have jake fall to them. Since he won’t they will move carriker inside and have one of the best d-lines in the league for years.
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3. Atlanta-Glen Dorsey DT LSU, Mike Smith has said he wants to establish the Falcons as a physical team on the lines. He saw what having dominant tackles up front can do for the rest of the defense in <st1:city w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Jacksonville</st1:place> </st1:city> . Ryan is not worth a top 10 pick, they’ll get better value at QB with the third pick in the 2<sup> nd</sup> round
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4.Oakland-Vhernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State, even Al Davis isn’t so senile that he’s going to waste this pick on McFadden when RB is a position of strength for the team. Having seen what a dominant pass rush has done for division champ San Diego, Oakland will pair Gholston with Burgess on the edges to give that great secondary even more help and potentially give future head coach rex ryan one of the best defenses in the league. Ellis would be the next most likely choice as the Raiders had one of the worst run d’s in the league last year.
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5. Kansas City-Matt Ryan QB Boston, I’m surprised by how much interest the Chiefs have shown in Ryan this offseason, Herm Edwards and their GM and Offensive coordinator were all at his pro day. I think they would be better off rebuilding their o-line with Clady and give croyle time to develop, but my hunch says if ryans still on the board they grab him they’re in a division full of talented young franchise passers.
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6. <st1:state w:st="on"> New York</st1:state> Jets-Darren McFadden RB <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:state w:st="on"> Arkansas</st1:state> </st1:place> , how could they pass up on him? Thomas Jones isn’t getting any younger and Leon Washington is not a full-time back. With all the money invested in their o-line why wouldn’t they take Darren and guarantee themselves one of the best rushing games in the league to complement their rebuilt defense and take pressure off whoever ends up being the starter behind center. This is an easy pick with Gholston off the board, ellis will get a look but isn’t big enough to play a 3-4 nose and you don’t waste a pick this high on a 3-4 end.
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7. New England-Ryan Clady T Boise State, corner may appear to be their biggest need and this is a deep corner class but there isn’t any one prospect that stands above the rest as being worth a top ten pick. They may feel differently and grab Talib or McKelvin, but I think the Patriots know better than anyone their teams success rests on their ability to keep Brady upright and they have a lot of success plugging in free agents and late draft picks into their secondary. The Patriots wisely use early draft picks on the front seven on both sides of the ball. They probably want Gholston more than anyone in the draft.
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8. Baltimore-Leodis McKelvin CB Troy, the point here is they will take a corner with both starters in their 30s and coming off of season-ending injuries; it’s up to them who they think the best prospect is but most people seem to think McKelvin is the best of the class followed closely by Talib with Rodgers-Cromartie seeming to have the most potential upside. I’m not as down on Brian Brohm as everyone else and the Ravens could use a legit signal caller, however they’re not a franchise known for putting a premium value on the position, Boller was the only 1<sup> st</sup> rounder they’ve ever used on the position and look how that turned out.
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9. Cinncinati-Sedrick Ellis DT USC, easy pick here their front seven needs to improve quickly if Marvin Lewis is going to keep his job. Keith Rivers or the best available offensive lineman could also be a possibility if they decide a lack of protection was a reason their offense stumbled last year, but I think they focus on defense.
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10. New Orleans-Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennesee St., I’m not sure why the “experts” are so awful at figuring out team needs the Saints are not drafting a linebacker! They just added Vilma and Dan Morgan this offseason. While both have injury concerns, linebacker isn’t even among the teams top 5 needs. Mike McKenzie is coming of ACL surgery that may cause him to miss most of the year and I don’t think the starting tandem of Randal Gay and Jason David inspires much faith among the fans. DT is the next biggest need, not that it’s a team weakness but the starters there are old and so-so. What better way to get the best possible production from the new linebackers and their baller defensive ends than to get a good young tackle? They would love to have ellis fall to them even though there’s talk of moving Charles Grant inside.
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11. Buffalo-Aqib Talib CB <st1:state w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Kansas</st1:place> </st1:state> , the general consensus is they go for a receiver to complement Lee Evans, however receiver is one of many positions in this years class that is deep through the first four rounds but doesn’t really have any elite top 15 prospects. I think they’ll get a better value at corner at this spot and wait til later for a receiver, with all the free agents they lost on this side of the ball last year plus the fact that they added two new core player on offense in last year’s draft with Edwards and Lynch I think they go defense. Keith Rivers may be the safest pick for them at this point after missing out on Patrick Willis at this same point in the draft last year, however Paul Poslunsky appears to be a star in the making I think they’ll go with the best available corner.
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12. Denver-Rashard Mendenhall RB <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:state w:st="on"> Illinois</st1:state> </st1:place> , I’ll admit this pick has more to do with what I personally think they should do rather than what they are likely to do. They couldn’t go wrong with an offensive lineman here, but I think it’s finally time for Shanahan to get over himself and realize just cause he can get a random guy off the street to run for 1,000 yards in his system doesn’t mean that player’s going to do well in big games against playoff teams. Elway didn’t win the super bowl until he had a legitimate weapon in the backfield, I think getting a threat back there is the best thing the Broncos can do for Cutler’s development. In reality they’ll probably take Keith Rivers or Otah and be bad again this year because they put too much pressure on Cutler to carry the team.
-For all you <st1:city w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Denver</st1:place> </st1:city> fans that are going to say I’m biased against you because I’m a charger fan it’s the exact opposite, I’m being honest with you. As a division rival do you think I have any fear of Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, Selvin Young or any other random back you guys put our there. Travis Henry is legit but I would think you guys should know better than anyone the value of a franchise back with LT and LJ running all over you guys every year, plus like I said the only time shanahan won big was when he had a franchise back in TD, one of my favorite players of all time!
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13. Carolina-Jeff Otah T Pitt, they need another end on their defense to help Julius Peppers regain his form, but I think a tackle is the better value here for them. They need multiple new starters along their d-line one player won’t make a significant impact, while their o-line is only a piece or two away from being dominant again and they don’t know if they’ll be able to keep both of their starters at tackle after this year
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14. Chicago-Malcolm Kelly WR <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:state w:st="on"> Oklahoma</st1:state> </st1:place> , they have needs at so many spots and are so bad at evaluating their own roster this is a hard pick to project. Anyone outside the organization would say it’s time for them to admit Grossman and Benson are busts and replace them, however I think they’ll stick with benson until he falls apart on them and the fact that they resigned rex tells me they don’t think too highly of this years quarterbacks. Another DT to take pressure off Tommie Harris and allow him to regain his dominant form would probably have the greatest impact on the team’s overall performance, however there isn’t a player at the position worthy of this pick and receiver is definitely an area of need, even they can’t believe Marty Booker is going to do anything for them.
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15. Detroit-Keith Rivers LB USC, he probably won’t fall this far but if he does <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:city w:st="on"> Detroit</st1:city> </st1:place> sure could use all the help on defense it can get. There are plenty of offensive tackles and defensive ends still available that will get a look here, but Rivers is a sure thing that will be a leader of whatever defense he ends up on for years to come.
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16. Arizona-Brandon Albert G/T Virginia, corner is definitely an area of need but so is the offensive line. Grimm was able to get this group to overachieve last year but they need more raw talent up front and Albert has the versatility to play multiple positions that Rex Grimm will love. Running back is also a possibility here, but with Jonathan Stewart’s injury I don’t think there’s another back available that’s worth this pick.
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17. Minnesota-Derrick Harvey DE Florida, he won’t fall this far pass rushers are always over-valued on draft day, but regardless Minnesota needs the best available end because pressure is the one thing their elite defense lacks. They obviously aren’t ready to quit on Tavaris Jackson yet or they wouldn’t have spent so much money this offseason to get him more weapons, and for all those mockdrafters who say they’ll draft Brohm in order to “light a fire” under Jackson and get him to play better that is the dumbest thing I have ever heard, you spend a first round pick on a player you expect to be a starter by their second or third season, not on a motivational backup. I’ve seen the same logic applied to the chiefs taking Ryan at the 5<sup> th</sup> pick. If they take ryan with a top 5 pick it will be because they have given up on Brodie Croyle, not because they’re trying to get him to play better.
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18. Houston-Chris Williams T Vanderbilt, they really could use a franchise back, but Jonathan Stewart’s injury combined with the fact that Kubiak doesn’t value backs just like his mentor shanahan means they go after that franchise tackle they’ve lacked since this team was created. I wouldn’t be surprised if they go defense here the organization has a history of going after defensive players early.
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19. Philly-Limas Sweed WR <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:state w:st="on"> Texas</st1:state> </st1:place> , they need more dangerous options on offense to take pressure off McNabb and Westbrook every week, they’ll go for whoever they believe is the best available WR who I think is Sweed at this point, though they could fall in love with Desean Jackson potential. Offensive line or linebacker is also a possibility.
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20. Tampa Bay-Desean <st1:city w:st="on"> Jackson</st1:city> WR <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:state w:st="on"> Cal</st1:state> </st1:place> , I just don’t see how Jon Gruden could resist this kids potential. They improved their lines through the draft last year, now they need more playmakers to replace their aging starters.
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21. Washington-Phillip Merling DE Clemson, I know they want a new receiver that has the size to fit into Jim Zorn’s west coast offense but I think they’ll get better value here at end. They already have so much invested in their receivers unless they’re planning on releasing randle el I don’t know why they would pass up a legit front line player for a defense that desperately needs one. Devin Thomas is the pick if they go receiver here.
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<st1:street w:st="on"> <st1:address w:st="on"> 22. Dallas-Devin Thomas WR Michigan St.</st1:address> </st1:street> , Flozell Adams isn’t getting any younger so they could go o-line here, but having <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:city w:st="on"> davis</st1:city> </st1:place> on the roster gives them flexibility there. The secondary is not as big a need as getting a future receiver in place, glenn and owens aren’t going to be productive much longer in fact glenn’s almost definitely gone after this year if not sooner. Whitten, Thomas and Patrick Crayton will give Romo the pieces he needs for this offense to be dominant for years to come.
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23. Pittsburgh-Mike Jenkins CB South Florida, I’ve heard they’re in love with local star Dan Connor but is linebacker really a bigger need than corner or offensive line? Of the two there is definetely more uncertainty with the o-line but I think they would be better off getting a corner now while a good one is still available and getting multiple line prospects in the later rounds, they need more than one lineman of the future on their roster.
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24. <st1:city w:st="on"> Tennesee-Quentin Groves</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on"> DE</st1:state> <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:city w:st="on"> Auburn</st1:city> </st1:place> , they wish a better receiver had fallen to them, but instead have to try to ensure their d-line is again a strength of the team this year. Jonathan Stewart is a strong possibility they looked at several running backs from this years free agent class so obviously they still aren’t happy with the players they have there despite lendall white coming on strong towards the end of 07
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25. Seattle-Calais Campell DE Miami, they were one of the best pass rushing teams in the league last year but most of that came from <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:city w:st="on"> Kearney</st1:city> </st1:place> and their linebackers. With another end generating pressure from the other side this could be one of the best defenses in the league next year. They’ve already addressed running back in free agency and the best available guard in albert is already off the board. Not many other areas of need here, though receiver or tight end is possible.
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26. Jacksonville-Kentwan Balmer DT North <st1:city w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Carolina</st1:place> </st1:city> , end is a bigger area of need but there aren’t any left that are worth taking with this pick so instead they try to compensate for the loss of Marcus Stroud. I’ve heard despite the money they threw at drayton <st1:city w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> Florence</st1:place> </st1:city> that they’ve been looking at Antoine Cason with the idea being to move Brian Williams to safety. Unlikely but definitely wouldn’t be a bad move if they want to compete with the Colts, patriots and the other elite AFC teams
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27. San Diego-Ghosder Cherilus OT <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:city w:st="on"> Boston</st1:city> </st1:place> College, this pick is the easiest way to tell if a mockdrafter actually knows what they’re talking about or is just being lazy. Just because the Chargers lost a RB and a CB this off-season and no one outside of <st1:city w:st="on"> <st1:place w:st="on"> San Diego</st1:place> </st1:city> has ever heard of their starting ILB’s every mock I’ve seen has them taking one of these three positions in the first. THEY WILL NOT DRAFT AN INSIDE LINEBACKER IN ANY ROUND! They currently have six players on their roster at that position, including two they drafted last year plus last years leading tackler plus their lone free agent pickup this year so forget it not gonna happen. RB and a secondary player are possibilities, especially with Phillips on the board and their starter Clinton Hart in his 30’s. However with Mike Goff in his last year with the team (there’s been no effort to resign him) and Clary playing out of position at RT solidifying the future of their offensive line is more important than depth in the secondary and finding LT’s eventual replacement. Second biggest need is d-line depth with all three starters missing time to injury in the last 2 years and Jamal Williams nearing the end of his career.
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28. Dallas-Felix Jones RB <st1:state w:st="on"> Arkansas</st1:state> , Antoine Cason will certainly get a look but Wade Phillips aggressive scheme means you can get by without elite corners in this d and how could jerry jones pass up on a speedy homerun hitter from his <st1:place w:st="on"> <st1:city w:st="on"> alma</st1:city> </st1:place> matter to complement Barber? With the earlier pick of Devin Thomas the Boys will have an amazing core of young offensive players that will dominate for years as Romo hopefully matures into a legitmate franchise leader rather than a token celeb
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29. San Fransisco-Mario Manningham WR Michigan, Bryant Johnson gives them big play ability to help whoever starts for them under center, but the other starter is 35 year old Isaac Bruce who’s time is about up and they’ll need as many receivers as possible to fit into Martz’s system. Assuming they’re going to be patient and give this offense a couple years to develop why not add a young receiver now that can grow into a star in this offense in a couple years?
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30. Green Bay-Antoine Cason CB Arizona, the cheeseheads are thrilled to have a player this talented fall to them. They won’t hesitate to pull the trigger on this one, they have a superbowl caliber defense that’s going to need to carry the offense this year while Rodgers adjusts if they’re going to be competitive. Both the starters are in their 30s and would be great mentors that could teach Cason how to be a star.
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31. New York Giants-Dan Connor LB Pitt, they lost two starting linebackers and a starting safety, so they’re in a great position to fill those needs with connor and Kenny Philips still on the board. I think Connor is the better prospect and it takes young safeties longer to adjust to the league than backers. He’ll give them immediate production and plenty of options with where they play Mathias Kiwuanka.
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-I KNOW JONATHAN STEWART WON’T FALL ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND BUT HE WILL FALL AND I COULDN’T FIND A SPOT FOR HIM THAT MADE SENSE, MAYBE THE Cowboys AT 28 TAKE HIM OVER FELIX JONES BUT I’VE HEARD THE ARKANSAS PROGRAM IS CLAIMING JONES MAY BE A BETTER PRO THAN MCFADDEN AND I DON’T SEE JER
