2008 NFL Mock Draft

The Dolphins could go many ways here, but ultimately Parcells goes with the best available player 2. St. Louis Rams – Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

Gholston’s combine number are hard to ignore and he fits well into St. Louis’s defensive scheme3. Atlanta Falcons – Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Long is the pick here unless he is already taken. In that case, Gholston is the pick. Hard to see Long not in the top 3 picks though.

Call it a hunch. Sure, RB Darren McFadden would be the obvious pick here, but nothing Oakland does surprises me anymore.

This is the Matt Leinart pick of 2008. When McFadden slips and is obviously the best available you have to take him, even if it doesn’t look like he is the best pick for your team. Of course if everything goes according to plan, Sedrick Ellis gets picked here.6. New York Jets – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Why not, right?7. New England Patriots (From 49ers) – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

The Patriots are in need of a CB. Jenkins to me is at the top of the bunch available in this draft.

I’ve seen many mock drafts that have Ryan going to Baltimore. I see no reason to not believe it. Baltimore has seen too much inconsistency from this position and Matt Ryan is a top 10 pick and a good fit for their system.

Cincy needs help against the run. Dorsey is too goo to pass up here.10. New Orleans Saints – Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

There are a couple better choices here, but none that fits what the Saints need right now

His size and ability warrant a pick at #11

12. Denver Broncos – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

Tempting to take Ryan Clady here, but I can’t see Denver taking an OL in the first round.13. Carolina Panthers – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Carolina fills a need on the offensive line

Like Carolina, a run blocker on the offensive line is needed. If Williams is gone, then I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jeff Otah taken here. I like Williams over Otah though if both are available.

I’ll be honest, early on I wasn’t too hot on Mendenhall, at least when compared against who else would be available. The more I watched him towards the end of the 2007 season and the more I read up on him, the more impressed I was. Scouts seemed to be impressed as well. Hey, at least it’s not a WR, right?16. Arizona Cardinals – Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Everywhere I read, the experts say they should take RB Jonathan Stewart from Oregon. I disagree and I felt that way before Stewart’s toe injury. Stewart is a great talent, but the Cardinals need more help on defense right now, especially at CB.

The Vikings have many needs and this pick fills one of them. Vikings should consider themselves lucky to get this guy this late in the first round.18. Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Houston could benefit from the services of several players here. They passed up on Reggie Bush a couple of years ago and I’m not saying Stewart is a Reggie Bush (if he was I would have had him going much earlier), but Houston’s run game needs help. Even with the off season injury and the uncertainty going into training camp this summer, Stewart would pay dividends in the Lone Star State.19. Philadelphia Eagles – DeSean Jackson, WR, California

Philly has been searching for a WR the entire off season. They haven’t been able to land one yet. I’m not sure they will. This is probably the best way to do it.20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

You’ll start to see some wideouts picked towards the end of the first round. I think Kelly will be the 2nd to go.

Washington continues to build a defensive line that gives them more sack opportunities in 2008.22. Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

Dallas tries to shore up their WR core as Terrell Owens turns 35. Cowboys scouts I’m sure have had plenty of time to watch this home state star.23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

With the release of WR Cedric Wilson, this pick becomes even more important to come away with a WR.24. Tennessee Titans – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

The Titans takes a gamble on this speedy CB from in state school Tennessee State

25. Seattle Seahawks – Dan Conner, OLB, Penn State

Even I am a little surprised I have him going this low, but based on needs of other teams, unfortunately he drops to Seattle – or is it unfortunate?26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

He’s strong and has size. Could be a force on Jacksonville’s defensive front27. San Diego Chargers – Branden Albert, G, Virginia

Best available OL remaining.28. Dallas Cowboys – Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma

Word is Dallas has an aging defensive background. At least that’s what I read people think. I’m not so sure, but Dallas already took their WR with their first pick at 22. Then again, I would not be surprised to see Jerry Jones trade both first round picks to trade up for Darren McFadden. Stay tuned.29. San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) – Early Doucet, WR, LSU

The WR hit parade continues. Doucet will give Alex Smith a nice target.30. Green Bay Packers – James Hardy, WR, Indiana

And here I thought we’d be done picking WR in the first round. Would not be surprised to see TE Fred Davis from USC here either.

FORFEITED

This is a tough one. I like Cason. I’m a U of A graduate, so I’m a U of A guy. I’ve seen some other mocks with Cason as high as 22 going to Dallas. I’m not completely convinced he is a first rounder. If he isn’t, he is definitely an early second rounder. I say the Giants take a chance on him.