2008 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

By Ted Carlson April 4, 2008


We're just over three weeks away from the 2008 NFL draft, and, frankly, it's time for mock mockery. Our third installment features a new choice at the top slot and plenty of other moving and shaking. Who will your favorite team land in the first round? We take an updated shot at figuring it out. (Previous mock: March 20)

1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan Previous pick: Chris Long We're mixing it up a bit by opting for the other Long this time around. Head coach Tony Sparano is an offensive line guy, and he recently noted that right tackle was currently a trouble spot. The Dolphins will need to run the ball well this year.

2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia Previous pick: Jake Long Word on the street is that Howie's son will be one of the top two selections. Hopefully we're on the right street. The Rams would have a nice, young, defensive line base with Long, Adam Carriker, and Clifton Ryan. If Jake Long is off the board, the other option could be to move Carriker to end and grab Glenn Dorsey.

3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU Previous pick: Matt Ryan New head coach Mike Smith comes from Jacksonville, where Pro Bowlers Marcus Stroud and John Henderson formed the heart of his defenses. Matt Ryan makes a lot of sense with this selection, but so does Dorsey. We're opting for Dorsey this time, and we'd expect the Falcons to use one of their three second-round picks on a passer.

4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas Previous pick: McFadden Who cares about Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, LaMont Jordan, or Dominic Rhodes when a blazer like Bush is on the board? Al Davis makes this call, while Jon Gruden is in another room praying for Vernon Gholston.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh Previous pick: Glenn Dorsey Either we don't have the right sources or Herm Edwards is doing an excellent job of masking his intentions. On one day, Edwards seems to like Matt Ryan. On another day, he talks about five of the team's 10 picks starting in week one. Drafting a quarterback goes against the philosophy of looking for immediate contributors. Otah is a reach, but the Chiefs badly need offensive line (and cornerback) help.

6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State Previous pick: Gholston Gholston fits too well into this slot for us to really consider anyone else. The Jets reportedly took a close look at Matt Ryan on March 21, and such a selection would certainly make for good media fodder. We're sticking with an outside pass rusher, though, as the Jets realize that pressure is the only way to beat Tom Brady.

7. New England Patriots (from 49ers): Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy Previous pick: McKelvin No Asante Samuel plus no Randall Gay equals a cornerback selection. As we've noted in the past, the cornerback rankings are jumbled at the top between McKelvin, Mike Jenkins, Aqib Talib, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. We're sticking with McKelvin, but we wouldn't be shocked if the savvy Patriots found a way to trade down and still land one of those four names.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College Previous pick: Mike Jenkins It's the same ol' storyline of a first-year head coach tying himself to a rookie quarterback. The Ravens arguably have more desperate needs at corner and offensive tackle, but Ryan could be too tough to pass on and a symbol to help them move on from the failed Kyle Boller era.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC Previous pick: Ellis As with the Gholston-Jets connection, Ellis and the Bengals feel like a perfect fit. The Bengals tried hard to get Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson in a trade, and it's no mystery that the defensive line needs help. Don't rule out a pass-rusher like Philip Merling or Derrick Harvey.

10. New Orleans Saints: Keith Rivers, LB, USC Previous pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie We've picked cornerbacks in each of our previous mocks, but we'll go ahead and buy into the Rivers hype this time. Cornerback is a deep position in this draft, while linebacker is not. The Saints could take the top LB on their board (Rivers) and still find a talented defensive back with the 40th overall pick. Rivers joins Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan in the complete overhaul of the weak linebacker corps.

11. Buffalo Bills: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St. Previous pick: Malcolm Kelly Kelly has some injury concerns (knees), and fellow receiver Devin Thomas feels like a reach despite his physical skills. So, we're switching away from wide receiver to the club's secondary need. Like that homonym? The Bills are currently looking at William James or Jabari Greer as the starter at right corner, and, frankly, that's not good enough in a division that includes the Patriots. Heck, it's not good enough in any division.

12. Denver Broncos: Branden Albert, G/T, Virginia Previous pick: Ryan Clady The Broncos need to address both lines, and the offensive side of the football offers more options here. Clady and Chris Williams are tackles, and rumors suggest Albert has shown the athleticism to convince some people he can play outside. The Broncos need interior help, too, and Albert offers them options. He could open his career inside and eventually move to tackle.

13. Carolina Panthers: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State Previous pick: Jeff Otah The Panthers have shown interest in Rashard Mendenhall and Derrick Harvey, but an offensive tackle like Clady seems too perfect to pass up. The club has already spent much of the offseason addressing the offensive line, and Clady would be the final piece to their puzzle. That sound you hear is DeAngelo Williams' fantasy stock rising.

14. Chicago Bears: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois Previous pick: Mendenhall What comes first, the offensive line or the running back? The Bears need a tackle and a guard, and they definitely don't want to count on Cedric Benson. We're opting for the talented Mendenhall with this pick, and the Bears will spend the rest of the draft stocking up on fat guys to pave the way. Oh, and there is the Ron Turner connection.

15. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida Previous pick: Jonathan Stewart Rod Marinelli has openly discussed the team's major needs (DE, LB, OT, RB) and divulged the names of 10 players they're eying. Either he's blowing a major smoke screen or he just doesn't care if anyone knows. Much to the chagrin of Matt Millen, we're opting away from an offensive skill position player and going with Harvey as the man who will help upgrade a line that lost Shaun Rogers and Kalimba Edwards.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon Previous pick: Felix Jones Stewart's toe injury could cause him to slip, but the Cardinals wouldn't be making this pick in the interest of starting the guy in week one. They need a long-term replacement for Edgerrin James, and the veteran could hold down the running game until Stewart is fully healed. If the injury scares off Ken Whisenhunt, the Cards could also look at defensive end and cornerback.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt Previous pick: Phillip Merling Yes, we know defensive end is the top priority, but Bryant McKinnie's off-field issues have caused rumblings about his future. The top priority in the long run will be opening holes for Adrian Peterson, and after landing Williams, the Vikings could turn around and trade McKinnie.

18. Houston Texans: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas Previous pick: Felix Jones The Texans need a running back, but Gary Kubiak comes from the Mike Shanahan school, which states that runners can be found later. If all the top offensive tackles are off the board, cornerback is a no-brainer. Dunta Robinson is not expected to be ready for the start of the season.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami Previous pick: Keith Rivers Andy Reid has 11 draft picks and a major trade piece (Lito Sheppard) to work with. He is never afraid to move up if he really likes a guy (Brendan Albert?) or move down if the right player isn't available. Some people think offensive tackle is the biggest need. Some point to linebacker. Some point to defensive end. Some point to wide receiver. We're going with Phillips, who would be the long-term replacement for Brian Dawkins and provide some short-term secondary depth with Sheppard possibly on his way out.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida Previous pick: DeSean Jackson The Bucs would probably love to see Jenkins fall into their laps. They lost Brian Kelly to free agency, and we never know when Ronde Barber might want to join his brother in making a full-time move to the broadcasting business. Wide receiver and defensive end are also needs, but Jenkins is both the best available player and a major need.

21. Washington Redskins: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State Previous pick: Chris Williams The heady pick is probably Phillip Merling, but Daniel Snyder has to be itching to make a splash following a very quiet offseason. What's bigger than a Combine warrior nicknamed "Showtime"? Jason Campbell needs more targets, and Thomas fits the bill. Thomas may be ahead of the injury-plagued Malcolm Kelly, for now. Kelly will have a chance to wow scouts during his Pro Day on April 9.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas Previous pick: Justin King With Pacman Jones seemingly on his way to Big D, cornerback may slip down the priority list a bit. That leaves wide receiver and running back, and do you really think Jerry Jones will pass on Jones if he's here? Felix can be the speedy, outside complement to the bruising Marion Barber. He also adds a dimension in the return game, although Pacman could take on those roles.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College Previous pick: Branden Albert The Steelers will address one line or the other, and it could come down to if they prefer Cherilus, Philip Merling, or Kentwan Balmer. Cherilus makes the most sense to us because offensive tackles Marvel Smith and Max Starks are only signed through the upcoming season.

24. Tennessee Titans: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson Previous pick: Derrick Harvey It'll be tough to pass on a top receiver, but the Titans seem to do so on an annual basis. The defensive line lost Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom, and Albert Haynesworth isn't a happy camper. Merling will immediately enter the rotation and could start if (gasp) Jevon Kearse gets hurt or is ineffective.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina Previous pick: Balmer Tight end Dustin Keller is getting a lot of love at this spot, as are some wide receivers. We're sticking with defensive tackle, though. Marcus Tubbs is coming off a torn ACL and entering the final year of his contract. Balmer is raw, but the Seahawks won't necessarily need to rush him since they also have Brandon Mebane, Rocky Bernard, Chris Terrill, and Chris Cooper in the rotation.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami Previous pick: Campbell Campbell's stock isn't the best right now, as he had a rough season and a bad Combine. Thus, some people think the Jags might opt instead for the speedier Quentin Groves over the bigger Campbell. We're still leaning towards the Miami product, but either way, defensive end remains the priority.

27. San Diego Chargers: Justin King, CB, Penn State Previous pick: Brandon Flowers With all the top offensive and defensive tackles off the board, the Chargers are in a bit of a pickle. They don't have another selection until round four and cornerback feels like a lower priority, depending on how the team feels about Cletis Gordon and Paul Oliver. King, Brandon Flowers, and Antoine Cason are tussling for position at the bottom of the first round. Linebacker is also a possibility.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma Will the locals stand for the Cowboys choosing a Sooner over Longhorn Limas Sweed? Kelly's stock has slid due to injury concerns, but as we noted earlier, he could climb again if he impresses during an upcoming Pro Day. The Cowboys could make cornerback a priority if the Pacman deal doesn't work out.

29. San Francisco 49ers: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee Previous pick: Gosder Cherilus With all due respect to Dontarrious Thomas, the 49ers need help at middle linebacker, and Mayo is neck-and-neck with Dan Connor atop those rankings. Mayo would join Patrick Willis and Manny Lawson as part of a young, exciting linebacker crew. The 49ers aren't short on other needs, including getting Mike Martz another receiver, but Mike Nolan seems to be building on defense.

30. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech Previous pick: Kenny Phillips Charles Woodson and Al Harris are coming off Pro Bowl seasons, but both cornerbacks are on the plus side of 30. Flowers adds necessary depth and would have an opportunity to learn for a year or two before needing to start. The Packers may also be eying one of the two potential first-round tight ends, Fred Davis and Dustin Keller.

31. New England Patriots: Forfeited
32. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State