Top 10 picks discussed for 2008 NFL Draft

Jared Burton | Dixie Sun Sports Editor

Ryan Leaf or Peyton Manning? This is a question some general managers have lost their jobs over or made a career over.

I am talking about the NFL draft, or as my associate Layne Roberts considers, Christmas. The draft is right around the corner, and as a Baltimore Ravens fan I am looking forward to some kind of hope in this draft after the struggle my team experienced after last year’s shipwreck.

So what does your team need? Well, I am going to throw some names and teams out there, and we will see where these GMs fall or rise.

Now these picks are based off team needs, best available (according to experts), and my own opinion.

With the 10th pick, the New Orleans Saints (6-9) need defensive help. Now it depends on what your views are as to what wins championships; I say it is defense. So if I were the Saints’ GM, I would look at Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, the corner back from Tennessee State or the linebacker with the brightest future in Keith Rivers from USC. The Saints should improve from an offense that was just anemic last season. They do need more defense, so in that light this pick would make sense to me.

At nine, the Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) need help in every department, both on and off the field. It is a shame the team has had so much potential when the players are not serving jail sentences. The offense is decent, but they lack defensive presence. They are not going to get the Chris Longs or the Glenn Dorseys of the draft, but they might sneak in and grab Rivers, or if Vernon Gholston falls to them it would be good for them.

The eighth pick belongs to my beloved Ravens (5-11), and I just pray they try to trade up or for some freak chance Matt Ryan falls all the way to eighth, but that’s not likely to happen. They need help at most positions on the offense and in the linebacker department. If I had to make a pick at whom they will take I think they might look for the heir apparent to Jonathan Ogden. Offensive tackle Ryan Clady might be the choice for them or Rivers to help the aging Ray Lewis.

The seventh pick in the draft belongs to the New England Patriots (18-1), and the rich did not get richer as they get this pick because of a trade with San Francisco. They need defensive help to go with the elderly linebacking crew they currently have and cornerback help.

I love Rogers-Cromartie, and if the team went with Rivers or CB Leodis McKelvin from Troy they can’t make a bad choice; they need young guys in the defense.

The Jets (4-12) need a little of everything, but they also need defensive help the most. If for some reason Glenn Dorsey falls they need to pick him up, but I think they might look at Cholston from Ohio State to sure up that defensive line and put some pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Now there is an overwhelming feeling the top five players in the 2008 draft are Jake Long-OT-Michigan, Chris Long-DE-Virginia, Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College, Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas and Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU.

The Falcons, Raiders and Chiefs are seeded three, four and five, respectively, because of a coin toss that determined their spots. Don’t think any of these picks will turn around these franchises right away; they have these picks because their teams suck.

The Chiefs (4-12), like most of these teams, need help at a lot of positions on offense and defense. They gave up big offensive numbers to opponents last year, and I look to them to sure up the defense. Because I don’t think Jake Long will be around when they make their pick, Dorsey would be a good fit. However, if they don’t go that route any other of the top five would be a good choice.

Oakland (4-12) has a decent defense but needs help on offense. The team drafted Russell No. 1 overall last year, so Ryan is out. I get the feeling it will come down to Dorsey and McFadden, and I think they might end up taking the RB to have a duo of McFadden and Fargus. And they might need to draft a new owner if one is available.

Atlanta (4-12) really needs a QB, and Ryan might be the player to fill that void. Last season was just a tragedy for the Falcons with the conviction of Michael Vick. If the team is looking to move forward they need to draft a new franchise quarterback. This pick would fill the need and will more than likely be the best player available to them at the time.

The St. Louis Rams (3-13) had a forgettable injury-ridden season, but I think the offense will be back on course if Bulger and Jackson come back at full strength. They need big help on defense, and there is only one option: Howie Long’s son, Chris Long. So look for the Rams’ defense to be improved if they go with this selection.

Now onto the No. 1 pick in the draft and according to some reports, Miami (1-15) has begun to talk to the agent for Jake Long, so it looks like it will be the Michigan OT, which would be a great pick in my opinion. The offensive line is so vital to the success of an NFL franchise. This pick would open up a lot of doors for the South Beach offense and could be a cornerstone pick for years to come.

This is all subject to change over the next week and a half. There have been talks that Dallas is trying to move up and get McFadden, and who knows if they will. There are always surprises (see Ted Ginn Jr. last year), but you will just have to tune in to ESPN on the April 26 to see. If I am wrong about the whole thing, just remember everyone thought Brian Bosworth and Ryan Leaf were going to be great NFL players.