1 Miami Dolphins 0 - 13 0.544
Glenn Dorsey – DT LSU
Miami has a string of issues on the defensive side of the ball. The only logical choice this high for Miami is Dorsey who can anchor the defensive line for a long time. I’m sure Zach Thomas, Joey Porter, and Jason Taylor would like the help.
2 New England Patriots 13 - 0 0.503
Darren McFadden – RB – Arkansas
Jackpot. As long as NE remains in this spot, assuming they don’t tradedown, there is no way I could imagine the Patriots passing up on a kid who many scouts consider better than Adrian Peterson.
3 St. Louis Rams 3 - 10 0.479
Jake Long – OT – Michigan
Help! Somebody save Marc Bulger from the turf. Long could help solidify this line. Long is a big punishing LT or RT and comes from a pedigree of Wolverine offensive lineman.
4 Atlanta Falcons 3 - 10 0.503
Matt Ryan – QB – Boston College
I know The Doog thinks Brohm goes here with the Petrino ties but I just think Matt Ryan is THE legit NFL QB. His IQ is off the charts and runs a pro offense at BC. I say the Falcons take him at #4.
5 New York Jets 3 - 10 0.503
Chris Long – DE – Virginia
This kid is the perfect fit for Eric Mangini’s copycat version of the Patriots multiple schemes, 3-4 base conversion defense. Chris, the son of NFL great Howie Long has a great motor, is incredibly smart, and productive at Virginia in Al Grohl’s 3-4 defense where DE’s do not typically produce big stats. Long has 14 sacks as a Senior.
6 Oakland Raiders 4 - 9 0.462
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Oakland’s defensive line has taken a major step in the wrong direction. They are old and slow and cannot stop anyone from running. Ellis is a force in the middle and can shoot the gap and make plays in the backfield. He is not huge in size but Ellis is built like a tank and seen has draft stock rise.
7 Baltimore Ravens 4 - 9 0.527
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Kyle Boller? No. Steve McNair? Maybe 6 years ago. Right now the Ravens have no one who can run this offense. Brian Billick, the supposed offensive genius has had a sub-par offensive unit ever since he has been the head coach in Baltimore. I look for the Ravens to grab Brohm here who has all the physical and mental skills to be a franchise QB.
8 Kansas City Chiefs 4 - 9 0.533
Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Oher’s stock is surging and he has the frame and athleticism to play at the NFL level. The Chiefs need help on the line after being totally ravaged in the 2006 off-season.
9 Carolina Panthers 5 - 8 0.485
James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Arguably the #1 LB in the 2008 NFL draft. With injuries yearly to Dan Morgan and the ability of Laurinatis to play the middle linebacker position at all-pro level can help this once daunting Panther defense return to wreaking havoc in the NFC.
10 Cincinnati Bengals 5 - 8 0.509
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
One of my personal favorites coming out in this year’s draft. Calais Campbell is a DE who can really get to the passer and create a new pass rush dimension to any front four. With his upside and potential he seems to be a legitimate fit into a Bengals team that continues to struggle on the defensive side of the ball. Campbell comes from a great pro-style program at the University of Miami and has drawn comparisons to both Julius Peppers and Mario Williams.
11 Chicago Bears 5 - 8 0.55
Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami
Chicago is 22nd in points per game and 31st in rushing yards per game because of a line that has failed to open holes and block effectively. The OL class this year is deep, and with that said, the Bears also need a QB. The only viable option here is Kentucky’s QB, Andre Woodson. From everything I’m reading though, he may not project out as a top 15 pick. He appears to be more of a project QB for the NFL. I think the Bears try to grab Erik Ainge or Colt Brennan later and lean on the defensive side of the ball with Phillips, the only true top flight, 1st rd safety in this year’s draft.
12 Philadelphia Eagles 5 - 8 0.568
Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Andy Reid doesn’t draft Wide Receivers early. It’s as old as adage as there is when projecting picks for NFL teams. The Philly defense needs help. The Des are old and not productive. I think this is a great place for Ohio State DE/OLB Vernon Gholston. Gholston could be a terror on the edge for the Eagles and has proven he can beat top notch talent as he handled Michigan’s Jake Long.
13 Arizona Cardinals 6 - 7 0.462
Sam Baker, OT, USC
Arizona has been SLIGHTLY better than I anticipated but still have not been able to get over this franchise-long hump. Matt Leinart hit the IR early and it was a painful at QB the rest of the year for the Cards. Injuries at WR have also plagued the team. Arizona has struggled to protect all year and have not faired much better running the ball. USC’s Sam Baker looks to step in at LT and join his former USC teammate, Matt Leinart in 2008.
14 Houston Texans 6 - 7 0.473
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Texans are another team who struggle defensively. Aside from Dunta Robinson, there is really no one at cornerback. They have not been able to replace free safety C.C. Brown and opponents are having a field day running on Houston. With little depth and a serious lack of talent at corner, Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State could step in and be a starter at the position. Jenkins is a gifted defender who excels at stopping the run game. He arguably is the top CB in this year’s draft with his ability to play at a high level in isolation against opponent’s top wide receivers.
15 New Orleans Saints 6 - 7 0.473
Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Whoa is the Saints. For a team that captured the attention of America following Hurricane Katrina, they have come back down to Earth. RB Reggie Bush has been a major disappointment in 2008 and now is out for the season with a knee injury. The defense is soft as you can possibly imagine. The DL gets very little push and the Saints rarely win the battles on the line of scrimmage. In the secondary, the corners are picked on game in and out. Especially Jason David who has had a sub par 2007. Antoine Cason has all the tools you want in a corner with the potential to be a shutdown guy on defense Cason has a very confident sense of self and possesses the flair and swagger the Saints secondary could benefit from.
16 Denver Broncos 6 - 7 0.527
Dan Connor, OLB/MLB, Penn State
The Denver run defense is awful. Opposing running backs eyes must light up when they look ahead on the schedule to see the Broncos. The defensive line has been porous all season and the linebackers have not produced enough to take the pressure off of the rest of the defense. At this spot in the draft, I think Penn State’s Dan Connor is a good value and would project well into the Broncos scheme. Connor is a big LB with great ball skills and has delivered since stepping on to the field as a freshman.
17 Washington Redskins 6 - 7 0.533
Frank Okam, NT, Texas
Washington is another team that can use a playmaker off the edge or on the DL. A WR is possibility but I think the ‘skins would do well by taking Fran Okan. Okam is a DT with upside comparable to Sedrick Ellis. The knock on him is he takes plays off. But with Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey both projecting out as LBs better suited for a 3-4 defense, I think Okam works better here with his flexibility between both a 3-4 and a 4-3 scheme. It’s not a flashy pick but Washington has their show of showmen and stars.
18 Detroit Lions 6 - 7 0.538
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Another team QBs love to throw on. From a fantasy perspective, if your QB is facing the Lions, you are excited as owner and with the right QB, can expect 300+ yards and 3TDs. Enter Mike Jenkins, USF cornerback.
19 Buffalo Bills 7 - 6 0.491
DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Buffalo has been ravaged by injuries in 2007. However, as of Week 15, are still in position to grab a Wild Card spot. Pretty impressive. The Bills could really use another WR to free up Lee Evans. This could possibly help Evans with his inconsistency issues.
Jackson arguably is a Top 15 pick but team needs have him slipping a little and landing in upstate New York where his return skills and explosiveness can add another dimension to this young and developing Bills’ offense.
20 Tennessee Titans 7 - 6 0.509
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
The real question with the Titans is whether or not Albert Haynesworth returns in 2008. If he is not re-signed the DL is going to need a lot of help. At this point in the draft I don’t think there is anyone left at DT who grades out as a 1st rd pick. This leads me to believe if everything shakes out the way I have forecasted so far, the Titans could look towards WR here. It’s no secret the combo of Justin Gage, Eric Moulds, and Roydell Williams is a little less than spectacular.
Limas Sweed of Texas is a huge target that could really help the Titans and Vince Young in the passing game. He is a senior WR who can really create match up problems for defenders at 6’5”. He doesn’t have blazing speed but does have incredible athletic skills and the strength to make big plays in the passing game.
21 Minnesota Vikings 7 - 6 0.515
Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma
The Vikings dominate on the line of scrimmage. Defensively the line is one of the hardest to run against in the NFL. On the offensive side of the ball, the boys in the trenches clear out holes and control defenders for the two headed monster RB tandem of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.
In terms of the passing game, the Vikings are at the bottom of the league both offensively and defensively. I think you can make a case to go either WR or CB here but I think the secondary could use a bump here with Reggie Smith of Oklahoma.
22 Dallas Cowboys 12 - 1 0.497
Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State
Rumors are already flying around that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys will attempt to package their two 1st rd picks in the 2008 draft to move up to New England’s spot so they can select Darren McFadden.
Assuming everyone stays put, (yes, I know this never happens) I think the Cowboys can use this pick acquired from Cleveland to give Tony Romo another weapon at WR. Terry Glenn is coming off of major knee surgery and both he and Terrell Owens are on the wrong side of 30. The depth after those two has it’s questions. Patrick Crayton has turned out to be decent and a gem pick in the 7th round.
Dallas probably would like to go CB here but all the top corners who currently grade out this high are off the board. It’s going to really depend on who declares and how the combines score out, but I think this could be a good spot for Dallas to grab Adarius Bowman.
Bowman is another big target who can provide Romo with another option in the red zone. For what he lacks in 40-time, he makes up for with his athleticism and size. His performance at the combines will ultimately decide if he is worthy of a 1st rd pick. Right now, I think he is.
23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8 - 5
Ryan Clady, OL, Boise State
With the Buccaneers, you look and say, well Jeff Garcia is old now and a bit of a journeyman. However, for Jon Gruden, Garcia fits the bill. He runs the West Coast offense correctly and it seems as though Gruden prefers a veteran QB. On paper this might be a place to stick Andre Woodsen but I just don’t know if that is a great fit.
The Bucs might look to replace Petigout at left tackle and it’s very possible Ryan Clady from Boise State could be taken in the 1st rd. I think this could be a great selection here for Tampa Bay.
24 San Diego Chargers 8 - 5 0.538
Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
The Chargers probably are better than they appeared early in the year. They will win the AFC West and try to make some headway in the playoffs in 2007. I think the secondary could use an upgrade but with their being some serious value on the board right now I think the Chargers could take Auburn’s Quentin Groves and teach him their version of the 3-4 flexing him as both a DE and OLB. This could set up a lot of issues for opposing offenses in the future and him falling into their lap may bre hard to pass up on. It’s not exactly a need right now but sometimes you have to take a player like Groves when he’s just sitting there.
25 Seattle Seahawks 9 - 4 0.414
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Shawn Alexander appears to have hit the “RB over 30 who has carried the ball far too much” wall. Ok, so maybe that wall doesn’t necessarily exist but Seattle may be happy that Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall declared for the 2008 NFL draft. The Senior class at RB is very weak and Mendenhall’s stock is shooting upwards rapidly. Mendenhall was the Big Ten offensive player of the year shattering the Illinois single-season rushing and touchdown records.
26 Pittsburgh Steelers 9 - 4 0.456
Jeff Otah, OL, Pitt
Is Alan Faneca leaving? If so I think the Steelers can look into their own backyard and snag Pitt’s Jeff Otah to help clear holes for Willie Parker and keep Big Ben clean.
27 New York Giants 9 - 4 0.462
Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
The Giants probably could use a WR here. The could also stand to draft an offensive lineman but I think USC’s Keith Rivers could be an great fit for the Giants defense. I didn’t think they would take Kiwanuka and they did. Rivers could be an ezxcellent compliment to Pierce and Kiwanuka.
28 Jacksonville Jaguars 9 - 4 0.527
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Jacksonville has really been a surprise with Garrard at QB. I didn’t think he would be as effective as he has been. The Jaguars have an excellent running game and could use some help at wideout but until I see some combine numbers, I’m just not convinced the remaining WRs are 1st rd quality at this point in my research. With Paul Spicer entering the latter part of his career and a need for a pass rushing DE, Harvey would be a good pick for Jacksonville.
Derrick Harvey has great size and is very explosive. Provided he declares for the 2008 draft, I think he could very well end up staying in the state of Florida and landing in Jacksonville.
29 Green Bay Packers 11 - 2 0.497
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Is Ryan Grant the answer at RB? Is it Brandon Jackson? Does he just need a little time? Jackson was a 2nd rd pick of Green Bay in 2007. I can’t imagine they grab another RB but it is always possible. For now I think the Packers may elect to grab a corner as Al Harris and Charles Woodson are in their 30’s and seem to be slowing a little. Green Bay is in a pretty good position overall with the biggest question mark being whether or not Grant is their future at RB. For now I’m going to say it’s Talib provided he comes out.
30 San Francisco 49ers 3 - 10 0.467
Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Wow, this 49ers team is sitting at the bottom of the draft with a ton of needs thanks to relinquishing their top 5 pick to the Patriots last year.
The 49ers are trying to run a 3-4 without a true NT who play the 2-gap technique needed to control the line of scrimmage. Their top DE Bryant Young is close to 40 years old. I just don’t know if there is a NT fit this late in the draft for them. Kentwan Balmer is still available but I just don’t think he has the right bulk to play this defense.
The best thing for SF would be if Pat Sims of Auburn declared for this draft and helped push someone like Frank Okam down the board. From what I read though Sims is not coming out this year and projects as the top DT in the 2009 draft. Sims can also play the Nose in a 3-4 which will help his stock immensely.
The 49ers may look to draft a WR here but I just don’t feel great about that even though it is a need. Let’s say Early Doucet and call it a day. I feel bad for this franchise right now.
31 Dallas Cowboys 12 - 1 0.497
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
The 2nd of two first rounders, Dallas could snag Arkansas’ Felix Jones, who is the other RB to McFadden.
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