NFL Draft Countdown Mock

jason baker's #1 fan! · Nov 16, 2007

1. MIAMI DOLPHINS
GLENN DORSEY
DT | L.S.U.
Schematically Dorsey isn't a perfect fit for the hybrid defense that Dom Capers runs but he is the type of impact defensive linemen that the Dolphins need which is why he gets the nod. Dorsey is extremely strong and active with a non-stop motor and in Miami he would play inside in the 4-3 and shift outside to end in the 3-4, much like he does in college. Jake Long will garner strong consideration here as well but even though he would certainly upgrade Miami's offensive line that unit has played much better than expected so it may not be quite as big of a concern as some might think.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS
JAKE LONG
OT | Michigan
The Rams really aren't a bad team they have just been decimated by injuries and a big culprit has been Orlando Pace, who is now 32-years-old and has played in just nine games since the '05 season. There is little or no doubt that Jake Long is the top offensive lineman available this year but there has been some debate as to whether he'll be able to play left tackle in the NFL or if he will have to move to the right side. Regardless of which position he ultimately winds up at Long is a terrific blocker who probably falls somewhere between Joe Thomas and Levi Brown as a pro prospect.

3. NEW YORK JETS
CHRIS LONG
DE | Virginia
This could end up being the ultimate battle of Talent vs. Need. Darren McFadden is undeniably the best player available here but the Jets already have a reliable, albeit unspectacular, running back in Thomas Jones. The other option would be Chris Long, who obviously wouldn't be quite as sexy of a pick as McFadden but is a perfect fit for Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme and would finally give them that impact defensive lineman they have been searching for. Explosive offensive playmaker or help for their leaky defense? This is close but Mangini's defensive background could ultimately win out.

4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (f/SF)
JAMES LAURINAITIS
ILB | Ohio St.
You have to wonder if the Patriots would at least be tempted by Darren McFadden here considering Laurence Maroney's durability issues but this franchise has always been more about substance than style so they take a pbutt. James Laurinaitis' grade may be just a notch below where A.J. Hawk's was when he was coming out but he is a well-rounded middle linebacker with those top-notch intangibles that have helped make New England so successful. Tedy Bruschi is nearing the end of his career and Laurinaitis would be groomed to take over his role as the heart and soul of their "D".

5. OAKLAND RAIDERS
DARREN MCFADDEN
RB | Arkansas
From a need standpoint either Jake Long or Calais Campbell would probably make the most sense but Al Davis is known for his infatuation with rare athletic specimens and McFadden certainly fits that bill. Oakland has actually run the ball pretty well this year but neither LaMont Jordan or Justin Fargas are in the same league as "D-Mac" and he would provide their offense with the type of big play potential they currently lack. The Raiders definitely have more glaring weaknesses but if McFadden fell this far it might be difficult to pass up the opportunity to team him with JaMarcus Russell.

6. CINCINNATI BENGALS
SEDRICK ELLIS
DT | USC
For the second straight year the Bengals have been one of the most disappointing teams in the league and a lot of that can be attributed to their porous defense. One area that needs to be upgraded is the interior of their defensive line, where Domata Peko and John Thornton just haven't gotten the job done. Sedrick Ellis is a classic 3-technique who can be disruptive in the middle and perhaps more importantly he also has the type of character and intangibles that this troubled franchise so desperately needs. One way or another look for this selection to be used on an impact defender.

7. ATLANTA FALCONS
BRIAN BROHM
QB | Louisville
The general consensus seems to be that Matt Ryan has solidified himself as the top signal caller available and 31 of 32 teams might take him over Brian Brohm but the one who may not is Atlanta. There is no doubt that the Falcons need a quarterback and it seems like a pretty safe assumption that they will grab one with this pick, but the question is which one? Reuniting Brohm with his old college coach Bobby Petrino almost makes too much sense not to happen and even though this may be a bit of a reach I simply can't fathom them going in any other way as long as Petrino's around.

8. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
MATT RYAN
QB | Boston College
Tarvaris Jackson has shown nothing to lead you to believe that he is the long-term answer while Brooks Bollinger and Kelly Holcombe have proven to be little more than the journeymen backups everyone thought they were. The Vikings would more than likely prefer to bring in a veteran signal caller such as Donovan McNabb rather than start all over again with another rookie but unless or until that happens you almost have to give them the best available quarterback here. Matt Ryan might never be a star but his physical tools are more than adequate and his intangibles are first-rate.

9. ARIZONA CARDINALS
CALAIS CAMPBELL
DE | Miami (FL)
The Cardinals defense is still in transition but regardless of whether they line up in a 4-3 or a 3-4 they could use another impact defensive linemen and Calais Campbell would be a great fit. In addition to being a terrific athlete and excellent pass rusher who can get pressure off the edge Campbell also has the frame (6-8, 280) and long arms to hold his own versus the run. After a sensational sophomore season in which he tallied 20.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks Campbell has once again been wreaking havoc for the Hurricanes in 2007 and if he does come out early he may not even last this long.

10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
MALCOLM JENKINS
CB | Ohio St.
Once again the Saints pass defense has been atrocious and so far Jason David has been a bust since being signed as a free agent which means they still need to add a top cornerback to play opposite Mike McKenzie. Jenkins has all the physical tools you look for in a corner and even though he's not an elite Deion Sanders / Champ Bailey type of prospect he would likely be among the top rated players at his position if he came out early. The Buckeyes have done a terrific job of producing pro corners and Jenkins could soon join the ranks of Winfield, Plummer, Clements, Gamble & Youboty.

11. BALTIMORE RAVENS
ANDR WOODSON
QB | Kentucky
After a long and distinguished career it sure looks like the end of the line for Steve McNair, at least in Baltimore, which means the Ravens will be in the market for a new quarterback next offseason. After bursting onto the prospect scene in '06 Woodson has cemented his first round grade as a senior and he could very easily come off the board a lot higher than this. Woodson isn't as polished as either Ryan or Brohm but he has a higher upside and with some good coaching he just might end up being the best signal caller to come out of this draft. Cornerback is a major need for Baltimore.

12. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
RYAN CLADY
OT | Boise St.
The offensive line, which was once a team strength, has now become a liability so it's time for the Chiefs to invest a premium pick on a stud up front. Damion McIntosh was brought in to play left tackle but even though he may be adequate at times he is basically just a journeyman and certainly hasn't lived up to the impossibly high bar that Willie Roaf set for so many years. At 6-6 and 317 lbs. Ryan Clady has that rare blend of size and athleticism needed to neutralize elite pass rushers and protect the blind side in the NFL which is why he'll carry such a high grade when he comes out.

13. HOUSTON TEXANS
KENNY PHILLIPS
S | Miami (FL)
As usual the Texans still have a gaping hole at left tackle but with both Jake Long and Ryan Clady off the board there isn't much value left and they would probably be better off waiting until later to upgrade there. Instead Houston turns their attention to a needy secondary and brings in the first true playmaking safety in the history of the franchise. The Hurricanes have a great track record when it comes to producing pro defensive backs throughout the years and even though he may not be in quite the same class as Sean Taylor or Ed Reed Kenny Phillips can be a difference maker.

14. CAROLINA PANTHERS
KEITH RIVERS
OLB | USC
After investing first round picks on Thomas Davis and Jon Beason in recent years it might be hard to swallow using another #1 on a linebacker but with Dan Morgan's future very much up in the air they may have to just bite the bullet. Keith Rivers has more than done his part to uphold and carry on the legacy of that storied #55 jersey for the Trojans and even though he may lack the ideal bulk that you would prefer his speed and athleticism make up for it. Safety is still the Panthers greatest weakness though so if Kenny Phillips somehow slipped this far they'd most likely jump on him.

15. DENVER BRONCOS
DAN CONNOR
OLB | Penn St.
With longtime stalwart Al Wilson out of the picture due to injuries the Broncos were forced to revamp their linebacking corps this year and even though D.J. Williams and Ian Gold have been their usual productive selves Denver still needs an upgrade at the other spot. A better prospect than Paul Posluszny was a year ago, Dan Connor has terrific intangibles and is an all-around threat who is effective against the run as well as in coverage. A real bonus with Connor is that he has extensive experience playing the middle and the outside which could give the Broncos positional latitude.

16. CHICAGO BEARS
GOSDER CHERILUS
OT | Boston College
What the Bears really need is a top flight quarterback but unless they trade up it's highly unlikely either Ryan, Brohm or Woodson will fall this far. With that being the case Chicago turns its attention toward Plan "B" and opts to begin the process of getting younger along the offensive line. Gosder Cherilus has struggled at times as a senior while playing out of position at left tackle but he will move back to the right side at the pro level where he would be a nice replacement for the aging Fred Miller. Don't rule out them finding a way to land one of those Big 3 signal callers though...

17. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DESEAN JACKSON
WR | California
You might be able to make the case for an offensive tackle here but the bottom line is that DeSean Jackson is just too good of a player and too good of a fit to pass up at this point in round one. Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are nice players but Philly could definitely use another playmaker on offense and outside of Darren McFadden there isn't a more dynamic weapon in this draft than Jackson. Similar in many ways to Ted Ginn, Jackson may not be quite as fast but he is more polished as a receiver and an even better return man, which is an area where the Eagles need to upgrade.

18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
JONATHAN STEWART
RB | Oregon
Yes the Seahawks do still have Shaun Alexander but he has a lot of mileage on his tires and is obviously wearing down. You may also remember that back in 2000 Mike Holmgren drafted Alexander even though they appeared to be set with Ricky Waters at running back. A local Washington product, Jonathan Stewart has everything you look for physically at 5-11 and 230 lbs. with 4.4 speed and when you combine those triangle numbers with his ability to be a threat as a runner, receiver and return man it is not hard at all to see why he will likely be such a highly regarded pro prospect.

19. DALLAS COWBOYS (f/CLE)
REGGIE SMITH
DB | Oklahoma
In recent years Dallas has had some well documented problems at safety when it comes to coverage responsibilities and it might finally be time to do something about it. Reggie Smith is a real ballhawk and playmaker in the secondary with experience at multiple positions so he would give the Cowboys the option of either playing him in the deep middle or sticking him at corner if Anthony Henry were to make the long-rumored move to safety. With Julius Jones set to become a free agent they may also consider a runner here if they don't feel Marion Barber's capable of carrying the load.

20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
SAM BAKER
OT | USC
For the second straight year Luke Petitgout has had his season ended by an injury and at this point in his career he simply cannot be counted on. After Petitgout went down the Buccaneers were forced to insert Donald Penn, an undrafted free agent and waiver wire pickup, into the starting lineup at the critical left tackle position and needless to say that isn't an ideal situation. Sam Baker, who happens to be the son of AFL Commissioner David Baker, is a decent athlete and an excellent pass blocker with a lot of experience who could finally solve Tampa Bay's issues on the blind side.

21. BUFFALO BILLS
MALCOLM KELLY
WR | Oklahoma
Since Marv Levy returned to the organization the Bills have done a pretty good job of building though the draft but they still need to find another offensive playmaker, regardless of whether it's J.P. Losman or Trent Edwards under center. Lee Evans is one of the premier receivers in the league but beyond him the cupboard is relatively bare, with a bunch of #3 and #4 types inhabiting their depth chart. Even though he lacks elite timed speed Malcolm Kelly has excellent size end has proven himself to be a big play threat the last couple of years and he'd be a perfect compliment to Evans.

22. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
FRANK OKAM
DT | Texas
For the most part the Charges are a team with relatively few holes so it's tough to predict what they might be looking for in round one. With that said they are woefully thin at nose tackle behind the great Jamal Williams and if anything should happen to him they'd be in real trouble so adding some depth there would seem to be a logical move. The latest in a long line of impact Longhorn defensive tackles, at 6-5 and 320 lbs. Frank Okam has the size and talent to follow in the footsteps of Casey Hampton and Shaun Rogers but scouts feel he still needs to exhibit a little more consistently.

23. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
DERRICK HARVEY
DE | Florida
Many felt the Redskins would look to address their defensive line with the #6 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft and while you certainly can't criticize their selection of LaRon Landry from a value standpoint the fact remains that they still need an impact guy up front, whether it be at end or tackle. Andre Carter is solid on one side but Phillip Daniels is nearing the end of his career and the depth is lackluster at best. Harvey is a great natural pass rusher and a better prospect than Jarvis Moss was a year ago so to find him still on the board this late in round one would be a pleasant surprise.

24. TENNESSEE TITANS
LIMAS SWEED
WR | Texas
The Titans have done a great job of building through the draft in recent years but one exception has been their efforts at wideout, where despite investing a bunch of picks on the position they have yet to really have one pan out. Tennessee needs to get Vince Young some targets to throw to so why not go back to his alma mater and nab his old favorite receiver. Limas Sweed had his senior season cut short by a wrist injury but he has great size, excellent intangibles and is still the top senior wideout available so if he runs well in workouts he could very well be long gone by this point.

25. NEW YORK GIANTS
MIKE JENKINS
CB | South Florida
The defense continues to be a problem for the Giants and one area that has to be upgraded is the secondary. It appears as if last year's #1 pick Aaron Ross will be a keeper but Sam Madison's best days are behind him and there is little or no quality depth. South Florida is a program on the rise and their best senior prospect is Mike Jenkins, who appears to have all the physical tools you look for in a cornerback and he could sneak into the first round. An outside linebacker would make some sense here as well but at the end of the day corner is without question their biggest need.

26. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
VERNON GHOLSTON
DE | Ohio St.
For years now the defensive line has been the Jaguars calling card and while they are still solid inside at defensive tackle there could be an issue brewing at end. Paul Spicer is serviceable but certainly not a star and with Bobby McCray set to become a free agent the Jags could be in the market for a pass rusher. Vernon Gholston is a physical marvel but he's not just a workout warrior because he has the production to go along with that impressive physique. If he came out early Gholston would likely fit into the first round and he could easily come off the board much earlier than this.

27. DETROIT LIONS
AQIB TALIB
CB | Kansas
As explosive as the Detroit passing offense has been this year their pass defense has been just as bad so they are obviously going to have to make some upgrades in the secondary. The trade of Dre Bly left the Lions without a true #1 cornerback and really robbed them of their only playmaker so it would not be a surprise to see them target someone like Aqib Talib. A big, physical corner with outstanding ball skills and a knack for making the big play, Talib isn't the elite prospect that his press clippings might lead you to believe he is but at this point in the first round he'd be a solid pick.

28. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
JEFF OTAH
OT | Pittsburgh
Traditionally the Steelers have been known to let many of their free agents leave rather than give them huge contracts and if that holds true they could be losing both Alan Faneca and Max Starks next offseason. It would require some reshuffling of the offensive line but Willie Colon could be moved inside to guard, where many had him projected when he was coming out of college, to replace Faneca and Jeff Otah could take over for him at right tackle. Otah is still very raw and only has two years of DI experience but he has mind-boggling size (6-6, 340) and almost unlimited potential.

29. SAN FRANCISCO 49'ERS (f/IND)
QUENTIN GROVES
DE | Auburn
Despite investing big free agent dollars and a bunch of draft picks on the defensive side of the ball the Niners still rank near the bottom of the league in sacks and they must find a way to get some more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Tully Banta-Cain has not lived up to expectations at outside linebacker and they could certainly do better so after using a first rounder in '06 on Manny Lawson, a workout warrior, why not try it again. Quentin Groves does have some issues with consistency but he is a terrific athlete with reported 4.4 speed who can wreak havoc as a pass rusher.

30. GREEN BAY PACKERS
STEVE SLATON
RB | West Virginia
You have to give Green Bay credit because they have done a terrific job of building through the draft the last couple of years, straddling that line between trying to win now while Brett Favre is still around while also keeping an eye on the future. Ryan Grant has done a solid job and Brandon Jackson may still pan out but so far neither has really established himself as a starter at the pro level and a lackluster run game is a huge concern for the Packers. Steve Slaton may be a bit undersized but he is a gamebreaker who would really give the Green Bay offense a whole new dimension.

31. DALLAS COWBOYS
EARLY DOUCET
WR | L.S.U.
With the second of their two first round picks the Cowboys can afford to be a little frivolous and grab a wide receiver. Terry Glenn has missed most the of 2007 season with an injury and Patrick Crayton could leave as a free agent in the offseason but even if he stays Dallas could use another pass catcher like Early Doucet. After biding his time behind Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis early in his career Doucet finally got his chance to shine as a senior and even though he has been limited by some minor, nagging injuries he has shown just enough to put himself on the first round bubble.

32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Selection forfeited as part of punishment for violating league rules.
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this is scott wright's mock and i've always found them to be one of the most accurate and in depth around

jason baker's #1 fan! · Nov 16, 2007

14. CAROLINA PANTHERS
KEITH RIVERS
OLB | USC
After investing first round picks on Thomas Davis and Jon Beason in recent years it might be hard to swallow using another #1 on a linebacker but with Dan Morgan's future very much up in the air they may have to just bite the bullet. Keith Rivers has more than done his part to uphold and carry on the legacy of that storied #55 jersey for the Trojans and even though he may lack the ideal bulk that you would prefer his speed and athleticism make up for it. Safety is still the Panthers greatest weakness though so if Kenny Phillips somehow slipped this far they'd most likely jump on him.
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i would rather the panthers go OT if baker is still on the board. i like rivers but if all of the big 3 QBs are gone i think OT is our next biggest need and baker fits our scheme perfectly.

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NFL Draft Countdown Mock

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