First Round: 1. MIAMI DOLPHINS CHRIS LONG DE | Virginia | Scouting Report Odds are Bill Parcells will try to trade down but the question is will anyone want to move up? Not only would it be costly in terms of draft picks but then they will have to worry about negotiating a huge, #1 overall pick contract as well. If they stay put the Dolphins will likely be zeroing in on three players: Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey and Jake Long. Knowing Parcells the smart money is certainly on defense and in a photo finish Howie's boy gets the nod. Not only is Long a perfect fit for Miami's 3-4 scheme but he also brings the type of intensity and non-stop motor that "The Tuna" covets. 2. ST. LOUIS RAMS GLENN DORSEY DT | L.S.U. | Scouting Report This is a tough spot for the Rams since the value on the board does not necessarily match their greatest needs but at this point defensive line looks like the best option. Chris Long may be a better fit but it is hard to classify Glenn Dorsey as a consolation prize because many consider him to be the top senior prospect in this draft. La'Roi Glover won't be around much longer and even though Clifton Ryan played well as a rookie it would probably be difficult to justify passing on a talent like Dorsey because of him. Moving last year's #1 Adam Carriker back outside to end is even a possibility. 3. ATLANTA FALCONS MATT RYAN QB | Boston College | Scouting Report Sure the case could be made for Jake Long or even Darren McFadden here but you have to believe the Falcons will be looking for a top signal caller to build around with this pick. There's still some debate as to whether or not Matt Ryan is a franchise guy but he is the consensus top quarterback available which means he will likely go very high. Maybe even a little higher than he should. In terms of physical tools Ryan is at least adequate across the board but where he separates himself from the pack are with his intangibles, which are top-notch. They don't call him "Matty Ice" for nothing. 4. OAKLAND RAIDERS DARREN MCFADDEN RB | Arkansas | Scouting Report With the retirement of Warren Sapp defensive tackle has become perhaps their #1 need so Glenn Dorsey or even Sedrick Ellis might make the most sense here but it is hard to imagine Al Davis passing on a rare talent like "D-Mac". Justin Fargas came on late in the year but he'll be an unrestricted free agent and with both LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes on their way out there's a lot of uncertainty at running back. He may not be quite as good as Adrian Peterson but McFadden is awfully close which is why he will be almost universally rated as the top overall player in the '08 NFL Draft. 5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS JAKE LONG OT | Michigan | Scouting Report This would be a dream scenario for the Chiefs because Jake Long is the player they would probably take if they had the #1 overall pick. Since Willie Roaf and Will Shields retired the Chiefs offensive line has really gone downhill and what was once a team strength has now become a liability. For a team with a young quarterback that relies on a strong run game that is troubling and it is a big reason why they are selecting this high. Jake Long is probably just a notch below Joe Thomas as a prospect coming out of college but he is better than Levi Brown was and should be an instant starter. 6. NEW YORK JETS SEDRICK ELLIS DT | USC | Scouting Report Thanks to a meaningless win in Week 17 the Jets dropped from the #3 overall pick all the way down to #6 which probably takes them out of the running for Chris Long, Jake Long and Darren McFadden. It seems like Eric Mangini has been searching for a stud nose tackle for his 34 defense ever since arrived in New York and while Sedrick Ellis is not a perfect fit there he is up to 308 lbs. and would provide an upgrade over Dewayne Robertson, who might be traded or moved to end. Vernon Gholston would also make a ton of sense and would be an impact pass rusher at outside linebacker. 7. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (f/SF) VERNON GHOLSTON DE | Ohio St. | Scouting Report Cornerback is also going to be a concern if Asante Samuel bolts as a free agent but for the time being linebacker is the Patriots main issue. It sounds like there is a very good chance that both Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau will retire and while Mike Vrabel, Rosie Colvin and Adalius Thomas are all capable of playing inside if one or even two of them make that move it will create a hole outside. A physical marvel and fantastic pass rusher, Gholston played defensive end for the Buckeyes but should be able to make the successful transition to outside linebacker in a 34 scheme at the pro level. 8. BALTIMORE RAVENS BRIAN BROHM QB | Louisville | Scouting Report When you really think about it the Ravens are not all that bad of a team and with a little better play from the quarterback position they may even be able to compete for a playoff spot next year. It looks like Steve McNair is cooked and Kyle Boller still isn't the answer so it is time to bring in a long-term answer at the position. Brian Brohm's somewhat of a polarizing prospect who people seem to either love or hate but even though there are question marks with him he is probably the most logical option for Baltimore at this point. If Matt Ryan were still available he would likely get the edge. 9. CINCINNATI BENGALS DERRICK HARVEY DE | Florida | Scouting Report Once again the Bengals defense was horrendous in '07 so one way or another look for this pick to be devoted to a stud on that side of the ball. One specific area where they could use some help is the defensive line and with Justin Smith set to become a free agent an end would be a logical choice. Derrick Harvey has racked up 30 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks the past two seasons and he is a better pro prospect than Jarvis Moss, who went #17 overall last year. With four linebackers also set to hit the open market that is also a major concern but in terms of value Harvey is the best fit. 10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS LEODIS MCKELVIN CB | Troy | Scouting Report For literally a half a decade people like me have been railing about how the Saints need a top-flight cornerback but for one reason another they always seem to take a pbutt. Maybe this will be the year. You may not know a lot about Leodis McKelvin just yet but you will soon because not only does he possess prototypical size (5-11, 190) and speed (4.45) but he's also an excellent return man. Linebacker is also a problem for the Saints and if Sedrick Ellis were to somehow fall this far he'd be a big upgrade at d-tackle but based on value corner would appear to be the best bet at this point. 11. BUFFALO BILLS KEITH RIVERS OLB | USC | Scouting Report The Bills could go in a lot of different directions here but ultimately they just have to do something about that front seven on defense. Paul Posluszny was playing great before his injury and is a keeper but Keith Ellison is better suited for backup duty so Keith Rivers would provide a huge upgrade on the weakside. Some might argue that defensive tackle is the Bills biggest problem but keep in mind that they have already invested big free agent dollars in Larry Tripplett and draft picks on John McGargo and Kyle Williams in recent years. A big, physical wideout will also be a strong possibility. 12. DENVER BRONCOS PHILLIP MERLING DE | Clemson | Scouting Report Despite efforts to rectify the problem the defensive line continues to be an issue for Denver and while on the face this might not make sense just hear me out. Granted the Broncos did invest their first two picks in the 2007 Draft on Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder but Phillip Merling is a big defensive end (280 lbs.) who could play outside on run downs and then shift inside in passing situations. That would allow guys like Moss and Elvis Dumervil, who are liabilities against the run, to be used in situational roles and do what they do best which is rush the passer. Think Trevor Pryce Part II. 13. CAROLINA PANTHERS RYAN CLADY OT | Boise St. | Scouting Report It's not too often you see a team with both of their starting offensive tackles hitting the open market in the same offseason but that is what Carolina is now facing with Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton. It will be difficult to re-sign both and it looks like Wharton may be the odd man out, which would open up a gaping hole at left tackle. Ryan Clady has that rare blend of size and athleticism you look for in a franchise left tackle and there is a chance he could even come off the board a lot earlier than this. Quarterback could be an option too but I do not see John Fox wanting to start over. 14. CHICAGO BEARS JEFF OTAH OT | Pittsburgh | Scouting Report Most agree that quartback is the Bears biggest problem but it's not like they don't have other positions that need to be addressed as well. Chicago's offensive line is about to undergo a major overhaul and with Fred Miller all but gone there will be a huge hole at right tackle. A JUCO transfer who did not start playing football until his senior year of high school, Otah is still pretty raw but he is coming off of a fantastic senior campaign and has excellent size (6-6, 340) and athleticism. Also, as great as Otah already is he still has some potential and could even potentially play left tackle. 15. DETROIT LIONS MIKE JENKINS CB | South Florida | Scouting Report I will refrain from making that same old Matt Millen / wide receiver crack... For all of the Lions problems, and there have been plenty, perhaps the biggest has been the secondary, where there is very little to get excited about at cornerback. Nobody is going to call Mike Jenkins a shutdown corner or confuse him with Deion Sanders but he is a good fit for their defensive scheme and would represent a major upgrade for them. Detroit also has problems along the offensive line and they were even playing centers and guards at right tackle in '07 so don't rule out a guy like Jeff Otah either. 16. ARIZONA CARDINALS JONATHAN STEWART RB | Oregon | Scouting Report Every draft has a first round surprise and this could be it for 2008. Word is Edgerrin James may not be around much longer and even so he has a lot of miles on his tires and they could use a quality backup. Jonathan Stewart is a special prospect with the type of speed and burst you just don't normally find in a 230 lb. running back. Similar in some ways to Jamal Lewis when he was coming out of Tennessee, Stewart is the best player available at this point. The Cardinals also need help in the secondary at cornerback so guys like Leodis McKelvin & Mike Jenkins are possibilities here as well. 17. MINNESOTA VIKINGS DESEAN JACKSON WR | California | Scouting Report Brad Childress does not believe in taking wideouts in the first round and all things being equal the Vikings would likely prefer to nab a top defensive end with this pick. However, there has already been a run on ends and the value is not there so rather than reach for Calais Campbell they look elsewhere. DeSean Jackson is arguably the most explosive offensive weapon in this entire draft and he is also a dynamic return specialist to boot. In fact, Jackson really does share quite a few similarities with Ted Ginn, Jr. except he is a much more polished receiver and an even better return man. 18. HOUSTON TEXANS KENNY PHILLIPS S | Miami (FL) | Scouting Report A running back like Jonathan Stewart or Rashard Mendenhall might be tempting but Houston has more pressing concerns elsewhere, most notably the secondary. Since their inception the Texans have not had an impact safety and while some feel Kenny Phillips isn't a first round pick I am quite confident he will reach that level before all is said and done. Phillips did not have the junior year that most were expecting but he is still an excellent prospect who will help carry on the Canes tradition of sending top safeties like Ed Reed and Sean Taylor to the NFL. Don't rule out a corner here either. 19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES MARIO MANNINGHAM WR | Michigan | Scouting Report If it's playmakers Donovan McNabb wants then it's a playmaker he shall get. If he's still around that is. He may have a slight frame but Mario Manningham would bring a new dimension to the Eagles offense because he can stretch the field vertically and really has a knack for getting in the endzone. All indications are that cornerback will be a very strong possibility here as well and either Leodis McKelvin or Mike Jenkins would make sense if they were available. At the end of the day though Philly simply has to give Donovan McNabb (or Kevin Kolb?) another weapon in the passing game. 20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS KENTWAN BALMER DT | North Carolina | Scouting Report Last year the Buccaneers finally gave Monte Kiffin some help on defense in the form of Gaines Adams and they would probably be smart to go that route one more time. For many years Tampa had arguably the best set of defensive tackles in the league with Warren Sapp & Booger McFarland but those days are now long gone. Kentwan Balmer is a talented former underachiever who enjoyed a breakout senior campaign and saw his stock rise dramatically. Balmer is the consensus #3 defensive tackle and could even come off the board earlier than this. Don't rule out a wideout here either. 21. WASHINGTON REDSKINS MALCOLM KELLY WR | Oklahoma | Scouting Report I would venture to guess that most of the mocks you see will have a defensive end here and it's hard to argue with that logic because the Skins could definitely use an impact player opposite Andre Carter. However their lack of a true #1 wideout is just as glaring of a need and while they were ranked in the top ten defensively last year their passing offense was middle of the pack. The Redskins need a receiver with size to compliment Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El and at 6-4 and 219 lbs. Malcolm Kelly certainly fits that bill. This could just as easily be a guy like Calais Campbell too. 22. DALLAS COWBOYS (f/CLE) AQIB TALIB CB | Kansas | Scouting Report Jacques Reeves is set to become a free agent and anyone who watched Dallas in '07 saw him get picked on early and often anyway so at the very least the Cowboys will need an upgrade in the nickel and if Anthony Henry ever makes his long-rumored move to safety then corner will become even more of a concern. Timed speed might be an issue with Aqib Talib but you can't question his size, athleticism or playmaking ability and there is a decent chance he could be long gone by this point, especially if he runs well in workouts. Wideout and running back will be possibilities here as well. 23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS BRANDEN ALBERT OG | Virginia | Scouting Report The Steelers have always been able to hang their hat on a dominant offensive line but they could be preparing to undergo a significant changing of the guard up front. It looks as though free agent Alan Faneca is all but gone, Max Starks is a free agent who is not expected back and Marvel Smith has battled some injuries in recent years and has just one more year left on his contract. Basically Pittsburgh will probably be in the market for the best offensive lineman available and Albert, a junior entry who has the ability to play either guard or tackle, would not be too much of a reach here. 24. TENNESSEE TITANS LIMAS SWEED WR | Texas | Scouting Report Despite investing draft picks on Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Paul Williams and Chris Davis in recent years the Titans still have some big question marks at receiver and they simply have to give Vince Young some weapons to throw to. Limas Sweed had his senior year cut short by a wrist injury but he has great size (6-4, 212) and is a proven playmaker despite his ordinary timed speed. Sweed also has a connection with Young from their days at Texas, a factor that shouldn't be underestimated. Both Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy are free agents so defensive end is a possibility too. 25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS RASHARD MENDENHALL RB | Illinois | Scouting Report It sure looks as though Shaun Alexander may never regain his MVP form and while Maurice Morris is a decent backup the running game got so bad in Seattle this year that Mike Holmgren all but admitted that he gave up on it at one point. Granted they still have a lot of money invested in Alexander but if you recall Holmgren drafted him back in 2000 even though they seemed to be set at the position with Ricky Watters. Rashard Mendenhall burst onto the scene this season and would provide good value here, although a tight end like Fred Davis would probably make some sense as well. 26. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS CALAIS CAMPBELL DE | Miami (FL) | Scouting Report Defensive end Bobby McCray is set to become an unrestricted free agent and might not be back while Reggie Hayward is still struggling to regain his pre-injury form so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Jaguars look in that direction with this pick. Calais Campbell did not have a great junior year and saw his draft stock take a hit but he has rare size at 6-8 and 280 lbs. and would be an intriguing guy at this point. Don't rule out yet another wide receiver here either because it doesn't look like Matt Jones will be brought back and Ernest Wilford is due to become an unrestricted free agent. 27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS REGGIE SMITH DB | Oklahoma | Scouting Report Looking at their depth chart it is somewhat difficult to pinpoint many glaring needs for the Chargers. Difficult but not impossible. One area that may be a concern is the secondary, where safety Marlon McCree has been a disappointment and will likely be shown the door. Enter Reggie Smith, who played safety earlier in his college career before recently moving to corner in '07 and he could project to either position at the pro level. Smith is physical, has great range and is a real playmaker and you have to think his versatility would be a welcome addition to San Diego's defensive backfield. 28. DALLAS COWBOYS FELIX JONES RB | Arkansas | Scouting Report With their second #1 pick the Cowboys could feel like they are playing with house money to a degree and while everyone assumes that Arkansas alumnus Jerry Jones wants Darren McFadden he might have to settle for another Hog running back. Julius Jones is an unrestricted free agent who is not expected back and Felix Jones would be a perfect replacement, providing some lightning to Marion Barber's thunder. Felix was also an All-American kick returner in college so that would be an added bonus. Wideout could be another possibility here since Terry Glenn has been wearing down. 29. SAN FRANCISCO 49'ERS (f/IND) EARLY DOUCET WR | L.S.U. | Scouting Report Picking this low after such an awful season must be a tough pill to swallow but that is reason #1,567,811 why you should think long and hard about trading away those future #1's. What the 49'ers need more than anything is a true impact wide receiver and after hiring Mike Martz to be the new offensive coordinator it only makes sense to give both him and Alex Smith some weapons to work with. Early Doucet would be a reach here but head coach Mike Nolan did speak glowingly about him at the Senior Bowl and this team definitely has a tendency to target guys they coached in Mobile. 30. GREEN BAY PACKERS DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE CB | Tennessee St. | Scouting Report Al Harris and Charles Woodson are one of the better starting cornerback combos in the league but to say the Packers have little or no depth behind them would be an understatement. This would actually be the perfect situation for Rodgers-Cromartie because he wouldn't be forced into a starting job right away and could instead learn behind two of the best in the business. "DRC" put on a show at the Senior Bowl and even though he has to bulk up he is a rare athlete with terrific height, leaping ability and ball skills. In fact, the resemblance to his cousin, Antonio Cromartie, is uncanny. 31. NEW YORK GIANTS DAN CONNOR OLB | Penn St. | Scouting Report The G-Men have a few issues at linebacker. Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor are both set to become unrestricted free agents and the Mathias Kiwanuka experiment is still up in the air so you have to believe they will take a long look at a guy like Dan Connor here. The latest product of "Linebacker U", Connor is similar in many ways to Bills 2nd round pick Paul Posluszny in terms of physical tools and intangibles but he might be an even better prospect. The other most plausible option here is probably cornerback, where age is really catching up with Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Selection forfeited as part of punishment for violating league rules.
