2008 NFL Mock Draft

1. Miami - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
   Miami needs help in a lot of places. Long had an impressive career at Michigan and followed it up with a fine combine. He has the ability to anchor the offensive line for years, which is a must for whoever lines up under center.

    

2. St. Louis - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
   Howie’s kid is making a name for himself. His all around ability is excellent, and the Rams would love to add him to their defensive line.

    

3. Atlanta - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
   The Falcons need a ton of help, but it starts at QB with them. Ryan has all the leadership skills necessary to bring them back to respectability.

    

4. Oakland - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
   Ellis has vaulted himself to the top of the DT boards. The Raiders would have liked Jake Long, but settle for the Trojan who will provide an immediate impact on the interior defensive line.

    

5. Kansas City - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
   Clady has the talent to be a fine left tackle in the NFL. The Chiefs had an eye on Jake Long and Matt Ryan, but move on to option C.

    

6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
   The Jets are ecstatic he is still here. They have a solid running game, but McFadden could be special.

    

7. New England (from SF) - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio St.
   The Pats need youth at linebacker, and depth is a major issue. Gholston will add a young, athletic presence as a pass rusher immediately.

    

8. Baltimore - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennesse St.
   Rodgers-Cromartie has had a monumental rise since the end of the season. He put on a show at the Senior Bowl displaying the ability to play with the big boys, and had an excellent combine as well. Playing behind two veterans at least from the outset is a great place for him to develop.

    

9. Cincinnati - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
   Injuries and the emergence of Sedrick Ellis causes Dorsey to slide a bit, but the Bengals end the slide and have a major steal at this point.

    

10. New Orleans - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
    The Saints are seemingly always in search of a corner, and they hope McKelvin is the guy who ends that need. Editors note: Signing Randall Gay could change this selection.

     

11. Buffalo - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
    The Bills have tried to replace Nate Clements since he left two years ago. Talib brings the kind of all around ability to make an immediate impact in the NFL.

     

12. Denver - Keith Rivers, LB, USC
    Rivers is the type of athletic that could flourish in the Broncos system. Along with DJ Williams, he could give the Broncos a nice set of young, versatile linebackers.

     

13. Carolina - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
    Phillips is a great fit and fills a need, especially since it looks like the Panthers have locked up their tackle situation for next season.

     

14. Chicago - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
    The Bears couldn’t be happier that a QB capable of playing early is still on the board. Brohm may not be a franchise signal caller, but he immediately becomes the best QB on the Bears.

     

15. Detroit - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
    Secondary help is a must. There is a mini run on corners early, so the Lions make sure they get their man here.

     

16. Arizona - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
    Defense is an area the Cards could look at, but with the corners gone, they address the long term situation at RB. Mendenhall is the type of back that can carry the load and be on the field just about every snap.

     

17. Minnesota - Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
    Upgrading the pass rush is key for the Vikings. Merling and Harvey may be enticing, but Groves may have more pass rush ability, making him the selection at this point. He was dinged up as a senior, but his impressive showing at the combine shows that he has the talent to become a dynamic edge rusher.

     

18. Houston - Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt
    The secondary is a huge concern, but the offensive line is also an area that could use some more talent. The upside of Otah is too much to pass on at this point.

     

19. Philadelphia - DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
    Jackson’s upside as a go to receiver is limited, but he is pure electricity. That guy that light it up at any time, and adds an element to the Eagles receiver core that they currently lack. Teaming with Brian Westbrook may give the Eagles the most exciting RB/WR combo in the league.

     

20. Tampa Bay - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
    The Bucs finally land an offensive tackle that can protect the QB. Williams is the type of athlete that can mirror a defenders moves and keep his quarterback upright.

     

21. Washington - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
    Harvey checked in considerably bigger than expected, but still showed good movement skills for his size. The Skins would love to add a big end that can get after the QB.

     

22. Dallas (from Cle) - Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
    Smith brings the talent and versatility to play both corner and free safety. That type of versatility is enticing for the Boys, considering they could do the same with Anthony Henry.

     

23. Pittsburgh - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
    Cherilus brings the mean attitude to fit in Steeltown. His presence would shift Willie Colon inside to replace Al Faneca who is leaving via free agency.

     

24. Tennessee - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
    Sweed brings the body to be a go to performer, but the speed to make some plays as well. The time spent with Vince Young in college will only aid his adjustment to the NFL.

     

25. Seattle - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
    Shaun Alexander is slowing down, and Stewart brings a lot of the same all around ability. Stewart is originally from Washington, so the local kid going home makes for a good story as well.

     

26. Jacksonville - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
    Campbell began the year as one of the elite prospects, but he had a somewhat down year followed by an average combine. He has a ton of upside because of the size and athleticism he brings, so he is still a player that could hear his name called in the first round. His upside as a pass rusher is what makes the Jags call his name at this point.

     

27. San Diego - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
    Balmer brings the size and talent to help out all along the line. For a team that needs depth up and down the defensive line, that makes him very attractive.

     

28. Dallas - Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
    Julius Jones is a free agent, so a back that can turn the corner to compliment Marion Barber is needed. There isn’t a faster RB in the d raft, and Johnson brings a ton of big play ability.

     

29. San Francisco (from Ind) - Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
    The 9ers have to consider all receiver options, but landing a talented defensive lineman is just as important. It takes receivers a little more time to make an impact, and there should be talented receivers available later on, so they address the defense here.

     

30. Green Bay - Justin King, CB, Penn St.
    King has all the talent to develop into a lockdown corner in the NFL, he just needs some more time. Playing behind C harles Woodson and Al Harris is a great situation for a young corner.

     

31. Patriots - Forfeited.

     

32. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.
    Connor brings a lot of versatility to the LB position. He should be able to contribute from day one, making the Giants that much stronger.

 2009 NFL Super Bowl Odds