lion_crazz
Active Member
With the draft being only a week away (Saturday, April 26), I figured I would put my mock draft out and we could have a little draft discussion. Let me know what you guys think and feel free to make your observations about what you think your team(s) will do. 1.Miami Dolphins - Jake Long OT– Though Chris Long and Matt Ryan seem like more attractive picks, Jake Long builds an offensive line that is not very strong. Parcells needs a sold line to be able to evaluate the offense in 2008. Plus, with Ronnie Brown healthy, a strong line will make him the center of the offense. With Jason Taylor still the center of the defense, he needs someone to protect the QB and open lanes for Ronnie Brown. I could see Parcells grabbing someone like Flacco, Henne, or Brohm in the second, if not Woodson in the later rounds.
2.St. Louis Rams - Chris Long DE– With Leonard Little getting old, the Rams need a speedy guy to add to their line. The Rams struggled last year on D, and Long will immediately make an impact. I can slightly see Gholston being the guy here and really it was a toss up for me.
3.Atlanta Falcons – Vernon Gholston DE – Though QB is a pressing need here, they will certainly get a talented guy with their second pick (I am predicting Joe Flacco). Falcons go defense here to beef up a d-line that has been struggling for years. Now that Coleman is gone, the Falcons need something on the defensive front. Gholston is the best available, even though most people are predicting Dorsey here.
4.Oakland Raiders – Glenn Dorsey DT – Every draft has Darren McFadden going here, but that is not happening. Oakland massively overpaid Justin Fargas, and they had Michael Bush deactivated all year last year just so they did not have to release Dominic Rhodes or Lamont Jordan to Kansas City or Denver (and last time I checked, both of those guys are still on the roster too.) Dorsey fills the whole left by Warren Sapp and plays nicely next to ball-hawk Derrick Burgess (though, I feel Dorsey is incredibly over-rated – just the type of guy Al Davis loves).
5.Kansas Chiefs – Ryan Clady OL – Matt Ryan was a thought here, but without a line to protect the QB, there would be little point in reaching for Ryan when they can get Brohm in round 2. Plus, Brodie Croyle is still looming on the roster. Larry Johnson desperately needs some blocking and Clady is the guy to do it (though I feel Brandon Albert may be the better player).
6.New York Jets – Darren McFadden RB – Though not the most pressing need, McFadden gives the Jets offense the right spark to get them back in competition in the AFC east. Thomas Jones is getting old, and McFadden has the potential to be the next Adrian Peterson.
7.New England Patriots – Brandon Albert OG – With Wilson, Gay, and Samuel leaving, most would assume CB is the pick. That assumption would be wrong. The Giants proved that the only way to stop Tom Brady is through the pass rush, something that Albert stops easily.
8.Baltimore Ravens – Matt Ryan QB – EVERYONE is penciling Ryan as the pick here. Truth be told, Boller can’t cut it. Before McNair retired, I really thought Baltimore would go with Leodis McKlevin here. However, now that McNair is gone and there is no top QB on free agency, Ryan has to be the pick. However, I really would like to see Baltimore go with McKlevin here and then trade up for Brian Brohm in the 20’s.
9.Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis DT – Being strong both against the run and pas, many say Ellis is the best DT in the draft. This fills a big need for the Bengals and who could argue that their D needs help? Losing Justin Smith will hurt, but Ellis gives the Bengals a dominant presence on defense.
10.New Orleans Saints – Keith Rivers OLB – With the additions of Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan, it is obvious that the Saints want a stronger linebacking crew. I almost felt this was a toss-up between LB and CB, though, and with both Cromartie and McKlevin still on the board, it will be hard to not go CB here. Rivers is the best all-around player on the board, so that is where they go.
11.Buffalo Bills – Dominque Rodgers Cromartie CB – This is really a toss-up between Leodis McKlevin and Cromartie, but Cromartie appeals to Buffalo because of his performance at pro day. WR is a big concern, but that is taken in round 2.
2.St. Louis Rams - Chris Long DE– With Leonard Little getting old, the Rams need a speedy guy to add to their line. The Rams struggled last year on D, and Long will immediately make an impact. I can slightly see Gholston being the guy here and really it was a toss up for me.
3.Atlanta Falcons – Vernon Gholston DE – Though QB is a pressing need here, they will certainly get a talented guy with their second pick (I am predicting Joe Flacco). Falcons go defense here to beef up a d-line that has been struggling for years. Now that Coleman is gone, the Falcons need something on the defensive front. Gholston is the best available, even though most people are predicting Dorsey here.
4.Oakland Raiders – Glenn Dorsey DT – Every draft has Darren McFadden going here, but that is not happening. Oakland massively overpaid Justin Fargas, and they had Michael Bush deactivated all year last year just so they did not have to release Dominic Rhodes or Lamont Jordan to Kansas City or Denver (and last time I checked, both of those guys are still on the roster too.) Dorsey fills the whole left by Warren Sapp and plays nicely next to ball-hawk Derrick Burgess (though, I feel Dorsey is incredibly over-rated – just the type of guy Al Davis loves).
5.Kansas Chiefs – Ryan Clady OL – Matt Ryan was a thought here, but without a line to protect the QB, there would be little point in reaching for Ryan when they can get Brohm in round 2. Plus, Brodie Croyle is still looming on the roster. Larry Johnson desperately needs some blocking and Clady is the guy to do it (though I feel Brandon Albert may be the better player).
6.New York Jets – Darren McFadden RB – Though not the most pressing need, McFadden gives the Jets offense the right spark to get them back in competition in the AFC east. Thomas Jones is getting old, and McFadden has the potential to be the next Adrian Peterson.
7.New England Patriots – Brandon Albert OG – With Wilson, Gay, and Samuel leaving, most would assume CB is the pick. That assumption would be wrong. The Giants proved that the only way to stop Tom Brady is through the pass rush, something that Albert stops easily.
8.Baltimore Ravens – Matt Ryan QB – EVERYONE is penciling Ryan as the pick here. Truth be told, Boller can’t cut it. Before McNair retired, I really thought Baltimore would go with Leodis McKlevin here. However, now that McNair is gone and there is no top QB on free agency, Ryan has to be the pick. However, I really would like to see Baltimore go with McKlevin here and then trade up for Brian Brohm in the 20’s.
9.Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis DT – Being strong both against the run and pas, many say Ellis is the best DT in the draft. This fills a big need for the Bengals and who could argue that their D needs help? Losing Justin Smith will hurt, but Ellis gives the Bengals a dominant presence on defense.
10.New Orleans Saints – Keith Rivers OLB – With the additions of Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan, it is obvious that the Saints want a stronger linebacking crew. I almost felt this was a toss-up between LB and CB, though, and with both Cromartie and McKlevin still on the board, it will be hard to not go CB here. Rivers is the best all-around player on the board, so that is where they go.
11.Buffalo Bills – Dominque Rodgers Cromartie CB – This is really a toss-up between Leodis McKlevin and Cromartie, but Cromartie appeals to Buffalo because of his performance at pro day. WR is a big concern, but that is taken in round 2.
