2008 Nick G Sports Banter NFL Mock Draft

1 - Miami Dolphins – Jake Long (OT, Michigan)
The simplest mock pick of all-time. Bill Parcells zeroed in on his man and then made him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL. His record 5 yr, $57.75 million dollar contract includes $30 million guaranteed. The real drama begins with the next pick.

2 – St. Louis Rams – Glenn Dorsey (DT, LSU)
Internally the Rams are split on what to do. The personnel department favors Chris Long, but head coach Scott Linehan wants Glenn Dorsey. If the right offer comes along St. Louis could easily trade down, if not, expect coach Linehan to get his guy. After taking Adam Carriker last season, this pick will give St. Louis one of the youngest and most talented d-lines in football.

3 – Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan (QB, Boston College)
With the third overall pick the Atlanta Falcons have options. A call will be made to St. Louis to see what it would take to move up one spot and select Dorsey. If the price is too steep they will probably listen to offers from other teams looking to move up. In the absence of a trade partner, Matt Ryan will become Atlanta’s new signal caller. With Dorsey off the board Michael Vick’s job is officially gone.

4 – Oakland Raiders – Vernon Gholston (LB, Ohio State)
Al Davis had always been one of the most unpredictable guys in the NFL so this pick shouldn’t surprise people. Davis has apparently fallen in love with the physical specimen that is Vernon Gholston. The resigning of Justin Fargas and the confidence in youngster Michael Bush will help Davis resist the urge to draft Darren McFadden. You can already hear the Jet fans in Radio City going crazy…J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets!!!

5 – Kansas City Chiefs – Chris Long (DE, Virginia)
Kansas City didn’t expect this! They thought Chris Long would be “long” gone by this point. This development will force them to put their offensive line concerns on the back burner. Jared Allen’s replacement will be the high-octane sack master from Virginia.

6 – New York Jets – Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas)
Aside from Broadway Joe’s shining moment forty years ago, Jet fans have mostly experienced misery. From the Heidi Bowl to the Marino spike, bad draft picks to the Rich Kotite era, Jet fans have had little to cheer about. Things are about to change if Darren McFadden is still on the board.

7 – New Orleans Saints (from New England, from San Francisco) – Sedrick Ellis (DT, USC)
Sean Payton is in the middle of doing what was previously thought to be impossible, he is turning the New Orleans Saints into a winner. The process continues this weekend as the Saints are prepared to be active. They are currently trying to work out a trade for disgruntled tight end Jeremy Shockey and they will also be the most likely candidate to trade spots with New England. The Patriots could use a few things but it would be too expensive to address them here. They will have no problem finding a dancing partner in New Orleans. The Saints are in desperate need for a DT to anchor their 3-4 scheme and will do everything possible to make that player Ellis.

8 – Baltimore Ravens – Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville)
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback situation has been awful ever since their 2000 Super Bowl victory. Reports claim that they don’t see much of a difference between Matt Ryan and Brian Brohm. Most feel that Brohm is a late first/early second round prospect, but if Baltimore is convinced he’s as good as Ryan they won’t hesitate. This pick would turn the draft upside down and it is more likely than people think.

9 – Cincinnati Bengals – Keith Rivers (OLB, USC)
Marvin Lewis is officially on the hot seat in Cincinnati as things are getting out of control. Chad Johnson is the least of his concerns heading into the draft, as the Bengals have fielded some of the league’s worst defenses over the past two seasons. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer (formerly of Atlanta and Dallas) will petition hard to use this pick on his side of the ball. If they fail to move up for Ellis, Zimmer should still get his wish and add this big-time athlete to his unit.

10 – New England Patriots (from Cincinnati) – Branden Albert (G, Virginia)
One thing is for sure, Bill Belicheck will draft a good football player. The problem becomes trying to figure out whom? They will already be happy to have moved down and will now look to address a weakness (if they actually have one after going 18-1). They would probably like to get their hands on Rivers if he drops. Outside of that it would seem likely for them to address their offensive line. It proved to be their weakness in the Super Bowl XLII loss. Albert would immediately push either Stephen Neal or Nick Kaczur for the starting spot and add depth to an already good unit.

11 – Buffalo Bills – Devin Thomas (WR, Michigan State)
Quick Note: I flew to Buffalo this past season for the Bills/Cowboys Monday Night thriller. It was my second time up there for a game (went to a Bills/Patriots game in 1998 during college). Upstate New Yorkers are into their football and they create a great atmosphere to watch a game.. Fans should make a point to check this place out.

As for the pick, it should be WR, WR, WR, WR. Buffalo feels confident that Trent Edwards is their man and now it’s time to get him a weapon. They will have their choice of any wide receiver in the draft and most likely settle on Devin Thomas. Thomas has elevated to the top of a pretty deep wide receiver class. It is hard imagine Buffalo doing anything else.

12 – Denver Broncos – Chris Williams (OT, Vanderbilt)
Most people predict a run on CB’s at some point in the first round, but first there will be a run on offensive lineman. There are six first-round prospects in this group and with only two gone the cupboard is still full. Denver has their choice of either Ryan Clady, Chris Williams or Jeff Otah. Reports suggest they are leaning towards Williams because his mobility and athleticism should fit their zone-blocking scheme nicely. Clady might be rated slightly higher, but Williams makes more sense for Denver.

13 – Carolina Panthers – Ryan Clady (OT, Boise State)
The sudden retirement of Mike Rucker immediately puts Derrick Harvey on Carolina’s radar. This will be a tough choice for John Fox and company, but I suspect strengthening the offensive line with Clady will ultimately make the most sense.

14 – Chicago Bears – Jeff Otah (OT, Pittsburgh)
The Bears are fed up with Cedric Benson and Rashard Mendenhall would give their offense the spark it desperately needs. Even though it looks like a perfect match, I think Chicago will follow suit and upgrade their offensive line before addressing other needs. The quality of running available when they pick again will be a much better than the prospects remaining at tackle.

15 – Detroit Lions – Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida)
Detroit would love to unleash a pass rushing presence on the NFC North and Derrick Harvey would be great value at this spot. Obviously Rashard Mendenhall is an option along with Jonathan Stewart of Oregon. Then again, Matt Millen could always decide to take another wide receiver!

16 – Arizona Cardinals – Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy)
One of Arizona’s biggest needs coming into the draft was cornerback, so they are thrilled to have the privilege of taking the first one off the board. It should be McKelvin from tiny Troy University in Alabama. McKelvin is a double-threat CB, bringing both solid cover skills and dynamic return skills with him to the next level. Troy recently produced DeMarcus Ware and I’m sure the Cardinals will be pleased with its latest product.

17 – Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota) – Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie (CB, Tennessee State)
Kansas City gets this pick from the Vikings as part of the Jared Allen trade and should look to improve their secondary. Ty Law’s return is a question mark and he’s old to begin with. Kansas City would get a player versatile enough to eventually play safety, but will arrive at camp looking to win a starting CB job. Chris Long and DRC should set Kansas City’s defense up nicely for year’s to come.

18 – Houston Texans – Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinios)
Let’s review: Reggie Bush has been decent in his first two professional season, while Mario Williams is becoming a bonafide beast. The #1 overall pick from two years ago has 18.5 sacks in his young career. The Texans don’t look so stupid anymore, do they! Houston is now ready to address running back and will be extremely pleased to see Rashard Mendenhall still on the board.

19 – Philadelphia Eagles – Mike Jenkins (CB, South Florida)
Andy Reid hates drafting wide receivers and will again take a pass here. Instead, he will do what he’s good at and pick a good defensive player. The Eagles hit the jack-pot by prying Asante Samuel from New England, but may end up losing Lito Sheppard in the near future. Some say Mike Jenkins is the best corner in the draft and Philly will love the chance to add another top-flight cover man to their arsenal.

20 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – James Hardy (WR, Indiana)
Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard are a combined 68 years old, so getting young at wide receiver will be a top priority for the Bucs. James Hardy is a hit or miss prospect in my eyes, but his size (6-6, 220 lbs) and collegiate production (36 TD’s in three years) probably makes him the next receiver off the board.

21 – Washington Redskins – Phillip Merling (DE, Clemson)
The Skins made an unsuccessful push for Chad Johnson and would love if either Devin Thomas or James Hardy fell to them here. If not Phillip Merling should be their guy. Reports suggest Washington is in love with this player and he fills one of their glaring off season needs.

22 – Dallas Cowboys – Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas)
If Felix Jones was the primary back at a different school he would have been a top-ten pick. Instead, he split the backfield with Darren McFadden and still made All-American and 1st team All-SEC. His blinding speed would be the perfect compliment to Marion Barber and give the Cowboys a serious upgrade from the departed Julius Jones.

23 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College)
Taking the sixth offensive lineman only 23 picks into the draft will not excite Steeler fans. Even though they would love to go wide receiver here, protecting Big Ben is the more important task. Cherilus is the only first round prospect left on the board at this position and Pittsburgh has no choice but to make him a Steeler.

24 – Tennessee Titans – DeSean Jackson (WR, California)
DeSean Jackson was originally projected at the clear-cut #1 wide receiver entering the draft prior to the college season. A mediocre junior year saw his stock fall and his top-ten potential vanish. Still a first round talent, Tennessee will take a chance on his big-play ability while drastically improving their return game in the process.

25 – Seattle Seahawks – Fred Davis (TE, USC)
The Seahawks have been looking for a top-flight tight end throughout the entire Mike Holmgren era. As he enters his final year in Seattle, the task of finally securing a tight end will take center stage this weekend. Seattle has contacted the Giants about trading for Jeremy Shockey, but if that doesn’t get done expect Holmgren to grab the USC standout with his final 1st round pick as Seahawks coach.

26 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Kentwan Balmer (DT, UNC)
Jacksonville’s stout defense has suffered some major blows this off season. Marcus Shroud (traded to Buffalo), Sammy Knight (NYG), and Bobby McCray (Saints) have all left town. Jacksonville will probably use most of their early picks on that side of the ball, starting with the selection of Balmer to replace Shroud.

27 – San Diego Chargers – Jonathan Stewart (RB, Oregon)
The Chargers had a good thing going the past few years at running back with LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Turner in their backfield. On a team with very few needs the free agent departure of Turner to Atlanta makes running back their first order of business. With Jonathan Stewart still on the board this pick is easy, and their 1-2 punch is restored.

28 – Dallas Cowboys – Aqib Talib (CB, Kansas)
The Cowboys figured they would be deciding between Antoine Cason and Brandon Flowers at this point in the round. The fact that one of the big-four corners fell in their lap will make Jerry Jones a very happy man. Adding Pac Man Jones and a 1st round corner to a secondary that already features Terrance Newman and Anthony Henry should makes this unit borderline elite.

29 – San Francisco 49ers – Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)
After making Alex Smith the #1 pick in the 2005 draft he will be given every opportunity to show he can become the man in San Fran. With the 29th pick, the Niners will hope Smith’s learning curve is reduced by the addition of the massively talented Sweed.

30 – Green Bay Packers – Brandon Flowers (CB, Virginia Tech)
There was a show on the NFL Network not too long ago that argued for Brandon Flowers as the top CB in this draft. After watching him on film it’s easy to see him developing into a pro bowl player. Green Bay will make Flowers the fifth corner to come off the board, and they might be getting the best.


New England Patriots – FORFEITED
Quietly Bill Belichick is furious about this whole situation. The NFL made him forfeit this pick because of the Spy Gate scandal, which went along with the biggest fine in league history. With players like Jerod Mayo, Quentin Groves, Dan Connor and Kenny Phillips still available, Belichick and Scott Pioli will be cursing under their breath in the Pat’s War Room on Saturday.

31 – New York Giants – Jerod Mayo (LB, Tennessee)
If Mayo is still on the board the Giants will throw a party. This kid’s stock has been rising for weeks and many feel he will ultimately turn out to be one of the best defensive players taken in the entire draft. After losing both starting safeties and two linebackers from their SB defense, Mayo will ease the blow of their recent defects, as they look to defend their crown in 2009.