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TGM Trillionaire
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Latest Mock from the Toolbox
2008 NFL Mock Draft
by Eddie Griffin, Updated Monday, January 21, 2008
MIA Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
The Dolphins have an aging defense, and as they're looking to rebuild from the bottom up, Dorsey's a great place to start, because he'd bring a lot of energy, passion, and last but not least, talent to a defense - and a team - in need of a boost.
STL Jake Long, OT, Michigan
There are few more obvious picks in this draft than this one. The Rams' O-line was a mess this season due to injuries, so taking the best lineman on the board would be a very, very smart idea, just like drafting another Big Ten tackle with the #1 pick in the 1997 draft was. Whether or not he'll make seven Pro Bowls in 11 seasons like Orlando Pace, time will tell.
OAK Chris Long, DE, Virginia
I just don't see Al Davis passing on Howie's son, and not just because of the personal ties. The Raiders need help on offense, but mostly at receiver, where picking one here would be a stretch. On a defense that registered only 27 sacks, sack machine Long would be a huge addition.
ATL Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
The Falcons need a lot of things right now, but a QB is right at the top of the list. Before Bobby Petrino quit, I would have penciled in Brian Brohm here. Now, it's Ryan, who's got all the tools, both physical and intangible, to solve Atlanta's QB woes.
KC Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Clady is the second-best offensive lineman on the board, and with that being the Chiefs' biggest area of need, this one is a no-brainer as well. They could also go for defense, where they had their struggles stopping the run in '07.
NYJ Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
McFadden is also an option for Oakland, who might not want to hold on to Justin Fargas, and may not have enough faith in Lamont Jordan, and for Miami as well, but if he falls past those two, the Jets would consider themselves pretty lucky to grab him.
NE Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins would have fit here, but he elected to stay in school. So instead it's another Jenkins, who's a terrific cover corner. Off-field issues could drop him, however, and if so, Aqib Talib, Antoine Cason, or Leodis McKelvin would just as ably fill Asante Samuel's ball-hawking shoes if he leaves as a free agent.
BAL Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
The Ravens need a QB, because Steve McNair's too banged up, Kyle Boller's not the answer, and Troy Smith likely isn't either. So, it'll be either Brohm or Woodson, and I'll say they go for Brohm, who has been ready for the pros since he left the womb..
CIN Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The Bengals were decimated by injuries on defense, and registered only 22 sacks in 2007. Their pass rush would instantly improve with the addition of Gholston, who, with his size, speed, and strength, could be used at either end or outside linebacker. He had 14 sacks for the Buckeyes this past season, breaking Mike Vrabel's school record.
NO Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
The Saints had the #30 pass defense in the league this season, so it might be a bit of an understatement that they need help in the secondary, and Phillips fits the bill. He could play either safety or corner, but whatever position he plays, with his size, speed, cover skills, and nose for the ball will make him an immediate impact guy in the Saints' D.
BUF Keith Rivers, LB, USC
The Bills lack some firepower at receiver, but with several quality wideouts sure to be on the board in the second round, they're better suited to use their first pick on upgrading at weakside linebacker with the best at that position on the board in USC's Rivers, who would have been a first-rounder last year.
DEN Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Denver's defense struggled mightily this season after being one of the league's best for the last few seasons, which resulted in defensive coordinator Jim Bates getting a pink slip. Ellis would help improve a run defense that was one of the worst in the league, and also boost the Broncos' pass rush as well.
CAR Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
With Mike Rucker headed towards retirement and Julius Peppers having a subpar year, the Panthers managed only 23 sacks in 2007. Groves had only three sacks in '07, but recorded 23 QB hurries despite missing two games. Carolina could go for Florida's Derrick Harvey as well, but Groves' speed gives him the edge.
CHI Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Rex Grossman hasn't exactly set the world on fire in his time in Chicago, though injuries haven't aided his cause. Brian Griese isn't the long-term answer either, so with that in mind, the Bears need to find someone who is. It's an either/or between Woodson and Brohm, and with the Louisville star off the board at #8, his in-state counterpart falls to Chicago right here.
DET Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.
The Lions had one of the worst defenses in the league, which tripped up their hopes of fulfilling Jon Kitna's audacious prediction of 10 wins. Connor is the latest in the Penn St. linebacker assembly line, and while one person alone may not be able to clean up Detroit's defensive woes, a tackling machine who can make plays all over the field is a good place to start.
ARI Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
The Cardinals saw a great deal of improvement in Ken Whisenhunt's first season, going 8-8. But, their pass defense was rated near the bottom of the league Corners Antrel Rolle and Roderick Hood both made a lot of plays in the secondary, but gave up a lot as well. The easy choice is Cason, who won the Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back after picking off five passes and breaking up another 14 in '07.
MIN Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Minnesota had a solid defensive line in 2007, but it wasn't spectacular, as no lineman recorded more than five sacks. Harvey may need to put on a few pounds, but his 19.5 sacks in the last two seasons show just how productive he's capable of being on the next level.
HOU Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Stewart is both thunder and lightning - he's got the size and strength of a bruising power back, but he's got the game-breaking speed to run away from you after he runs through you. He's a triple threat, as a runner, receiver, and returner, so he'll give the Texans that big-play back that Houston fans (used to) wish they could have had in Reggie Bush.
PHI Sam Baker, OT, USC
Whoever is taking the snaps for the Eagles next year, may it be Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, or A.J. Feeley, is going to need to be upright, and not getting knocked on his behind 12 times. McNabb has said that the Eagles need weapons, which they could very well address here, but there'll be several quality options available in round 2.
TB DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard are no spring chickens, and after having a huge rookie season in 2004, Michael Clayton's potential has been curtailed by injuries over the last three years. The addition of Jackson would not only add a game-breaker to thr receiving corps, but Buccaneer fans also likely won't have to wait another 31 years to see a kickoff return for a touchdown.
WAS Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Andre Carter had a huge year with 10.5 sacks, but he was the brightest spot in the Redskins' defensive line. Campbell's stock may have fallen a little after following up a monster sophomore season with a relatively disappointing junior campaign, but the 6'8, 280 pound behemoth has the goods to anchor the left end for Washington for a long, long time.
DAL Reggie Smith, CB/S, Oklahoma
I'm sure Jacques Reeves is a great guy, but he's not the answer at cornerback if Terence Newman or Anthony Henry get hurt again. Smith is a big-time playmaker in the defense, and could not only take over at corner, but he could also slot in immediately at safety if Ken Hamlin doesn't stay in Dallas, or if the Cowboys jettison Roy Williams sooner or later.
PIT Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger had a career season in 2007, and Willie Parker was the NFL's leading rusher when he went out for the season in Week 15, but their injury-riddled offensive line was a liability, to say the least, giving up 47 sacks on the season. Otah is still a relatively raw prospect, but with his 6'6, 340 pound frame, he won't let opposing defenders get through to Big Ben very often.
TEN Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
It would be an understatement to say that the Titans could use some upgrades at receiver. Kelly might be the most athletic receiver in the draft. He has no qualms about going over the middle, and no catch seems to be impossible for him. And, he doesn't need both hands to make the catch either. He may not be a burner, but he isn't slow, by any means.
SEA Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
The past two seasons, Shaun Alexander has looked nothing like the MVP who led Seattle to the Super Bowl in the 2005 season, thanks in part to injury issues. With Alexander turning the 30 corner, it's time to look to the future. Mendenhall is not only a physical runner, but he's got the speed to break the big one on a regular basis on the ground and through the air.
JAX Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
If Paul Spicer leaves in the off-season, Merling could make an immediate impact on the Jaguars' defensive line. Merling had a huge junior season, recording 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 21 QB hurries, and decided to take his shot at the NFL. He projects as a second-round pick right now, but I think he'll work his way into the bottom of the first round.
SD Frank Okam, NT, Texas
The Chargers struggled against the run at times this season, most notably when they allowed Adrian Peterson to have an NFL-record afternoon. Okam is a great run-stopper, but he also has improved as a pass-rusher, recording five sacks in 2007. With him on the front line, teams won't have a chance of getting 296 yards like Peterson did.
DAL Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
It's no secret that Jerry Jones, an Arkansas alum, loves Darren McFadden. But, since Cleveland's success nixed any plans of getting McFadden, he'll have to 'settle' for Jones, who would be the perfect complement to Marion Barber's physical running style. Jones is not only fast, but he has some serious moves, and would make an already potent Dallas offense even more dangerous.
SF Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
Alex Smith needs targets, and adding a burner like Manningham would give the 49ers offense quite a spark. Manningham had a huge season, dominating Big Ten opposition to the tune of six 100-yard games and 10 touchdowns. All told, he had 72 catches, 1,114 yards, and 12 touchdowns. He's not big, but he's fast, and more importantly, he's productive, which is what San Fran's passing game needs right now.
GB Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Charles Woodson and Al Harris are both in their 30s, and Talib, who is considered as one of, if not the best, shutdown corner in the country, would be a future star in a secondary that's already one of the best in the league. He does get beaten every now and then, but hey, what defensive back doesn't?
NYG Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
McKelvin has shot up draft boards, both because of his speed and coverage skills, but also because he's one of the nation's top kick returners. Yes, the Giants drafted a corner in the first round last season, but as the playoffs have shown, you can never have enough depth at the position.
PATS FORFEIT #32
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