m2karateman's first 2008 mock draft

Now that the NFL season is half way through, many people begin to postulate regarding the 2008 NFL Draft. I am no exception. As a result, I have put together a first round mock for your review. Feel free to comment. Be nice.......after all, it's just a mock.

2008 NFL Mock Draft v1.0

1 Dolphins DT Glenn Dorsey LSU
The Dolphins took John Beck, so QB shouldn’t be a need here. Jake Long could be the pick, as Vernon Carey is hardly the answer at left tackle, and Long is considered to be as good or better prospect than Cleveland’s Joe Thomas. No other players would really be considered here. I would suspect Miami would strongly consider a trade down, since they have tremendous needs at many spots.

2 Rams OT Jake Long Michigan
Orlando Pace is starting to show the wear and tear that comes from facing stud defensive ends for years. Long could be groomed at right tackle and eventually move over when Pace finally retires or the Rams trade or release him.

3 NY Jets RB Darren McFadden Arkansas
Thomas Jones hasn’t shown the pizzazz he did his last two seasons in Chicago, and Leon Washington is certainly not the answer. While the Jets could use help in different areas, watching the impact Adrian Peterson had in Minnesota will sway Mangini to get the long term answer at running back and help take heat off second year QB Kellen Clemens in 2008.

4 Patriots (SF) DE Chris Long Virginia
Long has a great pedigree and is a perfect fit for the 3-4 DE spot. Richard Seymour is still a great player, but age is starting to take its toll. Long would be a great fit in the locker room, and could be brought along slowly. I would expect that in reality, the Pats trade out of this spot.

5 Bengals DE Calais Campbell Miami, FL
The Bengals have a need for an accomplished pass rusher. Though they would love to land a top linebacker here, pass rusher is a need as well and Campbell is a force to be reckoned with. Despite his attendance at The U, he is not a character problem, something Marvin Lewis needs to avoid.

6 Falcons QB Andre Woodson Kentucky
The Mike Vick era, and saga, are over. Time to move on, and Bobby Petrino needs to get a franchise QB under center quickly. Many would feel Brian Brohm would be the pick, but Woodson is the better athlete and has a phenomenal arm. How many thought Leinart would go to Tennessee instead of Vince Young because of Norm Chow being a Titans coach?

7 Raiders LB Keith Rivers USC
Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are solid linebackers, but Sam Williams is mediocre at best. Rivers is a top notch prospect that will pay immediate dividends for the Silver and Black Attack. Rivers can play the strong side, but likely the Raiders will move Howard to the SAM spot and let Rivers roam at the WILL.

8 Cardinals FS Kenny Phillips Miami, FLA
Terrence Holt was never going to be the answer at free safety in Phoenix. Adrian Wilson is an elite strong safety, but the Cardinals would love to put someone next to him that is equally as dangerous. Phillips is the real deal, and is drawing comparisons to LaRon Landry.

9 Vikings QB Matt Ryan Boston College
Adrian Peterson can’t do it alone. The sub-standard receiving corps in Minnesota is only worsened by the quarterbacks they have on the roster. Ryan is a natural leader who is highly competitive and makes the people around play better. That’s exactly the type of quarterback the Vikings need to have now.

10 Broncos OT Michael Oher Mississippi
While it’s been the defense that has hurt the team in 2007, the offensive line needs some revamping to protect Jay Cutler. Oher, should he decide to declare, could be the second tackle taken after Jake Long. He is big but has great balance and quickness, and would be able to move into the right tackle spot immediately before moving over when Matt Lepsis is ready to move on.
11 Bears QB Brian Brohm Louisville
Rex Grossman is done in Chicago, I believe. But Brian Griese is certainly not the answer, and Kyle Orton is a career backup. I am of the opinion that Brohm is another Grossman, but others have a far different outlook for him. I suspect that Jerry Angelo will feel the need to make this pick, as no other positions are really as in poor a shape as the signal caller spot.

12 Eagles LB James Laurinaitis Ohio State
Widely considered to be one of the top linebacking prospects to come out in the past few years, Laurinaitis is considered by some to be a better prospect than Patrick Willis was last year. The Eagles need a top flight middle linebacker, something Omar Gainther is not.

13 Texans RB Steve Slaton West Virginia
It will be interesting to see if Slaton even comes out after the Mountaineers have had a down season. Still, it would be a smart move if he did, because the injury risk is just too great and it would be hard to get better value than he carries right now. The Texans need someone in the backfield, because Ahman Green is pretty much used up and Ron Dayne certainly isn’t the right player for this offense.

14 Seahawks DT Sedrick Ellis USC
The Seahawks could consider a wide out prospect here, but they really do need to upgrade along the defensive front. Ellis is a four down player, capable of stopping the run and rushing the passer very well. He lacks ideal height, but makes up for it in quickness, leverage and sheer determination.

15 Saints LB Dan Connor Penn State
Dan Connor is considered to be a better prospect than Paul Posluzny was last season, and “Puzz” was playing at a high level when he was injured and had to be put on the IR list in Buffalo. The Saints would have loved to get Sedrick Ellis, but since he’s off the board they will go with the next best defensive prospect available to them.

16 Ravens OT Ryan Clady Boise State
The Ravens need to find their next Jon Ogden in a hurry, and Clady may just be the person they are looking for. A huge man with great technique and a mean streak. The Ravens could elect to pick a cornerback since that is a need as well, but a quality left tackle doesn’t come along as often as a quality corner.

17 Chiefs OT Sam Baker USC
Sam Baker could turn out to be the best tackle in this draft, but he does have some issues to deal with. Despite that, the Chiefs will take a chance on him, because in reality they have no other choice. Baker is polished and has what it takes to be a great tackle on either side of the center, but he needs to make sure his off-field life doesn’t hurt his chances to have a stellar NFL career.

18 Bills CB Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State
If the Buckeyes win the National Championship, I have little doubt Jenkins will declare. The Bills have had good luck with Ohio State defensive backs in the past, and they will smile at their fortune here if Jenkins falls to them.

19 Panthers WR DeSean Jackson California
The Panthers could really use a quarterback to groom, since David Carr is not the answer and Jake Delhomme is not getting any younger. But with no real prospects available, getting another solid wide receiver isn’t such a bad idea. Jackson is a great athlete who could pair quite nicely with Steve Smith or be used in the slot to allow Dwayne Jarrett some starting time and move Keary Colbert into the fourth receiver role.

20 Cowboys (CLE) WR Early Doucet LSU
Terry Glenn is probably done for, and Terrell Owens is getting along. Patrick Crayton is a solid talent, but would be better left as the slot receiver. Doucet is a talented receiver who could step in as a starter immediately and give Tony Romo another quality target.

21 Buccaneers DE Derrick Harvey Florida
Even with last years first round selection Gaines Adams, the Bucs need to continue adding rushers for this defense. Defensive tackle or offensive tackle could be considered, but Harvey is too good a prospect to pass up, as he has been a terror for two years for the Gators defense.

22 Chargers WR Adarius Bowman Oklahoma State
Despite trading their second round pick for Chris Chambers, the Chargers are still in need of receiving help. Bowman is just too good to pass up at this spot, and his size and speed combination are not something that come along everyday.

23 Jaguars DE Quentin Groves Auburn
Despite the coaching staff at Auburn moving him to OLB, Groves can add muscle and bulk for the NFL and play defensive end in a 4-3 alignment. Groves is a solid pass rusher and has shown he is willing to do what it takes to win for his team. Exactly the type of player Jack Del Rio wants on his squad.

24 Redskins DT Frank Okam Texas
While the Redskins have shown improvement in their pass rush from 2006, they still are in need of a talented interior defensive lineman. Okam is a big strong player capable of stuffing the run and collapsing the pocket alike. Offensive tackle could be a consideration as well, but Okam fills a greater need and has the talent to be a value here.

25 Lions CB Michael Jenkins South Florida
The Lions starting pair of cornerbacks aren't as solid as their numbers would indicate, and Fernando Bryant has an injury history. Jenkins has prototypical size and tackling ability for the corner in a Tampa Two defensive scheme. His speed may be a question mark, but his work ethic and natural abilities are something Rod Marinelli will covet.

26 Titans CB Justin King Penn State
It is highly doubtful that Jeff Fisher will want "Pac-man" back on his roster, despite what his team mates may say to the media. Jones has proven to be a distraction to this team and has tarnished a fine season by the Titans thus far. While getting a receiver may be what some people think they should do, the Titans want to strengthen their secondary and add depth with King.

27 NY Giants OT Gosder Cherilus Boston College
Dave Diehl has done an admirable job stepping in at the left tackle spot, but with Cherilus still on the board the Giants envision moving Diehl back to the left guard spot and securing the LT position for years to come. The Giants could consider a DT here, but none are worthy of this high a pick and keeping Eli Manning healthy is the point of focus.

28 Steelers CB Reggie Smith Oklahoma
Reggie Smith could come in and play cornerback, or the Steelers could elect to move him to safety, where Reggie played earlier in his collegiate career. Smith's versatility makes him a bargain here and will help the Steelers solidify a secondary that can be disappointing at times.

29 Packers RB Felix Jones Arkansas
Many may feel this is a reach, but one must understand that Jones is putting up great numbers while sharing time with Darren McFadden. Much like Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams, these two are pro quality players, and Jones is definitely first round talent. Mike Hart is small and doesn't have break away speed. Jonathan Stewart is a consideration, but I feel he's already peeked and Jones has less wear and tear on him.

30 49ers (IND) WR Mario Manningham Michigan
Limas Sweed is still on the board, but his injury history is too much of a concern. Though he's had nagging injuries in his career, Manningham hasn't suffered any season ending types. Though not the preferred size of a top wideout, Manningham has great speed and leaping ability, along with great body control to adjust to the pass. If he declares, this would be a solid pick for the 'niners.

31 Cowboys CB Antoine Cason Arizona
The Cowboys aren't real happy with their cornerback situation. Anthony Henry is inconsistent and Terrence Newman is injury prone. Cason doesn’t have great top end speed, but he is a playmaker and has great feel for the position. With the ‘boys getting a wide receiver with an earlier pick, this position is the next in line for getting some help.

32 Patriots Forfeited pick due to “Video-Gate”