Porky's Mock Draft #2

[porky88]

I'm bored so I decided to put together a quick post combine mock draft. I admit it might be a little off in some areas. I haven't looked at all the results and I still have some combine hours on my DVR. I had that mock draft itch though so had to make one.

1. Miami Dolphins - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

I really have no idea what the Dolphins are going to do. Nobody has really taken the top spot in this draft. Right now I see 4 guys in the mix and when you need a QB, usually that's the pick so Matt Ryan it is.

2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia

This will be either Jake or Chris Long. Chris Long is a better prospect so he gets the nod.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

If Ryan goes #1 then the Falcons will focus all their attention on Darren McFadden.

4. Oakland Raiders - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Raiders need help everywhere and Dorsey is as good as a DT prospect as we've had in quite a while.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

If Jake Long falls to the Chiefs, Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson may make the fastest pick in the history of the Draft.

6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Jets will look at Ellis and Gholston here. One thing New England always did was pick defensive lineman with their 1st pick and it's about time the Jets do just that. Ellis in my opinion is worth the pick.

7. New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State

Patriots need help at linebacker and Gholston looked like a top 10 pick at the NFL combine.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

McKelvin is not the #1 CB on my board but I thought he ran real well at the combine and I projected him here last month so no change.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

Bengals will reach for a replacement for Justin Smith. I think they may end up moving up for Sedrick Ellis.

10. New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

Saints are a tricky team to project because they may land Asante Samuel in free agency. If they do then I think they look elsewhere but if they don't then Jenkins is my current projection.

11. Buffalo Bills - Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

I want to put him in my top 10. If DRC went to a BCS school he'd be a top 10 pick for sure. He may even sneak into the top 10. Might be a little high but Buffalo reached for Donte Whitner, Johm McCargo, and some argue Marshawn Lynch was a bit of a reach. I'm driving the DRC train so I suggest you get on.

12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Needs to get a lot stronger and could drop because of that but is a perfect fit for Denver's zone blocking scheme.

13. Carolina Panthers - Keith Rivers, LB, USC

Beason did well at inside last year but the outside could use an upgrade. They franchised Jordan Gross so that opened the door for someone like Rivers.

14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Cedrick Benson is a bust and won't cut it. Mendenahll would be a popular pick and I think he's worth it.

15. Detroit Lions - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Lions need help everywhere. CB is one of many needs and I believe Talib is a top 20 talent.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

His pro day will be very important because I could see going as high as #9 with a nice workout.

17. Minnesota Vikings - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

You heard all of last year that Brad Childress doesn't want a 1st round receiver but the need is so big, he won't be that stubborn. Will he? I think Brian Brohm could be a sleeper pick here if they want to go away from Jackson.

18. Houston Texans - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

If the Texans sign Michael Turner then obviously they'll look elsewhere. If they don't, then RB is a need and Stewart could pair with Ahman Green to give them a respectable duo.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Desean Jackson, WR, California

Donovan McNabb wants playmakers and Jackson arguably is the best one in the draft. Size is a concern but he makes up for it in speed.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Chris Williams has to much value here to pass up in my opinion and pairing him and Joseph on the left side would give the Buccaneers a nice young duo there.

21. Washington Redskins - Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

Big receiver that would fit into the West Coast offense.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

If the Cowboys lose Adams they'll need to look towards the offensive line. Otah didn't workout that well at the combine but he was also hurt and would help himself with a nice pro day.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Branden Albert, OG, Virgina

It's a reach but every year a guard always sneaks his way into the 1st round and this year Albert is probably be that guy. Steelers have a huge need on their offensive line so this reach would make sense.

24. Tennessee Titans - Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan

Very productive at Michigan and the Titans need some help for Vince Young. 40 time is a concern though and he could drop because of it.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

I don't think Seattle is going to get a chance at Stewart or Mendenahll so they may have to settle for Felix who has as much ability as any back in the draft.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

Liked him over Campbell before the combine. Campbell didn't do anything to change my mind.

27. San Diego Chargers - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

I don't see many needs on the Chargers roster. Connor is very versatile and gives the Chargers a lot of options at LB.

28. Dallas Cowboys - Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma

Can play safety or corner and fills Dallas' biggest need in my opinion.

29. San Francisco 49ers - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami FL

49ers continue to strengthen a defense that is young and improving.

30. Green Bay Packers - Fred Davis, TE, USC

Fred Davis has a lot riding on his pro day. Depending what he does there he could go to a team like Philly or fall to mid to late round 2.

31. New York Giants - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Best player available and he only strengthens their defensive line.

[cubuffsman78]

I like Chris Long first more than ever now. I think he showed himself as a great fit for the Dolphins' defensive scheme.

DRC is obviously a first round pick and I think he's in the top 20. You might be right about him being in the top 10 had he gone to a BCS school. However, we don't know how he'd perform facing that quality of receiver week after week and not just for a weekend like at the Senior Bowl. It might not be fair, but he's punished for that. I think 4 CBs could be taken in the top 20 like you do. I dunno about in the top 11 tho.

Don't know that Merling fits a 3-4 style of defense. His skills strike me more of a 4-3 DE.

Manningham plummets on my board. I think he'll be fortunate to be drafted in the second round right now.

I put Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles ahead of Felix Jones. I thought Jones would be faster and both Johnson and Charles are better interior runners.

Why so low on Kenny Phillips? He's still a top 20 pick.

[porky88]

Originally Posted by cubuffsman78 I like Chris Long first more than ever now. I think he showed himself as a great fit for the Dolphins' defensive scheme. DRC is obviously a first round pick and I think he's in the top 20. You might be right about him being in the top 10 had he gone to a BCS school. However, we don't know how he'd perform facing that quality of receiver week after week and not just for a weekend like at the Senior Bowl. It might not be fair, but he's punished for that. I think 4 CBs could be taken in the top 20 like you do. I dunno about in the top 11 tho. Don't know that Merling fits a 3-4 style of defense. His skills strike me more of a 4-3 DE. Manningham plummets on my board. I think he'll be fortunate to be drafted in the second round right now. I put Chris Johnson and Jamaal Charles ahead of Felix Jones. I thought Jones would be faster and both Johnson and Charles are better interior runners. Why so low on Kenny Phillips? He's still a top 20 pick.

You're right on Merling. Forgot about the Cards 3-4 situation there.

I think Manningham is going to be tough to project. He was productive and plays faster than his timed speed. I could see him in the late 1st to a team like the titans because of the desperate need there or I could see him in round 2. I don't think he falls to round 3 though.

I really like Chris Johnson too. Felix in my opinion is the #4 RB. I think the top 3 are clear cut right now. They really showed something at the combine. Felix to me stood out as the next best. Johnson seems more like a compliment to a power back. Packers actually could be an interesting fit for him. He's rising on my board too. Just not ahead of Felix.

I'm not high on Kenny Phillips at all. Didn't like him that much at the combine. He wasn't even close to being as good as advertised. He's a lot of hype but in my opinion leaves a lot to be desired. I do think his upside is going to catch on though and ultimately he could end up going top 20 or even Washington could take a strong look at him. Not ready to project him that high though.

I don't believe teams are going to hesitate on DRC at all. He's so similar to Antonio that you would think they were twins. I think DRC is the real deal. My #1 CB and I won't be shocked at all to see him go to New England at #7.

[sommerSD]

And I was hoping before the combine that R-C would fall to the Chargers...too good of a workout.

Finally someone else with Chicago=RB

I just dont see Brohm falling out of the first...

SD recently signed Derek Smith...not a starter-caliber player, but creates a formidable 3 ILB rotation, so Conner is not a pick there...It will be Balmer, Smith or Phillips, if they fall as you expect...

[Kevman21]

If Jake Long falls to the Chiefs, Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson may make the fastest pick in the history of the Draft.

I think they will still use close to the full time

[cubuffsman78]

Originally Posted by sommerSD SD recently signed Derek Smith...not a starter-caliber player, but creates a formidable 3 ILB rotation, so Conner is not a pick there...It will be Balmer, Smith or Phillips, if they fall as you expect...

I disagree about Smith. I think he's a starter in San Diego. He's still more than capable of producing at the position.

[kc5950]

I debated Brandon Albert to the Steelers in my own, and I did 3 rounds without them taking a guard, I'm a little disappointed in that, but I like that pick.

I also have Mendenhall to the Bears, another pick I like. I really like the prospect of two Illinois guys, my boy from last year, and my boy from this year, Wolfe and Mendenhall, sharing passing and running downs.

I don't think Brohm falling out of the first is completely unreasonable, but probably unlikely.

My top 7 looks alot different than yours, but thats because my 1st pick is Chris Long. If Matt Ryan goes #1 I'd tend to agree with yours.

I have Connor to SD also, I know Derek Smith is there, but I imagine A.J. Smith is tired of a revolving door of mediocre vets.

[porky88]

Originally Posted by kc5950 I debated Brandon Albert to the Steelers in my own, and I did 3 rounds without them taking a guard, I'm a little disappointed in that, but I like that pick. I also have Mendenhall to the Bears, another pick I like. I really like the prospect of two Illinois guys, my boy from last year, and my boy from this year, Wolfe and Mendenhall, sharing passing and running downs. I don't think Brohm falling out of the first is completely unreasonable, but probably unlikely. My top 7 looks alot different than yours, but thats because my 1st pick is Chris Long. If Matt Ryan goes #1 I'd tend to agree with yours. I have Connor to SD also, I know Derek Smith is there, but I imagine A.J. Smith is tired of a revolving door of mediocre vets.

The thing about Brohm is, I expect him to fall to late round 1 but nobody in the later part of round 1 really needs a QB. Maybe the 49ers but I don't think they'd take him.

What I think is going to happen is someone is going to give a 1st rounder in next years draft or a package of picks in this years draft to a team with a late 1st round pick and they'll take Brohm. Ravens would be one to watch.

[kevmvp]

I like the Jets pick but your reason behind it doesnt make sense. The Jets have spent plenty of first round picks on Defensive Lineman. John Abraham, Shaun Ellis, Dewayne Robertson, and Bryan Thomas have all been picked by the Jets in the first round since 2000.

[porky88]

Originally Posted by kevmvp I like the Jets pick but your reason behind it doesnt make sense. The Jets have spent plenty of first round picks on Defensive Lineman. John Abraham, Shaun Ellis, Dewayne Robertson, and Bryan Thomas have all been picked by the Jets in the first round since 2000.

I was talking about the Mangini era.