1 Month away mock

[Saint33]

Just the first round, brief explanations,


1. Mia - Chris Long | DE/OLB | Virginia

More and more I'm tempted to put Vernon Gholston here, but backed off because the Dolphins met in person with Chris Long, Jake Long and Matt Ryan, but not Gholston.

2. StL - Jake Long | OT | Michigan

I've had this pick penciled in since January. It's possible they look to Gholston or maybe Dorsey, but I just have that gut feeling that Jake will be the selection here.

3. Atl - Glenn Dorsey | DT | LSU

The consensus around the league is that teams aren't too worried about Dorsey's health. Mike Smith had John Henderson and Marcus Stroud in Jacksonville, and at the moment his best DT is Kindal Moorehead.

4. Oak - Vernon Gholston | DE | Ohio St.

Everyone knows that Al Davis loves the natural athletes. And although Darren McFadden fits that bill, he only has the size and speed aspects. Gholston is an all around athlete, with speed, strength, agility, etc. Also the Raiders were 5th last in the league in sacks last year, and 8 of those came from Chris Clemons, who is now an Eagle.

5. KC - Leodis McKelvin | CB | Troy

The Chiefs are going to have to reach for somebody here, and as of now the CBs on the roster consist of Patrick Surtain, 3 undrafted free agents, and a 6th round pick from last year who was cut before the season. I know the consensus on this board has Mike Jenkins as the #1 CB, but McKelvin was the most impressive CB at the SB, and at the combine on the field and in interviews.

6. NYJ - Darren McFadden | RB | Arkansas

The Jets are enamored with McFadden. If the Raiders don't take him, don't expect him to fall further than here.

7. NE - Derrick Harvey | DE/OLB | Florida

The Patriots have large needs at LB and in the secondary. They have added a number of players in the secondary through FA, but have yet to sign a single LB. After letting Rosevelt Colvin walk, the Pats will look to Harvey to replace him.

8. Bal - Matt Ryan | QB | Boston College

The Ravens are more than happy that Ryan falls to them. They can let him sit on the bench for a year, while Troy Smith, Kyle Boller and Steve McNair battle it out for the starting job in 2008.

9. Cin - Sedrick Ellis | DT | USC

Another easy pick, if Ellis is available, I don't see how the Bengals can pass on him.

10. NO - Mike Jenkins | CB | USF

The signing of Randall Gay this offseason reminds me a lot of the Jason David signing last season. A mediocre player overrated because of the team he played for. So the Saints look to Jenkins to start opposite Mike McKenzie and let Gay stay in the slot where he belongs.

11. Buf - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | CB | Tennessee St.

Probably the most overhyped player in the draft. He's raw, and it should be interesting to see how he preforms against NFL caliber receivers, something he never saw in college until the SB.

12. Den - Ryan Clady | OT | Boise St.

With the unexpected retirement of Matt Lepsis, the Denver o-line is now looking very troubling. Clady is a great fit for Denver's zone blocking scheme.

13. Car - Phillip Merling | DE | Clemson

Julius Peppers wants a new contract, but the Panthers don't seem willing to give it to him. There have been rumors of possibly trading him, but even if they don't the Panthers should be looking to address the position early. Merling and Charles Johnson could make a nice rotation opposite Peppers at DE.

14. Chi - Malcolm Kelly | WR | Oklahoma

With the departure of Bernard Berrian and the release of Mushin Muhammad WR has become a major need for the Bears here. The Bears will probably look to address the position here, it just depends who they like best, Kelly, DeSean Jackson, Limas Sweed, or Devin Thomas.

15. Det - Rashard Mendenhall | RB | Illinois

With the release of Kevin Jones, the Lions now have Tatum Bell as their starting RB. Mendenhall seems like a no-brainer here with Harvey and Merling off the board.

16. Ari - Keith Rivers | MLB | USC

The Cards would like one of the top 3 CBs to fall to them, and could possibly look to Aqib Talib here, but Rivers value is much too high to pass on, at a position of need.

17. Min - Jeff Otah | OT | Pitt

Minnesota's oline was one of the, if not the best last season. But now with the uncertainty of the futures of Bryant McKinnie and Matt Birk with the team, the Vikings will need to address the oline early. It doesn't seem Birk will be around after this season, and if McKinnie does stay put, Otah can be fit in at RT, and they can move Ryan Cook back to his natural position at C. If McKinnie's off field problems continue, then Otah can replace him at LT.

18. Hou - Aqib Talib | CB | Kansas

Houston's secondary is a mess at the moment. Dunta Robinson's future in the NFL is questionable, and Jacque Reeves is no more than a nickel corner, and a mediocre one at that. Talib is my favorite CB in this draft, and I actually hope the Vikings take him, but if he gets past Minni, then Houston will be more than happy to scoop him up.

19. Phi - Chris Williams | OT | Vanderbilt

Winston Justice was very disappointing when he filled in at LT. He still may be the future RT for the Eagles, but both starting tackles on Phili are nearing the ends of their careers. Williams can be the LT that they need for the future.

20. TB - Limas Sweed | WR | Texas

The Bucs will look most likely go with the best WR available, and it all depends on who they like. At this point, it's pretty much a toss up between the top 4 WRs, and Sweed would make a nice compliment to speedster Joey Galloway.

21. Was - DeSean Jackson | WR | Cal

Washington all ready has two small speedy WRs in Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El, so don't rule out James Hardy at this point. But Hardy is a bit of a reach at this point, and Jackson's added value on special teams makes him just too tempting to pass on.

22. Dal - Jonathan Stewart | RB | Oregon

Stewart's value has slipped a bit with his uncertainty of how fast he'll recover from his surgery, but Dallas is in a very safe position to take a chance on him. Even though they will probably Pacman Jones, Jerry Jones has said that they will go into the draft with the notion that he is not on the roster, so don't rule out going secondary here like Reggie Smith, Antoine Cason, or Brandon Flowers.

23. Pit - Brandon Albert | OG | Virginia

Personally I have Albert as a top 20 prospect, and with the departure of Alan Faneca, the Steelers would be more than happy if Albert were still on the board here.

24. Ten - Brandon Flowers | CB | Virginia Tech

Pacman Jones' is headed out the door, and that leaves Reynaldo Hill and Cortland Finnegan as their starting CBs. They just recently signed Chris Carr to an offer sheet, but even if that goes through, the Titans should be looking to add another corner to push for the starting job.

25. Sea - Kentwan Balmer | DT | NC

Seattle is probably the hardest pick for me in this draft. They could look to TE Dustin Keller, but that seems to be a bit of a reach here. Devin Thomas and Felix Jones are also possible, but the Seahawks backfield is pretty cluttered already, and their passing game was one of the best in the league last year. Kentwan Balmer, Rocky Bernard and Brandon Mebane make a very solid DT rotation.

26. Jac - Trevor Laws | DT | ND

This is a bit of a reach here, but trading away Marcus Stroud has left a big hole in the middle of Jacksonville's d-line. Laws isn't quite as big as Stroud, but he plays bigger than he is, and has a very solid motor. The Jags don't want to go into the season with Jimmy Kennedy or Rob Meier starting at DT.

27. SD - Reggie Smith | DB | Oklahoma

With departure of Drayton Florence and the release of Marlon McCree, the Chargers should be looking to their secondary with this pick. Reggie Smith gives them flexibility, as he can play safety or corner.

28. Dallas - Devin Thomas | WR | Michigan

Thomas will play the role that Terry Glenn no longer can in Dallas' offense. He's a speedy, reliable receiver and will make a solid counterpart to TO in the near future.

29. SF - Quentin Groves | DE/OLB| Auburn

Tully Banta-Cain was major disappointment last season, and the 49ers should be looking for a pass rushing OLB to start opposite Manny Lawson. They would have liked a WR or olineman to drop to them, but will have to settle for Groves.

30. GB - Antoine Cason | CB | Arizona

Green Bay will be going with either Cason or Flowers here, which ever one is still available. The signing of Brandon Chillar rules out going Penn St. LB Dan Connor.

31. NE - Forfeited | NA | Nowhere

Pick forfeited for being big fat cheaters

32. NYG - Dan Connor | OLB | Penn St.

With Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor leaving via FA, the Giants are more than happy Connor is still here. They could also look to Kenny Phillips here, but Connor is a better value.

[cubuffsman78]

The Chiefs don't have to reach at 5. I'd consider McKelvin a bit of a reach, but Ryan Clady isn't one and he arguably fills KC's biggest need. Also, I wouldn't say McKelvin had the best Senior Bowl at the CB position. DRC's was more productive.

I no longer believe Derrick Harvey is a 3-4 OLB prospect. He's going to be a great 4-3 DE, though.

Merling isn't a top 15 prospect anymore. He hasn't been able to work out for anyone and NFL teams get scared by what they haven't seen first hand. He's a late first round pick at best right now.

I think Chicago goes Mendenhall over a WR. I also don't think it's Kelly. He's starting to slip some. Rumor is Kelly isn't impressing in personal workouts.

I personally think Stewart will slip out of the top 25 because of the injury. The RB class is too deep. If it wasn't as deep, I'd say he'd still be picked this early. But why take a chance on a guy that has questions about how long the surgery will keep him out, when you can get another RB with great talent that doesn't have those concerns?

I'm not feeling the hype of Brandon Flowers being a 1st round pick. He's only 5'9 and slower than expected. Also, now there are rumors about his involvement in illegal activities.

I like the Laws to Jacksonville pick. I don't think Laws in the late first is a reach at all.

I'll be shocked if Devin Thomas is available the second time Dallas picks. Actually, most wll be shocked by how high I have Thomas being picked in my latest mock.

I still don't like seeing Connor picked so low. I think he's gone in the top 20 to 25 picks.

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by cubuffsman78 The Chiefs don't have to reach at 5. I'd consider McKelvin a bit of a reach, but Ryan Clady isn't one and he arguably fills KC's biggest need. Also, I wouldn't say McKelvin had the best Senior Bowl at the CB position. DRC's was more productive. I no longer believe Derrick Harvey is a 3-4 OLB prospect. He's going to be a great 4-3 DE, though. Merling isn't a top 15 prospect anymore. He hasn't been able to work out for anyone and NFL teams get scared by what they haven't seen first hand. He's a late first round pick at best right now. I think Chicago goes Mendenhall over a WR. I also don't think it's Kelly. He's starting to slip some. Rumor is Kelly isn't impressing in personal workouts. I personally think Stewart will slip out of the top 25 because of the injury. The RB class is too deep. If it wasn't as deep, I'd say he'd still be picked this early. But why take a chance on a guy that has questions about how long the surgery will keep him out, when you can get another RB with great talent that doesn't have those concerns? I'm not feeling the hype of Brandon Flowers being a 1st round pick. He's only 5'9 and slower than expected. Also, now there are rumors about his involvement in illegal activities. I like the Laws to Jacksonville pick. I don't think Laws in the late first is a reach at all. I'll be shocked if Devin Thomas is available the second time Dallas picks. Actually, most wll be shocked by how high I have Thomas being picked in my latest mock. I still don't like seeing Connor picked so low. I think he's gone in the top 20 to 25 picks.

injuries don't worry me as much when doing my mocks. The way I look at, is all it takes is one team to rely on field performance, and not worry so much about the injury. You may be right on the Stewart and Merling comments, but if I'm a GM, a sports hernia isn't enough to keep me from drafting a player of Merling's caliber.

And Derrick Harvey did put on weight so that he'd be more suited for a 4-3, but I don't think that will keep a team that runs a 3-4 from valuing him as rushing OLB. He looked very smooth at the combine flipping his hips in the LB drills, which is impressive since he did add the weight.

And I thought DRC and McKelvin both had great combines, but McKelvin just had this confidence about him that really impressed me. Its that same confidence that had a number of coaches raving about his interviews.

[kc5950]

I think the Pats would be more inclined to take a LB who could play inside. Though, the Harvey pick is a creative solution to the roadblock that is the Patriots this year, when creating a mock draft.

I agree that Seattle is a hard pick to project. I'm not a big fan of DT, but if Devin Thomas, Rashard Mendenhall, and Brandon Albert are off the board, its a definite possibility. I'd actually like to see them take a look at Brian Brohm if he's still there at 25.

[black19]

Moss, Randle-El, and Jackson. Has a nice ring; wont happen though.