Mock draft 2.0
By Vic Carucci | NFL.com
» Mock draft 1.0
Team Pick Analysis
1. Miami Dolphins
Chris Long
DE, Virginia It wouldn't be a shock to see the Dolphins go with a quarterback because their new decision-makers, led by Bill Parcells, could easily decide they need someone better than John Beck. But is that someone Boston College's Matt Ryan, the presumptive top quarterback in the draft? For now, that's not entirely clear because Ryan didn't throw at the NFL Scouting Combine or play in the Senior Bowl. In the meantime, Long looks to be as safe as any player who could be chosen in this spot. He's one of the most complete and NFL-ready defensive ends to emerge from the college ranks. He had a tremendous performance at the combine. He also has extremely high character.
Previous mock pick: Chris Long
Team Pick Analysis
2. St. Louis Rams
Jake Long
OT, Michigan After last year's 3-13 finish, the Rams have plenty of holes to fill. If the Dolphins pass on Chris Long, the Rams might very well grab him here. Otherwise, they figure to address their biggest problem area, the offensive line, which lost three starters (including tackle Orlando Pace) to season-ending injuries in 2007. Jake Long could very well be this year's Joe Thomas, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Long had a dominant collegiate career. He has an excellent combination of size, strength, and athleticism, all of which resulted in a highly impressive showing at the combine.
Previous mock pick: Jake Long
Team Pick Analysis
3. Atlanta Falcons
Glenn Dorsey
DT, LSU The Falcons need a quarterback, but this seems far too high to select anyone at the position in this draft. Dorsey's dominance should go a long way in allowing Mike Smith's defense-first mentality take hold. First, though, the Falcons will need to be satisfied that there are no lingering problems with Dorsey's tibia stress fracture that he said dates back to the summer of his junior season.
Previous mock pick: Matt Ryan
Team Pick Analysis
4. Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden
RB, Arkansas McFadden is probably the best player in the draft. Although the Raiders would have to take a long look at Dorsey if he were still available, they would have a hard time resisting an infusion of McFadden's world-class speed and game-breaking skills.
Previous mock pick: Glenn Dorsey
Team Pick Analysis
5. Kansas City Chiefs
Ryan Clady
OT, Boise State The Chiefs could easily go with Matt Ryan, if he's available, but they insist they are happy with incumbent starter Brodie Croyle and expect him to make major strides with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. They are desperate for help on the offensive line and at cornerback.
Previous mock pick: Aqib Talib
Team Pick Analysis
6. New York Jets
Vernon Gholston
DE, Ohio State Eric Mangini is desperate to put some teeth into his pass rush. Gholston, an exceptionally talented and versatile defensive end who had 22 ½ sacks for the Buckeyes the past two seasons, should fill nicely into the Jets' front.
Previous mock pick: Darren McFadden
Team Pick Analysis
7. New England Patriots (From San Francisco)
Leodis McKelvin
CB, Troy After losing Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, the Patriots have little choice but to rebuild themselves at cornerback.
Previous mock pick: Quentin Groves
Team Pick Analysis
8. Baltimore Ravens
Matt Ryan
QB, Boston College This could be a reach, although the Ravens do need to a quarterback to lead them in the post-Brian Billick era. Cornerback also is a distinct possibility here.
Previous mock pick: Mike Jenkins
Team Pick Analysis
9. Cincinnati Bengals
Sedrick Ellis
DT, USC Ellis adds a big, strong, athletic force that the middle of the Bengals' defense needs.
Previous mock pick: Vernon Gholston
Team Pick Analysis
10. New Orleans Saints
Dominique
Rodgers-Cromartie
CB, Tennessee St. Rodgers-Cromartie's monster performance at the combine has caused his draft stock to soar, and the Saints just might be willing to take a little bit of a gamble on this small-college prospect. It also doesn't hurt that he is a cousin to one of the best corners in the NFL, Antonio Cromartie.
Previous mock pick: Keith Rivers
Team Pick Analysis
11. Buffalo Bills
Malcolm Kelly
WR, Oklahoma The Bills need a big, athletic complement to Lee Evans. Although a quadriceps injury prevented the 6-foot-4 Kelly from participating in combine drills, he looks to be the right choice to help bring much-needed improvement for their passing game.
Previous mock pick: Malcolm Kelly
Team Pick Analysis
12. Denver Broncos
Chris Williams
OT, Vanderbilt The Broncos' offseason shopping addressed a variety of defensive needs and wide receiver. That would seem to make offensive tackle an obvious spot for this pick. And who better to protect Jay Cutler's blind side than the man who once did so for him in college?
Previous mock pick: DeSean Jackson
Team Pick Analysis
13. Carolina Panthers
Keith Rivers
LB, USC The Panthers would be happy to fill a crying need with one of the better tackles in a draft that has exceptional depth at the position.
Previous mock pick: Ryan Clady
Team Pick Analysis
14. Chicago Bears
Jeff Otah
OT, Pittsburgh Otah's skills are a little raw, but he has excellent size (6-5, 339 pounds) and athletic ability.
Previous mock pick: Chris Williams
Team Pick Analysis
15. Detroit Lions
Mike Jenkins
CB, South Florida Picking up Leigh Bodden from Cleveland was a first step in fixing the Lions' cornerback problems. Adding Jenkins is another one.
Previous mock pick: Jeff Otah
Team Pick Analysis
16. Arizona Cardinals
Rashard Mendenhall
RB, Illinois The Cardinals need a big-play running back to consistently provide the balance Ken Wisenhunt wants to incorporate in his offense. Edgerrin James, 29, is getting too old to be that player anymore.
Previous mock pick: Rashard Mendenhall
Team Pick Analysis
17. Minnesota Vikings
Derrick Harvey
DE, Florida With Erasmus James still bothered by knee trouble and Kenechi Udeze undergoing treatment for leukemia, the Vikings need an edge rusher who can make an immediate impact.
Previous mock pick: Derrick Harvey
Team Pick Analysis
18. Houston Texans
Jonathan Stewart
RB, Oregon The Texans need a feature running back, and Stewart should fit that role nicely.
Previous mock pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Team Pick Analysis
19. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenny Phillips
S, Miami Phillips' athleticism and ability to be as effective against the run as he is in coverage make him a nice complement to Brian Dawkins.
Previous mock pick: Kenny Phillips
Team Pick Analysis
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson
WR, California The Buccaneers need playmakers, and Jackson gives them a good one. They also could use some help for their offensive line, but Jon Gruden is likely to go with a receiver first.
Previous mock pick: Mario Manningham
Team Pick Analysis
21. Washington Redskins
Calais Campbell
DE, Miami The Redskins want an infusion of youth on their defensive line. Campbell, who is entering the draft as a junior, figures to provide plenty of explosiveness as a pass rusher.
Previous mock pick: Calais Campbell
Team Pick Analysis
22. Dallas Cowboys (From Cleveland)
Justin King
CB, Penn State King's speed and athleticism provide a very workable foundation for the Cowboys to utilize at a position of need.
Previous mock pick: Leodis McKelvin
Team Pick Analysis
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Branden Albert
G, Virginia Not a whole lot to analyze here. Alan Faneca is gone, so the Steelers replace him with another player who fits their big, physical prototype for an offensive lineman.
Previous mock pick: Branden Albert
Team Pick Analysis
24. Tennessee Titans
Limas Sweed
WR, Texas The Titans want to give quarterback Vince Young more weapons, and his former Longhorn teammate would give him a big, athletic target.
Previous mock pick: Limas Sweed
Team Pick Analysis
25. Seattle Seahawks
Devin Thomas
WR, Michigan State The acquisition of Julius Jones takes care of the Seahawks' running back need. Now, they can focus on getting another high-impact target for Matt Hasselbeck.
Previous mock pick: Jonathan Stewart
Team Pick Analysis
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Phillip Merling
DE, Clemson Merling is more of a complete end than his former college teammate, Tampa Bay's Gaines Adams, but he should give the Jaguars' pass rush a much-needed boost.
Previous mock pick: Phillip Merling
Team Pick Analysis
27. San Diego Chargers
Brandon Flowers
CB, Virginia Tech It will be difficult to fill needs this low in the draft because the risk of reaching figures to be so much greater. But the Chargers would seem to be making a solid choice with Flowers.
Previous mock pick: Gosder Cherilus
Team Pick Analysis
28. Dallas Cowboys
Felix Jones
RB, Arkansas Jones might not be the Arkansas running back the Cowboys hoped to get, but trading up to land McFadden is too costly, both in terms of draft picks and guaranteed dollars for the more prominent Razorback. The Cowboys won't be disappointed with the other one, though. He should make an immediate impact as a runner and pass-catcher.
Previous mock pick: Felix Jones
Team Pick Analysis
29. San Francisco 49ers (From Indianapolis)
Gosder Cherilus
OT, Boston College Cherilus' draft stock has been climbing steadily since his impressive performance in the Senior Bowl, where the 49ers' coaches saw him first-hand.
Previous mock pick: Devin Thomas >
Team Pick Analysis
30. Green Bay Packers
Jerod Mayo
LB, Tennessee The Packers are likely to use this pick to address the team's future rather than trying to fill an immediate need. They could easily go with an offensive tackle if a good one happens to fall this far. Linebacker and cornerback are also possibilities.
Previous mock pick: Fred Davis
Team Pick Analysis
31. New York Giants
Dan Connor
OLB, Penn State The Giants would like to move outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end, his natural position. Connor would allow them to do so while adding a smart, hard-working, competitive player Tom Coughlin loves on his team.
Previous mock pick: Dan Connor
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Originally Posted by LRtagger
