1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long OT Michigan
Jake Long is already signed. Thanks for the freebee Miami.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long DE/OLB Virginia
The Rams are looking for players that can run in their hybrid 4-3/3-4 defense and Long is just that person. Long has shown that he can succeed as a 3-4 DE and still pass-rush. That type of talent is rare. Long could play OLB or DE in a 3-4 or a DE in a 4-3. He is a pass-rushing expert that will improve on Leonard Little’s 1 sack and he has a constant motor that will drastically improve the Rams atrocious run defense.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
There is nothing exciting about drafting a DT with the 3rd overall, but Dorsey is a great DT. He didn’t make much in the way of big plays in the National Championship, but he definitely opened up many holes for others to make plays. Dorsey can be a fundamental part of Atlanta’s defense for a long time to come.
4. Oakland Raiders: Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State
Al Davis loves dynamic players and Gholston destroyed every workout he came up against. He is as strong a Jake Long and can jump higher than most corners. With Kelly in the middle and Gholston opposite Burgess, Oakland would actually have stability along a part of their team.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Albert G/OT Virginia
This has been a tough decision between Albert and Clady. Albert is versatile and a nasty run blocker, meanwhile Clady is a solid prospect at tackle who could immediately start at left tackle. However, I go with Albert’s versatility winning out.
6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden HB Arkansas
The Jets have a solid run-blocking O-line, a young QB, and a talented tandem back in Thomas Jones. The no-brainer pick is McFadden. His dynamic speed and vision can make an immediate impact on the Jets offense and help them stay competitive with the Pats…at least offensively.
7. New England Patriots: Sedrick Ellis DT USC
This is a difficult pick for me to swallow. The New England 3-4 is no place for young linebackers, so I rule Keith Rivers out. Corner could be a need, but free agent signings and a deep CB class make it a non-priority. A trade will probably occur here which will kill my mock draft, but if no trade happens, then Ellis seems to be the choice. The Pats have one of the better lines in the league, they should not be judged on how they performed in one game. Meanwhile Ellis can help a d-line that may be losing a lot of people in 2009. Ellis seems to be a very smart pick.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are both getting up there and are often injured. Pittsburgh and Cleveland will be opening up their offenses considerably making three good cornerbacks a necessity. McKelvin can make an immediate impact in Baltimore and can bring a future to this fearsome defensive unit. Matt Ryan may be taken, but I feel that is a horrible idea given that they already have two young QB’s, why add a third with the 8th overall pick?
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers OLB USC
The Bengals desperately need linebackers. Johnson left and even though Odell Thurman is returning, the rest of the linebacker corps is lackluster. Rivers could bring character, leadership, and talent to a decrepit defense. Derrick Harvey is also a possibility with the departure of Justin Smith, but look for Rivers to be the pick.
10. New Orleans Saints: Mike Jenkins CB USF
Quite frankly I think DRC is the more talented corner, but the Saints reportedly really like what Mike Jenkins brings to the table. He can help a corner group that looked lost and befuddled. However, they did sign Gay and drafted Young so corner may be a non-priority. However, no DT is rated high enough here so the Saints draft an eventual replacement for McKenzie.
11. Buffalo Bills: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
Buffalo has said it really would like a big WR, but there isn’t one with value here. They could trade down if they wanted or reach for Devin Thomas, but DRC has much better value at this pick. Considering how badly the Patriots devastated the Bills last year, a corner may be a good investment especially one as dynamic as DRC.
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady OT Boise State
Liepsis has retired and while Harris may be able to play the position, Clady can play it better. Clady fits perfectly with the running scheme in Denver and he will return them to their 1,000 yard RB factory form soon enough.
13. Carolina Panthers: Matt Ryan QB Boston College
Carolina apparently loves Matt Ryan. They are currently considering trading up if he falls far enough. It makes sense for the Panthers to draft a QB here because if they wait until second round a good QB probably will not be available. Ryan can come in and either learn from Delhomme or if Delhomme gets hurt again come in and immediately play. Ryan could help solidify the QB position for the Panthers considerably.
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
The Bears may want a half-back here, but a running back is useless if he does not have an offensive line to block for him. For that matter so is a QB. So, before the Bears try and add talent to the Offense, they should try and add to the foundation with Otah.
15. Detriot Lions: Jerod Mayo ILB Tennessee
Mayo is a new pick for my mock and I begrudgingly put him here (Dan Connor is the Man). The Lions really like Mayo. Harvey is a distinct possibility here as well, but Marinelli wants a solid draft and Mayo is just that, solid. Mendenhall is also a possibility, but the Lions may just be tired of drafting offensive players in the first. They can get a good running back in the second round, resign Kevin Jones, or sign Shaun Alexander if they want a running back.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
Edge rushed 1,222 yard last year and that’s great. Behind him in Arizona was J.J. Arrington with 78 yards and that is unfortunate. Mendenhall can come in and make a considerable impact and take the heat off of Edge. Mendenhall can also be yet another young, dynamic offensive player that could help make Arizona a young, fierce offense.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harvey DE Florida
Patience pays off for Kansas City. With the 5th overall they get their O-lineman and with this pick the Chiefs get Derrick Harvey. A lot of people project him to go higher than this, but if everything works out Kansas City can draft Jared Allen’s replacement here.
18. Houston Texans: Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
Steve Campbell of the Houston Chronicle said it better than I could ever say it: “If Vanderbilt left tackle Chris Williams falls to No. 18 and the Texans don't take him, then fans should riot at Reliant Stadium. Everybody in the organization should be buried alive. And after Smith is buried alive, he should NEVER WORK AGAIN IN THE NFL!”
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
Donovan Mcnabb has played brilliantly before. I know that Mcnabb is one of the best in the NFL. All he needs is a big receiver like TO to propel Mcnabb back into his former elite QB status. Devin Thomas can be that receiver. He can also help in the return game and be a pressure valve for Mcnabb when he is under pressure, reducing sacks and helping the durability of Mcnabb.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desean Jackson WR Cal
Jackson is Gruden’s boy. He can make an immediate impact on special teams and be a dynamic receiver with homerun capability every time he is on the field.
21. Washington Redskins: Philip Merling DE Clemson
The Skins sent a rather large contingent to visit Merling and they liked what they saw. Merling could help the pass-rush in Washington considerably. WR may be considered here, but the Skins will wait and draft a receiver later, or hold out for Chad Johnson.
22. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones RB Arkansas
The Cowboys need a WR and RB. The Cowboys also feel they need to win now and so they will look for players who can make an immediate impact. Felix Jones is not only the speedy RB that can compliment Marion the Barbarian, but he also is not hurt like Stewart. Sweed or Kelly could also be looked at here, but Dallas goes for Felix Jones here.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
I cannot believe I am making this pick! For two years I have been begging for Offensive Linemen and Cherilus is available! I would be ecstatic with that pick given the transition nature of Starks’ contract. However, Marvel Smith, Willie Colon, Trai Essex, and Max Starks make a full-house at tackle. I would like to see them grab Schuening from Oregon State or Rachal from USC in the second round. However, in this round Stewart has a rare combination of speed and power that could be immeasurably valuable to Pittsburgh. So many times we were unable to run out the clock and lost games. Stewart could bring back the smash mouth element of running to Pittsburgh as well as take some pressure off of Willie Parker.
24. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed WR Texas
Why not reunite Vince Young with a former target especially when the Titans have very little talent at WR. Sweed can bring Young back to National Championship form.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
Kerney dominated with a lackluster DT crew. Add Balmer and Kerney could reach whole new levels previously unreached by normal men. Seattle could also go for the size that Hardy brings to the table, but at the end of the day, Balmer will help make a fearsome defensive unit better all around.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Calais Campbell DE Miami
Jacksonville needs help along the D-line and Campbell is the best D-lineman available.
27. San Diego Chargers: Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
Cherilus fills the biggest need San Diego has in the wake of Shane Olivea’s departure. Safety and Corner may also be looked at, but Paul Oliver from UGA takes care of the corner problem and Cherilus fills the greater need.
28. Dallas Cowboys: James Hardy WR Indiana
The Cowboys need a WR and RB. The Cowboys also feel they need to win now and so they will look for players who can make an immediate impact. Hardy had three very productive years in which he broke about every receiving record Indiana ever had. He could also benefit under the tutelage of TO a receiver of the same build.
29. San Francisco: Dan Connor LB Penn State
Dan Connor is believed by some to be a better prospect than Posluszny was and if that is true, the 49ers would be crazy not to draft him and have Connor fill the void left by Derek Smith. Willis and Connor roaming the middle could destroy offenses for years to come.
30. Green Bay: Aqib Talib CB Kansas
If not for the Pot-Smoking, Talib would have been long gone, but Green Bay will be happy to get this steal and bring youth and a future to their secondary.
31. New York Giants: Kenny Phillips S Miami
Steve Spagnuolo really likes Phillips and his presence could help alleviate an oft burned secondary. Phillips could help the Giants Defense remain tough and improve it at the same time.
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