Mock Draft Review

Miami Dolphins

1. Projected Pick: Jake Long OT Michigan
2. Actual Pick: Jake Long OT Michigan
3. This was a freebee, but it still counts. Jake Long will immediately help the running game and protect whoever Miami’s QB is.

St. Louis Rams

1. Projected Pick: Chris Long DE/OLB Virginia
2. Actual Pick: Chris Long DE/OLB Virginia
3. Long is a very versatile defender that will definitely improve the Rams’ number of sacks and his constant motor will help them against the run. Many inside St. Louis wanted Dorsey, but Long perfectly fits their hybrid 4-3/3-4 system.

Atlanta Falcons

1. Projected Pick: Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
2. Actual Pick: Matt Ryan QB Boston College
3. I like Matt Ryan and the Falcons did need a QB, but I still think they could have waited and gotten a good QB later on in the draft. Dorsey would have had great value and filled a pressing need. I like Matt Ryan; he has all of the tangibles of a franchise QB, but I seriously question his decision making ability. 19 interceptions in his senior year worries me.

Oakland Raiders

1. Projected Pick: Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State
2. Actual Pick: Darren McFadden HB Arkansas
3. One ESPN analyst said that the Pittsburgh Pirates are as bad as it gets in Baseball and the Oakland Raiders are as bad as it gets in football. When the Raiders have so many problems one would think that any one of those areas would be a good area to draft in. However, Oakland decided that it was necessary to land the dynamic McFadden to improve their top ten running game! One can’t complain really because McFadden will help Oakland, but at what cost?

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Projected Pick: Branden Albert G/OT Virginia
2. Actual Pick: Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
3. Kansas City’s D-line would have been it trouble with just Tamba Hali weighing down the end spot. The Chiefs later picked up Albert so I had their first round figured out. They needed a DL and an OL. I had Albert and Harvey, but one can’t argue with the combo of Dorsey and Albert. These two plus Flowers and all of the other rookies Kansas City drafted will go a long way towards rebuilding this team.

New York Jets

1. Projected Pick: Darren McFadden HB Arkansas
2. Actual Pick: Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State
3. The Raiders took Run DMC so Gholston makes a lot of sense. He will help the Jets pass-rush considerably.

New Orleans Saints

1. Projected Pick: 10^th Overall Mike Jenkins CB USF
2. Actual Pick: 7^th Overall Sedrick Ellis DT USC
3. If I was able to mock trades this would have been one of them. The Saints most pressing need was DT and they got a great one in Ellis.

Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Projected Pick: 26^th Overall Calais Campbell DE Miami
2. Actual Pick: 8^th Overall Derrick Harvey DE Florida
3. I had the position right, but I did not see Jacksonville trading all the way up here, but it works out or them. Derrick Harvey is the 3^rd best DE in this draft and will greatly improve Jacksonville’s already fierce D-line.

Cincinnati Bengals

1. Projected Pick: Keith Rivers OLB USC
2. Actual Pick: Keith Rivers OLB USC
3. The Bengals needed a defensive player and Rivers was the best available.

New England Patriots

1. Projected Pick: 7^th Overall Sedrick Ellis DT USC
2. Actual Pick: 10^th Overall Jared Mayo ILB Tennessee
3. I did not think that Belichick’s linebacker corps had room for the young, but I was wrong. Mayo will probably play the interior enabling Adailus Thomas to play the OLB spot he naturally dominates at.

Buffalo Bills

1. Projected Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St.
2. Actual Pick: Leodis Mckelvin CB Troy
3. The Bills needed a large receiver and a corner. I had the position right, but Mckelvin is a better corner right now than DRC and so is the logical choice.

Denver Broncos

1. Projected Pick: Ryan Clady OT Boise State
2. Actual Pick: Ryan Clady OT Boise State
3. Ryan Clady is the perfect zone blocker for Denver’s running game. He will help them return to the running back factory they used to be.

Carolina Panthers

1. Projected Pick: Matt Ryan QB Boston College
2. Actual Pick: Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
3. I honestly believe they would have gone after Matt Ryan had he been available anywhere close to them, but looking at where Flacco ended up, Ryan probably would not have gotten past Baltimore. Harvey was also off the board so they chose Stewart. Stewart will provide the Panthers with a power running game. I thought they would go OT here if Ryan was off the board, but Stewart combined with Williams will go a long way towards helping Carolina’s offense.

Chicago Bears

1. Projected Pick: Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
2. Actual Pick: Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
3. I had the position right, but player wrong. Williams will help Chicago’s O-line which was my main argument for Otah. Chicago must have liked Williams more.

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Projected Pick: 17^th Overall Derrick Harvey DE Florida
2. Actual Pick: 15^th Overall Branden Albert G/OT Virginia
3. I already addressed Kansas City’s draft earlier.

Arizona Cardinals

1. Projected Pick: Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
2. Actual Pick: Dominique Rodgers Cromartie CB Tennessee State
3. I thought that the Cardinals would seek out a spell back for Edge, but they decided to go corner so that they could move Rolle back to safety where he belongs. DRC is an awesome player and will help Arizona’s defense immensely.

Detroit Lions

1. Projected Pick: 15^th Overall Jared Mayo ILB Tennessee
2. Actual Pick: 17^th Gosder Cherilius OT Boston College
3. I don’t know what to think of this pick. The Lions needed OT’s, but they could have used Mendenhall more. The Oline is the most important position on the field and so this is a smart pick. For once Detroit pursued substance over flash…it’s just strange to see that.

Baltimore Ravens

1. Projected Pick: 8^th Overall Leodis Mckelvin CB Troy
2. Actual Pick: 18^th Overall Joe Flacco QB Delaware
3. I have already stated in a previous article why I disagree with Baltimore taking a rookie QB. That being said, Flacco is one of my favorite prospects in this draft and I look for him to do great things in the future.

Carolina Panthers

1. Projected Pick: Philadelphia Eagles Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
2. Actual Pick: Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
3. Carolina needed offensive lineman and Otah will help them considerably. He will help the power running game (via their other pick Stewart) and help protect Delhomme. He also will make it possible to move Wharton to the inside. This is a good pick, but considering all they gave to get into the first round again, I wonder if it was all worth it.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1. Projected Pick: Desean Jackson WR Cal
2. Actual Pick: Aqib Talib CB Kansas
3. I thought that Jackson was Gruden’s boy and the hands down first round pick…I was mistaken. Still, Talib is a good pickup and could someday replace Ronde Barber as a starting corner in Tampa Bay.

Atlanta Falcons

1. Projected Pick: Washington Redskins Philip Merling DE Clemson
2. Actual Pick: Sam Baker OT USC
3. I do not like this pick. The Falcons traded a lot to get a second round offensive lineman. Baker is good, but drafting him this early, I feel, was a mistake.

Dallas Cowboys

1. Projected Pick: Felix Jones RB Arkansas
2. Actual Pick: Felix Jones RB Arkansas
3. Dallas needed a speed back to compliment Marion the Barbarian and they got it in Felix Jones.

Pittsburgh Steelers

1. Projected Pick: Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
2. Actual Pick: Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
3. I liked Stewart’s power and speed, but there is nothing wrong with Mendenhall. He has great power, footwork, and speed. His cutting ability is fierce. He will combine with Willie Parker to make a great running back tandem.

Tennessee Titans

1. Projected Pick: Limas Sweed WR Texas
2. Actual Pick: Chris Johnson RB East Carolina
3. I like Chris Johnson, but he should not have been a first round pick. His speed may be a nice compliment to Lendale White, but I still disagree with him being a first round pick. A WR should have been priority #1 and the Titans had their pick of any of the receivers in the draft.

Dallas Cowboys

1. Projected Pick: James Hardy WR Indiana
2. Actual Pick: Mike Jenkins CB USF
3. Pacman Jones may join the Cowboys but he may not. Jenkins however can return and be a shutdown corner. Jenkins, Pacman, and Newman will make an awesome cornerback crew for the future.

Houston Texans

1. Projected Pick: 18^th Overall Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
2. Actual Pick: 26^th Overall Duane Brown OT Virginia Tech
3. I had the position right, just not the player. This was a big reach for the Texans, but an offensive lineman will help them out considerably.

San Diego Chargers

1. Projected Pick: Gosder Cherilius OT Boston College
2. Actual Pick: Antoine Cason CB Arizona
3. The Chargers had needs at corner with the departure of Florence. Cason and Paul Oliver will combine with Cromartie and Jammer to form a dominant cornerback crew. The Chargers could have gone anywhere with this pick and although I question Cason’s value here, he addresses a need.

Seattle Seahawks

1. Projected Pick: 25^th Overall Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
2. Actual Pick: 28^th Overall Lawrence Jackson DE USC
3. I thought the Seahawks would go interior defensive line, but Jackson can provide some much needed depth at the DE spot.

San Francisco 49ers

1. Projected Pick: Dan Connor ILB Penn State
2. Actual Pick: Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
3. The 49ers needed someone on defense and Balmer is who they selected. Balmer had good value here and Connor dropped into the third round. Balmer will probably play end in the 49ers 3-4 Defense.

New York Jets

1. Projected Pick: Green Bay Aqib Talib CB Kansas
2. Actual Pick: Dustin Keller TE Purdue
3. Chris Baker was not that happy about this pick and I question Keller’s first round value. That being said, Keller will be great for the Jets not only as a blocker but as a great receiver. He is comparable to Dallas Clark and if he can make an impact anywhere close to the impact Clark made, he will be valuable to the Jets.

New York Giants

1. Projected Pick: Kenny Philips S Miami
2. Actual Pick: Kenny Philips S Miami
3. The Giants have an aging secondary and Philips will help this often burnt defense improve

This draft was filled with trades and trades always destroy mock drafts. I also had a lot of positions right, just not the player. I had 12 positions right, but only 7 players matched up. It is an improvement from last year, but I suffer because I did not bow down to conventionality. I still stand by my opinions that the Raider's did not need Darren McFadden, the Falcons did not need Matt Ryan with the third overall, and the Ravens did not need a rookie QB. It is fine though. Same thing happened in last year's mock when I had the Raiders picking Calvin Johnson 1st overall because I knew they would sign Culpepper. Oh well. I had fun doing these mock drafts and I thank you for viewing them. Thank you and so concludes my 2008 mock drafting.

Final Draft of My Mock Draft

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 3^rd 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 8^th 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 5^th 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.

Alright, well this is it. My best in mock drafting is six right, my worst is two. Thanks to Miami I am half way towards tying my worst. We'll see. There are always a lot of trade rumors and trades screw up my mock draft. Oh, well though. C'est la vie! I score myself by player and team, not number taken in the draft. For example, if the Panthers make a move up for Matt Ryan, it still counts that I got it right. Trades are too difficult to predict so this is the consolation I have.

Why the Atlanta Falcons Do Not Need to Draft Matt Ryan...At Least Not With the Third Overall Pick

I look at many different mock drafts daily, and oftentimes I am intrigued by some people’s opinions. However, I have considerable skepticism of some mock drafts trends. Any time I see Darren McFadden going to Oakland I tend to disregard the mock draft…I am forced to disregard many mock drafts. Also, I disregard mock drafts that have Matt Ryan going to Atlanta…once again I disregard many mock drafts. Atlanta was built around one player and when that player left (more like taken away) the team fell apart. This article is not playing the blame game; I just state this because it means that Atlanta is going through a rebuilding effort. When drafting to rebuild a team, you have to prioritize what your team needs with the talent available and Matt Ryan should not be a priority.

The QB talent on Atlanta’s roster is nothing to be terribly excited about, but it is interesting. Perennial back-up forced to start Joey Harrington should not be counted on. Then the Falcons have former Georgia QB DJ Shockley. Shockley showed some flashes of greatness in his preseason games, but his injury may have hampered his abilities. He could be the young, raw talent needed in Atlanta at QB, but his injury concerns and lack of experience running an NFL offense mean that he should not be counted on. Now Chris Redman has shown the ability to run the Atlanta offense and score touchdowns, 4 in the last game against Seattle. Redman can run the offense while a rookie learns the ins and outs of the offense. Atlanta has stability in Redman and Harrington and dynamic raw talent in Shockley.

The QB talent pool in this draft is rather shallow in the first round. I like Matt Ryan, but throwing 19 interceptions in your senior year does not scream franchise QB or at least 3^rd overall pick. Ryan has a good arm and good mobility, but the Falcons could address a greater need with a more talented player early on. Their D-Line and Offensive Line could use some serious help and with that first pick somebody good in one of those areas will be available. In the second round, the Falcons may have access to Brian Brohm (if Arthur Blank will trust a Louisville player), Joe Flacco (one of my favorite prospects in this draft), and Chad Henne. This QB talent in the second round should convince the Falcons that they can draft elsewhere with the 3^rd Overall.

The Atlanta Falcons need to make great picks in this year’s draft to have any chance at quickly rebuilding. The Falcons already have stability at the QB position and so should not draft Matt Ryan with the 3^rd overall pick. Selecting Jake Long, Glenn Dorsey, or Sedrick Ellis with the 3^rd overall would go a long way towards shoring up some problematic areas on the Falcons roster. Then they would be able to draft a QB in the second round and not put the pressure of bringing the Falcons back to glory on Matt Ryan’s shoulders. So for these reasons the Atlanta Falcons do not need to draft Matt Ryan…at least not with the 3^rd overall pick.