Here it is... 1. Miami Dolphins: Chris Long DE/OLB - Will he fit at OLB in Miami?s 3-4 or can he bulk up and play DE? Either way, from a character and work ethic standpoint in addition to being a high-intensity player, this guy is the choice. 2. St. Louis Rams: Vernon Gholston DE - His big combine numbers and tremendous pass-rushing ability will add another dimension to a team that managed 5.5 sacks from their DEs last season. 3. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan QB - Might not have the strongest arm and be the flashiest player, but from an intangibles standpoint, this guy is tops and is the franchise QB that this lost franchise needs. 4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden RB - Here come the boos? A tremendous talent and playmaker, but with two DTs and Jake Long on the board, this is questionable. Fargas, Rhodes and Bush form a nice backfield, but the Raiders are looking for playmakers on offense and McFadden could be that. There are apparently some character issues as well here, but these may be overdrawn? 5. Kansas City Chiefs: Jake Long OT - This seems like a no-brainer. This team needs lineman now and Long could play now and anchor a line for years, 6. New York Jets: Phillip Merling DE - The Jets board should include Chris and Jake Long, McFadden and Gholston. However, all four are now gone, so a trade down would be ideal, but unlikely. CB could be an option, but neither of these guys are real studs. Both of the DTs would be terrific values, but poor fits. Merling is the guy we have to look for. He had a nice combine and looks like a possible 3-4 base DE. Shaun Ellis might not have too long left and this guy would be great in the rotation just to start out. Maybe a bit of a reach, but who else would you select here? 7. New England Patriots (via SF): Ryan Clady OT - The Pats could use a CB since Gay and Samuel are now gone, but they did pickup Brandon Merriweather in the draft last season and could get a CB later on. On offense, their weakness might be at RT or RG. Clady could be the upgrade they are looking for at OT and might even be able to adjust to playing OG since Stephen Neal is getting up there. 8. Baltimore Ravens: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie CB - A DII guy going Top 10? Don?t be surprised. This combine-freak has all the tools to be a play-maker at CB and this team needs depth and an heir at CB, which is perfect since Cromartie will need some time to adjust to the program. Nice bloodlines as well? 9. Cincinnati Bengals: Glenn Dorsey DT - Wow, Dorsey to #9??!! Injuries may be a big factor in this, but also circumstances. Someone may trade up to grab this guy, but the Bengals will set a draft record for getting the card to the podium if he?s here. 10. New Orleans Saints: Sedrick Ellis DT - Wow, Ellis to #10??!! Again, circumstances cause this and someone such as Denver might very well trade up for this guy, but I can?t predict this. This is another record-setter in terms of getting the card to Goddell. The Saints will take the BPA defensively and this is clearly the guy. 11. Buffalo Bills: Limas Sweed WR - On behalf of Sweed?s combine numbers, he makes it to the Bills who are itching for a playmaker opposite Evans. And what better complement than the big, 6-5 Limas Sweed? 12. Denver Broncos: Keith Rivers LB - The team lost Al Wilson to injuries and was released last season and Ian Gold was also cut. Boss Bailey and Nike Koutevides were signed to play LB with DJ Williams and both are good players, but honestly, Keith Rivers would be an upgrade over both of the those guys. This would make the Denver LBs near the top again. 13. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Philips S - Some have Philips falling far for some reason, but he?s a great prospect and the Panthers are in dire need of a safety opposite Chris Harris, who was a steal last season. This is the missing piece to the secondary. 14. Chicago Bears: Malcolm Kelly WR - Who plays WR for Chicago? I?m serious. Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad are gone and there is not much else to speak of. This it the playmaker this team needs and could be the number one WR immediately. 15. Detroit Lions: Rashard Mendenhall RB - Kevin Jones is a great player when healthy, but those times have been scarce as of recent. This guy would be a tremendous complement to Jones and is too good a value to pass up. 16. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Stewart RB - Edgerrin James is a good back, but he?s slowing down. Stewart is a similar power back and could make this offense more run-oriented for the first time in a while especially if Fitzgerald leaves. 17. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harvey DE - This team needs pass-rushers. Period. He?s the best one around here. 18. Houston Texans: Leodis McKelvin CB - This is a nice value and a big need. Fred Bennett looks like a keeper, but Dunta Robinson will miss much of 2008 and depth is an issue as well. 19. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Thomas WR - A one year wonder much like Robert Meacham was, but that?s not fair. This guy had a great combine and could be their number one WR. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Jenkins CB - With Brian Kelly gone and Ronde Barber at age 33, CB is a MAJOR need. Jenkins might not be the only CB this team goes after via the draft 21. Washington Redskins: Jeff Otah OT - Injuries at OT have been devastating the past couple of seasons and Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen are older, consume much cap spaces and are injury prone. Perhaps they can save some cap room and release Jon Jansen now. 22. Dallas Cowboys (via Cle): DeSean Jackson WR - The smaller DeSean Jackson would be a great replacement for Terry Glenn and compares favorably to him. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Albert OL - This guy could play OT or OG and both are areas of concern for Pittsburgh. 24. Tennessee Titans: Kentwan Balmer DT - Well Albert Hayneworth might be near his last season in Tennessee and with Randy Starks gone, depth is an issue and maybe an upgrade over Tony Brown as well. 25. Seattle Seahawks: James Hardy WR - Deion Branch will miss some of 2008 and DJ Hackett will likely not be back. Bobby Engram is near 35 now as well. This team could use about 3 more WRs and Hardy is a start. 26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quentin Groves DE - A pass-rusher is needed on both sides and this is Groves? specialty. 27. San Diego Chargers: Ahtyba Rubin NT - With not too many needs (S, RT), they can plan for the future (sooner or later) with a prototypical 3-4 NT. This team was helpless against the run without Williams it seemed 28. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Williams OT - Flozell Adams is a great player, but he?s getting older an heir is needed. Perhaps Williams can play opposite at RT now over Marc Colombo. 29. San Francisco 49ers (via Indy): Dre? Moore DE/DT - Thanks to a big combine, the versatile Moore will see his stock soar. This team could use a DE opposite Justin Smith now and Moore could be him. 30. Green Bay Packers: Aqib Talib CB - CB depth is a big problem. And within a season or two, so will starters. Woodson and Harris are a great duo, but both are over 30. Talib would be a great start. 31. New York Giants: Dan Connor LB - Depth is an issue and since Torbor and Mitchell are gone, starting talent might be as well.
Round 2 32. Miami Dolphins: Carl Nicks OT 33. St. Louis Rams: Gosder Cherilus OT 34. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Lee CB 35. Oakland Raiders: Lawrence Jackson DE 36. New York Jets: Early Doucet WR 37. Atlanta Falcons: Trevor Laws DT 38. Baltimore Ravens: Brian Brohm QB 39. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Caldwell WR 40. New Orleans Saints: Reggie Smith DB 41. Buffalo Bills: Calais Campbell DE 42. Denver Broncos: Oniel Cousins OL 43. Carolina Panthers: Joe Flacco QB 44. Chicago Bears: Felix Jones RB 45. Detroit Lions: Philip Wheeler LB 46. Cincinnati Bengals: Jerod Mayo LB 47. Minnesota Vikings: Pat Sims DT 48. Atlanta Falcons (via Hou): Anthony Collins OT 49. Philadelphia Eagles: DaJuan Morgan S 50. Arizona Cardinals: Thomas DeCoud S 51. Washington Redskins: Chris Ellis DE 52. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chad Henne QB 53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Baker OT 54. Tennessee Titans: Mario Manningham WR 55. Seattle Seahawks: Dustin Keller TE 56. Green Bay Packers (via Clev): Brandon Flowers CB 57. Miami Dolphins (via SD): Antoine Cason CB 58. Jacksonville Jaguars: Clicho Rachal OG 59. Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Adibi OLB 60. Green Bay Packers: Heath Benedict OT 61. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Johnson RB 62. New England Patriots: Curtis Lofton ILB 63. New York Giants: Josh Barrett SS Round 3 64. Miami Dolphins: Andre Woodson QB 65. St. Louis Rams: Mike Pollak C 66. Kansas City Chiefs: Lavelle Hawkins WR 67. Carolina Panthers (via NYJ): Mike McGlynn OL 68. Atlanta Falcons: Roy Schuening OG 69. New England Patriots: Cliff Avril OLB/DE 70. San Francisco 49ers: Shawn Crable OLB 71. Buffalo Bills: Tracy Porter CB 72. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Buffalo): Red Bryant NT 73. Minnesota Vikings: Tyrell Johnson S 74. Carolina Panthers: John Carlson TE 75. Chicago Bears: Donald Thomas OG 76. Detroit Lions: Drew Radovich OG 77. Cincinnati Bengals: Fred Davis TE 78. New Orleans Saints: Erin Henderson OLB 79. Houston Texans: Ray Rice RB 80. Philadelphia Eagles: Tony Hills OT 81. Arizona Cardinals: Bruce Davis DE/OLB 82. Minnesota Vikings: John David Booty QB 83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Earl Bennett WR 84. Washington Redskins: Chad Reinhart OG 85. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Young G/T 86. Tennessee Titans: John Sullivan C 87. Detroit Lions (via Clev): Jason Jones DE 88. Pittsburgh Steelers: DeMario Pressley DE/DT 89. Jacksonville Jaguars: Craig Steltz S 90. Chicago Bears: Barry Richardson OT 91. Green Bay Packers: Tavares Gooden OLB 92. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Harrison NT 93. Indianapolis Colts: Eddie Royal WR 94. New England Patriots: Charles Godfrey CB 95. New York Giants: Justin King CB I'd like to hear some comments and feedback on my first one of the year...
If Merling is chosen there will be so much boos, , i cant see us picking him. He is a reach and it wouldnt make any sense to choose a 3-4 end in the top 6.2nd yeah McFadden and Gholston would be gone but i could see us selecting so many other players who also too would be considered reachesbut still should go ahead of him. Mendenhall Cromartie McKelvin Rivers Kelly. In the second Doucet is a possession receiver which we already have in Coles and Cotch we either pick a burner or taller guy here Good job though i know how hard it is to do these kinds of mocks
I know the Jets are looking at Merling, so i don't have a problem with it... I would like Caldwell over Doucet, faster and more elusive. The better brother than Reche "creepy eyes" Caldwell.
Ahh, i hope Gholston or DMac are available, which would net us a better talent or more plausible trade down options. That said, i feel DE is just a big a need as WR, CB, ILB and Oline depth. Wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Jets take a hard look at Merling. Is Rubin really projected as a first rounder now? Would be a good pick for SD..
I think I'd cry...I like Merling but I'm not too confident in him as a top 10 pick right now. And I love Doucet, but theres better value than him for such a high #2.
I've read a few times that Mangini is really high on Merling and if McFadden, the Longs and Gholston are gone, what are our options? I really don't see a much better choice assuming we couldn't trade down.. As for Doucet, he's a great prospect, but isn't a burner. Other than this, he's a complete reciever. He has some similarities to Jericho Cotchery IMO. He's a great value there at #36 as well. There's a chance he goes even higher. Caldwell could be an option as well I guess...
If he's similar to Cotchery, then he shouldn't be drafted in the second round. Cotchery, who was an excellent possession wideout at NC State, got drafted late because he lacked big time speed.
Merling is a terrible fit for the 3-4, he isn't big enough to play end, he's only around 275, and he had around 17 reps at the combine ( i don't how much stock to put into that but that is very low for a DE) and he is to slow to play OLB, on top of that he is a massive reach there. I'd rather have Andre Caldwell, Reggie Smith or Pat Sims in round 2 instead of Doucet, who I don't see as anything other than an average slot receiver in the NFL
Merling is purely a 4-3 end, look at San Diego, look at NE, their ends are all DTs in a 4-3, Castillo and Olshansky are both DTs, possibly NTs and NE has two 3-techniques with an NT in the middle, there is no way Merling is used as a 3-4 DE I do like Doucet but his skill set is a bit too much like Cotchery for me
Does anyone else here hope that if Brohm is there in the second round we pull the trigger? Of course this is more likely if we trade out of the number six slot and accumulate more picks as it's not a "need," but Brian Brohm seems to me to be great value with that pick if he does happen to drop that far.
Merling's scouting report projects him as a 4-3 End/Tackle, or a 3-4 End. http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/de/phillipmerling.html You don't have to be a DT to play 3-4 End. You need to be big and tough enough to occupy multiple blockers for run support, as well as elusive enough to be a sack threat. The problem is that this is a rare combination to find. Shaun Ellis and Seymour are good examples. That being said, I'm not sure if Merling fits that bill. Hate to see that one line in scouting report which says he can be pushed back. I do think the FO will evaluate him thoroughly though.
Both Ellis and and Seymour where DTs in college, also it is looking to me that Ellis is not strong enough to play the end, thats why he was playing in spots as an OLB in the 3-4 last season, Seymour is definitely a 3 technique DT on most teams in the NFL, sure smaller DEs are serviceable but to create a dominant defense you need the mauler type
No one really runs NFL style 3-4 defenses in college. So it's all a projection game to see if they could potentially fit. Ellis did play DE for Tenn, Seymour DT for Georgia. They both had good height, strength, toughness and speed. Unusual mix which makes them versatile. Versatility is the key. People get too caught up on weight when looking at Dline prospects. I'd prefer a Seymour ideally, but he's also been regarding as best #6 draft pick of all time. Player like that will not come along often at all. I'm sure coaching staff are looking at all versatile players who could fill specific roles well..
along this line, does anyone think Sedrick Ellis could be a versatile player seeing time at DE? Has pash rushing skills, and plays a 3 technique. Not ideal height though. Just a thought. http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/sedrickellis.html
Pretty good except for one disagree and I'll disagree with it with who ever puts him there. McFadden should not go to the Raiders. The Raiders have 6 Running Backs. I think the Raiders will trade down and draft a WR as they have none(talent wise) if I'm correct.
