Haynie
04-08-2008, 03:20 AM
I thought about doing a full first round mock, but I lost interest after doing these first ten. So anyways, here they are:
1. Miami Dolphins -- Chris Long, DE, Virginia
We all know that Bill Parcells will do his best here to try and get the player he wants plus a few extra draft picks. But I don't think there's a single player in this draft who Bill will like as much as Long. The kid gives Bill everything he likes; 3-4 prototype, football family, and a Virginia alumni. With the Rams likely to take Chris Long if he's there, Miami will just have to accept the financial cost of a top overall pick and take the best player in the country.
2. St. Louis Rams -- Jake Long, OT, Michigan
They'll take Chris if he's available, but the Rams will also be very happy with Jake. Protecting Marc Bulger and giving Stephen Jackson better blocking are essential if the Rams want to return to respectability next year. Long is the undisputed top offensive lineman in the draft, so it's the clear move for this team.
3. Atlanta Falcons -- Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
I definitely could see a trade happening here as someone tries to jump up and take Darren McFadden. The Falcons could slide down as far as the seventh pick and still get Ryan. While some people think Ryan's draft stock is inflated by a weak overall QB class, the Falcons desperately need a quarterback here for a variety of reasons. While Chris Redman being the current starter is definitely an issue, I think the biggest factor is a public relations one as they need a new face to finally pull them out of the shadow of Michael Vick. That, more than anything, will make Ryan a Falcon.
4. Oakland Raiders -- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
While Oakland could go with McFadden, I think they'll play it smart here and fill a position of greater need with a similarly talented player. They already have Lamont Jordan, Justin Fargas, and Dominic Rhodes all at running back, with Fargas blowing up at the end of last season and looking like he may be more than advertised. With Warren Sapp retiring and not much else behind him, Oakland really needs a presence in the middle of their defensive line to allow Derrick Burgess to do his thing. It won't be easy for them to pass on a guy with McFadden's hype and explosiveness, but Dorsey is the smarter pick based on their current roster.
5. Kansas City Chiefs -- Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Probably the team with the greatest need at offensive line in the whole NFL, the Chiefs take the best guy available with Clady. They need help at most spots on their roster, but Clady is the best pick as he can help get Larry Johnson back on track after a rough 2007 campaign. With young Brodie Croyle at quarterback, increasing his protection and the effectiveness of the running game is essential for KC's future success.
6. New York Jets -- Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
The Jets are a likely candidate to trade up and grab McFadden for the fear that the Raiders would scoop him up or, even worse, the Patriots trade up to take him. The Jets are in the exact same position as the Minnesota Vikings last year when they took Adrian Peterson, with Thomas Jones as their veteran back a la Chester Taylor. After seeing the way it worked out for the Vikes, there's really nothing to deter the Jets from a similar decision. McFadden is ready for whatever role they want to give him, either a true dual-back system like Taylor and Peterson or maybe more like Reggie Bush during his rookie season with the Saints. Either way, he's a steal at this point in the draft.
7. New England Patriots -- Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
If they don't make a move to get McFadden, then it's likely the frugal Patriots will trade down and grab a cornerback somewhere in the middle part of the first round to grab some extra picks while also saving money on their rookie salary. But since we're not predicting trades here, I'll put them down for McKelvin as he gives them both a great young corner and an explosive return man.
8. Baltimore Ravens -- Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
The Ravens would love to take a quarterback, but Matt Ryan is the only guy scouted for a Top 10 pick and I already have him going to Atlanta. Therefore, the Ravens will draft Gholston as a natural fit for their defense that often switches between the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. He's a great replacement for Adalius Thomas, whom they lost in free agency last year. Another great player who drops due to position, Gholston is a steal here with one of the best overall talent levels in the class.
9. Cincinnati Bengals -- Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
For yet another season, the Bengals' defense could not put anything together and given them a complete team. The release of Chris Henry and the ongoing problems with Chad Johnson could cause them to reach on a wide receiver here, but Ellis is a great player and the Bengals definitely need the help in their defensive middle.
10. New Orleans Saints -- Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Though they signed Randall Gay in free agency, the Saints' cornerback situation is still a mess. Their top three corners are all over 30 and none of them other than Mike McKenzie have been consistent. The Saints offense did not carry them last season as it did in 2006, so the need for defensive improvement is clear. Jenkins will help them go toward that goal.
1. Miami Dolphins -- Chris Long, DE, Virginia
We all know that Bill Parcells will do his best here to try and get the player he wants plus a few extra draft picks. But I don't think there's a single player in this draft who Bill will like as much as Long. The kid gives Bill everything he likes; 3-4 prototype, football family, and a Virginia alumni. With the Rams likely to take Chris Long if he's there, Miami will just have to accept the financial cost of a top overall pick and take the best player in the country.
2. St. Louis Rams -- Jake Long, OT, Michigan
They'll take Chris if he's available, but the Rams will also be very happy with Jake. Protecting Marc Bulger and giving Stephen Jackson better blocking are essential if the Rams want to return to respectability next year. Long is the undisputed top offensive lineman in the draft, so it's the clear move for this team.
3. Atlanta Falcons -- Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
I definitely could see a trade happening here as someone tries to jump up and take Darren McFadden. The Falcons could slide down as far as the seventh pick and still get Ryan. While some people think Ryan's draft stock is inflated by a weak overall QB class, the Falcons desperately need a quarterback here for a variety of reasons. While Chris Redman being the current starter is definitely an issue, I think the biggest factor is a public relations one as they need a new face to finally pull them out of the shadow of Michael Vick. That, more than anything, will make Ryan a Falcon.
4. Oakland Raiders -- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
While Oakland could go with McFadden, I think they'll play it smart here and fill a position of greater need with a similarly talented player. They already have Lamont Jordan, Justin Fargas, and Dominic Rhodes all at running back, with Fargas blowing up at the end of last season and looking like he may be more than advertised. With Warren Sapp retiring and not much else behind him, Oakland really needs a presence in the middle of their defensive line to allow Derrick Burgess to do his thing. It won't be easy for them to pass on a guy with McFadden's hype and explosiveness, but Dorsey is the smarter pick based on their current roster.
5. Kansas City Chiefs -- Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Probably the team with the greatest need at offensive line in the whole NFL, the Chiefs take the best guy available with Clady. They need help at most spots on their roster, but Clady is the best pick as he can help get Larry Johnson back on track after a rough 2007 campaign. With young Brodie Croyle at quarterback, increasing his protection and the effectiveness of the running game is essential for KC's future success.
6. New York Jets -- Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
The Jets are a likely candidate to trade up and grab McFadden for the fear that the Raiders would scoop him up or, even worse, the Patriots trade up to take him. The Jets are in the exact same position as the Minnesota Vikings last year when they took Adrian Peterson, with Thomas Jones as their veteran back a la Chester Taylor. After seeing the way it worked out for the Vikes, there's really nothing to deter the Jets from a similar decision. McFadden is ready for whatever role they want to give him, either a true dual-back system like Taylor and Peterson or maybe more like Reggie Bush during his rookie season with the Saints. Either way, he's a steal at this point in the draft.
7. New England Patriots -- Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
If they don't make a move to get McFadden, then it's likely the frugal Patriots will trade down and grab a cornerback somewhere in the middle part of the first round to grab some extra picks while also saving money on their rookie salary. But since we're not predicting trades here, I'll put them down for McKelvin as he gives them both a great young corner and an explosive return man.
8. Baltimore Ravens -- Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
The Ravens would love to take a quarterback, but Matt Ryan is the only guy scouted for a Top 10 pick and I already have him going to Atlanta. Therefore, the Ravens will draft Gholston as a natural fit for their defense that often switches between the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes. He's a great replacement for Adalius Thomas, whom they lost in free agency last year. Another great player who drops due to position, Gholston is a steal here with one of the best overall talent levels in the class.
9. Cincinnati Bengals -- Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
For yet another season, the Bengals' defense could not put anything together and given them a complete team. The release of Chris Henry and the ongoing problems with Chad Johnson could cause them to reach on a wide receiver here, but Ellis is a great player and the Bengals definitely need the help in their defensive middle.
10. New Orleans Saints -- Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Though they signed Randall Gay in free agency, the Saints' cornerback situation is still a mess. Their top three corners are all over 30 and none of them other than Mike McKenzie have been consistent. The Saints offense did not carry them last season as it did in 2006, so the need for defensive improvement is clear. Jenkins will help them go toward that goal.