BT's 2008 NFL Mock Draft

Please feel free to post a copy of your mock as well.  You can either give a detailed analysis, or just the players and teams.  It will be interesting to see if anyone nails it.

1st Edition (Possible revisions throughout the week may follow)

1.  Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

The Dolphins are trying to play some serious games right now and are offering a  K-Mart blue light special contract for the #1 pick.  They have supposedly given Jake Long a deadline to accept a contract that would be much lower than JaMarcus Russell's was last year. 

If they stick to their guns and move on to "plan B", then Vernon Gholston seems to be the next object of their affection.  We'll see how this plays out throughout the course of the week. 

I think Long makes a lot of sense, as he gives them an anchor for their line for the next ten years.  Long isn't as good as Joe Thomas (last year's top LT who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie), but he's not far behind.  He's got the nastiness that you like from an O-lineman. 

2.  St Louis Ram- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State

Many believe that this pick will be Glen Dorsey (I myself am going back and forth on what I think). 

The reason I think Gholston goes here is the Rams want to switch full time to a 3-4 defense.  Dorsey is not a good fit at nose tackle, and it would be a waste of his talents for him to play there.  Gholston is a perfect fit in the 3-4 scheme that the Rams intend to play primarily.  He is a physical phenomenon at 6'3", 266lbs, and running a 4.55 40.  He gives the Rams a legitimate pass rusher (which they BADLY need), and also has the speed to drop back into coverage.

3.  Atlanta Falcons- Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU

There's a lot of talk about Dorsey dropping due to uncertainty about his medical issues.  I personally think that if he's here, the Falcons will SPRINT to the podium to turn in the pick. 

Medical issues not withstanding, Dorsey is probably the best player in the draft.  He fits perfectly in the Falcons 4-3 defense.  He can collapse the interior of the offensive line and apply pressure from the tackle position, and is a solid run defender.  Dorsey instantly cures what ails this defense, which boasts solid bookends in last year's 1st round pick Jamaal Anderson & stud (when healthy) John Abraham. 

Matt Ryan is a consideration here, but I think the Falcons will address the QB position with one of their three second round picks.

4.  Oakland Raiders- Chris Long, DE/OLB, Virginia

Many are projecting Darren McFadden with this pick.  I think that's a HUGE mistake.  They already re-signed Justin Fargas who went over 1,000 despite starting only seven games.  In addition they have Michael Bush who would have been a top 20 pick in 2006 had he not decided to stay for his senior year.  As a result he ended up braking his leg, ending his season, and dropping him to the 4th round of last year's draft.  He is 100% healthy, and could pair with Fargas to make for a very solid running attack.  They also have Dominic Rhodes and LaMont Jordon (who figures to be the odd man out). 

Chris Long gives them a blue collar DE, who's motor never stops running.  He is a relentless pass rusher.  The Raiders now have what I believe to be the best secondary in the NFL with the aquisitions of Deangelo Hall (via trade) and Gibril Wilson (free agency), added to studs Nnamdi Asomugha & Michael Huff.  Adding a DE like Long could make for a very stingy defense that could wreak havoc like the days of old.

Of course this is Al Davis we're talking about, so throwing 40 million dollars at a RB is always a possibility whether it's a position of need or not...

5.  New Orleans Saints (via trade with Kansas City) - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC 

I think the Chiefs trade out of this spot to accumulate more picks, and drop to #10 where they can still pick up a solid LT that they badly need (at a much lower cost as well). 

New Orleans is only a year removed from having the top offense in the NFC, but their defense has been a disaster.  They addressed CB to some degree by adding Randall Gay, and got what I think will be a steal in a trade for Jonathan Vilma.  Vilma will be much more effective in the Saints 4-3 than he was in New York when they switched to a 3-4. 

CB is still a position of need, but I think Ellis is an elite prospect that again gives them an anchor for the interior of the D-line.  They have solid bookends in Will Smith and Charles Grant.  Adding a monster like Ellis will give them a fearsome front four, and give opposing QB's much less time to pick apart their secondary.

I definitely agree that no RB's or QB's should go in the top 5.  Matt Ryan is not worth a top 5 pick, and although McFadden could be a stud it is silly to spend a top 5 pick on any RB IMO.  If the league has proven anything it is that RB's are easier to find in the later rounds than other positions. 

KC is a mess and King Carl must go.  He is quite possibly the worst GM this side of Matt Millen and is hanging his hat on picking LJ and Jared Allen in recent drafts. 

Sounds pretty good.... I will love it if Ryan stays out of Atlanta.

Ryan is really intriguing to me.  He's got all the intangibles, he just doesn't have the huge arm.  Don't get me wrong, he can put plenty of zip on the ball, and make the throws you need to make on timing patterns and whatnot, he just doesn't have the huge JaMarcus Russell type of arm.  I'm not sure he needs to though. 

I think he's actually being very underrated at this point.  If he drops to Baltimore at #8 then I think they are all over him, and have a solid QB to run their team for the next 10 years.  That's where he will end up in my mock though.

I definitely agree that no RB's or QB's should go in the top 5.  Matt Ryan is not worth a top 5 pick, and although McFadden could be a stud it is silly to spend a top 5 pick on any RB IMO.  If the league has proven anything it is that RB's are easier to find in the later rounds than other positions. 

I couldn't agree more about RB's.  When you're talking about giving out 40-60 million dollars, you want a guy that you have the best possible chance to immediately impact your team, and be a person you can build around for the future. 

A couple years ago you had THREE teams go against this thought process and take Ronnie Brown (who is a stud, but has battled injuries), Cedric Benson (game is not translating), and Cadillac Williams (Ki Jana Carter syndrome).  Passing on versatile guys like Shawne Merriman & DeMarcus Ware for these guys has proven to be a huge mistake. 

KC is a mess and King Carl must go.  He is quite possibly the worst GM this side of Matt Millen and is hanging his hat on picking LJ and Jared Allen in recent drafts. 

Yeah, and now they are talking about trading Jared Allen!  He's defintely not going to win GM of the year anytime soon.

I meant minn won alot of games with petterson.

......and Chester Taylor.  Granted A.D. is unbelievable, but he was hurt again in his rookie year.  He hasn't played an entire season since he was a freshman in college.  Now McFadden doesn't have his injury past, but I don't care how good a RB you have the O-line is the key.  IE.  Larry Johnson was suddenly human last year because the O-line in KC has deteriorated to crap.  Minnesota has one of the better O-lines in the league so Peterson looks even better.  Draft lineman on either side of the ball with the top 5 picks.

BuckeyeTodd45,

I like your insight on different college football topics. While I disagree with your choice of McFadden not being a top 5 pick(That doesnt make me a HOMER :) ) I agree with much of what you say.

Who do you think had a better college career between Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden?

Wouldnt it be something if the Jets passed and the Patriots got him at # 7? Maroney and McFadden in the same backfield is a scary thought.

I've noticed that people bring up AP's power as the difference, if any similarities, between him and DMAC. While power seems to be the choice among posters, are there any thoughts on how AP's 'power' has led to his injuries in college and the pro's? While DMAC can lay the wood when necesssary, wouldn't his elusiveness be a little more intruiging after seeing what a power runner endures? DMAC was also able to play through all of the bruised ribs, sprained ankles, concussions, and stomach viruses he suffered in those three years.

The 'off the field issues' is the deciding factor to me for the reason people are quick to dismiss him against AP and other rb's in this years draft. While he was in an altercation outside a club in 2006 trying to stop someone from stealing his brothers car and inside a club in 2008 when someone attacked his little brother, he was never arrested. The 'Escalade' story in 2007 was phony and the news outlet that reported it released an apology to McFadden and Mike Conley Sr. Then theres the 'paternity' thing where the first test came back negative, the second girl reportedly had a miscarriage so the test couldnt be done, and the third test is still out. It's a shame all of this overshadows his great college career.

DMAC shouldnt have put himself in those situations and he will possibly reap what he sowed by losing millions as a lower draft pick.