PFW Mock

Mock draft

QB Ryan, OT Long still projected to go 1-2

By Nolan Nawrocki
March 15, 2008


The following mock draft was excerpted from PFW?s soon-to-be-published 2008 Draft Preview book, with fresh commentary based on discussions with NFL sources.


Boston College QB Matt Ryan
and Michigan OT Jake Long

1. Miami Dolphins ? QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
The premium on the QB position gives Ryan an edge at the top spot. Jake McCown was signed to allow the Dolphins to compete from Day One, but expect Ryan to be in the starting lineup by season?s end, a la JaMarcus Russell for the Raiders a year ago, after he builds some confidence and becomes familiar with the playbook.

2. St. Louis Rams ? OLT Jake Long, Michigan
The Rams swung and missed on Alan Faneca in free agency and must find a way to keep the pocket clean for Marc Bulger to make Scott Linehan?s offense go. With Orlando Pace aging and injury-prone, Long is a no-brainer. He could start at either right tackle or left guard from Day One and be prepared to take over for Pace when he retires.

3. Atlanta Falcons ? DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
The release of DT Rod Coleman created a void in the middle for Mike Smith?s preferred 4-3 defense. Dorsey is a very safe pick for a first-time general manager.
4. Oakland Raiders ? DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State (Jr.)
Al Davis has been and always will be a numbers guy, and Darren McFadden will certainly remain in the mix after running a blistering 40 at the Combine. However, with Tommy Kelly kicking inside full time to replace Warren Sapp, Tyler Brayton departing in free agency and Derrick Burgess having only one year left on a contract that he has outplayed, Davis needs to give more serious thought to strengthening the defensive line. Considered by some longtime evaluators to be the most naturally gifted player in the draft, Gholston should benefit from an outstanding pro-day workout that could help solidify a top-five spot.

5. Kansas City Chiefs ? OLT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
The Chiefs typically send a contingent of personnel executives to evaluate first-round selections, and their presence at Ryan Clady?s workout was minimal. While the fifth overall slot seems very rich for Otah, his powerful style best fits Herm Edwards? preferred smashmouth style, as well as that of new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.

6. New York Jets ? OLB Chris Long, Virginia
Long brings tremendous versatility to a Jets defense that has lacked the versatile personnel required to seamlessly switch up their front the same way Eric Mangini did in New England.

7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco) ? RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas (Jr.)
Fumbling issues can often be corrected, and Bill Belichick has proven he could take players with questionable character such as Corey Dillon and Randy Moss and manage them properly with the help of a strong veteran locker room of leaders. It may still prove to be too risky a proposition for the Pats, given McFadden?s off-field transgressions and his loyalty to a family that has created trouble for him. However, Belichick and Scott Pioli are nonconformists who think outside the box and enjoy going against the grain, and McFadden?s body of work will be very tempting to consider.

8. Baltimore Ravens ? CB-RS Leodis McKelvin, Troy
The image of the Ravens? corners getting scorched in coverage was all too familiar a year ago. McKelvin?s special return ability is what should make him the first corner drafted.

9. Cincinnati Bengals ? OLT Ryan Clady, Boise State (Jr.)
The Bengals struggled to stay healthy on the offensive line a year ago and have an aging, increasingly injured pair of bookends in Willie Anderson and Levi Jones. They must look hard at the trenches on both sides of the ball, and Clady could bring more long-term value than Sedrick Ellis.

10. New Orleans Saints ? CB-KR Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
The Saints were victimized early and often with Jason David in the lineup, and they were not willing to outbid the Eagles for Asante Samuel. Sean Payton has shown an affinity for small-school talent and has made stars out of Marques Colston and Jahri Evans.

11. Buffalo Bills ? DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
The Bills recognize value and are thin inside after cutting Larry Tripplett. Ellis will command double-teams inside and would be a great fit for Perry Fewell?s defense.

12. Denver Broncos ? WLB Keith Rivers, USC
The Broncos cut Ian Gold and have not been as strong at the LB position since Al Wilson departed a year ago. Rivers brings versatility to play any LB position and could start from Day One alongside D.J. Williams.

13. Carolina Panthers ? RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon (Jr.)
Although he recently underwent surgery to correct a broken bone in his foot, Stewart?s draft status likely will not be affected much. His combination of size, strength and speed is rare.

14. Chicago Bears ? OLT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
With John Tait better-suited for the right side, which Fred Miller has now vacated, Williams would be a natural fit and could upgrade what had become an overaged unit.

15. Detroit Lions ? CB-RS Aqib Talib, Kansas (Jr.)
The Lions cut Fernando Bryant from a secondary that was victimized heavily through the air a year ago. They need to create more pressure up front, but Talib?s size and instincts make him most naturally suited for a zone scheme. Rashard Mendenhall may not escape the top 15, however, after the Lions cut Kevin Jones, failed to land Julius Jones and signed Tatum Bell to only a one-year deal.

16. Arizona Cardinals ? RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois (Jr.)
Cornerback could be a more pressing need, but with few options available and Edgerrin James losing a step, Ken Whisenhunt will be looking to strengthen a power running game.

17. Minnesota Vikings ? DE Derrick Harvey, Florida (Jr.)
Injuries have depleted the Vikings? depth on the edges, and after coming up short on a deal for Justin Smith, they will be looking very closely at pass rushers early.

18. Houston Texans ? OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
Cherilus comes versed in the zone-blocking scheme that B.C. head coach Jeff Jagodzinski learned under new Texans assistant Alex Gibbs. Gary Kubiak has shown he prefers to build in the trenches.

19. Philadelphia Eagles ? DE Phillip Merling, Clemson (Jr.)
The Eagles could be a prime candidate to trade up and nab an offensive tackle, but after releasing Jevon Kearse and failing to reap returns on Darren Howard in free agency last year, they might continue to stack the line with versatile pass rushers the way their NFC East rival Giants have.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ? WR-RS DeSean Jackson, California (Jr.)
Jackson is too small and injury-prone for many teams to consider in the first round, but his speed and return ability could easily fool a team into making him the first receiver drafted.

21. Washington Redskins ? DE Calais Campbell, Miami (Fla.) (Jr.)
After hiring fiery former Miami (Fla.) DL coach John Palermo, under whom Campbell had his best season as a sophomore, the Redskins are a natural fit, especially given their need to create more pass-rush pressure.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) ? RB Felix Jones, Arkansas (Jr.)
Jerry Jones remains a candidate to package Marion Barber and a first-round pick this year and next in an effort to trade up to land Darren McFadden, who would give the Cowboys an exciting new set of triplets and help open his stadium in style. If he has to settle for keeping Barber and selecting the Hog back sharing his last name to replace the one that just left (Julius), his backfield could be more balanced.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers ? OLG-OLT Branden Albert, Virginia (Jr.)
The Steelers were not able to keep Pro Bowl OLG Alan Faneca, but they could find another potential Pro Bowler by drafting his replacement in the first round.

24. Tennessee Titans ? WR Limas Sweed, Texas
Sweed won some big games with Vince Young and has a built-in rapport that should allow him to acclimate to the offense more quickly than many other receivers.

25. Seattle Seahawks ? OLT Sam Baker, USC
With Walter Jones turning 34 and Ray Willis having failed to pan out, the Seahawks need to think about keeping Matt Hasselbeck healthy.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars ? MLB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma (Jr.)
Mike Peterson has struggled to stay healthy the past two seasons, and Jack Del Rio could use another tough-minded linebacker who can bring a swagger to the defense.

27. San Diego Chargers ? SS Kenny Phillips, Miami (Fla.) (Jr.)
Marlon McCree has departed for the Broncos, and Clinton Hart was barely serviceable, leaving a void in the secondary alongside last year?s second-rounder Eric Weddle. Like last year, if the Chargers want to find a starting safety, they are going to have to reach for one in a very average class.

28. Dallas Cowboys ? WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma (Jr.)
Jerry Jones is intent on finding more playmakers for his franchise quarterback, and Kelly?s size and secure hands make him a great fit in Jason Garrett?s offense.

29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) ? WR-KR Devin Thomas, Michigan State (Jr.)
The Niners are devoid of playmakers and need to give fourth-year quarterback Alex Smith more weapons. Thomas could be used in many ways like a running back in Mike Martz?s offense.

30. Green Bay Packers ? CB-KR Mike Jenkins, South Florida
Jenkins has the man cover skills sought in the Packers? defense and would be drafted sooner if not for questions about his character. He could be worth a gamble in this spot by a confident decision-maker such as Ted Thompson.

(?) New England Patriots ? Forfeited pick

31. New York Giants ? CB Patrick Lee, Auburn
Despite drafting Aaron Ross a year ago, the Giants must continue to get younger in the secondary, and Lee provides the special-teams value as a gunner to contribute immediately and could make an impact in the slot.