Tripp Colonell’s Final 2008 Mock Draft

24 Apr

Team	1st Round
	1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT (Michigan)All the haters are finally silenced as the Tuna makes a safe, smart decision in drafting Jake Long. Would you expect anything less?
	2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE (Virginia)A toss up between Dorsey and Long until draft day. Dorsey is probably the better prospect here but you have to wonder how easy of a transition it would for Adam Carriker to move back outside.
	3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey, DT (LSU)A slam dunk if he’s availible. Would have absolutely no problem filling the hole left by Coleman at tackle. The Falcons will probably listen to trade offers here from teams like New Orleans looking to acquire the best overall player in the draft.
	4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, HB (Arkansas)Al Davis passing on 4.33 isn’t likely, even with all the money they’ve put into Justin Fargas and Dominique Rhodes. Sedrick Ellis and Vernon Gholston remain possibilities.
	5. Kansas City Chiefs - Branden Albert, OL (Virginia)Offensive line is a priority in Kansas City and Branden Albert is not only the best OL prospect availible here, but could play a variety of positions next season starting as a rookie.
	6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, OLB (Ohio State)Another slam dunk pick, they could look to trade down as well.
	7. New England Patriots (From 49ers) - Keith Rivers OLB (USC)Signing Fernando Bryant doesn’t exactly solidify the secondar so a corner may be the way to go here, but they’be been paying way more attention to linebackers lately.
	8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB (Boston College)Apparently Mel Kiper is walking off the set if they pass him up. Baltimore needs a quarterback, and unless Sedrick Ellis is more tempting here, they may just get one yet in Matt Ryan.
	9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT (USC)This would be the biggest steal of the draft if this scenario plays out, though I expect someone to try and trade up for him….maybe Cincinnati?
	10. New Orleans Saints - Jerod Mayo LB (Tennessee)They’d love Ellis here but if they don’t trade up they’ll have to look at linebacker, safety, or corner with this pick and Mayo is the best player at any of those positions.
	11. Buffalo Bills - Leodis McKelvin CB (Troy)Best corner availible and that’s probably Buffalo’s greatest need at this point. Way too early for a receiver here.
	12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT (Boise State) Great fit for Denver’s zone blocking system, though I have heard Denver may want to trade down.
	13. Carolina Panthers - Rashard Mendenhall HB (Illinois)A tackle would allow Travelle Wharton to move inside to guard to play his natural position. However Mendenhall may be too much to pass up here and we don’t know that Williams is a feature back.
	14. Chicago Bears - Chris Williams OT VanderbiltThe last true left tackle left on board. Otah is a possibility but he’s probably better suited for the right side at the NFL level.
	15. Detroit Lions - Derrick Harvey, DE (Florida)I’ve heard that this is guy they really want so if he falls to them here they’ll likely go after him.
	16. Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB (Tennessee State)With Antrell Rolle moving to safety, the Cardinals need a cornerback badly. Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah are options here as well.
	17. Kansas City Chiefs - Mike Jenkins, CB (South Florida)Ty Law is coming back for 2008 and Patrick Surtain is nearing the end of his career. While going offensive line yet again and picking Jeff Otah here would probably be an even smarter pick, the need at corner may overshadow that.
	18. Houston Texans - Jeff Otah, OT (Pittsburgh)Keeping Matt Schaubb healthy next season is a priority in Houston. Otah is a great value pick here even if they are tempted to take the running back.
	19. Philadelphia Eagles - Jonathan Stewart, HB (Oregon)Everyone knows Philly needs a wide receiver, defensive back or a tackle here. That makes Gosder Cherilus and Devin Thomas strong possibilities. But if Jonathan Stewart falls to 19, pairing him up with Brian Westbrook could end up to be the best rush attack since….well since the Vikings picked up Adrian Peterson last season.
	20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Devin Thomas, WR (Michigan State)I think this one year wonder has bust written all over him, but I don’t know if that will stop Tampa from taking him at 20.
	21. Washington Redskins - Kenny Phillips, S (Miami)LaRon Landry has done a wonderful job replacing Sean Taylor at free safety, but who’s going to replace Landry?
	22. Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) - Felix Jones HB (Arkansas)If Jerry can’t get McFadden, he’ll settle for his sidekick.
	23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus, OT (Boston College)Lots of questions on the offensive line, if he’s availible he’s the pick.
	24. Tennessee Titans - Kentwan Balmer, DT (North Carolina)A receiver would be nice here but Albert Haynesworth can’t do it alone in Tennessee, and he may not even be around next season.
	25. Seattle Seahawks - Desean Jackson, WR (California)This kid is a mystery but his speed would make him a great addition to Andy Reid’s WCO.
	26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Phillip Merling, DE (Clemson)Go go much earlier if he rocks his pro day, but if he’s availible the Jaguars won’t let him slip past 26.
	27. San Diego Chargers - Antoine Cason, CB (Arizona)I really expect them to trade out of this pick as there really won’t be any players that fill their needs. However the loss of Drayton Florence to free agency could be adressed.
	28. Dallas Cowboys - Aqib Talib, CB (Kansas)Yes Pacman Jones is a Cowboy, but he hasn’t been re-instated just yet. If he does get re-instated it wouldn’t hurt to have an insuarnce policy at corner just in case there happens to be a few strip clubs in Dallas.
	29. San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) - Sam Baker, OL (USC)Letting Justin Smiley go leaves a huge hole at guard. Baker played tackle in college but his short arms may not allow him to move outside at an NFL level.
	30. Green Bay Packers - Brandon Flowers, CB (Virginia Tech)His physical play makes him a great canidate for the Pack.
	FORFEITED
	31. New York Giants - Tyrell Johnson, S (Arkansas State)It’ll be alot easier to get a quality linebacker in round two than it will be to get a safety, and Gibril Wilson definitely needs to be replaced.