1. Miami (1-15) |
 The Pick: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Comments: Let’s turn our attention to the Offensive Long (or just O.L.). O.L. seems to fit the bill. With guys like Ted Ginn Jr. and Ronnie Brown being relatively young, building a core around them seems logical. With Long in place, they now can turn their attention to other needs such as: QB, DE, WR, TE. Look for the Dolphins to get another Lineman or a QB in Rnd. 2 before they go defense. The tentative signing Jason Taylor will also dictate the next rounds.
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2. St. Louis (3-13) |
The Pick: Chris Long, DE, Virginia  Comments: With the emergence of Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan last year, and good depth around them, the defensive tackle spot looks okay so no Glenn Dorsey needed for now. Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson are the starters, so no real need to select Matt Ryan or Darren McFadden here. I still think the Defensive Long or D.L has the best shot. Leonard Little is getting older, but with D.L. on the other side of him, he can produce more efficiently…less double teams for him. They need upgrades in several areas. Trading down to perhaps to10 with the Saints would be ideal. The Rams then could acquire either Matt Ryan or Ryan Clady, one of which should be there.
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3. Atlanta (4-12) |
 The Pick: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Comments: With 6 picks in the first 3 rounds of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Falcons have a lot of options. Head Coach Mike Smith is a defensive minded guy whom built his Jaguar Defense into one of the league’s most consistent overall squad’s. His D-Line was always the strongest point of that defense, hence my Mock Draft selection of Dorsey. Couple him with last year’s 1st rd. pick of Jamaal Andersen, and the Falcons start looking more dangerous already. Getting another QB, back-up running back and quality MLB can happen in the later rounds.
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4. Oakland (4-12) |
 The Pick: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State*
Comments: A lot of people are thinking the Raiders will grab McFadden here, but with the re-signing of RB’s Justin Fargas and Dominic Rhodes I doubt it. Don’t forget that Michael Bush, if he re-gains his Louisville running ways, is a terror at 6’3”, 250 lbs. Also, Al Davis loves to take the most athletic guy available and Gholston is his type of player. No other player has a higher potential in this year’s draft than him. Gholston fulfills needs in terms of a pass rushing threat and he can move him too several different spots in the defense. I feel as though they should possibly trade this pick considering they do not have a pick until the 4th rd. Look for a trade with the Saints.
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5. Kansas City (4-12) |
 The Pick: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.*
Comments: The Chiefs first need is rebuilding their once great offensive line. This may be a little high for Clady (ala Levi Brown last year), but he is an athletic, experienced and technically sound lineman whom can probably start at left tackle right away. Larry Johnnson looks to get back to his 2006 ways with this upgrade and it takes the pressure off QB Brodie Croyle. This is another possibility for the Saints to trade up and get Sedrick Ellis, so the Chiefs can get Clady at #10, a much more suitable place for him to be chosen.
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6. N.Y. Jets (4-12) |
The Pick: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas*  Comments: I realize that McFadden falling this far seems inconceivable, but every team above has very good running backs and depth as well. This brings us to the Jets. They have 3 capable RB’s, but no stars. The passing game is average at best and the offensive line has improved drastically from last year. Having 2 solid backs (Thomas Jones) is a successful trend in the NFL. I know their defense needs upgrades, but getting a DE/OLB ‘tweener later on is a possibility with a deep class.
McFadden falling to the rival Pats is also too dangerous is another reason for the selection. | 
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7. New England (From San Francisco (5-11)) |
 The Pick: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Comments: With the losses of Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, the Pats are in need of more Defensive Backs. McKelvin is too athletic for Bil Belichick to pass up. Both of my mock drafts, I had thought the Pats would trade down, but Belichick is still having nightmares of Ellis Hobbs getting beat by Plaxico Burress for the next few months, this high pick is warranted. They still could trade down and try and snag Aqib Talib or Antonio Cason to fill their needs and gain extra picks, but that may be too much of a gamble.
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8. Baltimore (5-11) |
 The Pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB/S, Tennessee State
Comments: Everyone and their mother is saying Matt Ryan here. With Steve McNair’s retirement it does make since, but new coach John Harbaugh will stick to his roots and go after more defensive help to aid that aging side of the ball. The Ravens play in a very pass happy conference in which defensive backs are coveted. Depth at corner is lacking and Rodgers-Cromartie brings some much needed youth and athleticism to this secondary. Harbaugh, a former DB coach, will be eager to get this kid in the black and purple. With Cam Cameron taking over as the Offensive Coordinator, all three QB’s on the roster can fit into his West Coast style of offense.
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9. Cincinnati (7-9) |
 The Pick: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Comments: This is desperately who they need, and unless the Saints trade up, he should be at #9. He not only provides the much needed help on a horrible defense, but he brings solid character as well to start the makeover of the Jail Bird Bengals.
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10. New Orleans (7-9) |
 The Pick: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Comments: Unless they trade up to get Ellis, Rivers would look very tempting to bring a nice pass rush from the LB position. He is very fast, athletic and will work nicely with very smart MLB Jonathan Vilma.
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11. Buffalo (7-9) |
 The Pick: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Comments: With the star quality of Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch, another big play WR is needed. With Trent Edwards taking over the reigns at QB full time, a big receiver is needed to compliment the pass catching RB in Lynch and the speedster Evans. Sweed was hurt his senior year, but provides the size and the playmaking abilities that can help the Bills right away. His speed was another concern, but he ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at 6’4” 215 lbs. which is more than I can say for Malcolm Kelly whom has dropped out of the 1st and possibly 2nd round.
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12. Denver (7-9) |
 The Pick: Chris Williams, OL, Vanderbilt
Comments: Although Denver needs help on both lines, the retirement of Matt Lepsis and the trade for Dwayne Robertson pushed the offensive line to the fore front. With Jay Cutler still learning, Williams becomes a catch to protect his blind side at the 12th spot. Williams knows Cutler from their Vandy days, and is a great fit for the zone blocking scheme of the Broncos.
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13. Carolina (7-9) |
 The Pick: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois*
Comments: The average backs of the Panthers have long plagued their offense. Mendenhall is ranked ahead of McFadden in some draft circles. He has excellent size, burst, agility and balance, similar to former Panther great Stephen Davis. Mendenhall, combined with DeAngelo Williams, provides a 1-2 punch that is needed in today’s NFL. This new Thunder and Lightening tandem will also allow the receiving core more one on one match-up.
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14. Chicago (7-9) |
 The Pick: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Comments: Though their free agency moves will dictate early draft selections, replacing the offensive line will be addressed in the draft. Otah is a versatile lineman, whom is only going to get better. He has the aggressive blocking attitude that a Bears lineman needs. With Olin Kreutz and John Tait teaching him the ropes, he can be a Pro-Bowl player in a few years. This could easily be Ryan Clady or even Gosder Cherilus depending on whom the teams have ranked where. I think Otah has the best chance of being an All-Pro.
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15. Detroit (7-9) |
 The Pick: Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
Comments: With the loss of their best offensive lineman (the average, but versatile Damien Woody) and the inability to keep Jon Kitna upright, this selection is great. At 6’7”, Albert has the size to play the tackle position, but the skill to also move to guard. Similar to Woody, they can move him during the need of training camp to the weakest position on the line. Only a handful of future draftees have improved their stocks significantly, but he is definitely one of them and he may be taken higher.
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16. Arizona (8-8) |
The Pick: Mike Jenkins, CB, USF  Comments: The Cards’ defense is starting to show signs of life. With Antrelle Rolle moving to safety (I think it’s a great move), they need a speedy corner to take his spot. Jenkins is very fast and has good ball skills.
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17. Chiefs (4-12) |
 The Pick: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Comments: Yes, it is hard to imagine this many teams passing on Ryan, but it happens almost every year. With the trade, the Chiefs can address 2 areas of need in one round…similar to the Browns last year. I do like a lot of intangible’s of Ryan, but with Henne, Flacco and Brohm in later rounds, teams will wait. |
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18. Houston (8-8) |
The Pick: Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami*  Comments: I know that the Texans desperately need a running back, but their defense is a player or 2 away from really being something. Phillips could immediately improve their defense and would be a huge upgrade over their safeties now. He can play both free and strong safety which will benefit the Texans.
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19. Philadelphia (8-8) |
The Pick: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State  Comments: Thomas only had one productive season for the Spartans, but has tons of talent. An offensive guru such as Andy Reid will be excited to teach this guy how to play consistently and use his natural talents. The Eagles went to the Super Bowl when they gave Donovan McNabb a legitimate threat outside of RB Brian Westbrook to target. Thomas also doubles as a return man, which they also desperately need.
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20. Tampa Bay (9-7) |
The Pick: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas*
 Comments: Tampa Bay has always hung it’s hat on defense...unfortunately that defense is old. After losing 2 defensive backs and Rhonde Barber nearing retirement, a corner is needed. Talib has the ability to play in the nickel spot as well as some safety. With his 6’1+ frame, he is an ideal size for the Tampa –2 defense. The defense would capitalize on Talib’s ability to track the ball down and contend with bigger receivers. He has some character issues, but I think the Bucs will take a chance on hm. A WR is possible here, but not other WR’s look like 1st round grades. | 
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21. Washington (9-7) |
 The Pick: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Comments: The Redskins may go DE Calaais Campbell here because of the physical nature of their division and the size of him. They need a pass rush artist more than size at this point. Harvey can still play the run, but getting to the QB is what he is good at. The Redskins need someone disruptive on that D-Line. I think that Phillip Merling and Harvey are interchangeable at this point.
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22. Dallas (from Cleveland (10-6)) |
 The Pick: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Comments: Dallas may be getting PacMan Jones, but he still may not play this year. Moving Anthony Henry to safety is a possibility if PacMan does play. The Defensive backfield would be set with Terrance Newman, Deon Grant, Henry and Cason. Williams is weak on pass defense, although he is a playmaker. Teams can’t have enough DB’s in this league. They do need WR’s and RB’s, but at this point, Cason immediately improves the defense and they can get those needs later.
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23. Pittsburgh (10-6) |
 The Pick: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Comments: I know that Kentwan Balmer would be a solid fit here for the nose-tackle or even DE, but if the Steelers want to keep pounding the ball, they need someone to pave the way. Cherilus is the last of the 1st round graded offensive lineman. I think he will be a better guard than tackle, which makes him valuable with the departure of Alan Faneca. | 
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24. Tennessee (10-6) |
 The Pick: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Comments: The Titans are going to lose some valuable members of their defensive line this off-season. He is use to top talent from the ACC and can start immediately. He is the kind of player that Jeff Fisher covets: versatile, tough against the run and a non-stop motor. Not as good as former teammate Gaines Adams, but more well rounded. As stated above, I think Campbell and Merling may flip flop.
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25. Seattle (10-6) |
 The Pick:
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