FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Ten months ago, I first came to this site. Before I got hooked on throwdowns, I took the time to do my first mock draft. Now I didn't exactly get every pick right, but I hit the nail on the head a few times and I had a lot of fun doing it. So here's my take on the 2008 version. And even though trades are bound to happen, I'm just going to do the draft as the teams currently are now.

1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long - DE

The Dolphins have wholes everywhere, no doubt. But the run defense was dead last in the league last season, and I think that's what they start with this offseason. I don't see them drafting Glenn Dorsey and plugging him in at noseguard after he played defensive tackle in a 4-3 in college, so they go with another vital part of a 3-4 defense and get Long. Long has the size, the motor, and the genes to be a dominant defensive end.

2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey - DT

Picking Glenn Dorsey would not only give them a great interior lineman, but it would also allow them to move last year's first round pick Adam Carriker back to defensive end. They could also take Jake Long here, since they were 26th in the NFL in sacks allowed last season, but Alex Barron is only going into his fourth year, and I don't see them moving him to right tackle or anything else just yet.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Long - OT

Atlanta is a lot like Miami, with holes just about everywhere, but I think they'll realize they have to get a solid line in front of their playmakers, or it won't matter who is in the backfield. Long is much like Joe Thomas last year, who had great measurables and a down-to-Earth, hard working attitude. Atlanta gets a solid linemen who projects as a rock on their offensive line for years to come. Matt Ryan is also a good bet to come here, as they need a franchise quarterback for the future too.

4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden - RB

McFadden appears to be the best offensive skill player in the draft, and he can prove it with some strong workouts. Oakland has enough help on defense to stay competitive, but they need immediate impact players on offense. Even though Oakland's running game looked functional with a healthy Lamont Jordan and Justin Fargas, imagine what a player like McFadden could do in that run heavy offense if he adjusts to the NFL like a few first round rookie running backs did last season.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Matt Ryan - QB

I thought about this pick a lot, and who they take completely depends on who goes before Kansas City picks fifth overall. They have major issues on the offensive line, (tied for worst in the league in sacks allowed, and last in the league in rushing yards per game) but no lineman besides Jake Long projects as a top five pick. The defense was solid in everything except for against the rush, where they were ranked 28th in the league, so they could go defensive tackle here and get Sedrick Ellis, assuming Dorsey is off he board. But I don't think they'll pass on the best quarterback prospect in the draft falling this far. Croyle doesn't appear to be the answer at quarterback, so the organizations views on him may determine who they take at the five spot.

6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston - DE

Gholston played defensive end in college, but appears to be versatile enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4. Every coach running the 3-4 wants the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker that can drop into coverage, play the run, or get after the passer. With some good workouts and an impressive combine, Gholston's stock could skyrocket. DeWayne Robertson played a solid season at noseguard for the Jets, so I don't think they'll go for Sedrick Ellis here, especially since he played defensive tackle in a 4-3 in college, just like Dorsey.

7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco) - Brandon Flowers - CB

The Patriots are a complete mess to predict at this time in the offseason. We don't know who is staying, who is going, or what's going to happen. But one thing even the smug Belichick can't deny is that the New England defense is old, and this pick will likely go nowhere else but that side of the ball. Flowers is a two time All-American, and at 5'10'' and around 195 pounds he has good NFL size.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Brian Brohm - QB

The Ravens truly don't have a lot of holes for a team with a 5-11 record. Injuries hit them hard last season, especially in the secondary. Other than getting a franchise QB, this is the place they may choose to upgrade if the right player falls to them. Otherwise, getting a strong armed, big pocket passer is just what they need. Kyle Boller never shined, Troy Smith is still a quedtion mark, and McNair is all but done. It's time to see if new head coach John Harbaugh and new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron can groom a quarterback better than Brian Billick ever could in his seasons in Baltimore. Brohm is argued by some to be an underrated prospect and maybe even better than Matt Ryan, so his stock could explode if he throws the ball well during workouts.

9. Cincinatti Bengals - Sedrick Ellis - DT

The Bengals defense was once again an issue, and they'll be happy to nab up Ellis if he drops this far. I don't have much else to say about this pick other than I'd be very surprised if it wasn't a player the Bengals can put in their front seven from day one.

10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin - CB

The Saints thought signing Jason David would doctor up their secondary problems enough, but they still ranked 30th in the NFL against the pass. McKelvin is a great pro prospect at 5'11, 190 lbs, and has 4.45 speed. With some great workouts his stock could also rise, maybe enough to pass Brandon Flowers the best corner available. New Orleans could also go linebacker here as well, and if somebody like Ellis falls this far they'll have trouble passing on him too.

11. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Kelly - WR

The Bills definitely need to go offense here and give Trent Edwards some weapons besides Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch. The receivers in this year's draft are a big question mark, so wrokouts will depend who is the first off the board. It could very well be Kelly, who has great size at 6'4'' and 220 pounds. Although his stats declined from his sophomore year, they are impressive nonetheless. The Bills could also look tight end here.

12. Denver Broncos - Kenny Phillips - S

The Broncos run defense was traditionally bad last season, even after they spent their first two picks on defensive ends. I think they would love to go defensive tackle here, but with Dorsey and Ellis off the board, I can't think of another tackle that they couldn't get a round later. So they instead look to add an explosive player to their secondary, a guy who could come in and immediately start beside John Lynch.

13. Carolina Panthers - Sam Baker - OT

Both of Carolina's starting tackles are set to hit the free agent market, so upgrading here seems a very logical idea. Baker was a four year starter at USC, and a three time All-American. Don't be surprised if he goes much earlier than this.

14. Chicago Bears - Limas Sweed - WR

Chicago needs several positions, but word from Halas Hall indicates they won't be taking a quarterback in round one unless Ryan or Brohm somehow fall their way. They desperately need playmakers on offense, especially at receiver if they do not resign Bernard Berrian. Mushin Muhammad has been released, so either way, they need a physical pass catcher with great hands. Sweed's 6'5" and 220 lbs, so he would fit in great with their offensive scheme. DeSean Jackson is also a candidate here, so this decision could come down to who the coaching staff rates higher. If they stay away from receiver, they may go offensive line here as well.

15. Detroit Lions - Jeff Otah - OT

Predicting who the Lions will take in the first round is always fun, because guessing what's going on in Matt Millen's head is a lot like playing the lottery. After years of ignoring their basic positions and focusing on skilled players, they'll finally realize that it doesn't matter who your playmakers are if nobody can block for them. Otah is 6'6", 340 lbs, and certainly looks like a player who can help Detroit's passer's stay on their feet.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Aqib Talib - CB

Arizona's pass defense was ranked 28th in the league last year, something that needs to be addressed. Talib has good size at 6'2", 205 pounds, and some say he's versatile enough to see playing time at corner and safety.

17. Minnesota Vikings - DeSean Jackson - WR

Minnesota needs immediate help offensively while their running game on both sides of the ball is phenomenal. While Jackson seems a little raw as a route runner, and he didn't always make the tough catches in traffic, his speed and athleticism might be too much to pass on. His added skill as a returner could also get him drafted a few picks earlier by teams looking for that game breaking special teamer and deep threat. Minnesota could also go safety or defensive end here to upgrade their league's worst pass defense.

18. Houston Texans - Rashard Mendenhall - RB

Mendenhall had a great year at Illinois and finished it off with a great individual performance at the Rose Bowl, and the Texans can draft him here without having to worry about forcing him into the lineup. Ahman Green and Ron Dayne can give them enough reps until he is ready to take over full time. The rushing offense was 22nd in the league last season, and adding Mendenhall could give the offense a much needed pop.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Mario Manningham - WR

Philly receivers haven't been productive enough since Terrell Owens was in town. Westbrook can't do it all every time, and getting a real vertical threat would do wonders for McNabb or Kolb, whichever direction they decide to go.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Early Doucet - WR

The Bucs have a very solid team returning, an they can afford to pick a receiver to develop under their current players. Doucet would be a solid compliment to Joey Galloway and a great successor to Ike Hilliard.

21. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell - DE

The Redskins were tied for 19th in the league with 33 sacks last season, after coming in dead last in that category the year before. Still, an upgrade is possible and Campbell was often projected as a top ten pick before he struggled this season at Miami. He has elite size at 6'8" 280 lbs. 

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) - Felix Jones - RB

Jones gets the call here instead of somebody like Johnathan Stewart because he's more of a shifty runner and would be a better change of pace back compared to Marion Barber III's power running style. Multiback systems are extremely effective, and the Cowboys won't give up on part of their offensive scheme that works so well for them.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Branden Albert - OG

Pittsburgh needs help inside after it appears Alan Faneca's career there is done, and they don't have much depth behind him. A run heavy, grind it out club won't want any holes in their offensive line.

24. Tennessee Titans - Adarius Bowman - WR

Vince Young needs weapons around him, and even though Bowman may project as more of a second rounder to most people, with no other top receivers available in this mock they take a flyer on him. The Titans could also take a defensive end since Antwaan Odom and Travis LaBoy will hit free agency, and maybe a tight end if nobody else has been taken by this pick.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Fred Davis - TE

I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle went running back here with Shaun Alexander looking lost, but they have so much money invested in him taking another first rounder might seem a little bit of an overkill, especially with Maurice Morris being productive enough backing him up. Davis gives them an immediate upgrade over Marcus Pollard, and Hasselbeck gets another big target in the passing game.  

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Phillip Merling - DE

While the Jags would like to add some strength to their receiving core here, they missed the run on pass catchers and can wait a round to do that. With current defensive end Bobby McCray set to be an unrestricted free agent, and Reggie Hayward still struggling after his injury, Merling could see immediate playing time. He has great size at 6'5", 270 lbs, and Jacksonville just doesn't have many holes anywhere else.

27. San Diego Chargers - Ryan Clady - OT

Pass protection was an issue last season, and drafting Clady gives them an athletic rookie with great potential, much like Marcus McNeill his rookie season. This would also allow them to play Clady or McNeill at either tackle spot, so coaches could get the most out of both players.

28. Dallas Cowboys - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB

With their second pick in the first round, Dallas tries to revamp their secondary. It looked great when they could get a good pass rush, but they also looked lost at times during the season. While three of their four starters went to the Pro Bowl, they have a ridiculous amount of money invested in Roy Williams, and he isn't living up to it. They can afford to groom in Rodgers-Cromartie while they decide what to do there. They could also look for an interior offensive linemen here.

29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) - Chilo Rachal - OG

The 49ers were a terrible 32nd in the league in points scored, total yards, and passing yards last year, so this pick should go nowhere else but on this side on the ball. You know they want to add somebody to their receiving core, but much like Jacksonville did in my mock draft, they're a little late to add a first round receiver here. Rachal had a great season at USC, and his big size brings tremendous upside.

30. Green Bay Packers - Mike Jenkins - CB

Jenkins has good size (6'0", 200 lbs) and speed, (4.49) and Green Bay needs somebody to develop under Al Harris and Charles Woodson, who are both up there in age. Jenkins is very athletic and has great ball skills, not to mention Green Bay has few holes to fill in this year's draft.

31. New England Patriots (Fofeited pick)

32. New York Giants - Keith Rivers - USC

Rivers could very well go much, much earlier than this pick. The Giants need help in their linebacking core with Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor both set to be unrestricted free agents. Rivers is a beast who will contribute immediately.

Well, there it is. I'm sure I'll be completely wrong on a few picks, but that's bound to happen. A number of picks this season could go a number of ways, and I really thought hard over who went where. I get the feeling I might have had too many teams taking wide receivers, and not enough teams taking linebackers. I also feel bad about letting players like Johnathan Stewart and Dan Connor drop out of the first round. I'll probably have to another one of these next month when free agency has settled down a little.