FanNation

2008 NFL Draft, Round One Review

•1.        Miami Dolphins

Jake Long T/Michigan

You knew GM Bill Parcells would grab a lineman, question was would it be offensive or defensive.  He chose the one player he hoped would anchor the left tackle position for years to come.  Signing him up to a contract early didn't hurt either.

Grade: A

•2.        St. Louis Rams

Chris Long DE/Virginia

Have no problem with the Rams taking a defensive lineman, but one would think you might want to take the best defensive lineman.  Long may have had the bloodlines, but Glenn Dorsey is the better player.

Grade: B

•3.        Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan QB/Boston College

No brainer here.  This team needed a QB and they took the best one available.  This also will eliminate all those questions about whether or not Mike Vick will be back with the team when he is released from prison.

Grade: A

•4.        Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden RB/Arkansas

McFadden was the consensus #1 pick.  Question is, do the Raiders need another running back?  Certainly was not a position of need, but Al Davis loves the big play guys.

Grade B+

•5.        Kansas City Chiefs

Glenn Dorsey DT /Louisiana State

Could things have worked any better for KC?  Dorsey falls into their laps at #5, not to mention they have an extra first round pick at #15.

Grade A+

•6.        New York Jets

Vernon Gholston DE/LB Ohio State

That big groan you heard out of Radio City was when Darren McFadden was taken by Oakland.  They settled for Gholston, and while there are some questions about his desire, has a ton of upside also.

Grade B

•7.        New Orleans Saints

Sedrick Ellis DT/USC

The Saints tried their best to trade up in the draft so that they could grab Dorsey, but in the end Ellis is not a bad alternative.

Grade B

•8.        Jacksonville Jaguars

Derrick Harvey DE/Florida

The Jaguars gave up a bunch to move up 18 spots and select Harvey, but didn't have to give up next years #1.  Nonetheless, Harvey is already a good pass rusher who will only get better.

Grade B

•9.        Cincinnati Bengals

Keith Rivers LB/USC

The Bengals need all the help they can get on D; Rivers was the best linebacker on the boards.  I have a feeling the reason Cincy didn't take the Redskins trade proposal for Chad Johnson was because there are just no wide receivers worth taking this early to replace Ocho Ego.

Grade B

•10.     New England Patriots

Jerod Mayo LB/Tennessee

You knew the Pats were either going to take a linebacker or get secondary help.  Mayo is a solid player who will add some much needed youth to the New England Linebacking corp.

Grade B+

Read the rest of the first round recap here:

http://www.thefantasysportsforum.com/article.php?ID=269