Pre-Combine 2008 NFL Mock Draft | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Pre-Combine 2008 NFL Mock Draft

Phin Phanatic

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Guys, I know it's real early for this, but I'll take a crack anyway. I did borrow from www.nfldraftcountdown.com, so please keep that in mind...

Enjoy and let me know what you think....

Peace!

1. Baltimore Ravens (From Miami) - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College:
Yeah, I'm dropping the Fins out of #1 pick as I see Baltimore coveting Matt Ryan and do not want to risk either Miami or Atlanta scooping him up. He has all the measurables, instincts and mechanics to be a real great player in the leauge. He's not as good a prospect Eli Manning or Ben Rothlisberger but I'd expect the same level of play from the BC QB.

2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU:
It would be hard for me to comprehend the Rams picking anyone besides Dorsey. Besides McFadden he is the best prospect of the whole '08 class. The Rams have Stephen Jackson, so D Mac is out of the question. With injury concerns behind him, this monster will chew up space with the best DTs in the league. This will also allow Adam Carriker to move back to DE as Leonard Little's career winds down.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas:
While both Chris and Jake Long will get long looks from the Falcons brass, a prospect as unique as McFadden is too much to pass up on. Some may point to Jerious Norwood as a reason not to draft this Junior standout but I retort that if Norwood was the long term answer for the Falcons, he would have taken that job from the very old Warrick Dunn by now.

4. Oakland Raiders - Jake Long, OT, Michigan:
While Al Davis and crew may have the Robert Gallery debacle in the back of their heads come the last Saturday of April, if a can't miss LT like Long is still available by pick #4, the Raiders will jump all over him. Besides, they will need to keep Jemarcus upright if they want him to succeed.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas:
At this point the Chiefs will want to piss all over their divisional rivals for snatching Jake Long before they could, god knows their O Line needs serious revamping, however with Long gone, and Ryan Clady being somewhat of a reach at #5, KC will stay in their state (I'm joking) and address their aging corners by picking Kansas stand out Talib. This dude has remarkably blazing speed for a big guy and has great hands. He will be a shutdown corner by '10. However, because Levi Brown was picked #5 by the Cards last year, don't rule out Clady. Though, keep in mind Brown's impact was minimal.

6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC:
This rising stud will fall into the giddy laps of Jets Faithful at #6. Ellis had as nearly impressive '07 campaign as Dorsey, sans the fanfare. He's a big fast guy that moves well. God knows the Jets need a run stopping defender in the worst way. Ellis is a near perfect fit for the Jets 3-4 defense and will make Dewayne Robertson and his overpriced salary expendable. Don't rule out Vernon Gholston with this pick.

7. New England Patriots (From San Francisco) - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy:
If, the Pats decide to pick #7 and not trade it away, they will go after a CB to fill the void of Samuel, if he ends up leaving in free agency. Talib was all ready chosen so #2 is McKelvin. McKelvin is not the prospect Talib is however he was the best return man from '07 and the Pats desperately need a return man that isn't stupid Troy Brown or the 112 catch phenom, Wes Welker. They will probably get rid of this pick though

8. Miami Dolphins (From Baltimore) - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State:
This Buckeye, like Ellis, had a tremendous '07 campaign and recorded a monster 14 sacks. By watching the BCS you could really see how disruptive this guy is. Jason Taylor, if he is even on the team next year, is only getting older. Matt Roth has proven he's not the replacement, Gholston can and will be. Parcells is always looking to bolster his two lines and Gholston will be a great fit if the Dolphins run a 3-4 Defense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC:
After talking with you Tuesday night, I realized the Bengals brass has NO CHOICE, but to draft front 7 with their first round pick. With Gholston and Ellis off the boards, it comes down to Derrick Harvey and Keith Rivers... Considering the Bengals subbed in about 50 linebackers last year, they definitely need stability there. Also, considering OLB is dreadful after Rivers and DT/DE is stacked throughout the entire draft, it's easier to draft front 4 in the later rounds. Rivers is expected to have a great combine and will be an immediate impact for the hapless Bengals LB corps.

10. New Orleans Saints - MIke Jenkins, CB, USF:
I really am having trouble reasoning why I have 3 CB in the top 10 picks when CB can be somewhat of an overrated position and it's rare that even two CBs are in the top 10. However, what looked like would be a brutal draft for CBs is turning out to be a great draft for CB. Combine that with the fact that Jason David was the biggest FLOP of '07 and the Saints desperately need a shutdown opposite Mike MacKenzie. Jenkins is big and fast with fluid hip movement and the ability to really break on a football... He'll be a shutdown in 3 years.

11. Buffalo Bills - DeSean Jackson, WR/KR, California:
If I had to list 3 pressing needs for the Bills, they'd go as following: 1) CB 2) WR 3) OLB
After 3 CBs taken in the first 10 picks, that well has definitely ran dry and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a reach at #11. OLB is a dead position after Keith Rivers. Edwards is now the guy in Buffalo and for him to be real successful he needs more weapons. Edwards would benefit most by a pass-catching TE, but none are available this high. DeSean Jackson is the most explosive weapon in the draft and is in the mold of Ted Ginn Jr. only Jackson is more polished as a receiver. Being opposite of Lee Evans will allow Evans to find more balls his way. If you weren't all ready convinced also consider that Jackson would be back with former Cali teammate, Marshawn Lynch.

12. Denver Broncos - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida:
Despite drafting Harvey's Florida predecessor Jarvis Moss in 2007, they are still hurting up front and Harvey is a better prospect than Moss was last year. Kenny Philips will get serious looks as well as John Lynch's playing days are coming to a close rapidly.

13. Carolina Panthers - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville:
I think this could easily change if Brohm isn't overtly impressive at the Combine but this is pre-combine, so I'm sticking with Brohm for now. Brohm has all the mechanics and size despite a lackluster '07 campaign. He also possesses a genuine football mind. Lets face it, Carr is terrible Matt Moore is a lifetime back up and Delhomme is injured often and also getting older. Now with both Tackles (Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton) hitting the open market for Carolina, Ryan Clady out of Boise St. is a smarter pick, he's able to play both positions. Brohm dropping to 13 is too good to be true for the Panthers though.

14. Chicago Bears - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St:
Keith, if you were to ask me right now, who are the Chicago Bears going to draft with Brohm and Ryan off the board, I'd stare at you for about a good half hour with my usual blank stare of my face. I think at this point, the Bears would be best to go with BPA and improve an OLine that was terrible run blocking and pass protecting last year. Yeah, Benson is a bust, but he's not getting much help either. This time next week Clady can be bumped way up on the boards as I've heard he's only a few steps behind Jake Long.

15. Detroit Lions - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn St:
I expect big TINGS out of DRC in the combine and believe he may shoot up from bottom half of round one to the middle, nearly dead set middle! Can you name one Lion CB? Yeah, me neither, that's why they have to shore up that position early and often in the 2008 draft. I fully expect at least 2 CBs chosen by the Lions, Cromartie did himself a lot of favours by playing outstanding football in '07, even if it's at a small time school.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Philip Merling, DE, Clemson:
Darnell Dockett had a great 2007 season, however, if Joe Tafoya and Antonio Smith are out the outsides of Dockett, his 2008 season will be filled with double sometimes triple teams. Philip Merling wasn't as flashy as predecessor Gaines Adams but Merling is the better all around player, both against pass and run. With Merling, Dockett and Dansby on the front 7 from "Zona", they could end up causing nightmares for NFC West QBs.

17. Minnesota Vikings - Kenny Philips, FS, THE U!!!
This is the perfect fit for the FS out of Miami. The Vikings were 32nd against the pass last year. It's not too often a team is the number one rushing team and number one run blocking team and still not make the playoffs. Their secondary was one of the reasons why the Purple and Gold didn't see play in January. In a real thin safety draft class, Philips is head and shoulders the best of the bunch and great value at #17.

18. Houston Texans - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois:
In 2007 the Texans mocked the football world when Mario Williams showed signs of value for being chosen #1 in '06, in 2008, the Texans will cum in the face of the NFL when they draft a stud RB, not at #1 but at #18. Ahman Green is a) 30 b) washed. The Texans have issues on their line still and at CB, but Mendenhall will be one hot prospect after February will give the Texans a 3 headed monster to finally become contenders is a tough AFC South.

19. Tampa Buccaneers - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma:
This is another toughie, but I can definitely narrow this pick down to DT or WR with an outside shot of CB, Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly (is that correct?) aren't getting much younger... I think they'll want to address an offense that really struggled against the Giants in January, and that was a home game. Galloway is on his death bed as far as his career is concerned and Clayton will never fulfill the potential he showed in his rookie campaign. Who else do they have at WR, Maurice Stovall anyone. Kelly may not having blazing speed but he's a real big target for Jeff Garcia or whomever is playing Pivot for the Bucs in '08. Kentwan Balmer is my second choice for this pick.

20. Philadelphia Eagles - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh:
Ok this may be top 3 toughest to predict. I believe WR is their biggest concern and they finally need a true #1 target for McNabb, he ****ing deserves one, however I'm going on record to predict that Mario Manningham, Limas Sweed and Early Doucet will not do themselves any favours in the combine and will drop to late round one ---- middle of round two, and maybe for one of them the bottom half of round two. I know I shouldn't be predicating this pick on the combine as this is a "pre-combine mock" but even without considering the combine, with Jon Runyan becoming a fossil and serious questions concerning Winston Justice ('06 2nd rounder who was completely demoralized by Usi back in November, remember 6 sacks?), Jeff Otah becomes BPA and will fill a huge need for the Eagles. They might be in the Fitzgerald sweepstakes anyway...

21. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell, DE, The U!!!
Sure the Skins could look to add another receiver to a real medicore position but the big problem the Skins have faced over the last couple seasons is getting to the QB. Now, Andre Carter certainly had success last year, but he'll benefit a lot more from having someone who get can to the QB opposite of him. At 6'8" 280 LBS, Campbell might be the most towering DE of the whole Junior Class. You know I love my wingspan and this guy has the ****ing wingspan of an eagle. He's still pretty raw at the DE position and his techniques and mechanics need improvement but he has a ton of upside and is just physically gifted...

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Dallas is stacked nearly at every position, but at WR they are old and need some youth injection. Patrick Crayton is not old but Glenn and Owens are old. Considering the see the 'Boys' and Romo like their big receivers, they'll love this homegrown talent. He has the size and grace you would dream to have at this position. He was injured quite a bit last year which may have hurt his stock a bit, but he may end up being a big player once Owens moves on.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Branden Albert, OG, Virgina:

With Faneca darting, this may be one of the easiest picks of the draft considering they are pretty solid everywhere else except for safety, with Philips all ready taken and believing, as of right now, Reggie Smith isn’t on the first round draft boards, the Steel Curtain will need a new Guard at place to replace Faneca… This is NFL Draft Countdown’s pick, so I’ll let them take it away -----------------------

The Steelers have always been able to hang their hat on a dominant offensive line but they could be preparing to undergo a significant changing of the guard up front. It looks as though free agent Alan Faneca is all but gone, Max Starks is a free agent who is not expected back and Marvel Smith has battled some injuries in recent years and has just one more year left on his contract. Basically Pittsburgh will probably be in the market for the best offensive lineman available and Albert, a junior entry who has the ability to play either guard or tackle, would not be too much of a reach here.

24. Tennessee Titans – Mario Manningham, WR, MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEChican

I don’t care what anybody says, Vince Young is going to be a great QB in this league, if he regressed last year it has a tiny bit to do with game planning around him and a major reasoning being his fn receivers. Brandon Jones? Really? Justin Gage? Really? That Roydell Williams? Really? Get the man a competent receiver and he’ll do a little better. If the Titans lose Haynesworth, that’s a huge blow to their front 7 but it will be addressed in other rounds. Besides they have depth at DT with Starks. They need a receiver and unless they grab Key, they’ll need to draft one and draft one EARLY!
 
Nice, but I think Baltimore loves Troy Smith.
 
The Jets would be all over Chris Long, and he won't make it out of the top 6
 
You lost all credibility with me when you said Vince Young would be a great quarterback in this league... he is trash, and he always will be
 
and gholston would only be a great fit in a 3-4 defense if he played LINEBACKER. he cant play defensive end, he only weighs 260. that is tiny for a 3-4 DE. you have to weigh around 280-300.
 
yikes, sorry, I made a revision to this and changed around Chris Long, I'll have to go back to the drawing board....

I had Chris Long to the Jets... I'll revise...
 
I'm real surprised that Baltimore would be even remotely loyal to Troy Smith, but I will factor that in and post again w/o trades...
 
what are the dolphins getting for trading out of pick 1
 
the best scenario for miami is the dallas trade and they can draft 22 28 and 32 calais campbell kenny phillips and cason three stars
 
You lost all credibility with me when you said Vince Young would be a great quarterback in this league... he is trash, and he always will be

I believe he has more wins than any other QB in the draft he came out in...and he has very few weapons to help him...far from trash.
 
I can see 3-4 teams trying to move up to get Ryan...so it could be K.C., Atlanta, Ravens, Carolina and Bears and I hear even the Bucs may try to move up.
 
I believe he has more wins than any other QB in the draft he came out in...and he has very few weapons to help him...far from trash.

Fishypete... it appears that some people get caught up in words and school colours... :rolleyes:
 
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