Once again, thanks to our boy JG for his updated mock draft...hopefully we get another one or two before draft day, but if not, Diego and Snack will handle all of your draft needs...
1 Dolphins - Chris Long DE Virginia
The best they have at QB right now is Josh McCown, so Matt Ryan has to be running through Parcells’ mind. But unless he believes Ryan will be mentioned in the same sentence as at least Brees or Palmer, then he should shy away from choosing the Boston College standout.
2 Rams - Jake Long OT Michigan
If Miami does take Matt Ryan, then Chris Long should go to St. Louis, but they need an offensive lineman and Jake Long is the ideal candidate for the job.
3 Falcons - Matt Ryan QB Boston Coll.
If he doesn’t go to the Dolphins, the Falcons should take Ryan. They’ll probably look to Glenn Dorsey the quarterback has already been selected.
4 Raiders - Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
Oakland needs to improve in many areas, and though running back is one of them, they should probably focus on the defensive and offensive lines. Glenn Dorsey could make a major impact for the Raiders, but after they signed DT Tommy Kelly to a huge deal, it‘s hard to believe they would invest this much more money in another defensive tackle.
5 Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
Kansas City may have a tough decision to make. Will they overpay for Boise State’s Ryan Clady? Will they trade down? Or will they take the best player available?
6 Jets - Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
If I had to guess, the Jets are probably hoping the Raiders fill a pressing need, rather than taking McFadden. Who better to lead they way for the rookie than newly acquired FB Tony Richardson. Ask Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson. A line that includes Alan Faneca, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, and Damien Woody would help get McFadden to the second level quite often.
7 Patriots - Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
The Patriots have Vernon Gholston in their sights, but Leodis McKelvin would be a nice fill-in for Asante Samuel.
8 Ravens - Aqib Talib CB Kansas
With their top two cornerbacks on last year’s injured reserve list, Baltimore will look to add a little depth in their secondary. But if they don’t like their available options, they are in a perfect position to take Sedrick Ellis away from Cincy.
9 Bengals - Sedrick Ellis DT USC
The Bengals are filling many of their needs in free agency, but are having a little bit of trouble finding a defensive tackle. They would like to see Ellis on the board, but there is a chance he could already be gone. OT Ryan Clady is a possibility if the top defensive lineman have already been chosen.
10 Saints - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tenn. St.
They could use an OLB like Keith Rivers, but Rodgers-Cromartie is the hottest name in the draft right now, and where better for him to play than New Orleans. With the addition of Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan, the defense is slowly catching up to their explosive offense. Just think what Rodgers-Cromartie could bring to the table.
11 Bills - Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
It’s no secret that Buffalo wants a tall receiver and Texas WR Limas Sweed caught their attention, but Kelly is considered the top receiver in the draft and has the size they are looking for. He is probably a safer choice at pick 11.
12 Broncos - Ryan Clady OT Boise St
Clady may not drop this far, but Denver will even settle with Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams or Pitt OT Jeff Otah.
13 Panthers - Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
If Clady, Williams, and Otah are already taken, they would most likely make a decision between one of the remaining first-round defensive ends (Harvey, Merling, Campbell).
14 Bears - Limas Sweed WR Texas
Even though they recently signed WR Brandon Lloyd, Chicago can’t pass up the chance to get a solid deep threat. This is a little high in the draft for Sweed, but with his height, the Bears should take a chance on him. Lovie Smith Looks to be satisfied with Cedric Benson, but if not, Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall could take his place.
15 Lions - Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
They Lions are looking for an offensive tackle or a cornerback. They can’t go wrong with the Otah as he’s sure to be a premier lineman in the NFL. Kansas CB Aqib Talib could wind up in Detroit if he’s not chosen in the top ten.
16 Cardinals - Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
Mendenhall and Edge together could tire defenses out, but they will have to consider taking a corner with their first pick. Mike Jenkins and Rodgers- Cromartie are possible options. If they happen to lose Fitzgerald, they’ll have to look at receivers as well.
17 Vikings - Phillip Merling DE Clemson
Minnesota needs to find a solid defensive end and should have plenty of options still available, including Florida‘s Derrick Harvey and Miami‘s Calais Campbell.
18 Texans - Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
The Texans could use a guy like this to carry the load, but he may already be taken. Alternate possibilities include S Kenny Phillips, or any of the top cornerbacks still available.
19 Eagles - Derrick Harvey DE Florida
McNabb needs more production out of his receivers, but the Eagles may try to find one in free-agency, or in a later round of the draft. They have more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball anyways. Phillip Merling and Calais Campbell are other options that may still be available for the Eagles.
20 Buccaneers - Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
Tampa needs to add some youth to their receiving corps, but there may already be a handful taken. If this is the case, they should look to build on their defense, whether it is cornerback, defensive-end, or even a d-tackle.
21 Redskins - DeSean Jackson WR Cal
As much as they have invested in wide-receivers over the past few years, Washington will most likely end up using their first pick on another one. If this isn’t the case, look for them to choose a defensive-end instead, such as Calais Campbell or Derrick Harvey.
22 Cowboys - Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
The Cowboys are in need of a corner and it very well could be Flowers. Reggie Smith should be another option still available at this point, but anyone of the previously mentioned corners could wind up falling into the Cowboys‘ hands. If Stewart and/or Mendenhall are still not chosen, Dallas may take a corner with their next choice.
23 Steelers - Branden Albert OG Virginia
If the Steelers do decide to go with the best available player, as Tomlin has said, then they might stumble upon some serious talent. To keep it within a realm of possibility, I am eliminating their chances of drafting Jonathan Stewart or Rashard Mendenhall. Willie Parker is more than capable of being the starter, and newly acquired Mewelde Moore should be a solid 3rd down back, so it is highly improbable that they would use their first pick on a running-back.
If Pitt OT Jeff Otah is still available they will probably draft him, but his stock is rising into a top-two, or three, lineman status. The Steelers have shown interest in Otah, and he could definitely help their offensive-line problems.
WR Limas Sweed has a great chance of falling this far in the first-round, and could complete a great corps of receivers. He is 6’4” and has the build to be a #1 receiver in the NFL. A 6’5” James Hardy would be a nice choice as well. Pittsburgh is in need of a WR, and if they are really excited about someone still available, they won’t hesitate to give him a Steelers uniform.
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is the most talked about player in this years draft, and it‘s well deserving. If he is still on the board, the Steelers will take him. They have to--it’s as simple as that. They could still get a solid lineman in a later round, such as Kansas OT Anthony Collins. Rodgers-Cromartie is going to be a great corner in the NFL, and Deshea Townsend is past his prime. The only problem is that other teams are noticing his superior talent as well. CB Brandon Flowers and CB Mike Jenkins are other strong possibilities for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers will also have their sights set on this class of defensive-ends. It will most likely be a later pick, but if someone catches their eye, you never know. Phillip Merling, Calais Campbell, Derrick Harvey, and/or Quentin Groves may be available.
24 Titans - Mario Manningham WR Michigan
Even though Manningham had a bad workout at the combine, scouts know he is a playmaker, and that’s what Vince Young needs. Indiana WR James Hardy, LSU WR Early Doucet, or WR Devin Thomas are all late first-round possibilities, and Limas Sweed may still be around as well. If he is, he will surely be the choice. Once upon a time, Young and Sweed were teammates.
25 Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer DT N. Carolina
Balmer could go higher in the draft, and the Seahawks would like to take an OT, but with all the top names off the list, Balmer would be the best choice for Seattle.
26 Jaguars - Calais Campbell DE Miami
It looks as though Jacksonville‘s offense is in place, and now it‘s time to focus on adding depth to the defensive line. They could choose a DT instead, but either way, they should find a player they can immediately plug in their defense.
27 Chargers - Sam Baker OT USC
The Chargers will look to take the best available player, but would like to take a right tackle to clear holes for L.T. They also need to replace Drayton Florence in the secondary, but all the top cornerbacks may already be taken. There only option at that position may be Oklahoma’s Reggie Smith.
28 Cowboys - Felix Jones RB Arkansas
If they choose a running-back with the 22nd pick, the Cowboys would definitely use their 2nd first-round choice on a CB, but they’ll probably focus on that need first. There will be many good running-backs for the Cowboys to choose from. McFadden’s college backup will work well in the Dallas offense.
29 49ers - James Hardy WR Indiana
Even though they signed I. Bruce, they are still in need of a receiver. There are many with exceptional talent and San Francisco should be able to find Alex Smith’s go-to-guy.
30 Packers - Fred Davis TE USC
The Packers would like to see Rodgers-Cromartie fall this far, but may settle for the best remaining CB, and it could be any one of them. If most are taken, TE Fred Davis or TE Dustin Keller could really help Aaron Rodgers in his first year as the starter. They may even choose an OT to protect him.
31 Giants - Keith Rivers OLB USC
He may go as high as tenth, but not many teams are focusing on linebackers as their top priority this year. ILB Dan Conner could be another choice for the Giants.
Other First-Round Possibilities - Brian Brohm QB Louisville, Early Doucet WR LSU, Devin Thomas WR Mich. St, Dustin Keller TE Purdue, Chilo Rachal OG USC, Gosder Cherilus OT Boston Coll., Jerod Mayo OLB Tennessee. Reggie Smith CB Oklahoma, Kenny Phillips S Miami, Quentin Groves DE Auburn, Trevor Laws DT ND, Dan Connor ILB Penn State.
Other Notable Players - Colt Brennan QB Hawaii, Ray Rice RB Rutgers, Jamaal Charles RB Texas, Chris Johnson RB East Carolina, Owen Schmitt FB WVU, Peyton Hillis FB Arkansas, Jacob Hester FB LSU, Andre Caldwell WR Florida, Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech, Lavelle Hawkins WR California, Donnie Avery WR/KR Houston, Dexter Jackson WR/KR Appalachian State, John Carlson TE ND, Carl Nicks OT Nebraska, Anthony Collins OT Kansas, Roy Schuening OG Oregon St., Mike Pollak OC Arizona St., Steven Justice OC Wake Forest, Cody Wallace OC Texas A&M, Curtis Lofton ILB Oklahoma, Ali Highsmith OLB LSU, Xavier Adibi OLB Virginia Tech, Erin Henderson OLB Maryland, Wesley Woodyard Jr OLB Kentucky, Tracy Porter CB Indiana, Antoine Cason CB Arizona, Dejuan Morgan S NC St., Lawrence Jackson DE USC, Pat Sims DT Auburn.
PS - This is our 200th post...thanks to everyone for reading, and we'll catch ya'll tomorrow...
