Everybody Loves Mock Drafts!

Here’s the 1st (and maybe last) Sportsology NFL Mock Draft 2008

1. Miami - Jake Long, Michigan, OT – The Dolphins need help at pretty much every position besides running back. Glen Dorsey would definitely help, but having Parcells around will improve the defense anyway. One of the things that held Miami back when they were good was the offensive line play, which has been mediocre to poor for the last 10 years or so. Jake Long will be a cornerstone on the line for a long time.
2. St. Louis - Glen Dorsey, LSU, DT – Dorsey is the impact player on defense they’ve lacked for years. Him and Leonard Little could make their defensive line a force to reckon with.
3. Atlanta * - Matt Ryan, Boston College, QB – He would be a great fit here, as Michael Vick will likely never be a Falcon again and Joey Harrington/Chris Redmon/Byron Leftwich isn’t going to cut it at QB.
4. Oakland * - Darren McFadden, Arkansas, RB – I originally had Chris Long here because of the Howie Long connection but I don’t think Al Davis would be able to pass up the most talented player in any draft, regardless of whether they need him or not.
5. Kansas City * - Ryan Clady, Boise St., OT – They are in desperate need of O-linemen to protect Brodie Croyle and open up holes for Grandmama.
6. New York Jets - Sam Baker – USC OT – The Jets are another team with poor line play, although if Chris Long is available he’d be tough to pass up.
7. New England (From SF) - Keith Rivers, USC, LB – The Patriots are able to add a linebacker to relieve older linebackers like Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi.
8. Baltimore - Brian Brohm, Louisville, QB – I don’t think the Ravens have much confidence in Troy Smith. They seemed reluctant to let him play even though their season was pretty much over. Brohm is a solid QB prospect, although I think Troy Smith is a decent QB as well.
9. Cincinnati - Chris Long, Virginia, DE – The analyst will say he slipped if he landed here, although it made more sense for the other teams to draft someone besides him. I thought he was slightly overrated, but any talent on defense is an improvement for the Bengals, especially in the front seven.
10. New Orleans - Antoine Cason, Arizona, CB – The Saints defense has been a Achilles heel for them the past few seasons. Cason is the best cornerback in this year’s draft and should have an immediate impact.
11. Buffalo - Justin King, CB, Penn St. – King has a lot of potential at cornerback and is a physical specimen. He could end up being the next Antonio Cromartie: a young player that has a greater impact in the pros than he did in college.
12. Denver - Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech – Denver could use depth at offensive line and in their defensive front seven. Hall would’ve been a candidate for collegiate defensive awards if he didn’t get hurt in the middle of the season. He has great instincts and is an excellent tackler.
13. Carolina - Dan Connor, Penn St., LB – You have to know that Dan Morgan isn’t going to play a full 16 games this season. This Dan is a tad overrated, but he can help the Panthers out next year.
14. Chicago - Andre Woodson, Kentucky, QB – I don’t think Andre Woodson will be a good NFL quarterback. Honestly, I think that because he’s black people assume he’s athletic. If he had athleticism to go with his arm, he would definitely be the right fit here. However, his lack of mobility killed him in Kentucky’s losses this year and will surely make it tough for him to have a good NFL career.
15. Detroit - Derrick Harvey, Florida, DE – Finally, somebody besides a wide receiver. The Lions need playmakers on defense, and their will be several studs on defense still available.
16. Arizona - Reggie Smith, Oklahoma, CB – Antrel Rolle is coming along. Teaming him with Reggie Smith will give the Cardinals a solid young secondary for this growing team. Better defensive backfield play could finally get them into the playoffs.
17. Minnesota - Aqib Talib, Kansas, CB – He could help their poor secondary and give them a boost in the return game as well. He could also give them a few plays on offense.
18. Houston - Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma, WR – Finally, Andre Johnson can get some help on the outside. If the Texas draft well, they could make the first postseason in the history of the franchise.
19. Philadelphia - Mario Manningham, Michigan, WR – If Donovan is back, it will be a crime for them not to draft this guy. He’s a beast and can bring the Eagles a T.O.-like threat that has power and speed.
20. Tampa Bay - DeSean Jackson, California, WR – Jon Gruden is a defensive guy, but Jackson can give them the flexibility on offense they need. He will be an immediate return threat and can learn how to play receiver under Joey Galloway.
21. Washington - Sedrick Ellis, USC, DT – Washington is mediocre in almost all facets of the game so they could go in several different directions with this pick.
22. Dallas - James Hardy, Indiana, WR – Hardy is too good to pass up here, especially for a team that needs receivers. Terry Glenn is washed up and Patrick Crayton doesn’t have the skills to match the trash he talks.
23. Pittsburgh - Vernon Gholston, Ohio State, DE – Their defense is starting to slip and Gholston can provide an immediate impact on that side of the ball.
24. Tennessee - Limus Sweed, WR, Texas – The Titans are another team that is mediocre in pretty much all aspects of football. Vince Young will probably beg them to take Sweed here, as he will be under the gun to perform next year. If they think Sweed will be available in the second round, they could wait. He’s a 1st-3rd round prospect, as this year’s draft is filled with a ton of talent.
25. Seattle - Jonathan Stewart, Oregon, RB – Shaun Alexander is pretty much done, he could team up with fellow Duck Maurice Morris to replace Alexander. Hell, they might even replace him this year.
26. Jacksonville - Kenny Phillips, Miami, FS – Kenny Phillips is too good to pass up here. Adding him could give the Jags the league’s best defense.
27. Dallas - Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech, CB - Their secondary is the weak link, particularly at safety. They could possibly move Anthony Henry to safety because Roy Williams is suspect and Henry is losing his speed.
28. Indianapolis - Calais Campbell, Miami, DE – He adds depth to their defensive line and could be a safe guard incase Dwight Freeney has a Julius Peppers type season.
29. San Diego Chargers - Lawrence Jackson, USC, DE – If he’s still available, this is a why not pick.
30. Green Bay Packers - Malcolm Jenkins, South Florida, CB – Another why not pick. Charles Woodson is playing better than ever, but Al Harris is a mediocre cornerback that might be nearing the twilight of his career.
31. NY Giants (assuming they lose the Super Bowl) - Gosder Cherilus, Boston College OT, - Their offensive line is shaky at times. They are also getting weak at defensive back, but protecting their QB and keeping their running game solid should be a priority.
32. Patriots lost this pick because they cheated
* Draft order to be determined by coin flip at the NFL combine