2008 National Football League Mock Draft

by Bodog Sportsbook | Apr 4 2008

Like every other mock draft, this one means absolutely nothing. It is pure B.S., based purely on shots in the dark, wild-assed speculation and some good old-fashioned guesses. That means everyone has an equal chance of being right, unless of course, your name is Bill Parcells. Check out your favorite mock drafts and be sure to bet with Bodog Live on April 26 as each team goes on the clock.

1. Miami Dolphins: Vernon Gholston – OLB/DE – Ohio State
Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano have been extremely tight-lipped since they arrived in South Florida, and no one has any idea who they really want. Remember, who’s pulling the strings - Bill Parcells has been searching for the next Lawrence Taylor since he left the Giants. This year is no different. Gholston has great character, so hopefully he won’t pull an LT off the field and end up under a twisted pile of hookers and blow for the next 10 years.

2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long - OLB/DE - Virginia
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett wants to go to a 3-4 defense full-time, so they need more pass rushers. With his elite character grade and never-stopping motor, about the only way Chris Long could be more popular is if he put on a cape and flew around saving the world from random bear attacks.

3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey – DT- LSU
The only team with more holes to fill is Miami. Mike Smith is a defensive guy and Dorsey is a perfect fit in his 4-3 scheme. There shouldn’t be any more real questions about his health after his outstanding pro day. The next 10 years are going to be like a blind date in prison. Dorsey, meet NFL. NFL, meet Dorsey. NFL, pick up the soap.

4. Oakland Raiders: Jake Long – OT – Michigan
Would Al Davis really pass on Darren McFadden if he were still on the board? Probably not. However, last year they invested $30 million in guaranteed money in JaMarcus Russell. Even Davis is smart enough to know they need to protect that investment. He has to be… right?

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Sedrick Ellis – DT – USC
Herm doesn’t need to win now, but he needs to show immediate improvement. “Hello? You play to WIN the game.” Yes Herm, and the games are won by scoring more points than your opponent. Picking the explosive Ellis could go a long way to helping the Chiefs stop the other team from scoring.

6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden – HB – Arkansas
It’s time for D’Brickashaw Ferguson to earn his signing bonus. If he can create some space, McFadden is guaranteed to find the end zone… or an altercation outside a nightclub. Whichever comes first.

7. New England Patriots (from 49ers): Leodis McKelvin – CB – Troy
Fernando Bryant and Jason Webster are starters? CB could be the choice, unless of course they amazingly select two corners and three linebackers with one pick… Belichick could make it happen. He might just “misinterpret” the rule.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie – CB – Tennessee State
The Ravens need a QB for the future, or for Week 3 when Steve McNair gets injured again. They may look to get Flacco, Brohm, or Henne in the second or third round. Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle are past their prime and DRC’s fresh legs are needed in this once-feared secondary. Anyone who thinks Ozzie Newsome won’t be talking to Deion Sanders about training this kid is crazy.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Clady – OT – Boise State
The Bengals don’t care about Chad Johnson whining like a 6-year-old in a toy store. The only player this team cares about is Carson Palmer. He’s the leader and the one who has control of the locker room. This offseason they signed his little brother to back him up, and now they’ll take the best linemen available to keep him out of the mud.

10. New Orleans Saints: Keith Rivers – LB – USC
They wanted A.J. Hawk in 2006 when Reggie Bush fell into their laps. Rivers can come in and immediately have his presence felt on the field. This linebacker finds the ball faster than an out-of-town salesman finds a seat in the front row of a strip club.

11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas – WR – Michigan St.
This is a huge reach, as most draftniks don’t expect a receiver to go in the top 18 picks. The Bills have been searching for someone to help Lee Evans, so they may reach here. By just sitting down at the line of scrimmage, Thomas will improve Evan’s production by taking some of the attention to the other side of the field.

12. Denver Broncos: Chris Williams – OT – Vanderbilt
At 6-6 and with a 5.17 40-time, he has the size and more importantly the speed to play effectively in the zone-blocking scheme. As long as he passes his lie detector test, this should be a great fit. He could make cheap cut blocks for the next 10 years.


13. Carolina Panthers: Matt Ryan – QB – Boston College
This just in…David Carr didn’t work and somehow Jake Delhomme is still aging. Matt Ryan is not a top five selection, but he is a top 15 talent. There is a lot of value for picking their future signal-caller here.

14. Chicago Bears: Rashard Mendenhall – HB – Illinois
Could be the best running back in this draft class. He has the home run ability of McFadden, but doesn’t go to sleep when you hit him on the shoelaces. Instant upgrade over the big, yet surprisingly frail Cedric Benson.

15. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harvey – DE – Florida
The Tampa 2 defense works about as well as a concrete parachute without consistent QB pressure. Head coach Rob Marinelli desperately needs somebody to explode off the line and flat out dummy people in the backfield. So, they might hope that Harvey can make an impact and improve their pass rush.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Aqib Talib – CB – Kansas
Last season, Arizona’s pass defense was torn up more than Paris Hilton’s knees in a dimly lit parking lot at the Sundance Film Festival. At Kansas Talib was an instinctive ball hawk. If he works on his consistency, he will be an exciting young playmaker for them at the next level.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Phillip Merling – DE – Clemson
Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia and poor production problems from Erasmus James have created a need for yet another first-round pass rushing pick.

18. Houston Texans: Mike Jenkins – CB – South Florida
Until Dunta Robinson is back, their starting corners are Demarcus Faggins and Jacques Reeves. When he gets back, they’ll just need one starting caliber corner. Jenkins could team with Robinson to be one of the most exciting young defensive back tandems in the league.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Otah – OT – Pittsburgh
Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan have anchored this line for almost a decade. They will be a combined 69 years old. They need a physical young tackle to dominate for the next 10 years. Otah is about as tough as they come. Block? Your team will be lucky if he doesn’t throw punches to open holes for Brian Westbrook. Otah can help this offense make the spectacular plays again.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DeSean Jackson – WR – California
169 pounds is more like a birth weight for this league, so DeSean Jackson will have to use all of his 4.3 speed just trying not to get killed. If he can manage to not get hit, the Bucs could finally have a consistent threat on special teams and someone who can take over as a downfield threat for Joey Galloway.

21. Washington Redskins: Malcolm Kelly – WR – Oklahoma
Some “experts” have Kenny Phillips going here as a replacement for Sean Taylor. The problem is - they can’t replace him. Not in this draft anyway. Kelly’s almost 6-4 and 224 pounds with speed in the 4.5s… This guy was built to be a possession receiver. He can move the chains while allowing Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El to get more opportunities downfield.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Browns): Jonathan Stewart – HB – Oregon
While he was tempted to try and trade up to grab the overrated highlight film Darren McFadden, Jerry Jones’ patience pays off as Stewart’s surgery causes his slide. Adding Stewart into the backfield with Marion Barber would give them the punishing 1-2 punch they wanted from Julius Jones.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Albert – OG – Virginia
Cornerback is an option here, but replacing an All-Pro LG seems like a good idea considering they just spent $102 million on Big Ben. They may want to make sure he doesn’t spend most of that money while on the IR.
 
24. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed – WR – Texas
Stewart falls and forces the Cowboys to add to their backfield, which allows Vince Young to be reunited with Sweed, and boy do they need it. The Titans receivers have dropped more balls than puberty, and they’re going to need somebody to catch the ball if Vince is going to succeed.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Fred Davis – TE – USC
Mike Holmgren is finishing up and Jim Mora Jr. is licking his lips to take over. That’s not going to be awkward. Like the morning after a one-night stand… if it lasted for a year. Mora just keeps looking at the time and sighing loudly while waiting for Holmgren to finally leave. One thing they agree on is that Davis is the best TE in this draft. He can contribute both right away and in the future.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kentwan Balmer – DT – UNC
Balmer is big, strong and athletic. He would take over for Marcus Stroud and learn from one of the best in the league, John Henderson. Henderson could be able to help Balmer become more consistent at the point of attack and avoid being a colossal bust. No pressure.

27. San Diego Chargers: Curtis Lofton – ILB - Oklahoma
Newly acquired MLB Derek Smith has been a good player for years, but he isn’t the long-term answer. Lofton’s been one of those players everyone seems to love, but won’t talk about. Like it’s a high school dance and they don’t want you to know who they really have a crush on, lest you come in and snake them away with your mussed hair, brooding good looks and fancy small talk. He will go earlier than people suspect.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Kenny Phillips – FS – Miami
The backfield is a position of need for the Cowboys with regards to depth and youth. Also missing is a profound lack of talent in coverage. While strong against the run, in coverage Roy Williams is like a tea bag in the ocean. Weak. Ken Hamlin needs some more consistent help, and Phillips would add a smart and instinctive playmaker.

29. San Francisco (from Colts): Quentin Groves – DE - Auburn
They add to their defense with the athletic Groves. He can play with his hand in the dirt opposite newly signed free agent Justin Smith, but likely will find himself standing up as an OLB in the 3-4. There’s no way the 49ers will be able to look at the Patriots’ first-round pick and not compare him to Joe Staley. Staley may be treated like a redheaded stepchild until he makes his first Pro Bowl.

30. Green Bay Packers: Joe Flacco – QB – Delaware
Green Bay is stacked except for two areas of need. They need youth at cornerback and a young arm to compete with Aaron Rodgers. Don’t be too stunned if they pick QB Joe Flacco here. He looks scruffy and almost has enough “who gives a shit where I throw this ball as long as I fling it downfield” attitude to make Packer fans feel comfortable.

31. New England Patriots (forfeited)

32. New York Giants: Dan Connor – ILB/OLB – Penn State
The Giants will look for someone to replace Kawika Mitchell on the outside after he left the Super Bowl champions to play for Buffalo. Please keep the snickering to a minimum… Connor had a monster pro day at Linebacker U and really impressed the scouts. It looks like he moved himself up into the first round with his impressive work ethic.

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