2008 NFL Mock Draft

Since the NFL Draft is tomorrow, I thought I would throw up the latest mock draft for the first two rounds, courtesy of Frank Coyle of DraftInsiders. Round 2 link is at the bottom along with a link for the Top 100 Prospects in the draft.

Round 1

(PICK, TEAM, NAME, POS, SCHOOL)

1 (1) Miami Dolphins Jake Long OT Michigan
Coyle: The Dolphins signed the huge tackle days before the draft. Long will couple with Vernon Carey to form a physical tackle tandem. The Dolphins had major needs along the offensive line, and this allows them to focus on skill positions and pass rushers through the rest of the process.

2 (2) St Louis Rams Chris Long DE Virginia
Coyle: The Rams are debating two defensive linemen here, with Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey the only prospects of interest. They have received offers from clubs in the top 10 for this selection, and will entertain all offers right up to the selection. Long addresses the bigger need on the outside, while Dorsey may be the best overall prospect in the entire draft.

3 (3) Atlanta Falcons Matt Ryan QB Boston College
Coyle: The Falcons are hoping to select Ryan so they can turn on the page on the Michael Vick fiasco. Ryan would be a great face of the franchise and could help start a new era. He has the skills to be an early NFL starter.

4 (4) Oakland Raiders Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
Coyle: The Raiders have not done many things right over the past six years. They need to get this right after another poor performance on the field in 2007. They will debate a few prospects like Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey and Darren McFadden. They want to trade back and hope the Ravens or Cowboys are interested in moving up to this spot. Dorsey would be a great replacement for the retired Warren Sapp and a cornerstone defender. McFadden brings the star factor that Al Davis likes, but the Raiders have a deep backfield and that is not a high need area.

5 (5) Kansas City Chiefs Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
Coyle: The Chiefs are in limbo at this spot. They probably will not have a chance at Matt Ryan with this pick, the prospect they like the most. The second best offensive tackle does not merit selection in the top 5 picks. They also must replace DE Jared Allen, who was traded to the Vikings for another No. 1 pick. They will consider DE Vernon Gholston and Derrick Harvey if they retain this selection. If they go offensive line, Ryan Clady and Branden Albert are high on their list.

6 (6) New York Jets Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
Coyle: The Jets have a few prospects earmarked here. They would love to land QB Matt Ryan, runner Darren McFadden or LB Vernon Gholston at this spot. McFadden would give them the big-play weapon they need on offense. Gholston would be a perfect complement to free agent addition Calvin Pace for their 3-4 scheme.

7 (7) New England Patriots Keith Rivers OLB USC
Coyle: The Patriots have a few key needs that must be addressed, mainly in the secondary and at linebacker. They will consider Keith Rivers or Jerod Mayo if Vernon Gholston is off the board at this selection. They will most likely have their choice cornerbacks like Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Either would be a great addition for the secondary.

8 (8) Baltimore Ravens Ryan Clady OT Boise State
Coyle: The Ravens love Matt Ryan and hope he somehow falls to this spot. They have also spoken to clubs in the top five about moving up to land Ryan. They have also listened to offers to trade back in the top 20 picks if Ryan can not be selected. Without Ryan, they will look to either offensive tackles like Ryan Clady or Branden Albert or cornerbacks Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at this position.

9 (9) Cincinnati Bengals Sedrick Ellis DT USC
Coyle: The Bengals hope to have their choice of DT Sedrick Ellis or LB Keith Rivers at this position. Both are excellent fits for their defense and early NFL starters. There is a good chance that either or both prospects will be on the board here. They could add an additional No. 1 pick if they trade wideout Chad Johnson, though they have turned down the Redskins offer of their No. 1 and additional picks for the Pro Bowl receiver. They will also consider DE Derrick Harvey here after losing Justin Smith in free agency.

10 (10) New Orleans Saints Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
Coyle: The Saints will look to address their weak secondary. They like corners McKelvin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie very much and have them on their short list. They also like linebackers Keith Rivers and Jerod Mayo here.

11 (11) Buffalo Bills Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St.
Coyle: The Bills have a few key needs that have to be addressed in this class. They have needs in the secondary on the corner and at wideout. The receiver class lacks a super blue-chip prospect and does not warrant a selection here. The strong cornerback class has several top-15 prospects with Leodis McKelvin, Rodgers-Cromartie and Mike Jenkins all getting strong consideration here. They also have needs at linebacker, though it’s not their highest priority. They could surprise with either Keith Rivers or Jerod Mayo if available here.

12 (12) Denver Broncos Branden Albert OG Virginia
Coyle: The Broncos have many clear needs - along their offensive line, middle linebacker, wide receiver and at safety. They love Ryan Clady and Albert, and project both to left tackle. They should have a chance at one of them at this spot. They like a number of receivers like Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed, though they would not be good values here.

13 (13) Carolina Panthers Derrick Harvey DE Florida
Coyle: The Panthers have major needs along both lines and will most likely address these areas in the early rounds. They love Harvey here and hope to add this fine pass rusher if available. They could also draft into the deep offensive tackle class here with Chris Williams and Jeff Otah. Each is a highly coveted prospect and early NFL starter.

14 (14) Chicago Bears Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
Coyle: The Bears have some major needs on their offensive line in addition to questions at the running back and quarterback. They also love OTs Chris Williams and Jeff Otah, and have both on their short list. They are impressed with QBs Chad Henne and Joe Flacco, but they will try to grab one of them in the second round.

15 (15) Detroit Lions Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
Coyle: The Lions have many needs, but secondary is right at the top of the list. They love the top corners and hope Jenkins or Rodgers-Cromartie are on the board here. They carry early NFL starting grades. They have DE Derrick Harvey on their wish list, but he is most likely gone by this selection. They also love RB Rashard Mendenhall, but will likely miss out on him as well. They are hoping one of the three QBs among Brohm, Henne or Flacco is available on round two.

16 (16) Arizona Cardinals Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
Coyle: The Cardinals would be thrilled if Williams falls to this selection. They have other major needs, especially at cornerback, and will consider Mike Jenkins if available. They also have Aqib Talib on their short list. They are hoping runners Rahsard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart fall to this spot and have both on their list of prospects here.

17 (17) Kansas City Chiefs Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
Coyle: The Chiefs are hoping one of the premier prospects falls to this selection. They would love to land Otah here, though what they do at the No. 5 overall selection will dictate the direction they go. They also are prepared to choose CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Mike Jenkins if available.

18 (18) Houston Texans Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
Coyle: The Texans hope to add a starting feature back and love both Rashard Mendenhall and Stewart here. Stewart would need a little time to heal from toe surgery. They also have OTs Jeff Otah and Chris Williams high on their list and could select either prospect if available. They could address the running back spot later with their third-round pick. They love runners there like Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles, Matt Forte’ and Kevin Smith there.

19 (19) Philadelphia Eagles Jerod Mayo ILB Tennessee
Coyle: The Eagles have several need areas that must be addressed, but the wide receiver and linebacker spots are high on their list. They would love to add Mayo for their aggressive defense. They could surprise here with the selection of fast-rising receiver Devin Thomas. They could address OLB later on the first day with Curtis Lofton and Dan Connor on their list.

20 (20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina
Coyle: The Bucs have clear needs, especially at cornerback, defensive tackle and wide receiver. They love CB Mike Jenkins, though he is most likely off the board. They also like corners Antoine Cason and Aqib Talib here. They should have their chance at Balmer for the inside. They also have needs at the wide receiver spot and could have their choice of almost any wideout prospect. They like Devin Thomas, Limus Sweed and DeSean Jackson here. Jackson would also give them much-needed impact in the return game.

21 (21) Washington Redskins Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
Coyle: The Redskins have already tried to deal this pick for veteran receiver Chad Johnson and were denied. They will consider receivers Devin Thomas, Limas Sweed and Malcolm Kelly here. They also have needs at linebacker and will give Jerod Mayo strong consideration here if available.

22 (22) Dallas Cowboys Limas Sweed WR Texas
Coyle: GM Jerry Jones has two No. 1 picks and hopes to address the wide receiver spot with one of these selections. They also have needs at running back and cornerback that will most likely be addressed with early selections. Sweed is a good fit here with starters Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn over 34 years of age. They also love Devin Thomas, but he is most likely off the board here. They have offered this selection to the Bengals for Chad Johnson, but will have to up the ante to land the Pro Bowl receiver.

23 (23) Pittsburgh Steelers Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
Coyle: The Steelers have several major needs along their offensive line, and they most likely draft into the deep tackle class. They love Chris Williams, Jeff Otah and Cherilus, and hope at least one of them is still on the board here. They would also love to add cornerback Aqib Talib or Antoine Cason for a secondary that gave up too many big plays last fall. They would then address the offensive line in the second and third rounds with multiple selections.

24 (24) Tennessee Titans DeSean Jackson WR California
Coyle: The Titans hope to address two main areas, wide receiver and cornerback. They have to replace Adam “Pacman” Jones at both cornerback and in the return game. A prospect like Jackson would solve two problems, and he is most likely here at this selection. They also have wideouts Devin Thomas and Limus Sweed high on their list. In other need areas, the like corners Antoine Cason and Brandon Flowers and DE Phillip Merling.

25 (25) Seattle Seahawks Felix Jones RB Arkansas
Coyle: The Seahawks hope to add a playmaker and have Felix Jones high on their list at this selection. They like his all-purpose skills. The Seahawks will also consider Chris Johnson for those roles in the second round. They like DT Kentwan Balmer here, and have him on their short list along with DE Phillip Merling.

26 (26) Jacksonville Jaguars Phillip Merling DE Clemson
Coyle: The Jaguars took some hits along the line due to trade and free agency losses. They love Merling along with Quentin Groves at this spot. They still have issues in the secondary despite adding FS Reggie Nelson last spring. They love safety DaJaun Morgan here, and he could be a surprise selection.

27 (27) San Diego Chargers DaJuan Morgan SS NC State
Coyle: The Chargers are hoping to trade back here to add more top 100 selections. Thy have no second-, third- or fourth-round picks, and could add another top 50 selection with a club like Atlanta moving up. They like safety DaJaun Morgan here. They also like CB Antoine Cason and OT Sam Baker here if no trade is completed.

28 (28) Dallas Cowboys Aqib Talib CB Kansas
Coyle: The Cowboys’ hope to add a cornerback early in the draft despite the trade that brought Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones to Dallas. Talib and Antoine Cason are high on their list and will be given strong consideration here. They are also debating runners Felix Jones and Chris Johnson to couple with veteran Marion Barber.

29 (29) San Francisco 49ers Calais Campbell DE Miami-FL
Coyle: The 49ers have some clear needs at defensive end and linebacker. They also have needs along the offensive line - and surprisingly at quarterback. They also are interested in more impact off the edge and a prospect like LB Quentin Groves could be a surprise pick here. They like QB Brian Brohm after a poor early career from former top overall pick QB Alex Smith. They could surprise fans and draft Brohm here. They have Campbell on their short list, and he is a prospect capable of playing end in the 3-4 set.

30 (30) Green Bay Packers Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
Coyle: The Packers are old on the corner and will most likely address this position early - possibly with two selections. They have both Brandon Flowers and Antoine Cason on their short list and either would be fine additions to a troubled area. They will most likely have a chance at a runner like Felix Jones or Chris Johnson here.

31 (31) New York Giants Kenny Phillips FS Miami-FL
Coyle: The Giants’ hope to address their secondary early this spring with an emphasis on the safety spot. They have both DaJuan Morgan and Kenny Phillips on their short list. Either would be fine additions, though Morgan is most likely gone by this pick. They also like junior linebackers Jerod Mayo and Curtis Lofton here. They also have a trade on the table with the Saints for Jeremy Shockey for their second-round pick and safety Roman Harper.

ROUND 2

TOP 100 PROSPECTS