St. Louis Rams Blog: Stlvinnie's 2008 NFL Mock Draft

Team	1st Round
	1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long DE, University of Virginia - Bill Parcels will think back to the days of Lawrence Taylor when he sees Chris Long. With Jason Taylor and Matt Roth as the current ends the Dolphins will need to upgrade and prepare for the end of Taylor's career. Jason will also be a good teacher for Chris. The Dolphins have so many hole they really could go in any direction with this pick, but I believe Chris Long will be too hard to pass up. Matt Ryan is not solid enough of a can't miss prospect to take this early.
	2. St. Louis Rams -Vernon Gholston DE, Ohio State - The solid choice here is Jake Long, however I really think with the signing of Jacob Bell and a ton of bodies coming back from injuries the Rams may get aggressive and take Vernon. If Chris Long is still available this will be a very tough pick. The Rams need to help out their defense which was 31st in points allowed. With an impact DE they can help thier linebackers and secondary without even adding to those areas.
	3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan QB, Boston College - Jake Long will be hard to pass up here, but I have 3 names for you, Byron Leftwich, Joey Harrington, and Chris Redmon. This is a team in need of an identity and someone to make them forget about Michael Vick. Matt Ryan will be the choice here. This is a team with low expectations so there will be no rush to gethim killed. Let him learn and slowly work him in as the new starter later in the year.
	4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas - Well I still have Jake Long on the board here, but sorry Jake this is Al Davis. Al missed on not getting Adrian Peterson last year and he is going to be hell bent to not have that happen again. It does not seem to matter ow many running backs the Raiders already have, Darren is going to be the man here.
	5. Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long OT, University of Michigan - Well in this draft everything has fallen the Chiefs way, and they get their man Jake Long. There will not be much to think about here. The Chiefs have to replace Roaf, Shields, and Wiegmann. Larry Johnson may chip in part of his salary for this pick. *NOTE* LJ seems a bit selfish the the Chiefs better not plan on him giving them money any time soon.
	6. New York Jets - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB, Tennessee State- Well this draft did not go the way the Jets had hoped. With thier current roster and their off-season signing who knows what the Jets are thinking. With only 4 draft picks in the 2007 draft, the Jets need to get some solid players in this draft. I know they picked a corner last year but what are they going to do. I think this is too early for Kenny Phillips so DRC is the man here. At over 6 feet, and blazing speed the Jets will build around a solid secondary and try to get a top wide receiver in round 2.
	7. New England Patriots (From 49ers) - Leodis McKelvin CB, Troy State - Well the rich just keep getting richer. The 49ers handing this pick to the Patriots will help them out tremendously. After losing 3 cornerbacks in the off-season the Patriots will get the top rated corner in most mock draft circles.
	8. Baltimore Ravens - Ryan Clady OT, Boise State - Glenn Dorsey is still somehow on my board but I think the Ravens will also pass on him. Brian Brohm is a possiblity here but I think it is still too high for him and the Ravens have to look ahead to replacing Jeff Ogden who is getting near the end of his career. Ryan coud end up being the best of this years offensive tackles. Since Baltimore plays the 3-4 do not be surprised if they pick up Dorsey.
	9. Cincinnati Bengals - Glenn Dorsey DT, LSU - It is the Bengals lucky day as Doresy falls all the way down to the number 9 spot. For a team that needs a ton of defense this will be the easy choice. After losing Justin Smith they could switch to the 3-4 with the added abilities of Dorsey.
	10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers OLB, USC - This should be a battle between Sedrick Ellis and Rivers. The Saints have a lot of around the block linebackers out there and it is about time to add a difference maker. I believe teams with a losing attitude should always go for players with a winning background. Bringing in a USC Trojan will help this team in more than one way.
	11. Buffalo Bills - http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/profile_display.cfm?Prospect_ID=1303 FS, Miami - Wow this is a very tough pick I feel for these teams going through this process. Can Bills pass on Sedrick Ellis at 11? They need a big receiver but I think there are 5 receivers with no clear cut star. You also have to pick a WR that can play in lot of cold weather games. I am stepping out here, Ellis looks like the choice but I am going with the hard hitting hammer in Phillips. The top WR on the board in round 2 will be their next pick.
	12. Denver Broncos - Sedrick Ellis DT, USC - This will be a no brainer here if Ellis is on the board. Time for the Broncos to actually get a player on the D-line instead of filling in with cast offs. They will take a hard look at Jeff Otah but if Ellis is on the board the Broncos will sprint to the podium.
	13. Carolina Panthers - Jeff Otah OT, Pittsurgh - This will be between Otah and Chris Williams who is moving up some boards. We will stay with the higher rated player at the moment and select Otah. Brian Brohm could be a sserious consideration here, but I think the Panthers will stick with Jake Delhomme and David Carr for now.
	14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall RB, Illinois - What a fun pick this is. I was waiting just to get here. I just can't pass him up. Sure the Bears need a QB but haven't they needed a QB every year over the past 30 years? Sure Jonathan Stewart and Felix Jones are strong players but come on. Don't they already have Cedrick Benson? University of Illinois player playing for Chicago. Does Dick Butkus ring a bell? Who can't see the drunken, half naked Bears fan with a bottle of Chicago's finest standing and screaming for that Mendenhall 4 yard run!
	15. Detroit Lions - Jonathan Stewart RB, Oregon - I know it is Matt Millen's turn and I have EVERY wide receiver still on the board. He wouldn't do it again would he? He just can't do it again. Too many quality needs still on the board. As a bonus he can also return kicks and the Lions are currently using Troy Walters for that. Stewart could be this years Adrian Peterson. I am going with Stewart, a short, powerful, quick back. Does that remind you of anyone? Hmmmmm
	16. Arizona Cardinals - Derrick Harvey DE, Florida - With Mike Jenkins still on the board the Cardinals will think about it but I just think they can't pass up Harvey. This is an impact player at #16, and could improve the Cardinals defense instantly. Harvey reminds me a lot of Richard Dent. For those not as old as I he may remind you of Javon Kerse.
	17. Minnesota Vikings - DeSean Jackson WR, California - Here is my pick of the draft. This may be off from what others are picking but how fun is this. You already have Adrian Peterson and now you can add a speed burning threat at wide receiver. Minnesota will have at least 9 games in a dome stadium in 2008. This kid can fly and he is a great kick returner. Watch out, this division is loading up on stars.
	18. Houston Texans - Chris Williams OT, Vanderbilt - Lets get a clue Texans. You are losing games because your QB has been staring at the ceiling since you got the franchise. You must block for your QB and keep him upright. Williams is a mean nasty tackle that will help you start building a line. Chris Williams could quite possibly end up the top OT in this draft. Take him now and don't over think.
	19. Philadelphia Eagles - Malcolm Kelly WR, Oklahoma -Well Andy Reid ALWAYS takes defense and loves lineman, however I think enough is enough, a top WR has to come here. All of them are still on the board. This could easily be Limas Sweed or Devin Thomas but I like Kelly. With Mike Jenkins on the board Reid could take a CB even tough they picked up Samuel. They could get set up with stud corners for the future and continue to look to move Lito Sheppard.
	20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Aqib Talib CB, Kansas - I really do not know what to do with this pick. It seems like this team got old overight. Will a team with four quarterbacks take Broham? They are in need of a WR under 50, so Limas Sweed orDevin Kelly are also possible here. I know Mike Jenkins is still on the board but I am not a big fan. I like the upside and play making ability of Talib. Wiht Ronde Barber on the other side Tampa can become better defensively. There will still be plenty of receivers to choose from in round 2.
	21. Washington Redskins - Philip Merling DE, Clemson - Another tough pick. The Redskin starters on offense and defense are fairly solid. I like Limas Sweed or Early Ducet here as well but I am going to go with pass pressure. If you learned anything last year it is that you can beat good teams with pass pressure. I think the skins pick a solid player in Merling with this pick.
	22. Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) - Limas Sweed WR, Texas - I can't really pass up Limas Sweed all the way down at #22 can I? The great Texas receiver will follow his dreams to play for the Dallas Cowboys. Mike Jenkins and Aqib Talib are also very possible picks at this position.
	23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Devin Thomas WR, Michigan State - Thomas can provide Big Ben with a big receiver that can do a lot of things. For his size Thomas has great speed and some have him as the top receiver in the draft. The Steelers could easily go with Branden Albert from Virginia as a long term replacement for Faneca, but I just feel it is time to upgrade their receiving core. This is a franchise based on power running and D but we will go against the grain here.
	24. Tennessee Titans - James Hardy WR, Indiana - The Titans have been lacking a receiver for some time. One year Drew Bennett was their top reciever and that is not saying much. I am going to get Vince Young a huge target here. Tennessee likes to get great athlete and they will add another right here.
	25. Seattle Seahawks - Branden Albert OG, Virginia - Seattle has a pretty solid roster in a weak division. They now have a stable of running backs. I can't relly believe Albert is still available at #25 but here he is. The Seahawks need to blow open bigger holes since they no longer have Alexander turning the corner. Albert will be a steal if still here at #25.
	26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Kentwan Balmer DT, North Carolina - The Jaquars will probably go DE here but I like replacing Stroud and getting some pressure up the middle. I also do not like taking a DT in the first round but down at #26 it is not so bad.
	27. San Diego Chargers - Gosder Cherilus OT, Boston College - With only one pick before round 5 the Chargers will most likey trade down however this mock is based on no trading. They have to replace Olivea, and Cherlius or Baker will be the choice here.
	28. Dallas Cowboys - Mike Jenkins CB, South Florida - With two picks in the first round the Cowboys may try to make some noise and move up but based on no trades it is time to get a starting CB with this selection. With Mike Jenkins still on my board at #28 the Cowboys will jump on him here.
	29. San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) - Lawrence Jackson DE, USC - The 49ers picked up Mike Martz and have a lot of average receivers which he can turn into 1000 yard receivers. Frank Gore should have a huge year in this offense. The 49ers need more speed and consistant pass rush from the line. Jackson from right around the corner at USC will give them that. Groves is also a choice here but I like the bigger Jackson from USC for the niners.
	30. Green Bay Packers - Tracy Porter CB, Indiana - The Packers are pretty loaded. Time to develope someone behind Woodson and Harris. I like the speed burner Tracy Porter here. He needs to get bigger but playing and learning behind Harris, and Woodson will allow him time to get bigger and learn the skills needed in the NFL. Alos with this speed good be good on special teams and back up Koren Robinson in case they have an injury.
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	31. New York Giants - Cliff Avril OLB, Purdue - Even though this team seemed to win the Superbowl with their defense they will be looking to add to that side of the ball with most of their draft. Gibril Wilson was lost to the Riaders. Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor were also lost. A starting safety would be a nice pick here but I like the versitile Avril here that can bring even more pass rushing ability to a loaded D-line. The Giants will look to pick up a safety in the later rounds.