Near Complete 08 Mock Draft

[beerlover]

1. Miami - Ryan Clady, OT 6-6 310 Boise State
Trade down? we'll have to wait til draft day. something different here, like Cladys upside over Jake, very athletic LT measureables
2. St. Louis - Jake Long, OT 6-7 322 Michigan
Line is the theme of this draft be it offensive or defensive, solid pick
3. Atlanta - Glenn Dorsey, DT 6-2 297 LSU
reinforce interior D, leadership on & off the field
4. Oakland - Chris Long, DE 6-3 272 Virginia
follows in his daddys footsteps, he falls because I'm not really sure what position he finds a home at, excellent pedigree. football player
5. Kansas City - Vernon Gholston, DE 6-3 266 Ohio State
w/both tackles gone take bpa
6. NY Jets - Darren McFadden, RB 6-1 211 Arkansas
dream for Jets fan, I think they're due
7. NE Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB 5-10 190 Troy
addrress need with bpa @ cb position
8. Baltimore - Matt Ryan, QB 6-5 228 Boston College
could fall farther, but Ravens avoid him serving Brady Quinn green room time
9. Cincinnati - Sedric Ellis, DT 6-1 309 USC
beast for system inside
10. New Orleans - Dominack Rodgers-Cromartie 6-2 184 Tennessee State
natural fit, stiffens secondary defense turnover ratio
11. Buffalo - Limas Sweed, WR 6-4 215 Texas
balances vertical attack with big target, Sweed looked outstanding Pro-Day
12. Denver - Derrick Harvey, DE 6-5 271 Florida
pass rushing specialist, best IMO in draft
13. Carolina - Chris Williams, OT 6-6 315 Vanderbilt
polished, good size, atheltic in space
14. Chicago - Rashard Mendenhall, RB 5-10 225 Illinois
Benson status? his replacement, local product
15. Detroit - Jeff Otah, OT 6-6 322 Pittsburgh
gives the Lions a bookend tackles
16. Arizona - Mike Jenkins, CB 5-10 197 South Florida
secondary a concern & Jenkins is one of the best press corners in this draft
17. Minnesota - DeSean Jackson, WR 5-10 169 California
need speed to take pressure off AD, keeps teams from stacking the box
18. Houston - Aqib Talib, CB 6-1 202 Kansas
Talib has 1st rd. size & talent to reroute receivers that is critical for Rhodes cover 2 system to work. uses angles & reads to establish contact not one who can mirror WR's hip down sideline. physical in run support, excellent size shows flashes of greatness. system cb
19. Philadelphia - Phillip Merling, DE 6-4 276 Clemson
Eagle type, no nonsense, aggressive, physical intimidator, swing in or out
20. Tampa Bay - Devin Thomas, WR 6-2 215 Michigan State
need offensive weapons to stretch field, expected DeSean Jackson to be here
Brian Brohm, QB- accurate pocket QB that Gruden likes
21. Washington - Kenny Phillips, S 6-2 212 Miami
Hurricanes in secondary, remain physical & dominant
22. Dallas - Malcolm Kelly, WR 6-4 225 Oklahoma
if a deal for Chad doesn't get done go after best receiver available
23. Pittsburgh - Brandon Albert, OG/OT 6-6 309 Virginia
Fanaeca replacement will have to learn to be more physical, meaner
24. Tennessee - James Hardy, WR 6-6 217 Indiana
can't hit the side of a barn how about a billboard?
25. Seattle - Brian Brohm, QB 6-3 230 Louisville
Lance beat me to it, but great fit. in ealier mocks Brian was off the board, but now I think he falls somewhere in the 20's
26. Jacksonville - Keith Rivers, LB 6-2 241 USC
another case of bpa slipping into Del Rios hands
27. San Diego - Kentwan Balmer, DT 6-5 308 North Carolina
solidfiy line depth/talent, raw ready to groom
28. Dallas - Jamal Charles, RB 5-11 200 Texas
ascending player great hands catching football out of backfield, playmaker speed burner
29. San Francisco - Jonathan Stewart, RB 5-10 235
thought I forgot about him huh? don't see how they can pass up this opportunity with Frank Gore injured alot. Martz will use him like he did Steven Jackson while @ St. Louis. need two quality backs
30. Green Bay - Antoine Cason, CB 6-0 190 Arizona
need secondary reinforcements, good punt return skills add value
32. NY Giants - Gosder Cherilus, OT 6-7 315 Boston College
champions protect their QB especially when marked, OL depth can play RT/RG/LT

[beerlover]

just for the record, I scanned the continent & nobody, no one has Ryan Clady as the 1st overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. yet many have Jake Long. simple deduction really based off that need & position I think Clady has a higher ceiling & is a better LT prospect plain & simple. so while the nation disagrees I'll continue to think outside the box using one simple tool

[kastofsna]

Originally Posted by beerlover

just for the record, I scanned the continent & nobody, no one has Ryan Clady as the 1st overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft.

yup, for a reason.

[Maddict5]

Originally Posted by kastofsna

yup, for a reason.

how many had mario going #1 again?

anyway i like alot of it.. cant figure out KC's pick though- you'd have to think they take ellis with allen already at RE

and why would MIN take desean when they signed berrian and have sidney rice as the other wr

[V3rm0nt3r]

Clady isn't bad...
on the contrary he is a great player and a better prospect than Levi Brown was a year ago

however, Long is just a great talant that would have been taken above Thomas last year if he was in the draft.

I can see Long going anywhere from 1-4 and Clady going 5 to KC but he shoudn't be looked at above this pick though

[Tx'nFanLostInSkinCountry]

Beerlover I don't post very often on the board but I read the board EVERYDAY. I agree with some of your post and disagree with some. Your input on the board is one of the reasons I keep reading and coming back day after day. You, AJ, TC, Infatrycak, and Hagar just to name few(I know I've missed some sorry) are all very much my lifeline to the goings on of the Texans. So my thanks to all that post on a daily basis.

NOW with that said and out of the way I have to disagree with your mock I watched the combine on NFL Network (just got direct TV and I'm Lovvvve'n it) and Talib just DID NOT impress me at all. I can't put my "gut feeling" into words but there is something about Talid that is just "not there" I know my going aginst popular opinion when i say this(all the "experts" have him rated high) but I think this kid is going to be a bust.

I'm going to get flamed on this so give me your best shot.

Now my pick is a HUGH reach (I am man enough to take the feedback) but IF (and I know it's a big if right now) the Texans take a CB in the first round I'd take Brandon Flowers from VT. I have lived in Va now 10 years since moving from Houston, and I am in the heart of ACC country and get to watch VT and UVA every week. Brandon Flowers is one very underrated CB he can play man, zone, and two things he does VERY well are play the run and rush the passer, kid can flat out play foozball. I know most mocks have him going in the 2ND round I think he has risen on some to the late 1st early 2nd but I'd love to see this kid in a Texans uni. next year.

My two cents
Flame away I can take it.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Maddict5

how many had mario going #1 again?

anyway i like alot of it.. cant figure out KC's pick though- you'd have to think they take ellis with allen already at RE

and why would MIN take desean when they signed berrian and have sidney rice as the other wr

both valid arguements. KC went with bpa. they franchised DE Jared Allen (never a good sign) & doubt if they pony up a long term contract. I feel they are extremely likely with McFadden on the board to use him as a bargaining chip to move down then take Otah is this scenero, but since this is a mock draft without trades thats for a latter discussion.

regarding the Vikings, Berrian will be they're #1 WR, so far as I've seen Rice is no more than a 3rd, despite spending a 2nd on him last year. DeSeans ability to create seperation in space is the perfect compliment to open up the box for Adrian, he is another playmaker & adds value becoming a threat in the return game. this gives them offensive balance both @ WR & RB tools for their excitiing young QB, Tarvaris Jackson.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Tx'nFanLostInSkinCountry

Beerlover I don't post very often on the board but I read the board EVERYDAY. I agree with some of your post and disagree with some. Your input on the board is one of the reasons I keep reading and coming back day after day. You, AJ, TC, Infatrycak, and Hagar just to name few(I know I've missed some sorry) are all very much my lifeline to the goings on of the Texans. So my thanks to all that post on a daily basis.

NOW with that said and out of the way I have to disagree with your mock I watched the combine on NFL Network (just got direct TV and I'm Lovvvve'n it) and Talib just DID NOT impress me at all. I can't put my "gut feeling" into words but there is something about Talid that is just "not there" I know my going aginst popular opinion when i say this(all the "experts" have him rated high) but I think this kid is going to be a bust.

I'm going to get flamed on this so give me your best shot.

Now my pick is a HUGH reach (I am man enough to take the feedback) but IF (and I know it's a big if right now) the Texans take a CB in the first round I'd take Brandon Flowers from VT. I have lived in Va now 10 years since moving from Houston, and I am in the heart of ACC country and get to watch VT and UVA every week. Brandon Flowers is one very underrated CB he can play man, zone, and two things he does VERY well are play the run and rush the passer, kid can flat out play foozball. I know most mocks have him going in the 2ND round I think he has risen on some to the late 1st early 2nd but I'd love to see this kid in a Texans uni. next year.

My two cents
Flame away I can take it.

first, thanks for the kind words.

second, I understand your feelings on Talib, without following Kansas football over the course of his three years its difficult to grasp his full value (as with most players) based just on NFL Network news/coverage. I beleive he can be a solid NFL corner for Rhodes system, that his work habits have improved & he has lots of upside left in his game. two things stand out to me, that is his athleticism (smooth gate, fluid hips, vertical timing, quick twitch reactions) & style of play @ the cb position (excellent technique to wrap and secure, keeping his pads low to attack the outside leg of the ballcarrier in run support, his hand placement when pressing and works hard to impede the forward progress of the route runner which is key to Rhodes system and getting a jump on the pass- quick to anticipate the play making a play on the ball as priority where his ball skills & long arms come into reach).

I knew Texans fans would not be in love with this pick, at least intitially we'll wait on word to find out if they schedule him for a private workout but I think he has to be high on their radar. regarding Flowers, thanks for your input. I know he is a playmaker who deleivers punishment from the corner position & LZ actually had him as the Texans pick a month ago. I like him but just not in the first round, however close. just lacks 1st rd. measureables, dicipline in style of play on the field, does not play within the system seems more like the lone ranger out there head hunting in deep zone coverage with cushion off receiver. that being said I would not mind him being a Texan at all but would hope only if they trade down from 1st rd. or he somehow gets close enough in the 3rd they might consider trading up for him for marginal later rd. compensation.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by kastofsna

yup, for a reason.

just trying to help you out big guy, don't want the Fish to select the wrong franchise tackle now

[Tx'nFanLostInSkinCountry]

Beerlover

Thanks for your info on Talib I can understand your statements and pick more clearly now and I also agree Flowers is a Huge Reach at 18 as I stated in my 1st post but I like the "Head Hunter" referance you gave Flowers it's part of his play that I like.

[Errant Hothy]

Count me as another in the "not sold on Talib" pick.

With what was available I would have rather seen, in order: Rivers, Cason, Stewart, Cherilus, Mayo (the LB from Tenn.) then Talib. I think his stock is being driven up by his better then expected workout numbers, but from the few games I've seen he doies not play at the speed he works out at.

If the draft breaks this way, I fully expect the Texans to do everything in their power to trade down.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Tx'nFanLostInSkinCountry

Beerlover

Thanks for your info on Talib I can understand your statements and pick more clearly now and I also agree Flowers is a Huge Reach at 18 as I stated in my 1st post but I like the "Head Hunter" referance you gave Flowers it's part of his play that I like.

I like Flowers alot & beleive he is a Natural FS which is ironic cause some people say the same thing about Talib based off timed speed, which is bunk. cb's need to be lean & angular which Talib is, good in run support & quick in space but don't expose body to needless punishment so use sound tackling technique, down low off correct leg/body part like Dunta. Free Safety should be thicker bodied, built for contact, like to play off the ball & force turnovers with combinations of hard hits & anticiapation by jumping routes.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by Hoth-Boy

Count me as another in the "not sold on Talib" pick.

With what was available I would have rather seen, in order: Rivers, Cason, Stewart, Cherilus, Mayo (the LB from Tenn.) then Talib. I think his stock is being driven up by his better then expected workout numbers, but from the few games I've seen he doies not play at the speed he works out at.

If the draft breaks this way, I fully expect the Texans to do everything in their power to trade down.

I'd submit to arguement for Cason another quality corner in the Leon Hall mold but the others are well just off target or reaches. now maybe in a trade down situation, I like Cherilus but not @ LT, Rivers I don't want any part of, would prefer Mayo if going LB but thats simply to high. Stewart I would love, however its been discussed countless times the Texans will not use a first round pick on one. I know Lance has the Texans going that route (pre-toe surgery) & realize he may be bpa but I'd still give him less than a 5% chance he'll be drafted by the Texans

[Errant Hothy]

Originally Posted by beerlover

I'd submit to arguement for Cason another quality corner in the Leon Hall mold but the others are well just off target or reaches. now maybe in a trade down situation, I like Cherilus but not @ LT, Rivers I don't want any part of, would prefer Mayo if going LB but thats simply to high. Stewart I would love, however its been discussed countless times the Texans will not use a first round pick on one. I know Lance has the Texans going that route (pre-toe surgery) & realize he may be bpa but I'd still give him less than a 5% chance he'll be drafted by the Texans

They way the mock broke I think everybody I listed is a bit of a reach at 18, except for Stewart.

I think the lack of one of the 3 OTs, one of the 3 top CBs, Harvey and Mendenhall all not making it to 18 might just be worst case for the Texans.

[awtysst]

Beerlover,
First of all, I give you an A for thinking outside the box and trying something different. I like your thinking with Clady as having more upside than Long. However, they are two very different types of Lineman. Long is a mauling power scheme blocker and Clady is a finesse ZBS blocker. Long would look bad in a ZBS and Clady isn't ready now(maybe not ever) to be in a power blocking scheme.

So, I think it Miami did go O line they would go with Long simply because Parcells is an old school smash mouth power blocking kind of guy. However, I still think they would prefer a Defensive End like Chris Long because of his versatility.

I see St. Louis not taking LT because they already have Alex Barron there and have never really given him much of a chance. I see them going with Dorsey to help build that shaky D-Line.

Atlanta is an interesting one because there are remnants of the ZBS still there and in many ways that was when they were the most successful. I see Atlanta taking Clady, Al Davis taking the "playmaker" McFadden, and then KC running up right behind to grab Jake Long.

I really like your mock the rest of the way. Of course, in my situation, the Jets take Gholston not the already taken McFadden.

The only ? I had was with Chicago and Mendenhall. Some people have been comparing Mendenhall to Cedric and I wonder if Chicago wants to backs that are very similar in terms of running style, the way they carry the ball(loosely) etc. Something tells me they would prefer a Stewart of Charles, but thats just me.

Beerlover, I know sometimes these mocks are a no win situation. They take a lot of time to research and then at the end of the day people gripe about your mocks ort only look at one or two picks and complain. I want to personally thank you for your time and say I like your effort to really do a reasonable looking mock. Rep your way sir!

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by beerlover

just for the record, I scanned the continent & nobody, no one has Ryan Clady as the 1st overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. yet many have Jake Long. simple deduction really based off that need & position I think Clady has a higher ceiling & is a better LT prospect plain & simple. so while the nation disagrees I'll continue to think outside the box using one simple tool

Step in the right direction there BL, not having Long as the top OT in the Draft since he's not a LT. Now take that sound logic another step and make
Chris Williams the 2nd OT going off the Board and not the third because he is the second best OT in this Draft who is also a LT. Not that I'm saying he's goes #2 overall, just ahead of Jake Long who is unlike Williams (or Clady) a natural RT.

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by awtysst

Beerlover, I know sometimes these mocks are a no win situation. They take a lot of time to research and then at the end of the day people gripe about your mocks ort only look at one or two picks and complain. I want to personally thank you for your time and say I like your effort to really do a reasonable looking mock. Rep your way sir!

thanks to you too for your response & solid takes

I am making a conscious effort to think outside the box, to go by my gut feelings & really examine each prospect individually on their own merit without media hyperbole.

what do all these freaking mock drafts mean, other than everyone has an opinion or trying to reach some generalized galvinization of consensus picks?

lets examine Clady. nobody has him projected as the top pick of the draft (except me) yet several feel that Jake Long is the type of franchise LT (as you have mentioned) that Parcells covets. I will say & this cannot be argued the Left Tackle position is one of the highest paying most coveted positions in all of the NFL. so from that perspective alone it does make sense to use that high dollar first pick on a position appropriate for those dollars. OK so far? now who is the better Left Tackle prospect between Jake & Ryan? who possesses the quicker, more athletic movements in space, who over the long term (I'm thinking about the next 10 years or so) will be the dominant LT?

remember Ryan is a Junior underclassman who came out early, Long stayed for his senior season. both intelligent decisions. Clady because of his projected draft slot & the system @ Boise State would not significantly help develop his skills further or showcase his ability. Long stayed in so he said to win a National Championship & earn his degree, but in reality was only rated as the 3rd or 4th best tackle after Joe Thomas, Levi Brown & possibly Joe Staley depending on who you talk to, so he stays & now is a top 5 pick.

the other #1 options are media darlings, IMO. both Gholston & Chris Long are 3-4 OLB's unless I'm missing something from the three point stance I honestly feel the best pure pass rushing down linemen DE is Derrick Harvey. the Patriots have made the position a hot, gotta have it need but in fact most of their success from this position was drafting DE's who convert to OLB's in latter rounds. I'm not sure what I'm missing here but thats alot to pay & bypass true down linemen like tackles or a true DE like Mario Williams who would still be the #1 pick of this draft if he where coming out today.

I would rather make the arguement to take McFadden with the #1 overall pick even with Ronnie Brown (more so coming off acl) but with the depth of talent pool this year they can afford to address that in the 2nd. here once again it would really help them to address their run blocking by taking a tackle. those who give the edge to Jake in run blocking need to watch tape of Clady, I have actually seen him pancake not one but two players at a time, of course I realize the level of competition, but he is excellent drive blocker down the field too.

in summary I'll stand by my selection of Ryan Clady, you can pay me latter dude

[beerlover]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Step in the right direction there BL, not having Long as the top OT in the Draft since he's not a LT. Now take that sound logic another step and make
Chris Williams the 2nd OT going off the Board and not the third because he is the second best OT in this Draft who is also a LT. Not that I'm saying he's goes #2 overall, just ahead of Jake Long who is unlike Williams (or Clady) a natural RT.

I'm really, really trying to hold out for Chris Williams to be a

sorry I can't help

[beerlover]

just caught John McClain mention doing a mock draft & had the Texans selecting Talib. regardless of teams specific picks- @ #18 if available (who would you pick) of prospects ascending on the rise (who would you take) or is Talib the smart pick?
15. Detroit - Jeff Otah, OT 6-6 322 Pittsburgh
16. Arizona - Mike Jenkins, CB 5-10 197 South Florida
17. Minnesota - DeSean Jackson, WR 5-10 169 California
18. Houston - Aqib Talib, CB 6-1 202 Kansas
19. Philadelphia - Phillip Merling, DE 6-4 276 Clemson
20. Tampa Bay - Devin Thomas, WR 6-2 215 Michigan State
21. Washington - Kenny Phillips, S 6-2 212 Miami
22. Dallas - Malcolm Kelly, WR 6-4 225 Oklahoma
23. Pittsburgh - Brandon Albert, OG/OT 6-6 309 Virginia

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by beerlover

...yet several feel that Jake Long is the type of franchise LT (as you have mentioned) that Parcells covets.

Parcells covets a franchise LT? He's never selected an offensive lineman in the first round. Maybe Jake Long will be the first, but Parcells is the same guy who traded out of the number #1 pick in 1997, where the Rams took Orlando Pace.