***Updated*** 3/17
After a month of trades and FA's, it's a good time to make my first annual mock draft. My only rule is that I assume no trades are made in Round 1. I hate looking at mock drafts with preposterous trades so I just eliminate them all together. Let me know what you think...
1. Miami - Chris Long, DE Virginia
2. St. Louis - Jake Long, OT Michigan
3. Atlanta - Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
4. Oakland - Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
5. Kansas City - Ryan Clady, OT Boise State
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St.
7. New England - Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy
8. Baltimore - Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
9. Cincinnati - Keith Rivers, LB USC
10. New Orleans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB TSU
11. Buffalo - Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
12. Denver - Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt...
13. Carolina - Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
14. Chicago - Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma
15. Detroit - Aqib Talib, CB Kansas
16. Arizona - Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
17. Minnesota - Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
18. Houston - Branden Albert, OL Virginia
19. Philadelphia - Jeff Otah, OL Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay - DeSean Jackson, WR Cal
21. Washington - Kenny Phillips, FS Miami
22. Dallas - Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh – Gosdner Cherilus OT Boston College
24. Tennessee – Limas Sweed, WR Texas
25. Seattle – Fred Davis, TE USC
26. Jacksonville - Philip Merling, DE Clemson
27. San Diego - Kentwan Balmer, DT UNC
28. Dallas – Antoine Cason, CB Arizona
29. San Francisco - Quentin Groves, OLB/DE Auburn
30. Green Bay – Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
31. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB Penn St.
Round 1
Brandon Albert, OG Virginia
Could project as a LT, but would be solid at RG from day 1. Very quick on his feet, great lateral movement, solid punch, this guy is the real deal. Albert and Winston on the right side would be solid. A can't miss pick.
Round 3
Tony Hills, OT Texas
The franchise LT the Texans are hoping for. We address LT in the 3rd primarily because the top 3 were taken before we drafted in Round 1. Despite coming off a season ending surgery at UT, Hills will be able to participate in OTA's and will learn from Salaam. Won't see major action until week 8 of 2008.
Round 4
Terrell Thomas, CB USC
A very solid corner from a big-time program, he's the next future CB taken in the 4th round. Being groomed as a nickleback in 2008, he gets significant playing time in 2008 due to need. A big CB with long arms and sub 4.5 speed, he's got the tools to solidify our secondary.
Round 5
Tashard Choice, RB Georgia Tech
A solid pick, Choice has the running style the Texans are looking for (one cut and go). He plays much faster on the field than he timed in the combine. Nearly had back-to-back 1,400+ yard seasons with Georgia Tech. Could be the dark horse in the Texans running game that'll make the opening day roster.
Round 6
Traded to the Broncos for starting C Chris Meyers.
Round 7
Tommy Blake, DE TCU (If available)
The surprising pick of the draft, Blake was chosen by the Texans after he convinces the coaching staff that he has the tools to become an elite pass-rusher at the next level. Despite his diagnosis of social anxiety disorder and being bi-polar, he'll surround himself with solid role models in the Texan defense and will love playing close to his home in Aransas Pass. An instant starter and a pleasant surprise in 2008.
OR
Curtis Johnson, LB Clark-Atlanta
A project SAM LB, he's a top D-II sleeper that's the definition of a play maker. He's nearly 6'3", 242 lbs. runs a 4.70 40, 18.5 sacks in two years. I have a feeling about some prospects, this guy is one of them.
After a month of trades and FA's, it's a good time to make my first annual mock draft. My only rule is that I assume no trades are made in Round 1. I hate looking at mock drafts with preposterous trades so I just eliminate them all together. Let me know what you think...
1. Miami - Chris Long, DE Virginia
2. St. Louis - Jake Long, OT Michigan
3. Atlanta - Matt Ryan, QB Boston College
4. Oakland - Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
5. Kansas City - Ryan Clady, OT Boise State
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St.
7. New England - Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy
8. Baltimore - Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU
9. Cincinnati - Keith Rivers, LB USC
10. New Orleans - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB TSU
11. Buffalo - Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
12. Denver - Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt...
13. Carolina - Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
14. Chicago - Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma
15. Detroit - Aqib Talib, CB Kansas
16. Arizona - Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon
17. Minnesota - Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
18. Houston - Branden Albert, OL Virginia
19. Philadelphia - Jeff Otah, OL Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay - DeSean Jackson, WR Cal
21. Washington - Kenny Phillips, FS Miami
22. Dallas - Felix Jones, RB Arkansas
23. Pittsburgh – Gosdner Cherilus OT Boston College
24. Tennessee – Limas Sweed, WR Texas
25. Seattle – Fred Davis, TE USC
26. Jacksonville - Philip Merling, DE Clemson
27. San Diego - Kentwan Balmer, DT UNC
28. Dallas – Antoine Cason, CB Arizona
29. San Francisco - Quentin Groves, OLB/DE Auburn
30. Green Bay – Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
31. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB Penn St.
Round 1
Brandon Albert, OG Virginia
Could project as a LT, but would be solid at RG from day 1. Very quick on his feet, great lateral movement, solid punch, this guy is the real deal. Albert and Winston on the right side would be solid. A can't miss pick.
Round 3
Tony Hills, OT Texas
The franchise LT the Texans are hoping for. We address LT in the 3rd primarily because the top 3 were taken before we drafted in Round 1. Despite coming off a season ending surgery at UT, Hills will be able to participate in OTA's and will learn from Salaam. Won't see major action until week 8 of 2008.
Round 4
Terrell Thomas, CB USC
A very solid corner from a big-time program, he's the next future CB taken in the 4th round. Being groomed as a nickleback in 2008, he gets significant playing time in 2008 due to need. A big CB with long arms and sub 4.5 speed, he's got the tools to solidify our secondary.
Round 5
Tashard Choice, RB Georgia Tech
A solid pick, Choice has the running style the Texans are looking for (one cut and go). He plays much faster on the field than he timed in the combine. Nearly had back-to-back 1,400+ yard seasons with Georgia Tech. Could be the dark horse in the Texans running game that'll make the opening day roster.
Round 6
Traded to the Broncos for starting C Chris Meyers.
Round 7
Tommy Blake, DE TCU (If available)
The surprising pick of the draft, Blake was chosen by the Texans after he convinces the coaching staff that he has the tools to become an elite pass-rusher at the next level. Despite his diagnosis of social anxiety disorder and being bi-polar, he'll surround himself with solid role models in the Texan defense and will love playing close to his home in Aransas Pass. An instant starter and a pleasant surprise in 2008.
OR
Curtis Johnson, LB Clark-Atlanta
A project SAM LB, he's a top D-II sleeper that's the definition of a play maker. He's nearly 6'3", 242 lbs. runs a 4.70 40, 18.5 sacks in two years. I have a feeling about some prospects, this guy is one of them.
