Shawn's Corner: 1st Official 2008 NFL Mock Draft
I placed 8th out of 95 people in a 2007 Mock Draft contest. This contest included Mel Kiper, who I finished one point behind, and several other well know Draft analysts, including NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Charles Davis, ESPN’s Todd McShay, and ex/Texans General Manager Charley Casserly. I finished ahead of all four. I decided to use last year's order for this mock.
Some history about me: As many of you already know, my expertise is the NFL, College Football, and the NFL Draft. I placed 8th out of 95 people in a 2007 Mock Draft contest. This contest included Mel Kiper, who I finished one point behind, and several other well know Draft analysts, including NFL Network's Mike Mayock and Charles Davis, ESPN's Todd McShay, and ex/Texans General Manager Charley Casserly. I finished ahead of all four.
Now for the mock.
I decided to use last year's order for this mock:
1. Oakland – Jake Long OT Michigan: After securing their quarterback of the future in Jamarcus Russell, the Raiders look to protect his blindside with Jake Long, arguably the best lineman in the draft. He has the potential to play either right tackle or left tackle at the next level. Long and Jamarcus Russell should team nicely to continue to rebuild for the future.
2. Detroit – Darren McFadden RB Arkansas: Like Calvin Johnson, Darren McFadden is too good to pass up here. Between Drew Stanton, Darren McFadden, and Calvin Johnson, the Lions offense begins to take shape and should threaten the rest of the teams in the NFC North for the division crown. Darren McFadden should secure the starting tailback spot ahead of Tatum Bell and Kevin Jones.
3. Dallas (from Cleveland) – DeSean Jackson WR California: Was Brady Quinn really worth it? We'll have to wait and see. Dallas snatches up the top wideout/returner in the draft in Jackson. With his five punt return touchdowns in two seasons, scouts are falling in love with Jackson. He averaged 18 yards per catch last season and caught nine touchdowns. With Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn aging, Jackson is a great pick here.
4. Tampa Bay – Mario Manningham WR Michigan: The Bucs missed out on Calvin Johnson in 2007, but will look for redemption with Manningham. Their best receiver from last year is on the wrong side of 30 and their 2nd best receiver went into a horrible sophomore slump. This pick makes a lot of sense.
5. Arizona – Calais Campbell DE Miami (FL): The Cardinals got their franchise tackle in Levi Brown in the 2007 Draft. With help needed along the defensive line, the Cards opt to go with Campbell, one of the most athletic defensive lineman in all of college football. At 6-8, 282 pounds, with a 4.7 second 40-yard dash, Campbell is going to challenge for the top defensive lineman spot in the 2008 Draft.
6. Washington – Derrick Harvey DE Florida: If you are asking yourself if Harvey's name sounds familiar, it should. Harvey was the Defensive MVP of the BCS National Championship game in which Florida knocked off top ranked Ohio State. He recorded three sacks and recovered a fumble. Harvey is being projected as a better prospect than teammate Jarvis Moss, who was selected by the Broncos with pick #17 in 2007. The Redskins have some issues along the defensive line. Harvey should help to solve them.
7. Minnesota – Early Doucet WR LSU: Everyone knows the Vikings need a wide receiver. In 2007, the Vikes added Sidney Rice in the 2nd Round, Aundrae Allison in the 5th, and Chandler Williams in the 7th. That's a nice stable of wideouts, but with Bobby Wade and Troy Williamson still manning the fort, there is still room for improvement. The media is beginning to fall in love with Doucet, as he should be the offensive star for the Tigers. It also helps that ex/LSU wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis were both drafted in the 1st Round of the 2007 Draft. Hometown boy James Laurinaitis would have to be considered here, as well as Kenny Phillips.
8. Atlanta – Brian Brohm QB Louisville: You would have to think that Bobby Petrino would fall in love with this pick. With Michael Vick likely to be suspended, the Falcons should have a pretty nice draft pick next year. Lucky for them, Brian Brohm should fall right in to their laps. If I were running the Falcons organization, I would have to think hard about getting rid of Vick and moving in a different direction. The Brian Brohm/Petrino combination would be close to a lock for success.
9. Miami – Glenn Dorsey DT LSU: There is no question that the Dolphins need some help along the defensive line. Dorsey would make a terrific pair with 2007 4th Round pick Paul Soliai. Also, Miami could go with USC offensive tackle Sam Baker. He would be their franchise tackle to protect the blindside of Trent Green/John Beck.
10. Houston – Sam Baker OT USC: Baker, in some scouts minds, is the best offensive tackle in the Draft. That does not include my opinion. I think that this is the perfect fit for Baker. The Texans are in serious need of some offensive line help, and should finally address that need here. #10 Overall is about where I would project Baker to go.
11. New England (from San Francisco) – James Laurinaitis LB Ohio State: Laurinaitis is coming into the '07 season as a player that is on fire. His stock is soaring right now and he is even being talked about as a Heisman candidate. The Pats need some help at inside linebacker. Junior Seau is 38 and Tedy Bruschi turned 37 this past Saturday. Laurinaitis would be capable of stepping in and starting right away.
12. Buffalo – Limas Sweed WR Texas: The Bills offense is in rebuild mode. They have their star runningback in Marshawn Lynch, while JP Losman appears to be the future at quarterback. At wide receiver, Lee Evans needs some help. With the drafting of Sweed, the Bills would have a pair of stud wideouts, giving their offense some added help.
13. St. Louis – Kenny Phillips S Miami (FL): If Phillips enters the draft, he will likely be the top defensive back available. Between Tye Hill in 2006, Adam Carriker in 2007, and Phillips in 2008, you would have to give some credit to the Rams for reloading their defense. A quarterback may also be a possibility as Marc Bulger is in a contract year.
14. Carolina – Andre Woodson QB Kentucky: Woodson has everything that you want in a quarterback. He has great size (6-5, 230) and a very strong arm. The Panthers quarterback position isn't in very good shape. Jake Delhomme is declining, and while they signed David Carr in the offseason, I can't see how you can be confident with him as your quarterback of the future. Woodson's stock is on the rise and I would not be at all surprised if he is a high 1st Round pick in 2008.
15. Pittsburgh – Keith Rivers LB USC: With their linebacker core aging, the Steelers have begun to reload. Although they released Joey Porter in the offseason, the Steelers drafted both Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley in the 2007 Draft. Teaming Rivers with Timmons and Woodley at linebacker would be downright scary.
16. Green Bay – Steve Slaton RB West Virginia: Steve Slaton is way too good to pass up here. Let's face it; the Packers' runningback position isn't looking good right now. They reached for Brandon Jackson in 2007, and have Vernand Morency and Noah Herron backing him up. Need I say more?
17. Jacksonville – Colt Brennan QB Hawaii: The Jaguars quarterback position is in shambles. The Byron Leftwich/David Garrard feud has gone on for too long and needs to be fixed. Brennan would be a good pick here. He could step in and eventually end this battle by taking over the starting role for the Jags.
18. Cincinnati – Dan Connor LB Penn State: The Bengals are really in a position to take the best player available here. They could continue to add youth to their defense with the selection of Connor here. He would likely step in with Ahmad Brooks to form a nice pair at linebacker. Also, there doesn't appear to be any character concerns.
19. Tennessee – Adarious Bowman WR Oklahoma State: The Titans did nothing but decline in terms of offense this offense. They lost Travis Henry, Drew Bennett, and Bobby Wade all to free agency. They brought in no wide receiver help, outside of drafting Paul Williams and Joel Filani. Bowman has great size (6-4, 220) and would be a great target for Vince Young.
20. New York Giants – Barry Richardson OT Clemson: The Giants are going to suffer this year without a proven offensive tackle to protect Eli Manning's blindside. Because of this, I wouldn't be surprised if they had a high enough pick next year to land USC's Sam Baker. Richardson would fill that hole with this pick.
21. Denver – Mike Hart RB Michigan: Hart has been spectacular for the Wolverines over the course of his collegiate career. The Broncos could really fit any runningback into their scheme and he could have success. Imagine plugging in a prolific runner like Hart, and teaming him with 2006 1st Rounder Jay Cutler. Between Cutler, Hart, Javon Walker, and Brandon Marshall, the Broncos would have a strong offensive unit.
22. Dallas – Antoine Cason CB Arizona: The Cowboys added a playmaker to their offense in DeSean Jackson with the #3 Overall pick. At #22, they move to defense and solidify their defensive backfield. Cason would be a great value pick here. The Cowboys are on the way up and should contend for a Superbowl within the next few years.
23. Kansas City – Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College: In the 2007 Draft, the Chiefs went with Dwayne Bowe to add some young talent to their wide receiving core. They still have holes along the offensive line, and would be able to solidify one of their tackle spots with Cherilus. Cherilus would be a solid choice to protect the blindside of Brodie Croyle, the quarterback of the future.
24. Seattle – Michael Oher OG Mississippi: The Seahawks are still struggling from the loss of Steve Hutchinson. If Oher enters the draft, he would likely be the best interior offensive lineman available. This would be a perfect pick for the Seahawks.
25. New York Jets – Frank Okam DT Texas: The Jets have a need at nose tackle. At 6-6, 320 lbs, Okam would be a great fit for the Jets. They could also look for a wide receiver or some additional defensive line help.
26. Philadelphia – Chris Long DE Virginia: Long's stock is on the rise, as scouts are falling in love with his size (6-4, 284) and his tremendous motor. It also helps that his dad is Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long. Don't be surprised if Long's stock rises even higher than this and into the top half of round one. The Eagles could use some help at defensive end, making this a good pick.
27. New Orleans – Sedrick Ellis DT USC: The Saints still have a need at defensive tackle. Ellis would be a great value pick here as his stock has been rise lately. They could also use some help at cornerback, making San Jose State's Dwight Lowery another good pick.
28. New England – Tyson Jackson DE LSU: Jackson's stock is really on the rise, as scouts are really starting realize his potential. At 6-5, 292 lbs, Jackson would be an ideal fit for the Patriots 3-4 defensive end spot. They already added an inside linebacker with James Laurinaitis, making this a "best player available" pick. They Pats truly know how to scout, which is why this pick makes a lot of sense.
29. Baltimore – Dwight Lowery CB San Jose: I would say that the Ravens would go with a quarterback here, but I think that they have some faith in Troy Smith turning into their quarterback of the future. With Samari Rolle and Chris McCallister both aging, Lowery becomes a solid pick here. Lowery is a bit of an under-the-radar type of guy because of where he is from. However, there is no doubt that he has the talent to play at the next level.
30. San Diego – Rey Maualuga LB USC: The Chargers both Randall Godfrey and Donnie Edwards this offseason, making inside linebacker a need. Maualuga would be a great value pick here. He would also stay in Southern California, likely making him a fan favorite. This would be a perfect fit for both Maualuga and the Chargers.
31. Chicago – Ray Rice RB Rutgers: Although they already have Cedric Benson, the Bears are in the position to take the "best player available." Rice's stock is quietly rising as he is poised to have a great junior year. From what I've been told, he is likely going to leave for the Draft following the '07 season. Also, the Bears aren't as high on Benson as it would seem, just keep that in mind. Rice would provide another needed threat for the Bears offense.
32. San Francisco (from Indianapolis) - Lawrence Jackson DE USC: Outside of Jay Moore, the 49ers didn't do much to upgrade their defensive end position in the draft. Jackson would be a great value pick here, as he would be a steal this late in the draft. With Bryant Young still playing, Jackson could learn from Young and eventually take over for him.
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