Bubbles
04-22-2008, 11:49 PM
1) Miami: Jake Long, OT, Michigan (last draft: #5)
Rationale: I have none. And I'm a Michigan fan.
2) St. Louis: Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, OSU (last draft: #9)
Rationale: Gholston's rocketed up draft boards and has impressed scouts with his ability to play both positions. He could be a tweener and be a bust, but he can sure hit, and is the versatile defender the Rams need.
3) Atlanta: Matt Ryan, QB, BC (last draft: #3)
Rationale: Some have the Falcons taking Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis. No way. The Falcons will not get the ability to play right away that Ryan provides with guys like Chad Henne or Joe Flacco.
4) Oakland: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (last draft: #4)
Rationale: Again, I don't like this pick. Chris Long wouldn't be a horrible fit here, and the genetics don't hurt, but he doesn't have the star power or potential McFadden does, and Al Davis loves it.
5) Kansas City: Chris Long, DE, Virginia (last draft: #1)
Rationale: Kansas City wanted Jake Long, but they'll settle for improving the other line with the safest pick in the draft, and one that'll be ticked off for not going #1.
6) New York Jets: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (last draft: #6)
Rationale: Sedrick Ellis may be the safer pick, but these are two top-5 talents, and they'll be happy with either one. Dorsey's got the higher ceiling, and if he's healthy, he's a MONSTER.
7) New England: Keith Rivers, LB, USC (last draft: #7)
Rationale: Young blood hasn't been seen in this linebacker core since the Drew Bledsoe era. Rivers is the best pure linebacker in the draft, and should bring new life to an already-impressive front seven.
8) Baltimore: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (last draft: #2)
Rationale: Given the recent Ocho Cinco developments, trading the pick for him is out of the question. Ellis is still on the board, and QB and WR receiver needs be damned, he's the best pick.
9) Cincinnati: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (last draft: #10)
Rationale: Any new defensive player is a good pick. McKelvin's the best CB in the draft, and his kick return ability is phenomenal.
10) New Orleans: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (last draft: #13)
Rationale: They wanted McKelvin, but they'll take Jenkins, who does everything well. This, by the way, sets the tone in the first round, where a ton of CB's go, and fast.
11) Buffalo: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal (last draft: #11)
Rationale: He won't be a #1, but with Lee Evans, they don't need him to be. With former college teammate Marshawn Lynch in the huddle with him, his attitude should be in check as well.
12) Denver: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State (last draft: #12)
Rationale: Denver needs to protect Jay Cutler. I wouldn't be surprised to see them take Jeff Otah, but Otah had a less-than-stellar combine. Clady's a much safer pick.
13) Carolina: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee Tech (last draft: #22)
Rationale: I wouldn't be surprised to see Brian Brohm go here, but a corner the likes of DRC won't be around in the second round.
14) Chicago: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State (last draft: #17)
Rationale: Malcolm Kelly bombed in workouts, and Thomas is the best wideout on the board. If Rex Grossman is going to succeed at all, he needs a consistent target.
15) Detroit: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas (last draft: #30)
Rationale: Corner run. Detroit needs to defend against the pass. Kenny Phillips is also a possibility at this spot, but with more safeties available in later rounds, I think they'll go with a corner.
16) Arizona: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida (last draft: #21)
Rationale: Harvey's stock has gone up a lot since the Combine. The Cardinals need a pass rusher, and Harvey's the best out there.
17) Minnesota: Branden Albert, OG, Virginia (last draft: unranked)
Rationale: Minnesota wanted Devin Thomas, but their other hole is at offensive line. Albert can play any position on the line, and has impressed many with his raw talent.
18) Houston: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (last draft: #18)
Rationale: Houston has the foundation to be successful in the coming years. The team does, however, have questions at running back (in recent years: Ron Dayne, Samkon Gado, Vernand Morency, etc.), Stewart had a very solid combine, and could solve their backfield problems fairly quickly.
19) Philadelphia: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan (last draft: #19)
Rationale: Think the Eagles will finally give McNabb something to work with? Nah.
20) Tampa Bay: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (last draft: #20)
Rationale: The Bucs could go for a corner, but they could also use some playmakers. Sweed certainly has the skills, and he'll learn from one of the best in Joey Galloway.
21) Washington: Philip Merling, DE, Clemson (last draft: #24)
Rationale: The Skins want to retool their defensive line. Merling's a solid pass rusher who can also stop the run.
22) Dallas: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona (last draft: unranked)
Rationale: Dallas needs a corner and a wideout. They'll address one need here and the other later in the round (unless Jerry Jones pulls strings and wants Felix Jones).
23) Pittsburgh: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh (last draft: #23)
Rationale: Otah slipped this far thanks to an unimpressive combine, but you can't teach size (6'5", 340). He fills a need since the Steelers lost Alan Faneca as well.
24) Tennessee: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (last draft: #16)
Rationale: Campbell hasn't been bad in workouts, but he has been surpassed by others at his position. Tennessee'll snatch him thanks to their need of a presence aside Haynesworth on the d-line.
25) Seattle: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (last draft: #25)
Rationale: The wait ends here. This may seem to be an odd spot for him to go, but Matt Hasselbeck is going to be 33 years old. It might be time to start grooming a successor, and Brohm is a talent who should have been taken before now.
26) Jacksonville: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (last draft: #26)
Rationale: Groves has a ton of natural ability, including 4.4 speed. Durability issues are here, but if the Jags are looking for a spark in their front seven, they'll get it with Groves.
27) San Diego: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (last draft: #27)
Rationale: When Michael Turner bolted, the team's needs shifted accordingly. I prefer Jones to Rashard Mendenhall because I think Mendenhall was a beneficiary of the Illinois system. Jones is used to putting up big numbers in the back-up role, and could do so again in San Diego.
28) Dallas: James Hardy, WR, Indiana (last draft: #28)
Rationale: After he ran a sub-4.5 40 time, the speed concerns should be off the table for now. He's big at 6'5", and has very reliable hands. He's what the Cowboys are looking for as a late-first round WR prospect.
29) San Francisco: Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt (last draft: #29)
Rationale: Bennett had a great career at Vandy, and is the best WR prospect on the board. He won't be explosive, but he'll be a steady target for Alex Smith.
30) Green Bay: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (last draft: unranked)
Rationale: The Packers pick too late to get a first-round corner, but they do add depth on the o-line. The linemen are getting a bit on the old side, and Williams is the best tackle prospect on the board.
31) Pats: Forfeited.
32) New York Giants: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee (last draft: #32)
Rationale: The Giants need new blood in their front seven. Mayo and Dan Connor both provide great intensity and play hard to every whistle, but Mayo's the better playmaker, and he gets the slimmest of nods.
Rationale: I have none. And I'm a Michigan fan.
2) St. Louis: Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, OSU (last draft: #9)
Rationale: Gholston's rocketed up draft boards and has impressed scouts with his ability to play both positions. He could be a tweener and be a bust, but he can sure hit, and is the versatile defender the Rams need.
3) Atlanta: Matt Ryan, QB, BC (last draft: #3)
Rationale: Some have the Falcons taking Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis. No way. The Falcons will not get the ability to play right away that Ryan provides with guys like Chad Henne or Joe Flacco.
4) Oakland: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (last draft: #4)
Rationale: Again, I don't like this pick. Chris Long wouldn't be a horrible fit here, and the genetics don't hurt, but he doesn't have the star power or potential McFadden does, and Al Davis loves it.
5) Kansas City: Chris Long, DE, Virginia (last draft: #1)
Rationale: Kansas City wanted Jake Long, but they'll settle for improving the other line with the safest pick in the draft, and one that'll be ticked off for not going #1.
6) New York Jets: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (last draft: #6)
Rationale: Sedrick Ellis may be the safer pick, but these are two top-5 talents, and they'll be happy with either one. Dorsey's got the higher ceiling, and if he's healthy, he's a MONSTER.
7) New England: Keith Rivers, LB, USC (last draft: #7)
Rationale: Young blood hasn't been seen in this linebacker core since the Drew Bledsoe era. Rivers is the best pure linebacker in the draft, and should bring new life to an already-impressive front seven.
8) Baltimore: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (last draft: #2)
Rationale: Given the recent Ocho Cinco developments, trading the pick for him is out of the question. Ellis is still on the board, and QB and WR receiver needs be damned, he's the best pick.
9) Cincinnati: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (last draft: #10)
Rationale: Any new defensive player is a good pick. McKelvin's the best CB in the draft, and his kick return ability is phenomenal.
10) New Orleans: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (last draft: #13)
Rationale: They wanted McKelvin, but they'll take Jenkins, who does everything well. This, by the way, sets the tone in the first round, where a ton of CB's go, and fast.
11) Buffalo: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal (last draft: #11)
Rationale: He won't be a #1, but with Lee Evans, they don't need him to be. With former college teammate Marshawn Lynch in the huddle with him, his attitude should be in check as well.
12) Denver: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State (last draft: #12)
Rationale: Denver needs to protect Jay Cutler. I wouldn't be surprised to see them take Jeff Otah, but Otah had a less-than-stellar combine. Clady's a much safer pick.
13) Carolina: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee Tech (last draft: #22)
Rationale: I wouldn't be surprised to see Brian Brohm go here, but a corner the likes of DRC won't be around in the second round.
14) Chicago: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State (last draft: #17)
Rationale: Malcolm Kelly bombed in workouts, and Thomas is the best wideout on the board. If Rex Grossman is going to succeed at all, he needs a consistent target.
15) Detroit: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas (last draft: #30)
Rationale: Corner run. Detroit needs to defend against the pass. Kenny Phillips is also a possibility at this spot, but with more safeties available in later rounds, I think they'll go with a corner.
16) Arizona: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida (last draft: #21)
Rationale: Harvey's stock has gone up a lot since the Combine. The Cardinals need a pass rusher, and Harvey's the best out there.
17) Minnesota: Branden Albert, OG, Virginia (last draft: unranked)
Rationale: Minnesota wanted Devin Thomas, but their other hole is at offensive line. Albert can play any position on the line, and has impressed many with his raw talent.
18) Houston: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (last draft: #18)
Rationale: Houston has the foundation to be successful in the coming years. The team does, however, have questions at running back (in recent years: Ron Dayne, Samkon Gado, Vernand Morency, etc.), Stewart had a very solid combine, and could solve their backfield problems fairly quickly.
19) Philadelphia: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan (last draft: #19)
Rationale: Think the Eagles will finally give McNabb something to work with? Nah.
20) Tampa Bay: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (last draft: #20)
Rationale: The Bucs could go for a corner, but they could also use some playmakers. Sweed certainly has the skills, and he'll learn from one of the best in Joey Galloway.
21) Washington: Philip Merling, DE, Clemson (last draft: #24)
Rationale: The Skins want to retool their defensive line. Merling's a solid pass rusher who can also stop the run.
22) Dallas: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona (last draft: unranked)
Rationale: Dallas needs a corner and a wideout. They'll address one need here and the other later in the round (unless Jerry Jones pulls strings and wants Felix Jones).
23) Pittsburgh: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh (last draft: #23)
Rationale: Otah slipped this far thanks to an unimpressive combine, but you can't teach size (6'5", 340). He fills a need since the Steelers lost Alan Faneca as well.
24) Tennessee: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (last draft: #16)
Rationale: Campbell hasn't been bad in workouts, but he has been surpassed by others at his position. Tennessee'll snatch him thanks to their need of a presence aside Haynesworth on the d-line.
25) Seattle: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (last draft: #25)
Rationale: The wait ends here. This may seem to be an odd spot for him to go, but Matt Hasselbeck is going to be 33 years old. It might be time to start grooming a successor, and Brohm is a talent who should have been taken before now.
26) Jacksonville: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (last draft: #26)
Rationale: Groves has a ton of natural ability, including 4.4 speed. Durability issues are here, but if the Jags are looking for a spark in their front seven, they'll get it with Groves.
27) San Diego: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (last draft: #27)
Rationale: When Michael Turner bolted, the team's needs shifted accordingly. I prefer Jones to Rashard Mendenhall because I think Mendenhall was a beneficiary of the Illinois system. Jones is used to putting up big numbers in the back-up role, and could do so again in San Diego.
28) Dallas: James Hardy, WR, Indiana (last draft: #28)
Rationale: After he ran a sub-4.5 40 time, the speed concerns should be off the table for now. He's big at 6'5", and has very reliable hands. He's what the Cowboys are looking for as a late-first round WR prospect.
29) San Francisco: Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt (last draft: #29)
Rationale: Bennett had a great career at Vandy, and is the best WR prospect on the board. He won't be explosive, but he'll be a steady target for Alex Smith.
30) Green Bay: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (last draft: unranked)
Rationale: The Packers pick too late to get a first-round corner, but they do add depth on the o-line. The linemen are getting a bit on the old side, and Williams is the best tackle prospect on the board.
31) Pats: Forfeited.
32) New York Giants: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee (last draft: #32)
Rationale: The Giants need new blood in their front seven. Mayo and Dan Connor both provide great intensity and play hard to every whistle, but Mayo's the better playmaker, and he gets the slimmest of nods.