MVN - Most Valuable Network

Complete 1st round mock draft, all 7 rounds for the Cardinals

In what will be my final complete mock draft now that we are one week away from the actual 2008 NFL draft I will look at all 32 first round picks and then take rounds 2-7 to look at what I think, or hope, the Cardinals might do in those selections.One of the first things to point out is that this mock will attempt to slot players to team on a prediction basis and not on a “what I think is best for each team” basis that is so common in most mock drafts. I might not agree it’s the best choice but I want to take a run at who I think will actually end up with which team so that I can better predict the Cardinals options. The problem is there is so much bluffing and calculated leaks of information the week ahead of the draft it makes figuring out a teams intentions pretty tough.

Miami- A lot has happened and is happening on this top pick, with the buzz as of today being that Vernon Gholston might be the guy the Dolphin’s have their eyes on. This after the Jake Long story was circulated and publications before that had Chris Long. I think the decision comes down to Parcells being able to sign one or the other but I think the recent Gholston talk is being used to generate pressure on Jake Long to take a below market contract. At the end of the day this pick is too important to screw up over money and I still think the Dolphin’s take the sure thing in Jake Long here.

St. Louis-The Ram’s would love to see Jake Long fall to them here and if he does he goes to the Rams. However, if gone I see them making a choice between Chris Long, Vernon Gholston and Glenn Dorsey to bolster their defensive line. I think Dorsey is the best defensive lineman in the draft by far but St. Louis is looking edge pass rushing talent. At the end of the day you don’t pass on a beast like Dorsey and I think Glenn Dorsey goes to St. Louis.

Atlanta- The Falcon’s want Glenn Dorsey badly and now that he’s gone the question is do they stock up the line or go for the QB? The tendency is to think that they go for line help but if you go best value at the most important position in the game you have to look at Matt Ryan in this slot. The Falcon’s can’t afford to get too cute and think a franchise QB will be there at the bottom of the round or in the second round so if Dorsey is gone I see them going with Matt Ryan here.

Oakland- I think Al Davis badly wants Vernon Gholston to drop and if he is here you might see the Raiders grab him. However, in this slot the choice is between McFadden, Long and Gholston, with the choice being McFadden as Al Davis knows rookie running backs can make immediate improvements in a team. I think the Raiders phones ring here for teams that want Gholston, Ellis or McFadden so a lot could happen with this pick, but if not traded this is McFadden’s slot.

Kansas City- The Chiefs want OL help and the big buzz is they have their eye on Brandon Albert, the OG from Virginia that has flown up the draft boards in the last weeks. I absolutely think this is a reach to take Albert here if you want him to play LT, a position he has only played for two games and if it were my call i’d want him mid round to be an all pro OG. However, the word is the Chiefs really like him, they need OL help badly and his versatility and athletic ability is intriguing, so much like Levi Brown last year, this slot gets filled by a bit of a reach at number 5 by Brandon Albert.

N.Y. Jets- The Jets have got to be pretty happy to see both Vernon Gholston and Chris Long here as one of their big areas of need is pass rush. The word has been that the Jets want Gholston badly, so badly the Dolphins are tossing his name in the conversation to possibly generate a trade with the Jets, so to find him in this slot makes for a very happy Jet’s war room. Vernon Gholston goes to the NY Jets.

New Orleans (Trade)- I think the Patriots trade out and like I said in my mock draft they have ammunition at this point to get it done. Chris Long and Cedrick Ellis sitting here is a gift and the Patriots can’t lose with either. DL help is a premium position and the Saints, Bengals and Bronco’s all badly want Ellis on their DL next year. This pick will be traded under this scenario, most likely to New Orleans, with Ellis being the pick in the 7th slot regardless of which team gets him.

Baltimore- The Raven’s will be looking hard at O-Line help but having Chris Long drop to the 8th slot, which quite frankly is about where I would think he is properly valued, is a good solid choice for Baltimore. They might be tempted to grab one of the corners or an LT but Chris Long is too good at this point to drop any further.

Cincinnati- The Bengals gamble and lose with both defensive linemen they badly want gone at this point due to trades made ahead of them. The next best value at this point are the OT’s and Ryan Clady is a top prospect. I think the Bengals will try to trade out of this slot if Ellis is gone, but failing that they take the best LT in the draft in Ryan Clady.

New England (Trade)- This will be a Patriots pick if the trade up takes place in my senario. The Saints badly want Ellis and only needed to move 3 slots to get him. The player I think the Patriots want all along is Keith Rivers the LB from USC. The Pats are thin at LB and Rivers is a prototypical Patriot who could man the position for the next decade.

Buffalo- I always have a tough time predicting Buffalo’s picks. They have a big need at WR and they have a big need at CB. The best value and biggest impact guy here would be Leodis McKelvin who is a top quality CB as well as a punt and kick return guy. I just don’t see Buffalo reaching for a WR despite everyone else’s mock draft and instead I see them taking the most pro ready CB of the group in McKelvin.

Denver- The Bronco’s need OL and DL help and three intriguing players are here. Derrick Harvey, Jeff Otah and Chris Williams. At the end of the day I think Shannahan opts to protect his young QB and selects Chris Williams, the smooth moving LT from Vanderbilt.

Carolina- The Panthers look hard at Mendenhall, Harvey and Otah here but at the end of the day the pass rushing stud from Florida fits the bill for the Panthers. I predict Derrick Harvey going in this slot to Carolina.

Chicago- The Bears are being talked up to be going offensive line and thats always a possibility but I think they really know they have a dog on their hands in Benson and won’t want to trust their backfield to him. Rashard Mendenhall is a fantastic talent and the Bears absolutely need to restock their skill positions this draft. I think all the OL stuff is a smoke screen to get teams ahead of them to take OL and let Mendenhall to drop.

Detroit- The Lions badly want Mendenhall and if he’s not there I think you could actually see Jonathan Stewart go at this pick. The Lions need a feature back but with Jeff Otah here and Harvey and Mendenhall gone it’s a question of whether they go CB or OL. Millen is incredibly unpredictable but I think they want one of the featured RB’s and they take a shot at Jonathan Stewart, particularly after hearing the Cardinals had him in for a visit this week.

Arizona- The Cardinals are a classic draft for need team, which is why they so often reach for players in the first round that flame out. Fortunately for them is under this mock draft scenario they have a choice of Mike Jenkins, Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, Aqib Talib, Phillip Merling and Jeff Otah to choose from. This is what we call a “can’t miss” senario people. If it were up to me, I’m taking Phillip Merling to keep building the defensive line and pass rush, never mind the sports hernia injury that he had surgery on. Next I go with Jeff Otah the mammoth OT and build the offensive line depth as the Cardinals have virtually no one at back up OT at the moment. However, I believe the Cardinals take one of the CB’s, with Cromartie or Talib topping their list. I think at the end of the day they go for the potential of DRC.

Minnesota- I see the Vikins looking at Phillip Merling as a potential steal at this point in the draft but Jeff Otah being on the board intrigues them. Merling is a sleeper at this point and a very solid pick for the Vikings at this stage in the draft.

Houston- If by some fluke Otah drops this far, and there are many reason’s why he might not, I don’t see the Texan’s letting him get past them. Jeff Otah to the Texans.

Philadelphia-Not believing their luck, and with no top quality OL or DL here, the Eagles go get a top quality WR in Devin Thomas here.

Tampa-Gruden knows a top quality cover two guy and nickle back when he see’s one. Mike Jenkins from South Florida goes to the Buc’s.

Washington- With Merling gone to the Vikings the Redskins look at a bit of a reach but physically impressive Calais Campbell the DE from Miami.

Dallas-Jerry Jones gets his Arkansas running back in Felix Jones.

Pittsburgh-Build the lines is the motto and an intriguing Steeler type is sitting here. Kentwan Balmer the DT from NC State.

Tennessee- Do you think this is the year the Titan’s get some recievers for their QB? I do too. Desean Jackson is explosive and fills the gap in special teams left by them getting rid of Pac Man Jones.

Seattle-This team needs a tight end and Dustin Keller from Purdue has totally caught their eye. Another prospect that might intrigue them is Gosder Cherlius but at the end of the day the play making ability of Keller and their gap at TE fits this need.

Jacksonville- I think the Jag’s might trade out of this slot if there isn’t a DL prospect that interests them here. If they stay I think they look at Gosder Cherlius at RT.

San Diego- Best player available for the stocked and loaded Chargers. They won’t be scared off by Malcom Kelly’s pro day or attitude.

Dallas-I see Aqib Talib finding a home here. Maybe Nate Newton can hook him up.

San Francisco- The 49′ers want LB’s and Jerrad Mayo is a fantastic looking prospect out of Tennessee.

Green Bay- They could be looking at Kenny Phillips here but I think they take the fast rising Tyrell Johnson at this slot instead.

N.Y. Giants- The Giants still need corners and Brandon Flowers is a very solid selection for the Giants in this pick.Ok, lets get back to the Cardinals.Again, remember this is who I think they WILL pick, not who I think they should pick.

Second round. Chris Johnson the speed back out of Eastern Carolina. I’m not sure he will still be here when they select, but if he is I think the desire for a home run threat so they can get rid of JJ Arrington makes this a no brainer. It wouldn’t be my choice but I think they want a pure speed guy and Johnson is a fantastic change of pace and third round back prospect.

Third round. They got a CB, a RB and now it has to be pass rushing DE/OLB prospects. The question is who drops to the middle of the third round that is a potential impact guy? Usually players with character risks, injury issues, tweeners or small school sleepers. I like Bruce Davis of UCLA in this slot. A bit of a tweener, but highly productive in college with a great work ethic. You could do a lot worse getting Davis here and building depth at the outside of the front seven where this team remains incredibly thin. Davis can get after the quarterback and as a weakside linebacker could make an immediate impact.

Forth round: Time to go OL. The three guys I think could be here are Kirk Barton, Ohio State, Tony Hills from Texas and John Greco from Toledo. I think Greco could be a great pick if he lasts this long. Two year captain, never missed a game, great character and the body to get bigger and stronger.

Fifth round: I’ll stay on the Chris Harrington band wagon, the DE out of Texas A&M. Just a highly productive, tough, solid DE with great college numbers and who stayed on the field. He could be a very solid back up and depth guy for a lot of years in the right system.

Sixth round: The Cardinals take a gamble on Jack Ikeqwuonu the CB out of Wisconsin. Before he got injured his was projecting as a second round type CB and if he makes it back from injury he could be a steal in this slot. I like looking at guys like this in this slot.

Seventh round: Special teams and depth at receiver. I dont think he will be here after a blazing fast pro day time but if I can get a player like Ryan Grice-Mullen the WR from Hawaii here I’d grab him. They need a slot receiver or speed guy and Mullen could be both if he drops to this slot.Ok, thats it. I’ll see how it holds up and of course a lot will happen between now and then. Hopefully this is a solid draft for the Cardinals as they can’t afford to have a thin one after last year.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 19th, 2008 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Voice of the Cardinals, mock draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.