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No Frock on this Mock…draft

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This is the mock draft undressed. I didn’t worry about value or picking from best to worst regardless of position. My top 31 players aren’t all up on this mock draft, but when is the last time that a real draft had all the best players taken in the first round? That’s why it’s become popular this year for the mainstream guys to list redrafts from five years ago.

Don’t get me wrong, I have all the respect in the world for Mel Kiper Jr, Mike Mayock, and the like. Let’s face it, they get more wrong than they get right, and three years later the stretches, (Nnamdi Asomugha), and the sure things, (Robert Gallery), end up being thought differently.

I also don’t think I’m right…another difference from the “Pro’s”. Hey if I’ve gotta’ have the Mel Kiper hair or explain to Chris “vermin” Berman why a team that is considered the worst in the league has to draft smart, I think I’ll actually go from throwing up in my mouth to projectile vomiting. Hold up a second…((GULP)). Sorry, just typing that sentence brought up a chunk or two.

So back to the mock. I know I’m not right. What’s that saying? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…unless it’s Pam Anderson. In other words, these GM’s/owners have certain guys they love that other GM’s/owners aren’t that impressed with. Some like junk in the trunk, while others want no flab on the slab. Get my meaning?

So without further ado, here it goes…oh yeah, unlike Patrick, I like the rough stuff so after you read it, go ahead and let me have it.

1. Dolphins select…Jumbo Elli…uh-hum. Jake Long, offensive tackle, Michigan. The fish have a ton of needs, but let me tell you what they don’t need. They don’t need a running back and they don’t need a punt returner. There you go! So what better place to start than the offensive line. At least now, Beck or whoever else Parcells decides should be the QB, can concentrate on what’s in front of him.
2. The Rams have had problems keeping their linemen, QB’s, running backs, receivers, and pretty much every other position healthy. If last year proved anything, it proved that they need to keep Bulger healthy. Unfortunately for the Rams, it’s too early to draft another lineman. That’s why they take go defense instead and draft ‘cant-miss’ Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU. Carriker is really a defensive end with the ability to put a serious rush from the outside, but what they really lack is a man in the middle. Well, after this draft, the correct term would be ‘lacked.’
3. Atlanta gets the first shock of the day. I love this pick, I really do. If I rooted for the Falcons I’d be happy with it. They take Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville. Two years ago, they were saying he might have been the first QB taken, last year they said he would’ve been in the top 2, so why is it that he’s not the top rated QB this year? Hiring Bobby “the quitter” Petrino last year was a sign of things to come. What? You don’t think Vick is coming back to play QB do you?
4. The Raiders are best served to trade down, but that’s not what a mock draft is all about. So with this pick, Al Davis gets the pick he really covets…Chris Long, DE, VA. If I’m right about this, I could care less about not having anymore first day picks. With Long on board, the Raiders now have a nucleus on the defensive side that will make them a force for years to come.
5. K.C. is in shambles. It doesn’t matter who your skill players are if your offensive line can’t do its job. They take the new centerpiece of their line, Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State. I would’ve rather they pick nobody, but since NFL rules would probably prohibit Carl Peterson to throw in the towel, they end up getting a pretty good pick.
6. The Jets are on the clock, but before they pick, I’d like to ask one question. What’s that say about you as a coach when your current and former teams are picking so high in the draft? Sorry Herm, but I could never understand why BSPN has always kissed your behind. Alright, so the Jets play a 3-4 hybrid type defense and the best guy for that is Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State.
7. As Seinfeld used to say, “NEWENGLAND!” Or was that, “Newman?” The Patriots get richer thanks to the foresight of the 49ers. After losing three cornerbacks this off season, they need to draft one. They draft Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State. So I guess adding your Pro Bowl cousins’ last name to yours DOES help get you drafted.
8. Baltimore is officially in rebuilding mode. Like the Raiders last year, they are going to begin rebuilding with Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College. We’ve officially passed the first quarter, and I’m starting to hear, “What the…where in the…McFadden is still out there? Ah, pipe down DMC lovers. I’ll get to him.
9. The Bengals had serious problems getting off of the field last year, and Coach Lewis isn’t hesitating on fixing that. This is why he’s drafting Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC. Now, maybe Ocho Cinco will get more face time with the cameras.
10. New Orleans went from contender to pretender pretty quick last year. It’s bad enough when your star QB has to run for his life, but when you get your starting running back hurt, and the most prominent draft pick since Ricky Williams starts running like…Ricky Williams, there’s only one way to right the wrongs of last off season. To do that, they draft Christopher Williams, OT, Vanderbilt.
11. 10 picks in and DMC is still in the green room. I know, I know, you’re thinking, “This guy’s on drugs.” Yeah, I’m on drugs, in fact I just took some. It’s called Afrin, ’cause I’m SICK like that. And now that the post nasal drip is working, Buffalo isn’t looking for a running back with Marshawn Lynch running around. This guy is going to help Lynch get on the field quicker though. They pick Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida.
12. Next up is Denver. With Shanahan making life difficult on himself every year, this was a tough pick. Like the Raiders, the Broncos had trouble stopping the run too. The problem is, their offensive line needs to start getting addressed so they draft Sam Baker, OT, USC. This guy is fast enough and strong enough to step in and zone block like crazy.
13. This is another tough pick. The Panthers really need a new QB, and a receiver, but they are a running team. Now that DeAngelo Williams is the man, they need a second back. Yep! Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas is the pick here. I don’t know why the Panthers do this, but they’ve been doing stuff like this for about eight years.
14. Chicago has fallen a long way from the Super Bowl. Raider Nation can empathize, but probably not sympathize. I really like this pick for them, because they need help on the offensive line. That’s why they pick Branden Albert, OG/OT, VA.
15. The Lions drafting 15th? Wow! No wonder a wide receiver hasn’t been taken yet! That trend continues as the Lions beef up the line for Tatum Bell and draft Jeffrey Otah, OT, Pitt. to open holes. They could’ve drafted a running back, but with the run on linemen, they go this route first.
16. Arizona needs help in the secondary. They seem to be on the right track on offense, but if they don’t start stopping people on defense, it won’t matter. That’s why the Cardinals select Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy. They may also want to sign a V.D. specialist for Leinart, but that’s a different story.
17. This is might be my biggest reach. The problem is, for what the Vikings need the best pick is a little bit of a reach. With Berrian and Rice working the outside, they need a guy that can go over the middle. It might help if they had a quarterback to throw the ball, but Childress seems convinced that Jackson is his man. So the Vikings select Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue.
18. Finally, some very cool talent starts to come off the board. Hey, I like linemen but they aren’t as flashy as this guy. It seems like the Texans have been looking for someone to pound the rock since they’ve been in the league. This year they may have finally found one in Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon.
19. In Philadelphia, the offense was starting to come together towards the end of the season. They have the depth need on that side of the ball also, but they need some players on defense. They take a monster OLB that will help bring their defense back to nasty. They select Keith Rivers, OLB, USC.
20. 19 picks and no wide receiver? I bet you’re thinking you know who the first one taken will be, right? Well, not so fast! How much longer can Galloway handle all of the major receiving duties by himself? Not much longer because the Buccaneers select Limas Sweed, WR, Texas.
21. The Redskins seem to always have a pretty good secondary. With Sean Taylor, (R.I.P.), now gone, they select Kenny Phillips, S, Miami. Hopefully, they’ll make him move to the D.C. area too.
22. If the Cowboys don’t work a trade to take McFadden, then they’ll be forced to grab probably the best cornerback available. This will help their defense stop the pass, since that is their major deficiency. They get a good pick too by taking Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas.
23. With Faneca leaving and their inability to score on short yardage plays, the Steelers need line help. They select Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska. With this pick, they finish off the run of offensive linemen in the first round. Remember that the NFL is a copycat league. Teams are going to want to have great defensive lines and need offensive lines that can block those great defensive teams.
24. It’s ironic that Tennessee hardly ever has a dominant receiver and they’ll be looking at a guy that played against the Volunteers two years in a row in prime time. The Titans will take DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal.
25. Originally, I would have said Seattle was going to draft a running back, but since they signed Duckett and Julius Jones, I had to switch my train of thought. They need a safety so I have them selecting Reggie Smith, S, Oklahoma.
26. I still don’t understand why the Jaguars got rid of Marcus Stroud. They need to take a DT to replace him and to pair with Henderson, so they take Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame.
27. San Diego needs a defensive tackle. Lucky for them, the perfect one for their 3-4 defense is available. The Chargers select Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina.
28. Dallas strengthened their secondary with thier first pick, but now they need a bonifide stud for the third down running back spot. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas is that guy. With Barber carrying the load, Jones has all the speed necessary to give him a breather on third down.
29. San Francisco has so many problems that I decided to strengthen their defense. With Willis being a beast, they could use someone else to step in and be a second pass rusher. That’s why they select Erin Henderson, OLB, Maryland.
30. Although Green Bay had good defensive play last season, their two best cornerbacks are over 32. They reload by drafting Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida.
31. New England - Forfeited
32. The New York Giants need linebackers and secondary personnel. Since they can probably get by with free agents for the linebackers, they need to draft a safety with their first pick. They select DaJuan Morgan, S, NC State.

Whew! Finally done! I was barely able to pull that one off, since the Afrin is wearing off now. I don’t proclaim to be right, but I can’t be much worse than the guys who get paid for this stuff. Take that Kiper!

*NOTE from the author - Something that I forgot to add as I was seeing double and triple was a big shoutout to our sister site NFL Draft 101. Hey! Why pay some silly fee to get all the inside stuff you can handle? Check them out here.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, April 19th, 2008 at 2:22 am and is filed under 2008 Raiders Offseason, 2008 NFL 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.