Mock Draft Wildcard Update
By Brian Miller
This is the first true update of our mock draft, it comes after the Wild Card weekend with an updated slotting and a fix to the problems with the slotting from the previous mock.
Now what fun would an update be if I only changed a few slots and therefore a pick or two? IT wouldn’t. So with that being said, I have decided to listen to some of the more intriguing Emails…the ones that didn’t blatantly tell me I was full of “IT”…when choosing the picks for their teams. Obviously there will be some names left off as the value of some of the players have gone up and down after all the bowl games, a better idea of where these guys stand will come after the NFL season is over and teams really start looking at what they need on their rosters. Those needs, free agency, and so forth seem to move a guy up and down on the draft boards. Of course the Combine will have the biggest impact for 90 percent of these players. Enjoy the mock…and realize that I am aware there are some guys that will fall to the 3rd and some out of the first and vice versa.
Well being the glutton for punishment that I am…I have decided to go one step further and do a two round mock draft…should give you plenty more to gripe at me about…I am preparing to change my Email address soon.
Because a two round mock is a little long, it is on two separate pages. Please click the “Continue Reading” button for the updated round 1 mock and round 2.
– Chris Long – Va. – DE: I have changed this pick about 4 times in the last 3 days. Try as I may, I just can’t seem to allow myself to think that Glenn Dorsey will be chose here. Other fans feel he will, and that is fine, he very well may be. After what I consider to be a rather average performance in the National Title match-up with OSU, I just don’t see him becoming a stallwart NG in a 3-4. So, for those thinking Dorsey…hopeing for Dorsey….I just can’t do it yet….maybe after I see what happens in a few more weeks…like when the Phins hire a DC. For those who wanted Dorsey…so did Jason Taylor…and you can listen to our interview with him here.
– Glenn Dorsey – DT – LSU: This is a hard pick to make. The Rams could go offensive line with Jake Long, or they could go defense. I think with the problems they had on defense last year, they really need someone that can help this team. I waivered on this one quite a bit, also if the Dolphins do in fact go with Dorsey, Chris Long is also a possibility and maybe moreso than Jake Long.
NOTE: In following the rules of draft tie breakers, I flipped a coin…best out of 3 and Atlanta won 2 times. Thus they will pick…in this mock…3rd, with Oakland 4th and Kansas City 5th. The actual coin toss will be between Oakland and Atl with the winner picking 3rd. IF Oakland wins, a second coin toss between KC and Atl will determine the 4th position.
– Darren McFadden – RB – Arkansas: The Falcons would love for this to unfold. Warrick Dunn is almost done and the Falcons need to sell tickets and climb out of the Michael Vick shadow…this pick could do both…for those thinking the Falcons really need to address the QB situation, there is no reason that a guy like Henne should not be available in round 2….is Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm really top 3 at this point? I don’t think they are.
– Sedrick Ellis – DT – USC – Sapp is gone, a hole is there. Ellis fills it.
– Jake Long – OT – Michigan: There are a lot of things that the Chiefs could do with this pick including drafting a QB like Matt Ryan. Still, the bread and butter of the Chiefs is the running game and they need a blue chip guy on the line.
– Vernon Gohlston – DE – OSU: A Jets fan told me that he thinks the Jets will take Laurinaitis with this pick…which usually means they won’t if that’s who the fans want. The Jets have a horrible Dline and adding a LB to a weak corp would help, but adding a DE can help a little more. I really did try to figure in a LB…however, Lauriniatis didn’t look all that good against LSU…let the Patriots have him.
– James Laurinaitis – OLB – OSU: Every time I see the Patriots up this far, I shake my head. Still, if JL is not here when they pick, and maybe if he is, look for NE to try and move this pick and pick up another first next year. It seems to be their MO.
– Matt Ryan – QB – Boston College: The Ravens will have a new coach and likely a new QB. They can no longer rely on Kyle Boller and another aged veteran. Matt Ryan is the likely top rated QB this year but combines and pro-days could change that. Whoever is the top rated QB come April….should be drafted here.
– Calais Campbell – DE – Miami: This may be a little high for the DE who on Thursday announced his decision to forgoe his senior year, but the Bengals need help up front more than they need help in the secondary. Campbell will give them a guy who can put pressure on the QB.
– Kenny Phillips – S – Miami: Back to back “U” men. Phillips will improve the attitude of a secondary that needed to do more. The offense of the Saints is still good and should improve, but the defense gave up way too many yards this year.
– Malcom Kelly – WR – Oklahoma: The Bills have a young talented defense but on the offense, they need some help…specifically at the WR position. A new threat for young Trent Edwards will help this team in the near future.
– Keith Rivers – OLB – USC: The Broncos have problems on both sides of the ball but their defense is worse. One of the worst teams against the run, the Broncos really need an interior lineman, but this high, there is none left. OLB is a priority as well.
– Brian Brohm – QB – Louisville: The Panthers need secondary help, but what they need even more is a QB for their future. Jake Delhomme can be a very productive QB when healthy, the problem is can he stay that way. David Carr was not a good investement and despite the other areas of need, the Panthers get a guy for their future.
– Andre’ Woodson – QB – Kentucky: Don’t be surprised if the Bears don’t try and move up a little to get Woodson or Brohm. A QB is definately in their future and this is the perfect opportunity to get one. Rex Grossman has proven he is not the answer, nor is anyone else on their roster. It was pointed out to me that the Bears need more help than QB…that is true…but they need QB more…it was also pointed out that I am on the “Bears need a QB bandwagon” they do…just because Angelo is afraid to pull that trigger doesn’t mean that he finally won’t. This time around, he really doesn’t have many question marks left at the position…he knows what he has…and that is nothing.
– Ryan Clady – OT – Boise St.: If there is one thing that can be guaranteed this year about the Detroit Lions pick is that it will not be a WR.
– Michael Jenkins – CB – S.Fla.: I will be surprised if the first CB taken in Aprils’ draft is this far down. Jenkins is likely to impress if he works out at the Combine and should be able to improve his stock. The Cardinals can not continue to waste good offensive years without a defense.
– Deshean Jackson – WR – California: Originally I thought they would go with Limas Sweed, and they still could. I think Jackson is a better fit along side of Rice. No matter how hard I try to think that the Vikes could go on defense here, they really need a home run threat at WR. Even though it was mentioned that Javon Walker would likely head up there…he has been very prone to injury and I’m not sure they risk it.
Malcom Jenkins – CB – OSU: The Texans showed a lot of improvement this year, but until the can shut down the opposing passing game, they will never make the next move to a true competitor.
– Sam Baker – OT – USC – The Eagles need more help on the line than they do at the WR spot like I originally thought. Baker will make the line better and maybe they can finally move away from Jon Runyon who is getting up there and injured a lot.
– Limas Sweed – WR – Texas: The Buc’s have improved tremendously and their offense is starting to click. Joey Galloway is getting long in the tooth and the running game is solid behind a good offensive line. They could use a speedster.
– Derrick Harvey – DE – Florida: The Redskins could also look for a replacement for Sean Taylor. However, drafting a Safety this early would not be fair to the safety they drafted…a lot to live up to. Harvey provides an outside pass rush that the Redskins could use in a division of better than average QB’s.
(from the Browns) – Mario Manningham – WR – Michigan: It seems that Cowboys fans believe that their team needs to spend a first round pick on a WR. Glenn is old yes, but with Crayton recently signed and Owens still very productive, I would think they would fill a need for something else…I was told I was wrong…so here you go.
– Jeff Otah– OT – Pittsburgh: Alan Faneca could be gone and Max Starks could also be gone. What do you think the Steelers biggest need might be? Gosder Cherilus could also be the pick here as well.
– Adarius Bowman – WR – OK ST: The Titans need someone for Vince Young to throw to and they need to stop trying to do it with guys that are average.
The following teams will be slotted by record after they are eliminated from the playoffs.
– Gosder Cherilus – OT – BC: Originally I thought a RB would go well here, but the Seahawk running game has not been the same since Hutch left for Minny.
Jonathan Stewart – RB – Oregon: After watching the Seahawks play I think they go Oline. With that said, I think that Stewart will be hard to pass up for the Giants.
– Early Doucet – WR – LSU: The Jaguars have one of the best defensive units around, what they need is consistency in the passing game, it showed against Pittsburgh. Without a real WR threat, their running game is going to start to suffer.
– Lawrence Jackson – DE – USC: The Chargers in need of a DE. Depending on where they ultimately draft, Jackson could move up on the boards to get into round 1. It is somewhat of a reach and honestly, I’m really not all that fluent in what the Chargers need. I think Jackson…with a good showing in the combine and pro-day work-outs could move his stock up…this high? don’t know yet.
– Aqib Talib – CB – Kansas: The Packers no longer appear to need a RB after the breakout year that Ryan Grant has had. Still the Packers do have a few spots that could use some upgrade. Adding Talib should help the secondary nicely and he should be starting for them by mid-season if not sooner. He may not be an every down starter for them this year, but in the nickel and dime packages, he should see plenty of action in 08.
– Leodis McKelvin – CB – Troy: The 49ers could use someone else back there with Nate Clements, still, it is hard to imagine the team not focusing on the offensive side of the ball…especially at WR. This pick was from Indy.
– Felix Jones – RB – Ark: The Cowboys will not have either Julius Jones or Marion Barber on their team next year. They will need to replace one of them.
Round 2 of our post-Wildcard weekend Mock Draft.
The order is as accurate as I could find. Teams with identical win loss records rotate each subsequent round. I could not find a rule on how that works with team with the same record who were in the playoffs vs. teams outside of the playoffs so therefore I kept them the same. If the order is not accurate or a trade has been missed, please let me know and I will have that corrected on the next update.
– Dan Connor – LB – Penn St.: The Dolphins will need to focus on the LB position at some point. Zach Thomas is questionable for a return next season, there are outside LB questions and the Dolphins may likely go to a full time 3-4. Connor is a tackling machine. The biggest question is this…Is there any way that this kid could fall out of round 1? Answer: Not likely. It will all depend on what teams really focus on. Connor would be a steal…IMO…in the 2nd round.
– Michael Oher – OT – Mississippi
– Rashard Mendenhall – RB – Illinois:
– Ali Highsmith – OLB – LSU
– Quentin Groves – LB – Auburn
– Chad Henne – QB – Michigan
– Xavier Adibi – OLB – VT
– Kentwan Balmer – DT – N.C.:
– Shaun Crabel – OLB – Michigan:
– Fred Davis – TE – USC:
– Dre Moore – DT – Maryland
– Phil Loadholt – OT – Ok:
– Alex Boone – OT – OSU:
– Reggie Smith – CB – Ok:
– Erin Henderson – OLB – Maryland
– Jeremy Thompson – DE – Wake Forest:
-(from Houston for Matt Schaub) Red Bryant – DT – TX A&M:
– Darrell Robertson – DE – GT:
– Chris Ellis – DE – VT:
Jake Ikegwouna – CB – Wisconsin – Wouldn’t want to be this guy this year.
Jamaal Charles – RB – Texas:
The following three teams share identical records, but Cleveland did not make the playoffs. I am not sure if they rotate with the other two…for this mock, I have left Cleveland and rotated Tenn and Pitt. Seattle and the NY Giants also will be in this rotation when they are no longer in the playoffs.
Demario Pressley – DT – NC State:
Patrick Lee – CB – Auburn
Erick Young – G – Tennessee – Yes, I know I have them drafting OT Jeff Otah in the first, but they conceivably could lose two starting lineman in FA this year. They could also go RB with the question marks around Willie Parkers availability from rehab.
Playoffs will determine the following:
Chris Johnson – RB – East Carolina
– Oniel Cousins – OT – UTEP:
– Martellus Bennett – TE – Tx A&M:
– James Hardy – WR – Indiana:
– John Carlson – TE – Notre Dame:
– Duke Robinson – OG – Ok:
– D Rodgers-Cromartie – CB – Tenn. St..:
– Brandon Flowers – CB – VT: