Mock Draft 6.0
By Brian Miller
Mock Draft 6.0 is up. A new feature here at Phinphanatic is the team links to our Fan-Sided Network of blogs. Simply click the blue team name and immediately be taken to that teams official FSB site. This mock draft has a few more surprises, a recurring theme with many mock drafts, as players have poor Pro-day showings and injury concerns. Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment, or two, or three, but not 4!
1.
– Jake Long – OT – M:
For number 6 I will stick with Jake for the time being, do not be surprised if that does not in fact change between now and mock 7. Chris Long I believe is still the number 1 overall pick, but with the Dolphins unable to address the offensive line in free agency, the need becomes something more dire. As the draft comes closer a few teams will likely surface as a suitor for this pick. I am beginning to believe that the Chiefs are going to make a push for Matt Ryan or even Jake Long.
2.
– Chris Long – DE – VA:
Let’s face it, there are so many things that the Rams, like the Dolphins could do here. An impressive PD by C. Long should make him the undeniable choice with picks one or two. I am hearing though that the Rams are very interested in OSU’s Vernon Gholston. The top of this draft is not shaking out just yet, it may not settle until the draft picks are officially made making mock drafts impossible to call.
3. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan – QB – BC:
Even the Falcons are not a sure thing this year. Amid swirling rumors over the last two months about trading to number 1, it appears that the Birds will wait it out and take the best available. With a large contingent of scouts at the Brian Brohm PD and an interest in Joe Flacco, the Falcons may try and trade down into the 20’s (Dallas are you listening?) and draft one of the other QB’s then. For now, Ryan is the pick.
4.
– Darren McFadden – RB – AR:
The Raiders don’t have a major need at RB with the resigning of their own. The problem with the Raiders is money. They are currently only 500K under the limit with a 51 man roster, they need to sign draft picks and still have working money over the season. McFadden is the speed guy that Al Davis loves. He will add a new dimension to the Raiders offense and will keep defenses on their toes.
5.
– Sedrick Ellis – DT – USC:
Yes the Chiefs really need to fill the Dline and Ellis is considered a top 10 pick. The Chiefs know that in all likelihood, Ryan, Jake Long, and Darren McFadden will all be gone. If they can not trade up to grab one of those, they will try and trade down where they can draft a guy like Ryan Clady who has slipped a bit or Chris Williams who has risen. Both are still a bit out of the top 5.
6. New York Jets – Vernon Gholston – DE – OSU:
Don’t be surprised if the Jets are on the clock for the full 10 minutes in round 1 and likely on the phone with the Falcons and Raiders for their full 10 minutes as well. The Jets are trying to make a push now. Their offseason has shown that it is a win now or leave for Eric Mangini and company. Darren McFadden is big on their list, but chances are he won’t fall this far…he could, and the Jets may wait it out and see, but trading up guarantees the playmaker. For now, the pick is Vernon Gholston who will give the Jets a solid defensive end. If the Jets fail to make the playoffs though, they could be picking very high for years to come with the cap problems they may soon have.
7. New England Patriots (From 49ers) – Leodis McElvin – CB – Troy:
The Patriots could go LB but there are none this year, this high. CB is by far their biggest need and unless someone slips they can’t pass on, McElvin sits at the top of the list…for now.
8.
– Jeff Otah – OT – Pitt:
Surprise! The Ravens have been told to not expect J. Ogden back this year as he contemplates retirement. The loss of Ogden will leave a tackle spot vacant and with this QB class being level after Matt Ryan, the Ravens will need to address their line. This is a little high for Otah who I recently had going in the mid-teens. I still think that Ryan Clady will fall a bit further and Chris Williams has not yet climbed up this high.
9.
– Glenn Dorsey – DT – LSU:
The once consensus number 1 overall pick has fallen and may fall further than 9. The Bengals tried unsuccessfully to make two trades for Dlineman this offseason. It is a tip of their hand to what they want. Dorsey fills a need and could be a perfect fit in the Bengals system. If his knee problems are in fact media overblown, Dorsey could be a steal at number 9.
10. New Orleans Saints – Keith Rivers – OLB – USC:
The Saints will take a long look at CB here and they could easily go with Jenkins or DRC. However, Rivers possesses the tools to be a pro-bowl lb and the Saints need help there as well. The Dline is important as well but the top guys are off the board and that leaves little at number 10. IF Dorsey or Ellis fall…then that is the Saints pick.
11.
– Michael Jenkins – CB – S. Fl:
The Bill could and probably should go with a WR here. However it may be a tad bit too early. The Bills love CB’s and shoring up that unit in the Patriot owned East is a priority. Malcolm Kelly would be a good fit here as would Keith Rivers. If Rivers is here is the pick, however, Kelly has yet to work out and it is believed that both knees have some serious questions which could push him way down or out of draft boards all together.
12.
– Rashard Mendenhall – RB – Ill:
The Broncos need help at the WR position but they can probably grab one in round 2 with ease. They do however love their RB’s and despite a great showing last season by Travis Henry, his inability to stay healthy is a concern. Mendenhall could easily rush for over a 1,000 in his rookie season in Denver.
13. Carolina Panthers – Chris Williams – OT – Vanderbilt: The Panthers have a need at RB but they have a bigger need along the offensive line. Jordan Gross has signed his tender but the Panthers still need help. Although I easily could see the team take a Felix Jones here, Chris Williams seems to be on their target list.
14.
– Ryan Clady – OT – Boise ST:
Yes it would not be a surprise to see a RB in this spot, however, the Bears have problems with pass protection and creating running lanes. Clady has slipped a bit and the Bears could be getting a steal. With a deep RB class this year, the Bears can afford to wait it out.
15.
– Felix Jones – RB – AR:
Given the choice of Jones or Mendenhall, the Lions would likely prefer the latter. Should RM slip past Denver and Chicago, the Lions will take him here. Still, Jones is a solid prospect and the Lions know that.
16.
– Dominique Rodgers – Cromartie – CB – Tenn ST.:
No other college entry has gained more attention that DRC since the Senior Bowl. Stellar performance with a solid showing at the Combine and a good attitude has moved him out of round 2 into mid round 1. DRC could even go higher.
17.
– Derrick Harvey – DE – FL:
The Vikings got a safety in free agency and WR as well in Bernard Berrian. They have inquired about Miami Dolphin DE Jason Taylor which would lead one to believe that DE is at the top of their priority list. Harvey is a productive project who should fit well into the Viking scheme.
18. Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart – RB – OR:
The Texans need a RB and in my last mock draft I had Stewart falling out of the 1st round amid his toe surgery. With the surgery completed Stewart once again is garnering 1st round considerations. The Texans would love to fill in their RB spot with Jones or Mendenhall but Stewart was rated above both of them prior to the injury and thus could be a very nice steal over the other two.
19.
– Deshean Jackson – WR – Ca:
Some speculate that the Eagles with go with the secondary instead but Lito Sheppard has not been traded yet and therefore has no need to be replaced. What the Eagles have been doing all off-season is trying to secure a WR via trade coming up short each time. Jackson will give McNabb a very solid target to throw to.
20.
– Devin Thomas – WR – MSU:
Thomas has exploded into the 1st round with solid Combine and PD work. The Bucs need a playmaking WR threat and Thomas has the speed and ability to help their offense immediately…as well as some ST work.
21.
– Kenny Phillips – S – Mia:
The Redskins are going to be a hard team to predict given the fact that they have 3 areas of real need that could all be addressed in round 1. DE, WR, and Safety. Phillips is the top safety on the board and although I do find sad irony in the fact that he comes from Miami (S. Taylor), I don’t think that sways any decision. DE is a little thin this high right now and WRs have some questions. Phillips is a gutsy playmaker who should be able to start.
22.
(From Browns) – Aqib Talib – CB – Kansas:
After watching the top of this years RB class float to other teams the Cowboys will turn their attention to the rest of their needs. WR and CB. Talib offers a unique opportunity to improve the Cowboy secondary, however, he needs some work to become an elite NFL corner. He is the best on the board right now. Mike Jenkins is currently ranked higher on the Cowboys CB board…if you believe the video clip leaked of their war room. I still think in the end that Talib will be taken over Jenkins.
23.
– Branden Albert – G – VA:
There is little question that the Steelers will draft an olineman in round 1 as they have a huge need at Guard. Albert has been the talk of the mid to late round 1 lineman and the only thing the Steelers really need to worry about is someone jumping ahead to get him.
24. Tennessee Titans – Malcolm Kelly – WR – OK:
For now, Kelly will stay in round 1 but there seems to be serious concerns about both of his knees. Kelly has yet to workout for NFL teams or at the Combine and that could move him out of round 1 and into round 2. I think that the Titans may, for now, have interest in risking the pick on a guy who if he is healthy would be an absolute steal this late in the game.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Gosder Cherilous – OT – BC:
Some Mocks have the Seahawks taking a TE but this year there is no clearly defined stud among the bunch which tells me they can address the spot in round 2 or 3. That leaves OT as an important hole to fill or even WR to replace DJ Hackett.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Phillip Merling – DE – Clemson:
The Jaguars have rumored to be talking with Miami about a Jason Taylor trade and have been rumored to be denied at every turn. They need a pass rushing DE and Merling should help in that department.
27.
– Kentwan Balmer – NT – NC:
The Chargers don’t have a lot of holes to fill but finding a solid DLine run stuffer is on the top of their list. Balmer is rising on many boards and may be gone by the SD pick.
28.
– Limas Sweed – WR – Texas:
The Cowboys lose out on Arkansas’ running backs but manage to land local boy Sweed. The Cowboys need a guy who can play opposite Terrell Owens and eventually replace him. Terry Glenn is old and Patrick Crayton is gifted but needs to take the next step.
29.
(From Colts) – Early Doucet – WR – LSU:
The 49ers offense is run by Mike Martz, the 49ers offense lacks a solid playmaking WR. Enough said.
30.
– Brandon Flowers – CB – VT:
Rumors are saying that the Pack may go with a quarterback here because they are not sold on Aaron Rodgers. Maybe in round 2 or 3. I think they take a corner here.
FORFEITED
31.
– Reggie Smith – S/CB – OK:
The Giants do not want to enter the season with Sammy Knight at Safety. Smith has played both CB and S in college and could play either one in the NFL. Dan Connor is also a top choice here as well.