Mock Draft 5.0
By Brian Miller
Here is our Mock Draft 5.0. 40 days and counting to the real thing!
Jake Long – OT – M
: The Dolphins could do a lot with this pickand many are hoping that the Phins will somehow find a trade partner and move out of the top spot. That is becoming more and more unlikely. When the dust settles, Jake fits a need, has the size. I still think that Chris Long will get a lot of look here as well but gut feeling has swayed to Jake.
Vernon Gholston – DE – OSU
: Can you say pissed? The Rams are in love with Jake Long and being so close to getting their big bodied lineman will be hard to kiss off, however, they are an NFL team and have a backup plan in place. After fielding a few offers, spending their 10 minutes on the clock, VG will be their pick.
Matt Ryan – QB – BC
: The Falcons have been at the center of the “trading up” rumor for most of the last month or so. In reality, they are more likely to trade down, and this is exactly where I think the Cowboys will pick on draft day…but I’m not doing trades right now. I think the Falcons will move to 22 and take Flacco instead of Ryan. For this mock…they get the QB they desperately need.
Chris Long – DE – Va.:
The Raiders will look long and hard at Darren McFadden, but their problems on defense can be solved with Chris Long. The Raiders recently resigned one of their RB’s to a sizeable contract and although they could easily pay McFadden, I don’t see Davis parting from a successfull history. Howie doing Chris?
Sedrick Ellis – DT – USC
: The Chiefs really want Jake Long, but he will be long gone by 5 and they know it. Keep an eye on King Carl as he may actually consider parting with picks to move up to get Jake. Well, nevermind, his ego won’t allow that unless he can get the upper hand of the deal. Too early for Clady here and CP won’t find a trade down partner…but he will try.
Darren McFadden – RB – Ar
: If McFadden should somehow slip this far, the roar in NY at the draft from all the J.E.T.S. jets jets jets fans will be louder than their moans in the past….hell they may even catch up with them on the solar plane. The Jets have made quite a few moves to shore up a bad team, committing more money this offseason in guarantees…65 million…than any other teams.
Leodis McElvin – CB – Troy
: The Patriots have a very big need at CB with the departure of Samuels, McElvin is the top CB prospect and although the Patriots could focus on LB which is another need, I am not sure they pass on LM.
Brian Brohm – QB – Louisville
: I honestly am not sure what the Ravens will do here. IF, the Falcons move back with Dallas, the birds will take Ryan, if not, they may take a stab this early on Flacco instead. For now, I think Brohm is still graded out as first round talent and QB is still the biggest need for the Ravens.
Glenn Dorsey – DT – LSU
: In reality, Dorsey could fall further, but the fact that the Bengals have tried 2 times this offseason to trade for a big DT tells me that Dorsey won’t fall past the 9 spot.
Michael Jenkins – CB – S.Fl
: I don’t think there is any doubt that the Saints take anything but a secondary player. Kenny Phillips is also a possibility as is Cromartie.
Malcolm Kelly – WR – Ok
: The Bills need a big play receiver to fit their offense. They are in the perfect position to draft the top of the list whoever they feel that is. Right now it’s Kelly.
Rashard Mendenhall – RB – Ill:
The Broncos “need” defensive help, but Mike Shannahan loves RB’s. Mendenhall would be a nice fit and a likely 1,000 yard rushing rookie. Mike is trying to prove he was right on trading up for Jay Cutler and by giving him another RB at his disposal will help. Lets face it, the Bronco running game last year was not what the Broncs are used to.
Ryan Clady – OT – Boise St.:
The Panthers very well could look at RB y Felix Jones here and if the Broncos pass on Mendenhall, then I think this is where he ends up. With RM out of the picture, the Panthers take a step towards shoring up their Oline. Clady by most scouts decree is the best “true” LT in the draft.
Branden Albert
– G – Va: The Bears need to fix their Oline if they want to protect the QB and have a running game. They may go with a RB here and had Jonathan Stewart not had surgery, he could have been a possibility but I think they go with the Line.
Dominique Rogers-Cromartie
– CB – TSU: The Lions need some help in the secondary and DRC has been jumping up boards since the Senior Bowl. The Lions could target a running back here as they have released Kevin Jones…but I don’t think they take Felix Jones here.
Keith Rivers – LB – USC:
The Birds lost both Calvin Pace and Darryl Blackstock to free agency. The Larry Fitzgerald contract fiasco ate up the first two weeks of free agency and the Cards couldn’t buy their replacements. Rivers fills a hole and a need.
Derrick Harvey – DE – Fl
: There are a lot of holes to fill here and to be honest, they could go anywhere. Rick Spielman is the guy calling the shots up there so nothing is a surprise. Harvery however is a logical choice as they need to find a pass rushing specialist.
Aqib Talib – CB – Kansas
: They could go in a number of directions, but the safe bet is on the poor secondary. Robinson is coming off an ACL injury and the Texans cannot compete in their division without a strong secondary unit.
Chris Williams – OT – Vanderbilt
: It is now apparent that the rumors of a Donovin McNabb trade are nothing more than rumors. The Eagles have been desperately trying to trade for a WR and I think eventually they will find a partner. If they do not, this pick WILL be a wide receiver and will change in the next mock draft I do.
Limas Sweed – WR – Tx
: The Bucs need to step up and get a solid WR if they want to take another step forward. With the injury to Cadillac Williams puting his career in doubt, they could look at RB, but I think they target a guy like Slaton in round 2 or another back in round 3.
James Hardy – WR – Indiana
: The Skins need help on the DE side and they could target Phillip Merling here, but after seeing two free agent WR’s leave for other teams…Bryant Johnson and DJ Hackett…it is apparent that they want another WR. Hardy didn’t have a great combine, but there is no doubting his ability to catch.
Felix Jones – RB – Ark
: In all honesty, I think that Jones will be gone before this pick…somewhere. For now, I can’t place him with certainty. The Cowboys very well may be moving up to 3 with ATL and if they do then Flaccos’ name gets called in this spot for ATL. The Cowboys desperately need to find another RB and Jones will fit nicely splitting carries with Barber.
Jeff Otah – OT – Pitt:
The Steelers lost Faneca in free agency and their line took a hit. There really is no greater need than Oline in round 1 and Mike Tomlin knows it.
DeShaun Jackson – WR – Cali
: The Titans would have prefered Sweed or Hardy but they won’t pass up Jackson. DJ has good hands and with some help should become a very viable option for Vince Young.
Kenny Phillips – S – Mia
: The safety has seen his stock drop…not so sure it drops this far, but it could given the teams needs in front of the Hawks. Seattle is working on a deal with Trufant but they still need to draft his eventual replacement.
Phillip Merling – DE – Clemson
: The Jaguars do not need a WR after the signing of Jerry Porter in FA. They do however need a pass rushing DE. Although speculation is that they will or could trade for DE Jason Taylor, that is still off in the distance.
Kentwan Balmer – DT – NC
: The Bolts don’t need much, but they do need some depth and help on the DLine. Balmer could be gone before this pick, but if the above shakes down, he could be sitting here when the Chargers pick. I don’t think they would pass on him.
Antoine Cason – CB – AZ
: The Cowboys may already have DeAngelo Hall by the draft, or by this pick, making it either Atlantas or not a need. For now, Cason is one of the better Corner options available.
Early Doucet – WR – LSU
: The 9ers need some defensive help but their offense isn’t lighting up the scoreboard either. A lot is being rode on the arm of Alex Smith and he needs a weapon so they can see if he is there future or their past.
Brandon Flowers – CB – VT
: The Packers no longer have Brett Favre but drafting a QB in round 1 still is not likely. So for now, they stick with repairing the secondary.
*Lost the Super Bowl 17-14*
Do I really need to say why they have no pick here?
Dan Connor – LB – Penn St
: The Giants took a hit at the LB position in free agency losing Torbor and Mitchell. Connor will at least give them another option. The Giants are still rumored to be interested in DeAngelo Hall and the Falcons could get itchy to re-explore the option.
1st pick in round 2 – this is a Phins site afterall!
Joe Flacco – QB – Delaware
: Now, this one is a simple cop-out and nothing more. If Flacco is here though, I would not be surprised to see the Phins take him. However, I don’t think he will actually be here as someone will trade up into round 1 and get him…so, I threw this in here just for kicks! 🙂