The Miami Dolphins would love to trade down out of their first spot but they haven't been able to find any takers because this draft doesn't have the marquee quarterbacks.
Round One
1. Chris Long Virginia Defensive End – Miami Dolphins
Bill Parcells values a difference making pass rusher. Chris Long is exactly that and he has a strong pedigree being the son of Hall-Of-Fame defensive lineman Howie Long of the Oakland Raiders. Long will likely be a linebacker on first and second down, then a pass rushing defensive end on third down.
2. Jake Long Michigan Offensive Tackle – St. Louis Rams
The Rams offensive line got quarterback, Marc Bulger killed last year. Orlando Pace missed the season because of an injury. St. Louis lost former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Kyle Turley a couple of years ago. The right offensive tackle position was manned by Brandon Gorin and Adam Goldberg. They're going to lose Pace in a couple of years, so they must grab a sure thing like Long.
3. Sedrick Ellis Southern Cal Defensive Tackle – Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have nothing at the defensive tackle position which is one of the first moves needed to rebuild their defense. If they can pair up a pass rushing defensive tackle with defensive ends John Abraham and Jamaal Anderson it will make them much more formidable.
4. Darren McFadden Arkansas Running Back – Oakland Raiders
Al Davis isn't going to be able to pass up this talent. I personally am not as high on McFadden as others are but his 4.27 forty in the combine will do it for the Raiders. They have always valued speed.
Video Of G. Cobb talking about his Mock Draft
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5. Ryan Clady Boise State Offensive Tackle – Kansas Chiefs
The Chiefs offensive line was so bad that they couldn't even open holes for Larry Johnson, one of the NFL's best running backs. They've lost two future Hall-Of-Fame level offensive linemen in the last couple of years and it showed a year ago. Clady might go on to be a better player than Jake Long who drafted higher.
6. Vernon Gholson Ohio State outside linebacker – New York Jets
The Jets need a difference making pass rusher to add to their 3-4 defense and there's nobody better than Gholston who has the potential to be a consistent All-Pro. His speed, quickness and upside are better than Chris Long.
7. Leodis McKelvin Troy State Cornerback/Punt Returner New England Patriots
The Patriots have lost a number of defensive backs through free agency including All-Pro Asante Samuel. They've got to replace them and McKelvin would also give them another quality punt returner. The Pats value guys who can do more than one thing.
8. Matt Ryan Boston College Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have issues at their quarterback position and I don't think they confidently believe in Steve McNair. Ryan fits what they would want. He's accurate and can hand the ball off to running back. He'll be able to quickly decipher their offense and develop into a good quarterback.
9 . Glenn Dorsey LSU Defensive Tackle – Cincinatti Bengals
This guy has the capability of being a great one but there continue to be questions about his health. He could be a Godsend to a Bengals defense that needs a dominator in the middle of their defensive line. If Dorsey stays healthy, he will make everybody on their defense better.
10. Keith Rivers Southern California Outside Linebacker – New Orleans Saints
Rivers is an all around linebacker who can be a big play guy for the Saints. Immediately he upgrades them talent-wise because of his speed which will allow him to cover backs and tight ends like a blanket.
11. Devin Thomas Michigan State Wide Receiver – Buffalo Bills
Thomas has been flying up draft boards after a huge year this past season and an exceptional combine. He's got the size and speed to be a true dominating threat. It's some what of a chance but he's got a huge upside.
12. Kenny Phillips Miami Safety – Denver Broncos
This is kind of early for Phillips to go but the Broncos have a serious need at the safety position and this kid is the cream of the crop of a weak safety class this year. Veteran John Lynch can't get the job done any more and needs to be replaced.
13. Derrick Harvery Florida Defensive End – Carolina Panthers
The Panthers need more talent on their defensive line because teams focus on blocking Julius Peppers and no pressure comes from the other side. Harvey is talented and could solve that problem.
14. Jeff Otah Pittsburgh Offensive Tackle – Chicago Bears
The Bears offensive line had a poor year in 2007 and their running game will performed poorly. Otah is a massive offensive tackle who is an oustanding run and pass blocker. His size and power would help the Bears get their running game going again.
15. Rashard Mendenhall Illinois Running Back – Detroit Lions
The Lions released running back Kevin Jones and pass-happy offensive coordinator Mike Martz. They want to run the ball so they need a back who is capable of being a workhorse. Mendenhall will give them explosiveness from the running back position.
16. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Cornerback – Arizona Cardinals
This kid has some unbelievable measurables. He's got the size and speed to be truly special. The Cardinals have an opening at one of their cornerback slots. Their offense is able to score but their defense has been having problems for years.
17. Brian Brohm – Louisville Quarterback – Minnesota Vikings
This is somewhat of a surprise but when you look closely at the Vikings quarterback situation, you understand why they would go in this direction. Tavares Jackson struggled last year and didn't show many signs of coming out of it.
18. Felix Jones – Arkansas Running Back – Houston Texans
The Texans didn't have much of a running attack and Ahman Green is getting near the end of the road. Matt Schaub didn't a decent job at times but they need to get that running game going stronger. Jones will allow them to do that.
19. Chris Williams – Vanderbilt Offensive Tackle – Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have some aged offensive tackles that don't have much left. They need some young talent out there and Winston Justice who was drafted a couple of years ago as a replacement but he suffered that six-sack effort against the Giants.
20. DeSean Jackson – California Wide Receiver – Tampa Bay Bucanneers
Jackson would give the Bucs more explosiveness and give them a home run threat at the punt returner spot. He would give teams some speed to worry about other than Joey Galloway.
21. Calais Campbell – Miami Defensive End – Washington Redskins
Campbell is a pass rusher and the Skins are desperately in need of help on their defensive line. He plays the run as well the pass so the Skins running defense wouldn't suffer.
22. Malcolm Kelly – Oklahoma Wide Receiver – Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys wide receivers are getting up there in years. Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are both near the end of the road. Kelly has the combination of size and speed which the Cowboys love in their receivers.
23. Mike Jenkins – South Florida Cornerback – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have gotten the best performance from their corners in the last couple of years. Jenkins is a highly talented playmaker who will fit in well with the physical style of the Pittsburgh defense.
24. Jonathan Stewart – Oregon Running Back – Tennessee Titans
Stewart would team with Londell White to form a type of running back tandem which Tennessee loves to employ. The Titans who love to run the ball lost Chris Brown this off season.
25. Limas Sweed – Texas Wide Receiver – Seattle Seahawks
Sweed might be the most talented wide receiver in the draft but his injuries to his wrist have created a question mark. The Seahawks have lost a couple of wide receivers so they need to replace them.
26. Kentwan Balmer – Norht Carolina Defensive Tackle – Jacksonville Jaguars
Balmer is a big dominating defensive tackle and that the kind of player the Jags like to build their defennse around. Remember the Jags lost one of their monsters in the middle in a trade with Buffalo.
27. Gosder Cherilus – Boston College Offensive Tackle – San Diego Chargers
The Chargers could use some youth on their offensive line because their starters are getting older and older. This kid is a keeper but somewhat of a project so they could afford to sit him for a year or two.
28. Chris Johnson – East Carolina Running Back – Dallas Cowboys
This guy is a burner who will be teamed with bruiser Marion Barber to give the Cowboys a potent running attack. He can take it the distance from any where on the football field.
29. Early Doucet – LSU Wide Receiver – San Francisco 49ers
Doucet is a playmakers who can split the seams on pass routes the way new offensive coordinator Mike Martz would like. He's got the size and speed combo that the Niners would like to have.
30. Joe Flacco – Delaware Quarterback – Green Bay Packers
Brett Favre retired and the Packers have a talented and young team every where else. Flacco has size and a gun for an arm. He'll have time to learn the offense and would give the Pack some depth at the position.
31. This pick was forfeited by the New England Patriots for illegally video taping.
32. Reggie Smith – Oklahoma Cornerback/Safety – New York Giants
The Giants lost Gibril Wilson in free agency and could use a talent like Smith who play the corner and safety position. Smith has the size to come up and support the run, along with the speed to run with wide receivers.
