Schackman’s 2008 NFL Mock Draft (Part 3)

This is Mock Draft 3 of 4. To view the previous mock draft click here.

1. Miami Dolphins-Chris Long (DE- Virginia) Long is their guy. Which Long is the real question, but I am going to go with Chris right now. He is a Parcells kind of guy, with a non-stop motor. But they could look at Jake Long for protecting the blind side.

2. St. Louis Rams-Jake Long (OT-Michigan) Long is the top offensive lineman in this draft, and with the Rams injury problems on the O-line and Orlando Pace nearing the end of his career, Long is a very smart pick here. The Rams will 100% walk away with a Long at the 2^nd pick.

3. Atlanta Falcons-Matt Ryan (QB- Boston College) The Atlanta Falcons are in complete disarray, they have no Qb, and more importantly as of now no head coach. Matt Ryan is a big, smart, pure pocket passer who can be the leader of this team for years.

4. Oakland Raiders-Glenn Dorsey (DT- LSU) The Raiders can go O-line or D-line, but with Jake Long off the board, Dorsey is the guy. Dorsey and Tommy Kelly are both active tackles who could have an instant impact for a defense that wasn’t very good. But don’t be surprised if they look to trade this pick away.

5. Kansas City Chiefs-Ryan Clady (OT- Boise.St) The Chiefs were once known for a powerful running game and dominant offensive-line. Not so much these days. While Long is the guy they want, they will need to turn to Clady. Clady will fill the huge void left when Willie Roaf retired. While this may be a little high, they need to draft a solid offensive lineman. Sedrick Ellis may also be a possibility here.

6. New York Jets– Darren McFadden (RB- Arkansas) The Jets had one rushing touchdown last year, and with their revamped offensive line it is time to get a playmaker like McFadden.

7. New England Patriots (from SF)- Vernon Gholston (DE-Ohio.St) Gholston had a monster workout, and would be a great addition to an aging linebacking corp. They just released Colvin so Gholston can step in right away. Cornerback is also a possibility considering they lost Asante Samuel and Randall Gay.

8. Baltimore Ravens– Leodis McKelvin (DB- Troy) This pick can go either way: McKelvin or Ellis. But their secondary was banged up last season and isn’t getting younger, so McKelvin would be a nice nickelback next season before taking over for Samari Rolle.

9. Cincinnati Bengals– Sedrick Ellis (DE- Clemson) After missing out on Shaun Rogers, Ellis will be their guy to help sure up the middle of their defense. He’s in the mold of Warren Sapp and should be a huge upgrade to a dismal defensive line.

10. New Orleans Saints-Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie (CB-Tenn St.) The Saints secondary was a disaster last season and Cromartie is shooting up the draft boards. He has a perfect combination of size and speed. While they did address the secondary with Randall Gay, Cromartie is too good to pass up.

11. Buffalo Bills–Limas Sweed (WR- Texas) Sweed is the ideal fit for the Bills. They already have homerun threats in Parrish and Evens, and Sweed would give them that tall, physical receiver they desperately lack.

12. Denver Broncos– Chris Williams (OT- Vanderbilt) Denver’s offensive line took a hit when Lepsis retired. Williams is that athletic, and agile lineman the Broncos love for their offensive system.

13. Carolina Panthers– Rashard Mendenhall (RB- Illinois) This is going to be one of the more interesting picks in the draft. They can go running back, defense end or offensive tackle. They did a nice job addressing their offensive line problems through free agency and Mendenhall would be a great fit to complement DeAngelo Williams.

14. Chicago Bears– Jeff Otah (OT- Pitt) The Bears will look to bolster a depleted offensive line. Otah is a mammoth of a man at 6’6 340lbs and has a huge upside at the next level. Running back may also be an option.

15. Detroit Lions– Philip Merling (DE- Clemson) The Lions must add bodies on the defensive line, and Merling is a Rod Marinelli type of player. He may not be the pure pass rusher like Harvey, but he is a physical specimen with a non-stop motor.

16. Arizona Cardinals– Aqib Talib (CB- Kansas)W hile the sun may be setting on Edge, the Cardinals would like to move Rolle to safety and Talib’s speed and cover skills makes him a good pick here at 16.

17. Minnesota Vikings– Derrick Harvey (DE- Florida) The Vikings boast one of the best defenses in the league. But they just can’t seem to generate any kind of pass rush. Eramus James and Kenechi Udeze are not the answer at the defensive end position. Harvey has all the intangibles to turn into a fine pass rusher.

18. Houston Texans- Keith Rivers (LB-USC) While some may think the secondary or running back here, Rivers would be a great fit in the Texans defense. He is quick, has good instincts and would be a nice young talent to play next to tackling machine Demeco Ryans.

19. Philadelphia Eagles– Malcolm Kelly (WR- Oklahoma) The Eagles are not going to land Fitzgerald and they must upgrade the wide receiver position. Kelly has great size at 6’4 and he will add that deep threat the Eagles lack.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers– DeSean Jackson (WR- Cal) Joey Galloway is nearing the end of his fabulous career and it is time to look for playmakers to step in. While many worry about Jackson’s size, he possesses game-breaking speed. I believe that Jackson could prove to be one of the steals of the draft at this spot.

21. Washington Redskins– Calais Campbell (DE- Miami) Campbell is a physical specimen at 6’8 290lbs. He would be a great upgrade opposite of Andre Carter. Wide receiver is also a possibility.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Browns)- Mario Manningham (WR-Michigan) The Cowboys will be using this draft to stock up at the skill positions. Wide receiver is a need position for them and Manningham is the best pure receiver on the board.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers– Brandon Albert (OG- Virginia) With Alan Fanaca gone, the Steelers will be coming into this draft looking to take the best offensive lineman available. Albert has great size, athleticism and experience and would be a nice pick to fill the left guard spot.

24. Tennessee Titans– Kentwan Balmer (WR- Indiana) Wide Receiver is certainly a need position but there isn’t a difference maker at pick 24. Balmer would be a nice compliment next to Haynesworth inside.

25. Seattle Seahawks– Fred Davis (TE- USC) While this may be a little high for a tight end, they sorely need one. Davis is the best tight end in this draft regardless of what the combine numbers may suggest.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Lawrence Jackson (DE- USC) The defensive line has taken a hit with Stroud and Mccray leaving town. Jackson has a nice combination of size and athleticism, and could be the pass rusher the Jags lack.

27. San Diego Chargers– Gosder Cherilus (OT- Boston College) The Chargers will look at offensive tackle and cornerback and will draft the highest rated player. Cherilus will get the nod here and in time take over the right tackle position.

28. Dallas Cowboys- Mike Jenkins (CB- South Florida) The Cowboys secondary was abused by the Giants in the playoffs and it is time to reload. Jenkins has great speed and cover skills and would be a great selection here at 28. Felix Jones is also a very good possibility.

29. San Fransico 49ers– James Hardy (WR- Indiana) With Mike Martz coming to town it would be safe to say they will be looking for an offensive weapon. Hardy has great size and could be that deep threat that the 49ers sorely lack.

30. Green Bay Packers– Kenny Phillips (S- Miami) The Packers will look to add depth to their secondary and Cason is the best guy on the board here. Cason isn’t the fastest guy out there but has good combination of size and instincts. Linebacker may be another option here.

31. New York Giants– Dan Connor (LB- Penn. St) Connor would be a great fit for this defense and would be the replacement for Kawika Mitchell. The Giants need to add depth and Connor is a very athletic and smart linebacker who smacks.

New England Patriots– Forfeited

For some more mocks, check out hailRedskins Mock Draft Database or FFToolbox – 2008 NFL Mock Drafts & Prospect Profiles.