The first round mock at a glance
https://www.thesportsbank.net/2008/02/22/2008-nfl-mock-draft/
Picks #11-20
https://www.thesportsbank.net/2008/02/27/tsb-nfl-mock-draft-picks-11-20/
Picks #1-10
21. Washington Redskins – Early Doucet, WR, LSU
Hopefully for Doucet, Skins owner Daniel Snyder will not go out and overpay again for a mediocre free agent receiver like he has in the past. Doucet was the championship team’s leading receiver, grabbing seven balls in the team’s biggest game. To say that Early will go early amongst the receivers chosen is a little too obvious. I agree with Krusty the Klown that “puns are lazy writing.†Just like during the entire season, Doucet showed in the BCS championship game why teams in need of wideouts will take him in the first round. Oh, and his measurables aren’t too shabby either.
–Paul M. Banks
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Felix Jones is a bit like the Matt Cassel of the draft. Not because he will get drafted late and end up a backup, but he is a guy that has NFL intangibles, and you never saw much of him. It’s tough to imagine what he would have been like had he been the premier guy on a team. He’s fairly quick and has good size for the NFL. Jones and McFadden will most likely turn out to be better than Cadillac and Brown out of Auburn. Also, when I uploaded the rosters from NCAA Football ’08 to Madden ’08, Jones uploaded at 86 overall as a rookie…So that’s also a good sign! LOL!
–Bill Port
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
With Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca possibly leaving via free agency, an offensive lineman should be a focus for Pittsburgh in the off-season. The Steelers did give free agent offensive tackle Max Starks the transition tag to keep him, but still a young o-lineman seems like the biggest necessity. If the Steelers continue with their 3-4 scheme on defense, depth at linebacker could be an option with some aging players part of that core, even though Lawrence Simmons was taken in the first round last year. Another possibility could be at running back since Willie Parker is coming off a season ending leg injury and there is not much depth behind him. Just like the first day of the Senior Bowl, Williams impressed on Day 1 in Indianapolis. He is a massive specimen at 6’6″ and 315 lbs. He ran a 5.07 and 5.18 times and looked nimble in the agility drills.
–Dave K.
24. Tennessee Titans – Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Malcom Kelly is something of an enigma. There is no doubting his talent and skill set but there is quite a bit of doubt as to whether he can polish his game enough to succeed in the NFL. His biggest assets are his hands and his size but his lack of explosive speed, iffy footwork and questionable route-running techniques all have scouts overlooking possibly the best pass catcher in the draft.Â
The Titans could get better all over the field; but if they want to put their young franchise quarterback in a position to succeed, the team had better start giving him more reliable targets to throw to. Kelly at this point of the first round would have to be considered a steal for the Titans. They aren’t a big play type offense so Kelly’s lack of “speed†is something that they can deal with. Kelly’s size (6’4†217lbs.) and sure hands will be a great addition to Vince Young’s options and will definitely allow the Titans offense to move the chains more than they did in 2007.
–Peter Christian
25. Seattle Seahawks – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Gosder Cherilus might have been the player to help himself the most at the Senior Bowl. Since his solid performance, his stock has risen from a Day One pick to a potential first round pick. He is extremely consistent and is above average at nearly every aspect of his position. He has been described as being extremely “disciplined and under control,†meaning he is very technically sound and would transition into the NFL very smoothly.
The Seahawks need help at the running game as Shaun Alexander’s health continues to deteriorate; but with all of the top tier backs off of the board, the next best option is to improve the blocking ahead of the running backs they do have. Seattle could also use help at the defensive tackle position but would probably be better addressing that need in the next round, as it is more of a depth need than anything.
–Peter Christian
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Limas Sweed WR, Texas
Limas Sweed isn’t the household name like some of the other wide receivers that will be taken above him, but this guy is probably the most NFL-ready. His wrist injury that has nagged him this past season will definitely cause a few teams to pass on him, but whatever team takes the risk will be rewarded with the best receiver in the draft. Sweed is big (6’4†215lbs.), physical, and has great leaping ability. Best of all he knows how to use his skills to his advantage.
All season long the Jaguars were supposed to be the one team that could knock of the Patriots run to a perfect season. They had their chance but fell short. They didn’t lose because of their lack of consistency from their current squad of wide outs, but it sure didn’t help. It is no secret that the Jaguars need a solid receiver; it is also no secret that their record with drafting receivers hasn’t been all that great either. Sweed is the type of talent that could turn their group of second and third receivers into a great unit. He would immediately demand the best coverage from the opposing team and allow Reggie Williams and Matt Jones to get more favorable match-ups. If the Jags can be patient and still land Sweed, that would be ideal; but if it ever appears that all of the top tier receiver talent might be gone before they pick, the team might try to work the phones to stock pile picks in the lower rounds to address all of their needs.
–Peter Christian
27. San Diego Chargers – Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Derrick Harvey is a big speed rusher with good football instincts. He is very good against both the run and the pass. Compared to other players in this draft, he should probably be selected higher (possibly at #17 to the Vikings); but this year’s depth at Offensive Tackle and Wide Receiver appeals to more team needs. Harvey’s biggest issue in the NFL is going to be getting locked up by opposing team’s linemen. If he can utilize his speed to get to the ball, he will be fine; but currently he lacks the strength to fight off blocks once engaged.
The Chargers could go a myriad of different ways with this pick. Since they have had so much success in past year’s drafts, they are in a position to either be picking for depth or simply picking the best available athlete. Harvey would be a pick to satisfy both. He is definitely the best available athlete at this point in the draft, but he would also bolster the Chargers Defensive End depth which suffered a bit last season due to injuries.
–Peter Christian
28. Dallas Cowboys-Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma
Smith is a good guy for the Cowboys to get at this spot because he’s a guy that can deal with the physicality of the NFL. He’s someone to put at the safety spot to go with the rest of the DBs if need be. He kind of reminds me of Carlos Rodgers, now with Washington. I think if he really wants to make a statement about how he would challenge the bigger receivers in the NFL, he needs to bulk up a bit more down the road. He has skills that can make him a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.
–Bill Port
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29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis) – James Hardy, WR, Indiana
James Hardy quietly established himself as one of the most reliable wide receivers in the Big Ten over the last two seasons. He isn’t super fast, but he can maintain a top speed with his long strides. Hardy has been able to make an impact with an uncanny ability to get open and get his hands on the ball using his big frame and great footwork. Some scouts doubt his ability to be a number 1 receiving option, but his ability to make catches in traffic and over the middle will translate well into the NFL.
The 49ers have decent players in place all over the field, but do not have any real superstars to dominate a game. The team spent a lot of money on free agents last year and gave up this year’s 1st round pick to acquire the Patriots pick last year (which they used to select Joe Staley). The biggest need for the 49ers is a consistent wide receiver to pair with Alex Smith, if only to simply find out if he can make it as an NFL quarterback. Hardy would give the 49ers a big physical receiver to go up and get the ball. A big body like Hardy would also force opponents to put two bodies on him in coverage, creating openings for Vernon Davis in the flats and down the seams.
–Peter Christian
30. Green Bay Packers – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has always stuck to his guns in drafting the best available player, though that certainly backfired last year with the first round selection of DT Justin Harrell. With Thompson likely staying with that philosophy, anything is possible here. For the sake of need, Green Bay should take a cornerback. Charles Woodson and Al Harris are two solid cover corners, but they are not getting any younger and Harris was torched a few times by the likes of T.O. and Plaxico Burress in the NFC Championship. Plus, the nickel back position was a glaring weakness as opponents were often able to pick on whoever was inserted into that spot.Â
If the Packers don’t go corner, Green Bay could use some consistent guard play; but with a plethora of young guys already on the roster, they would be more likely to address that need with a veteran free agent. Tight End could also be another option to give Brett Favre another weapon since they cut ties with the aging Bubba Franks. Thompson also seems to be in love with depth at the defensive line, but after Harrell’s selection last year, should address a bigger need.
–Dave K.
31. New England Patriots – FORFEITED
As punishment for the “Spygate” scandal, the Patriots have been forced to forfeit their 2008 first round pick. Sometimes, I think Osama bin laden receives less scrutinization for his video taping than the New England Patriots do. Will the grey hoodie possibly be suspended for a year?…stay tuned!
–Paul M. Banks
32. New York Giants – – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
I’ll admit this pick may seem like a wild card, but I would call it a “value pick.†This underclassman had a monster workout. He ran two low 4.3 times. He is an explosive receiver listed at almost 6-2 and 215 pounds. On top of that, he also has kickoff return skills. Andre Rison, Plaxico Burress, Mushin Muhammad, Derrick Mason, Charles Rogers (well, maybe scratch that last one) the Spartan wide receivers beat goes on.
–Paul M. Banks