2008 NFL Draft Preview
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2008 NFL Draft Projection
The NFL draft takes place April 26-27. This is a deep draft for defensive players, thin on QBs, better for depth rather than an array of game breaking talent. QB is the most important position in the NFL and there are just a handful of potential first-round QBs in this draft, so a key on the first day is seeing which teams take shots with QBs Matt Ryan, Brian Brohm and Andre Woodson. A year ago LSU's Jamarcus Russell went No. 1, but then Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn fell dramatically after hints he might go No. 2 or 3. "Sure thing" QBs are rare and there are none in this draft. Here's a preview of each team's needs and possible selections.
1. Miami Dolphins: Bill Parcells takes over player personnel and he did a tremendous job building the Cowboys. Miami has endless needs, with no QB, an offense ranked 28th, a poor offensive line and an aging run defense that was last in the NFL. After wasting a first round pick on Ohio State WR Ted Ginn last season, it makes sense for Parcells to upgrade one of the lines. A talented run-stuffer like Glenn Dorsey would help the defensive line. However, 6-foot-7 Jake Long will stabilize the O-line and the Dolphins have already struck a deal with him. Pick: Michigan OT Jake Long.
2. St. Louis Rams: Like the Dolphins, the Rams continue to struggle on defense, ranked 22nd overall, 20th against the run. They allowed 4.1 yards per rush, one of the worst marks in the NFC. The offensive line has been a huge problem because of age and injuries, so the Rams will likely upgrade one of the lines. OT Jake Long (Michigan) would bolster the O-line, while Virginia DE Chris Long and USC run-stuffer Sedrick Ellis are top 5 picks that can help the defense. DE Chris Long, the son of former NFL star Howie Long, is an outstanding pass rusher with a non-stop motor, good enough to go No. 1 or 2. Pick: Virginia DE Chris Long.
3. Atlanta Falcons: A disastrous year for the franchise, with Mike Vick off to jail and coach Bobby Petrino leaving before the 2007 season ended. This offense was 23rd with no QB play while the defense was 29th overall. New head coach Mike Smith is a former defensive coordinator (Jaguars), so he might favor run stuffers. However, RB Darren McFadden will begin grabbing attention. He would anchor the ground game ahead of average Jerious Norwood and aging Warrick Dunn. Of course, their QB play is a mess after Petrino traded away Matt Schaub and Vick stumbled into trouble. Should they gamble on a franchise QB in Matt Ryan, Brian Brohm or Andre Woodson? Or look for a QB in the second round? Likely the latter, as McFadden of the SEC is the best player available. Pick: Arkansas RB Darren McFadden.
4. Oakland Raiders: Nutty Al Davis brought in another new coach last year, Lane Kiffin, then handed him a resignation letter to sign after the season! No wonder this organization has been in a free fall since the 2003 Super Bowl. They need a lot of help and should take the best player available, after finishing 25th in total offense and 31st defensively against the run. Davis will naturally want an offensive player, figuring that if they aren't going to win or stop anybody, they might as well sell some tickets with a pass-happy offense. But there really aren't any offensive game-breakers worth taking this high after McFadden. So don't be surprised if Kiffin rebuilds the D-line after the retirement of Warren Sapp with a run-stuffer he knows from his USC days -- and subtley sticking that resignation letter back in Al's face. Pick: USC DT Sedrick Ellis.
5. KC Chiefs: Herm Edwards inherited a decent team with age concerns and has made things worse. There are holes all over this team and the numbers don't lie: 31st in total offense, 28th in total defense. QB is a problem with Damon Huard and young Brodie Croyle, there's no pass rush and the offensive line has been awful since the retirements of Roaf and Shields. Edwards likes QB Croyle, so with RB Larry Johnson expected to come back from a season of injuries, the Chiefs would like to upgrade the woeful offensive line. However, the run defense was 28th and there will be some talented run stuffers available. Pick: L.S.U. DT Glenn Dorsey.
6. NY Jets: Eric Mangini went from genius to chump in one season. This team vastly underachieved with problems all over. The defensive line doesn't have the best personnel to play his 3-4, there was no running game, and no one is certain if veteran Chad Pennington or young Kellen Clemens is the QB of the near future. It didn't help that the NY Giants won the Super Bowl, either. They were 29th against the run, managed just 29 sacks. After addressing the offensive line in his first draft and taking a defensive back a year ago, look for the Jets to take the best defensive player available -- not only because the line needs help, but AFC East rival New England picks next and will likely be drafting on defense. Pick: Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots: After blowing the Super Bowl, the Pats can console themselves with the optimism of such a high pick, courtesy of the 49ers. The most likely scenario is the Pats trade out of this spot. If QB Matt Ryan is available, several QB-hungry teams will probably make offers to move into this slot. Any team that goes 18-1 certainly doesn't need a lot of help, but the Patriots have concerns on defense in the secondary and with an aging linebacker corps. CB Asante Samuel left as a free agent, so a top flight cornerback will be needed. They would take DEs Gholston or Long if they drop this far with someone upsetting the apple cart by taking a QB. After using the first and second rounds the last few years mainly on offensive players, the Pats finally add some youth to the defense. Pick: Troy State CB Leodis McKelvin.
8. Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh is the new head coach, the former Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach. Defense is not the problem with this team, finishing No. 6 in the NFL, especially since they put the franchise tag on 25-year old linebacker Terrell Suggs. The offense is terrible and is in QB Kyle Boller's hands now that Steve McNair is retired. They could start from scratch with a new QB, upgrade a weak offensive line, or add speed at wideout, which has been needed for several years. It makes more sense for the new coach to give up on Boller and go with the best quarterback available. Pick: Boston College QB Matt Ryan.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: The defense continues to be a problem, ranking 27th last year while the offense was ranked 10th. They've been drafting linebackers and haven't had great luck. LB David Pollack, now 25, was the 17th overall draft pick by the Bengals in 2005 from the University of Georgia. He hasn't played since September, 2006, because of a fractured C6 vertebra injury, but is considering a comeback. Regardless, they still take the best defensive player available, especially on the line. A run-stuffer would be ideal, if they fall this far, otherwise they are looking at USC LB Keith Rivers or Florida DE Derrick Harvey. Harvey has 30 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks the past two seasons and will help the pass rush. Pick: Florida DE Derrick Harvey.
10. New Orleans Saints: Your offense finishes No. 1 and No. 4 the last two seasons, but your defense ranks 23rd against the run in 2006 and 30th against the pass in 2007. New Orleans added LBs Dan Morgan and Jonathon Vilma, but still needs help in that atrocious secondary. There will be good CB candidates available. Pick: South Florida CB Mike Jenkins
11. Buffalo Bills: There's no question the Bills have overachieved under Dick Jauron. However, this is still a team with a lot of holes, ranking 30th in total offense and 31st in total defense. Help on the offensive line for RB Marshawn Lynch and to protect their young QBs would help, as well as some run stuffers for an undersized line. They won't deviate from their philosophy of drafting players with the highest value based on how the board is set up. However, the Bills may not be able to resist the temptation of taking a wide receiver in the first round, their biggest need. Devin Thomas of Michigan State and Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma are quality candidates. Pick: Michigan State WR Devin Thomas.
12. Denver Broncos: The Broncos fell apart on both lines last season, especially on defense as they couldn't stop the run, ranking 30th in the NFL allowing 142 yards rushing per game. Mike Shanahan likes a balanced offense and also needs youth and talent on an aging offensive line to protect young QB Jay Cutler. The defensive line may have to wait. Pick: Boise State OT Ryan Clady.
13. Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have been getting old on defense and the offensive line needs work. Their pass rush was awful last year. They will likely go for a pass rusher, unless a quality offensive lineman slips down to No. 13. Two could be available, one from Virginia (Branden Albert) and one from Pitt (Jeff Otah). Pick: Virginia OG Branden Albert.
14. Chicago Bears: We had the Bears grabbing Miami TE Greg Olsen a year ago with the 31st pick. They did, addressing their only real weakness. This year things are much different, as the Bears regressed badly in so many areas. Chicago is not ready to give up on RB Cedric Benson, but he hasn't impressed in his short career. With Rex Grossman so erratic, RBs like Jonathan Stewart (Oregon) and Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois) would help bring balance back to the offense. Taking a QB here wouldn't surprise, either. Mendenhall is rated higher and a local kid. Pick: Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall.
15. Detroit Lions: No one ever knows what crazy GM Matt Millen is going to do. How does he still have this job? The cowardly Lion behind the curtain often makes the wrong move. Detroit has an atrocious secondary and an equally bad offensive line. They keep passing on QBs and Jon Kitna will turn 36 in September. We'll stick with the smart thing, which is to address the offensive line or the secondary, but don't be shocked if Millen does something foolish. Pick: Pitt OT Jeff Otah.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Arizona has plenty of offensive talent, especially in the passing game. Upgrading the offensive line or perhaps even a young RB to help out veteran Edgerrin James is a possibility. However, it's time to fix the defense, one that was 28th overall against the pass. Adding some help to a poor secondary makes sense in this draft slot. Pick: Kansas CB Aqid Talib.
17. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are set with a great offensive line, a great defensive line and a power running game. They are content with young QB Tavaris Jackson and could give him some help at wideout after dumping former first-round WR Troy Williamson for a 6th round pick. They also want to improve the pass rush and add depth to the secondary. Oklahoma WR Malcom Kelly is big (6-4), fast, and played on carpet in college. Pick: Oklahoma WR Malcom Kelly.
18. Houston Texans: This team finished 24th in total defense and 14th in offense. They like QB Matt Schaub and can use help on the offensive line, running back depth, and in the secondary. Second year coach Ken Wisenhunt is modeling this team after the Steelers, where he ran the offense. That means a balanced offense and a power running game. After making do with various below average running backs, look for the Texans to get a bruising back to add balance to the offense. Pick: Oregon RB Jonathon Stewart.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: The calls for the Eagles to draft a wide receiver never really go away. They don't have a lot of pressing needs and will probably take the best player available. Philly could jump on a wideout that drops, but it's unlikely they would take speedy 5-foot-9 Cal WR Deshean Jackson this early. With aging offensive tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, Andy Reid could also get a good O-lineman in this slot. Pick: Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs came back defensively with a vengeance, ranked second in the NFL in total defense. Coach Jon Gruden is an offensive guy and watched his offense get dominated by the Giants in the first playoff game. They need speed at wideout. Cal WR Deshean Jackson is fast, but his size and injury-prone college status might scare teams. There's a bigger wideout from a better college program that would make more sense.
Pick: Texas WR Linus Sweed.
21. Washington Redskins: The Redskins are set on both lines and are happy with QB Jason Campbell. Some speed at wideout or in the secondary are likely, especially after the Sean Taylor tragedy. There could be some excellent defensive players in this spot hanging around, such as LBs Keith Rivers and Jared Mayo, or Clemson DE Philip Merling. Pick: U.S.C. LB Keith Rivers.
22. Dallas Cowboys: First of two picks in the first round for the Cowboys. If one of the talented wide receivers falls this far, the Cowboys might think about grabbing one as age is a concern with Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. A more pressing need is a secondary that ranked 13th and still gave up too many big plays. They need a coverage guy to compliment safety Roy Williams. Pick: Arizona CB Antoine Carson.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Everyone is suggesting the Steelers go for offensive line help after losing Alan Faneca in free agency. Would they grab a talented defensive player that drops? Possibly, though Pittsburgh was No. 1 in the NFL in total defense. Offensive line help is their only real concern. Boston college has a 6-foot-7, 314-pound tackle that is a good fit.
Pick: Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus.
24. Tennessee Titans: The Titans have a strong offensive line, good running back depth and are sticking with QB Vince Young. The young defense impressed, ranking 5th overall. The Titans have leaned more on defense than offense in the first three rounds in the last 10 years, 17 picks to 14, with seven defensive linemen and six cornerbacks. Getting erratic passer Young some speed at wideout makes the most sense. Which means: Mario Manningham or Deshean Jackson? Pick: Cal WR Deshean Jackson.
25. Seattle Seahawks: This is the final year for coach Mike Holmgren, but that won't change their offensive strategy -- a preferred balanced offense. The concern about the Seahawks wide receivers is greater outside the front office than inside. They are content with young Jordan Kent, Courtney Taylor, Ben Obomanu and Logan Payne, while WR Deion Branch is coming off knee surgery. They could use secondary help, after ranking 19th against the pass, but there will be several quality defensive players available to help the pass rush. Clemson DE Philip Merling.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: As usual, Jacksonville needs playmakers at wideout, but the offense really clicked under first-year offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, ranking 7th overall. The losses of Bobby McCray and DT Marcus Stroud are huge holes on defense. There will be excellent LBs available, but defensive-oriented Jack Del Rio might take a shot on a 6-foot-8 defensive end with tremendous upside. Pick: Miami DE Calais Campbell.
27. San Diego Chargers: The talented Chargers don't need much of anything, just playoff experience. Running back depth might be a concern, as the team lost backup RB Michael Turner and LaDanian Tomlinson had a sprained MCL that forced him to miss most of the AFC Championship. Texas RB Jamaal Charles? Possibly. Nose guard Jamal Williams underwent his second arthroscopic procedure this month. Twelve Chargers, including eight starters, have undergone offseason surgery. There is a possibility tight end Antonio Gates (toe) and center Nick Hardwick (foot) will not be ready for the start of the season. They will take the best player available. Pick: Penn State LB Dan Connor.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Second pick in the first round for the Cowboys. After augmenting the secondary with the first selection, Dallas has the option of adding RB depth or a wide receiver with Glenn and Owens getting up there in age. A pair of Big 10 WRs are available in Michigan's Mario Manningham or Indiana's 6-foot-6 James Hardy. Pick Indiana WR James Hardy.
29. S.F. 49ers (from Colts): The 49ers added wide receiver depth in free agency, a plus for a team ranked dead last in total offense in 2007. Of course, the defense was almost as bad, ranked 25th overall. Cal's speedy WR DeSean Jackson is a possibility, but they also need an edge pass rusher. Auburn linebacker Quentin Groves is considered a possible beast at the outside linebacker spot that the 49ers want to shore up in their 3-4 defense. A defensive end in college, he ran a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in February. Pick: Auburn LB Quentin Groves.
30. Green Bay Packers: The Packers suffered a crushing home loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game, then watched Brett Favre retire. Do they turn the keys to this great passing attack over to Aaron Rogers? Or draft a QB here? RB is a need, with Felix Jones (Arkansas) and Jamaal Charles (Texas) likely available. QBs available would be Louisville's Brian Brohm, Delaware's 6-foot-6 Joe Flacco, Michigan's Chad Henne or Kentucky's mobile Andre Woodson. Brohm is considered the best QB after Matt Ryan. Pick: Louisville QB Brian Brohm.
31. New England Patriots: Selection forfeited.
32. N.Y. Giants: The Giants need to add depth at linebacker or in the secondary and there will be plenty of options available in this spot. Tennessee LB Jared Mayo is athletic and expected to be a late first rounder. USC DE Lawrence Jackson is in the mix, along with Miami safety Kenny Phillips and Oklahoma DB Reggie Smith to help the secondary. Pick: Tennessee LB Jared Mayo.
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