411's NFL Round Up 03.25.08

Posted by Emmett Wilks on 03.25.2008

With free agency maddness winding down, the draft has taken some new avenues. Come see with the Round Up's Mock Draft, 3.0.

Greetings to everyone. Hope everyone's holiday weekend was enjoyable. Because of the hectic holiday, I can only drop a revised Mock Draft this week, so enjoy.

Too many Mock Drafts have been theorizing prospective trades, and I'm not going to do that. Until its official, the teams pick where they pick. So here we have the Round Up Draft, 3.0. A lot of changes throughout the draft, with 6 of the top 10 players in non-skill positions. Never forget, football has always, is, and will always be won in the trenches. Let the debate begin.


1. MIAMI DOLPHINS

Chris Long: DE, Virginia 6-3, 266 lbs.
I am not knocking him, but I still contend that Glenn Dorsey is better at his position. A great prospect that Bill Parcells loves. It is just best not to argue with Tuna, because he is far more right than wrong.

2. St. Louis Rams

Glenn Dorsey: DT, LSU 6-1, 310 lbs.
The en vogue pick among Mock drafts is Ohio States Vernon Gholtson, but as I have said before, Dorsey remains my number 1 prospect. Jake Long is still a strong candidate here, as well as Gholtson.

3. Atlanta Falcons

Jake Long: OT, Michigan 6-7, 309 lbs.
One of the huge reasons for Cleveland's success last year was the fact Derrick Anderson stayed very clean because of Joe Thomas. Even though the QB situation is so unsettled, Long will protect whoever Atlanta gets as QB, for today, and the future.

4. Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden Arkansas RB, 6-2, 212 lbs
Little chance of bust here for those who suspect it, McFadden dominated in three seasons of SEC football. I'm not promising Emmitt or Barry, but he will not be a bust. No other position can provide a quicker shot of adrenaline to an offense like a hot running back.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Ryan: QB, Boston College 6-5, 221 lbs.
It is just painfully obvious that neither Brodie Croyle or Damon Huard are the answers in KC. Ryan is the drafts best QB prospect, and KC will not let him get past 5 here.

6. New York Jets

Vernon Gholtson Ohio State LB/DE, 6-4, 255
It is unlikely he is going to last this long with the momentum he has. If so, the Jets will get a gift from the heavens with Gholtson coming off the edge for years to come.

7. New England Patriots

Derek Harvey DE Florida 6-4, 258 lbs.
Two seasons ago, Richard Seymour was the best defensive lineman in football. In last years post season, he had 0 sacks, and 0 pressures. Harvey could compete for playing time right away (though is still small for a 3-4 end).

8. Baltimore Ravens

Leodis McKelvin CB Troy, 5-11, 186 lbs
With no elite corner, the debate of who's best is raging. My nod goes to McKelvin, whose great workout sold me that he's the one to watch at CB.


9. Cincinnati Bengals

Sedrick Ellis USC DT, 6-1, 308 lbs.
A player getting lost in the shuffle of the top 10. Still can't see him jumping over Dorsey, but he will not be leaving the top 10.


10. New Orleans Saints.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State, 6-2 180 lbs
Rodger-Cromartie has HUGE upside. Perhaps the drafts best overall athlete, he could provide a game-breaker on defense that New Orleans hasn't seen in ages.


11. Buffalo Bills

Aqib Talib CB Kansas, 6-2 197 lbs
The hole that Nate Clemens left turned out to be bigger than thought, with the 29th ranked passing D. Phillip Merling is also a good thought here.

12. Denver Broncos

Ryan Clady OT Boise State, 6-6 317 lbs.
With the Great Ogden gone, there is a mammoth hole to fill at left tackle.

13.Carolina Panthers

Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma, 6-4 200 lbs
Steve Smith cannot do it all alone, and Kelly is a playmaker.

14. Chicago Bears

Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois, 5-11 225 lbs
Has looked stellar at combine workouts. May be taken sooner, but if available here, will not get past Chicago. Running backs will be in again this season after Adrian Peterson showed once again what a shot in the arm a young RB can be for a team.

15. Detroit Lions

Mike Jenkins CB South Florida, 6-0 200lbs.
Solid South Florida corner would be a very positive addition to Detroit's secondary.


16. Arizona Cardinals

Phillip Merling DE Clemson, 6-4, 275 lbs.
Can't really see him falling this far, but if he does, a gift for the Cardinals for letting Calvin Pace get away. Jonathan Stewart would certainly be the other choice here.

17.Minnesota Vikings

Limas Sweed WR Texas, 6-4 216 lbs
Sweed is best receiver here and Vikings will likely bite. Tarvis Jackson won't mind, as he will get a real shot to become THE guy in the twin cities.

18. Houston Texans

Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon, 5-11 235 lbs
This years Laurence Maroney, Stewart could give Houston that play making tailback they've yet to possess.

19.Philadelphia Eagles

Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt, 6-5 318 lbs
I want to say they will go wide receiver, either DeSean Jackson or Mario Manningham, but alas, the Eagles just won't pull the trigger. Williams is far from a loss though, as he will be in the staring lineup by '09.

20.Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joe Flacco QB Deleware, 6-6 232 lbs.
While I don't love this kids potential as much as I should putting him here, he still has a great deal of natural tools to go along with a great work ethic, and is right now the 2nd best QB out there. Jon Gruden would groom him for maybe even two seasons, which would be a Godsend for Flacco.

21.Washington Redskins

Mario Manningham WR Michigan, 6-0 190 lbs
Though spaced would have to be made on the roster, Manningham could be another playmaker the Skins have searched have failed to grab with Brandon Lloyd and Antwan Randel-El

22.Dallas Cowboys

DeSean Jackson WR California, 6-0 170 lbs
A new toy for Tony Romo to play with, Thomas may be most ready to play of the receiver crop this year.

23. Pittsburg Steelers

Jeff Otah OT Pittsburg, 6-6 340 lbs
Best tackle available at this point, could also go with additional help at safety here.

24 Tennessee Titans

Early Doucet WR, LSU,
Despite a little bit of down senior year (even though they did win a National Title) Doucet will get into first round with terrific speed and keen route running. Miami's Kenny Phillips could sneak his way in here too.

25.Seattle Seahawks

Goserd Cherilus OT Boston College, 6-7 313 lbs.
Monster tackle could bolter line as he moves to more comfortable right side.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars

Quentin Groves DE , 6-3 245 lbs
Impact player needed at DE, Groves best available here, but no consolation prize. Could have great impact in the league.


27. San Diego Charger

Calais Campbell DE Miami, 6-7 290 lbs.
Campbell would be well suited in a 3-4 scheme. While the front seven is not the most pressing concern for the Chargers, Campbell still provides an upside that few prospects have.

28. Dallas Cowboys

Keith Rivers LB USC, 6-3 235 lbs
Major difference maker at USC, could be opening day starter for a host of NFL teams.

29.San Francisco From Indianapolis

Devon Thomas WR Michigan State, 6-2 217 lbs
One of the Drafts most interesting prospects. Big, quick, and with perhaps the best route running of the receivers. A disciplined player that could be invaluable for a struggling passing attack.

30.Green Bay Packer

Fred Davis TE USC, 6-4 245 lbs
Davis is still my top TE, but Dustin Keller isn't far behind. Both viable options here with no tackles worth the pick at this spot.

31. New England Patriots
PICK FORFEITED

32.New York Giants

Dan Connor LB Penn State, 6-2 195
Still needs a little filling out for the NFL game, was nonetheless a mega playmaker for Linebacker U.