Goose's mock draft

[Mr Cowboy]

Rick Gosselin's NFL mock draft (4/11)

11:49 AM CDT on Friday, April 11, 2008



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(This is the first of three Rick Gosselin mock drafts.)

Bill Parcells loves size.

With a primary voice in his last eight NFL drafts, Parcells has used his influence to draft six defensive front seven players in eight first-round selections: linebackers Bobby Carpenter (2006) and DeMarcus Ware (2005) and defensive end Marcus Spears (2005) in Dallas, and ends Shaun Ellis (2000) and John Abraham (2000) and linebacker James Farrior (1997) with the New York Jets.

In his first draft as president of the Miami Dolphins in 2008, Parcells continues to covet size. He believes you win championships up front with your offensive and defensive lines.

Parcells has four solid options with the first overall pick of the 2008 draft: defensive ends Vernon Gholston and Chris Long, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive tackle Jake Long.

The most glaring need on his roster is at offensive tackle, so give Jake Long to the Dolphins in the first mock draft offering from The Dallas Morning News.

Team Player Pos. School

1. Miami Jake Long OT Michigan

Comment: Safest pick on the draft board

2. St. Louis Glenn Dorsey DT LSU

Comment: Won Lombardi, Lott, Nagurski and Outland trophies

3. Atlanta Matt Ryan QB Boston College

Comment: Falcons need reason for hope

4. Oakland Darren McFadden RB Arkansas

Comment: The next Adrian Peterson?

5. Kansas City Keith Rivers LB Southern California

Comment: Player who knows how to win championships

6. NY Jets Chris Long DE Virginia

Comment: The Long family stays in the AFC

7. New England Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State

Comment: Best pass rusher in the draft

8. Baltimore Ryan Clady OT Boise State

Comment: Heir apparent to Jonathan Ogden at left tackle

9. Cincinnati Sedrick Ellis DT Southern California

Comment: NFL's 27th-ranked defense starts building an identity

10. New Orleans Leodis McKelvin CB Troy

Comment: Best kick returner in draft

11. Buffalo Branden Albert G Virginia

Comment: Better blocking makes Marshawn Lynch a better runner

12. Denver Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon

Comment: A potential NFL rushing champion for the Broncos

13. Carolina Derrick Harvey DE Florida

Comment: The heir apparent to Mike Rucker on the weakside

14. Chicago Jeff Otah OT Pitt

Comment: Best run blocker in the draft

15. Detroit Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois

Comment: Gives hope to the NFC's worst rushing attack

16. Arizona Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State

Comment: Help for the NFL's 28th-ranked pass defense

17. Minnesota Devin Thomas WR Michigan State

Comment: Vikings desperate for speed on the flank

18. Houston Mike Jenkins CB South Florida

Comment: Help for the NFL's 25th-ranked pass defense

19. Philadelphia Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt

Comment: Heir apparent to William Thomas at left tackle

20. Tampa Bay Chris Johnson RB East Carolina

Comment: Give the fastest player in the draft to the Bucs

21. Washington Phillip Merling DE Clemson

Comment: You need muscle to compete in the NFC East

22. Dallas Felix Jones RB Arkansas

Comment: A speed complement to Marion Barber

23. Pittsburgh Kentwan Balmer DE North Carolina

Comment: Beefing up the NFL's best defense

24. Tennessee Fred Davis TE Southern California

Comment: An underneath target for QB Vince Young

25. Seattle Kenny Phillips S Miami

Comment: Seahawks still looking to replace Ken Hamlin

26. Jacksonville Brian Brohm QB Louisville

Comment: Quarterbacking depth to compete in AFC South

27. San Diego Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee

Comment: Chargers love linebackers

28. Dallas James Hardy WR Indiana

Comment: More TDs in fewer games in 2007 than Terrell Owens

29. San Francisco DeSean Jackson WR California

Comment: 49ers are desperate for offensive playmakers

30. Green Bay Aqib Talib CB Kansas

Comment: Packers like big, physical corners

31. NY Giants Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma

Comment: Giants like big, physical wide receivers

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I'm starting to "warm" up to the idea of drafting James Hardy but I still don't believe in taking a WR in the 1st round...

 

[DeaconBlues]

I'd take Talib at #28 if available. I just believe he'll go much earlier . . .

 

[ajk23az]

Chris Johnson @ 20? Ummmm, no.

&

Why would the Jags take a QB in RD 1 (Brohm) when they just signed Garrard to a big contract? Doesnt make sense.

 

[Hoofbite]

that draft sucks. Of course, I think any draft without a CB in round 1 sucks and any draft with Felix Jones at 22 sucks so that draft really sucks.

And wouldn't mind seeing the OP put a space or two between the picks. Be a little easier to read if it was like this.

1. Miami Jake Long OT Michigan
Comment: Safest pick on the draft board

2. St. Louis Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
Comment: Won Lombardi, Lott, Nagurski and Outland trophies

3. Atlanta Matt Ryan QB Boston College
Comment: Falcons need reason for hope

 

[dbair1967]

His early drafts always stink...its the one he does the morning of the draft itself that is the most accurate

David

 

[Tobal]

Mock drafts continue to have us ignore are most pressing need with viable candidates available...

God I hope Dallas isn't as dumb as these mocks.

 

[LucaBrasi]

I wouldn't get too worked up over his first mock draft, the one closest to the draft is more accurate. Actually, when he puts out his top 100 player rankings, most players fall right in line with where Goose has them slotted. His top 100 is pretty accurate.

 

[theebs]

His early drafts always stink...its the one he does the morning of the draft itself that is the most accurate

David

Yep I agree.

Wait till you see mine on the 28th.

 

[JPM]

Bill Parcells loves size.

There goes lunch.

 

[HardHittin'Witten]

Yep I agree.

Wait till you see mine on the 28th.

:laugh2:

 

[dboyz]

If the draft falls that way, I would consider trading up for DRC.

 

[kevwun]

Jacksonville is going to take Brian Brohm in the first round? This after they just signed Garrard to a $60 million extension? Their most pressing need is quarterback depth? I think Goose has developed a narcotics habit.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

As you Zoners know, I have been a big booster of us taking Hardy......I like this draft .....Jones and Hardy.........with Pacman.....all concerns are addressed......work hard.....fix D and win the SB in 08/09

 

[newlander]

I don't know CC: I'm a Michigan State alum and I hardly noticed Hardy on the field against us this past season: which is alarming considering our defensive secondary was one of the worst in the Big Ten. Hardy strikes me as a posession guy: but I could be wrong. Not great speed for sure.

 

[ologan]

"28. Dallas James Hardy WR Indiana

Comment: More TDs in fewer games in 2007 than Terrell Owens "

What an absolutely asinine statement!

 

[Beast_from_East]

If we take Felix Jones at freaking 22 I will get physically ill.

 

[IndianaCowboyFan]

that draft sucks. Of course, I think any draft without a CB in round 1 sucks and any draft with Felix Jones at 22 sucks so that draft really sucks.

That and Hardy will be a disappointment to whoever drafts.

I am with newlander and his memories about him during the IU v MS game.

 

[AdamJT13]

I don't know CC: I'm a Michigan State alum and I hardly noticed Hardy on the field against us this past season: which is alarming considering our defensive secondary was one of the worst in the Big Ten. Hardy strikes me as a posession guy: but I could be wrong. Not great speed for sure.

Hardy had six catches for 121 yards against us (I'm an MSU alum, too), including a 49-yard catch and a 37-yard TD catch. You probably didn't notice him much because Indiana had the ball for only 18:55 and threw only 19 passes (eight to Hardy, with six caught).

By the way, Devin Thomas had 13 catches for 148 yards and one touchdown (34 yards), plus five carries for 14 yards and three kickoff returns for 92 yards in that game.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I'm warming up to the idea of James Hardey, but not really happy with this draft.