2008 Mock Draft
Last updated 3/13/2008
The Sporting News' mock draft is updated every Wednesday through the draft. The draft order is based on the teams' records, but picks 20 through 31 could be altered by playoff results. Super Bowl teams will have the last two picks. (Note: The NFL stripped New England of its own first-round pick as a penalty for "Spygate," so there will be only 31 first-round picks in '08.)
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MOCK DRAFT: ROUND 1PICKTEAMPLAYERPOSSCHOOL1 (1)
Dolphins showDraftIcons(7625, false, true)
Chris Long DE Va. The hype will surround the quarterback (BC's Matt Ryan), but the substance is with Long. The Dolphins took QB John Beck high in Round 2 last year and shouldn't give up on him, and the team needs an end/linebacker hybrid to anchor the shift to the 3-4 defense.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(278);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
2 (2)
Rams showDraftIcons(6855, false, true)
Jake Long T Michigan Rams officials hope and pray (in fact, I think there is a daily vigil at the Arch) that Chris Long slides to them. If he is off the board, the team should take the safest bet amongst the offensive tackles -- Jake Long. Boise State's Ryan Clady and Vandy's Chris Williams each have more upside than Long but are not sure things.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(280);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
3 (3)
Falcons showDraftIcons(7629, false, true)
Matt Ryan QB Boston Coll. You didn't think the re-signing of QB Joey Harrington would prevent the club from taking a QB, did you? The signing of RB Michael Turner, however, does mean the team will pass on Arkansas RB Darren McFadden. Team officials like LSU DT Glenn Dorsey, but coach Mike Smith prefers bigger defensive tackles.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1220);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
4 (4)
Raiders showDraftIcons(7605, false, true)
Darren McFadden*
RB Arkansas Despite signing RB Justin Fargas to an extension, the Raiders won't pass on the blazing McFadden. He would team with Fargas to give Oakland an elite tandem.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1033);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
5 (5)
Chiefs showDraftIcons(7888, false, true)
Vernon Gholston*
DE Ohio St. The Chiefs need a pass rusher to complement DE Jared Allen. Gholston is THE hot player right now in scouting circles.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1457);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
6 (6)
Jets showDraftIcons(7623, false, true)
Mike Jenkins CB South Fla. After signing OLB Calvin Pace and trading for NT Kris Jenkins, the Jets should continue to upgrade the defense. Mike Jenkins could start opposite last year's top pick, Darrelle Revis. If McFadden is still available, though, Jets officials would seriously consider him.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(562);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
7 (7)
Patriots showDraftIcons(7609, false, true)
Quentin Groves OLB Auburn (from San Francisco) The Patriots cut OLB Rosevelt Colvin and need a replacement to rush the passer and be a force against the run. Groves has shot up draft boards because of his improved play late in his senior season and some strong pre-draft workouts.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1222);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
8 (8)
Ravens showDraftIcons(6927, false, true)
Brian Brohm QB Louisville The Ravens should start the post-Brian Billick era by landing the franchise quarterback Billick never had. Brohm is polished enough to start right away for new coach John Harbaugh and new coordinator Cam Cameron.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1224);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
9 (9)
Bengals showDraftIcons(7206, false, true)
Glenn Dorsey DT LSU The Bengals tried trading for veteran DTs Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson, but both deals feel through. If Dorsey is available at this spot, club officials would waste no time penciling him in.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(561);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
10 (10)
Saints showDraftIcons(7588, false, true)
Keith Rivers OLB USC The Saints got the CB they wanted (Patriots' Randall Gay) and the MLB they needed (Jets' Jonathan Vilma). Rivers is a premier linebacker who will make a ton of plays sideline-to-sideline, and he also is valuable in coverage.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(751);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
11 (11)
Bills showDraftIcons(7983, false, true)
Malcolm Kelly*
WR Oklahoma The Bills must upgrade the receiver spot opposite Lee Evans. LSU's Early Doucet might be on the board, but Buffalo officials prefer the bigger Kelly as a complement to the speedy Evans. The tandem would make life a lot easier for second-year QB Trent Edwards.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(749);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
12 (12)
Broncos showDraftIcons(7686, false, true)
Ryan Clady*
T Boise St. The Broncos' offensive line needs an upgrade after an up-and-down season. LT Matt Lepsis has retired, and Clady is the type of athletic and competitive lineman coach Mike Shanahan loves.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1030);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
13 (13)
Panthers showDraftIcons(7602, false, true)
Sedrick Ellis DT USC After re-signing LT Travelle Wharton and using the franchise tag to retain RT Jordan Gross, the club is set on the line. That will allow the Panthers to grab Ellis to replace DT Kris Jenkins.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(563);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
14 (14)
Bears showDraftIcons(7921, false, true)
Chris Williams T Vandy The Bears are desperate for offensive line help. Williams is a tall, long-armed tackle with natural athleticism. He must block more aggressively but has the talent to be an elite NFL tackle.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(422);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
15 (15)
Lions showDraftIcons(7886, false, true)
Leodis McKelvin CB Troy Even after acquiring veteran CB Leigh Bodden, the Lions still need help in the secondary. McKelvin struggled at the Senior Bowl but has a ton of talent to go with good size and competitiveness.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1221);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
16 (16)
Cardinals showDraftIcons(7951, false, true)
Rashard Mendenhall*
RB Illinois With Edgerrin James slowing down as he approaches 30, the Cardinals should grab Mendenhall, an instant-impact runner who would add a much-needed home run threat to their power rushing attack.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(279);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
17 (17)
Vikings showDraftIcons(8083, false, true)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee S Vikings officials want one of the top three OTs, but if none of them are on the board at No. 17 the club would be wise to nab an elite athlete to play opposite CB Antoine Winfield.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1031);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
18 (18)
Texans showDraftIcons(7684, false, true)
Kenny Phillips*
S Miami (FL) With equal concerns at corner and safety, the Texans likely will take the best defensive back available. Phillips is a fine athlete who can be equally productive in run support and deep coverage.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1574);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
19 (19)
Eagles showDraftIcons(8113, false, true)
DaJuan Morgan*
S NC State The Eagles have been looking for someone to pair with stalwart safety Brian Dawkins for some time now. Morgan is a versatile athlete and playmaker.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(90);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
20 (20)
Buccaneers showDraftIcons(7953, false, true)
Devin Thomas*
WR Michigan St. The Bucs need an impact receiver to ease the burden on the aging Joey Galloway. They might take a gamble on Thomas, who had only one productive season in college.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1366);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
21 (21)
Commanders showDraftIcons(7682, false, true)
Calais Campbell*
DE Miami (FL) Campbell could address the Commanders' need for a steady pass rusher. In addition, he is a big, strong player who could rotate in as the No. 3 end on either side of the line as a rookie.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1458);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
22 (22)
Cowboys showDraftIcons(5876, false, true)
Andre Caldwell WR Florida (from Cleveland) Cowboys officials will debate between taking a CB and WR at this spot but should use their first of two first-round picks on the fast and elusive Caldwell to add another explosive, big-play element to the offense.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(277);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
23 (23)
Steelers showDraftIcons(7963, false, true)
Phillip Merling*
DE Clemson The Steelers remain solid all-around but must address their aging defensive line, especially after DE Aaron Smith finished the season on IR.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1032);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
24 (24)
Titans showDraftIcons(7592, false, true)
Early Doucet WR LSU Titans officials know they must add playmakers to help QB Vince Young. The athletic Doucet would provide a nice complement to free-agent pickup Alge Crumpler.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(894);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
25 (25)
Seahawks showDraftIcons(7709, false, true)
Jeff Otah T Pitt After signing RBs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett to take over for the aging Shaun Alexander, the club is set in the backfield. Instead, the team should upgrade the inconsistent offensive line.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(895);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
26 (26)
Jaguars showDraftIcons(7683, false, true)
Derrick Harvey*
DE Florida Jaguars officials, as is their annual spring ritual, will consider drafting a receiver in the first round. As a change of pace, the club should reject from that natural instinct and instead add the edge pass rusher the defense has lacked for years.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(91);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
27 (27)
Chargers showDraftIcons(7992, false, true)
Jonathan Stewart*
RB Oregon This pick would be a shock to many, but it shouldn't be. The reality is, LaDainian Tomlinson turns 29 in June and backup Michael Turner is gone. Stewart, who helped his draft stock by clocking a great 40 time at the NFL Combine, could be groomed as L.T.'s successor.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(1223);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
28 (28)
Cowboys showDraftIcons(7956, false, true)
Aqib Talib*
CB Kansas If Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones drafts a receiver at No. 22, he should go for a corner here. Talib has moved up draft boards after strong performance at the NFL Combine and an outstanding personal workout at Kansas' Pro Day.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(277);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
29 (29)
49ers showDraftIcons(8025, false, true)
Reggie Smith*
CB Oklahoma (from Indianapolis) The versatile Smith could start at corner or safety in '08 for the Niners, giving the club another tough and consistent player in the secondary.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(752);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
30 (30)
Packers showDraftIcons(7929, false, true)
Branden Albert*
G Va. The Packers' interior offensive line struggled throughout 2007. That might prompt the team to reach a bit for the athletic Albert.var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(750);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){}
31 (31)
Giants showDraftIcons(7920, false, true)
Felix Jones*
RB Arkansas Running back isn't a need for the Giants, but club shouldn't pass on Jones, who would be the highest-rated player (by far) on the draft board if available at No. 31.
var teamNeedsString = getTeamNeedsString(277);if(teamNeedsString && teamNeedsString.length > 0){} 