2008 NFL Mock Draft


April 25, 2008, midnight | By Anshul Sood, Nitin Sukumar | 15 years, 11 months ago

Football fans, it's not over yet...


The fan's excitement of the NFL seemed to die down a few days after the New York Giants stunned the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, but the fun for management around the league had just begun. The annual, two-day NFL draft takes as much strategy as it does to run an offense except there's less room for error. With expected contracts rocketing up as high as $70 million, the futures of teams already struggling to succeed are at stake. But the players get just as jittery, knowing that the difference between rounds and picks could be millions of dollars. Right now, only OT Jake Long of Michigan has been guaranteed his draft position. We'll give you a look at other former college stars trying to hit the jackpot this weekend.

2008 First Round Mock Draft

Pick #
Team
Anshul's Pick
Nitin's Pick
1
Miami Dolphins
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2
St. Louis Rams
Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3
Atlanta Falcons
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
4
Oakland Raiders
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5
Kansas City Chiefs
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
6
New York Jets
Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
7
New England Patriots
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
8
Baltimore Ravens
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
9
Cincinnati Bengals
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
10
New Orleans Saints
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
11
Buffalo Bills
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Domnique Rogers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee
12
Denver Broncos
Keith Rivers, LB, USC
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
13
Carolina Panthers
Branden Albert, G, Virginia
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
14
Chicago Bears
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
15
Detroit Lions
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
16
Arizona Cardinals
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
17
Kansas City Chiefs
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
18
Houston Texans
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
19
Philadelphia Eagles
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
DeSean Jackson, WR, California
20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Mike Jenkins, CB, USF
21
Washington Redskins
Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
22
Dallas Cowboys
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
23
Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
24
Tennessee Titans
Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
25
Seattle Seahawks
Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
26
Jacksonville Jaguars
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)
James Hardy, WR, Indiana
27
San Diego Chargers
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
28
Dallas Cowboys
James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
29
San Francisco 49ers
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
30
Green Bay Packers
Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
31
New England Patriots
Forfeited
Forfeited
32
New York Giants
Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)

First-Round Stud:

Anshul: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Considered by many to be the safest pick in the draft, the local-star Long has it all. His combination of speed (a solid 4.71 in the 40) and strength make him an ideal defensive end at any level of the game. His talent won't end with his college career and instead will blossom in the NFL under the guidance of professional coaches. His change of direction and agility skills are remarkable for a man at his size and position and will help him get around those big offensive linemen in the NFL.

Nitin: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

The big time cover corner/returner from the small school of Troy has the speed and quickness to keep pace with the NFL's top tier wideouts. And McKelvin's playmaking ability on kick and punt returns will be welcome on any team aside from the Chicago Bears. Baltimore could really use some new blood in the defense with aging stars starting to show signs of wear and tear. His blistering 4.38 40 time at the NFL Combine will do wonders for the oft-injured Ravens defense. Even in a star-studded secondary, McKelvin will get his fair share of the spotlight on his way to a Pro Bowl career.

First-Round Bust:

Anshul: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

Thomas had an outstanding 2007 season at Michigan State, but was barely a factor in the previous year. One solid year may not be enough to show Thomas' consistency. In addition Thomas never really developed into a legitimate deep threat and has been criticized for his inability to make the long catch. If Thomas is used as a possession receiver, then he may have some success. But he is likely not going to be a franchise receiver or a primary target. His route running and burst have been criticized also, two of the most important qualities for a successful receiver at the professional level.

Nitin: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

The former Eagle had an impressive four year campaign at Boston College, both on and off the field, but he hasn't "wowed" anyone a la Carson Palmer or Vince Young. Any team with a top ten selection eyeing quarterback as their priority need likely doesn't have a jaw-dropping offensive line. In the 2008 draft, Atlanta, Kansas City and Baltimore may go for Ryan, but not one has a successful running game to take pressure off the passer. Not to mention the lack of a possible veteran mentor at any likely destination; the best he can hope for is the Chiefs' Damon Huard. Ryan is by far the top quarterback prospect, but with teams' tendency to keep most average rookie signal callers on the sideline for a season or two, I don't see Ryan making a sizeable impact any time soon.

Late-Round Steal:

Anshul: Arman Shields, WR, Richmond

The local receiver amassed over 1,800 yards and had 13 touchdowns in his first three seasons with Richmond before missing the majority of the 2007 season due to a knee injury. But he showed that he is back at the NFL Combine, putting up a 4.37 40-yard dash and a 37.5" vertical jump to go with his 6'1" 194-pound frame. Shields blazed through the other speed drills with a 3.96 20-yard dash (the only sub-four time at the Combine) and a 10.87 in the 60-yard dash (the only sub-eleven time at the Combine). Projected to be drafted somewhere between the fourth and sixth rounds, Shields could be a huge pick-up for a team needing a speedy receiver.

Nitin: Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas

Marcus Monk's four-year stay at Arkansas was marked by flashes of brilliance along with disappointing stints on the sideline while injured. He amassed 27 TD receptions and 2151 receiving yards with 15.6 yards per reception in his career, but his physical nature and monster frame (6'6", 220 pounds) can give NFL teams a possession and red zone threat they need without sacrificing a top pick in the draft. Monk's only true downside is his limited quickness and first step, but if quarterbacks call his number on the right routes he will be a success as a pro.




Anshul Sood. Anshul is a very laid-back person, a real take-it-easy kind of guy. He often burns time listening to music, playing music, watching some sports game, or playing some sport. Recently, he has entered into the world of running, though he is not very good. However, … More »

Nitin Sukumar. Nitin's middle name is Antonio Gates. More »

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