Rohirrim
02-26-2008, 06:50 PM
NBCSports.com’s NFL first-round mock draft
From contributor Steve Silverman
Darren McFadden needs to send Adrian Peterson a thank you note.
Peterson was so impressive as a rookie last season -- 1,341 yards, 12 TDs and 5.6 yards per carry -- that many teams now believe he should have been the No. 1 overall pick in 2007.
McFadden appears to be the beneficiary of that thinking. He wowed scouts with his incredible 40 time and his body of work at Arkansas puts him in the poll position with two months to go before the draft.
TEAM NAME POS. HT. WT. COLLEGE
1. Dolphins Darren McFadden RB 6-2 208 Arkansas
McFadden blew away the field with his 4.33 showing at the combine and his stock has skyrocketed. Bill Parcells knows the Dolphins have running back needs, but he wants players and draft picks. Look for the Dolphins to trade this pick – and that team will hope McFadden will be as good or better than Adrian Peterson was last year with the Vikings.
2. Rams Glenn Dorsey DT 6-2 318 LSU
Despite a report that one NFL team doctor has concerns about Dorsey’s previous broken leg, the LSU defensive tackle is in great position to be a game-changing player. He’s country strong and can destroy a team’s interior running game. He has the kind of power that will allow him to overpower most NFL interior lineman right away. He will become a dominant NFL player with experience, health and determination.
3. Falcons Matt Ryan QB 6-5 227 Boston College
With a new GM and a new coach, the Falcons need to make a signature No.1 pick and Ryan is just that. He’s got the arm strength and savvy to make all the throws, but he does not have a lot of speed and is no sure thing.
4. Raiders Chris Long DE 6-4 275 Virginia
This is a natural for the Raiders because Long can be an impact pass rusher, just like his father. Howie Long was not only a great player in Silver and Black, he was also one of Al Davis’ favorite players. Long is a gifted athlete with superior intelligence.
5. Chiefs Jake Long OT 6-7 318 Michigan
Long impressed scouts with his physical abilities at the Combine. He is a huge man who plays with a mean streak. Carl Peterson has long espoused going with the best available football player/athlete and eschewing need, but Long fits both categories. Unless the Chiefs can put together a competent offensive line the attack will continue to be dormant.
6. Jets Vernon Gholston DE 6-4 260 Ohio State
It’s all about closing speed when it comes to rushing the passer. Gholston excels in that area and the Jets badly need help in this area because they recorded only 29 sacks last year Gholston is a maximum-effort type who has a track record of consistent improvement and production at Ohio State. Eric Mangini knows that playing great defense starts with the pass rush and he’s the best defensive lineman after Dorsey and Long.
7. Patriots (from 49ers) Sedrick Ellis DT 6-1 308 USC
Ellis has been shooting up the charts because he is a great all-around player with natural pass-rush ability from the interior. He has speed and quickness at the snap, plays with leverage and has great instincts for the position. The Patriots are likely to trade down to acquire more picks, but Ellis is a difference maker at his position.
8. Ravens Brian Brohm QB 6-3 225 Louisville
The end of the Brian Billick era means that the Ravens will bring in a new quarterback to turn around the offense. Kyle Boller missed his opportunity and Brohm has all the tools needed to become a top-level quarterback. He also moves extremely well and that’s a necessity for any quarterback who wants to stay off the injury report.
9. Bengals Dan Connor ILB 6-3 235 Penn State
The Bengals have been in the headlines the last couple of years because of their off-the-field woes. Connor is a high-character player who can also help out with the Bengals’ biggest on-field problem: tackling. He takes great angles to the ball and has very strong hands.
10. Saints Aqib Talib CB 6-2 203 Kansas
Talib was a standout performer for the Jayhawks. Always around the ball and a solid tackler, Talib makes the most of his ability and excels in coverage. A natural leader who will demonstrate that can walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
11. Bills DeSean Jackson WR 6-0 176 California
Jackson has all the tools needed to be the top receiver available, and could be an outstanding complementary receiver playing opposite Lee Evans. Jackson has fine hands, eye-catching acceleration and runs routes like a veteran pro.
12. Broncos Malcolm Kelly WR 6-4 219 Oklahoma
The Broncos’ lack of playmaking ability at the receiver position was obvious last season with Javon Walker hurt and no one outside of Brandon Marshall (102 catches) could go downfield and make a play. Mike Shanahan has an budding quarterback star in Jay Cutler and he needs to get him a top receiver. The retirement of Rod Smith only underscores the need to address this position.
13. Panthers Jeff Otah OT 6-6 342 Pittsburgh
The Panthers could go after a running back like Jonathan Stewart or Rashard Mendenhall, but Otah could become a franchise fixture. He has great size and a huge reach. He needs work on his technique but that should not be a problem because Otah has a fine work ethic. Otah’s size and strength gives him the ability to be a premier tackle, but still has some development to go.
14. Bears Ryan Clady OT 6-6 319 Boise State
The offensive line was the Bears’ surprising strength during their NFC title run in 2006. It was a major weakness in the shockingly poor 2007 season. If Brohm slips past the Ravens, the Bears could snap up the quarterback despite re-signing Rex Grossman.
15. Lions Mike Jenkins CB 6-0 201 South Florida
The Lions also have major needs on the offensive line and could decide to go after an offensive tackle. However, the Detroit secondary is where NFL receivers go to get rich and selecting Jenkins is a step in the right direction. Jenkins has the athleticism and demeanor to become a top-level defensive back
16. Cardinals Jonathan Stewart RB 5-11 232 Oregon
Give this pick to coach Ken Whisenhunt. The Cardinals have several key needs on the defensive side, but Whisenhunt wants is an offensive innovator who wants a young running back who is explosive and also catches the ball. Stewart is an excellent fit.
17. Vikings Kenny Phillips S 6-2 206 Miami
Phillips’ ideal size, strength and toughness for coach Brad Childress. Phillips has the sideline-to-sideline range and the instincts the Vikings’ defense needs. This pick is not locked in stone. Childress is an offensive-minded coach and would like to move up so he could draft Brian Brohm since the Vikings are so weak at the quarterback position.
18. Texans Rashard Mendenhall RB 5-11 211 Illinois
The Texans can throw the ball with Matt Schaub under center and Andre Johnson split wide, but the running game has never been up to par. Mendenhall had a fine career at Illinois and he should be even better in the NFL because of his combination of speed and power.
19. Eagles Mario Manningham WR 6-0 183 Michigan
The Eagles may trade down because their biggest needs are a top-flight return specialist and a tight end. But if they hold on to their pick, Manningham will only upgrade their receivers. He is agile, fast and has dependable hands. If the Eagles don’t draft Manningham, the Redskins almost certainly will and would then torment Philly twice a season.
20. Bucs Xavier Adibi OLB 6-2 222 Virginia Tech
Adibi has rare athletic ability and should be able to add 10 pounds to his excellent size. He can make plays sideline-to-sideline and could turn into a terror once he refines his technique. Adibi should give the 17th-rated run defense a major boost.
21. Redskins Limas Sweed WR 6-5 222 Texas
The Redskins love Mario Manningham’s talent, but he’ll be gone by this point. The Redskins may end up with the better player over the long term. Not only is Sweed a big receiver who can go over the top of defensive backs to make big plays, he is familiar with Vince Young since they were teammates at Texas. This is an area of major need for Washington.
22. Cowboys (from Browns) Antoine Cason CB 6-0 188 Arizona
Jerry Jones wants Darren McFadden and the Cowboys may very well trade up to take the running back. That seems strange because they have Marion Barber, perhaps the game’s most punishing running back. If cooler heads prevail and the Cowboys stay where they are, Cason should be a winning football player. He is physical and can knock receivers off stride. He has excellent coverage technique, but ultraquick wideouts give him problems.
23. Steelers Chris Williams OT 6-6 318 Vanderbilt
The offensive line has long been the signature of the Steelers’ attack. However, the line fell off during the second half of the season and coach Mike Tomlin needs some new blood in that area. Williams is big, aggressive and smart and has the drive to improve quite a bit.
24. Titans Early Doucet WR 6-0 210 LSU
An overachiever who wants the ball in all clutch situations. Doucet’s technique is raw, but he is talented and works extremely hard. Doucet punishes tacklers much like Steeler veteran Hines Ward.
25. Seahawks Sam Baker OT 6-5 311 USC
Coach Mike Holmgren knows that his offensive line can do a much better job, particularly in blocking for the running game where they ranked 26th in yards per rush. Baker is a huge man, but there’s a lot more to his game than size and reach. He has excellent feet for a young tackle and scouts believe he has something that can’t be taught -- a mean streak when he’s on the field.
26. Jaguars Pat Sims DT 6-4 312 Auburn
If he can pick up from where he left off in 2007, the Jaguars will have a dominant football player. Thick and powerful, Sims can break down the inside running game by himself and can also collapse the pocket. However, prior to last year Sims was a below average player who did not work as hard as he needed to.
27. Chargers Reggie Smith CB 6-1 199 Oklahoma
The Chargers’ secondary exceeded expectations a year ago, particularly in the postseason. However, there are significant doubts that they can continue to play consistently. Smith has great speed and instincts. He also has excellent return ability and can take some of the pressure off Darren Sproles.
28. Cowboys Felix Jones RB 6-0 202 Arkansas
If the Cowboys don’t move up to draft Darren McFadden, look for them to take his backup. Jones has first-rate speed and the ability to squeeze through small cracks. If the Cowboys make this pick, they will be ready to move Julius Jones.
29. 49ers (from Colts) Derrick Harvey OLB 6-5 252 Florida
An impact player with imposing size and an eye-catching 82-inch wing span. He is an outstanding pass rusher who reminds scouts of a young Jevon Kearse. However, Harvey is a bit thin and could have a problem getting engulfed by huge offensive linemen.
30. Packers Fred Davis TE 6-3 252 USC
The Packers need to give Brett Favre some more weapons and the fight in the war room could come down to Davis or Indiana receiver James Hardy. Davis may not be as big as some scouts like, but he is a very strong man who can out-jump taller men. He is smart and the kind of competitor who is never satisfied.
31. Patriots
New England forfeits this pick as part of the penalty handed down for illegally taping Jets coaches from the sideline in Week 1.
32. Giants James Hardy WR 6-6 218 Indiana
Eli Manning will love Hardy’s size. Hardy wants the ball in clutch situations and he is not afraid to help an underachieving team improve. That’s what he did at Indiana and he will have the same responsibility with the Giants. He has the same kind of size and hands as veteran Plaxico Burress and will be able to step in when Burress’ nagging injuries slow him down.
From contributor Steve Silverman
Darren McFadden needs to send Adrian Peterson a thank you note.
Peterson was so impressive as a rookie last season -- 1,341 yards, 12 TDs and 5.6 yards per carry -- that many teams now believe he should have been the No. 1 overall pick in 2007.
McFadden appears to be the beneficiary of that thinking. He wowed scouts with his incredible 40 time and his body of work at Arkansas puts him in the poll position with two months to go before the draft.
TEAM NAME POS. HT. WT. COLLEGE
1. Dolphins Darren McFadden RB 6-2 208 Arkansas
McFadden blew away the field with his 4.33 showing at the combine and his stock has skyrocketed. Bill Parcells knows the Dolphins have running back needs, but he wants players and draft picks. Look for the Dolphins to trade this pick – and that team will hope McFadden will be as good or better than Adrian Peterson was last year with the Vikings.
2. Rams Glenn Dorsey DT 6-2 318 LSU
Despite a report that one NFL team doctor has concerns about Dorsey’s previous broken leg, the LSU defensive tackle is in great position to be a game-changing player. He’s country strong and can destroy a team’s interior running game. He has the kind of power that will allow him to overpower most NFL interior lineman right away. He will become a dominant NFL player with experience, health and determination.
3. Falcons Matt Ryan QB 6-5 227 Boston College
With a new GM and a new coach, the Falcons need to make a signature No.1 pick and Ryan is just that. He’s got the arm strength and savvy to make all the throws, but he does not have a lot of speed and is no sure thing.
4. Raiders Chris Long DE 6-4 275 Virginia
This is a natural for the Raiders because Long can be an impact pass rusher, just like his father. Howie Long was not only a great player in Silver and Black, he was also one of Al Davis’ favorite players. Long is a gifted athlete with superior intelligence.
5. Chiefs Jake Long OT 6-7 318 Michigan
Long impressed scouts with his physical abilities at the Combine. He is a huge man who plays with a mean streak. Carl Peterson has long espoused going with the best available football player/athlete and eschewing need, but Long fits both categories. Unless the Chiefs can put together a competent offensive line the attack will continue to be dormant.
6. Jets Vernon Gholston DE 6-4 260 Ohio State
It’s all about closing speed when it comes to rushing the passer. Gholston excels in that area and the Jets badly need help in this area because they recorded only 29 sacks last year Gholston is a maximum-effort type who has a track record of consistent improvement and production at Ohio State. Eric Mangini knows that playing great defense starts with the pass rush and he’s the best defensive lineman after Dorsey and Long.
7. Patriots (from 49ers) Sedrick Ellis DT 6-1 308 USC
Ellis has been shooting up the charts because he is a great all-around player with natural pass-rush ability from the interior. He has speed and quickness at the snap, plays with leverage and has great instincts for the position. The Patriots are likely to trade down to acquire more picks, but Ellis is a difference maker at his position.
8. Ravens Brian Brohm QB 6-3 225 Louisville
The end of the Brian Billick era means that the Ravens will bring in a new quarterback to turn around the offense. Kyle Boller missed his opportunity and Brohm has all the tools needed to become a top-level quarterback. He also moves extremely well and that’s a necessity for any quarterback who wants to stay off the injury report.
9. Bengals Dan Connor ILB 6-3 235 Penn State
The Bengals have been in the headlines the last couple of years because of their off-the-field woes. Connor is a high-character player who can also help out with the Bengals’ biggest on-field problem: tackling. He takes great angles to the ball and has very strong hands.
10. Saints Aqib Talib CB 6-2 203 Kansas
Talib was a standout performer for the Jayhawks. Always around the ball and a solid tackler, Talib makes the most of his ability and excels in coverage. A natural leader who will demonstrate that can walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
11. Bills DeSean Jackson WR 6-0 176 California
Jackson has all the tools needed to be the top receiver available, and could be an outstanding complementary receiver playing opposite Lee Evans. Jackson has fine hands, eye-catching acceleration and runs routes like a veteran pro.
12. Broncos Malcolm Kelly WR 6-4 219 Oklahoma
The Broncos’ lack of playmaking ability at the receiver position was obvious last season with Javon Walker hurt and no one outside of Brandon Marshall (102 catches) could go downfield and make a play. Mike Shanahan has an budding quarterback star in Jay Cutler and he needs to get him a top receiver. The retirement of Rod Smith only underscores the need to address this position.
13. Panthers Jeff Otah OT 6-6 342 Pittsburgh
The Panthers could go after a running back like Jonathan Stewart or Rashard Mendenhall, but Otah could become a franchise fixture. He has great size and a huge reach. He needs work on his technique but that should not be a problem because Otah has a fine work ethic. Otah’s size and strength gives him the ability to be a premier tackle, but still has some development to go.
14. Bears Ryan Clady OT 6-6 319 Boise State
The offensive line was the Bears’ surprising strength during their NFC title run in 2006. It was a major weakness in the shockingly poor 2007 season. If Brohm slips past the Ravens, the Bears could snap up the quarterback despite re-signing Rex Grossman.
15. Lions Mike Jenkins CB 6-0 201 South Florida
The Lions also have major needs on the offensive line and could decide to go after an offensive tackle. However, the Detroit secondary is where NFL receivers go to get rich and selecting Jenkins is a step in the right direction. Jenkins has the athleticism and demeanor to become a top-level defensive back
16. Cardinals Jonathan Stewart RB 5-11 232 Oregon
Give this pick to coach Ken Whisenhunt. The Cardinals have several key needs on the defensive side, but Whisenhunt wants is an offensive innovator who wants a young running back who is explosive and also catches the ball. Stewart is an excellent fit.
17. Vikings Kenny Phillips S 6-2 206 Miami
Phillips’ ideal size, strength and toughness for coach Brad Childress. Phillips has the sideline-to-sideline range and the instincts the Vikings’ defense needs. This pick is not locked in stone. Childress is an offensive-minded coach and would like to move up so he could draft Brian Brohm since the Vikings are so weak at the quarterback position.
18. Texans Rashard Mendenhall RB 5-11 211 Illinois
The Texans can throw the ball with Matt Schaub under center and Andre Johnson split wide, but the running game has never been up to par. Mendenhall had a fine career at Illinois and he should be even better in the NFL because of his combination of speed and power.
19. Eagles Mario Manningham WR 6-0 183 Michigan
The Eagles may trade down because their biggest needs are a top-flight return specialist and a tight end. But if they hold on to their pick, Manningham will only upgrade their receivers. He is agile, fast and has dependable hands. If the Eagles don’t draft Manningham, the Redskins almost certainly will and would then torment Philly twice a season.
20. Bucs Xavier Adibi OLB 6-2 222 Virginia Tech
Adibi has rare athletic ability and should be able to add 10 pounds to his excellent size. He can make plays sideline-to-sideline and could turn into a terror once he refines his technique. Adibi should give the 17th-rated run defense a major boost.
21. Redskins Limas Sweed WR 6-5 222 Texas
The Redskins love Mario Manningham’s talent, but he’ll be gone by this point. The Redskins may end up with the better player over the long term. Not only is Sweed a big receiver who can go over the top of defensive backs to make big plays, he is familiar with Vince Young since they were teammates at Texas. This is an area of major need for Washington.
22. Cowboys (from Browns) Antoine Cason CB 6-0 188 Arizona
Jerry Jones wants Darren McFadden and the Cowboys may very well trade up to take the running back. That seems strange because they have Marion Barber, perhaps the game’s most punishing running back. If cooler heads prevail and the Cowboys stay where they are, Cason should be a winning football player. He is physical and can knock receivers off stride. He has excellent coverage technique, but ultraquick wideouts give him problems.
23. Steelers Chris Williams OT 6-6 318 Vanderbilt
The offensive line has long been the signature of the Steelers’ attack. However, the line fell off during the second half of the season and coach Mike Tomlin needs some new blood in that area. Williams is big, aggressive and smart and has the drive to improve quite a bit.
24. Titans Early Doucet WR 6-0 210 LSU
An overachiever who wants the ball in all clutch situations. Doucet’s technique is raw, but he is talented and works extremely hard. Doucet punishes tacklers much like Steeler veteran Hines Ward.
25. Seahawks Sam Baker OT 6-5 311 USC
Coach Mike Holmgren knows that his offensive line can do a much better job, particularly in blocking for the running game where they ranked 26th in yards per rush. Baker is a huge man, but there’s a lot more to his game than size and reach. He has excellent feet for a young tackle and scouts believe he has something that can’t be taught -- a mean streak when he’s on the field.
26. Jaguars Pat Sims DT 6-4 312 Auburn
If he can pick up from where he left off in 2007, the Jaguars will have a dominant football player. Thick and powerful, Sims can break down the inside running game by himself and can also collapse the pocket. However, prior to last year Sims was a below average player who did not work as hard as he needed to.
27. Chargers Reggie Smith CB 6-1 199 Oklahoma
The Chargers’ secondary exceeded expectations a year ago, particularly in the postseason. However, there are significant doubts that they can continue to play consistently. Smith has great speed and instincts. He also has excellent return ability and can take some of the pressure off Darren Sproles.
28. Cowboys Felix Jones RB 6-0 202 Arkansas
If the Cowboys don’t move up to draft Darren McFadden, look for them to take his backup. Jones has first-rate speed and the ability to squeeze through small cracks. If the Cowboys make this pick, they will be ready to move Julius Jones.
29. 49ers (from Colts) Derrick Harvey OLB 6-5 252 Florida
An impact player with imposing size and an eye-catching 82-inch wing span. He is an outstanding pass rusher who reminds scouts of a young Jevon Kearse. However, Harvey is a bit thin and could have a problem getting engulfed by huge offensive linemen.
30. Packers Fred Davis TE 6-3 252 USC
The Packers need to give Brett Favre some more weapons and the fight in the war room could come down to Davis or Indiana receiver James Hardy. Davis may not be as big as some scouts like, but he is a very strong man who can out-jump taller men. He is smart and the kind of competitor who is never satisfied.
31. Patriots
New England forfeits this pick as part of the penalty handed down for illegally taping Jets coaches from the sideline in Week 1.
32. Giants James Hardy WR 6-6 218 Indiana
Eli Manning will love Hardy’s size. Hardy wants the ball in clutch situations and he is not afraid to help an underachieving team improve. That’s what he did at Indiana and he will have the same responsibility with the Giants. He has the same kind of size and hands as veteran Plaxico Burress and will be able to step in when Burress’ nagging injuries slow him down.