MOCK ME – BUT DRAFT ME. NFL 2008

To mix a sports metaphor here’s where the rubber meets the road. If you’re like me, you know the clock is running. Tomorrow’s the day. The 2008 NFL Draft.

Haven’t you been checking the mock drafts, hoping to figure out who’s picking the players you’ve watched in college. Trying to get some inside dope on what your favorite team is thinking. Who they’re hoping to get?

Let’s take a short look at the mock drafts. And let’s check back after the picking is done and see who got it right and who fumbled.

First off, let’s make it a bit easier this year. Everybody gets two picks right. The Dolphins go with Jake Long, the tackle from Michigan. And crafty mock-drafters know that the Patriot get zip with pick #31, forfeiting the pick for that sneaky thing they did with video.

Jake Long

Now here’s where when the going gets tough, the tough get going.


For #2, Don Banks over at SI.com has Chris Long, DE from Virginia going to the Rams, figuring him to make their pass rush better on the outside, and passing on Glenn Dorsey. Bob Glauber, Newsday.com, acknowledging that Chris Long is possibility, goes with the DT from LSU arguing that Dorsey‘s “superb inside force can help a Rams’ defense that has been brutal against the run for years.”

Glenn Dorsey


The there’s nfldraftcountdown.com figuring none of the above. They’re touting Vernon Gholston, the DE from Ohio State, because “you get Gholston’s speed and athleticism coming off the edge on the turf in that dome.”

Vernon Gholston


You gotta love it: on any given Sunday, or on any given mock draft. So who else: walterfootball.com is going with Chris Long. Michael Abromowitz who had Chris Long going to the Dolphins, now gives him to the Rams. And that goes for James Alder of about.com.


OK, let’s check in with #3 and the Atlanta Falcons. Draftking.com is sending Glenn Dorsey their way. Over at CBS sportline, both Pete Prisco and Clark Judge give the nod to quarterback Matt Ryan from Boston College. Don Banks at Sports Illustrated jokes that it comes down to a coin flip and the Falcons end up with Dorsey. Bob Glauber of Newsday is a Ryan guy having given Dorsey away to the Rams.

Darren McFadden


On to Oakland with #4. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas is headed that way according to walterfootball. Glauber, who stills has Chris Long on his board, admits that Al Davis might be tempted but goes with McFadden. Some differing voices, Michael Abromowitz is going with Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State. His reason:

For a long time I have had Darren McFadden here, but after looking at the Raiders depth chart, it would be hard to imagine the Raiders invest in another running back, even if the owner is Al Davis. Rumor has it that Al Davis is a big fan of Gholston, and Gholston would be the ideal pass rusher opposite Derrick Burgess.

Alder at about.com puts it this way: “rumor has it the Raiders are in love with Gholston, who would give the Raiders a pair of legitimate pass rushers when paired with Derrick Burgess.”


Now let’s took a look at mad world of mockdrafting by concentrating on a single pick and the large variety of choices. The Washington Redskins, one of the great NFL franchises, picks at #21. Of course, by #21 all kinds of wacky things have happened, and teams have a variety of backup plans. The mockdrafters, not surprisingly are all over the place with DEs, a DT, some WRs and a CB.
Newnfldraft is going with WR Limas Sweed.


Sports New SW has a different WR, James Hardy. The War Room Report thinks it will be DE Philip Merling, while Draft Tek has another DE, Phillip Merling. How about DT Kentwan Balmer, according to Draft Prospects? Confusing enough for you? Hang on a bit! Several drafters have the Skins taking DE Derrick Harvey, then add a batch of other WRs: Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas, and DeSean Jackson.


One last look at the game. What about the Super Bowl Champs who lost Gibril Wilson, Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell to free agency? What do the champs do with the last pick of the first round according to the pundits?


Glauber imagines Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee still on the board with the G-men gratefully scooping him up. Nfldraftcountdown gives the Giants Kenny Phillips, the safety from Miami, noting “Kenny Phillips did not have the type of big junior year most were expecting but he is still an excellent prospect with all the tools you look for.” Walterfootball also thinks Phillips will end up in the Meadowlands as does Michael Abromowitz. Calling Phillips “the next in a great line of safeties from Miami.”


James Alder has his own idea about what the Giants will be doing. He says it’s Keith Rivers, OLB USC who can be “an upgrade in talent and add some much-needed athleticism to the linebacking unit.”
And then just in case you think you’ve got it figured out, draftking weighs in with Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College:

The Giants have a few needs, such as defensive tackle and OLB, but offensive tackle is a spot that, if not a need, could use depth added to it. While not particularly strong against speed rushers, Cherilus is a smart, strong player who is especially skilled at run blocking.

At CBS Sportsline, Prisco has NY taking Jerod Mayo, the ILB from Tennessee; while Judge goes with Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas.


I don’t know about you, but I’m completely confused.


It’s time to put the mock drafts down and get ready for the real thing.

Tags: 2008 NFL Draft, Al Davis, Atlanta Falcons, Chris Long, Darren McFadden, Derrick Harvey, DeSean Jackson, Devin Thomas, Gibril Wilson, Glenn Dorsey, Gosder Cherilus, Jake Long, Jerod Mayo, Kawika Mitchell, Keith Rivers, Kenny Phillips, Limas Sneed, Malcolm Kelly, Marcus Harrison, Matt Ryan, Miami Dolphins, mock drafts, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Phillip Merling, Reggie Torbor, St. Louis Rams, Vernon Gholston, Washington Redskins