Our friend and resident NFL Draft Expert, Arun Thiruvengadam, has devised his first mock draft for the first round of next month's precedings, helping to keep things intresting around here while I waste away my college years at the library during finals week. I must say, that as a Bucs fan, I love seeing DeSean Jackson's name next to Tampa at the 20th spot. The Buccaneers have lacked an explosive weapon on offense since, forever, and adding a playmaker like that may actually counteract Tampa's slow and steady fall from the top of the NFC South. Yes, they won the division last year, but I can't see them making the playoffs again this year. Maybe Jackson can change that. One can dare to dream, right? On to the picks.
1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long OT Michigan
- There are several spots that the Dolphis are in dire need of help in, but you can't go wrong by fortifying the line with a stud that should be a cornerpiece for the next decade.
- Long has been a case study in how to go from an untouted freshman (1 sack that year) to a burgeoning superstar, 14 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last year.
- Atlanta could do a lot worse than taking the first player to ever sweep the Big 4 Defensive awards in college.
- Gholston continues his rise up the boards that started with an impressive showing at the Combine. He's one of only two players to get a sack off Jake Long in his entire career.
- Ellis continues the trend of the huskies up front dominating the early draft positions. He's shown in his career at USC that he's well deserving of a top-5 pick.
- If there's one guy that deserves to be the first skill position player to be taken, it's McFadden. New York should consider this an early Christmas present if they can land him.
- After seeing three key contributors from their secondary walk, including Asante Samuel and his $60 million in Philly, New England is actually looking to fill a hole in their once-flawless machine.
- The combination of Kyle Boller and Troy Smith are obviously not the answer, and Ryan's maturity as a leader is something Baltimore's offense has lacked for years.
- Rivers may be a little slow, but he makes up for it with his wonderful athleticism, something the Bengals could really use in their linebacking core.
- Many wouldn't have guessed that Rodgers-Cromartie would be
the top DB on the board, but he has been rising up the draft board with a wave over the last few weeks, spearheaded by a great performance at the Senior Bowl.
- Many would say that Talib may be the best corner in the Draft, but the Bills will gladly take him as the second one here to shore up the league's 29th ranked passing attack at this spot.
- Denver has been the gold standard for offensive lines over the past decade, but the unit was disappointing in regressing quite a bit last year. Clady represents the new wave.
- The under-achieving Panthers are also in dire need of offensive linemen help, and with Clady off the board, Williams is the next best bet.
- The Bears continue the trend of linemen dominating the first round, taking Otah here. The 6-6, 320 pound Otah is still raw, but with work he can a value pick.
- Mendenhall has been nothing short of spectacular over the last 12 months, leading Illinois to the Rose Bowl, and now taking the scouts by storm. McFadden is still the man, but Mendenhall is a close second.
- Jenkins is the clear pick for Arizona's needs in the secondary, although he's proven to be a little inconsistent throughout his career.
- Merling's been dealing with nagging injuries since he graduated from Clemson, but scouts say he's got the talent to live up to this selection. Sound familiar?
- Stewart has had trouble in distinguishing himself like his peers, McFadden and Stewart have, but he's got all the tools to be as good as them.
- Kelly provides the Eagles with something they've lacked since TO was in their nest: a tall, long ball threat. Philly has become increasingly predictable with just Brian Westbrook, its time look for new weapons on offense.
- It's hard to believe that 19 players are better Jackson, but if the wideout is open at this spot, Tampa would be foolish not to take him considering what Jeff Garcia has to work with at quarterback.
- Sweed had limited action during his final year as a Longhorn, but given the Redskins current state of affairs on the wideout core, he would be the perfect fit for them.
- Flowers doesn't blow you away with his size or speed, but spent the last three years of his time at Virginia Tech as an important contributor the one of the nation's stiffest defenses.
- Albert is a versatile linemen that has proven he can also play tackle. Alan Feneca's departure has created a hole in Pittsburgh, and Albert is the best linemen on the board that can replace him
- Tennessee needs to assemble a set of playmakers around Vince Young, especially at wideout. Doucet is a proven winner that can still improve, but would immediately boost the Titans' wide receivers.
- Seattle's defense has progressed nicely over the past few years, and taking Balmer in this spot is another way for this team to continue strengthening this unit.
- Harvey has put 20 sacks together in his last two years as a Gator and would be great to continue the Jags great tradition of ferocious interior linemen.
- King was disappointing down the stretch, but San Diego's agressive defensive style of play really fits his game. It doesn't hurt to have Antonio Cromartie to learn from either.
- Jones spent his college career huddled under the large shadow of McFadden, but still did enough to show he's got first round talent. Imagine this guy getting a consistent work load. With Julius Jones gone, he would serve as a great complement to Marion Barber.
- San Francisco's offensive line has been atrocious in protecting the 49ers revolving door of quarterbacks. Drafting a linemen with their first pick is the only logical move for a team that is trying to take a step forward without taking another one back like they did in 2007.
- The Packers are still trying to catch their breath from Favre's retirement. There's nothing more that Aaron Rodgers needs than another player who will try to integreate themselves into the offense at the same time he is.
- Commisioner Goodell should take the time needed for this pick to remind the Patriots organization that they are the worst 18-1 team in the history of the NFL.
- The Giants have some holes to fill from their Super Bowl winning team, and drafting a linebacker from a college that has been bred for years to produce them is a logical move for a team looking to replicate its improbable run.
2 comments:
Dude - Good Luck with DeSean Jackson. He's a joke. He's a cancer in the locker room and he's so full of himself. Good riddance. Just please somebody take him before he gets to the Niners. If hope they stay far far away.
This Mock draft is right on! I can't see Matt Ryan in the top five since he just doesn't have value. AP and the Jets would be an awesome combo, the special teams impact and the boost to the run game are a real upside.
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