By Nolan Nawrocki
April 11, 2008

PFW draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki will post a new mock draft every Friday leading up to the draft, as well as a final one on the morning of Draft Day, April 26. E-mail your draft questions to Nawrocki at ASKquestions@pfwmedia.com. He'll be answering selected questions on this Web site every Wednesday preceding the draft.

The way we hear it, several trades are very likely to occur in the first round, and they could create a run on defensive pass rushers rather than offensive tackles. While we do not project any trades, the effects of them are taken into consideration in this mock draft, beginning with the Chiefs. The Giants' success in the Super Bowl will only encourage decision makers to upgrade their defensive lines, and the way it stands now, there's a very good chance that five defensive linemen will be selected in the top 10.

An asterisk (*) denotes an underclassman.

1. Miami Dolphins — OLT Jake Long, Michigan
The safest pick in the draft, the Dolphins will not go wrong with the behemoth from Michigan.

2. St. Louis Rams — DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
With rookie DTs Clifton Ryan and Adam Carriker performing well last season, the Rams have a bigger need at defensive end. Vernon Gholston could prove to be the best fit and the biggest difference maker, but he may not be as ready from Day One as Chris Long. The Rams are still doing their homework, with the Dolphins breaking their hearts by pursuing Jake Long. All that appears certain is that St. Louis will draft a defensive lineman. However, until the Rams’ doctors get a closer look at Dorsey in his upcoming two-day visit at the facility, a decision will not be made. Dorsey currently carries the most interest from the Rams’ brass, but with Carriker having finished the season at the three-technique position, Rams coaches need to figure out a plan before proceeding. Adding Dorsey could create a glut inside and leave the edges devoid of speed. Vernon Gholston could make a late run.

3. Atlanta Falcons — QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
With Long and Dorsey off the board, the decision becomes easy for new Falcons bossman Thomas Dimitroff. He may just have to package a pick or two to get back into the first round to make sure he can land more protection for his future franchise quarterback.

4. Oakland Raiders — RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas*
Al Davis cannot help himself, and he could be faced with a bit of a dilemma if Vernon Gholston remains on the board. However, with character not being a factor in his decision, the Raiders’ owner will side with the big-play weapon who will put fans in the seats, best help the enormous investment he made in JaMarcus Russell and make the most immediate impact.

5. Kansas City Chiefs — DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State*
This pick may not make a lot of sense on the surface, but with the Chiefs involved in trade talks, do not be surprised if they add the draft’s most physically impressive specimen to their defensive line. Despite a more pressing need at cornerback, Herm Edwards is a defensive-minded coach who knows championships are won with a fierce pass rush.

6. New York Jets — OLB Chris Long, Virginia
Drafting a projection in the top 10 is a risky proposition, regardless of how safe of a pick Chris Long would appear to be. After the Jets blocked the Dolphins from signing ex-Cardinals free-agent OLB Calvin Pace, Long could finally give the Jets the pieces they have lacked in the 3-4 front to bring pressure on defense. Al Groh’s recommendation should carry a lot of weight in New York, and Long’s versatility is a big plus. Nonetheless, it could be very difficult to pass on a power back like Jonathan Stewart, especially with McFadden already off the board. 

Florida DE Derrick Harvey

8. Baltimore Ravens — CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
The Ravens are a prime candidate to trade down, but if forced to stay put, the draft’s top cornerback will be too difficult to pass up.

9. Cincinnati Bengals — DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Being able to acquire Jets DT Dewayne Robertson could still change the Bengals’ outlook, but it appears unlikely at this point, and Ellis provides the youth needed in the middle.

10. New Orleans Saints — RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon*
GM Mickey Loomis graduated from Oregon and is well aware of Stewart’s rare talent. The Saints did not get the production out of the backfield that Loomis had hoped from Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, and McAllister could easily be sent packing. Loomis has shown in the past, when he was part of the regime that drafted McAllister in the first round while Ricky Williams was on the roster, how much the Saints value the RB position. Sean Payton believes in drafting value, and that could make it difficult to pass Stewart at this spot.

11. Buffalo Bills — WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State*
Thomas’ one year of production makes teams nervous about drafting him too high. However, the Bills need to find a complement for Lee Evans and another target to support the growth of Trent Edwards. Thomas, at this point, could look better than any of the cornerbacks.

12. Denver Broncos — OLT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
With Jay Cutler having played with Chris Williams for two years at Vanderbilt and Mike Shanahan wanting to protect his investment in Cutler, Williams could climb ahead of Ryan Clady in the draft order.

13. Carolina Panthers — OLT-OG Branden Albert, Virginia*
Albert is smart, explosive and versatile and could step into the starting lineup immediately at left tackle, upgrade the offensive line and swap spots with Travelle Wharton if he struggles initially.

14. Chicago Bears — OLT Ryan Clady, Boise State*
The Bears have a glaring need on the offensive line and will have to consider their options between Jeff Otah and Ryan Clady if Clady slides. Otah better fits the Bears’ power running game.

15. Detroit Lions — LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee*
To make the Tampa-2 defense go, a linebacker with great range is critical, and Mayo could add the Derrick Brooks element to the Lions’ "D."

16. Arizona Cardinals — RB Rashad Mendenhall, Illinois*
After questionably passing on Adrian Peterson a year ago, the Cardinals need to find a young back to replace the aging Edgerrin James, and Mendenhall looks more attractive at this point than the best cornerback.

17. Minnesota Vikings — OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
With Bryant McKinnie facing legal trouble and the ORT position having been an area of weakness, Otah could step in immediately and add an element of power to pave more holes for the NFL’s most exciting runner. 

18. Houston Texans — CB Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
With a run having taken place on offensive tackles, the Texans will be forced to look at their need at cornerback, where they struggled to stay healthy a year ago.

19. Philadelphia Eagles — WR Limas Sweed, Texas
A prime candidate to trade up and secure a left tackle of the future, the Eagles also need to find more playmakers for Donovan McNabb, and Sweed’s combination of size, work habits and big-play ability could be very attractive at this spot, especially with Jon Gruden drafting next and facing a very similar predicament with a very similar West Coast offense.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
The Buccaneers are looking to be more creative on defense and need a cornerback who can man-cover. Gruden and Bruce Allen have shown they will sacrifice character for elite talent.

21. Washington Redskins — DE Phillip Merling, Clemson*
Merling has the size and motor desired in the Redskins’ defense and could be more attractive than the slow-footed Calais Campbell at this point.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) — RB Felix Jones, Arkansas*
Jerry Jones’ mission is to support the growth of his quarterback, and Felix Jones should definitely take some pressure off Romo. Despite not having been featured as a pass catcher, Jones catches the ball very well.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers — OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
The Steelers have always been and will continue to be a smashmouth blocking team, and Cherilus fits very well with what they want to establish.

24. Tennessee Titans — DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Any general manager who gives Albert Haynesworth a multiyear megadeal is asking to be fired, and the Titans have to be prepared to replace the mercurial defensive tackle. DL coach Jim Washburn has shown he can get the most out of underachievers.

25. Seattle Seahawks — TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
Keller could become a playmaking weapon in Mike Holmgren’s spread offense, capable of lining up in the slot and making plays all over the field.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars — DE Calais Campbell, Miami (Fla.)*
Jack Del Rio has been successful with big men who do not always test the greatest. Campbell’s upside will keep teams interested late in the first round.

27. San Diego Chargers — LB Keith Rivers, USC
The Chargers are not likely to remain in this position and could deal the pick to a team looking to move up to land a quarterback or offensive tackle. Not having picks in the next three rounds, they could be best-served moving down. However, if they stay put, they will recognize Rivers’ value and not hesitate to pull the trigger.

28. Dallas Cowboys — CB Aqib Talib, Kansas*
Jerry Jones has shown he is willing to give second and third chances to troubled players, and Talib’s size, swagger and athletic ability will be attractive to the owner, as could his ability to dabble on offense.

29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis) — ILB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma*
Pairing Lofton with Patrick Willis could secure the middle of the Niners' defense and give them one of the best LB groups in the NFL at a position that could not be more important in a 3-4 front.

30. Green Bay Packers — OG-OT Sam Baker, USC
Baker could step in at guard from Day One a la the Patriots’ Logan Mankins, fill a pressing need and be groomed to take over on the edge, although his lack of arm length could make him best-suited inside.

— New England Patriots — Pick forfeited.

31. New York Giants — CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech*
Most teams were disappointed at the Combine when Flowers ran poorly. The Giants, holding the last pick in the first round, will be more pleased that a good football player is falling to them.

2008 Draft Preview

If you would like to read more about the players who are about to enter the April 26-27 NFL draft, Pro Football Weekly has two publications that will fit the bill — the 2008 Draft Preview book and the 2008 Draft Guide.

The 200-page 2008 Draft Preview book, which sells for $19.95, contains detailed scouting reports on nearly 500 prospects with each player's height, weight, 40-time, positives and negatives. You'll also get our rankings of more than 900 draft prospects and a breakdown of each NFL team's needs, by position. Written by PFW personnel analyst Nolan Nawrocki and the editors of PFW, the Draft Preview book is widely recognized as the "bible of the draft." Books are now ready to be shipped. 

2008 Draft Guide

Meanwhile, hot off the presses, the 2008 Draft Guide is a 152-page magazine that sells for $6.99, showcasing feature stories on Arkansas RB Darren McFadden and the secret to drafting success, a sleeper watch, a fantasy forecast and more. In addition, you'll find scouting reports on more than 350 players, draft previews for all 32 teams (including each club's top five areas of need and a "hot list" of prospects who fit the team's schemes) and rankings of the prospects by position. 

The 2008 Draft Guide is available now at newsstands and bookstores throughout the country. Both of the above publications can be ordered now from the PFW store. You will receive a discount if you purchase both the 2008 Draft Preview book and the 2008 Draft Guide magazine from the PFW store with our Combo-Pack offer.