NFL mock draft round 1

by Andy

With only 4 months before the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall, I figured it would be a good time to get my first Mock Draft going. I only did non playoff teams and picks 3,4 and 5 will be decided by a coin toss. I did a coin toss and here's how I see the draft playing out right now, before FA and trades start:


1. Miami Dolphins - Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU - The Phin's need to stop the run and with the Tuna in town, that will be top of his to do list. Dorsey is the best "pro ready" DT in college football right now and also has the ability to rush the passer. Look maybe also for Matt Ryan. Parcells might do what he did his first year at New England and draft a franchise QB, a la Drew Bledsoe.

2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia - With another year of poor defensive play, the Ram's go with the best DE in the draft. Their interior line is very young but strong. With Long on the outside, stopping the run should not be a problem for this team. Long will give them a play maker from the end position who works hard and never gives up on plays. He's a high intensity, high motor guy that coaches love.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas - They missed out on Peterson last year and Dunn is aging quick. Probably the most talented player in draft, tough for the Falcons to pass up. Norwood can't carry the load, so this pick is easy for Arthur Blank and Company. Could go QB but I think they will look in free agency or making a move later in the draft. Chris Reddman looks good though.

4. Oakland Raiders - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC - Warren Sapp is going to retire soon and that leaves the Raiders D-Line in rough shape. Ellis is a freak of nature and will fill Sapp's shoes nicely.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Jake Long, OT, Michigan - Larry Johnson needs more holes. With poor QB play, LJ is going to again be carrying the load for the Chiefs. If that is the case, Long is the best choice because the guy is a monster and will replace Willie Roaf, a future HOF from 2 years ago.

6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State - The Jets simply can not rush the passer. Vilma's play has continuously decreased since his rookie year. Last years steal, David Harris, is panning out very nicely and if paired with Gholston, the J-E-T-S could see a significant increase in the pass rushing category. Gholston is a no brainer.

7. New England Patriots (From San Francisco 49ers) - James Laurinitis, LB, Ohio State - Could Bills nation catch a break? The Patriots LB core is old, I'm talking farting dust old. Look for them to go LB here or CB if Samuel leaves but I think they still go LB. Laurinitis is the best "MKE" in the draft, so the Pat's will go with him as their choice.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Malcom Jenkins, CB, Ohio State - Billick is gone so they might look for a QB here. Brohm would be a good choice. But I think they give Troy Smith a year and see what he can do. Should have played him a lot earlier because Kyle "I should have been a bowler" Boller (Thanks Skip) just is not good. Ravens CB's got injured a lot this year and Samari Rolle isn't a "boy" anymore. Jenkins is a great replacement for this aging defense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, LB, USC - This is a stretch but I just looked at the LB's on their roster and it is embarrassing. Could go Dan Conner or Kenny Phillips, but they definitely need Defense. Marvin Lewis is a D guy and their offense is solid as long as the sign Ocho Cinco.

10. New Orleans Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida - Mike McKenzie is the only good CB on the team. Last year they went out and got Jason David from the Colts, and if you watched any games this year, he got undressed every time they went after him. Jenkins starts opposite McKenzie and allows that Defense to get to the QB more without worrying about David picking up his jock strap.

11. Buffalo Bills - Dan Conner, LB, Penn State - The Bills biggest needs are possession WR and CB, but this draft is loaded with them. They go and get Conner to replace the undersized Ellison and DiGiorgio. Conner played with Poz at Penn State so they will mesh perfectly together. If not Conner, I still think they look LB and possibly at Rivers.

12. Denver Broncos - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami - John Lynch might be done with the NFL and headed to the CBS booths but I think he's got one more year in him. Phillips will be a paired next to him, learning from a great hard hitting safety. He is compared to guys like Ed Reed and the late Sean Taylor, so this should not be a hard pick for the Broncos.

13. Carolina Panthers - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State - The Panther's two OT's are FA's this year so look for them to go with Clady. They have two good running backs which haven't gotten it going yet because a week OL. Clady will give them the running holes they need and also their QB, who ever it will be, more time to hit his WR's.

14. Chicago Bears - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College - Ryan is their guy because their D is still solid, and they will find a RB in FA (Julius Jones is my guess). With Devin Hester showing the Bears he can and wants to play WR, they need someone that can throw him the ball. Orton is a solid backup with a killer beard, but not a #1 in the NFL.

15. Detroit Lions - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami - The Lions need a help on D. Campbell is good at stopping the run and a decent pass rusher. Looks like a mold of Mario Williams. Calais may have more potential than any other defensive player in the draft. Was a top 5 pick pre-season but did not have the stand out year he wanted to. Good compliment to Shaun Rogers.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi - Should probably go D here but this pick solidifies their O Line for years to come. With Russ Grimm there to teach him and last years pick Levi Brown to help him, Oher is a solid and safe pick. Fans will be upset not going D, but this ties together an offense ready to have a break out year. (I know everyone says that about them every year)

17. Minnesota Vikings - Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky - I think Brohm is also a good choice, I just don't know if he will be there. Jackson shows signs of being a good QB, but I think Childress is done waiting. With the Vike's O line and the Peterson/Taylor combo this could be a very high powered Offense for a long time. Sidney Rice waiting for someone who can hit him in stride and watch him make plays down field.

18. Houston Texans- Sam Baker, OT, USC - The Texans invested a lot in Matt Shaub and they need him to stay on his feet and better yet, on the field. Baker is an extremely good pass blocker and will be able to open holes for Green.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma - Who ever the QB is in Philly will need a big possession WR to throw too. Kevin Curtis is not a #1 but a solid #2. Kelly is a large target with good speed and hands. Might shy away from WR due to what happened with Freddy Mitchell, but they need to open up with passing game to take some pressure off Brian Westbrook.