2008 NFL Draft: Mock#1

Well, believe it or not, the 2008 NFL DRAFT is only one week away. Though I usually have about 4 or 5 mock drafts done by this time of year, I've been a little side tracked this spring and have only been able to do 2 of them. This is my 2nd projection, but it's the first that I have published on this blog. A lot has changed since my first mock (which you can enlarge and see below), and a lot will change up until posting my final mock on the eve of the draft. The only thing that does seem certain is that the Miami Dolphins will make Michigan OT Jake Long the #1 selection. The bottom line is that they just have too many holes on both lines, but they need to protect last year's 2nd round pick, QB John Beck, so that they can get a fair evaluation of him and his future. Jake Long can anchor their offensive line for the next 10-12 years, allowing them to address other needs next off-season. Good news for Trojans fans is that DT Sedrick Ellis and LB Keith Rivers have seen their stock rise recently and are shooting up the draft boards. Ellis and LSU's Glenn Dorsey are the by far the best DT's in the draft and will both be coveted by many teams. Expect someone to trade up into the top 6 because teams like the Ravens (#8), Bengals (#9), Saints (#10), and Broncos (#12) will not be able to sit and land Dorsey or Ellis at their current spots. As far as Keith Rivers goes, he is clearly the best LB in this year's class. Rivers is NFL ready, having played for Coach Carroll for 4 years, and would be an excellent fit with the New England Patriots at #7 overall. These are the only 2 players from USC that I see going in the 1st Round, but I expect a number of Trojans to go in rounds 2-4 (F. Davis, L. Jackson, S. Baker, C. Rachal, C. Washington, J.D. Booty, T. Williams). As for my lowly Atlanta Falcons, please don't draft QB Matt Ryan!! The Falcons are rebuilding and as bad as their current QB situation is, Matt Ryan (or any other rookie QB) will not be any better in his first year than Joey Harrington or Chris Redman. This team needs to solidify the offensive line and bolster the defensive front seven in this draft, and then make a push for next season's playoffs during the 2009 off-season. Draft fever has hit me, let the countdown begin!

Here is my projection, you can click on the image to enlarge...

This was my first projection of the year from late February, click on the image to blow it up...