My first round mock with explanations - New England Patriots Forums

midwestpatsfan · 04-01-2008, 11:14 AM

1. Miami-Jake Long, OT- Doing a mock draft is hard when you do not even have a clue what the 1st team in the draft is going to do. Miami has so many problems and after Long’s workouts he seems like the safest pick for the Dolphins. They will never improve if they cannot protect the QB, so Long is the pick.

2. Rams-Chris Long, OLB?DE- The Rams have an aging Leonard Little as there best pass rusher and could use an injection of youth. Long has the pedigree to be a star in the NFL and with his non stop motor should help the Rams put some pressure on the QB.

3. Falcons-Glen Dorsey, DT- Falcons could go with Matt Ryan here, but they need a player who can come in and play day one. Dorsey seems healthy and is a beast on the defensive line, which is a glaring need for the falcons. Dorsey can have an immediate impact for a team that needs something positive right away.

4. Raiders-Sedric Ellis, DT- The Raiders signed Kelly to an insane contract and it would be a waste if they had to move him inside and lose all that production they are expecting from him. Ellis is one of the best players in this draft and can take over for Sapp.

5. Chiefs-Jeff Otah, OT- Who knows if Brody Croyle is the guy in KC because most of the time he was on his back after his horrible offensive line could not protect him at all. Otah will probably be the pick here if Long is off the board. It is a bit of a reach, but the chiefs almost have to do it if they cannot trade down

6. Jets-Darren McFadden, RB- McFaddens breakaway capability will fit in well with Thomas Jones, giving the jets a nice 1-2 combo at the running back position that most teams think is necessary these days. McFadden is explosive and can catch the ball out of the backfield and could be the next Adrian Peterson in the jets system.

7. Patriots-Vernon Gholston, OLB/DE- While I think the Patriots will do anything in their power to try to trade out of this spot regardless of who is here to pick, I am not doing trades, so Gholston is the pick. His size and speed are impressive, and it is a need for the patriots. From day one, gholston could be a monster as a pass rusher while he learns the complicated system. Hopefully he is not just a workout warrior and can be a force at OLB

8. Ravens-Matt Ryan, QB- The McNair era in Baltimore has to be coming to an end soon and the Kyle Boller era should have never started. Ryan does not have to come in right away and can learn the system until McNair either retires or gets hurt and then Ryan can transition into the starting slot easily.

9. Bengals- Keith Rivers, OLB- The Bengals would love if one of the 2 big DT’s would fall to them, and maybe they are the one team the might be willing to trade up to get one of them. Rivers does fill a need as the LB crew is young and has question marks. Rivers has sideline to sideline speed and showed in the senior bowl that he can shed tackles and be physical.

10. Saints- Leodis McKelvin, CB- The Saints did sign former patriots Randall Gay, but he is a #3 cb in this league. McKelvin was virtually unknown this entire season but came on the scene in the senior bowl. He has good size and speed and seems to have very good technique. McKelvin helps the Saints shore up their secondary and gives them another option at punt returner as well.

11. Bills-Dominique Rogers Cromartie, CB- After losing Nate Clements last year in FA, the Bills were awful against the pass. Cromartie has skyrocketed up boards after showing off his talent at the senior bowl. His size and speed are amazing and top 10 talent, but his competition that he played against was not great and he didn’t put up great numbers, so there are question marks.

12. Broncos-Chris Williams, OT- Williams, or Ryan Clady if he falls here, would be a great fit for the Broncos system. Williams has prototypical size and is very light on his feet. He is extremely smart and has the talent to be a solid tackle in the NFL for many years.

13. Panthers-Ryan Clady, OT- Like Williams, Clady is a big guy who is light on his feet. The Panthers could put Clady at either LT or RT first year and it would give them some flexibility with the other guys that they have on the team already.

14. Bears- Rashard Mendenhall, RB- The Bears miss out on all the top end offensive line talent, but it makes their decision for them. The Bears take the hometown guy and get maybe the most complete back in the draft. This could actually be a steal here as Mendenall has the tools to be an all pro back. Maybe the Bears will get it right with this runningback.

15. Detroit-Branden Alberts, OG/OT- The Lions lost Damien Woody to free agency and Alberts could not only fill that need day one, but he could, over time, move out to tackle and be very good.

16. Arizona-Mike Jenkins, CB

17. Minnesota- Derrick Harvey, DE

18. Texans-Jonathon Sterwart, RB

19. Eagles-Desean Jackson, WR

20. Tampa Bay-Malcolm Kelly, WR

21. Redskins-Phillip Merling, DE

22. Dallas-Felix Jones, RB

23. Steelers-Quentin Groves

24. Titans-Aquib Talib

25. Seahawks-Fred Davis, TE

26. Calais Campbell, DE

27. Chargers-Gosder Cherileus

28. Dallas- Patrick Lee, CB

29. 49rs-Limas Sweed, WR

30. Packers-Reggie Smith, CB

31. Giants-Kenny Philllips, S

scott99 · 04-01-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwestpatsfan

1. Miami-Jake Long, OT- Doing a mock draft is hard when you do not even have a clue what the 1st team in the draft is going to do. Miami has so many problems and after Long’s workouts he seems like the safest pick for the Dolphins. They will never improve if they cannot protect the QB, so Long is the pick.

2. Rams-Chris Long, OLB?DE- The Rams have an aging Leonard Little as there best pass rusher and could use an injection of youth. Long has the pedigree to be a star in the NFL and with his non stop motor should help the Rams put some pressure on the QB.

3. Falcons-Glen Dorsey, DT- Falcons could go with Matt Ryan here, but they need a player who can come in and play day one. Dorsey seems healthy and is a beast on the defensive line, which is a glaring need for the falcons. Dorsey can have an immediate impact for a team that needs something positive right away.

4. Raiders-Sedric Ellis, DT- The Raiders signed Kelly to an insane contract and it would be a waste if they had to move him inside and lose all that production they are expecting from him. Ellis is one of the best players in this draft and can take over for Sapp.

5. Chiefs-Jeff Otah, OT- Who knows if Brody Croyle is the guy in KC because most of the time he was on his back after his horrible offensive line could not protect him at all. Otah will probably be the pick here if Long is off the board. It is a bit of a reach, but the chiefs almost have to do it if they cannot trade down

6. Jets-Darren McFadden, RB- McFaddens breakaway capability will fit in well with Thomas Jones, giving the jets a nice 1-2 combo at the running back position that most teams think is necessary these days. McFadden is explosive and can catch the ball out of the backfield and could be the next Adrian Peterson in the jets system.

7. Patriots-Vernon Gholston, OLB/DE- While I think the Patriots will do anything in their power to try to trade out of this spot regardless of who is here to pick, I am not doing trades, so Gholston is the pick. His size and speed are impressive, and it is a need for the patriots. From day one, gholston could be a monster as a pass rusher while he learns the complicated system. Hopefully he is not just a workout warrior and can be a force at OLB

8. Ravens-Matt Ryan, QB- The McNair era in Baltimore has to be coming to an end soon and the Kyle Boller era should have never started. Ryan does not have to come in right away and can learn the system until McNair either retires or gets hurt and then Ryan can transition into the starting slot easily.

9. Bengals- Keith Rivers, OLB- The Bengals would love if one of the 2 big DT’s would fall to them, and maybe they are the one team the might be willing to trade up to get one of them. Rivers does fill a need as the LB crew is young and has question marks. Rivers has sideline to sideline speed and showed in the senior bowl that he can shed tackles and be physical.

10. Saints- Leodis McKelvin, CB- The Saints did sign former patriots Randall Gay, but he is a #3 cb in this league. McKelvin was virtually unknown this entire season but came on the scene in the senior bowl. He has good size and speed and seems to have very good technique. McKelvin helps the Saints shore up their secondary and gives them another option at punt returner as well.

11. Bills-Dominique Rogers Cromartie, CB- After losing Nate Clements last year in FA, the Bills were awful against the pass. Cromartie has skyrocketed up boards after showing off his talent at the senior bowl. His size and speed are amazing and top 10 talent, but his competition that he played against was not great and he didn’t put up great numbers, so there are question marks.

12. Broncos-Chris Williams, OT- Williams, or Ryan Clady if he falls here, would be a great fit for the Broncos system. Williams has prototypical size and is very light on his feet. He is extremely smart and has the talent to be a solid tackle in the NFL for many years.

13. Panthers-Ryan Clady, OT- Like Williams, Clady is a big guy who is light on his feet. The Panthers could put Clady at either LT or RT first year and it would give them some flexibility with the other guys that they have on the team already.

14. Bears- Rashard Mendenhall, RB- The Bears miss out on all the top end offensive line talent, but it makes their decision for them. The Bears take the hometown guy and get maybe the most complete back in the draft. This could actually be a steal here as Mendenall has the tools to be an all pro back. Maybe the Bears will get it right with this runningback.

15. Detroit-Branden Alberts, OG/OT- The Lions lost Damien Woody to free agency and Alberts could not only fill that need day one, but he could, over time, move out to tackle and be very good.

16. Arizona-Mike Jenkins, CB

17. Minnesota- Derrick Harvey, DE

18. Texans-Jonathon Sterwart, RB

19. Eagles-Desean Jackson, WR

20. Tampa Bay-Malcolm Kelly, WR

21. Redskins-Phillip Merling, DE

22. Dallas-Felix Jones, RB

23. Steelers-Quentin Groves

24. Titans-Aquib Talib

25. Seahawks-Fred Davis, TE

26. Calais Campbell, DE

27. Chargers-Gosder Cherileus

28. Dallas- Patrick Lee, CB

29. 49rs-Limas Sweed, WR

30. Packers-Reggie Smith, CB

31. Giants-Kenny Philllips, S

I'd be thrilled with this draft, but I just don't see Gholsten falling to us. I hope he does, but not holding my breath. I don't see Otoh going that high too. I wouldn't be suprised to see Jake Long fall to us. I hope the draft goes EXACTLY like the one you've done, but I'd be suprised if it did. One constant seems to be McFadden to the Jets, and I agree wholeheartedly with that pick, I think it's gonna happen. I'd die if McFadden & Gholsten both fall to us, I really want Gholsten, but wouldn't be suprised to see the Pats trade #7 to Dallas so they can pick McFadden. Who know's, I just want the damned draft to get here already, lol.

midwestpatsfan · 04-01-2008, 02:17 PM

I do not think it is a huge stretch that Gholston falls to us, and even if he does, I am not sure the Patriots would take him if they would get a decent trade down offer. I do not think the patriots want to pay any player that type of money, escpecially a rookie who is unproven.

The Great Fork · 04-01-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwestpatsfan

I do not think it is a huge stretch that Gholston falls to us, and even if he does, I am not sure the Patriots would take him if they would get a decent trade down offer. I do not think the patriots want to pay any player that type of money, escpecially a rookie who is unproven.

We need youth on the D side, especially at that OLB position, which a lot of people think Gholston will be in the NFL. Don't you think he's worth it at #7? We aren't talking 30 million guaranteed or any garbage like that.