# NFL Draft 2008 - Let's make a mock-ery. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 17, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768 "2008-04-17T19:26:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/101 "2008-04-21T15:55:13Z")
The Ravens are thrilled because Chad Henne is still on the board. I almost pulled the trigger on Malcom Kelly, who is the best receiver in the draft, but I stuck with quarterback because there’s some talent in Henne and some sleeper talent at receiver this year. I seem to be Ozzie Newsome in our little draft here, don’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/102 "2008-04-21T16:47:48Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] The Ravens are thrilled because Chad Henne is still on the board. I almost pulled the trigger on Malcom Kelly, who is the best receiver in the draft, but I stuck with quarterback because there’s some talent in Henne and some sleeper talent at receiver this year. [/quote] The only problem is that it is Atlanta’s turn to pick, not the Ravens. And guess what position Atlanta really needs? Atlanta Falcons With 3 selections in the top 40, Atlanta is in a good position to start rebuilding their franchise. Getting a great DE/OLB in the first round was nice. And although they need a wide receiver somewhere in this draft, getting Keller will take some of the pressure off of that. Their obvious need is at QB, and Chad Henne is just sitting there, begging to be selected. They may want to continue to rebuild their defense and grab Curtis Lofton, so they can move Brooking outside. Or a CB to replace Hall. But, in my opinion, the best players available are Felix Jones, Kenny Phillips, Lofton and Reggie Smith. Do they go BPA or need? Atlanta Falcons select (to the eternal dismay of the Ravens) Chad Henne, QB, Michigan ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/103 "2008-04-21T16:48:56Z")
Recap: ROUND ONE 1 (1) Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan 2 (2) St. Louis Rams – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU 3 (3) Atlanta Falcons – Chris Long, DE, Virginia 4 (4) Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas 5 (5) Kansas City Chiefs – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College 6 (6) New York Jets – Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State 7 (7) New England Patriots (From 49ers) – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC 8 (8) Baltimore Ravens – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy 9 (9) Cincinnati Bengals – Keith Rivers, LB, USC 10 (10) New Orleans Saints – Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St. 11 (11) Buffalo Bills – Limas, Sweed, WR, Texas 12 (12) Denver Broncos – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St. 13 (13) Carolina Panthers – Branden Albert, OG, Virginia 14 (14) Chicago Bears – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois 15 (15) Detroit Lions – Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt 16 (16) Arizona Cardinals – Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas 17 (17) Minnesota Vikings – Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware 18 (18) Houston Texans – Mike Jenkins, CB, S. Florida 19 (19) Philadelphia Eagles – DeSean Jackson, WR, California 20 (20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee 21 (21) Washington Redskins – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State 22 (22) Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) – Jonathon Stewart, RB, Oregon 23 (23) Pittsburgh Steelers – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College 24 (24) Tennessee Titans – Derrick Harvery, DE, Florida 25 (25) Seattle Seahawks – Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville 26 (26) Jacksonville Jaguars – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt 27 (27) San Diego Chargers – Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina 28 (28) Dallas Cowboys – James Hardy, WR, Indiana 29 (29) San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) – Dan Connor, LB, Penn State 30 (30) Green Bay Packers – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson 31 (31) New York Giants – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona ROUND 2 1 (32) Miami Dolphins – Calais Campbell, DE, Miami 2 (33) St. Louis Rams – Sam Baker, OT, USC 3 (34) Atlanta Falcons (From Raiders) – Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue 4 (35) Kansas City Chiefs – Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech 5 (36) New York Jets – Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas 6 (37) Atlanta Falcons – Chad Henne, QB, Michigan 7 (38) Baltimore Ravens 8 (39) San Francisco 49ers 9 (40) New Orleans Saints 10 (41) Buffalo Bills 11 (42) Denver Broncos 12 (43) Carolina Panthers 13 (44) Chicago Bears 14 (45) Detroit Lions 15 (46) Cincinnati Bengals 16 (47) Minnesota Vikings 17 (48) Atlanta Falcons (From Texans) 18 (49) Philadelphia Eagles 19 (50) Arizona Cardinals 20 (51) Washington Redskins 21 (52) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 22 (53) Pittsburgh Steelers 23 (54) Tennessee Titans 24 (55) Seattle Seahawks 25 (56) Green Bay Packers (From Browns) 26 (57) Miami Dolphins (From Chargers) 27 (58) Jacksonville Jaguars 28 (59) Indianapolis Colts 29 (60) Green Bay Packers 30 (61) Dallas Cowboys 31 (62) New England Patriots 32 (63) New York Giants ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/104 "2008-04-21T16:50:58Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] The Jets need to add speed at running back, and since they missed out on McFadden, the pick here is **Jamaal Charles, RB** , Texas. I personally don’t think much of him but he’s certainly got quicks. [/QUOTE] I would be very surprised if Charles went before Felix Jones. Very, very surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/105 "2008-04-21T17:06:05Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Are you complaining because the sixth person on the “top 5” wasn’t in it? If you don’t know who Matt Forte is, maybe you should. He had 2100 yards rushing this past year. [/QUOTE] I know who he is. We played Tulane both of the last two years. _That guy_ had 2567 yards rushing this past year, in the same conference. I just don’t get it; weaker competition, etc., but nobody except Barry Sanders rushed for more yards against _any_ level of competition. I don’t understand how he can not be among the top five RB prospects _ever_, let alone in the top 5 this year. [QUOTE=Hamlet] I would be very surprised if Charles went before Felix Jones. Very, very surprised. [/QUOTE] Actually, so would I. I assumed he was gone already when I put in that pick. If the future **Lowest Order in the Universe Something Something** is playing Ozzie Newsome then I guess I’m doing the Mike Tice bit. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/106 "2008-04-21T17:09:53Z")
And the Ravens still need a quarterback. With three talented-but-raw prospects and one polished-but-with-little upside guy (Booty), they’ll do what the Ravens do and select the BPA: **Keith Rivers, LB** , USC. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/107 "2008-04-21T17:18:28Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] And the Ravens still need a quarterback. With three talented-but-raw prospects and one polished-but-with-little upside guy (Booty), they’ll do what the Ravens do and select the BPA: **Keith Rivers, LB** , USC. [/QUOTE] An outstanding value pick. Rivers would be one of the greatest picks there of all time. Too bad he went at 9 to the Bengals. Boy, the Ravens are cursed! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/108 "2008-04-21T17:24:10Z")
[QUOTE=Hamlet] An outstanding value pick. Rivers would be one of the greatest picks there of all time. Too bad he went at 9 to the Bengals. Boy, the Ravens are cursed! [/QUOTE] Sominabitch! Oh well - in that case the Ravens flip and flop between Beau Bell of UNLV (raw but talented) and Xavier Adibi of Va Tech (polished but supposedly lazy) and figure Ray Lewis can scare some motivation into anyone. **Xavier Adibi, LB** , Virginia Tech ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/109 "2008-04-21T17:47:27Z")
San Francisco 49ers While they need talent on both sides of the ball, their offense was just atrocious, and with the addition of Martz, they’ll be looking to offense with this pick. They’re very weak at WR (Isaac Bruce will be a good mentor and knows the system, but he’s not the solution). They could also use an OT to protect whoever their QB is and to open holes for Gore. But, in the end, I think they’ll go with a wide receiver. The question is, which one? Malcolm Kelly or Mario Manningham. Both have great talent, great production, and, unfortunately, both are head cases. Kelly’s high 40 time at his Pro day and his subsequent hissy fit about it have red flags flying. Mario has always had an attitude and his dishonesty at the combine comes too. It’s a tough call. San Francisco 49ers select Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/110 "2008-04-21T20:08:17Z")
Whoa. Wait. Kevin Smith is a top-5 propsect in all of NCAA history at running back? Are you nuts? What about Archie Griffin, Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Herschel Walker, Marshall Faulk, Ricky Williams, Edgerrin James, or even Reggie Bush? Kevin Smith isn’t in this class. This should be fun. How would you rank a top 5 or 10 at running back of all-time in NCAA history? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/111 "2008-04-21T20:29:26Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] Whoa. Wait. Kevin Smith is a top-5 propsect in all of NCAA history at running back? Are you nuts? What about Archie Griffin, Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Herschel Walker, Marshall Faulk, Ricky Williams, Edgerrin James, or even Reggie Bush? Kevin Smith isn’t in this class. This should be fun. How would you rank a top 5 or 10 at running back of all-time in NCAA history? [/QUOTE] No. He’s not. That was hyperbole. But how on earth is he not ranked in the top 5 of his class? Only one of the players in your list of\* the best prospects of all time \* was more productive in college, and two of them played against weaker competition. Plus he ran a 4.43. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/112 "2008-04-21T21:39:12Z")
The Saints don’t have a lot of major holes for a team that’s drafting as high at it is. They could simply go with the BPA but in my estimation that’s Felix Jones and that might be one of the few positions that they can’t justify. Past Jones it becomes more clouded. They need help at LB and need to get more athletic and they need a TE. There’s a potential Shockey trade in the cards at TE and this might be too high to draft the second best TE on the board. The LB position has been picked over pretty severely and I’m not sure there’s a guy of value on the board right now. So, the Saints do something unexpected and go away from the defense and select… 1. New Orleans Saints **WR - Mario Manningham, Michigan** By taking the best WR on the board the Saints further boost what should be a powerful offense when healthy and they look to replace Joe Horn on the other side of Colston. Manningham’s value has been rising quickly and it might be something of a surprise if he’s still available here. If the draft shakes out like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints were somewhat eager to trade out of this spot. They don’t have a lot picks this year and if a team that really wants Felix Jones or Manningham is out there they might be willing to give up a late third rounder to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/113 "2008-04-21T21:48:45Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] No. He’s not. That was hyperbole. But how on earth is he not ranked in the top 5 of his class? Only one of the players in your list of\* the best prospects of all time \* was more productive in college, and two of them played against weaker competition. Plus he ran a 4.43. [/QUOTE] That’s all fine and dandy. Kevin Smith had a good year. Actually, he had a great year, but that’s fine. Ken Dorsey had great college stats and look at his NFL career. College stats aren’t the end-all to every draft discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/114 "2008-04-22T00:33:10Z")
Buffalo Bills They took care of their most pressing need in the first round, now they’ll look to shore up their secondary. Although he has a bitchin’ name, Youboty hasn’t lived up to the hype and they could use help at safety. Finally, a little help for one of the famous Schobel clan (Aaron in this case) is also necessary, so they may go DE. I think the pick comes down to Reggie Smith, Kenny Phillips or Lawrence Jackson. Give his upside, his versatility and his return ability, Buffalo Bills select Reggie Smith, CB/S, Oklahoma ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/115 "2008-04-22T00:45:13Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] That’s all fine and dandy. Kevin Smith had a good year. Actually, he had a great year, but that’s fine. Ken Dorsey had great college stats and look at his NFL career. College stats aren’t the end-all to every draft discussion. [/QUOTE] Right, but everyone knew from Day 1 that Dorsey wasn’t a pro prospect. He just didn’t have the arm strength. What’s missing from Smith? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/116 "2008-04-22T00:48:02Z")
The Broncos need help at LB (again), and I think the decision here is between Jonathan Goff, Erin Henderson and Mayes. Goff would allow DJ Henderson to move back outside, where he was a lot more effective, so we’ll go with him. Added bonus: Jay Cutler played with him in college. **Jonathan Goff, ILB** , Vanderbilt ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/117 "2008-04-22T01:06:56Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Right, but everyone knew from Day 1 that Dorsey wasn’t a pro prospect. He just didn’t have the arm strength. What’s missing from Smith? [/QUOTE] Stop complaining. He’s looking like the type of guy Shanahan will scoop in the 4th round and then you’ll win your bet. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/118 "2008-04-22T01:09:57Z")
Looking for help at RB, the Carolina Panthers select **Ray Rice** , Rutgers. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/119 "2008-04-22T01:16:21Z")
[QUOTE=Omniscient] Stop complaining. He’s looking like the type of guy Shanahan will scoop in the 4th round and then you’ll win your bet. [/QUOTE] I hadn’t thought of that. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768/120 "2008-04-22T01:25:01Z")
Carolina Panthers A couple years ago, the Panthers signed Justin Hartwig to a nice fat free agency contract to play center. Yet last week, with one of their second round picks, they took Ryan Kalil. That shows their dedication to the best player available concept. Carolina Panthers select Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-draft-2008-lets-make-a-mock-ery/445768.md?page=7)