What A Mockery

Well, as promised, it is time for me to update my mock draft. With only 8 days remaining until the draft, this is the time for all these draft day trades to start taking shape.

1. Miami Dolphins select Jake Long, OT from Michigan
-> Speculators had them taking Chris Long, but I think goal #1 should be forming an offensive line for whoever takes the snaps this year.
2. St Louis Rams select Chris Long, DE from Virginia
-> The Rams will be overjoyed to see Long fall here, but they will also be tempted to scoop up Vernon Gholston. They still could be a canidate to trade down.
3. Atlanta Falcons select Glenn Dorsey, DT from LSU
-> The Falcons will pass on Matt Ryan, and draft a player that could be a force for their defence for the next 10 years.
4. Oakland Raiders select Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB from Ohio State.
-> The Raiders will take a long look at Darren McFadden, before deciding they have enough running backs, and they select the defensive player with the most potential in the draft.
5. TRADE: Baltimore Ravens trade their first and second round draft picks to the Chiefs and select Matt Ryan, QB from Boston College.
-> The Chiefs really want to unload this pick, so they give it to the Ravens. The Ravens fill the void left by Steve McNair's retirement, and put the pressure on Kyle Boller.
6. New York Jets select Darren McFadden, RB from Arkansas
-> The Jets need to form an offense, so they start with the best running back in the draft. McFadden will provide speed in the backfield, as well as an outlet for Chad Pennington in the passing game.
7. TRADE: Detroit Lions trade their first and third round picks this year, as well as a second next year to the Patriots and select Keith Rivers, LB from USC
-> A huge deal for the Lions, who move up and grab another young linebacker to pair with Ernie Sims. This may be a stretch, but the Lions could use the help.
8. Kansas City Chiefs select Leodis McKelvin, CB from Troy State
-> The unquestioned number one corner in the draft, the Chiefs gain some speed in their secondary and provide an eventual replacement for Patrick Surtain.
9. Cincinnati Bengals select Sederick Ellis, DT from USC
-> The Bengals need help on D, and Ellis could be the best tackle in the draft outside of Dorsey. Fills an immediate need.
10. New Orleans Saints select Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB from Tennessee State
-> A risky pick at number 10, but the Saints need an infusion of speed and talent in their secondary after the terrible signing of Jason David. Loads of potential, but could be over drafted because of his name.
11. Buffalo Bills select Brandon Albert, OG from Virginia
-> Will be drafted higher because of his pro day and his versatility, Albert can fill a major hole in the Bills o-line and immediately gel with the emerging Jason Peters.
12. Denver Broncos select Ryan Clady, OT from Boise State
-> The Broncos need to reform it's aging o-line, so they pick the best lineman on the board at this point. They could have gone for a receiver, but they just signed Darrell Jackson, so it is no longer needed.
13. Carolina Panthers select Derrick Harvey, DE from Florida-> The Panthers need to address their depth at the defensive end position, so they draft the best one on the board.
14. Chicago Bears select Rashard Mendenhall, RB from Illinois
-> They need to replace Cedric Benson, or at least find someone to push him for his carries.
15. New England Patriots select Dan Conner, LB from Penn State
-> The Pats need to get younger at the linebacker positiong, so they select one of the best inside backers in the draft.
16. Arizona Cardinals select Johnathan Stewart, RB from Oregon
-> Edgerrin James isn't the back he once was, so they add Stewart, a speedy but huge back to complement him. Stewart is a hidden gem.
17. Minnesota Vikings select Calais Campbell, DE from Miami (Fla)
-> With the status of both their defensive ends in jeopardy, the Vikes draft Campbell, a talented, but troubled off the field, defensive end to provide depth.
18. Houston Texans select Mike Jenkins, CB from South Florida
-> The Texans would like a running back, but with no studs available, they draft the best cornerback available to pair with Dunta Robinson.
19. Philadelphia Eagles select Kenny Phillips, S from Miami (Fla)
-> The Eagles need to address the strong saftey slot, and Phillips is the best safety in the draft.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Kentwan Balmer, DT from North Carolina
-> The Bucs have so many needs elsewhere, but will be overjoyed that this beast of a man falls to them. Will help solidify the middle of the line, and provide a nice complement for Gaines Adams.
21. Washington Redskins select Phillip Merling, DE from Clemson
-> They need help in the pass rush department, and Merling can provide a partner for the aging Andre Carter
22. Dallas Cowboys select Brandon Flowers, CB from Virginia Tech
-> The Cowboys need to address their depth behind Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry after letting two key reserves go. Flowers' speed is question, but could be a great shut-down guy in the NFL.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers select Aqib Talib, CB from Kansas
-> The Steelers would have loved Flowers here, but Talib`s stock has been rising. Character problems a bit of a concern however.
24. Tennessee Titans select Deshean Jackson, WR from California
-> Some question his drive, but no one will be able to ignore this guy`s speed. A definite steal, and the first wide out taken will provide Vince Young with a nice weapon.
25. Seattle Seahawks select Jeff Otah, OT from Pittsburgh
-> Walter Jones won`t go on forever, and even still, Otah could fill other needs along the offensive line. A great pick this late in the round.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars select Chris Williams, OT from Vanderbilt
-> They wanted Otah, but Williams is still a great pick. Big, strong man will fill a huge need at either tackle position.
27. San Diego Chargers select Felix Jones, RB from Arkansas
-> The other Arkansas back in this draft should be a great back up to LT, and will take the pain away from losing Michael Turner.
28. TRADE: Dallas Cowboys trade thier pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for Chad Johnson. The Bengals select Quentin Groves, LB from Aurburn
-> A huge trade to say the least. The Boys save on drafting a receiver. And the Bengals get rid of their distraction and draft another key addition for their defence.
29. San Francisco 49ers select Jared Mayo, LB from Tennessee
-> With this addition they all but guarentee they will own the best inside linebacker duo in the league. For those of you who don`t know (how could you not), the other is Patrick Willis.
30. TRADE: Atlanta Falcons trade the 34th and 48th overall picks to the Packers and select Brian Brohm, QB from Louisville
-> A not-so-shocking trade, as the Falcons need a quarterback, and the Packers really don`t need anything. They do gain two extra second rounders which can be used for depth.
31. New England Patriots forfeit pick
32. New York Giants select Xavier Adibi, LB from Virginia Tech
-> The Giants have other needs, but they take the chance at replacing Kawika Mitchell with Adibi.

Well folks, there you have it. That`s how I think the first round could go down. A few long shot trades, but that`s why these mock drafts are fun. The only other shocking news of the day is the Chiefs may be trying to unload DE Jared Allen if the right price comes along. This is weird, as he just had his best season of his career. But, who am I to judge? Signing off for another day, JVZ