My projected top 10 draft order:
1. Dolphins - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU - Dorsey has a great combination of size, speed, and production at the highest level. He is extremely versatile and is capable of playing inside or out in a 3-4 scheme and can play either DT spot in virtually any 4-3 system. He is very explosive for a man his size and has the ability to become a larger version of Tommie Harris. For a team looking for the best defensive player in the draft, Dorsey is a no-brainer at this point.
2. Raiders - Chris Long - DE - Viriginia - Talk about a guy sky rocketing up draft boards. Chris Long, son of Howie, could see himself playing for an organization that his Father dominated at for many years. Chris is a big, strong DE who has outstanding quickness and ability to get up field in a hurry. He appears to be the total package at DE, with outstanding athleticism for his size.
3. Rams - Jake Long - OT - Michigan - If the Raiders should climb in front of the Rams, they will be lucky if Jake is still on the board when they pick. An anchor LT is a sore spot in Oakland after the Robert Gallery debacle, so Jake could fall to the Rams who desperately need another OT. The offense simply collapses when Orlando Pace is out of the lineup and Long provides long term aid at the position, as well as the ability to start at RT along side Pace until he hangs it up.
4. Jets - DeSean Jackson - WR - Cal - This could be a reach, but I just can't square with the Jets taking McFadden, even after what we've seen from Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. They have Thomas Jones and a long term commitment, plus a young QB who needs weapons to develop with. Jackson provides the Jets with the ability to stretch the field, which is an ability they sorely lack right now. Even though rookie WR's don't contribute statistically, the presence of Jackson could be enough to open up the offense underneath and create running lanes in 2008.
5. Bengals - Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas - I know this would be interesting, but let's face facts. The Bengals are on offensive team. McFadden is extremely versatile and can play RB, WR, and even throw the football. He can also return kicks and punts and he is simply the best player on the board that isn't a QB. If the Bengals don't at least consider adding a guy who could be the most impactful rookie in 2008, they'd be crazy, right?
6. Patriots via 49ers - Calais Campbell - DE - Miami - The Patriots have everything and the top of this draft is sprinkled with QB's everywhere. Its highly unlikely this team would take one of those to backup superman Tom Brady considering the money they would require. So I figure they will take the best lineman on either side of the ball that is available. That's Campbell. Campbell is a very versatile player and an incredible athlete, which is what New England looks for on its defense. They are pretty deep, but another great body to work inside is never a bad thing. You can never have enough big guys that can run.
7. Falcons - Andre Woodson - QB - Kentucky - While its true that Brohm is still on the board and Petrino has a strong relationship with him, it is also true that Petrino knows Woodson just as well, having scouted him every year for their annual matchup. He's seen every game Woodson's ever played and must realize he's probably the better pro prospect. That being said, having another Coach on the field, Peyton Manning style, wouldn't be a bad thing either. Brohm clearly knows the offense and could probably call plays blind folded for Petrino with little time needed to adjust to the intricacies of a very complex offense.
8. Texans - Kenny Phillips - CB/FS/SS - Miami - Phillips his here because he is a man child. They need the best DB's they can find if they are going to win in the pass dominated AFC. Phillips adds the most versatile player to come along in the secondary in several years. He can play any position in the secondary and is the ultimate utility man. Not only that, but he can probably play every one of those positions at an extremely high level. Can't pass here.
9. Chiefs - Brian Brohm - QB - Louisville - I realize this is a running team, but this year showed that if you have zero threat to throw downfield, then Larry Johnson will run into brick walls play after play after play until he gets hurt. This team has seen enough from Brodie Croyle to realize that he's probably a good NFL backup, at best. Can they afford to pass on a Franchise QB with the Franchise RB, WR, and TE already in place and the pressure to win now mounting?
10. Cardinals - Derrick Harvey - DE/OLB - Florida - The Cardinals have to assume they have the pieces in place for an offense to gel in 2008 if Leinart gets another year under his belt. They have the WR's and the RB with an improved O-line. Its time to focus on the defense and what better way to do that then to add the best pure pass rusher in the draft. Harvey is instant disruption, or at least that's what they hope he'll be.
15. Bears - Gosder Cherilus - OT - Boston College - There are two trains of thought here. What the Bears should do and what they will do. Unfortunately, for a team with a history of botching their 1st round pick, the two are unlikely to coincide. At this spot, the Bears would probably be in position to land James Laurinitis (if he comes out) to replace Lance Briggs or to draft RB Jonathan Stewart out of Oregon to replace Benson. With the Bears likely sold on trying Jamar Williams and being financially tied to Benson, I expect they will try and find the replacement for Fred Miller at RT either this year or when he leaves after 2008. Cherilus could be that guy. At this point, he is tagged with a mid-1st round grade and would be a solid addition to an aging O-line. Other possibilities here: Laurinitis and Stewart, LB Keith Rivers, WR Early Doucet, RB Steve Slaton, WR Adarius Bowman, LB Rey Maualuga, and WR Mario Manningham.
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