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Mar 3, 2008 1:20 pm US/Pacific
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Eric Dickerson's 2008 Mock NFL Draft
My Exclusive Mock Draft- Updated 3/3
1. Miami -
Chris Long DE Virginia
Unable to move the pick, Bill Parcells is more than happy to settle for the most polished defensive playmaker in the draft. Son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, Chris has the tools to be either a defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.
2. St. Louis -
Jake Long OT Michigan
With the decline of Orlando Pace, the Rams pick up his eventual successor in Long who can start his career at right tackle before moving to the quarterback's blind side.
3. Atlanta -
Matt Ryan QB Boston College
The acquisition of Ryan officially signifies the ushering in of a new era in Atlanta as he becomes the new face of the franchise. Has the same agent as Peyton Manning and the Falcons are hoping he plays like him too.
4. Oakland -
Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
At one time the consensus Number One pick in the draft, McFadden falls to the Raiders. Don't be surprised to see some teams try and trade up here (read: The Cowboys).
5. Kansas City -
Ryan Clady OT Boise State
A tremendous athlete lacking some name recognition due to playing at Boise State, Ryan Clady will help Chiefs fans forget about the bad left tackle play in KC since Willie Roaf retired.
6. N.Y. Jets -
Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State
Even though he'd prefer Chris Long, Eric Mangini will be more than happy to settle for Gholston, this draft's resident freak of nature. This Buckeye is drawing comparisons to Shawne Merriman and DeMarcus Ware.
7. New England (f/SF) -
Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
McKelvin has shot up draft charts since his impressive performance at the Combine. Acquired from the 49ers during draft day last year, the Patriots ease the loss of Asante Samuel with the pick here.
8. Baltimore -
Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
With McKelvin off the board, new Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh gets the best cornerback available. It's arguable that Jenkins might be better than McKelvin, but former secondary coach Harbaugh will be fine with the pick here.
9. Cincinnati -
Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
Also the consensus Number One pick at one time, Dorsey's stock has fallen due to injury concerns. The Bengals are ecstatic that he falls to them here.
10. New Orleans -
Sedrick Ellis DT USC
The Saints just as happy here that Ellis falls to the 10th pick. A Warren Sapp clone, minus the attitude.
11. Buffalo -
Limas Sweed WR Texas
The most talented receiver in this year's class, Sweed's stock was down during the season due to a wrist injury but he has worked his way back after a string of impressive workouts.
12. Denver -
Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh
With last year's 1st round pick defensive end Jarvis Moss on the mend, the Broncos focus on improving the O-line and grab Otah. Started playing football his senior year of high school and only played two years at Pitt, Otah may have the highest upside of any tackle in the draft.
13. Carolina -
Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
The Panthers pick up Stewart here and hope that he's the runner that DeShaun Foster should have been. Stewart has all of the tools and doesn't have the history of injuries that Foster did.
14. Chicago –
Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
Mendenhall stays in the Land of Lincoln as the Bears snag him to give them a better ground attack due to the lack of explosiveness from Cedric Benson.
15. Detroit -
Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
Another high-upside tackle prospect, Williams can be Detroit's left tackle of the future once Jeff Backus slows down and has to be moved to right tackle.
16. Arizona -
Aqib Talib CB Kansas
The ball-hawking Jayhawk secured a 1st round spot with his 4.45 40-yard dash at the combine and gives the Cardinals their best shot of having a top-flight cornerback since Aeneas Williams.
17. Minnesota -
Derrick Harvey DE Florida
With the terrible cancer diagnosis of Kenechi Udeze and the underachieving and injury-prone Erasmus James, Minnesota will spend another 1st round pick on a defensive end and hope this time it works out.
18. Houston -
Kenny Phillips S Miami (Fl.)
Another in a long line of great Hurricane safeties, Phillips' biggest drawback is that many people may be disappointed that he's not Ed Reed. Houston will have no such problems grabbing the athletic playmaker here.
19. Philadelphia -
Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
The annual crusade to get Donovan McNabb some viable targets at wide receiver continues as the Eagles snag the big wideout from Oklahoma here. DeSean Jackson wouldn't be a bad pick either, but Andy Reid will prefer the bigger Kelly.
20. Tampa Bay -
Mario Manningham WR Michigan
The Bucs might opt for Cal's Jackson here as well, but Jon Gruden might want the bigger target in Manningham. Despite not having blazing speed, he has very good hands and a knack for making big plays.
21. Washington -
DeSean Jackson WR California
Daniel Snyder likes shiny, flashy things and Jackson qualifies. Despite checking in at 5'9" and 169 pounds, Jackson has sprinter's speed and is dangerous whenever he has the ball in his hands. In size, ability and attitude he reminds many of Carolina's Steve Smith.
22. Dallas (f/CLE) -
Felix Jones RB Arkansas
Acquired from Cleveland last year, the Cowboys use their first 1st round pick to replace the departed Julius Jones with another aptly named runner, Felix Jones. Overshadowed by Darren McFadden at Arkansas, Jones is no slouch and possesses game-breaking speed. Ironically, Dallas may trade this pick to move up and draft the aforementioned McFadden.
23. Pittsburgh -
Chilo Rachal G USC
Declaring very close to the deadline, Rachal left USC early for family reasons (ill mother). He may not be the best rated guard prospect right now, but he is a massive man with a mean streak and should fit in nicely in the Steel City as Alan Faneca's replacement.
24. Tennessee -
Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
The Vince Young Experiment continues in Tennessee and the Titans need to continue to surround him with weapons. At about 6'2", 215 pounds and with 4.40 speed, Thomas should give the Titans the vertical threat they need.
25. Seattle -
Fred Davis TE USC
Recruited as a wide receiver, Davis developed into one of the best tight ends in college football with the Trojans. Despite growing into his frame and weighing close to 250 pounds, Davis lost no athleticism and will give the Seahawks a tremendous boost in their passing attack.
26. Jacksonville -
Phillip Merling DE Clemson
Merling is the best defensive line prospect on the board here, but with the trade of Marcus Stroud to Buffalo, the Jaguars may stay in the ACC but go north and opt for North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer.
27. San Diego -
Sam Baker OT USC
Maybe not as gifted as Gosder Cherilus, the Chargers will go with the more polished Baker and stick him at right tackle to give them very solid bookend tackles with Marcus McNeill protecting Philip Rivers' backside.
28. Dallas -
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
This small-school standout impressed everyone during workouts. Playing against weaker competition and his smaller frame prevents him from being drafted as high as McKelvin and Jenkins in the top ten, but he may be just as talented as his cousin, Chargers' CB Antonio Cromartie.
29. San Francisco (f/IND) -
Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
After spending the 1st overall pick on QB Alex Smith in 2005, the 49ers have struggled to keep him upright as he has taken a pounding almost every time he drops back, contributing mightily to his poor performance. In Cherilus, the Niners hope the 6'7", 320-pounder can be their franchise left tackle and protect their investment in Smith.
30. Green Bay -
Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma
The Packers surprised everyone last year with how well their defense performed. With Smith, they're able to add another playmaker into the mix. A little undersized at 6", 200 pounds, Smith played safety in college and can continue to play there in the pros, but he has the speed to make the move to cornerback.
31. New England - Pick Forfeited
Spygate. Need we say more?
32. N.Y. Giants -
Dan Connor LB Penn State
The Super Bowl Champs add a solid, blue-collar linebacker straight from Linebacker U. This is exactly the type of pick former Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi (and former Penn State employee) would make and current Giants G.M. Jerry Reese is an Accorsi protégé. Connor is a little undersized, but has the frame to bulk up.