HERD's 2008 Mock Draft - Version 2.0 - 5 weeks in (1 Viewer)

[Colin Dowling]

Comments are brief, but I'll explain more if anything stands out or peaks your interest. I realize the order isn't exact; it's only week 5 and I think the approximations based on what we've seen so far are pretty solid for this stage of the game. A couple comments...

- I've been saying for a couple weeks that Brohm will be QB3 this draft.

- The best defensive player is Dorsey. The best offensive player is McFadden. Past that, there is a HUGE gap in talent.

- The cycle continues; fewer WRs and DBs this time around. Interior line is going to be a premium the next couple years.



1. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU

2. Buffalo Bills - Jake Long - OT Michigan

3. Miami Dolphins - Michael Oher - OT Mississippi

4. Atlanta Falcons - Andre Woodson - QB - UK

5. Oakland - Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas

6. Minnesota - Matt Ryan - QB - BC - The Trarvraris Experiment is over.

7. New Orleans Saints - Kenny Phillips - S - UM

8. NY Jets - Quentin Groves - DE - Auburn - Groves is not the trendy pick for top-DE, but he has a great motor and has looked better then Campbell, Jackson, and Harvey IMO. I think he'll be a high riser.

9. New England (via SF) - Derrick Harvey - DE - UF

10. Cincinatti - Frank Okam - DT - UT - Flying up boards

11. Dallas (via Cle) - Deshaun Jackson - WR - Cal - Crayton has been solid, but Jackson adds some dynamics to the O that Jones would love to have.

12. Chicago - Brian Brohm - QB - UL

13. Kansas City - Sedric Ellis - DT - USC - Baker is a stretch here, no QBs worth the pick. (I could see them taking Ainge in round 2 or Henne in Rd 3.)

14. Philadelphia - Malcolm Jenkins - CB - OSU

15. Arizona - Chris Long - DE - Arizona

16. Carolina - Calais Campbell - DE - UM

17. Houston - Steve Slaton - RB - WVU

18. San Diego - Sam Baker - OT - USC

19. Detroit - Lawrence Jackson - DE - USC

20. Denver - Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU

21. Tampa Bay - Justin King - CB - Penn State

22. Washington - Keith Rivers - LB - USC

23. New York Giants - Vernon Gholston - DE - OSU

24. Jacksonville - Ray Rice - RB - Rutgers - Fred will be gone in the next year or two, Rice will split with the dynamic MJD.

25. Seattle - Dan Conner - LB - Penn State



26. Tennessee - Early Doucet - WR - LSU - VERY unlike Fisher to go WR so high. However, Doucet is the BPA here that fits in their plans.



27. Baltimore - Colt Brennan - QB - Hawaii

28. Green Bay - Mike Hart - RB - UM



29. Pittsburgh - Jake Ikegwouna - CB - UW

30. Dallas - Andre Fluellen - DT - FSU

31. San Fransisco (via Indy) - Earl Bennett - WR - Vandy

 

[matuski]

I would think Jake Long would be VERY difficult for St. Louis to pass on right now.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I would think Jake Long would be VERY difficult for St. Louis to pass on right now.

Perhaps, but Dorsey is REALLY, REALLY good. He can stop the off-tackle run game almost on his own.

 

[Gatorman]

Part of me thinks (well, hopes) that Miami gets a chance at a top DT rather than a O lineman. Still, as long as the address one side or the other, that is fine with me.

Our O line has been getting better, but Oher is a man among boys at O Line so he could be a great fit here in Miami.

 

[Norseman]

6. Minnesota - Matt Ryan - QB - BC - The Trarvraris Experiment is over.

Only if Childress is gone, which we all hope he is.

 

[Colin Dowling]

6. Minnesota - Matt Ryan - QB - BC - The Trarvraris Experiment is over.

Only if Childress is gone, which we all hope he is.

New coaches like to have their own guys under center.

 

[pipedream]

I don't think ATL passes on Brohm if he's still on the board.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I don't think ATL passes on Brohm if he's still on the board.

People (the general press, mostly) need to get off the connection between Brohm and Petrino. Brian Brohm has been positively pedestrian this season. Petrino and the FO are going to take the player they think will help them win the most games in the long-term, not the guy who worked well with Petrino in college. If team's did the latter, Matt Leinart would be a Titan. Put a different way, if Bobby Petrino weren't the Falcons coach, the idea that they would pass on the 3rd best QB in the draft from the 4 spot would be a no-brainer.

 

[The Man Who Met Andy Griffith]

I don't think ATL passes on Brohm if he's still on the board.

People (the general press, mostly) need to get off the connection between Brohm and Petrino. Brian Brohm has been positively pedestrian this season. Petrino and the FO are going to take the player they think will help them win the most games in the long-term, not the guy who worked well with Petrino in college. If team's did the latter, Matt Leinart would be a Titan. Put a different way, if Bobby Petrino weren't the Falcons coach, the idea that they would pass on the 3rd best QB in the draft from the 4 spot would be a no-brainer.

Seriously. If anything it seems like ex-college coaches steer away from their ex-players. Butch Davis took William Green 1 round ahead of Portis; Titans took Vince Young over Leinart (they did take Lendale after he slipped).

 

[jturner01]

He has looked pedestrian??? I have not watched all his games but these do not look pedestrian to me:

/30 Murray State W 73-10 16 21 375 76.2 59 4 0 289.05 1 1 1.0 1 1

9/6 Middle Tennessee W 58-42 25 39 401 64.1 81 5 0 192.78 6 25 4.2 12 0

9/15 @Kentucky L 40-34 28 43 366 65.1 46 2 1 147.31 6 -7 -1.2 6 0

9/22 Syracuse L 38-35 45 65 555 69.2 36 4 2 155.10 2 -6 -3.0 4 0

9/29 @North Carolina State W 29-10 20 33 251 60.6 26 1 1 128.44 0 0 0.0 0 0

10/5 Utah L 44-35 39 58 467 67.2 45 4 0 157.64 3 -15 -5.0 0 0

If he was not on a team with a losing record he would be the fron runner for the heisman.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Comments are brief, but I'll explain more if anything stands out or peaks your interest. I realize the order isn't exact; it's only week 5 and I think the approximations based on what we've seen so far are pretty solid for this stage of the game.

25. Seattle - Dan Conner - LB - Penn State

I guess you can say they go best player available, if that truely is Conner. I just have a hard time seeing them go LB. I think that is one of the positions they don't have much need for. Running Back or Wide Reciever would make more sense to me.

 

[Nitty Ninjas]

I can see ATL possibly going RB (McFadden) vice Woodson at their spot. Alot may depend on how Harrison finishes up. I think Dunn is what he is, and Norwood hasn't, isn't really showing anything.

Nitty

 

[Colin Dowling]

He has looked pedestrian??? I have not watched all his games but these do not look pedestrian to me:/30 Murray State W 73-10 16 21 375 76.2 59 4 0 289.05 1 1 1.0 1 1 9/6 Middle Tennessee W 58-42 25 39 401 64.1 81 5 0 192.78 6 25 4.2 12 0 9/15 @Kentucky L 40-34 28 43 366 65.1 46 2 1 147.31 6 -7 -1.2 6 0 9/22 Syracuse L 38-35 45 65 555 69.2 36 4 2 155.10 2 -6 -3.0 4 0 9/29 @North Carolina State W 29-10 20 33 251 60.6 26 1 1 128.44 0 0 0.0 0 0 10/5 Utah L 44-35 39 58 467 67.2 45 4 0 157.64 3 -15 -5.0 0 0 If he was not on a team with a losing record he would be the fron runner for the heisman.

His numbers have been very good. I just don't think he's looked all that great. I haven't seen many of the throws that get me fired up about a guy. I haven't seen the hard-nosed play that would make me think, "he's the guy." Going in the top-15 of the NFL draft is nothing to scoff at. I just don't think he compares to Woodson or Ryan when all is said and done.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I can see ATL possibly going RB (McFadden) vice Woodson at their spot. Alot may depend on how Harrison finishes up. I think Dunn is what he is, and Norwood hasn't, isn't really showing anything. Nitty

Agreed. He could definitely go to Atlanta.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

In general, I like it.

Going to be interesting to see how Quentin Groves recovers from three dislocated toes. He'll go high if he performs at the combine.

KC drafted two DT's this past draft. I can't see them using their #1 on anything but o-line help.

Can't see Slaton to Houston. Doesn't seem like the right type of runner for their system. Plus he's Reggie Bush lite - and how's that turning out?

Lions need d-backfield help moreso than d-line.

And that's the worst spelling of Tarvaris Jackson's name I've seen yet.

 

[Raiders Fan]

Not sure Oakland will be any where near top 10.. They should be in the middle of the pack this year..

 

[SSOG]

I would think Jake Long would be VERY difficult for St. Louis to pass on right now.

Perhaps, but Dorsey is REALLY, REALLY good. He can stop the off-tackle run game almost on his own.

I have to say, it may be because the only decent competition I've seen Dorsey play against this year was Florida and Dorsey was pretty invisible during that game, but I'm still waiting for him to show me something. He certainly didn't stop FLORIDA'S off-tackle run game almost on his own, with Tebow converting every 3rd down he faced and Moore gashing LSU for 6.6 yards per carry while running right into the teeth of the defense. I'm especially unimpressed given how mediocre Florida's line looks this year. I remember Dorsey being an absolute monster last year, but from someone who's actually watching more games than me, is Dorsey really improving his stock this much, or is he just coasting on reputation at this point (much like Florida's Derrick Harvey)?

 

[BigJim®]

6. Minnesota - Matt Ryan - QB - BC - The Trarvraris Experiment is over.

Only if Childress is gone, which we all hope he is.

New coaches like to have their own guys under center.

Great. As a Viking fan I can hardly wait to draft another completely unproven guy early, get zero impact from him for the first year, and then have him rushed into action before he's ready when the new coach is feeling the pressure, and then have that coach judged on the basis of an unproven QB he stupidly tied his tenure to. Maybe if it all works out (i.e. fails miserably) we can start all over again the following year under a new staff, and a new rookie QB. Wheeee!BTW- Why in the world would they pass on Brohm if they do this? Is he not regarded the #1 QB?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

BTW- Why in the world would they pass on Brohm if they do this? Is he not regarded the #1 QB?

Not universally, no.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Mike Hart is not an NFL RB, let alone a first rounder.

 

[TheFanatic]

As a Rams homer, it just hit me that the Rams have a very good chance to get the first overall pick.

 

[EBF]

I'm not convinced that Rice and Slaton are first round prospects at this point. Both players have size issues. Slaton's stock is slipping after a few weak performances and Rice probably doesn't have the combine numbers to go as high as you're projecting him.

Jonathan Stewart will go higher than both of these guys. He'll have a better combine than both of them and he has a much more ideal workhorse RB build. The guy is averaging 124 rushing yards per game at a clip of 7.2 YPC. He is a near lock for the top 25 if he enters.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

As a Rams homer, it just hit me that the Rams have a very good chance to get the first overall pick.

As a Rams fan, how would you feel about them using ANOTHER first rounder on a d-lineman?

 

[EBF]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

 

[Fallerjw]

[hijack]

I know he's not eligible for the draft, but I had no idea this freshman was putting up numbers this good.

Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

6 games

70 receptions

1074 yards

17 TDs

[/hijack]

 

[SSOG]

[hijack]

I know he's not eligible for the draft, but I had no idea this freshman was putting up numbers this good.

Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

6 games

70 receptions

1074 yards

17 TDs

[/hijack]

I bolded the most relevant portion of his stats.

 

[JAK Straw]

I don't see the Giants taking another DE, even if Strahan retired. Osi is showing signs of life, Tuck has looked very good, and Kiwi can be moved back to the line if they need help. Anywhere else on the Defense - or an OT given the expected depth next year - would be preferable.

 

[TheFanatic]

As a Rams homer, it just hit me that the Rams have a very good chance to get the first overall pick.

As a Rams fan, how would you feel about them using ANOTHER first rounder on a d-lineman?

It would probably make me vomit. And in all honesty the D hasn't been the problem this year. They have done pretty well considering how many 3 and outs and how many turnovers the offense has committed. So I would say spend the pick on the big O-Lineman. Pace isn't getting any younger and has been nothing but an injury risk since signing the new contract. Having Pace in the lineup is now a luxury not a certainty. Baron is playing better and will have to anchor the line for a while. Bring in another lineman to go along with Baron and Pace (hopefully). Solidify the O line and we solidify the team. The game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage....

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Good stuff. Regarding the Steelers I'd be very suprised if they didn't get the best combo OT/OG available in the first round. With Faneca likely leaving and Marvel Smith getting older I think that will be their biggest need.

 

[Bankerguy]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

Totally agree.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Good stuff. Regarding the Steelers I'd be very suprised if they didn't get the best combo OT/OG available in the first round. With Faneca likely leaving and Marvel Smith getting older I think that will be their biggest need.

If they go anywhere other than OL, my head will literally explode. No way they can ignore the OL three years in a row.

 

[Wu-banger]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

Totally agree.

I agree that he will not grade out to be a 1st round pick ... late 2nd - 4th round IMO....BUT ...I do think Hart has the intangibles to be a very good NFL back.

 

[Godfather of Soul]

I don't think ATL passes on Brohm if he's still on the board.

People (the general press, mostly) need to get off the connection between Brohm and Petrino. Brian Brohm has been positively pedestrian this season. Petrino and the FO are going to take the player they think will help them win the most games in the long-term, not the guy who worked well with Petrino in college. If team's did the latter, Matt Leinart would be a Titan. Put a different way, if Bobby Petrino weren't the Falcons coach, the idea that they would pass on the 3rd best QB in the draft from the 4 spot would be a no-brainer.

I am still not sure woodson is better than matt ryan.

 

[Capella]

We've been over this for, oh, the past 5 years now HERD. The Bucs don't draft cornerbacks that high. Under Kiffin they never have, and probably never will.

 

[FavreCo]

So you are gonna ruin Laurent Robinson for me huh? Woodson huh? No freaking way!!!!

 

[Colin Dowling]

We've been over this for, oh, the past 5 years now HERD. The Bucs don't draft cornerbacks that high. Under Kiffin they never have, and probably never will.

You dont like it when they get an OT in these mocks....don't like it when they get a CB....it never ends w/ you...SLbD

 

[FavreCo]

I am still not sure woodson is better than matt ryan.

You would be correct. He's not.

 

[circelli17]

From what I've seen Ainge would be hell of a pickup for some team in the 2nd rd. He is just one of those guys that "gets it" and I suspect he'll make a solid QB in the NFL

 

[Colin Dowling]

From what I've seen Ainge would be hell of a pickup for some team in the 2nd rd. He is just one of those guys that "gets it" and I suspect he'll make a solid QB in the NFL

 

[Capella]

We've been over this for, oh, the past 5 years now HERD. The Bucs don't draft cornerbacks that high. Under Kiffin they never have, and probably never will.

You dont like it when they get an OT in these mocks....don't like it when they get a CB....it never ends w/ you...SLbD

I'm just trying to help you out. I will say that with Petigout now dead, LT will be an off-season priority again.

 

[Incogneto]

Comments are brief, but I'll explain more if anything stands out or peaks your interest. I realize the order isn't exact; it's only week 5 and I think the approximations based on what we've seen so far are pretty solid for this stage of the game.

25. Seattle - Dan Conner - LB - Penn State

I guess you can say they go best player available, if that truely is Conner. I just have a hard time seeing them go LB. I think that is one of the positions they don't have much need for. Running Back or Wide Reciever would make more sense to me.

I agree...Seattle has one of the best LB'ers in the league (Peterson, Tatupu, and Leroy Hill). They need RB help, and need it now! I would love to see James Stewart here, or possibly even have Steve Slaton fall to them.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

<_< Totally agree.

I agree that he will not grade out to be a 1st round pick ... late 2nd - 4th round IMO....BUT ...I do think Hart has the intangibles to be a very good NFL back.

I think Hart has a chance to make it actually, against the "measurables" odds. But I agree that 1st round may be pushing it, especially ahead of Stewart.

 

[Islander]

[hijack]

I know he's not eligible for the draft, but I had no idea this freshman was putting up numbers this good.

Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

6 games

70 receptions

1074 yards

17 TDs

[/hijack]

I bolded the most relevant portion of his stats.

I agree with you, but I was wondering this myself: is there anything he could have done so far this year to impress me/you? Or he is doomed to be dismissed in our mind no matter what, because of the system in which he plays?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

Totally agree.

I agree that he will not grade out to be a 1st round pick ... late 2nd - 4th round IMO....BUT ...I do think Hart has the intangibles to be a very good NFL back.

I think Hart has a chance to make it actually, against the "measurables" odds. But I agree that 1st round may be pushing it, especially ahead of Stewart.

thats the thing his measurables will be so bad, that he wont get drafted until the 4th round. Product of a decent big10 system and great Oline men.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Dallas should take a cornerback first and a WR second.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

29. Pittsburgh - Jake Ikegwouna - CB - UW

I dont care what the draft nicks were saying in April of 2007. Pitt has its corners in Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden. We also carry depth with Townsend and William Gay.Pitt will be taking a big offensive linemen very early and solid odds are on it being in the first. Tackle. Guard. Center.The only way it isnt is if some exquisite value falls to us and then it could literally be any position.Does Jake Ikegwouna fall into the category of being a top 19 talent and superb value? If so, then maybe.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

Totally agree.

I agree that he will not grade out to be a 1st round pick ... late 2nd - 4th round IMO....BUT ...I do think Hart has the intangibles to be a very good NFL back.

I think Hart has a chance to make it actually, against the "measurables" odds. But I agree that 1st round may be pushing it, especially ahead of Stewart.

thats the thing his measurables will be so bad, that he wont get drafted until the 4th round. Product of a decent big10 system and great Oline men.

Ehh... a little bit to be sure, but I think he makes his own way a lot more than people think. I need to write up his game against Penn State yet, but I remember watching it and he did a very good job getting more yards than he should of against that defense and it wasn't all because of Jake Long and company. I agree in theory about his measurables, but I think that some team will fall in love with his desire and heart and leadership and pick him in the 2nd. He'd be a good fit in Tampa if Gruden stays and Caddy doesn't recover because of those intangibles and his great blocking skills.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

As for Mike Hart, it's getting hard to ignore his incredible on-field performance, but my first impression is that he seems like an overachiever whose game won't translate to the NFL. He'll likely need a very good postseason to go as high as you're projecting him here. Right now I see him as more of a 3rd-4th round prospect.

Totally agree.

I agree that he will not grade out to be a 1st round pick ... late 2nd - 4th round IMO....BUT ...I do think Hart has the intangibles to be a very good NFL back.

I think Hart has a chance to make it actually, against the "measurables" odds. But I agree that 1st round may be pushing it, especially ahead of Stewart.

thats the thing his measurables will be so bad, that he wont get drafted until the 4th round. Product of a decent big10 system and great Oline men.

Ehh... a little bit to be sure, but I think he makes his own way a lot more than people think. I need to write up his game against Penn State yet, but I remember watching it and he did a very good job getting more yards than he should of against that defense and it wasn't all because of Jake Long and company. I agree in theory about his measurables, but I think that some team will fall in love with his desire and heart and leadership and pick him in the 2nd. He'd be a good fit in Tampa if Gruden stays and Caddy doesn't recover because of those intangibles and his great blocking skills.

heart leadership and desire only take you so far in the NFL where the playing field is way more level than College. Personally, I wouldnt touch him before the 4th, but you might be right, he could go 2nd round. I think any NFL GM taking him in round 1 should be fired.

 

[Fallerjw]

[hijack]

I know he's not eligible for the draft, but I had no idea this freshman was putting up numbers this good.

Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

6 games

70 receptions

1074 yards

17 TDs

[/hijack]

I bolded the most relevant portion of his stats.

Right, because every year a freshman at TTU has 17 TD receptions in his first 6 collegiate games.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Is Mike Hart any different than Kenny Irons?