NFL
-
Line of Scrimmage: Super-Terrific Mock Draft 3.0
By Tony Moss, NFL EditorPhiladelphia, PA (Sports Network) - If the Miami Dolphins are looking to create a smokescreen, they're doing a pretty effective job.
Recent reports have surfaced indicating that Miami, which owns the No. 1 pick in next weekend's Draft, has begun negotiating a rookie contract with Michigan tackle Jake Long, and to date has engaged in contract talks with no other player.
Widespread speculation from NFL observers has the Fins taking Long not necessarily because he is the best player available, but because he is the most signable player at or near the top of the board.
Word is that Miami has little interest in paying a player the $30-plus million signing bonus that the Raiders' JaMarcus Russell received last year, and thus will take an o-lineman who can either agree to more modest contract terms or risk falling down the draft and making even less money.
If this is indeed Miami's approach, then it's a canny one, and one that will undoubtedly have league brass debating the functionality of rookie contracts in the future. We have a sinking feeling that the player's union is going to have something to say about declining dollar figures for first-round picks as well, friction that isn't going to grease the wheels for a new, long-term collective bargaining agreement.
And so, here we are nine days before the Draft and there is a change at the top of the ever-debatable Sports Network mock draft.
In addition to the swapping of Jake Long and Chris Long at positions one and two, there are other first-round changes necessitated by the dropping stock of names like Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib, Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly, and Cal wideout DeSean Jackson, as well as the rising prospects of guys like Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Michigan State wideout Devin Thomas.
Our third attempt at a 2008 mock first-round is below:
1 - Dolphins - Jake Long, T, Michigan (6-7, 313) - Not the top player on most teams' draft boards (or perhaps even the Dolphins' board), but the Fins don't have time for a protracted contract hassle.
2 - Rams - Chris Long, DE/OLB, Virginia (6-3, 272) - Rams' choice will be between Long and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, and they'll end up with Long because he's the safer pick.
3 - Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-5, 228) - Don't believe the hype about Atlanta taking a lineman, a leader like Ryan is a perfect fit for this franchise.
4 - Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (6-1, 211) - Honestly, who are the Raiders going to pick if not McFadden?
5 - Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 297) - Chiefs would love to trade out of this spot, especially since they took two d-tackles on the first day last year. (Ed note: Stay tuned for the potential trade of Kansas City end Jared Allen reported to be in the works by Foxsports.com, a move that could change the Chiefs' approach and much of the complexion of the first-round).
6 - Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State (6-3, 266) - He's not Lawrence Taylor, but opponents will have to account for him coming off the edge.
7 - Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (5-10, 190) - Even if New England makes a run at Philly's Lito Sheppard, it will need to add another quality corner.
8 - Ravens - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State (6-2, 184) - Steve McNair's retirement doesn't change the program at all for Baltimore - unless Matt Ryan is available at No. 8.
9 - Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 309) - Chad Johnson soap opera can't overshadow Cincinnati's need for defensive help.
10 - Saints - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-10, 197) - Jenkins might be a bit of a reach at No. 10, but New Orleans can't get by with its current group of corners.
11 - Bills - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State (6-2, 215) - Thomas should send Malcolm Kelly a Christmas card this year - he's about to a lot richer due to Kelly's free fall.
12 - Broncos - Ryan Clady, T, Boise State (6-6, 309) - Denver should have its pick of the second-best offensive lineman in the draft.
13 - Panthers - Jeff Otah, T, Pittsburgh (6-6, 322) - Injury concerns hampered Otah at the combine, but he projects as a standout left tackle at the next level.
14 - Bears - Chris Williams, T, Vanderbilt (6-6, 315) - Chicago fans will covet a running back or receiver, but Williams will give the o-line some stability moving forward.
15 - Lions - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (5-10, 225) - Detroit's best move could be drafting a 30-carry-a-game back like Mendenhall, in the interests of keeping that horrid defense off the field.
16 - Cardinals - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC (6-2, 241) - Versatile Rivers could team with Karlos Dansby and Clark Haggans to give Arizona scary speed coming off the edge.
17 - Vikings - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida (6-5, 271) - Yes, he's a little light, but Minnesota will count on him to solve its long-standing pass rush woes.
18 - Texans - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas (6-1, 202) - Talib has revealed himself to be a major character risk, but Houston has to take a chance due to his talent.
19 - Eagles - Branden Albert, G, Virginia (6-6, 309) - Albert is a first-round mover thanks to his potential to move to tackle in the future.
20 - Buccaneers - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma (6-4, 224) - A slow 40 time and ill-timed whining streak have hurt his stock, though Tampa Bay will be more concerned with his impressive measurements.
21 - Redskins - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (6-4, 215) - Sweed isn't the draft's most polished wideout, but Washington has to make a move at the position.
22 - Cowboys - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (5-10, 235) - The presence of Marion Barber on the roster makes Stewart's recent foot surgery less of an issue than it would be for other teams.
23 - Steelers - Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College (6-7, 314) - Pittsburgh might want to trade up in the interests of finding a more game-ready lineman in the middle of the first round.
24 - Titans - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (5-10, 207) - No way is Tennessee relying on LenDale White to carry the entire rushing load in 2008.
25 - Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-5, 308) - Patrick Kerney and Julian Peterson would be that much tougher to block with another space- eater up front.
26 - Jaguars - Quentin Groves, OLB, Auburn (6-3, 259) - The revelation that Groves recently underwent heart surgery has given a few teams pause, but Jacksonville has to like his ability to attack off the edge.
27 - Chargers - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee (6-1, 242) - Recent four-game drug suspension of troubled Stephen Cooper alters the direction of the club's linebacking corps.
28 - Cowboys - DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal (5-10, 169) - Jackson's attitude is a question mark, but Dallas isn't a team that has traditionally fretted over such matters.
29 - 49ers - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (6-4, 276) - As a better run-stopper than pass rusher, he'll fit in nicely in the Niners' 3-4.
30 - Packers - Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech (5-10, 190) - Flowers and Arizona corner Antoine Cason are both potential Green Bay targets.
31 - Giants - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami-Florida (6-2, 212) - With Gibril Wilson a Raider and Sammy Knight a temporary fill-in, Giants must look to the future of the safety position.
Bubbling Under:
Calais Campbell, DE, Miami-Florida (6-8. 290) James Hardy, WR, Indiana (6-6, 217) Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 227) Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-3, 231) Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue (6-2, 245)
04/17 15:25:20 ET