The super-speculative 2008 NFL draft thread

Is Matt Ryan really the #1 suspected QB pick? ?!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/110/316081404_6b61421eb8.jpg

See McFadden go running back, running back, running running running back.

check his stats fever, dude is having a career year. he was having a great year last year too despite playing on a busted foot.

bc/va tech this week, watch how quick ryan gets rid of the ball.

and i don't mean he's taking a one step drop and throwing, it's the throwing motion itself. the mechanics of the throw instead of the system that determines the throw.

mcfadden is going to be a monster in the league, on some real LT shit.

kevin that vt/bc game is next thursday night.

Oh, I'm not calling his awesomeness into question...but I'd probably put Pat White or Andre Woodson ahead of him just based on the games I've actually seen (and I've seen ZERO Boston College games). Pat White's only a junior, though, and I doubt he's coming out early.

Bold Clam! Browns make the wild card (go 9-7) under Derek Anderson and TRADE HIM for a high 2nd rounder (remember the Browns don't have 1st round pick). and draft twelve DL's.

if anything, pat white has a great chance to catch on w/ a team in a brad smith-type "hey listen, we don't know what you are but we know ppl have trouble tackling you" situation

and be the most successful at it.

i'm distressed by the bosox right now.

Tim Wakefield won 17 games this season but started the postseason on Boston's bench. Why's he starting tonight's Game 4 of the ALCS? Good question

haha, i like the fact that batters don't even care about getting HBP when Wakey is pitching

^that's the front of ESPN.com right now.

No! You're getting baseball in my peanut butter!

Tim Wakefield won 17 games this season but started the postseason on Boston's bench. Why's he starting tonight's Game 4 of the ALCS? Good question

he hurt his back and needed a cortisone shot in the shoulder to be able to play in this series.

I don't watch enough college football to know that many players. Other than Woodson, Kentucky has a couple of other guys that I won't be surprised if they end up drafted and on an NFL roster including their TE Jacob Tamme and WR Keenan Burton.

That McFadden guy from Arkansas is crazy fast.

haha kevin i was just reposting that from espn.com. my response to that question would be, "BECAUSE HE WON 17 GAMES."

anyway i'm reposting this thing form the chambers thread:

1. Darren McFadden* RB Arkansas
2. Chris Long DE Virginia
3. Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
4. Calais Campbell* DE Miami
5. Jake Long OT Michigan
6. DeSean Jackson* WR California
7. Derrick Harvey* DE Florida
8 Sedrick Ellis DT USC
9. Matt Ryan QB Boston Coll.
10. Ryan Clady* OT Boise St.
11. Andre Woodson Jr. QB Kentucky
12. Kenny Phillips* S Miami
13. Samuel Baker OT USC
14. James Laurinaitis* ILB Ohio State
15. Brian Brohm QB Louisville
16. Keith Rivers OLB USC
17. Malcolm Jenkins* CB Ohio State
18. Gosder Cherilus OT Boston Coll.
19. Vernon Gholston* DE Ohio State
20. Malcolm Kelly* WR Oklahoma
21. Justin King* CB Penn State
22. Rey Maualuga* ILB USC
23. Adarius Bowman WR Okla. State
24. Dan Connor OLB Penn State
25. Early Doucet III WR LSU
26. Quentin Groves DE Auburn
27. Michael Oher* OT Mississippi
28. Ali Highsmith OLB LSU
29. Reggie Smith* CB Oklahoma
30. Jonathan Stewart* RB Oregon
31. Fili Moala* DT USC
32. Frank Okam DT Texas

wake's playing because tito francona isn't gonna go dusty baker and pitch beckett early in a panic move. i'm sure he was thinking/hoping his offense would wake up (they haven't).

McFadden is indeed crazy fast. Hopefully some team somewhere is keeping an eye on BenJarvus Green-Ellis at Ole Miss too, though. That dude's a running, cutting, tackleproof machine.

1. Darren McFadden* RB Arkansas
3. Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
7. Derrick Harvey* DE Florida
12. Kenny Phillips* S Miami
14. James Laurinaitis* ILB Ohio State
25. Early Doucet III WR LSU

^^^i like all these guys (as nfl prospects) A LOT.

anyway, i think the pats are gonna need some linebacking help as that group is very VERY experienced can't last much longer. plus they still need to sort their dbackfield.

WOOOW.

what are the chances of the bears making a huge move up to try and snag a QB?

i don't think the bears are going to have to make all the huge of a move to snag a qb.

The Bears will take a QB first round, or the city will go up in flames.

goddamn it i wish i had cigarettes. or beer. ANYTHING TO NUMB MYSELF TO THE HORROR OF THE BOSOX RIGHT NOW.

this is the kind of thing that would have killed me three years ago. now it's annoying but not a killer.

ok dumb question i forgot there are going to be QBs around in the teens.

this is the kind of thing that would have killed me three years ago. now it's annoying but not a killer.

-- chicago kevin, Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:07 PM (1 minute ago) Bookmark Link

bill simmons said this same thing a few days ago, excpet about the 11th inning of game 2.

i started smoking again becuase of the tribe

i have not quit smoking but i have run out of cigarettes and my unemployed status leaves me with the option of buying a pack or going to a show at the empty bottle tonight to see (HEY JOHNNY FEVER) a really good band from alabama that i've been wanting to see. i'm choosing the show and two pabst over the ciagarettes.

i figure i'll be able to bum one from someone and there's always a chance i won't have to pay to get in.

bears can trade w/ rams (we got #1 made!!!). I am thinking WR for the male sheep.

(sheep also need cb, lb, o-line, coach, stadium, owner)

i just checked the pants in my laundry and coats on hooks for maybe forgotten cigarettes. none found.

meanwhile youk and papi give too little too late.

i dunno - looks like they're just getting warmed up

ok, i also checked the carry on i took with me to san diego back in july and unfolded the sleeper sofa in hopes of finding a rogue smoke. no dice.

theo couldn't get better seats than that?
c'mon lester, finish this inning, i gotta show to go to.

"The Bears will take a QB first round, or the city will go up in flames."

Chad Pennington will be the nu-Erik Kramer.

where the F is mike hart in this discussion? dude rulez.

i actually think dude should win the heisman, but there's probably a good chance he'll end up w/ a ron dayne career in the league.

no way. he's no dayne. if you're gonna compare him to a current NFL back, i'd say he's more of a thomas or julius jones type of RB.

julius only has 2 more carries than dayne this year, but point taken.
w/r/t hart there are probably like 4-5 better nfl prospects @ rb. something like, mcfadden, stewart from oregon, tashard choice from gt, felix jones from arkansas, steve slaton (if he comes out), maybe even green-ellis or ray rice.

hart= A+ college player and an A+ middle 2nd round and on pick, but idk if he's a top 15 or 20 type dude.

'd say he's more of a thomas or julius jones type of RB.

or a tim biakabatuka.

I know it's not without historical precedent and all, but Mike Hart just seems like too small a guy to last very long in the NFL.

Maybe that's just my impression, though. I have no idea how tall/short he actually is.

Oh, okay...he's 5'9" and 190-something...but still, that seems comparitively small considering that every other skill position player in the league is getting bigger and bigger every year.

that's kevin faulk's size if faulk lost 12 pounds.

;_;

i think he'll be the next hasselbeck. whether it's matt or tim i don't know.

Colt Brennan will be the next Elizabeth Hasselbeck.

Now I saw on tv today that Kiper says the Bears had the best draft of anybody. I guess I just figured out why the actually play the goddamn games.

wha? mel kiper's brain has been swallowed whole by his hair.

know, right? i am stupidly optimistic about the season again.

-- horseshoe, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 03:56 (11 hours ago) Link

double or nothing on the Battle of Lake Erie part II?

Now I saw on tv today that Kiper says the Bears had the best draft of anybody.

well they did draft three guys who will start for them immediately. steltz will probably supplant archuleta at some point in the year.

UFA time!

Monday, April 28, 2008
TEAM
Atlanta Falcons Signed running back Jamar Brittingham, tackle Michael Butterworth, defensive end Brandon Miller, linebacker Isaac Brown, cornerback Glenn Sharpe, safety D.J. Wolfe and punter Jimmie Kaylor.
Chicago Bears Signed defensive backs Trey Brown and Leslie Majors, defensive ends Joe Clermond and Nick Osborn, tackles Cody Balogh and David Faaeteete, quarterbacks Caleb Hanie and Nick Hill, wide receiver Curtis Hamilton and kicker Shane Longest.
Cincinnati Bengals Waived safety Nick Turnbull.
Denver Broncos Signed running back Anthony Aldridge, offensive lineman Mitch Erickson, kicker Garrett Hartley, punter Brett Kern, tackle Tyler Polumbus, wide receiver Lorne Sam and linebacker Wesley Woodyard; waived defensive tackle Michael Bozeman, safety Steve Cargile, guard Mark Fenton, fullbacks Steven Jackson and Paul Smith, linebacker William Kershaw and running back Marquis Weeks.
Jacksonville Jaguars Agreed to terms with quarterback Paul Smith, running back Anthony Cotrone, wide receivers Clyde Edwards and Jeron Harvey, tight ends Adam Bishop and Chris Brown, center Drew Miller, cornerbacks Isaiah Gardner, Michael Grant and Brian Witherspoon, defensive end Alex Boston, defensive tackle Theo Horrocks and linebacker Lamar Myles.
New York Jets Waived tight end Joe Kowalewski and fullback Stacy Tutt.
Philadelphia Eagles Agreed to terms with cornerback Kyle Arrington, fullback Jed Collins, tackle Franklin Dunbar, linebacker Justin Roland and wide receivers Shaheer McBride, Frantz Hardy and Terrell Golden.
Pittsburgh Steelers Agreed to terms with quarterback Mike Potts, tight end Dezmond Sherrod, wide receivers Dorien Bryant and Micah Rucker, defensive tackles Jordan Reffett and Martavius Prince, linebackers Patrick Bailey and Donovan Woods, cornerbacks Roy Lewis and Travis Williams, center Doug Legursky and kicker Julian Rauch.
St. Louis Rams Agreed to terms with running backs Yvenson Bernard and Brandon McAnderson, wide receivers Matt Caddell and Joshua Hyman, defensive tackles Vernon Bryant and Joshua Thompson, defensive end Rodney Hardeway, tight end Doug Jones, linebackers Vincent Hall and Marc Magro, tackle Stephen Sene and cornerback Justin McKinney.
Washington Redskins Agreed to terms with quarterback Bret Meyer, offensive linemen Devin Clark, Shannon Boatman, Kerry Brown and Kyle Devan, defensive ends Dorian Smith and Alonzo Dotson, linebackers Curtis Gatewood and Bryan Wilson, safeties Kevin Mitchell and Justin Scott, wide receiver Horace Gant and cornerback Matteral Richardson.

BUTTERWORTH

Harrison is a first-round talent who dropped in the draft because of durability and character concerns. The 6-3, 310-pounder possesses excellent size, agility and balance, but he sustained knee injuries in each of his final two seasons and was arrested last August and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and driving with a restricted license.

In 2004, defensive lineman Marcus Harrison became Arkansas' first true freshman to start the season opener since 1992.
Harrison tore his left ACL last spring, but rebounded to register 76 tackles, 6½ tackles-for-loss and 1½ sacks while starting 10 games. He also batted down 10 passes and forced one fumble.

“Talent-wise, we are very excited about this young man as a football player,” said Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich.

“He is a big, strong, athletic defensive lineman. We feel very comfortable with him fitting in our system. I think that he is athletic enough to play the three technique, but at the same time, he’s big enough and strong enough to play nose if we need to move him into that position. So anytime we can gain depth through talent on the defensive line, we are comfortable doing that.”

The Bears were comfortable picking Harrison despite his arrest.

“We weighed the risk/reward and felt that he was a good player and that we can take care of the situation,” said Greg Gabriel, the Bears’ director of college scouting.

because after all, they played the whole tank johnson thing PERFECTLY.

Yeah, right. How stupid did they look on that.

1. Darren McFadden* RB Arkansas
2. Chris Long DE Virginia
3. Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
4. Calais Campbell* DE Miami
5. Jake Long OT Michigan
6. DeSean Jackson* WR California
7. Derrick Harvey* DE Florida
8 Sedrick Ellis DT USC
9. Matt Ryan QB Boston Coll.
10. Ryan Clady* OT Boise St.
11. Andre Woodson Jr. QB Kentucky
12. Kenny Phillips* S Miami
13. Samuel Baker OT USC
14. James Laurinaitis* ILB Ohio State
15. Brian Brohm QB Louisville
16. Keith Rivers OLB USC
17. Malcolm Jenkins* CB Ohio State
18. Gosder Cherilus OT Boston Coll.
19. Vernon Gholston* DE Ohio State
20. Malcolm Kelly* WR Oklahoma
21. Justin King* CB Penn State
22. Rey Maualuga* ILB USC
23. Adarius Bowman WR Okla. State
24. Dan Connor OLB Penn State
25. Early Doucet III WR LSU
26. Quentin Groves DE Auburn
27. Michael Oher* OT Mississippi
28. Ali Highsmith OLB LSU
29. Reggie Smith* CB Oklahoma
30. Jonathan Stewart* RB Oregon
31. Fili Moala* DT USC
32. Frank Okam DT Texas

-- Jordan Sargent, Wednesday, October 17, 2007 2:00 AM (6 months ago) Bookmark Link

^^lol everybody remember this from upthread when projections come out next oct

hahahaha ALI HIGHSMITH WAS SIGNED BY THE CARDINALS AS AN UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT. undrafted!!!!!!!!!!!!

also, the pats picked up UFA gary guyton from georgia tech, which i love - dude's a baller

next october? cnn has their '09 mock draft up today.

sweet post it

taken from here:

about 4 hours ago :: 151207 Views

Welcome to SI.com's second annual year-ahead mock draft. To simplify, we're assuming Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will return to Florida, because projecting him into the NFL is too difficult.

I'm also breaking news of a major draft-day trade in April of 2009 -- the Falcons have the No. 1 overall spot but trade down.

1. Chiefs (via trade with Falcons) -- Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia * -- A quarterback has gone No. 1 overall six out of the past eight years, and Stafford looks like the most likely candidate to develop into that kind of elite QB. His numbers were mediocre last year, but he had no line or receivers. The Falcons will have the worst record, but be able to field trade offers because they don't need a QB.

2. Raiders -- Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech * -- Plays in a big numbers system, but his size and speed still make him an elite receiver. And he will fit into the "Al Davis kind of player" category.

3. Lions -- Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State * -- Wells said he wants to stay four years at Ohio State, but an elite running back trying to save wear and tear on his body would be foolish not to go pro as soon as possible.

4. Falcons (via trade with Chiefs) -- Andre Smith, OT, Alabama * -- Smith doesn't get the publicity of Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher, but we'll take a shot on a player many considered the top prospect in his high school class.

5. Rams -- James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State -- Could have been a top-15 pick this year. Goes higher than usual for an inside linebacker because of athleticism.

6. Dolphins -- Fili Moala, DT, USC -- Moala is one of the few dominant defensive tackles in this draft and will someday require double-teams in the NFL.

7. 49ers -- Michael Oher, Mississippi -- You'll see him in other mocks in the top three. Word from Oxford is that the coaching staff isn't thrilled with Oher's performance last year and work ethic. But he's still a huge natural talent.

8. Bengals -- C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson* -- Spiller, a standout at track as well, averaged 7.3 yards per carry last season and is a bona fide home run threat. His backfield partner, James Davis, could also be a top-45 pick.

9. Ravens -- Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma -- At 6-foot-8 and at least 350 pounds, Loadholt could draw some comparisons to Jonathan Ogden. He's not that good, but certainly grades as a first-rounder.

10. Bills -- Rey Maualuga, LB, USC -- I hate putting the Bills this low, but I don't have much confidence in their quarterbacks. Look for them to take one in the second round of the '09 draft (perhaps Hunter Cantwell or Graham Harrell).

11. Cardinals --Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU -- Jackson had a disappointing '07 campaign, but he still has impressive physical skills and he may go even higher if he bounces back this season.

12. Eagles (via Panthers) -- Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin -- One of two first-rounders for Eagles after a '08 draft-day trade with the Panthers. Beckham had 75 catches for 982 yards last season and should be a nice safety blanket Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.

13. Jets -- Derrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland * -- Heyward-Bey is tall and fast, he'll have great combine numbers. The question: Is he physical enough to be a star in the NFL?

14. Packers -- Taylor Mays, S, USC * -- You have to love athletic USC safeties. Mays could follow in Troy Polamalu's and Ronnie Lott's footsteps and be a star in the NFL.

15. Broncos -- George Selvie, DE, South Florida * -- Selvie struggled toward the end of last season, but if he gets a little stronger he should get a lot of attention from the NFL.

16. Titans -- Lydon Murtha, OT, Nebraska -- This may be my one true darkhorse in the first round. Not on anyone's radar right now, but he was a huge recruit out of high school who runs a very fast 40 for a big man. If he can stay healthy, expect a breakout year.

17. Texans -- Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss -- Jerry gets overshadowed by defensive end Greg Hardy at Mississippi, but should have a strong enough season to vault up into the first round.

18. Bears -- Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU -- I really want to give the Bears a quarterback, but I think most of the QBs in this draft are second-rounders. Look for them to grab the best available receiver. Byrd hasn't produced yet, but has blazing 40 speed.

19. Browns -- Greg Middleton, DE, Indiana * -- Middleton had 16 sacks last season and will be a nice complement to Kamerion Wimbley.

20. Buccaneers -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State -- Others have projected him as a top-five pick, but there's buzz he won't be able to produce that kind of 40 time.

21. Redskins -- Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas -- Scouts like Orakpo's size and speed and the Skins would love to be able to pressure the QB more.

22. Vikings -- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida * -- He's not very big (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), but the Vikes will find a place for him.

23. Seahawks -- Alex Boone, LT, Ohio State -- He should be part of an outstanding offense at Ohio State that will make him look good.

24. Eagles -- Michael Jones, WR, ASU -- The Eagles are undoubtedly still trying to trade for a premiere receiver this offseason, but if they can't, watch out for Michael Jones. Jones had just 46 catches as a junior, but 10 of them were for touchdowns and those numbers will go up this year.

25. Saints -- Brian Cushing, LB, USC -- This is an optimistic place for the Saints, but I'll give them the edge over the Bucs in the watered-down NFC South.

26. Giants -- Myron Rolle, S, Florida State * -- Not related to Samari or Antrel, but we won't hold that against him. He could go even higher if he improves this season.

27. Steelers -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech -- A 6-7 DE/LB hybrid with great speed who should have a good season at Georgia Tech.

28. Jaguars -- Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn * -- After strengthening the ends in this year's draft, the Jags bolster the interior of the defensive line.

29. Chargers -- Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma -- With the recent emphasis on guards around the league, the massive Robinson will be a hot prospect.

30. Colts -- Javon Ringer, RB, Michigan State -- Colts will be eager to get back to a better running back tandem (sorry Kenton Keith).

31. Cowboys -- Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State -- Receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are getting old.

32. Patriots -- Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State -- His character issues may very well push him out of the first round (he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer this offseason), but the Patriots think they can fix talented players.

*Indicates underclassmen

matthew stafford #1 loooooooooooooooool

that mock makes my head hurt. someone got paid to cook that shit up??

...and it wasn't one of us. shameful.

here is mcshay's:

1. Atlanta Falcons -- Fili Moala, DT, USC
Atlanta finally gets its playmaking interior defensive lineman. Moala has flown under the radar to this point but he should emerge from the shadow of 2008 No. 7 overall pick Sedrick Ellis and become one of the elite defenders in college football this fall.

2. Detroit Lions -- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Coach Rod Marinelli's defense is predicated on speed up front, and Johnson is blessed with plenty of that. Johnson was overlooked while playing in a rotation last season, but it won't take long for the rangy edge-rusher to make his mark in 2008.

3. Kansas City Chiefs -- Matt Stafford*, QB, Georgia
Another injury-plagued and disappointing season out of fragile QB Brodie Croyle will force the Chiefs to address the position with this high draft pick in 2009. If the supremely talented Stafford continues to progress as he did last fall, he could easily emerge as a top-five pick next April.

4. Miami Dolphins -- Al Woods, DT, LSU
At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Woods is a physically imposing defensive tackle with enough size and strength to anchor the middle of a 3-4 defense.

5. Cincinnati Bengals -- Sen'Derrick Marks*, DT, Auburn
The Bengals got shut out in their pursuit of an elite defensive tackle in this year's draft, but 2009 will be more kind. Marks is an undersized playmaker with the first-step quickness to disrupt as a 3-technique tackle, which is exactly what Marvin Lewis' defense needs along its front.

6. Oakland Raiders -- Andre Smith*, OT, Alabama
Smith stepped in immediately as the Tide's starting left tackle and continues to improve with more coaching and game experience. The Raiders could enlist a player with his kind of skills to take care of their most recent first-round investments in QB JaMarcus Russell and RB Darren McFadden.

7. Chicago Bears -- Tim Tebow*, QB, Florida
It's almost certain that the Bears will need a quarterback come next offseason. Unfortunately, next year's crop of signal-callers does not look promising at this point. Bears fans won't be thrilled if the team uses a high pick on another Gators quarterback following the failed Rex Grossman experiment, but Tebow's unique blend of skills and rare intangibles might be too good to pass up. Should Tebow elect to leave school early, however, his uncommon skill set could make him the most difficult prospect at any position to grade.

8. San Francisco 49ers -- Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
Oher, who possesses the size and athletic ability to develop into an upper-echelon starting tackle in the NFL, would make an ideal bookend opposite 2007 first-rounder Joe Staley.

9. St. Louis Rams -- Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
Maualuga is the top senior prospect on my 2009 draft board at this insanely early point in the process, although he wouldn't be the first senior off the board. I've never seen a defensive player take over a game the way Maualuga did versus Illinois in the Rose Bowl, and his recognition skills are clearly catching up with his rare physical tools.

10. New York Jets -- Knowshon Moreno*, RB, Georgia
Moreno burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2007 and he should build on that momentum as a first-year starter behind a more mature offensive line during the upcoming season. The Jets were not able to land McFadden in this year's draft but Moreno would be worth the wait if he's available in 2009.

11. Tennessee Titans -- Michael Crabtree*, WR, Texas Tech
Do not pigeonhole Crabtree; he's not just a product of coach Mike Leach's pass-crazy offense. The tall, long-armed receiver could be the go-to-target QB Vince Young so desperately needs.

12. Houston Texans -- Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Jenkins made a wise decision to return as a senior. He needs to improve his footwork and overall man-to-man cover skills to prove to scouts he's capable of playing corner in any scheme at the next level. Regardless, the Texans could use his ball-hawking skills in their secondary, no matter whether it's at cornerback or safety.

13. Denver Broncos -- James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio State
Laurinaitis surprised many NFL scouts when he elected to return to Columbus for his senior season. Assuming he continues to make progress in 2008, there's no reason to believe he will fall out of the top 20 picks in next year's draft. The instinctive, high-motor inside linebacker would be a nice addition to a Denver defense in search of more stout defenders up the middle.

14. Baltimore Ravens -- Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
The Ravens need an upgrade at corner and a young playmaker like Davis, who possesses rare athleticism for his size, would be an ideal fit.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR) -- Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
The Eagles failed to land a go-to-receiver in the 2008 draft (no, DeSean Jackson does not qualify). Instead of going the free-agent route to land a weapon for veteran QB Donovan McNabb, they might as well use one of two first-round picks in '09 on a future primary target for future QB Kevin Kolb.

16. Arizona Cardinals -- LeSean McCoy*, RB, Pittsburgh
After Arizona failed to find a complement for Edgerrin James in this year's draft, the Cardinals' need at running back will be far more pressing in the spring of '09. McCoy is a supremely talented sophomore who is draft eligible after spending a year in prep school, and he is reportedly already eyeing the 2009 draft.

17. Buffalo Bills -- Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin
Beckum could emerge as a top-20 pick if he can add 10-15 pounds to his frame while maintaining his big-play ability as a receiver during his senior season.

18. Philadelphia Eagles -- Phil Loadholt, OT, Oklahoma
After failing to land one of the record-setting seven offensive tackles selected in the first round of this year's draft, coach Andy Reid will be craving a big fella like Loadholt in 2009.

19. Washington Redskins -- Greg Hardy*, DE, Mississippi
Hardy is flying under the radar right now despite notching 10 solo sacks the past two seasons, and the Redskins will be looking for a young pass-rushing threat after failing to land one during the latest draft.

20. Minnesota Vikings -- Percy Harvin*, WR/RS, Florida
Staying healthy for a full season would all but guarantee Harvin a spot in the first round of the NFL draft, either next year or in 2010.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Ciron Black, OT, LSU
The Bucs will be looking to enlist the services of a talented left tackle prospect such as Black, who displays quick feet for a 6-5, 315-pounder.

22. Green Bay Packers -- Max Unger, OT, Oregon
Unger, who projects as a first-day pick in next year's draft, is the type of versatile lineman the Packers typically covet.

23. Cleveland Browns -- Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson
Sapp is an up-and-coming talent with outstanding speed and pass-rushing potential. He should fit perfectly as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme like the one employed in Cleveland.

24. Seattle Seahawks -- Duke Robinson, G, Oklahoma
The Seahawks are still looking for a long-term solution at left guard, so why not use this pick on the player who is at this point the top prospect at that position.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Jackson is among the elite senior defensive prospects right now but that might not hold up for 12 full months, as he's simply not a great fit for every team's defensive scheme. At 6-5 and 290, Jackson is best suited to play defensive end in a three-man front like the one employed in Pittsburgh.

26. New Orleans Saints -- Gerald McRath, OLB, Southern Miss
The Saints will be looking for an injection of youth and athleticism at linebacker and the speedy, undersized McRath falls in line with that objective.

27. New York Giants -- Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
The Giants could use a quick and powerful tackling machine like Spikes after failing to address that need early in the 2008 draft.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars -- William Moore, S, Missouri
Moore emerged as a playmaking machine in 2007, when he notched 114 tackles and eight interceptions. At 6-1 and 215 pounds he could be the versatile strong safety Jacksonville needs opposite FS Reggie Nelson.

29. Indianapolis Colts -- Vance Walker, DT/DE, Georgia Tech
Walker has the right blend of tools to provide depth along the interior of Indianapolis' quick-but-undersized defensive line.

30. San Diego Chargers -- Auston English, DE/OLB, Oklahoma
English is an instinctive, high-motor player with very good speed and fluid hips for a young defensive end. He already has experience dropping into coverage on zone-blitz looks within Oklahoma's complex defensive scheme.

31. Dallas Cowboys -- Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU
Wide receiver is the one area Dallas did not address during an otherwise promising 2008 draft. Byrd has a lot to prove as a senior but he certainly has the blend of size and deep speed it takes to emerge as a first-round draft pick.

32. New England Patriots -- Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
The Patriots continue a recent trend of drafting linebackers by using this selection on the versatile Cushing. The 6-5, 248-pounder has experience on the strong side and as a rush linebacker, which will be attractive to a New England coaching staff that likes versatility in its linebackers.

wtf, that shit reads like it was written by the same dude, whatta bunch of asinine bullshit

lol maybe we should start a 2009 draft thread now

if a team drafts matt stafford in the top 5 i quit

10. New York Jets -- Knowshon Moreno*, RB, Georgia
Moreno burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2007 and he should build on that momentum as a first-year starter behind a more mature offensive line during the upcoming season. The Jets were not able to land McFadden in this year's draft but Moreno would be worth the wait if he's available in 2009.

otoh this dude can ball

He CAN, but will he enter the draft so soon?

btw, re: 2008 SEC RB's...how did Benjarvus Green-Ellis fall all the way from a top RB prospect to being undrafted?

(oh apparently he was snapped up by the Pats...hope he makes it out of camp)

" Bears fans won't be thrilled if the team uses a high pick on another Gators quarterback following the failed Rex Grossman experiment, but Tebow's unique blend of skills and rare intangibles might be too good to pass up"

Is this guy kidding?

note that both seem to expect the pats to beat the cowboys in the superbowl and for the falcons to have a rough year. i will be rooting against the chargers even more than usual this year now that the pats own their 2nd round pick.

That's good for you. Chargers are on the decline.

Uh no they aren't. I mean they might very well be worse next year, but last year was their first appearance in a conference championship since their super bowl year in the mid-90s.

Not to mention that they didn't lose anyone of merit, and most of their core is young and signed long-term, and they have 20 million in cap space, and they play in a bad division ...

I mean they might very well be worse next year,

that's still a decline though.

but i know what you're saying and barring injury to ldt i don't see them finishing out of the playoffs.

It's not a decline until the decline starts, though.

I mean, they were a better team at the end of last season than they were at the end of 2006.

It comes down to this: their coach is Norv Turner. Welcome to mediocrity.

semantics has no place in football.

I'm an editor, wtf am I supposed to do!

It comes down to this: their coach is Norv Turner. Welcome to mediocrity.

The Chargers have reached the conference championships exactly three times since the merger, and one of them was with Norv Turner as coach. Just sayin'.

I actually like the Chargers. However, it's hard when your best guy is an RB (when does LT start showing wear?), and you can't be too happy with Rivers after last year.

I'm very happy with Rivers! He's the second-best quarterback the Chargers have had since Fouts retired.

I think the 1985 Chicago Bears did a pretty good job despite their best player being a running back.

Yeah, LT will break down at some point, but I'm going to wait until it starts happening before I feel bad about it. I'm already neurotic enough as it is.

Yeah, LT will break down at some point,

like maybe during a conference championship game?

at least the chargers linebackers won't all be eligible for aarp benefits while they're still on the active roster, so you got that going for you.

I mean, do I have to make a list of players who missed a playoff game due to injury? That would seem like a poor use of my time.

at least the chargers linebackers won't all be eligible for aarp benefits while they're still on the active roster, so you got that going for you.

Heh.

I was as hard as anyone on the Chargers last year but they're clearly in a great position right now. They beat Indy at home and played NE super tough, and could've won if they pulled off a few of NYG's end zone miracles.

relying on miracles is a pretty poor game plan in my mind.

remember when ilnfl had a thick skin? that was awesome.

"I think the 1985 Chicago Bears did a pretty good job despite their best player being a running back."

Their best player at that point was their middle linebacker. Walter was still great, but that team was all about defense

18-1~

remember when ilnfl had a thick skin? that was awesome.

I never had thick skin, it's just that my team used to be completely irrelevant and thus I never had any reason to defend them. I am a pathetic apologist for my teams.

18-1 is some weak sauce when it comes to insults.

so shaun alexander appearantly contacted the bangles abt a roster spot b/c they were his fav team growing up??

that team needs a running back that's a shadow of his former self.

damn I just spit my water out while reading that. That would make sense for the Bengals though, they just turned down and opportunity to fleece Dan Snyder.

so shaun alexander appearantly contacted the bangles abt a roster spot b/c they were his fav team growing up??

-- johnny crunch, Thursday, May 1, 2008 12:59 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Link

rofl. this dude needs to catch on with cbs pregame and call it a day

He said he was going to gain 2000 yards last year. Didn't work out so well for him.

Sidenote to Jordan S-did you burn that High on Fire bootleg for me yet>?