2008 NFL Draft Round 1 Discussion

Okay, a couple things first.  I commend Mel Kiper Jr, Todd McShay, and Mike Mayock, among others, because researching for these two days is a full time job.  And it comes with a lot of doubting, negativity, bickering, and LOTS of wrong choices.  That being said, I'm a little perturbed with a few picks in this first round.  I'll get to them as I name them off.

1. MIA - Jake Long - Good choice.  Draft rule, take OT first.  If you like Beck, protect him.  Parcells understands this.

2. STL - Chris Long - Quite surprised the Rams would actually pull the trigger on Chris.  Not because he isn't worthy, but because St. Louis usually mucks things up.  Secured a motor off the end for 10+ years.

3. ATL - Matt Ryan - Consensus #1 QB.  Best move the Falcons could have made.

4. OAK - Darren McFadden - 1/8/08 Joker Report:  "Looks like I'll have to update my first round mock.  Starting with Al Davis going after Run DMC, by God.  I feel it in my BONES!!  That old geezer is whispering pig sooooey!! in his sleep as I type this..."

5. K.C. - Glenn Dorsey - Traded up later in this round to address OT for Brodie Croyle to allow them to get arguably the best player in the draft.  Dorsey would have helped any team he went to.

6. NYJ - Vernon Gholston - Looks like a monster, tests like a beast.  Question is, will he amount to more than just "the DE who beat Jake Long a couple times"...

7. N.E. ---> N.O. - Sedrick Ellis - Tried to wait for Dorsey, but settled for moving up to take Ellis.

8. BAL ---> JAX - Derrick Harvey - Another "will he meet the hype" DE in this class.  Played lights out in a big game, but will he stay consistent?

9. CIN - Keith Rivers - Great pick for the Bengals.  Get a quality LB from a quality program like USC who can play wherever you place him, inside or out.

10. N.O. ---> N. E. - Jerod Mayo - I knew the Pats would surprise, but I guessed Mike Jenkins.  Mayo is a legit 'backer from the SEC who throws more youth and talent on an aging defense.

11. BUF - Leodis McKelvin - I'll be honest, don't know shit about the guy.  Corner from Troy who got hype as soon as the mocks started flowing.  We'll see if he can play with the big boys.  Personally I had many corners rated higher.

12. DEN - Ryan Clady - Possibly the most predictable, especially considering the Broncos could watch him all season being in-state.

13. CAR - Jonathan Stewart - The first "wow, so it's like that" of the draft, with many assuming Stewart would fall to Houston.

14. CHI - Chris Williams - Boring, but needed.  The future of Grossman and Benson hang in the balance.

15. DET ---> K.C. - Brandon Albert - Brodie Croyle and all Alabama fans thank you.  Add another OL and maybe you'll see Brodie's talent over the next few years.

16. ARI - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - One of the unheralded DBs who truly deserves his off-season hype.  Dude is legit.  And maybe if the Cardinals listened to me from the start, Antrel Rolle would be playing SAFETY THIS ENTIRE TIME.  God why do some people get paid so much for ineptitude.

17. K.C. ---> DET - Gosder Cherilus - El Matteo's reaction was "blah".  Pretty much mine as well.  Hard to go wrong with a top-flight lineman, though.  Especially when Kitna got sacked more than a gay man's teabagging party.

18. HOU ---> BAL - Joe Flacco - Hell, they needed somebody.  Big arm from the small school.  Something tells me Billick would have never agreed to this.

19. PHI ---> CAR - Jeff Otah - Blah.

20. TB - Aqib Talib - Jon Gruden loved Charles Woodson.  Talib is this year's version of Woodson.  He'll never reach a mile within Wood's greatness, but an athlete on both sides of the ball caught Gruden's eye, and he'll likely flourish in the cover 2.

21. WAS ---> ATL - Sam Baker - Can play OT or G, which is insurance for the new face of ATL - dog LOVER, Matt Ryan.

22. DAL - Felix Jones - Another no-brainer.  I think Jones is going to explode on the league after playing second fiddle down in Fayetteville.

23. PIT - Rashard Mendenhall - Outstanding value at this pick.  Couple that with fast Willie Parker and you have a sick rushing attack.

24. TEN - Chris Johnson - Great pick, Jeff Fisher.  You chose the fastest RB in the draft.  Didn't you do that last year with Chris Henry?  This isn't a track meet, it's the NFL.  Straight line speed ain't gonna help shit if you can't get past the trenches.

25. SEA ---> DAL - Mike Jenkins - SOLID pick.  Funny how a rookie will have to cover a veteran's ass.  *ahem* Roy Williams.

26. HOU - Duane Brown - Yawn.

27. S.D. - Antoine Cason - Adding this to Antonio Cromartie?  Wow. Joker Report analysis: It's clear Mr. Cason is one of the top corners in the nation.  I especially like his size at 6'1" and a big 185, and his intelligence is clear in the film room and on the fly on the field.  His quickness and speed are excellent, and he seems comfortable at any position in the secondary, as he lined up in many areas.  Excellent and effective blitzer with a knack for forcing turnovers.  Was not tested very much in man coverage situations.  A willing and sure tackler in run support.  Needs to work on shoring up his stance, backpedal technique, and shedding blocks in open field.  Excellent game, as he's out there working with minimal safety help.  All-around skills at corner makes him a first round playmaker.

28. DAL ---> SEA - Lawrence Jackson - Surprise move here, but the 'Hawks have always been fond of a good DE.

29. S.F. - Kentwan Balmer - Everybody needs a good DT.  Balmer came on strong from UNC towards the end of the season.

30. G.B. ---> NYJ - Dustin Keller - If you want to move up for a tight end that can't even block, you may as well be the J-E-T-S.

31. NYG - Kenny Phillips - Are you kidding me?  With all the safety needs in the NFL, you allow the best one in the draft to fall to the last pick in the first round?  To the Super Bowl champions?  And just because he isn't Ed Reed, all the other teams/scouts/know-it-alls in the world dropped his value?  TONS of teams missed the value KP will bring to their team.  I can't wait to revisit this draft three years from now.  Fucking idiots.

I'm debating on posting the second round.  I'm pissed KC took Brandon Flowers DIRECTLY before Green Bay, but I'm equally happy knowing my favorite corner in this draft is now a teammate of my favorite Bama quarterback.  Herm and the Chiefs had a great first day.

Ah fuggit, I'll post again tomorrow after the draft.  Loooot of big names and great players left to be drafted tomorrow.