2008 NFL Mock Draft Update 1-31

Here's the newest, and final installment of my (pre-combine) version of the 2008 NFL Mock Draft. As always catch up on the past installments here:

Picks 1-6

Picks 7-12

Edited/Updated Top 12 PLUS and additional pick.

Picks 14-20

First the Top 20 again:

1. Miami - Glenn Dorsey, DT - LSU
2. St. Louis - Chris Long, DE - Virginia
3. Atlanta - Darren McFadden, RB - Arkansas
4. Oakland - Sedrick Ellis, DT - USC
5. KC - Jake Long, OT - Michigan
6. NYJ - Ryan Clady, OT - Boise State
7. New England - Dan Connor, LB - Penn State
8. Baltimore - Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College
9. Cincinnati - Vernon Gholston, DE - Ohio State
10. New Orleans - Mike Jenkins, CB - South Florida
11. Buffalo - Brian Brohm, QB - Louisville
12. Denver - Kenny Phillips, S - Miami
13. Carolina - Andre Woodson, QB - Kentucky
14. Chicago - Sam Baker, OT - USC
15. Detroit - Jonathon Stewart, RB - Oregon
16. Arizona - Derrick Harvey, DE - Florida
17. Minnesota -Early Doucet, WR - LSU
18. Houston - Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Illinois
19. Philidelphia - DeSean JAckson, WR - California
20. Tampa Bay - Antoine Cason, CB - Arizona

Now the Updated/Amendmended Top 20.

17. Minnesota - Instead of Early Doucet the Nordics look out west for WR help. As I said last time DeSean Jackson is DANGEROUS and would be a steal at 19. He'd still be a steal at 17 and that's where I think he'll fall.

19. Philidelphia - With Jackson off the board the Iggles are still looking WR and just because he slipped a couple spots does not make him any less dangerous. LSU WR Early Doucet looks just as good here as he did at 17 last week. I think this one is a no brainer. Instead of picking a new QB to threaten your starter, why not get a quality Receiver to help him out.

20. Tampa Bay - As of recently Kansas CB Aqib Talib is moving up many draft boards as a top DB prospect I think he might eeke ahead of Cason come April. Also, I kind of fear that putting Cason that high was a slightly more emotional choice being that I love the guy. He's working out down in Florida right now so don't be surprised to see what he can accomplish at the Combine.

Now for 21-31:

Skins - Nelson Miller's pride and joy from the nation's capital is looking to improve on a playoff run. What to do? Protect Todd Collins/Jason Campbell and open up some running lanes for Clinton Portis. The answers being either Pitt OL Jeff Otah or Vandy OL Chris Williams. I think Williams has a slight edge right now, we'll have to see how many of the Trident Saloon faithful cheer on either of these welcome additions.

'Boys - The Cowboys are looking at 2 things in the first round, a WR and a CB. I think they're going CB here and it will be the aforementioned CB from Arizona, Antoine Cason. Now if Tampa goes for Cason then Talib will fit nicely here as well. Judging by my board though, Talib is gone, and Cason is heading to Dallas.

Stillers - Mike Tomlin's innaugural season in Pitt actually went pretty well, with the exception of that one call, I think you all know which one I'm talking about, vs. the Jags, you know. The Stillers are actually in pretty good shape, but it wouldn't hurt to bolster the Defensive Line a little bit. Enter UNC DT Kentwan Balmer. He's a good fit for the Burgh's defensive schemes.

Music City - The former home of the original "Miracle" in the NFL (I'm talking to you Kitna) is looking to continue to build on a successful season. Vince Young is doing his thing but his passing yards are not where they should be. LenDale White is doing well and the running game in Tennessee is deep enough, but who does Vince have to throw to? Mike Williams has been a bust, Eric Moulds has been hanging around for over a decade but isn't the same threat he once was, and Bears cast-off Justin Gage has been less than impressive in the last 5 years. It could be former teammate Limas Sweed from Texas who missed the last half of his Senior season, and Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly. I'm leaning Kelly here, but we'll have to see how Sweed has bounced back from wrist surgery. Watch Texas' # 2 all-time TD receptions to see how much he has lost being on the shelf for the last 6 months.

Hawks - Seattle looked good this year, just like the past few, but coming up short. One big reason is the lack of a running game. Shaun Alexander doesn't break tackles like he once did, instead he crumbles to the turf on first contact. Having a running back with him will either inspire him to run harder, give him breathers, or will become the featured back. I think the perfect addition to share time as well as be a VERY capable running back is Arkansas RB Felix Jones.

Jags - Jack Del Rio is finally making some moves in J-Ville after a few years adjusting to the head coaching position. Jacksonville had a good run this year, especially in the latter half of the season. Fred Taylor is heading to his first Pro Bowl and Jacksonville was beyond competant this year. I think they bolster the D-Line a little bit and look for DE from Miami Calais Campbell to do the job.

Bolts - After a tough loss last weekend where they just couldn't convert on the Pats defense, when Brady looked human (3 Picks) the Chargers are in good position. They made some strides under Norv Turner this year, and went through some growing pains in the first half of the season. Look for a surprise pick up here of Reggie Smith, CB - Oklahoma. He will be a solid fit for San Diego and has some serious athletic upside.

Boys - Assuming, as I did, Dallas goes Corner with the 22nd pick by the time pick 28 rolls around they will be looking WR. I think they stay in state and pick up the Texas WR Limas Sweed, assuming he's still on the board. I think he's the top WR left at the end of the 1st round and would be a better target for Bromo than Clayton.

Niners - The Niners need a lot of help and having that # 7 pick would have worked out very nicely for them, unfortunately for the San Fran faithful their pick is slightly lower in the draft order and they look to pick up Auburn DT Pat Sims. By this point of the draft though let's be honest at most I have 9 picks above right and someone will be pulling the Quinn/Leinart free-fall, I mean can you say Adrian Peterson with 7 and Ted Ginn Jr. with 9. These are just educated guesses at this point. But if everything were to fall into place ahead of SF like they have in my make believe draft, look for Pat Sims' name to be called.

Cheeseheads - The Pack made a tremendous turn-around this season making it to the NFC Championship and only losing to the Bears twice, and someone else once. I had a point here. Oh, Ryan Grant proved to be an asset, and there really aren't a lot of recievers left worthy of a 1st round pick. I think they go Defense and they bolster the LBs. Keith Rivers LB from USC could help out Hawk right about here, and he would possibly be the best pick of the draft of anyone outside of the top 3. The one downside is he played at USC which has been known to add a little too much to your draft resume without 100% panning out, at least on the defenive side of the ball. He could be looking like a great pick up right here specifically because of his Maroon and Gold Wardrobe.

G-Men - The resurgent Giants who continue to play the role of surprising underdog led by underdog leader Eli Manning will have the last pick in the 1st round win or lose. The Patriots lost their pick due to the fact that they got caught cheating to start of this Magical* Super Bowl run. Anyways, the Giants looked pretty good and have built a solid team, particularly on the Defensive Line, and chemistry is at an all-time high in New York riding on the aforementioned underdog card. I think they look to improve their DBs a little bit and look to long shot CB Leodis McKelvin from Troy. McKelvin's two biggest downsides are the fact that Troy didn't play wnough good competition to warrant 1st round consideration, and that his first name is Leodis, seriously.

Look for a new draft update after the Combine and All-Star games are over. And don't be surprised to see a midnight alteration on or around Friday the 25th of April for a finalized projection where I will most likely say the Falcons take Matt Ryan because the pressure will be too much on them to take a QB despite the fact that McFadden is a superior talent.

As always to catch up on my past draft prognostications

Picks 1-6

Picks 7-12

Edited/Updated Top 12 PLUS and additional pick.

Picks 14-20

See you in the Green Room.