As much fun as it is to hate on Flushgarden some more, the Super Bowl is over and it is time to think about next year.


What is your top ten? Your first round mock? Trade rumors? Trade scenarios? It is time to slick back our hair like Mel Kiper and talk some draft.


My top ten:

1. Miami----Glenn Dorsey DT. They have no one at DT. Dorsey is an awesome DT. Even the Fins cant screw this up. If they love Sedrick Ellis (who had a great Senior Bowl apparently) they might take him especially if they think he fits a 3-4 scheme better.

2. St. Louis---Jake Long OT. Pace has been hurt and is old. O-line is important to a team with so much offensive firepower.

3. Atlanta Falcons---Matt Ryan QB. Thank you M. Vick. Personally I like Brian Brohm but maybe Atlanta shies away from any Louisville products.

4. Oakland Raiders---Darren McFadden RB. This is a great spot for the Cowboys to trade up. I think it would take Barber, the 22nd pick and the 29th pick. In return, the Cowboys get the 4th pick and the Raiders 3rd round pick. That would be an offer i would take if I was Al Davis. You get an RB to put in for unreliable lamont jordan to help out JaMarcus Russell and you get three picks between 22 and 35 where you can add a bunch of talent.

5. KC Chiefs---Chris Long DE. You pair him with Jared Allen and your pass rush is set for a decade. Ask the giants how important being able to rush the passer with 4 is. They should also seriously consider taking a QB. Croyle sucks. Trading down would be a good option too.

6. NYJ---Vernon Gholston DE. Jets should try to trade up and get Chris Long. If not Gholston would be an awesome OLB in a 3-4 scheme. Merriman like potential as an edge rusher.

7. NE----Aqib Talib CB. I am assuming Asante Samuel leaves. Therefore, the Pats go with a CB. Mike Jenkins from So. Fla is a possibility too.

8. Ravens---Brian Brohm QB. They need a QB desperately. Troy Smith will make a good backup. Get rid of McNair and Boller.

9. Bengals---Sedrick Ellis DT. They need line help, Ellis is a good DT. easy.

10. Saints---Kenny Phillips S. Another team that needs to go defense. Their secondary stinks. Phillips is going to be a star and premier safeties affect games.

I've heard the rumors of trades between Dallas/Miami and Dallas/Oakland to move up to get McFadden. I'm not sure I like the idea of giving up Barber though, they could just make him the full time starter. I won't be disappointed if we don't trade up for him, and I won't be disappointed if we do.

Miami's trading that one pick. If for some reason they don't, they will pick Dorsey. Your draft looks pretty good, I don't like the Falcons picking Ryan 3rd. Maybe try to ship that pick to the Eagles for McNabb or get another free agent QB, and spend that pick on defense.

Yea, I expect Parcells to trade it off to get a group of picks.

But Al Davis only makes decisions that negatively impact the team, so that's out.

Jerry Jones said last week that Marion Barber is not going anywhere. I don't think Dallas is going to trade up for McFadden. If anything, I see them trading Spears or Carp and our second 1st rounder to Cincy for CJ. It may even be both of them and another pick as they run a 4-3, and both players should do much better in that system. It's gonna happen, watch.

I'd be annoyed if we got rid of Spears, I'm not all that fond of Carpenter though so if he gets traded I won't really mind. I'm not sure we need Chad Johnson though, I'd rather improve the defense and not the offense at this point.

that would be fantastic. as a dolphins fan I can only be skeptical that my team will do something that smart/far-sighted. honestly, I could live with dorsey though. DT is as good a place to start rebuilding as any and he is worthy of top pick money.

I agree I think you are in a win/win situation. I guess it depends on who they think they can pick up by trading down.

As much as Parcells wants to trade the number one pick, it aint happenin folks.
There is no one player in this draft that would constitute giving up multiple picks AND paying the number one pick money. I agree with the OP's first ten picks, but doubt Dallas trades Barber to get McFadden. You never can tell with Jones though, esp with McFadden being from Arkansas.

I think #1 gets traded.




On a side note about the draft. I heard on local radio today that the Gmen had 8 draft picks last year, 7 of which were on the roster for the the SB. Impressive.

3-4 of them were making huge plays in the game too.

Smith at WR, Bradshaw at RB, I can't remember the DL who got pressure on Brady a few times and one sack if I remember right.

Alford from PSU had the sack with ~20 seconds left.

Nah, it won't happen. Cinti would take a 3 million cap hit and if you know anything about Mike Brown, he won't take the hit and let a great player go. Chad is just doing what his jerk agent is telling him to do.

Also, Cinti already has about 12 picks this draft so we'd be looking to trade picks or trade up rather than more picks.

I pray that a defensive lineman falls to us at 9 in the draft, especially Ellis but I have a bad fear that it won't.

Giants won this game because of their amazing recent draft record. They have added Tuck, Alford and dont forget Kiawanuka to complement Osi and Strahan (possibly retiring). They have added Ross and Webster to shore up the secondary. This year they got a WR to replace Toomer (Smith), a TE to push Shockey (Boss) and a RB to team perfectly with Jacobs (Bradshaw). Jacobs was also a good recent pick to replace Tiki.

Very impressive. Also the Manning for Rivers trade looks pretty smart now too. This draft they need to focus on their LB corps (Keith Rivers from USC would be perfect) and the Safety position and maybe get some O-line depth imo. They are well stocked to contend for a while.

We don't really need Spears as we have Ratliff, Hatcher, Canty (who needs to be resigned) and Tank who could rotate NT/DE like Ratliff if we keep Ferguson. You need to remember that TO is getting old, 34 I think, and Glenn probably won't be back. I am definitely not comfortable with Crayton and Hurd, we need a good WR. Roy Williams from Detroit is another possibility, though I worry about his durability. As far as the defense goes, we only really need 2 CBs and possibly a FS if Hamlin leaves, but Tank Williams is available.

I really don't see a DE at this spot for the Chiefs. They have so many more pressing needs and actually DE is pretty solid for them with Tamba Hali and Allen. I see them taking Jake Long if he falls to 5, which is seeming more unlikely as we get closer. If he's gone I think they trade down to later in the 1st round for the next best OT and accumulate picks for later. If they think they can get a comparable OT in round 2 then a CB is also a possibility.

It sure seems that they are set on Croyle being the future, I actually think he has the physical tools, if he can stay healthy but that is a huge if. I wouldn't mind a QB at 5.

If I were a Dolphins fan, I would be much happier trading down and staying away from Dorsey. Leg/knee problems on a man of that frame, while not necessarily symptomatic of an injury-hampered career, certainly don't help.

BTW, the Pats need linebacker help immediately. Combined age of those guys is like 158.

I don't think the Dolphins will be able to trade down. It doesn't happen often with a pick as high as #1. More teams want to move down than want to move up.

As long as either the Rams or the Chiefs take Chris Long I will be happy.

I would prefer that the Rams take Chris and the Chiefs take Matt Ryan, but you cant always get what you want.

Isn't there some kind of Missouri law against rooting for both teams? I know you can marry your sister down there but I thought they had some standards.

I do whatever I want. The mans rules dont keep me down.

this is the one pick I hated writing. Chiefs dont need a DE but Long is clearly the best player left on the board in my mock at #5. I think they will trade it to a team that wants Chris Long badly in the end. Good move for them imo.

If Jake Long fell to them they obviously take him but I doubt Jake falls that far.

I agree with the person in this thread who thinks it will be impossible to trade down from #1. They wont get good value.

Dorsey's injury concerns are why I mentioned the possibility of taking Sedrick Ellis.

I also think they should take a long hard look at Jake Long.

Chris Long is the best player in this draft.

Hoping the Vikings get a good QB or a big play WR (like DeSean Jackson) in the first round. Though Fred Davis from USC went to my high school, so that wouldn't be bad either. He's a beast at the TE position.

The Cowboys should trade up with the fins and take Glenn Dorsey. They are in desperate need of Defensive help... their defense is terrible. I think it would be awful if they traded up and wasted the pick on more offense.

Hopefully he'll be as good as Courtney Brown.

No, that is the last thing we need. We don't have that much cap room, we need to lock-up Ware, Canty and Barber to long-term deals and Hamlin might want a big raise. We don't need to trade into the top 5 for ANYBODY. I do agree we need help on the defensive side of the ball, but we need a SS and CBs.

I actually think we should go back to a 4-3. Can you imagine Ware and Spencer at DE?

I am hearing this a lot. If he can play in a 3-4 scheme I would not be surprised if the Dolphins considered him too. Honestly, I think you can make a good case for the fins to take Dorsey, Ellis, Jake Long or Chris Long. Thats the four legit guys in my mind.

Your point is what brvhrt? We actually need both if Hamlin leaves, because Roy is worthless.

Steelers need OL now and DL depth to move in a starting role the next 1-2 years.

I'd think they could also use another really good WR, or do you think Holmes is going to end up being a solid #1 receiver?

I think Holmes will be a solid #1. He showed that this year before his ankle injury slowed him down. We do need another solid #2-3 receiver, but the OL and DL is more important this year, with OL being the #1 issue by far.

Being a Falcons fan...unfortunatlly we are most likely going to draft Matt Ryan. I would much rather us get someone in FA, I don't like any of the possible 1st round QB's for starters this year(especially Brian Brohm so don't go there). But I would be very suprised if we didn't draft Ryan. Hopefully he pans out for us though....

And as far as the #1 pick....Miami would ship it off in a heartbeat, but there will be no takers. No prime time star player in this draft(except maybe McFadden) worth moving up for. So as much as Miami would like a trade here, it's just not gonna happen.

yeah, ATL fans might not like taking Ryan 3rd but that is pretty much a guarantee at this point. they need a QB, he is the consensus best QB in this draft and has the pedigree to justify taking him so high.

I have maintained all along that the FINS would trade the top pick in a second BUT will not be able to for fair value.

The draft is coming up real soon. So I decided to bump this one up. Gonna post a mock draft. Hopefully, I can generate some discussion here.

I'll also post draft gossip and news in this thread to keep it alive.

Keep in mind that mocks aren't the be all/end all. I just believe that this is a scenario that can arise more so than what I believe the best picks should be.

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
7. New England Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
10. New Orleans Saints - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St.
11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
14. Chicago Bears - Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
15. Detroit Lions - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
16. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
17. Minnesota Vikings - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
18. Houston Texans - Jeffrey Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
21. Washington Redskins - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
22. Dallas Cowboys - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Quentin Groves, OLB, Auburn
24. Tennessee Titans - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
25. Seattle Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
27. San Diego Chargers - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
28. Dallas Cowboys - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
29. San Francisco 49ers - Sam Baker, OT, USC
30. Green Bay Packers - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (FL)
31. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

I like the idea of the Raiders getting McFadden to platoon him with Fargas. I wouldn't mind any of the other guys you have in the top 3 either. Secretly I'm rooting for them to get Chris Long just because of his dad.

At least you have Devin Thomas as the first WR taken, like he should be.

I don't think Gholston will last until #6 personally, but there are a lot of different things that can happen in the top 6 depending on who Miami takes.

I don't know how Oakland can pass up on him if the first 3 picks go the way you have them laid out, but it is Al Davis and you never know what the Crypt Keeper will do.

If the Cowboys take ANY offensive players in the first round, I'm going to cry.

if the cowboys really want a corner they should consider taking a chance on Aqib Talib in the late 1st round. guy is a top 15 talent with a slight marijuana problem.

The Cowboys have absolutely no problem with drugs. (this sentence should not be confused with the closely related sentence --- "No Cowboys have any drug problems")

The last magazine I bought (printed after the combine and a few pro days) has the Cowboys taking CB Leodis McKelvin out of Troy. I'm sure I spelled his name wrong, but I don't care.

This will almost certainly be final mock until the draft next weekend.

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
When talking about the team's starters, Tony Sparano was able to mention one for every position but right tackle, leaving Jake Long as a major possibility. Furthermore, the Dolphins have already entered contract negotiations with Long. Granted, they'll likely do the same with Chris Long and Vernon Gholston, but the fact that they picked Long first could show a higher interest in him.

2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State

This pick depends on what the Rams plan to do with Adam Carriker. Adam was injured last season and dropped to 270 pounds, way too small for a defensive tackle. If they decide to keep him at his current weight, they'll move him to DE and select Dorsey. If they want him to gain back the weight, then they do that and draft Chris Long. I think out of the two, Dorsey is the better player. Scouts believe that Dorsey is capable of 8-10 sacks per season as a 4-3 defensive tackle. To me, it's about 50/50 between the two.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern Calfornia

The Falcons have many needs and many draft picks. Defensive tackle is certainly one of the biggest and Sedrick Ellis is the BPA for the Falcons.

The Falcons will not select Matt Ryan. Many signs and articles point to them drafting one in the second round.

4. Oakland Raiders - Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Al Davis might want McFadden a lot. But Davis might get a bit nostalgic and pick Howie's son with this pick. Chris Long is an intense, relentless player with great character. The defensive line for Oakland is very shaky and Long is capable of playing a variety of positions in the NFL. Long is definitely the pick here.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Branden Albert, OG, Virginia

The Chiefs have several players in mind for this pick: Long, Dorsey, Ryan Clady, Ellis and Albert. Three of those five are gone so it's down to Albert and Clady for this pick. It is said that the Chiefs are just super-high on Albert. His versatility could allow him to play any position on the offensive line and with the Chiefs needing the help everywhere, Albert could be a big boost.

6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

The Jets need an offensive sparkplug on their team. They lack that one big time playmaker that can be threat to score anywhere on the field. The Jets have never been great with picking running backs (Blair Thomas, Roger Vick). But they will make the right pick this time. With the signing of Calvin Pace, Gholston is definitely second on their list.

7. New England Patriots - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

The Patriots need help at cornerback and the linebacker positions. Gholston is athletic, workout warrior who could serve as an almost Shawne Merriman or DeMarcus Ware type of presence in New England. This pick could be very tradeable if Ellis is still available at this point. The Patriots don't want to pay a ridiculous sum of money for an unproven rookie.

8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

The no-brainer pick for the Ravens. McNair has retired and the Kyle Boller era is over with the firing of Brian Billick. Change is needed on this offense and Matt Ryan will bring it.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California

I can't name a single decent linebacker on the Bengals. Rivers is a great fit for a very weak linebacking core. The Bengals really need some help on their front seven and Rivers is best defensive player available at this pick.


10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

With Keith Rivers unavailable, the Saints have to address the cornerback position. They've tied a bunch of money at that position, but they still fail miserably in that area. McKelvin is the most complete package at this position. He can play man, cover and return punts to boot. This is the right spot for him assuming the Saints don't trade up.

11. Buffalo Bills - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

Harvey was extremely productive in his final 2 years at Florida, registering 19.5 sacks and 31.0 TFL. He is a pass rusher with a quick first step and does a great job in pursuit in the backfield.

Ideally, I believe the Bills would like to trade out of the #11 spot and pick a receiver later on since that is a much bigger need than defensive end.

12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Clady is a very intelligent offensive tackle that would fit in the Broncos zone blocking system. I don't see how they pass on an offensive lineman at this spot.

13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Although the Panthers believe DeAngelo Williams cannot carry the whole load, they'll be satisfied with LaBrandon Toefield if Chris Williams is available at #13. The Panthers need help along their offensive line and thus make the right pick here.

14. Chicago Bears - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

Turns out that Otah was participating injured at the Combine. So, he has crept up draft boards as of late and is high enough for the Bears to select him here.

15. Detroit Lions - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

There is simply no way Mendenhall will get past the Lions. T.J. Duckett is gone and Kevin Jones is an injury-prone, underachiever. The Lions are under an offense that won't throw the balls 50 times a game. Mendenhall is a stud and provides good balance for them.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

With Antrel Rolle now moving to safety, cornerback is by far the biggest need for the Cardinals. DRC is an extremely athletic corner with a massive upside. People made the mistake of passing on his cousin Antonio because he was too raw. They won't do the same for DRC.

17. Minnesota Vikings - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

Cornerback isn't the Vikings biggest need, but they won't reach for a defensive end at #17 if Harvey is gone. They're either going to draft CB, WR or trade out in this spot and CB is the best way to go, especially when your pass defense is ranked 28th in the NFL.

18. Houston Texans - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

The Texans would prefer to get Jeff Otah or Mike Jenkins at this point. But running back has been their missing piece and Stewart has crept back up draft boards after successful toe surgery last month. A trade is a possibility if the Texans are more interested in addressing CB or OT.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

McNabb was hurt because of a weak offensive line and a complete lack of decent wide receivers on his teams. All of the offensive linemen worthy of this pick are gone. So, that leaves the Eagles Devin Thomas. He is so far only a one-year wonder. But he has the potential to do so much more in the NFL with McNabb at the helm.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

If not for his wrist, Sweed may very well have been the best wide receiver in this draft. He has great hands, size and is very fast for his frame. He's physical enough to beat aggressive corners and fast enough to beat cover corners.

21. Washington Redskins - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

The Redskins have been in need of defensive line help for a long time now. Merling may not be the pass rushing threat Derrick Harvey is, but he's a very versatile end who will contribute for the Redksins.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

In my opinion, Felix Jones is completely undeserving of a first round pick. He gained
most of his yardage off of odd formations and trick plays. Because everybody focused on McFadden, Jones picked up some solid yardage along the way. But Jerry Jones, an Arkansas alum, seems to really like this guy. I don't know why he would want another Julius Jones, but then again I don't own the Cowboys.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

Cherilus is a bit of a reach at 23, but he is still a first round worthy selection. Roethlisberger received a beating from offensive linemen and the loss of Alan Faneca magnifies any need for offensive line help.

24. Tennessee Titans - James Hardy, WR, Indiana

Hardy reminds me a lot of Plaxico Burress. Okay speed for his size, but he is a physical receiver with great hands. He's a huge target for the rather inconsistent Vince Young.

25. Seattle Seahawks - Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC

The no-brainer pick for the Seahawks. He certainly has to be the highest on the Seahawks value chart given the previous picks and addresses a significant need that the team has.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Quentin Groves, LB, Auburn

The Jaguars need to apply pressure to the quarterback. They lost some key players on the defensive line, but any pick at that point is a reach. Groves is a highly athletic, pass-rushing linebacker who will pose a great threat on passing downs.

27. San Diego Chargers - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

The Chargers took a chance on a raw, athletic corner named Antonio Cromartie and he has turned out very well so far. I expect the Chargers to do the same with Aqib Talib in the first round. They need an offensive lineman, but there are no first-round worthy offensive linemen left. They need help in the secondary and Talib will be that help.

28. Dallas Cowboys - DeSean Jackson, WR, California

Jackson is a true playmaking threat. His size might scare some people, but people can add and lose weight. Some people are just natural playmakers who can tear the field up. Jackson would probably play in the slot at Dallas and serve as a great kick and punt returner as well. Cornerback is less of need since Pacman Jones is coming very close to becoming a Dallas Cowboy. The Cowboys can draft a true #2 WR next year.

29. San Francisco 49ers - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma

Yeah, I know that he didn't have a great Pro Day. But Kelly produced big during his time at Oklahoma. The man only had one drop during his time as a wideout at OU. He won't be a burner at the next level. But he will be a big target for Alex Smith. He is a physical, highly reliable possession receiver with outstanding hands.

30. Green Bay Packers - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

The Packers are in a very unpredictable situation in the draft. There are multitude of players that can be selected here. They go with a safety such as Kenny Phillips. Perhaps they draft Antoine Cason, Brandon Flowers or Justin King at cornerback. But I think they go with the best player available in Jerod Mayo. He was highly productive and is a very versatile, talented linebacker.

31. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State

The Giants are in a situation very similar to that of the Packers. They have similar needs to address and possibly similar draft boards. To me, Dan Connor is the best available player for them. He and Mayo are 2 and 2a (behind Keith Rivers) at the linebacker position.

I don't think there's a way Gholston is still on the board past 6 (most likely 4).

There could be a huge wrench thrown in (there almost certainly will be by some team) by the Chiefs dealing Jared Allen before the draft. That would open up tons of possibilities at the #5 pick, that currently don't seem likely (DE's). The next week will be interesting for sure.

If Kenny Phillips is still available at #31 I think the Giants would take him in a heartbeat. They always take Miami guys and they have a glaring need at safety. he is the only great safety in this draft.

The Bengals just rejected TWO first round picks for Chad Johnson