Mel Kipers Mock Draft

[Collier11]

Kiper's First-Round Projection
Name Team Player Position

1 Miami Dolphins Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU

2 St. Louis Rams Chris Long, DE Virginia

3 Atlanta Falcons** Matt Ryan, QB Boston College

4 Oakland Raiders** *Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas

5 Kansas City Chiefs** Jake Long, OT Michigan

6 New York Jets *Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St.

7 New England Patriots (from SF) *Aqib Talib, CB Kansas

8 Baltimore Ravens Sedrick Ellis, DT USC

9 Cincinnati Bengals *Phillip Merling, DE Clemson

10 New Orleans Saints Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina

11 Buffalo Bills *Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma

12 Denver Broncos *Ryan Clady, OT Boise St.

13 Carolina Panthers Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh

14 Chicago Bears Sam Baker, OT USC

15 Detroit Lions Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy

16 Arizona Cardinals *Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon

17 Minnesota Vikings *DeSean Jackson, WR California

18 Houston Texans Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida

19 Philadelphia Eagles Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt

20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers *Felix Jones, RB Arkansas

21 Washington Redskins *Calais Campbell, DE Miami

22 Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) *Mario Manningham, WR Michigan

23 Pittsburgh Steelers *Chilo Rachal, OG USC

24 Tennessee Titans Limas Sweed, WR Texas

25 Seattle Seahawks Fred Davis, TE USC

26 Jacksonville Jaguars *Derrick Harvey, DE Florida

27 San Diego Chargers *Reggie Smith, CB Oklahoma

28 Dallas Cowboys *Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois

29 San Francisco 49ers (from IND) *James Hardy, WR Indiana

30 Green Bay Packers Keith Rivers, LB USC

31 New York Giants Dan Connor, LB Penn St.

32 New England Patriots Forfeited pick

[JohnnyMack]

OU v. Texas on the SD corners.

That would be cool.

[Boomer.....]

So much for Reggie make the wrong decision. (assuming that Mel knows what he's talking about)

[oudivesherpa]

As long as your a first round choice you probably made a good decision OR if you don't feel as if your stock would improve by waiting a year, coming out would be the best choice. There should be a good decision tree to help players make that choice. You ask the coach he'll say stay, get an opinion from the NFL and they will give you an idea of where you might go, BUT so much is riding on that choice it often comes down to the chance of getting hurt versus the chance of improving their draft ranking.

However, the difference between a mid-first round choice and a mid-second round choice is often over a million dollars per year, for the length of time a player normally stays in the NFL it's $5 million, the difference, which if invested in a conservative portfilo, would earn the player over $200,000 year (after tax) in his retirement.

Bottom line--way too many kids come out early and lose a chunk of change.
I will track these early outs and see where they fall, how many will be first round picks, versus swayed by an agent wanting a quick commission.

[Scott D]

Reggie to San Diego would be a waste with Jammer and Cromartie locked in as the starting corners.

Truthfully, his toe injury alone could destroy his draft status, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop because of a decent to poor combine because of the toe.

[Desert Sapper]

...swayed by an agent wanting a quick commission.

I think this says it all. Sure, the college coaches want the kids to stay. Bob probably only told Malcolm to go to the NFL this year. Usually, that's right. I think MK drops into the 20s, but still goes in the first. I think Reggie goes in the 2nd. I hope Curtis goes on day 1, but I don't think he will. My gut says Bob told these kids the right thing. The NFL sets a pay standard on where a player is drafted, but not how much a player is needed. A team might really need a corner, but they know if they pick him up in the 2nd round, he's guaranteed to be paid less. The only real losers are the players. Unless they are guaranteed a top pick (like AD, Tommie, etc.), they should come back. I'm just glad the NFL protects these kids from the sharks for three years. Wish they could do it for long enough for them to legitimately earn a degree.

[colleyvillesooner]

Day 1 doesn't really mean what it used to. Only Rounds 1 and 2 are on Day 1 now.

You may have meant that but I just wanted to point that out for anyone that didn't know they changed it up

[Collier11]

Day 1 doesn't really mean what it used to. Only Rounds 1 and 2 are on Day 1 now.

You may have meant that but I just wanted to point that out for anyone that didn't know they changed it up


1-3 are first day I thought

[Scott D]

No action was taken on any of those issues except the draft, in which the time between picks in the first round will be cut from 15 minutes to 10 to help speed up a process that went a record 6 hours and 8 minutes last April.

Starting time was also moved from noon EDT to 3 p.m. for the first day, which will be limited to two rounds instead of three.

"We believe this will make for a more streamlined and efficient draft," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement issued during the league owners' meetings.

and


Goodell said at a news conference he thought the changes in the draft would go a long way to streamlining the process, which in recent years has become an endurance test.

There was also a change in the second round. It will be cut from 10 minutes to seven between choices for next year's draft, which will be held April 26-27 at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

In recent years, teams have often used most of the 15 minutes in the first round, entertaining trade offers or making them.

The time between picks will stay at five minutes for the last five rounds, which will take place on Sunday. That session will start at 10 a.m. instead of 11 as it has in the past. Both days will be televised by ESPN and the NFL Network.

[Collier11]

and


I knew they were shortening the rds but had not seen that they were only having 2 rds on day 1

[KingDavid]

Can any of these guys take it back and "undeclare" again?

[madillsoonerfan5353]

Can any of these guys take it back and "undeclare" again?


I think they can go til draft day, if they don't sign an agent!! I think!

[BoulderSooner79]

Can any of these guys take it back and "undeclare" again?

I thought they had 72 hours to change their minds. The only kid I read about that undeclared was the RB James Davis from Clemson.

[Desert Sapper]

Day 1 doesn't really mean what it used to. Only Rounds 1 and 2 are on Day 1 now.

You may have meant that but I just wanted to point that out for anyone that didn't know they changed it up

Roger dodger. I think he goes mid to late third round. If he goes before that I'll be pleasantly shocked.

I just don't see him wowing at the combine. It seems like that's all the NFL gives a damn about anymore. Like they are selecting a team for the Olympics, and not a sport with highly specialized skills.

[Theskipster]

Direct from the NCAA

Division I-A and I-AA football student-athletes are permitted to enter the NFL draft one time without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares his intention to resume intercollegiate football participation within 72 hours after the NFL draft declaration date. Further, the 72-hour period begins at 12:01 a.m., after the NFL draft declaration deadline. This date is traditionally in mid-January.

In the above circumstance, the individual may not have an oral or written agreement with an agent or not received any benefits from an agent in order to return to or enroll in an NCAA institution.

[LittleWingSooner]

Reggie Smith made a great decision so did Malcolm Kelly. I don't understand Lofton leaving early. He might be a second day pick.

[Collier11]

Reggie Smith made a great decision so did Malcolm Kelly. I don't understand Lofton leaving early. He might be a second day pick.


some are projecting 1st rd for him and I havent seen anyone project him below 2nd rd??? Either way it is a ton of $$$$$$$$$$$

[oupride]

Whats the chances that Miami takes Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas?

[oupride]

Lofton goes b4 Smith IMO

[Desert Sapper]

some are projecting 1st rd for him and I havent seen anyone project him below 2nd rd??? Either way it is a ton of $$$$$$$$$$$

I've seen very few mock drafts that cover the second round, and those that I have don't include him in it. I haven't seen anybody with Lofton in the 1st round. Do you have a link or something?

[Collier11]

I've seen very few mock drafts that cover the second round, and those that I have don't include him in it. I haven't seen anybody with Lofton in the 1st round. Do you have a link or something?


let me look

[Desert Sapper]

let me look

I just hope you are right. Having a LB go in the 1st round would be phenomenal (on many levels).

[Collier11]

FYI, almost all of these have Reggie as a 1st Rd pick and Lofton as 1st or 2nd


This link has him as the #2 LB out of 113 draftable ILB's and the #41 overall player

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=57256

#2 ILB in the Draft
http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/08insidelinebackers.htm

This one has him as the #1 ILB and will have a 2nd and 3rd rd projection up soon
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/rankings/ilb.html

1st Rd pick here
http://www.nfldraftdog.com/Mock_Drafts/2008_nfl_mock_draft.htm

2nd Rd here, this mock goes 3 rds and is one of the more respected mock drafts online
http://walterfootball.com/draft2008_2.php

1st Rd here
http://condraft.com/mocks/round-1.html

[r5TPsooner]

Looks like Malcom will be freezing his azz off.

[Collier11]

Not to say that mock drafts cant be wrong but when the consensus has him 1st or 2nd rd I feel pretty good about it

[buffalobill989]

Looks like Malcom will be freezing his azz off.

he prob will. but he has a 2nd year qb & running back to grow with not to mention lee evans. everyone on the bills boards want adarious bowmen. i would rarther have malcolm

[Collier11]

he prob will. but he has a 2nd year qb & running back to grow with not to mention lee evans. everyone on the bills boards want adarious bowmen. i would rarther have malcolm


they realize that the cold wont make the ball freeze to his hands right?

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Whats the chances that Miami takes Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas?

Not good..Ronnie Brown had a good year before getting hurt...I m not sure Dorsey is the guy if they go to a 3-4 defense which seems likely....

Seems like somebody was saying Kelly to the Bills around here for a month or so..not sure who

[LittleWingSooner]

Parcels will start on defense for Miami.

[okienole3]

When Curtis sent his evaluation in, he got a 2 card, meaning NFL guys projected him as a 2nd rounder. Of course, that number may change with a good or bad workout at the combine.

[insuranceman_22]

Nice work Collier....thx for the drafts....

[oupride]

Thanks Collier

[pb4ou]

edit: never mind

[CORNholio]

Anybody who watched the TTech bowl game vs. Virginia knows that that Chris Long fellow is a beast and is a legit number 2 pick.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Anybody who watched the TTech bowl game vs. Virginia knows that that Chris Long fellow is a beast and is a legit number 2 pick.

In my opinion, if the Dolphins don't trade out of the number one, that he goes 1. perfect fit for a 3-4 defense that they will move to

[LittleWingSooner]

In my opinion, if the Dolphins don't trade out of the number one, that he goes 1. perfect fit for a 3-4 defense that they will move to

Dorsey is probably going first because he's the perfect anchor type for the 3-4, you can get another good rush end for the 3-4. There's more of those out there.

[Scott D]

Dolphins don't need a rush end as much as they need a rushing linebacker in the Merriman/Ware mold.

[LittleWingSooner]

Dolphins don't need a rush end as much as they need a rushing linebacker in the Merriman/Ware mold.

Same difference. 3-4 the rush end/rush LB position. Plus they already have one in Taylor. He's still a great de/rush end.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Dorsey is probably going first because he's the perfect anchor type for the 3-4, you can get another good rush end for the 3-4. There's more of those out there.


IMO Dorsey is more suited for the 4-3 than a 3-4. Not saying he couldn't play it but

1. Long played in 3-4 throughout college career.
2. Dorsey is a better fit in a 4-3 due to his ability to penetrate the gap and disrupt the offense. NT Just doesnt fit what he is good at.

[Desert Sapper]

FYI, almost all of these have Reggie as a 1st Rd pick and Lofton as 1st or 2nd


This link has him as the #2 LB out of 113 draftable ILB's and the #41 overall player

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profile.php?pyid=57256

#2 ILB in the Draft
http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/08insidelinebackers.htm

This one has him as the #1 ILB and will have a 2nd and 3rd rd projection up soon
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/rankings/ilb.html

1st Rd pick here
http://www.nfldraftdog.com/Mock_Drafts/2008_nfl_mock_draft.htm

2nd Rd here, this mock goes 3 rds and is one of the more respected mock drafts online
http://walterfootball.com/draft2008_2.php

1st Rd here
http://condraft.com/mocks/round-1.html

Awesome. Thanks. I really hope he does go in the 1st-2nd rounds. I'd love for OU to have multiple 1st day picks. That would be very nice.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

The draft service I used to work for has CL goin 27...He s been everywhere from 23 to 47

They have Reggie going to Philly in round 2 (50 something pick) and Malcolm going 20 to TB

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Adrian Arrington wasnt going to compete for MKs spot in the draft but he s done himself no favors with the drunk driving and throwing the pregnant girl out of the car fiasco

[effay]

Kiper's First-Round Projection
Name Team Player Position

7 New England Patriots (from SF) *Aqib Talib, CB Kansas

27 San Diego Chargers *Reggie Smith, CB Oklahoma

Talib at 7 is way too high and the Pats don't need a corner.

Why would the Chargers draft a corner in the first round with Jammer and Cromartie on board?

Kiper's mock is one of the most bizarre I've seen.

[Collier11]

Talib at 7 is way too high and the Pats don't need a corner.

Why would the Chargers draft a corner in the first round with Jammer and Cromartie on board?

Kiper's mock is one of the most bizarre I've seen.


Well, perhaps he sees the Chargers using Reggie at Safety or is Jammers contract coming up?

Also, I dont remember the last time the Pats had a bad draft choice so if they are thinking of picking Talib that high it must be for a reason...we still have almost 3 months though so im sure it is pure speculation at this point

[JohnnyMack]

Talib at 7 is way too high and the Pats don't need a corner.

Why would the Chargers draft a corner in the first round with Jammer and Cromartie on board?

Kiper's mock is one of the most bizarre I've seen.

Yeah I keep thinking the Pats need to rebuild their LB's at some point. Those guys can't play forever. Would be nice though is Maulaga went to NE, he'd drop in nicely.

[Scott D]

Yeah I keep thinking the Pats need to rebuild their LB's at some point. Those guys can't play forever. Would be nice though is Maulaga went to NE, he'd drop in nicely.

yeah, Junior Seau is like 500 years old.

[hybridworks]

SOONERS FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFTS

NFL Draft Countdown 1-18-08 (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html) Kelly - Redskins/Smith - Packers

Draft King 1-25-08 (http://www.draftking.com/nfl/2008/mockdraft.shtml) Smith - Texans/Kelly - Cowboys

NFL Draft Dog 1-28-08 (http://www.nfldraftdog.com/Mock_Drafts/2008_nfl_mock_draft.htm) Kelly - Dallas/Lofton - Giants

Walter Football 1-28-08 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2008.php) Kelly - Bills/Smith - Vikings

[swardboy]

SOONERS FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFTS

NFL Draft Countdown 1-18-08 (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html) Kelly - Redskins/Smith - Packers

Draft King 1-25-08 (http://www.draftking.com/nfl/2008/mockdraft.shtml) Smith - Texans/Kelly - Cowboys

NFL Draft Dog 1-28-08 (http://www.nfldraftdog.com/Mock_Drafts/2008_nfl_mock_draft.htm) Kelly - Dallas/Lofton - Giants

Walter Football 1-28-08 (http://walterfootball.com/draft2008.php) Kelly - Bills/Smith - Vikings


Captain Obvious here: None of them agree ! Nobody knows...

[colleyvillesooner]

Yeah, that's a pretty big spread for Kelly, from 11th to 22.

[picasso]

hows his hair?

[JLEW1818]

NFL Draft Dog 1-28-08 Kelly - Dallas/Lofton - Giants

Who ever made this draft blog is not to bright.

[Curly Bill]

NFL Draft Dog 1-28-08 Kelly - Dallas/Lofton - Giants

Who ever made this draft blog is not to bright.

...nor are they too bright. :D

Couldn't avoid the irony here.