NFL Mock Draft: The Top 10

The NFL’s Silly Season will reach its apex later this month at Radio City Music Hall in New York, where the 2008 draft will be watched intently by football fans across the globe. The right pick can reverse the fortunes of a rebuilding team; four of last year’s selections made the Pro Bowl in their rookie campaigns. Figuring out which players will make that kind of immediate impact – and for which teams – gives handicappers an advantage over the betting public.

Easier said that done. Teams do not care to divulge their intentions when it comes to who’s on their draft list. Anything they say cannot be taken at face value; sowing misinformation is a typical strategy at this time of year. So news that Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins are negotiating with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long could mean anything. We project Parcells to pick a defensive lineman first overall on Apr. 26.

1. Miami Dolphins (1-15 SU; 5-8-3 ATS): Chris Long

The Dolphins could use either of the non-related Longs. Parcells has a history of drafting defensive players; his last exception was QB Chad Pennington in 2000. Long, a defensive end from West Virginia, is the son of Howie Long.

2. St. Louis Rams (3-13 SU; 5-11 ATS): Jake Long

Offensive line was a huge problem area for the Rams last year. Long was outstanding with the Wolverines, turned heads at the combine, and can save QB Marc Bulger from another miserable season.     

3. Atlanta Falcons (4-12 SU; 8-8 ATS): Matt Ryan

The rebuilding Falcons would no doubt prefer to trade down and pick Ryan somewhere around No. 7, but their need for a potential franchise QB is too great. This Boston College product could help the Falcons put Michael Vick behind them.

4. Oakland Raiders (4-12 SU; 6-10 ATS): Darren McFadden

McFadden is the top player in the draft, but like Adrian Peterson in 2007, the former Arkansas tailback doesn’t fill a pressing need for many clubs. Oakland has bigger needs, too, but Al Davis apparently loves McFadden’s running style.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-12 SU; 7-8-1 ATS): Ryan Clady

The Chiefs were another team with offensive line issues in 2007. QB Brodie Croyle needs protection, and Clady can deliver; some say the Boise State tackle is a better prospect than Jake Long.

6. New York Jets (4-12 SU; 6-9-1 ATS): Vernon Gholston

The Jets would love for McFadden to fall to No. 6; barring that, the Jets have issues with the pass rush, and Gholston collected 22.5 sacks for Ohio State over the past two seasons. Will the Patriots trade up to steal Gholston away from their now-bitter rivals?

7. New England Patriots (16-0 SU; 10-6 ATS): Glenn Dorsey

Having a player like Dorsey available should keep New England from acting purely out of spite. Cornerback is a larger need for the Patriots, but they’ve drafted for talent before, and this LSU defensive tackle should be a threat to quarterbacks around the league for the next decade.

8. Baltimore Ravens (5-11 SU; 3-13 ATS): Leodis McKelvin

McKelvin is the best of the cornerback class of 2008. The Patriots won’t reach for him at No. 7, but the Ravens are desperate after falling apart last year. As a member of the Troy Trojans of the Sun Belt Conference, McKelvin had eight TD returns on special teams.    

9. Cincinnati Bengals (7-9 SU; 7-9 ATS): Sedrick Ellis

The Bengals are praying they finally get their franchise defender on draft day. Ellis was dominant at the Senior Bowl and is coming out of the elite USC Trojans program. He’ll plug the middle on Cincinnati’s leaky defensive line.

10. New Orleans Saints (7-9 SU; 6-10 ATS): Keith Rivers

Another USC alumnus, Rivers is rising up the charts after some impressive workouts. The Saints are more interested in a cornerback, but Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a reach with the No. 10 pick. That leaves the top linebacker on the board as an easy choice to anchor the Saints’ weakside.