2008 NFL Draft - Day 1 Pick by Pick Analysis
by Matt Miller
Join Matt Miller and Luke Chandler as they break down each pick for Day 1 as it happens!
Round 1- Pick 1. Miami Dolphins- Jake Long OT Michigan NES #2 Overall Player
Analysis: Jake Long was an instant addition to the Dolphins offensive line, which was in shambles. Long gives the Dolphins a physical presence, and will help them to install a power run game. Miami must still address needs at quarterback, wide receiver and find a pass rusher to replace Jason Taylor on defense. - MM
Round 1 - Pick 2: St. Louis Rams - Chris Long DE Virginia NES #1 Overall Player
Analysis: The Rams lack of a pass rush was evident last season. Long is going to give a good compliment to Leonard Little, and a good strong-side end. He may never lead the league in sacks, but is a good two way defender who is NFL ready. His quickness off the snap and instincts are second to none.-LPC
Round 1 - Pick 3: Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan QB Boston College NES #6 Overall Player
Analysis: Love it. The Falcons need to rebuild their franchise. Doing that by picking a true franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan is the smart pick. Atlanta has 5 other picks in the top 100 selections to add to the offensive line, defensive line and secondary. Okay, basically everywhere. Let the Matt Ryan era begin! - MM
Round 1 - Pick 4: Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden RB Arkansas NES #4 Overall Player
Analysis: I don’t get it. The Raiders have so many needs, and RB is far from one of them. McFadden has the kind of talent that makes team change their draft boards, but this is just vintage Al Davis. McFadden has great speed, explosiveness, and balance; and he will be a great weapon for head coach Lane Kiffin, but it wasn’t a need. One thing to watch out for though is how much McFadden ran out of the Shotgun or from the quarterback position, which inflated his stats. - LPC
Round 1 - Pick 5: Kansas City Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey DT LSU NES #3 Overall Player
Analysis: Best player available, period. A big pick for the Chiefs, but wow, they need offensive line help. Dorsey will be a starter immediately, next to Tank Tyler and between Turk McBride and Tamba Hali. The Chiefs must consider getting an offensive tackle at 17. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 6: New York Jets -Vernon Gholston OLB Ohio State NES #5 Overall Player
Analysis: The right pick here. The Jets, even with the addition of Calvin Pace in free agency, needed more explosiveness and pass rush. Bryan Thomas is a very streaky and unpredictable. Gholston is a relentless pass rusher with a great motor, and his best fit will be to a linebacker in the 3-4. He can disappear at times, but he instantly upgrades the team’s front seven. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 7: New Orleans Saints (from New England Patriots via San Francisco 49ers) - Sedrick Ellis DT USC NES #7 Overall Player
Analysis: New Orleans badly needed a defensive tackle. They couldn’t get the deal done for Glenn Dorsey, so they grab Ellis, a penetrating under tackle. Ellis fills a big need, and is a great value. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 8: Jacksonville Jagaurs (from Baltimore Ravens) - Derrick Harvey DE Florida NES #15 Overall
Analysis: The Jaguars make an aggressive move here to grab Harvey. Their ends are primarily bull rushers, and Harvey has grown into more of power rusher in the past season. His hand use and lower body strength will make him a good pass rusher, even if he never consistently hits double digit sacks. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 9: Cincinnati Bengals -Keith Rivers LB USC NES #9 Overall
Analysis: Brilliant pick. The Bengals badly need talented play makers at linebacker. They wanted Sedrick Ellis, but Rivers is a nice consolation prize. He will start immediately and continue the USC linebacker legacy. Rivers was my favorite player at the Senior Bowl. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 10: New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints) - Jerod Mayo ILB Tennessee NES #23 Overall
Analysis: The Patriots finally break down and draft a linebacker in the first round. Mayo gives them some athleticism in a spot where they had no speed. Plus they added an additional third round selection from New Orleans in the process. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 11: Buffalo Bills -Leodis McKelvin CB Troy NES #10 Overall
Analysis: We were tipped off on this pick early yesterday, and had hoped it was going to happen. McKelvin is a stud press cover man, he’ll start opposite Terrence McGee. He’s also a pretty dang good return man, Devin Hester good. We were higher on McKelvin than most, this picks makes us look good, or better at least. - MM
Round 1 - Pick 12: Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady OT Boise State NES #8 Overall
Analysis: Denver makes a smart choice. Clady has the footwork and quickness needed to thrive in their system, though he is rehabbing a torn pectoral muscle. Plus he’s a high character guy. This pick is all about protecting the franchise, Jay Cutler. - LPC
Round 1 - Pick 13: Carolina Panthers - Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon NES #14 Overall
Analysis: Another player we had higher than most, and it paid off. Stewart is a bruising runner who is also a capable receiver. He’s Steven Jackson version II. I’m not going to lie, this is a very good pick. Carolina wanted Harvey, but get a good player in Stewart. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 14: Chicago Bears - Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt NES #18 Overall
Analysis: Any offensive pick was the right one for the Bears, but this one was the smartest. Williams isn’t very aggressive, but his athleticism will give protection to Rex…err, whoever ends up the quarterback for the Bears. He may end up a better tackle than Clady too. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 15: Kansas City Chiefs (from Detroit Lions) - Branden Albert OG Virginia NES #13 Overall
Analysis: Kansas City made a value pick at five with Dorsey, here they grab the cornerstone offensive lineman their team so badly needs. Albert at worst will be a very good offensive guard, at best he’s a Pro Bowl left tackle. There is a lot of security in this pick. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 16: Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennesse State NES # Overall
Analysis: Great pick here. Cromartie is a fluid athlete with good speed, hands, and ball skills. His versatility is a plus, and he will give a great option next to Rod Hood at corner. This move likely signals former starting cornerback Antrel Rolle is moving to free safety also. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 17: Detroit Lions (from Kansas City Chiefs via Minnesota Vikings) -Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College NES #37 Overall
Analysis: The Lions need a right tackle badly, with Jeff Backus entrenched on the left side. Cherilus is a big, HUGE, body who may struggle against speed rushers. He’s a dominant run blocker, though. The pick of Cherilus signifies a move back to a power running game. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 18: Baltimore Ravnes (from Houston Texans) - Joe Flacco QB Delaware NES #27 Overall
Analysis: The Ravens make an move to grab Flacco here, and it makes sense. They love his deep ball ability, and he will push for a starting job from Day 1. His deep ball accuracy and placement is great, and he will be a great fit for Cameron’s vertical passing attack. Can he adjust to playing under center though? -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 19: Carolina Panthers (from Philadelphia Eagles) - OT Jeff Otah NES #35 Overall
Analysis: A quick trade with Philadelphia, Carolina has many needs. They could have gone quarterback, defensive tackle or end or even wide receiver. Otah is a right tackle in our opinion, he’s just too slow to play on the left side. This does give them security should Jordan Gross leave via free agency after the 2008 season. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Aqid Talib CB Kansas NES #30 Overall
Analysis: I’m so glad I had started a writeup on Devin Thomas here. Talib’s characater concerns were not of a concern to Tampa Bay, despite testing positive for marijuana three times while in Kansas. His instincts and zone cover skills are a plus. He is physical and step up against the run. With Tampa running more man and quarters coverage though, this is a bit of a worry. Talib struggles in anything but a Cover 2 system. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 21: Atlanta Falcons (from Washington Redskins) - Sam Baker OT USC NES #36 Overall
Analysis: The people with big hair will call this a reach, but I’ll say it fills a huge need. Sam Baker can be a starting left tackle, he was a four year starter for the best football factory in the NCAA. Baker has a great football family, too. I like this pick. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 22: Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland Browns) - Felix Jones RB Arkanas NES #28 Overall
Analysis: Jerry Jones follows his heart back to his alma mater with this pick. I like adding a threat like Jones here, because of the versatility their backfield has now. Both Barber and Jones are versatile weapons who could be split out wide, or catch out of the backfield. Jones is one of the best kick returners in this draft. The Cowboys offense is more dangerous now. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 23: Pittsburgh Steelers - Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois NES #16 Overall
Analysis: Mendenhall is built for the physical AFC North. He’s a great between the tackles runner with nice breakaway ability for a bigger back. There was no good offensive linemen here, so the Steelers don’t reach here. They maybe should have looked wide receiver though. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 24: Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson RB ECU NES #46 Overall
Analysis: Matt needed a break, obviously proving who the bigger man is here. This was just a bad pick. Why pass on a wide receiver for the same player you drafted in the second round last year (Chris Henry)? I don’t see the value here, other than replacing the punt return abilities of Pacman, which they didn’t miss much last year. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 25: Dallas Cowboys (from Seattle Seahawks) - Mike Jenkins CB South Florida NES #12 Overall
Analysis: Back from a much needed break, and I almost killed myself when I heard Chris Johnson in the first round. I thought only Al Davis got speed horny. ANYWAYS…. Dallas moves up here to draft a player we had #12 overall, and I stand by that. A good draft so far for Dallas. -MM
Round 1 - Pick 26: Houston Texans (from Baltimore Ravens via Jacksonville Jaguars) - Duane Brown OT Virginia Tech NES #104 Overall
Analysis: An amazing reach here. Alex Gibbs loves no-name offensive lineman, but this is a guy who could be had at least a round and a half later. Brown’s also a suspect run blocker. With Anthony Collins on board, the PERFECT zone blocking left tackle available, why over-reach for Brown. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 27: San Diego Chargers - Antoine Cason CB Arizona NES #20 Overall
Analysis: I’ve spent so much time toutin Cason that I was overcome with emotion here. Cason is a big upgrade at their nickelback position here. He’s a perfect fit for their quarters coverage scheme. He has long arms and great ball skills. -LPC
Round 1 - Pick 28: Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas Cowboys) -Lawrence Jackson DE USC NES #69 Overall
Analysis: After cleaning up LPC’s orgasm, I got back just in time to see Jackson go off the board. Lo-Jack is a very active end who played well all four years. He’s not very consistent, and he’ll play weak at times, but he’s a good pass rusher. Up next… your 5 time Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers!!!
Round 1 - Pick 29: San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts) - Kentwan Balmer DE UNC NES #32 Overall
Analysis: I wanted Jerod Mayo, badly. I just said every cuss word I know. I can’t even be happy with this. He’s a 3-4 end in my opinion, sorry Berman, and fills a need. I’m just so turned off by this pick. I’m going to tie a noose.
Okay, I’m calm down. This is a good value and a smart pick. The 49ers needed an end and Balmer is the top 3-4 end on the board.
Round 1 - Pick 30: New York Jets (from Green Bay Packers) - Dustin Keller TE Purdue NES #92 Overall
Analysis: Moving up for Keller here is…odd. Keller has great hands and is a nice vertical threat, but he’s a reach here. Good news though Jets fans, that draft day disappointment highlight keeps getting better each year for ESPN! - LPC
New England Patriots **Forfeited**
Round 1 - Pick 31: New York Giants - Kenny Phillips S Miami
Analysis: Phillips is the top safety on nearly every board, and he shores up a need left by the departure of Gibril Wilson in the offseason. He should be a first-day starter, and Giants fans in the Hall should be extremely happy.
Round 2
Round 2 - Pick 1 (32): Miami Dolphins - Phillip Merling DE Clemson
Analysis: Merling was at one point thought to be the best defensive end in this draft. He’s had a couple of tough workouts, but he is still a great talent as an all-around defensive end. He plays the run very well. This will also bring up the question of what the Dolphins plan to do with Jason Taylor here in the second round.
Round 2 - Pick 2 (33): St. Louis Rams - Donnie Avery WR Houton
Analysis: Is Thomas really the best pick here, or the best WR? The Rams need for a slot threat is great, but Avery is a system player. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 3 (34): Washington Redskins (from Atlanta Falcons via Oakland Raiders) - Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
Analysis: The Redskins finally get their wide receiver. Thomas is a good fit for the West Coast Offense, and was the best yards after catch receiver in this draft. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 4 (35): Kansas City Chiefs - Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
Analysis: The Chiefs keep making smart picks here. Flowers is a big name, but he he’s a physical aggressive corner who fits Gunther Cunningham’s style of defense. Love the pick. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 5 (36): Green Bay Packers (from New York Jets) - Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State
Analysis: Nelson tore up Aqib Talib in their match ups. He’s a former walk-on who can contribute as a return man, slot receiver and locker room presence. He’s a bit of a reach here, but people see Wes Welker when they look at him. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 6 (37): Atlanta Falcons - Curtis Lofton ILB Oklahoma
Analysis: A bit of an odd pick here. Likely Lofton is going to move to the weakside, and he has the quickness to play the spot. Lofton has great instincts, but only average size. He’s the kind of guy that Atlanta should be focusing on all draft. - LPC
Round 2 - Pick 7 (38): Seattle Seahawks (from Baltimore Ravens) - John Carlson TE Notre Dame
Analysis: The team is missing the most pivotal position after quarterback in the West Coast offense, a tight end. Carlson has the best hands of any tight end in this class and is a capable blocker. A very smart pick here, although I thought they may move up for a quarterback.
Round 2 - Pick 8 (39): San Francisco 49ers - Chilo Rachal OG Southern California
Analysis: Smart pick by the Niners here. Their offensive line has too many parts with question marks, especially considering the recent injury to David Baas. Rachal has great hand punch and is a solid drive blocker. Smart pick here. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 9 (40): New Orleans Saints - Tracy Porter CB Indiana
Analysis: I was telling Luke how to shoot up on oxycontin and almost missed my pick. A good cover guy who played well at the Senior Bowl. Cannot be a press cover man, he’s a finesse player. Good jumper, good athlete, smart pick. Fills a huge need. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 10 (41): Buffalo Bills - James Hardy WR Illinois
Analysis: To any DEA agents who are fans of the site, I’m willing to sell out Miller’s drug operation in Kansas. But on the pick, Hardy is a great fit here. He gives legit size and bulk to the league’s smallest receiving corps. He isn’t a great route runner. He has some character concerns though, but the talent in undeniable. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 11 (42): Denver Broncos - Eddie Royal WR Virgniia Tech
Analysis: The drug op is in Missouri, just fyi. Royal is a game-ready return man and slot receiver. He may never become more than a dominant slot receiver, but Denver needs someone to stretch the field. They are filling up the roster with small receivers. You wonder who is going to stretch things vertically. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 12 (43): Minnesota Vikings (From Philadelphia Eagles via Carolina Panthers) - Tyrell Johnson S Arkanas State
Analysis: The oppressive reign of Tavaris Jackson continues. I figured this was a move for Brohm. Johnson is a high rated safety on some boards, but I don’t see it. He’s slow to open up his hips in coverage, and probably is best as an in the box run defender. I know Mel loves Johson, but I can’t see moving up for him. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 13 (44): Chicago Bears - Matt Forte’ RB Tulane
Analysis: You know how everyone loves to watch a car wreck? Bears games will be highly viewed this season. They have two capable running backs in Adrian Peterson and Cedric Benson. I like Forte’, but comeon, they need a quarterback people! First coach fired in 2008: Lovie Smith. Idiot.- MM
Round 2 - Pick 14 (45): Detroit Lions - Jordan Dizon ILB Colorado
Analysis: The NFC North is the least competitive division in the NFL. Look at the picks made here. Jordan Dizon has nice recognition skills, but he’s a reach, just like Cherilus in one. It’s amazing how little production the Lions have gotten out of their Round 2 linebackers in the past (Tedy Lehman, Boss Bailey), so I’m skeptical. Dizon could end up being another Lofa Tatupu, so while I like the player, I don’t like the spot. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 15 (46): Cincinnati Bengals - Jerome Simpson WR Coastal Carolina
Analysis: With talk that the Bengals are going to cut back on their three receiver sets this season in favor of splitting out new tight end Ben Utecht, wide receiver depth was still a need. Simpson is a real burner who will battle with Doug Gabriel for the slot receiver job. A bit of a smaller school prospect here. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 16 (47): Philadelphia Eagles (from Minnesota Vikings) - Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame
Analysis: Laws is a guy who isn’t quite the penetrator you expect in a Jim Johnson defense. He’s a good run stuffer though, something the Eagles have needed this entire decade. I like Laws motor and tackling ability, so this is a solid choice. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 17 (48): Washington Redskins (from Atlanta Falcons via Houston Texans) - Fred Davis TE USC
Analysis: An interesting pick with Chris Cooley on the roster, but in the Jim Zorn offense a tight end is key. Davis is a very good receiver, having started his career there. A good value at 48, but not a need. The Redskins haven’t addressed their defensive line yet, at all. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 18 (49): Philadelphia Eagles - Desean Jackson WR California
Analysis: Jackson is a potentially great West Coast Offense receiver. He has the ability to be an impact guy on special teams first, and be worked into the offense as he improves his route running. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 19 (50): Arizona Cardinals - Calais Campbell DE Miami
Analysis: The Cardinals love to draft aggressive pass rushers, but I don’t see where Campbell fits in. He’s a huge guy, but plays much smaller and isn’t physical enough to pull a double team. Knowing Clancy Pendergast, he’ll find a way to make it work though. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 20 (51): Washington Redskins - Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
Analysis: I guess we’re loading up at wide receiver here. Kelly, Fred Davis and Devin Thomas. West coast offense, here we come. Santana Moss just got moved to the slot. Great value here, we knew that Washington wanted Jordy Nelson too. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 21 (52): Jacksonville Jaguars (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Quentin Groves DE Auburn
Analysis: The Jags are making an aggressive move to bost their pass rush. Groves fits their new zone blitz scheme, and he was a guy they were eyeing late in the first had they not moved up for Harvey. I like Groves to stay at end, rather than going to a 3-4 team and moving to linebacker, but he can drop back in short zones or in the flat without a problem. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 22 (53): Pittsburgh Steelers - Limas Sweed WR Texas
Analysis: Great fit for the Steelers. They were looking for a big target to pair with the tiny Santonio Holmes. Sweed is a lot like former Steeler Plaxico Burress, a big jump ball target who thrives in the red zone. Good move by Pittsburgh. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 23 (54): Tennessee Titans - Jason Jones DE Eastern Michigan
Analysis: The Titans replace Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom here. This is a good time to take an end, but Jones is a project player still. He’ll have a good coach in Tennessee and has the tools to become a starter. Should play behind Bryce Fisher and Jevon Kearse. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 24 (55): Baltimore Ravens (from Seattle Seahawks) - Ray Rice RB Rutgers
Analysis: The Ravens grab Rice here, which was by no means a need, but nice value. Willis McGahee is the starter, and the team hasn’t seen P.J. Daniels even be active in a game in the past two years. Rice is a powerful compact, one cut runner who will be able to give a breather to McGahee. Good choice here. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 25 (56): Green Bay Packers (from Cleveland Browns) - Brian Brohm QB Louisville
Analysis: Well, that’s funny. Aaron Rodgers has to feel like crap right now. The training camp battles in GB will be very interesting. -MM
Round 2 - Pick 26 (57): Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia Eagles) - Chad Henne QB Michigan
Analysis: All at once, the two best players stop falling. Henne has the arm to succeed in a downfield passing attack, but he’s always had problems with decision making and locking on to receivers. He has trouble delivering ball over the middle of the field too, but he’s better than John Beck. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 27 (58): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville) - Dexter Jackson WR Applachian State
Analysis: Jackson’s a poor man Jackon (Desean that is). Jackson is very shifty and has good yards after catch ability. He’s good return specialist, and every Buccaneers fan knows that they have had a great deal of trouble with kick returns. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 28 (59): Indianapolis Colts - Mike Pollak C Arizona State
Analysis: Some fans will be mad with this pick, but Jeff Saturday is running out of time. He’s beginning to slide, and the Colts need to be pro-active in keeping Manning protected. Pollak has a the smarts to make line adjustments and is an excellent pass blocker. Love this pick. Edit: He’s going to be used as a Guard. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 29 (60): Green Bay Packers - Patrick Lee CB Auburn
Analysis: This pick is a reaction to the Packers losing out on Brandon Flowers earlier. Lee isn’t quite the cover man that Flowers is, but he’s a bit quicker and has better speed. Lee had only one good season at Auburn, and he has some serious technique issues, but he has huge upside as a press man corner. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 30 (61): Dallas Cowboys - Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M
Analysis: Why would the Cowboys trade Fasano yesterday to draft Bennett? Bennett has some personality quirks that have rubbed teammates wrong in the past, and has never quite lived up to the hype he had in recruiting. Him and Jason Witten will give the Cowboys a solid blocking duo at tight end though, so their power run game is preserved. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 31 (62): New England Patriots -Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado
Analysis: The Pats make an odd choice here. Wheatley is not a guy who pops off the film anywhere really, and was not highly regarded from what we hear. Belichick and Pioli are really trusting the veteran retreads to get them by, and it may come back to bite them, just like the linebackers last year. -LPC
Round 2 - Pick 32 (63): New York Giants - Terrell Thomas CB Southern California
Analysis: The Giants were going to add a corner at some point, and I like this value. Thomas is a aggressive, and now the team has viable options if Sam Madison retires after this season, and gives them insurance in case Corey Webster comes back down to Earth.
That’s it for Day 1! Matt and I thank you for checking out our live analysis. Be sure to keep up with Dave and Dan at the Live Blog, who will be going strong during Day 2.