Category: NFL Draft (Page 81 of 102)

The NFL Draft is just days away. Who are the Dolphins going to take first overall? Who will draft Darren McFadden? How long will Matt Ryan have to wait to hear his name called? I attempt to answer those questions by projecting the first round with my final NFL Mock Draft.

6. New York Jets
Team Needs: CB, WR, S
Bullz-Eye’s Pick: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
Gholston played defensive end at OSU, but he has the size and athleticism to make the transition to outside linebacker at the next level. The Jets could use him in the same capacity as the Cowboys use DeMarcus Ware and the Chargers use Shawne Merriman – as a sideline-to-sideline, pass-rushing monster.
Devil’s Advocate: If Darren McFadden slips past the Raiders at No. 5, it’s doubtful he’ll get past the Jets with this pick. The Jets could also look at a cornerback like Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

At least 30 of the 31 picks should be right, so you might want to check it out.

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Adam Schefter of the NFL Network believes that if Jake Long is off the board when the Rams pick at No. 2, St. Louis will select DT Glenn Dorsey.

The Rams would then move 2007 first-round pick Adam Carriker to end, his natural position. Dorsey would start next to NT Cliff Ryan. Schefter thinks that if Jake and Dorsey go 1-2, Atlanta would lean toward Matt Ryan at No. 3.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Glenn Dorsey is the best defensive player in this draft. That’s not a knock on Chris Long, Vernon Gholston or any other prospect – Dorsey is just that good. He was double and triple teamed in many games this year and he still dominated. He’s going to be a hell of a pass rusher in the NFL, but he doesn’t get enough credit for how he plays the run.

I never got why the Rams moved Carriker to tackle last year anyway. I understand his size allowed him to make the move, but his natural position is at end. St. Louis would go a long way in beefing up their pass rush with Dorsey, Long or Gholston but for what it’s worth, Dorsey would be my pick.

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According to NBCSports.com, the Miami Dolphins and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long are close to a contract deal.

Word that Miami initiated talks with Long’s agent, Tom Condon, surfaced almost two weeks ago. Condon actually was in South Florida to meet with Dolphins officials. Miami’s also made overtures toward Vernon Gholston but little other progress has been mentioned.

Meanwhile, with Jake Long off the board, the St. Louis Rams are a lock to go with defense at No. 2 and, according to the same league source, the camp of Virginia defensive end Chris Long is very confident that’s where he’ll be headed.

This makes a lot of sense for the Dolphins. They can upgrade their offensive line instantly (assuming Long pans out of course) and they can give youngster John Beck some protection. Either one of the defensive linemen would be fine picks, but why not get a cornerstone left tackle if you can? The Browns did last year and it went a long way in helping them become contenders.

In his latest Monday Morning Quarterback Column, SI.com’s Peter King has some interesting notes on this weekend’s NFL draft:

• Miami has a real chance of getting Jake Long signed as the No. 1 pick.

• St. Louis doesn’t want Vernon Gholston; so if Long does go to Miami, Gholston could slide.

• This one really surprises me, and at first I didn’t think it was true, but New Orleans is serious about trading into the top four — preferably for LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey but not only for Dorsey. Wish I could tell you the other apple of their eye, but I don’t know who he is.

• I have been saying Dorsey to Atlanta for a month. I heard two things this weekend that are shifting me northward, to Matt Ryan.

• The Jets love Matt Ryan. If I were Kellen Clemens, that would be a worrisome thing.

• If Ryan is sitting there at six or seven, I expect Detroit, Carolina and Chicago to inquire about trading up.

Ryan still seems to be the mystery of this year’s draft. King makes an interesting point in his mock draft by noting that the Falcons have been overly obvious lately in their affection for Dorsey. Normally that’s a sure sign that a team won’t go with that prospect and therefore King’s thoughts about Atlanta taking Ryan aren’t far-fetched

Hmm…

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In case anyone was wondering (and surely, there are many of you), FOX football analyst Brian Baldinger isn’t a huge fan of running back prospect Darren McFadden.

“I think he’s the colossal bust in this draft,” said Baldinger, now an analyst for Fox, the NFL Network and Sporting News Radio. “He doesn’t run with patience. He’s a very incomplete back who tries to run you over. If he gets a crease, he can take it to the house. But he doesn’t break tackles and he fumbles. I’m not impressed.”

But Baldinger isn’t the only one expressing doubt about McFadden.

“I can’t believe how skinny his calves and his shins are,” one scout said of McFadden. “It’s almost scary. It’s like a skinny wide receiver. At the running back position, you want a guy who’s a little wider on his base is built on top, but he’s got a very skinny base. I think that’s a little bit of a concern.”

Some draft enthusiasts want to note how McFadden is this year’s Adrian Peterson, but many share Baldinger’s point of view that he’s got bust written all over him. I’m not sure how the size of a running back’s calves translates into NFL success, but one thing is for sure, McFadden is absolutely explosive.