Reader Mock Draft by Romans12

[editor's note, by Skin Patrol] Everyone loves a good mock. Promoted and thanks to Romans12 for taking the time to go through the first round. Make sure you guys give me or TexSkins all the input necessary to make the right pick at #21 in the SB Nation Mock Draft. Enjoy, unedited. Enjoyed the previous mock that got posted. Don't want to steal anyone's thunder, but I'm a big draft guy and I put one of these together every year. Mine will be a bit more conservative. I hope other members will throw some more mocks up. No matter how it turns out...I'm just pumped to find out who the NINE new Washington Redskins are going to be!

1 Miami Dolphins - Chris Long, DE - If Miami is unable to move out of this slot, Long should be the pick. Jason Taylor and Chris Long would be a nightmare for opposing QB's. Long would also provide a replacement for Jason Taylor when/if he realizes that if he really wants a title, it's not going to happen in Miami.

2 St. Louis Rams - Jake Long, OL - Last year saw a drop in production for an offense that is typically among the best in the league. Their success hinges on their ability to keep Bulger healthy. They cannot afford to have him playing with broken ribs every week because the line cant keep defenses off of his back. Jake Long will solidify the line and the Rams make a Browns-esque turn-around this season.

3 Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB - I agree with the prediction that Atlanta will draft a QB here. I would not be surprised to see them grab McFadden or Dorsey. Don't expect the Falcons to draft anyone with any character issues, which should eliminate McFadden. No way the Falcons select Petino's boy in Brian Brohm. Matt Ryan is the highest rated QB and fills the greatest position of need. His great skill set and college experience should assist in the Falcons missing the playoffs for the next five years or so.

4 Oakland Raiders - Glen Dorsey, DT - The Cryptkeeper loves big, fast players and McFadden certainly is that. The problem is that the Raiders have an abundance of running backs (that actually did a great job last year). Dorsey would fill in perfectly for Warren Sapp and complete a formidable defensive line.

5 Kansas City Chiefs  - Ryan Clady , OL - Injuries and retirement decimated the Chiefs offensive line last year. The Chiefs are desperate for linemen, so much that they will probably reach to take Clady here.

6 New York Jets  - Darren McFadden, RB - Don't underestimate the Jets' hatred for the Patriots here. I have a gut feeling that the Jets will take the player that they would least like to see end up in New England. McFadden doesn't fill their greatest position of need, however, he will pair up nicely with Thomas Jones in the running game. The biggest concern I would have about McFadden is which numbers will get the most attention in the media...his rushing yards and TDs or how many bar fights he gets into and how many illegitimate children he has during the season. He could turn into AP, but he could also turn into Travis Henry.

7 New England Patriots (from SF) - Vernon Gholston - I'm not convinced that this pick is going to be a CB just because Samuel left in FA. The Patriots have an aging LB core, and the best player on the board here will be Gholston. This should be an easy pick for the Pats.

8 Baltimore Ravens - Leodis McKelvin, DT - Matt Ryan will be a Raven should he fall to #8, but I dont see that happening. With their history of finding defensive studs in the top ten, you can bet they will draft defense again. The Ravens need to draft someone that can spend a year at nickel back while they see if Samari Rolle can bounce back from a rough 2007.

9 Cincinnati Bengals  - Sedrick Ellis, DT - A no-brainer for the Bengals. They have no bigger need than a playmaker on the line.  

10 New Orleans Saints - Aqib Talib, CB - The Saints filled many of their needs on defense through free-agency which should allow them some flexibility with this pick. Talib is a reach, but he has major playmaking ability and also has great size for a CB which is important for facing the big receivers in the AFC South.

11 Buffalo Bills  - Malcolm Kelly, WR - Lee Evans is a beast and everyone knows it. He is in a similar position as Andre Johnson was with the Texans a couple years back. All it took was Eric Moulds providing another threat on the outside to open the doors for his breakout season last year. Since Evans is a small receiver, the Bills will need someone with some size to take the pressure off. Kelly's stock may be slipping so this may not be as much of a lock as people think.

12 Denver Broncos - DeSean Jackson, WR - Here is my biggest reach by far. The Broncos are looking for a dynamic return man and Jackson is a burner. Denver seemed pretty set at receiver about a month ago, until Walker decided he wanted out of town and Brandon Marshall decided he wanted to go to blows with a panel of glass, severing an artery in his arm and keeping him out 4 months or so. They still need a DT but they will be able to draft a good one in round two.

13 Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams , OL - Carolina would like some depth on the line after an injury riddled 2007. Chris Williams should help with the Panthers power running game and also give Jake Delhomme time to get Steve Smith the ball as much as humanly possible.

14 Chicago Bears - Rashard Mendenhall, RB - Cedric Benson has turned out to be an ass-clown so they need someone to run the ball. Some people like Mendenhall more than McFadden. They could have Mendenhall and McFadden, but if they are serious about sticking with their current quarterbacks, this team will go nowhere this season.

15 Detroit Lions - Jeff Otah, OL - Mike Martz is no idiot. He knew Detroit couldnt run the ball behind their current line and with their current backs, which is why you saw the Lions rush the ball a total of 6-7 times some weeks. This more than likely cost him his job. The Lions would like to have some sort of running game this year. A 6-6, 340lb lineman is a great start.

16 Arizona Cardinals - Keith Rivers, LB - A big toe should scare the Cards from taking Stewart here so Arizona replaces Calvin Pace with the Versatile Rivers.

17 Minnesota Vikings - Derrick Harvey, DE - The Vikings luck out here with Harvey falling to them. Udeze is an obvious bust so Harvey immediately steps in for him on the line.

18 Houston Texans - Jonathan Stewart, RB - The signing of Jacques Reeves allows the Texans to draft a running back to take part of the rushing load from Ahman Green who is clearly unable to handle that kind of beating each week. He is more valuable in a rotation at this point in his career.

19 Philadelphia Eagles  - Devin Thomas, WR - The Eagles showed their cards a bit when they aggressively pursued Randy Moss in the off season. Devin Thomas is a solid receiver that will provide the Eagles with some size and skill in the return game. Reno Mahe shouldnt expect a mid-season phone call this year.

20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie, CB - The Bucs have an aging defensive backfield that they would like to address. Rodgers-Cromartie's stock is sky high after the combine so he could go much higher than this.

21 Washington Redskins - Limas Sweed, WR - Sweed would probably be a top 15 pick had he not been injured for his senior season. I expect this pick to be made by Jim Zorn, who will undoubtedly want to complete his receiving corps after missing out on DJ Hackett. DE is a strong possibility, but the Skins will have plenty of solid options fall to them in round two. If Sweed ends up going to another team, I see him being average at best. If he ends up on the Redskins, I expect him to be the greatest receiver ever to walk the planet.

22 Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) Mike Jenkins, CB - Dallas would love to get their hands on Sweed. All the more reason for us to pick him. There are no receivers worthy of this pick so they look to their most glaring need at CB. Jenkins is a great pick at #22.

23 Pittsburgh Steelers - Branden Albert, OG - I'd say this is about as close to a lock as you will see in the first round. The Steelers want to use multiple picks on the line, beginning here with Albert.

24 Tennessee Titans - Justin King, CB - The Titans provided Vince Young with another weapon in Alge Crumpler, allowing them to wait until the second round to pick up a receiver. The Titans have not drafted a receiver in the first round since 1998. Their defensive line is pretty set but they may add depth in later rounds. Now that they have severed ties with Pacman Jones, they take the best available CB in Justin King.

25 Seattle Seahawks - Dustin Kellar, TE - Mike Holmgren loves a good tight end. Mark Chmura was his guy in Green Bay and Jerramy Stevens was supposed to be that guy in Seattle. Kellar had great workouts that solidified his position as the best TE in the draft.

26 Jacksonville Jaguars - Philip Merling , DE - The Jags decided to address their need at WR through FA instead of the draft with the signings of Troy Williamson and Jerry Porter. This leaves DE as their biggest need on draft day. Merling is the best DE on the board at this point. GW loves Miami guys so Campbell could be the pick, however, I think his workouts were bad enough that he has cemented himself as a 2nd round pick.

27 San Diego Chargers - Gosder Cherilus, OL - The Chargers are in the envious position of not having a single need in the draft. When that is the case, building depth on the line is wise choice.

28 Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB - The Barber - Jones tandem is still in tact, only now its Felix instead of Julius. Jerry Jones can't pass up an Arkansas guy.

29 San Francisco 49ers (from IND)  - James Hardy, WR - Coach Nolan's job security depends solely on the success of Alex Smith. If he has another bad year, Nolan will more than likely be looking for other employment after the season. Knowing this, expect him to give Smith another weapon in James Hardy, a big target out of Indiana.

30 Green Bay Packers - Brandon Flowers, CB - The Packers need a CB and they shouldnt have much faith that someone will be there in the next round. Flowers is a solid pick here for the Aaron Rodgers led Packers (weird).

31 New England Patriots - Forfeited pick    

32 New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB - The Giants need an upgrade at linebacker. Dan Connor will be given the opportunity to start right away for the defending champion Giants and will have the privilege of getting his ass beat in weak one against the Washington Redskins.

Ok let's hear it...