THE BIG FREAKING PACKAGE MOCK DRAFT 2nd COURSE

Baseball is finally here and I am already bored. I hate basketball and hope it ends real soon. The NHL playoffs have started and my Devils are already blowing it and soon I'll have nothing to look forward to until September. Sure, there’s the Summer Olympics (sponsored by HGH) but who still watches them? Some of the events are on during the day while most of us work and are also on pay channels that some of us don’t have. In my opinion the Olympic Games ended when steroids began. They ended when terrorists used them as weapons to put fear into the innocent. I’m only going to watch the Olympics for one reason and one reason only: to see which of the many attractive American (maybe European?) female athletes will pose nude for Playboy next. Actually, that should be our next poll. Next weekend I will be attending my first Red Bulls soccer game. I’ll let you know how that pans out but until then; it’s all football, all the time. So now that all pro-days, combines, and Free Agency are done it’s time I reevaluate my first round predictions. I’m shaking things up, especially in the top 10. Enjoy!

1. MIAMI DOLPHINS – JAKE LONG (OT, MICHIGAN)
Previous Pick: Chris Long
Well it’s clear that they aren’t high on Matt Ryan so the odds are very slim they are drafting him with this pick. So that leaves Beck and McCown to compete for the job. And they are going to need a lot of protection. Jake Long would fill a big hole at RT for years to come. He can transition to LT as well if needed.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS – CHRIS LONG (DE, VIRGINIA)
Previous Pick: Ken Dorsey (I’m an idiot….Glenn, Ken, Who gives a F*ck)
Either way, the Rams are looking to get bigger faster stronger on defense. They’ll take whoever is available of Long or Dorsey. Vernon Gholston is a possibility but not this high.

3. ATLANTA FALCONS – GLENN DORSEY (DT, LSU)
Previous Pick: Matt Ryan
Defensive line has to be their main concern to help stop the run. They’ll take either Long or Dorsey, whoever is available.

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS – VERNON GHOLSTON (OLB/DE, OHIO STATE)
Previous Pick: Darren McFadden
It’s going to be tough for Al Davis to pass on McFadden but it’s going to have to be done. They already have 4 running backs on their roster (Lamont Jordan, Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, and Michael Bush) and McFadden’s character issues are the last thing they need in that locker room. Their run defense was pathetic last season and they have a huge hole at DT with Warren Sapp retiring. Sedric Ellis is a possibility but his draft stock has slipped. Only way he becomes a Raider is if they trade down to the ladder towards the bottom of the top 10.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – BRANDON ALBERT (G, VIRGINIA)
Previous Pick: Jake Long
Their biggest need is offensive line. Albert’s flexibility to play both guard and tackle makes him even more appealing. He is probably a reach this high but there are a lot of good O-linemen in this draft and the Chiefs can grab another early in the 2nd. With 11 picks total in this draft they certainly can get younger on defense as well, especially at the cornerback position.

6. CHICAGO BEARS (trade w/NYJ) – MATT RYAN (QB, BC)
Previous Pick: Limas Sweed
Outrageous! Certainly it is. I think the Jets would be crazy to draft a QB in the 1st round. If Matt Ryan falls past KC, the only other suitor for a QB before Chicago is Baltimore #8 or Carolina # 13. I’m sure the Bears front office are very skeptical of drafting another possible franchise QB in the 1st round but I believe they couldn’t resist.

7. NEW 18-1 MASSHOLE CHEATERS – DARREN MCFADDEN (RB, ARKANSAS)
Previous Pick: Agib Talib
Yea call me crazy, I know. The Patriots don’t really have that many holes to fill. They added some depth at cornerback thru free agency and have retained Randy Moss for another 3 seasons. ILB should be their primary concern but none of the top candidates are worth drafting this high. I still think they’ll quite possibly trade down, but if they don’t, Belichek isn’t stupid, he’ll take the best player available

8. BALTIMORE RAVENS – RYAN CLADY (OT, BOISE STATE)
Previous Pick: Mike Jenkins
Ravens GM should be kicking himself in the face he didn’t get Matt Ryan. The biggest problem this franchise has had was finding a QB to lead this team back to the superbowl. Greg Ogden is on the verge of retirement leaving a huge hole on the line. This draft is solid with OT as 6 or 7 could go in the 1st round. Clady is the 2nd highest prospect behind Long and he too can transition between RT and LT

9. CINCINATTI BENGALS – SEDRIC ELLIS (DT, USC)
Previous Pick: Same
This team is a complete mess. A new head coaching job will open up once the Bengals miss the playoffs again. Ellis can definitely help make an impact on stopping the run. Bengals did lose Justin Smith to free agency so pass rushing is also a big need.

10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – LEODIS MCKELVIN (CB, TROY)
Previous Pick: Dominique Cromartie
They signed Jason David to be the #2 CB last season but he’s no better than a nickel if not just for Dime packages. McKelvin has great speed and would become an instant starter opposite McKenzie.

11. BUFFALO BILLS – KEITH RIVERS (OLB, USC)
Previous Pick: DeSean Jackson
Bills need playmakers in the front 7 and help at cornerback. Rivers can roam the field sideline to sideline with the best of them. Bills need a possession WR to help out Edwards and I don’t think Jackson is that player. Limas Sweed is a very good possibility too.

12. DENVER BRONCOS – LIMAS SWEED (WR, TEXAS)
Previous Pick: Same
Now that Javon Walker is gone and Brandon Marshall hurt himself, who is Cutler going to throw too? Rod Smith is a great football player but age finally caught up to him and they need young players to replace him.

13. CAROLINA PANTHERS – CHRIS WILLIAMS (OT, VANDERBILT)
Previous Pick: Jeff Otah
Panthers might have their eyes on Harvey and probably won’t make the trade. But their offensive line is a more pressing need. They retained Jordan Gross to play RT, now they just need a LT to protect Delhomme’s blindside and Williams could be that guy.

14. NEW YORK JETS (trade w/CHI) – DERRICK HARVEY (OLB/DE, FLORIDA)
Previous Pick: Vernon Gholston
Jets only have 2 picks for the first day and trading down should possibly grab them another in which case they’ll use it and give to CAR most likely. Harvey’s stock might not be as high as Ghoulston but he’s definitely more solid as the typical 3-4 pass rusher. He also has a great motor and can stay back and cover as a LB too. At 6’5, 255 lbs he is certainly a monster. Jets would be getting a steal here and could gain some picks in the process.

15. DETROIT LIONS – JEFF OTAH (OT, PITTSBURGH)
Previous Pick: Chris Williams
Damien Woody departed to the Jets leaving a big hole on the right side of their O-line. Matt Millen would be wise to use this pick accordingly. Going with a pass rusher here too is another possibility but first things first.

16. ARIZONA CARDINALS – DOMINIQUE CROMARTIE (CB, TENN ST.)
Previous Pick: Leodis McKelvin
I don’t think the Cardinals will take a running back here. They still need some help on the offensive line to make holes for Edge. They also need depth at CB. Antrel Rolle and Cromartie would be a great cornerback tandem.

17. MINNESOTA VIKINGS – QUENTIN GROVES (DE, AUBURN)
Previous Pick: Derrick Harvey
Every year the Vikings are drafting either a WR or a DE. They have yet to find their replacement for Randy Moss and probably won’t find one for a long time. Troy Williamson is pretty much a deep threat. The purple helmets need a solid possession receiver to help Tavaris Jackson develop into the starting QB Childress hopes, but which we all know will never will happen.

18. HOUSTON TEXANS – RASHARD MENDENHALL (RB, ILLINOIS)
Previous Pick: Same
Ahman Green is practically done. I will never draft that man in fantasy football ever again.

19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – DESEAN JACKSON (WR, CALIFORNIA)
Previous Pick: Malcolm Kelly
I don’t think McNabb will be traded this season, next off-season a stronger possibility. But for now I think the Eagles will keep looking for target for him to throw too.

20. TAMPA-BAY BUCCANEERS – DEVIN THOMAS (WR, MICHIGAN ST.)
Previous Pick: Mario Manningham
Unless Mendenhall is on the board I don’t think they’ll take a running back. Earnest Graham certainly was handling most of the load last season and with the addition of Warrick Dunn that should help take away some of the carries. Bucs need WR help.

21. WASHINGTON REDSKINS – MALCOLM KELLY (WR, OKLAHOMA)
Previous Pick: Early Doucet
For once the Redskins are taking a practical approach and are going to hold on to their picks and for once what a smart move. I’m just glad they didn’t take any more Jet players this offseason. It’s been hard these last 5 or so years.

22. DALLAS COWBOYS – MIKE JENKINS (CB, SOUTH FLORIDA)
Previous Pick: Jonathan Stewart
Jerry Jones has confirmed that his team is not going to go after Darren McFadden. Currently they are trying to trade for Pacman Jones. It’d be wise if they stayed away from him. And if they don’t trade for him they should certainly look at the draft for a possible suitor instead.

23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS – AQIB TALIB (CB, KANSAS)
Previous Pick: Brandon Albert
Getting younger and faster at cornerback is a need for the defense. Rotissere wants a tall WR to throw too but so does every other QB in the league (Hello, it’s Chad Pennington? Yea I need at least 2). After a great comeback to take the lead last year in the playoffs their defense crumbled when they needed them most and the secondary should be to blame (stop making guarantees!)

24. TENNESSEE TITANS – LAWRENCE JACKSON (DE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA)
Previous Pick: Philip Merling
Titans certainly need some receiving targets for Vince Young to throw too. James Hardy is a possibility but he could slip into the 2nd round.

25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – KENTWAN BALMER (DT, NORTH CAROLINA)
Previous Pick: GOSIDER CHERILUS
Balmer is slipping on all draft-boards and he could possibly fall out the 1st round. Seahawks need some help at defensive tackle and Balmer is the only best option left after Dorsey and Ellis

26. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – PHILIP MERLING (OLB/DE, CLEMSON)
Previous Pick: Quentin Groves
Jags needed help at WR and they did that thru free agency. So the next step is to improve the passrush, enter Merling.

27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – JEROD MAYO (LB, TENNESSEE)
Previous Pick: Kentwan Balmer
Chargers are pretty much set on both sides of the ball. They should draft the next best prospect.

28. DALLAS COWBOYS – FELIX JONES (RB, ARKANSAS)
Previous Pick: Justin King
Cowboys opted not to sign Julius Jones or trade up to get Darren McFadden. Marion Barber is a physically up and down runner. They need another back to help split the carries. Felix Jones is definitely the 3rd best RB available in this draft and the cowboys would be fortunate he’s still available this late in the 1st.

29. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – DAN CONNOR (LB, PENN ST)
Previous Pick: James Hardy
Connor can line up in the middle next to tackling machine Patrik Willis. San Fran would have a solid linebacking core for the next 5 years easily.

30. GREEN BAY PACKERS – GOSDER CHERILUS (OT, BOSTON COLLEGE)
Previous Pick: Tracy Porter
Packers need to get younger along the offensive line. They also need cornerback help and they could lean towards selecting Justin King. But best player available is Gosder. What a weird name

31. NEW YORK GIANTS – KENNY PHILLIPS (S, MIAMI)
Previous Pick: Keith Rivers
With Wilson’s departure leaves a big hole at safety. They did sign Sammy Knight to fill that position but he’s getting up there in age. Phillips is young and raw and would be a solid addition for the secondary.