SportsCrack

Sport Crack Mock Draft Part 2: 11-20

Classic case of a team filling a need. Some are saying that they are going to trade down in order to get a receiver, but there’s going to be a very talented cornerback or two available for the Bills right here. Why not take one? They could take Talib here as well and again, it's entirely up to their scouting department. Jenkins just seems like a better fit for the Bills defensive unit.

Part of Chicago’s problem are the quarterbacks they have on the team, yes -- but the other problem is the receivers. Sure, Devin Hester is a speedster and a one of a kind on special teams -- but I can count multiple times off hand of seeing him drop key passes last year. With the departure of Bernard Berrian and the lackluster quarterbacks battling for the starting job, the Bears will need a stud wide receiver here.

Does Matt Millen even realize you can take defensive players in the NFL Draft? I don’t think so and until recently, I don’t think he realized you could draft players other than receivers. While he may get some jabs for drafting a skill player yet again in the first round -- if Mendenhall is available here it only makes sense. Kevin Jones looked promising the past couple of years but he’s too much of an injury risk and they desperately need a running back to consistently compliment the passing game.

A lot of people have been blaming Edgerrin James for not producing well in Arizona. While could be partially to blame I think the real culprits are the offensive line. After his first year in Arizona (1159 yards, 6 TD), Edge was remiss about his season. He didn’t know what he was doing wrong -- until one of his coaches told him nothing. They looked at some tape together and realized he had been running exactly where he should have been the whole time and it was amazing he got as much yards as he did. The blocking got a bit better last year, but it still needs help. In steps Chris Williams.

This one of those instances where, if Harvey is here -- Minnesota is 115% going to take him. They filled a need at WR and S with the signing of Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams respectively. Some have the Vikings taking Brian Brohm here but I think that is absolutely ridiculous -- it would effectively tell Tarvaris Jackson they have given up on him and that wouldn’t do good for his confidence, let me tell you.

With Dunta Robinson prepped to miss the entire 2008 season with an ACL injury, the Texans desperately need a CB here. The good thing is that at least one should be available. The bad thing? They will likely get stuck with whoever is left out of the batch of cornerbacks in the first round. Worse things could happen and they could all be gone -- but that is highly unlikely.

After failing to obtain Randy Moss in free agency and not really bothering to go after anyone else, the Eagles are in need of a WR. This pick could easily turn into Limas Sweed, too, and it will come down to whoever they like more. The important thing is that Donovan McNabb will hopefully get what he’s been missing since the departure of T.O. and to a lesser extent, Donte Stallworth -- a playmaker at WR.

Tampa Bay is just as much in need of a WR as Philadelphia and will likely take whoever the Eagles do not. The good thing is that both Thomas and Sweed are very talented and both should be available for them to take. But crazier things have happened in the draft, so you never know.

Sport Crack Mock Draft Part 1: The Top 10

Okay that’s it, I can’t hold it any longer...

After making a few predictions about who a couple of teams would take with their first round draft choices I realized something: I was having entirely too much fun. So, here is my interpretation of the NFL Draft (with a surprise or two).

First, it was Glenn Dorsey, then it was Matt Ryan, then the Long’s both had their turns. There have been more guesses as to who the Dolphins will take with their first pick than the times Chris Henry has been arrested. Kidding aside, though, I subscribe to the belief that Parcells will take C. Long because he’s a ‘Parcells’ type player, even though it would make a ton of sense to take a QB here. The Dolphins apparently have yet to realize this, however.

If C. Long goes first, this pick just makes sense. They don’t need a QB, they don’t need a RB and though Glenn Dorsey would be a great fit for St. Louis, if you didn’t notice last year -- the Rams offense line is absolutely horrible. Marc Bulger was apparently not aware of this, though, since he decided to still put his ribs’ health in their hands. A concussion and a few fractured ribs later, Bulger is rooting for J. Long with this pick.

Chris Redman is currently listed as the Falcons starting QB. Yes, the same Chris Redman who’s been in the league for five years, yet has only started four games. Call me crazy, but I think the Falcons taking the best QB in the draft is a smart move here.

Vernon Gholston or Glenn Dorsey -- it could go either way. But a Burgess/Gholston combo for the next couple of years will be a bit too tempting for Lane Kiffin to pass up. Wouldn’t be too surprising if Darren McFadden was picked here in a surprise pick (I mean, it’s Al Davis… come on) but the best possible pick for the Raiders to make would be to take Gholston.

Although their offensive line should be the Chiefs’ primary concern, the next best available OL (Jeff Otah) is too far of a drop off from Glenn Dorsey (or Vernon Gholston if the Raiders take Dorsey). There are ample amounts of promising offensive lineman for the Chiefs to take later -- so they would most likely go with the sure thing here.

If McFadden does indeed fall this far, I cannot see Jerry Jones passing up the opportunity to snatch him up. The Jets get pick 22 and 28 and the Cowboys get a second RB to spell with Marion Barber. If this does happen, the Cowboys will supplant the Patriots for the title of: ‘Sickest offense that everyone will play as in Madden.’

Best available cornerback filling the biggest weakness for the Patriots. Done and done. However don’t be surprised if Belichick takes Rodgers-Cromartie for special teams purposes.

Although the Ravens might take Sedrick Ellis here, the run defense last year was great (2nd in the league) and as we all know -- if it’s broke, don’t fix it. Plus, Ray Lewis isn’t getting any younger.

Ellis would be a great fit in Cincinnati especially since they are in such dire need of a defensive tackle. If Ellis is taken by the Ravens, though, the Bengals would be just as happy with Keith Rivers. It’s really a win-win for them, because barring a blue moon both Rivers and Ellis will not both go in the top 8.

While he may not be the best CB in the entire draft, he does have the potential that he can play on special teams going for him. It would be either Rodgers-Cromartie or Aqib Talib here. The Saints are in desperate, I repeat desperate need of secondary help. Expect them to take more defensive backs in the later rounds as well, to patch it up some.