Well, it's that time of the year. The big splashes of free agency are starting to settle and teams are travelling around the country interviewing and working out every able-bodied college athlete they can find. War rooms are starting to steam and the smudged ink on grease boards is intoxicating.
It's almost time for the draft. And everyone has their own ideas about who'll go where. Will the Cowboys trade up and take McFadden at No. 1? Will the Dolphins be able to unload that top pick? Who'll be the first QB taken, and how high will he go? Will Brady Quinn show up just to sit around backstage as he did last year?
The Jets are sitting at one of the most difficult positions in the draft, No. 6, which is a hard place to plan for since so much can happen before the turn comes up. Plus they have to keep in mind who picks right after them -- the Pats have the 7th pick and the last thing the Jets want to do is miss out on a player who could haunt them twice a year for the next six or seven seasons.
We'll hear from the teams next month. For right now, let's hear from you. Feel free to post your mock draft here. You can stop with the Jets' sixth pick or go as deep as you want. Just for reference, here is the order of the top six picks in April as they stand now:
Dolphins, Rams, Falcons, Raiders, Chiefs, Jets
You can see the full first-round order here.
Good luck.
Comments (22)
MIA: C. Long - Best Athlete in the Draft. As we know, Parcel's loves defensive players who can play multiple positions in 3-4
STL: V. Gholston - I don't see them taking J. Long with O. Place still on the roster.
ATL: M. Ryan - This is a tough one to call. With now having two very early second round picks, they could wait for Brohm or Flacco and take Dorsey or Long here.
OAK: Dorsey - They need help in a lot of places. If Dorsey does well at his pro day, this will be the pick.
KCC: J. Long - Herm's happy place. I think if Long is gone, they may reach for R. Clady.
NYJ: D. McFadden - This is the pick that will get Jets' fans cheering at the draft. I believe most fans are not excited about picking Gholston. I think Jets fans will be happy with a trade down for multiple picks as long as one of them is a big WR.
Dolphins - Chris Long, OT in rd 2
Rams - Glenn Dorsey
Falcons - Jake Long
Raiders - Darren McFadden
Patriots - Vernon Gholsten (Trade with Chiefs)
Jets - Trade out of this spot. Probably Panthers for their 2nd round pick. Panthers want Ryan Clady, as do Broncos.
Chiefs - Matt Ryan
Ravens - Leodis McKelvin
Bengals - Sedric Ellis
Saints - Dominique Rogers-Cromartie
Bills - WR (probably Malcolm Kelly)
Broncos - Branden Albert
Jets - consider trading down again, as Tannenbaum likes to move up and down draft board searching for value
Pick is for best WR or CB
Possible picks include Devin Thomas, James Hardy, Aquib Talib.
i have no idea!!!...tom rock can u post ur mock draft PLEASE. i want to see what u think of the situation
I totally disagree with your comment that the Jets need to worry about who the Pats will take in the draft. IMO, that is the absolute worst and last thing the Jets need to think about. That causes panic and stupid moves. The Jets need to worry about addressing their holes and adding the best available players/getting value with their picks, not worrying about who the Pats will take. If the Jets make the right moves and have the right coaching staff in place, things will take care of themselves and the Jets will by-pass the Pats.
Miami - Vernon Gholston. The two most important positions in the 3-4 alignment are the NT and pass-rushing OLB. Gholston has the potential to be a dominant force. Chris Long isn't an ideal fit for a 3-4 alignment. He's too small to play DE and not fast enough to be a dominant pass-rushing force.
St. Louis - Jake Long. Pace plays on the left side, Long on the right. St. Louis has had a hard time keeping their QBs healthy. Pace has started having injury problems. They need to solidify their OL.
Atlanta - Glenn Dorsey. Many think he's the best player in the draft and he will fill a huge need. They take a QB in the 2nd round.
Oakland - Darren McFadden will be very tempting. Al Davis loves speed, and has no problems with players with questionable character. In the end, I think the ability to continue a legacy and add Howie's son will be overwhelming. Dallas may try to trade up to this spot, but I think Davis will want Long.
Kansas City - Ryan Clady. Their OL has been terrible. If they don't fix it, it won't matter who's at QB.
Jets - Mangini won't be thrilled with McFadden's baggage, but after thoroughly checking him out, he won't be able to pass on McFadden's talent.
New England - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They could take Leodis McKelvin, but I believe Cromartie is the better prospect, and think Bill Belichik will too.
All I have to say is after reading almost every mock draft that has been written, there have been one or two that have the Jets (with pick #6) taking DT Sedrick Ellis - PLEASE NO!!! This is Dwayne Robertson all over again - a highly touted, undersized DT who does not fit in the 3-4 defense.
Just look at the mess the Jets are in right now with Robertson - they can't trade him, can't use him in the 3-4 and are taking a big salary cap hit!
MIA: Som bust in the mold of James Farrior
STL: Jake Long
ATL: Matt Ryan
OAK: Someone we've never heard of
KCC: Some crappy, undersized DT
NYJ: D. McFadden
Mike (and others): I'll post mine at the end of the week. I'll tell you right now that I think unless McFadden is available (and I don't believe he will be) the Jets will probably trade down to the mid-teens and pick up one of the big-bodied WRs like Sweed from Texas (who would have been a top 5er had he not been hurt this season) or Malcolm Kelly from Oklahoma. But in the true spirit of the Mock, I won't suppose any trades when I give you my rundown.
Thanks for caring, Mike!
Can't do the order yet, still mulling it around. But it appears that a lot of folks are sold on McFadden coming to the Jets. I ask you, however, what about a QB? Pennington and Clemens are NOT the answer.
Couldn't the Jets trade up a few spots and have a good shot at Matt Ryan? And if they miss out, then take McFadden as a consolation prize? We don't need a RB, and New England shouldn't be who we are worrying about.
Craig, I did not mean to imply the Jets are worried about the Pats. I just don't think FO wants McFadden or Gholston. Already have enough RB's, and aren't ready to give up on Bryan Thomas as they signed him to a big contract. Give him another chance with Jenkins and Pace. I think the Jets are targeting WR and/or CB. They have an unhappy with Coles as their No. 1 and Brad Smith as their No. 3. There doesn't appear to be a WR worthy or the No. 6 pick in the draft. The Jets love that people think they want McFadden or Gholston, thus making the slot more valuable.
Mia M. Ryan QB BC
STL C. Long DE Virginia
DAL via trade w/ATL D. McFadden RB Ark
OAK G. Dorsey DT LSU
KC J. Long OT Mich
NYJ V. Gholston DE Ohio St.
Pete,
Sorry if I wasn't clear. I was actually disagreeing with Tom when he said that the Jets "have to keep in mind who picks right after them -- the Pats have the 7th pick and the last thing the Jets want to do is miss out on a player who could haunt them twice a year for the next six or seven seasons."
I would love to see the Jets trade down and garner additional picks, but I'm not sure I'd want them to trade down twice in the 1st round (Think of Farrior vs. Pace or Walter Jones). A trade down with Dallas would be great!
Both Gholston and McFadden are amazing talents, but have some fairly big question marks as well. I also really like Quentin Groves and Cliff Avril at OLB, and a few others.
I agree the Jets need a WR. I also think they need a real receiving TE who can get downfield.
I doubt we are trading down .. look at the history .. not too many have at the 6th pick or less .. we can't get value ..
what I would look at is possibly trading down or up with the 2nd pick .. that pick has a lot of value
MIAMI - C. Long .. all the other talk is smoke from Parcells
ST.L - J. Long - Pace is always injured and Bulger has to be standing up after games
ATL - Ryan - franchise QB .. sorry but I think he is ..
OAK - McFadden - a chance of Dorsey but Al Davis would love to pick him - if not to just screw Dallas
KC - they'll blow it either way but I see Clady .. maybe Dorsey .. even a trade out .. Denver really wants Clady
NY JETS - Gholston - and I like it! he's a monster who I think can play down lineman .. pass rushing ends/LB are just not that easy to find .. we got no pressure on a QB so Jenkins and Pace - with Gholston coming in solves this problem..
I see a WR (Hardy) or a DB (Flowers) in 2nd round ..
Miami- Ryan
St. L - J.Long
Atl - Gholston
Oakland- McFadden
KC - Dorsey
Jets - C. Long
If Miami takes Long or Gholston Atlanta will take Ryan. We end up with a good guy at 6 but no McFadden or Gholston which both might be better!
Miami-- Chris Long, DE Virginia. A Bill Parcells-type guy
St. Louis-- Jake Long, OT Michigan. Pace is nearing the end of his career. St. Louis gets his replacement.
Atlanta-- Matt Ryan, QB Boston College. Atlanta needs a future franchise QB.
Oakland-- Trades with Dallas for their 2 1st rounders and other compensation. Dallas then selects Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Kansas City-- If you can believe this, trades with Denver so that Broncos can select offensive tackle Ryan Clady. Kansas City gets extra picks, and probably will take Jeff Otah down in the 1st round.
NY Jets-- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB Ohio State.
#6: flacco
http://phsports.blogspot.com/2008/03/2008-nfl-draft-mock-draft-10.html
It's a little old, but still very relevant. It's also TWO rounds.
Here is a summary of the top (we do have ONE major surprise):
1st Round
1. Miami: Jake Long, T - Michigan
While Parcells loves the other Long, Jake long is worthy of this pick and fills a huge hole on this team. Vernon Carey can move back to right tackle. Let's also not forget that Sparano is a former offensive line coach
2. St. Louis: Chris Long, DE - Virginia
The Rams will take whichever Long the Fins don't take. In this case, Chris Long fills a more immediate need. He shouldn't have a problem starting opposite Leonard Little.
3. Atlanta: Matt Ryan, QB - Boston College
They were players for McFadden, until they signed Michael Turner. Instead, land a signal caller to replace the carousel at QB they had last season. Ryan has the poise to be thrown into the mix early.
4. Oakland: Vernon Gholston, DE - Ohio State
With Gholston's dominant performance at the Combines, the Raiders couldn't pass on filling their open DE spot (with Tommy Kelly moving inside). Gholston and Burgess should be a nice pass-rushing combo.
5. Kansas City: Ryan Clady, T - Boise State
With the offensive line in shambles, the Chiefs need to address their need at this position. Clady follows in a recent line of athletic tackles that are moving their way up the charts in recent drafts.
6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB - Arkansas
Jets fans all dance an Irish Jig at the same time. McFadden is just what the doctor ordered for this team. Jones and Washington proved not to be the answer. McFadden should have no problem making fans forget them.
www.phsports.blogspot.com
Great blog title Rock.
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01. DOLPHINS - Chris Long, DE/OLB, Virginia
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02. RAMS - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
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03. FALCONS - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
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04. RAIDERS - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
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05. CHIEFS - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
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06. NY JETS - Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio St
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07. PATRIOTS - Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida
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08. RAVENS - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
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09. BENGALS - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
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10. SAINTS - Dominique R. Cromartie, CB, Tenn St
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11. BILLS - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
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12. BRONCOS - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
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13. PANTHERS - Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
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14. BEARS - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
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15. LIONS - Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
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16. CARDINALS - Mike Jenkins, CB, S Florida
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17. VIKINGS - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
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18. TEXANS - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
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19. EAGLES - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St
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20. BUCS - DeSean Jackson, WR, California
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21. REDSKINS - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
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22. COWBOYS - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
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23. STEELERS - Dan Conner, ILB, Penn State
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24. TITANS - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
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25. SEAHAWKS - Branden Albert, OG, Virginia
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26. JAGUARS - Kentwan Balmer, DT, N Carolina
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27. CHARGERS - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston Coll
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28. COWBOYS - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
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29. 49ERS - Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
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30. PACKERS - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
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31. GIANTS - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
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32. DOLPHINS - Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
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33. RAMS - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
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34. FALCONS - Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
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35. CHIEFS - Sam Baker, OT, USC
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36. NY JETS - Curtis Lofton, ILB, Oklahoma
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How about these picks?
1. MIA - Chris Long
2. STL - Ryan Clady
3. OAK - Glenn Dorsey
4. ATL - Darren McFadden
5. KC - Matt Ryan
6. NYJ - Quentin Groves
Quentin WHO? The OLB from Auburn, of course! These predictions are straight from the Sporting News Draft Guide, p. 22. The magazien has lots of other unusual opinion and commentary on this year's crop of prospective NFL players. Definitely worth a read.
Herm,
Whoever put that mock draft together is nuts! Clady taken before Jake Long? Groves before Gholston? That's insane, and I like Groves a lot, perhaps more than Gholston, but he's not rated even in the top 15 players, much less top 6. I think I'll save my money.
I believe that players of great value, in this current draft,are being overlooked by the draft prognisticators.
I say that if either"Vinegar-Bend"Mizell and/or "Van-lingo Mungo" should drop to number six, the Jets will seize the opportunity and grab one or the other!
I believe that my prediction of whom the Jets will pick at number six is as valid as anyone's at this point!!