NFL Mock Draft

As the NFL Draft inches closer to us NFL football fans already deeply in withdrawal, it will be very interesting to see the worst performing teams of last year try to better themselves instantly with an infusion of talent from the NCAA ranks. Many of these high draft picks will be flops, but a great many will be starting for your favorite teams week 1 and even a slimmer few might be making a huge difference and perhaps helping your team into the playoffs next season. I'm sure this mock draft won't be very accurate but you can be assured these players are the cream of the crop of this year's draft and will make a difference on whatever team truly drafts them.

1. Miami Dolphins- Glenn Dorsey DT LSU- This 'Warren Sapp' type player is highly touted by the experts and will make a difference plugging up the middle immediately. Unfortunately for Dolphin fans who like this player, Parcells will smartly trade away this pick for higher value. Miami is a mess and Parcells will get 2 or 3 lesser players for this future star. Combine Update: Dorsey's knee was red flagged by one NFL team physician but apparently most NFL teams are not concerned. It is possible Dorsey might fall some slots though. Actual Pick: OT Jake Long Michigan

2. St. Louis Rams- Chris Long DE Virginia- This very versatile end is actually the kin of former player and annoying tv analyst Howie Long. Chris has been described as a Firestorm by some scouts in his play on defense and should be starting week one for the Rams. he's good on the run as has been described as a Broken Arrow in his relentless attack for the quarterback which netted him 14 sacks last year in college.

3. Atlanta Falcons- Matt Ryan QB Boston College- Finally the Falcons will be able to turn the page on the Michael Vick saga. This QB prospect is the full package and should help Atlanta move on and perhaps even have a decent year. Ryan has a great arm, good mobility and all the leadership skills you could ask for coming out of college. He is definitely the leader of the pack when looking at the available quarterbacks coming out of this draft. (Note: Due to tiebreaking procedures Falcons will draft 3rd,4th or 5th)

4. Oakland Raiders- Darren McFadden RB Arkansas- As you might have seen from my other hubs I love this running back. Out of all the players in the draft he is the biggest playmaker and ready to make a big difference day one. As much as I have never liked the Raiders if they get McFadden I will be tuning in to see how he's doing. (note: Raiders will draft 3rd or 4th) Combine Update: Ran a 4.33 40 yard dash and impressed all with his athleticism, had a great combine.

5. Kansas City Chiefs- Jake Long OT Michigan- Unfortunately not a relation to Howie Long so I am unable to continue to make fun of Howie's dismal movie career. Long fits the Chiefs like a glove as they struggled to run the ball last year and have been hit with injuries and retirements to their O line. Long should help greatly as they try to open up holes next year for Larry Johnson. Actual Pick: DT Glenn Dorsey LSU

6. New York Jets- Sedrick Ellis DT USC- A great Senior Bowl has made this players stock rise greatly. He is not as good as Dorsey but is still a force to be reckoned with on the inside and should fit the Jets tough defense well. Combine Update: If Dorsey's stock falls, Ellis's should rise. Actual Pick: DE Vernon Gholston Ohio State

7. New England Patriots (Via the Niners)- Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State- As unfair as it seems for the rich to keep getting richer, the Patriots can actually use this high pick to plug some holes as Seau & Bruschi are coming closer to retirement every day and that Patriots defense continues to get a little older. Actual Pick Traded to Saints: DT Sedrick Ellis USC

8. Baltimore Ravens- Brian Brohm QB Louisville- Brohms will hopefully solve the QB issues for the Ravens. New coach Jim Harbaugh would probably prefer Matt Ryan but I don't see him falling. Brohms has a good skillset and might be starting by mid-year if not sooner. Its become evident McNair/Bollaer/Smith are no the answer in Baltimore. Actual Pick Traded to Jaguars: DE Derrick Harvey Florida

9. Cincinnati Bengals- Keith Rivers LB USC- A reach for this good linebacker this high. I believe the Bengals trade down for better value but if they are forced to draft here I don't think can pass up this talented linebacker as they need some help for their front seven who was decimated last year from injuries.

10. New Orleans Saints- Leodis McKelvin CB Troy- The Saints thought they plugged a hole last year by adding former Colts corner Jason David but promptly saw David get burned over and over last year. McKelvin, a speedy cover corner should plug the hole and stop the bleeding that is caused when the defense gives up those long, quick scores. Actual Pick Traded to Patriots: LB Jerod Mayo Tennessee

11. Buffalo Bills- Mike Jenkins CB USF- This physical and speedy lock down corner will fit well with Dick Jauron and should start on week one only improving the Bills strong defense. Actual Pick: Leodis McKelvin CB Troy

12. Denver Broncos- Kenny Phillips FS Miami- Phillips reminds everyone of the late Sean Taylor. He has all the tools and would spend a year learning from the aging legend John Lynch before taking his starting job the next year. Actual Pick: OT Rayn Clady Boise State

13. Carolina Panthers- Ryan Clady OT Boise State- This 6'6 330 pound tackles solves some problems for the Panthers who are likely to have some free agency issues with some of the O Line. Clady is highly touted and will start right away at tackle. Actual Pick: RB Jonathon Stewart Oregon

14. Chicago Bears- Andre Woodson QB Kentucky- Knowing the Bears the way I do and knowing that they have finally given up on Grossman after 3 years of hellish agony, I'm pretty sure they will reach on this QB prospect. Woodson has some of the tools but I'm sure it'll be another roller coaster ride similar to what we saw with Grossman. Actual Pick: OT Chris Williams Vanderbilt

15. Detroit Lions- Jeff Otay OT Pittsburgh- This huge man (340+ pounds) should help the Lions as they move on from the Mike Martz era. He should help the running game and improve the pass blocking. With a little more time perhaps we might see Kitna truly utilize his talented receivers to the fullest. Actual Pick Traded to Chiefs: G Brandon Albert Virginia

16. Arizona Cardinals- Jonathon Stewart RB Oregon- Scouts love this back for the Cardinals as it looks like Edge is finally running out of gas. Stewart is 240 pounds with 4.4 speed and might make a real nice impression on the NFL. Actual Pick: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromarte Tennessee State

17. Minnesota Vikings- DeSean Jackson WR California- Jackson gives the Vikings the deep threat they need as defenses stack the box to stop Adrian Peterson. Jackson is a burner and should get plenty of one on one coverage. Many call him the Ted Ginn Jr. of this draft and gives the Vikings an aerial home run threat besides a backfield pass to All Day Adrian Peterson. Actual Pick Traded to Lions: OT Gosder Cherilus Boston College

18. Houston Texans- Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois- Mendenhall is best known for his excellent game in the Rose Bowl versus USC but this is a little high for him. I think the Texans will stretch for him here as they have been burned in the past when they skip over running back and they still don't have a bonafide starter at that position. Actual Pick Traded to Ravens: QB Joe Flaco Delaware

19. Philadelphia Eagles- Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma- The Eagles passing attack has never been as good when they had TO and has been terrible since he left. A lot of the blame unfairly falls on McNabb but Kelly might help things in that department. Kelly is a big receiver well known for his route running and should provide McNabb with a good target to hit. he's no TO but he had 9 touchdowns last year and is said to be the most NFL ready to start of all the receivers this draft. Actual Pick Traded to Panthers: OT Jeff Otah Pittsburgh

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina- The Tampa Two defense has always relied on getting pressure from their front four. Originally Sapp and MacFarland theBuc's have never been the same as they tried to replace their Super Bowl vets. Balmer would combine with Gaines Adams in the middle and would be a nice start to get this defense back to its old glory. Actual Pick: CB Aqib Talib Kansas

21. Washington Redskins- Calais Campbell DE Miami- Calais "Too Tall" Campbell (okay I just made that up) will make a great addition to the pass rush challenged Redskins defense. Calais is 6'8 and 280 pounds and will bookend Andre Carter. Hard to imagine any offense overlooking this guys presence on the line. Actual Pick Traded to Falcons: OT Sam Baker USC

22. Dallas Cowboys (via Browns)- Felix Jones RB Arkansas- With both the Cowboys up for free agency I think the Cowboys say good bye to Julius Jones, elevate Marion Barber II to the starting role (2 years later than it should have happened) and plug in this young, speedy back with good hands.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers- Sam Baker OT USC- The Steelers are most like going to lose 2 key members from the offensive line (Faneca and Starks) so Bake fits in nicely. Baker also seems like he'll fit in Pittsburgh as he has that tough guy workman-like mentality that will fit in well there. Baker played through many injuries and hopefully can stay healthy in the NFL. Actual Pick: RB Rashard Mendenhall Illinois

24. Tennesse Titans- Limas Sweed WR Texas- Not the receiver I'd take at this point in the draft but Sweed has history with Vince Young, they were teammates in 2005. Sweed is good enough that this pick makes sense and hopefully helps their cursed quarterback improve upon last year's atrocious numbers. Actual Pick: RB Chris Johnson East Carolina

25. Seattle Seahawks- Fred Davis TE USC- As the running backs will very likely be depleted by this pick many surmise the Seahawks will take the most talented tight end in this draft. Davis needs to have a good showing at the combine however as some are saying he is too slow. Actual Pick Traded to Cowboys: CB Mike Jenkins South Florida

26. Jacksonville Jaguars- Early Doucet WR LSU- Doucet will be a perfect compliment to the Jaquars who are solid on defense and solid in the running game. It gives Garrard a nice target form which to improve his passing game and rack up more wins. Early will be a good pick up this late in the first round. Actual Pick Traded to Texans: OT Duane Brown Virginia Tech

27. San Diego Chargers- Curtis Lofton LB Oklahoma- This speedy linebacker is good sideline to sideline and should help the Chargers maintain on defense. It is also highly possible they might go receiver here to help Rivers and aleviate some pressure off Gates and LT. Actual Pick: CB Antoine Cason Arizona

28. Dallas Cowboys- James Hardy WR Indiana- I love this receiver when you pair him up with Terrell Owens. Hardy is 6'7 and is a match up nightmare, especially when combined with Owens. Hardy also had 16 touchdowns last year so he shouldn't have too much trouble finding the endzone, that is provided someone takes care of this Jessica Simspson situation. Actual Pick Traded to Seahawks: DE Lawrence Jackson USC

29. San Francisco 49ers- Mario Manningham WR Michigan- Despite the many holes on defense I think the Niners try to add another weapon for not only Alex Smith but also for new Offensive Coordinator the mad scientist, Mike Martz. Manningham and Battle and Vernon Davis would give Smith some more options and if Gore returns to old form we might actually see some scoring coming from this anemic team. Actual Pick: DT Kentwan Balmer North Carolina

30. Green Bay Packers-Dominique Rodgers-Cromarte DB Tennessee St- Dubbed DRC by people not fond of typing this name, he is cousin to the stand out corner on the Chargers who gave Peyton Manning fits this last season. DRC is said to have the same athleticism and will strengthen the Packers strong but thin coverage unit. The Pack have been known to go running back in the past drafts but due to the success of Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson behind him they can focus on defense with this pick. Actual Pick Traded to Jets: TE Dustin Keller Purdue

31. New England Patriots- Pick forfeited as punishment for Spygate

32. New York Giants- Dan Connors LB Penn State- With talk of possible Strahan retirement and some other possible free agency issues on defense Connors will help shore up the unit for their attempt to repeat their miracle run of last season. Actual Pick: S Kenny Phillips Miami