Skippy's First Mock Draft

Skippy's NFL Mock Draft
Skippy McMannis

All picks assume no trades. Obviously this is not likely, and I will note where trades are most likely. Also, picks 3-5 are
contingent on a coin toss We’ll see how close this is to my next mock draft, which will be released after the Combine.

1. Dolphins – Chris Long, DE – Virginia
They have a solid running back and Bill Parcells is a defense guy. If he plans on getting a coach that will implement a 3-4 he’ll need a rusher from the outside and Long is the best
on the board. I’d be shocked if the Dolphins are who pick here, but at the same time I don’t see a player than anyone else will push to grab here.

2. Rams – Glenn Dorsey, DT – LSU
They need help all over the place and for some reason I see this as the most likely top 5 trade possibility to help garner more picks and get a much needed top tier O-Lineman later.
That said, Glenn Dorsey is probably the pick if you stay here. He’s too good and they need help on the D-Line as well. Win the war at the line on both sides.

3. Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB – Arkansas
No way Al Davis passes this kid up. No freaking way. And if you think anyone else is making this call, think again.

4. Falcons – Matt Ryan, QB – Boston College
They need an answer at QB, and barring some weird scenario (Joey Harrington getting hypnotized and suddenly developing real talent or someone proving Mike Vick was
“innocent”) they are taking Ryan. Probably isn’t ready just yet, but has the most potential out of this class of signal callers. Somehow doubt this team takes anything from
Louisville for a very long time.

5. Chiefs – Jake Long, OT – Michigan
This team hasn’t gotten over losing Willie Roaf and Will Shields. If they have any desire to get Larry Johnson going ever again, or protecting whoever is starting QB, they need this
pick. I don’t see any way around this.

6. Jets – Vernon Gholston. DT/OLB – Ohio State
They need help everywhere really, but on Defense most as the offense will definitely be looked at in the later rounds. Gholston just looks to fit this defense, and can play OLB in the
3-4 system.

7. Patriots – Agib Talib, CB – Kansas
It’s not much of a secret the Pats need help on Defense most, especially in the backfield (not to mention most likely losing Asante Samuel). This could easily be Mike Jenkins, but I
give the nod to Talib due to Jenkins trouble issues.

8. Ravens – Ryan Clady, OT – Boise State
Yeah, I know they need a QB, but what’s the point if you can’t protect him? With Ogden gone they need to keep that O-line solid as possible. This team isn’t playoff bound next year,
so wait and take a QB later on that you can develop (Flacco in 2nd rd makes more sense here.)

9. Bengals – Leodis McKelvin, CB – Troy
Again, Jenkins off the field issues hurt his stock, the Bengals can’t afford and even remotely troubled guy. McKelvin can fly though, and will help out one of the worst pass defenses
in the NFL (your welcome Derek Anderson).

10. Saints – Mike Jenkins, CB – South Florida
Probably the best athlete of the three top corners, and is potentially a shut down corner to replace the idiotic signing of Jason David for that role. Probably the last corner for a
while.

11. Bills – Sedrick Ellis, DT – USC
Seriously? This kid falls this far? Lets see what the combine shows us, but he could be a dominant man up front and the Bills need serious help in the front 7. A guy that will
command 2 blockers every down he’s in would certainly help.

12. Broncos – Dan Connor, LB – Penn State
Could go a lot of ways with this pick, notably Sam Baker, but Dan Connor would fit nicely and help this team against the run. Not a bad idea in a division that includes LT, LJ and
potentially McFadden.

13. Panthers – Sam Baker, OT – USC
Another team that just flat needs help with protection, Carolina needs help just moving the chains, let alone keeping a QB healthy. Delhomme needs a guy like this.

14. Bears – Brian Brohm, QB – Louisville
This is a scary pick for the Bears, because if Brohm is gone they will probably make the mistake of taking Andre Woodson WAY before they need to do so. Brohm is much closer to
being ready and could push Sexy Rexy to actually competency for a few weeks.

15. Lions – Kenny Phillips, S – Miami (FL)
They need a corner badly, but at this point there isn’t one that really stands out much more than one they can pick up in the second or third round. Phillips has a lot of questions,
which probably makes him perfect for Matt Millen. Why do I see him taking DeSean Jackson…? Oy.

16. Cardinals – Keith Rivers, LB – USC
When you have two very good LBs already but both are coming at a cheap price and just happen to be entering the final year of a contract….wow that was a rant. Anyhow, you need
a replacement and Rivers might just be the best player on the board here.

17. Vikings – Calais Campbell, DE – Miami (FL)
Odd that a team with this good of a run defense goes this way, but Campbell will be huge in the pass rush, the defense’s weakest point. Look for WR in second rd.

18. Texans – Reggie Smith, CB – Oklahoma
This is a stretch, but the Texans do not have a second round pick and need a corner badly. They’re hoping for one of the earlier guys to fall, but they’ll settle for Smith.

19. Eagles – DeSean Jackson, WR/KR – California
This team needs a weapon and a game changer. Jackson slipping this far means the Eagles should run the card up here, hoping that Jackson can provide even a fraction of
Hester-esque production.

20. Buccaneers – Jonathan Stewart, RB – Oregon
Cadillac can’t stay healthy, you need someone to take the pressure off of him even if he manages to play all year.

21. Redskins – Malcolm Kelly, WR – Oklahoma
The Redskins need a big receiver, someone to compliment Moss. Kelly is the best remaining of a solid group.

22. Cowboys – Mario Manningham, WR – Michigan
The skill players are now flying off the board and the Cowboys need to think about replacements for Terry Glenn and T.O. Manningham doesn’t have the size of some of the others
in this class, but he certainly has amazing speed.

23. Steelers – Jeff Otah, OT – Pittsburgh
When you have a starting lineman as a free agent and you already surrendered 47 sacks last year, this has to be a good idea. Big Ben may want his big receiver but if management
is smart, and I’d like to think that they are, they take a shot at one later, as well as backup running back. Don’t be shocked however by James Hardy at 6’7” if they’re trying to keep
Ben happy instead of alive.

24. Titans – Limas Sweed, WR – Texas
If you want Vince Young to succeed, you better give him at least one or two weapons. I’m not totally sold that Sweed is the best pick here, but they may not be able to resist
reuniting the former Longhorns.

25. Seahawks – Rashard Mendenhall, RB – Illinois
Shaun Alexander is pretty much finished as a feature back and Mendenhall is the best back available.

26. Jaguars – Early Doucet, WR – LSU
The Jags need a possession receiver to help out Garrard. His receiving core helped him succeed in spite of itself this year and Doucet would fit in nicely as a medium range threat.

27. Chargers – Kentwan Balmer, DT – North Carolina
This is another team that will try desperately to trade out of this pick, since they have no picks in rounds 2-4. If they can’t move out of this spot, Balmer would definitely help shore
up a D-line that wasn’t exactly stellar against the run.

28. Cowboys – Felix Jones, RB – Arkansas
Julius Jones will be gone and they need someone with speed to compliment the power of Marion Barber. Lets not forget that Jerry Jones is in love with the idea of bringing in an
Arkansas back.

29. 49ers – James Hardy, WR – Indiana
Alex Smith needs protection the most, but there are guys to be had in the rounds to come. James Hardy has the size that can help make Alex Smith believable as a starting NFL QB.

30. Packers – Fred Davis, TE – USC
A far superior pass catching option than Bubba Franks would help in those moments when Brett shouldn’t just sling it. Davis will help consistently move the chains.

31. Giants – Chris Williams, OT – Vanderbilt
This could see the Giants go a number of ways, including Linebacker and Corner, but upgrading the offensive line is the most glaring need, especially to keep safe your newfound
star Eli. Keep him looking boyish as long as possible. That sounded a bit too much like it could’ve come from the creepy old man on ‘Family Guy.’