NFL Draft '08 Review -
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Photo - Runner Jonathan Stewart - Oregon

The Panthers selected runner Jonathan Stewart in the first round and see him as a key component in their ground game with starter DeAngelo Williams. Stewart should be 100% by training camp from toe surgery. They traded back into the first round with the Eagles for their #2 and #4 picks this year and next year’s #1 pick to select OT Jeff Otah with the 19th overall selection. It was an extremely high price to pay but they felt he was a player they needed to make the offense work. He can play either side and has a good chance to start as a rookie with a good training camp. With their two 3rd round selections, they chose CB Chris Godfrey and LB Dan Connor. Godfrey is a good athlete with experience in both man and zone coverage. He will press for time in the nickel package immediately and should start within a few seasons. Connor is an instinctive defender with versatility and experience. He figures to press for a starting position in camp and could eventually start at either any position though the Mike spot in his best fit.

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NFL Draft ’08 – Trades could Decide Early Selections

Baltimore Moving Up for QB Matt Ryan, Jeremy Shockey to Buffalo

The NFL Draft ’08 weekend is here and clubs have worked the phones more than usual this year with several big deals in the making. Three clubs in the top ten, Oakland, Kansas City and New England are all interested in moving back in the first round for the right offer. Baltimore and New Orleans are the only clubs attempting to move up from their current selection. Oakland is one of the wild card selections in the first round. They hold the 4th overall pick and have many needs and they do not have a #2 or #3 selection because of prior deals. They love DT Glenn Dorsey and runner Darren McFadden here, but still need to recover top 100 selections to address their many need areas. They will sit on the pick until QB Matt Ryan is off the board. They do not want the Chiefs to land the BC passer with the following selection. They have a few deals in the making for the #4 overall selection if Ryan is still available there. They have spoken with both Baltimore and Carolina about their #1 pick. The Ravens have also spoken to the Rams and have a placed a huge offer to move up in the first round for their #1 and #2 picks this year plus later draft selections to land QB Matt Ryan. They have no #3 pick and may have to include early selections from their NFL Draft ’09 class.
The ‘08 postseason has already seen an unusually high number of trades with most high profile defensive linemen with Shaun Rogers, Kris Jenkins, Corey Williams, Jared Allen and DT Dewayne Robertson, in addition to players ‘Pac Man Jones, Anthony Fasano and Akin Ayodele exchanging teams in recent days.
There are a large number of pro players on the trade market this year with some of the biggest names in the league probably being dealt over the NFL Draft weekend. Players like Jeremy Shockey, Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Anquan Boldin, Jason Taylor, Lito Sheppard, John Abraham, Chris Simms and J.P. Losman among others could be changing teams over the NFL Draft weekend. The Saints have a few deals in the works. They are interested in moving up in the 1st round to land DT Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis. Dorsey would command a move into the top 5 picks while Ellis may require only moving up a few slots ahead of Cincinnati. The Saints also have two deals in the works for their #2 pick, the 40th overall selection. They have a deal on the table with the Giants for TE Jeremy Shockey for their #2 pick and either late picks or safety Roman Harper. They are even more interested in the Eagles’ cornerback Lito Sheppard for the #2 pick straight up. Both of these deals are probably contingent of available prospects on the clock and other possible deals. The Giants also have a strong offer for Shockey from the Bills who have offered their #2 pick, the 41st overall selection plus a #4 pick this weekend. Both Carolina or Seattle have shown interest in Shockey who appears to be gone in a trade that will be completed on the clock in Round 2.

Four Rounds - Final NFL Mock Draft ‘08 - April 25

1. Miami - Jake Long - OT - Michigan
The Dolphins signed the huge tackle days before the NFL Draft ’08. It’s smash mouth time in Miami. Long will couple with Vernon Carey to form a physical tackle tandem along with FA guard Justin Smiley. Long is one of the fastest picks in the draft and capable of being a dominant right tackle and a good left tackle. They had major needs along the offensive line prior to those two additions and this allows them to focus on skill positions and pass rushers and cover men thru the rest of the process. They are debating LB Quentin Groves at the #32 spot vs QBs like Chad Henne, Joe Flacco and Brian Brohm. They also could see a talented receiver on the board there like Limas Sweed or James Hardy.
Alternate Pick: None

2. St. Louis - Chris Long - DE - Virginia
The Rams are debating two defensive linemen here with Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey the only prospects of interest. They have received offers from clubs in the top ten for this selection and will entertain all offers right up to the selection. Chris Long addresses the bigger need on the outside while Glenn may be the best overall prospect in the entire draft. They are also debating receivers on the early 2nd round like DeSean Jackson and James Hardy. Offensive tackles will get attention especially in the top 100 selections.
Alternate Pick: Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU

3. Atlanta - Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College
The Falcons are hoping Matt Ryan falls to this spot so they can turn on the page on the Michael Vick fiasco. Ryan would be a great image and start for a new era and a prospect with the development to be a good early NFL starter. They have many needs but a boatload of high selections with three #2 and two #3 picks that allows them to collect a bumper crop of prospects to rebuild a changing club. They could not go wrong with DT Glenn Dorsey here and come back in the early 2nd round with QBs like Henne, Brohm or Flacco.
Alternate Pick: Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU

4. Oakland - Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU
The Raiders have not done many things right over the past six years. They need to get this right after another poor ’07 performance despite a good draft class that should become a nucleus of this club going forward. They will debate a few prospects like Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey and Darren McFadden. They want to trade back and hope the Ravens or Cowboys are interested in moving up. They hope to recover a #2 pick for the DeAngelo Hall trade. Chris Long would carry on the heritage of his Hall of Fame father Howie Long with the Raiders. Glenn would be a great replacement for the retired Warren Sapp and a cornerstone defender. McFadden brings the star factor that Al Davis likes, but the Raiders have a deep backfield and not a high need area.
Alternate Pick: * Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas

5. Kansas City - * Vernon Gholston - DE - Ohio St.
The Chiefs are in limbo at this spot. They probably will not have a chance at Matt Ryan with this pick, the prospect they like the most. The second best offensive tackle does not merit this spot in the top 5 picks. They also must replace DE Jared Allen who was traded for another #1 pick of the Vikings. They will consider DE Vernon Gholston and Derrick Harvey if they retain this selection. They also like offensive linemen Ryan Clady and Branden Albert here and have both high on their list.
Alternate Pick: Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College

6. New York Jets - * Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
The Jets have a few prospects earmarked here. They would love to land QB Matt Ryan, runner Darren McFadden or LB Vernon Gholston at this spot. McFadden would give them the big play weapon they need on this offense. Gholston would be a perfect compliment to FA addition Calvin Pace for their 3-4 scheme.
Alternate Pick: * Vernon Gholston - LB - Ohio St.

7. New Eng (San Fran) - Keith Rivers - LB - Southern Cal
The Patriots have a few key needs that must be addressed mainly in the secondary and at linebacker. They will consider Keith Rivers or Jerod Mayo if Vernon Gholston is off the board at this selection. They will most likely have their choice of any cornerback like McKelvin or Rodgers-Cromartie and either would be great additions for their changing secondary.
Alternate Pick: Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy University

Top 100 NFL Prospects NFL Draft ’08
Final Value Board - April 25th

Photo - Chris Long - DE - Virginia
* underclassmen

1. Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College
2. Chris Long - DE - Virginia
3. Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU
4. Jake Long - OT - Michigan
5. * Vernon Gholston - DE - Ohio St
6. Sedrick Ellis - DT - Southern Cal
7. Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy University
8. Keith Rivers - LB - Southern Cal
9. * Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
10. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tenn St
11. * Ryan Clady - OT - Boise St
12. * Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois
13. * Branden Albert - OG - Virginia
14. * Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida
15. Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt

Dolphins Sign Jake Long with #1 Overall Pick

The Miami Dolphins signed Michigan's OT Jake Long with the #1 overall pick that leaves no doubt on their direction in the NFL Draft '08. Long is a very good fit in Miami coupling with veteran Vernon Carey to form a powerful set of bookend tackles. They were also joined by veteran guard Justin Smiley in free agency. Long signed to a 5-year, $57M deal including over $30M in guaranteed dollars. They also hold the #32 overall pick and will focus on other needs most likely staying on the offensive side of the ball.

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Chat with Frank Coyle - NFL Draft '08

- Tonights guest host is Frank Coyle of the Draft Insiders Digest. Frank is a nationally known pro football scout who publishes Draft Insiders' Digest and www.draftinsiders.com. In it's 17th season, Draft Insiders' Digest is dedicated to year round coverage of NFL and NCAA Football. Frank covers the NFL Draft and Free agency extensively with a veteran scouting staff that provides insightful information on players and team potential in the coming seasons. Draft Insiders.com is an extensive web site and on line publication that produces over 15 issues throughout the year beginning with an Online Pro Prospects Preview in August and monthly Newsletters thru May. Draft Insiders publishes over 450 in-depth Scouting Reports on Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft annually, in addition to an Updated Draft Report just prior to the draft process.

PackerChatters Staff - We are ready to take you draft questions for Frank.

Photo - CB Antoine Cason - Arizona

Frank's Packer pick at #30 is CB Antoine Cason from Arizona. Maybe the senior prospect with the most to prove at this event after questions about his speed. He answered the call with a strong overall workout including a 4.49 sprint time, 20 reps, 35.5” VL and a 10'8" BJ. That effort probably guarantees him a first round grade.

Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft ’08
* underclassmen Rating - April 16

Photo - RB Felix Jones - Arkansas

1. Matt Ryan - QB - Boston College
2. Chris Long - DE - Virginia
3. Glenn Dorsey - DT - LSU
4. Jake Long - OT - Michigan
5. * Vernon Gholston - DE - Ohio St
6. Sedrick Ellis - DT - Southern Cal
7. Leodis McKelvin - CB - Troy University
8. Keith Rivers - LB - Southern Cal
9. * Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
10. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - CB - Tennessee St
11. * Ryan Clady - OT - Boise St
12. * Rashard Mendenhall - RB - Illinois
13. * Branden Albert - OG - Virginia
14. * Derrick Harvey - DE - Florida
15. Chris Williams - OT - Vanderbilt