Mock Draft 4

1. Miami Dolphins - DE Chris Long – Long’s on-the-field value is probably very similar to Vernon Gholston’s, but his off-field value pushes him inot the first pick in the draft

2. St. Louis Rams - OT Jake Long – With Orlando Pace pretty much out of the picture, the Rams need a new franchise left tackle. Their offense is loaded at the skill positions but they were still one of the worst offense without solid blocking.

3. Atlanta Falcons – DT Glenn Dorsey – Dorsey should easily fill the void left by Rod Coleman. They could take Matt Ryan here but new GM Dimitroff is smart enough to know rebuilding a team starts in the trenches.

4. Oakland Raiders - RB Darren McFadden – Al Davis continues his whacked out spending spree taking the flashiest pick in this year’s draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Chris Williams – KC’s O-line has steadily been declining and they need to get it back on track if they ever want a QB to succeed there again.

6. New York Jets - DE/LB Vernon Gholston – The Jets pass rush was weak last year. Gholston should provide some immediate help with that.

7. New England Patriots (from 49ers) - CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – I could see the Pats taking DRC, Keith Rivers or trading either up or down. McKelvin doesn’t seem like a Belichick type player and the Pats just signed Hobson allowing them to wait until the 2nd round for a LB.

8. Baltimore Ravens - QB Matt Ryan – McNair is extremely close to the end of his career and Kyle Boller hasn’t shown enough to take the job away from him. The Raven have never had a true franchise QB and this is their chance to finally get one.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - DT Sederick Ellis – They tried to trade for several DTs already this off-season. Since they were awesomely unsuccessful, they take Ellis who is probably better than anyone they were trying to trade for anyway.

10. New Orleans Saints - LB Keith Rivers – The Saints seem happy (not sure why) going into the season with Mike McKenzie and Randall Gay as their starting CBs. Taking Rivers, immediately makes their LBs a feared group having already acquired Vilma from the Jets.

11. Buffalo Bills - WR Limas Sweed – The Bill need someone to take some focus away from Lee Evans and Sweed will be a huge target for their mediocre QBs.

12. Denver Broncos - OT Ryan Clady – Their legendary zone blocking offensive line has been declining and Clady instantly provides a boost.

13. Carolina Panthers - OG Branden Albert – Albert can play OG or OT and the Panthers need a LT so that Jordan Gross can stay at RT. Albert is their man.

14. Chicago Bears - OT Jeff Otah – Another offensive line that has recently declined, the Bear need help.

15. Detroit Lions – RB Rashard Mendenhall – Kevin Jones is a great runner when he’s healthy, but unfortunately that isn’t very often, which forced DET to cut him. Mendenhall is probably the best every-down back in the draft.

16. Arizona Cardinals - CB Leodis McKelvin – Most people don’t think McKelvin will drop this far, but I think there are a lot more teams looking for linemen this year. However, the Cardinals can’t resist the value here.

17. Minnesota Vikings – DE Derrick Harvey – The Viking need more pressure on opposing QBs. Harvey can definitely provide that.

18. Houston Texans - RB Jonathan Stewart – Ahman Green is old and injury prone. They need somebody better than Ron Dayne to come in when Green goes down.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - WR Devin Thomas – Thomas looks to have the potential to be a number one WR in the NFL, which is what Philly needs since Curtis is more of a number two.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Aqib Talib – Talib should thrive in the Tampa 2 and the Bucs are happy to get the heir to Ronde’s throne.

21. Washington Redskins - DE Phillip Merling – The Redskins D line was pretty bad last year and Merling is the best DE left on the board.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Browns) – CB Mike Jenkins – Anthony Henry is getting up there in age and Dallas lost their nickel, Reeves to free agency.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - DE/LB Quentin Groves – Groves is an absolute animal and the Steelers will jump at the chance to grab him since there are no OGs available here to replace Faneca.

24. Tennessee Titans - WR DeSean Jackson – It’s pretty simple. Vince Young needs more weapons and Jackson is probably the second best offensive weapon after McFadden

25. Seattle Seahawks - S Kenny Phillips – The Seahawks have the luxury of taking the BPA here and it happens to be Phillips. They could use a TE but it would be a reach to take one here.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Calais Campbell – Campbell has been dropping down draft charts recently but the Jags need a DE and not much else. They could pick an offensive lineman or trade down with another team trying to get back into the 1st round.

27. San Diego Chargers – OT Gosder Cherilus – The Chargers cut Shane Olivea and they need his replacement at RT.

28. Dallas Cowboys – RB Felix Jones – For some reason Jerry Jones isn’t comfortable with Marion Barber as his every-down back and since he wasn’t able to get McFadden he goes for the other RB from his alma mater.

29. San Francisco 49ers (from Ind.) – WR James Hardy – Whoever is starting at QB will need a better target than Isaac Bruce. Hardy is huge with great speed for his size.

30. Green Bay Packers – CB/S Reggie Smith – The Packers could use him as their nickel back or free safety. Either way he would be an upgrade.

31. New England Patriots (forfeited) - NO PICK

32. New York Giants - CB Antoine Cason – It would be the Giants dream if Cason fell to them. He is considered to be this year’s Aaron Ross and could instantly be one of the best nickels in the NFL.