Please remember this is my opinion. I do not think the players will be drafted in this order. I am ranking the players on how good I project them to be in the NFL. The Mock Draft will be up in a few days. That will have players placed on where I think teams will take them. Be sure to post your value boards in the comments section.
Okay Here It Is:
The 2008 NFL Draft Value Board for The JC Sports Show:
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: Dorsey is explosive and disruptive. Remember back during the season when everyone had him as the first pick. The only reason he’s slid just a bit is because of injury concerns. He showed he could play through those and doesn’t having any lingering injuries. Think a bigger version of Tommy Harris. There are no holes in his game.
2.
Jake Long, OT, Michigan: This is where the draft really shows it’s not as strong as years past. Any other year I have Long in the 5-7 range. However, he’s going to be a solid left tackle for the next 10-12 years. Pick him and your QB is protected for quite some time. He’s a little slow in the feet and I think that’s why Gholston torched him in the OSU game.
3.
Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU: If his arms weren’t stocky and he was an inch taller the guy would be number one. Don’t compare him to Elvis Dumervil and Dwight Freeney because his arms aren’t as long. Mayock (NFL Network) has commented that he doesn’t show up some games. Well he’s a defensive end and they don’t dominate every game. Gholston is a hybrid. He’s bigger than a lot of smaller players but with shorter arms. He’s been compared to Mike Mamula, but Gholston was much more productive in college. His domination of Jake Long really helped out his stock.
4.
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: Yeah, I’ve got him a lot higher rated than everyone else. Does anyone remember watching Justin Tuck dominate the Patriots? Harvey is the same player and a physical specimen who can put his hand on the ground or stand up in the 3-4.
5. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: Here’s a franchise quarterback for someone to grab. Depends on what your definition of the word franchise is. He’s not Peyton Manning but he could be a regular at the Pro Bowl. The guy has a cannon for an arm and has all the tools (heigth, decision making, scrambling ability etc.) you want in an NFL QB.
6. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: A shutdown corner. He’s fast and explosive. Only concern is he’s a little short. That could be a problem in a league where corners and WRs are becoming more physical. McKelvin is battle tested though. Troy faced top talent with their out of conference schedule which consisted of Florida, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, and Georgia.
7.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: He has a couple of nagging injuries but so did Adrian Peterson. Stewart is big and runs low to the ground making him my favorite running back in the draft. He's a Steven Jackson clone. His second burst past the linebackers has been questioned so that’s where he’s a bit behind Jackson. However, he’ll average over 4 yards a carry and he’ll be able to carry the load 20-25 times a game. He’s a franchise running back and a steal for whomever out of the top 10 ends up drafting him.
8.
Brandon Albert, OT, Virginia: He’s not really a guard or a tackle. That’s what makes him so good. Albert is fast and can fly across the field laying out blocks on counter plays after they’ve developed and lay out linebackers and safeties down field. Also let me point out Mike Mayock is the first analyst to recognize how good this guy is. It’s why I watch Mayock. He actually evaluates the talent and will project a guy lower or higher after watching film. McShay and Kiper make some phone calls and wait for a source (text message) to tell them somebody is flying up. Mayock is a leader and has the foresight to see a player is over or under valued.
9.
Dominique Rogers Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State: This guy dominated the senior bowl and flew up the draft chart. Before that he was a second round pick. His size is what makes him so valuable. He’s going to be able to match up against the physical receivers like Moss, T.O., and Braylon Edwards. He looks like an NFL CB. Only scare is the school he came from.
10.
Chris Long, DE, Virginia: I really don’t get it (daddy’s boy). He’s not that big, fast, or dominant. He’s actually shorter than Vernon Gholston and not much faster than a much bigger Derrick Harvey. He does everything pretty well, and nothing great. He’ll be an every down defensive end which is the most premium position in the NFL right now. There aren’t many of them so I have him in the top 10. Think Justin Smith.
11. RYAN CLADY, OT, Boise State: Solid tackle
12. SEDRICK ELLIS, DT, USC: Explosive in the backfield
13. DAAREN MCFADDEN, RB, Arkansas: His off field actions and straight up running style do nothing for me. However, his college resume is impressive.
14. PHILLIP MERLING, DE, Clemson: Solid defensive end who already looks polished. Nagging injuries are a concern.
15. RASHARD MENDENHALL, RB, Illinois: Solid running back without breakaway ability. Isn’t anything great but you aren’t gambling here. You know what you’re getting unlike McFadden...just not as much upside.
16. BRIAN BROHM, QB, Louisville: Like Mendenhall you know what you’re getting here. Concern is injury problems. He’s had surgery 3 times throughout his college QB. He has good size and a solid arm. One thing I’m worried about is he could have been the product of a system.
17. CALAIS CAMPBELL, DE, Miami: He has great size but plays a little high. They said the same thing about John Henderson.
18. JERROD MAYO, LB, Tennessee: Very athletic player. Probably the best player in the draft you haven’t heard much about. I think he’ll have a couple of pro bowl appearances. He’s a guy who has a non stop motor. Remember Dexter Coakley from the Cowboys? Same player who never quits. However, he’s undersized and like Coakley will probably burn out after about 5-6 years. Best case scenario he ends up like fellow Vol Al Wilson and is a solid/great player for several seasons.
19. CHAD HENNE, QB, Michigan: Great size with a great arm. I have him valued a lot higher than other sites. His accuracy is a question but that can always be corrected. His release is quick and it helps cover the fact that he stares down his targets. If you are going to have questions/problems about a QB those are the ones to have. If they are fixed he will be the best QB in the 2008 draft class.
20. CHRIS WILLIAMS, OT, Vandy: I’d have him a lot higher if he seemed a bit more intense. He just looks soft to me. However, he has all the physical tools you want in a tackle. If this guy develops a mean streak he could be the best tackle in the entire draft. He wasn’t too strong at the combine but you can always fix that. But can you make him mean?
21. KEITH RIVERS, LB, USC: Same thing with Chris Williams. He has all the tools but he seems soft. He’s aggressive but isn’t mean. He could be the best linebacker in the draft and will probably be a 6-10 pick. However, he’s a workout freak. He was the number one linebacker coming out of high school and is again. Problem is he’s not the best linebacker on the field.
22. KENTWAN BALMER, DT, UNC: He takes plays off but is a beast. He’ll be a solid tackle in the league for years as long as he doesn’t underachieve.
23. DEVIN THOMAS, WR, Michigan State: You haven’t heard his name much but he’s explosive. If he played for a more successful school I think you would be familiar with him. He’s going to make a great kick returner and deep threat for somebody.
24. RAY RICE, RB, Rutgers: He’s short but not small. They said the same thing about Maurice Jones Drew. He’s not as fast but he’s more powerful. If Rutgers didn’t run him into the ground I’d have him higher. The guy is a steal in the second round. I actually like him better than McFadden but will keep him here so I’m not called insane.
25. QUINTON GROVES, DE, Auburn: Great size and will be a disruptive force in the backfield. But he only works in a 3-4 system.
26. JEFF OTAH, OT, Pitt: Almost everyone has him higher. I don’t think he can move all that well. At the combine the guy could barely squat. However, he’s strong and powerful and was absolutely dominating at Pitt.
27. KENNY PHILLIPS, S, Miami: He really fell off his junior season. He also plays high. But he’s solid in every other part of the game. He’s fast, can tackle, and cover. Will be a safe pick for somebody.
28. CURTIS LOFTON, LB, Oklahoma: Just like Jerrod Mayo but he doesn’t have the same speed. Which is why he’s about 15 spots lower.
29. JOE FLACCO, QB, Delaware: Has a great arm and has great size for a QB. Best scenario is Ben Roethlisberger and worst is Byron Leftwich. That’s a huge difference. He looks a little goofy and his feet seem to be behind the rest of his body. But his arm and size make him a “sexy player.
30. GOSDER CHERILUS, OT, Boston College: Great run blocker and he’s powerful. He’ll probably move over to right tackle and I think eventually guard. I’d compare him to Maurice Williams of the Jaguars. He won’t do much at tackle because he’s weak against speedy rushers but his power will make him a great run blocker.
31. TREVOR LAWS, DT, Notre Dame: His tackle numbers at Notre Dame are a bit deceiving. He was playing a lot of end and standing up in the 3-4. You know he’s versatile and will be a solid contributor and provide great depth for someone on the line for many years playing both end and tackle.
32. DAN CONNOR, LB, Penn State: I’m not a huge fan of these unathletic Penn State linebackers. Yeah, they rack up a bunch of tackles but it doesn’t do much good when they are always making them 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. He’ll be a solid player for somebody but nothing spectacular. That’s not the kind of player I look for in the first round.
Players receiving votes: Aqib Talib, Antoine Cason, Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins, DeSean Jackson, Brandon Flowers, Malcolm Kelly
Most overrated player: Limas Sweed...I wouldn't pick this guy on the first day much less the first round.
