2008 NFL Mock Draft: Two Longs at the Top and the Rest of the First-Round Selections
Published by Daniel Lewis on April 21, 2008

This NFL draft season, some interesting trends stand out, particularly the fact that many teams equipped with relatively high draft picks are in need of upgrades along the offensive line. Demand for offensive linemen almost always outweigh the supply, but this draft class is an exception. This year's talent pool is heavily stocked with quality offensive linemen, many of which are expected to be selected in the first round. This draft is also unique in that only 31 picks will be made in this year's first round after the New England Patriots' second first-round pick was forfeited after investigation of the team’s "Spygate" scandal.
Below is a projection of the 31 names that will be called by Commissioner Roger Goodell on the first day of the 2008 NFL Draft:
01. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
02. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
03. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
04. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
05. Kansas City Chiefs: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
06. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
07. New England Patriots: Branden Albert, OT, Virginia
08. Baltimore Ravens: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
09. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New Orleans Saints: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
11. Buffalo Bills: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
14. Chicago Bears: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
15. Detroit Lions: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
16. Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota Vikings): Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
18. Houston Texans: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
21. Washington Redskins: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland Browns): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, TSU
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
24. Tennessee Titans: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
27. San Diego Chargers: Sam Baker, OT, USC
28. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts): Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
30. Green Bay Packers: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
31. New England Patriots: pick forfeited by NFL ruling
32. New York Giants: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Below is a projection of the 31 names that will be called by Commissioner Roger Goodell on the first day of the 2008 NFL Draft:
01. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
02. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
03. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
04. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
05. Kansas City Chiefs: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
06. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
07. New England Patriots: Branden Albert, OT, Virginia
08. Baltimore Ravens: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
09. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. New Orleans Saints: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
11. Buffalo Bills: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
14. Chicago Bears: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
15. Detroit Lions: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
16. Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota Vikings): Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
18. Houston Texans: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
21. Washington Redskins: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland Browns): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, TSU
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: James Hardy, WR, Indiana
24. Tennessee Titans: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
27. San Diego Chargers: Sam Baker, OT, USC
28. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis Colts): Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
30. Green Bay Packers: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
31. New England Patriots: pick forfeited by NFL ruling
32. New York Giants: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami