Steuber's 2008 NFL Mock Draft

NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber has updated his 2008 NFL mock draft. Take a look at projections of who teams will select next April. And then watch for more updates through draft day.

The biggest offseason spectacle, the NFL Draft, is still a long way away, but it's always fun to look ahead and try to predict the future. The 2008 draft class has the potential to be one of the better classes in some time, but a lot depends on the underclassmen that decide to forego their final year of eligibility.

With that being said, enjoy my second installment, and let me know your thoughts. If you have any questions about my mock draft, feel free to email me.

Pick	Team	Pos.	Player	College	Class	Ht.	Wt.
1		DT	Glenn Dorsey	LSU	Sr.	6-2	300
The Dolphins could go in many directions with this selection. They could upgrade their offensive line with Jake Long, add a young, all-around defensive end in Chris Long, or get an elusive runner like Darren McFadden to split time with Ronnie Brown. But the best option is to improve their run defense and add the "Bayou's Best" Glenn Dorsey.
2		OT	Jake Long	Michigan	Sr.	6-7	320
I truly believe the Rams will entertain trading this selection. The Rams have many needs and must acquire multiple selections to start the process of retooling their team. If the Rams decide to stay at this pick, I won't be surprised to see Jake Long as their selection, especially with Orlando Pace's injury history.
3		RB	Darren McFadden	Arkansas	Jr.	6-2	205
The Jets running game has been up and down all season long, and adding McFadden to the mix to split time with Thomas Jones gives the Jets a unique 1-2 punch.
4	from 49ers	MLB	James Laurinaitis	Ohio State	Jr.	6-3	240
The Patriots don't have many flaws on their football team, and selecting fourth overall doesn't make many teams in the NFL very happy. With an aging core of linebackers, the Patriots look to add youth. Ohio State's James Laurinaitis gives New England more than youth, he's a future star.
5		DE	Chris Long	Virginia	Sr.	6-5	285
How about this for irony? In 1981 the Raiders selected Howie Long, and 27 years later they select his son Chris. The younger Long provides the Raiders with a great all-around defender that will help Oakland's defense immediately.
6		QB	Matt Ryan	Boston College	Sr.	6-5	220
The Vikings desperately need to identify a quarterback of the future. Tarvaris Jackson doesn't appear to be the answer, so drafting Boston College star QB Matt Ryan is an obvious choice.
7		DE	Calais Campbell	Miami	Jr.	6-8	285
The Bengals defense has to acquire playmakers. It doesn't matter if they are on the defensive line, linebackers, or in the secondary; they need players who can make a difference. Miami's Calais Campbell is a great start.
8		QB	Brian Brohm	Louisvile	Sr.	6-4	225
The need for a quarterback is obvious, and Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino's familiarity with Brohm makes this selection an easy one.
9		CB	Malcolm Jenkins	Ohio State	Jr.	6-1	208
It's been obvious that the Eagles need to add depth to the defensive back position. They may decide to draft a safety like Kenny Phillips at this position, but the talent of Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins is too great to pass up.
10		FS	Kenny Phillips	Miami	Sr.	6-2	210
The Saints have a woeful pass defense and desperately need help in the secondary. Miami's Kenny Phillips is versatile enough to play safety or corner and gives the Saints some relief.
11		OT	Gosder Cherilus	Boston College	Sr.	6-7	319
A big reason for the Chiefs' inconsistent offense has been the play of the offensive line. Adding a franchise bookend in Cherilus will go along way in protecting Brodie Croyle and Larry Johnson in the near future.
12		RB	Jonathan Stewart	Oregon	Jr.	5-11	230
The Texans have to have an effective running game to have a chance to win in the AFC South. The defenses in the division are fast and aggressive. Adding a running back like Stewart, who can pound the ball and be elusive in the open field, gives the Texans the game-breaker they need.
13		DT	Sedrick Ellis	USC	Sr.	6-1	285
The Broncos have struggled this season against the run, and improving that area is vital to their success. Ellis gives the Broncos an interior presence that can defend the run and rush the passer.
14		QB	Andre Woodson	Kentucky	Sr.	6-5	230
Is there any question that the Bears need to address their quarterback situation? Woodson is the best available on the board.
15		DE	Quentin Groves	Auburn	Sr.	6-3	254
The Panthers have a few areas they need to address: quarterback, linebacker, defensive line, and tight end. With three of the top quarterbacks off the board, the Panthers look towards upgrading their defense and add a top pass rusher in Quentin Groves.
16		CB	Aqib Talib	Kansas	Jr.	6-2	205
An aging secondary that lacks depth leads to the selection of the ultimate ball hawk, Kansas' Aqib Talib.
17		DE	Derrick Harvey	Florida	Jr.	6-4	262
The Cardinals have a young, aggressive defense with a bright future, but adding a pass rusher to the mix gives them another element. The Cardinals select the new Florida Freak, Derrick Harvey.
18		DE	Vernon Gholston	Ohio State	Jr.	6-4	264
A physical presence on the defensive line is needed for Washington. They have to get more pressure on the quarterback, and the uncanny strength of Vernon Gholston will help the Redskins achieve that task.
19		WR	DeSean Jackson	California	Jr.	6-0	172
The Buccaneers have to add a playmaker on offense. With Joey Galloway in his mid-thirties, adding a dynamic player like DeSean Jackson, who can impact the game on offense and special teams, makes sense.
20		OT	Sam Baker	USC	Sr.	6-5	305
Walter Jones is still one of the best offensive tackles in the game, but how much longer will he play? The Seahawks luck out and grab one of the best OTs in the draft, USC's Sam Baker.
21		OLB	Keith Rivers	USC	Sr.	6-3	220
When you play a 3–4 defense, you can never have too many linebackers. Adding Rivers to the Chargers’ defense makes things more difficult for the opposition.
22	from Browns	CB	Reggie Smith	Oklahoma	Jr.	6-0	196
Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin are big hitters, but they couldn't cover a high school receiver. Oklahoma's versatile defender Reggie Smith can play corner or safety and gives the Cowboys options.
23		MLB	Rey Maualuga	USC	Jr.	6-3	250
The Bills selected Paul Posluszny last season in the second round, but he went down with a season-ending injury. This year, Buffalo adds a pure middle linebacker in Maualuga, moves Posluszny to the outside, and keeps Angelo Crowell at the SAM position. This gives them a great, young linebacking core.
24		WR	Early Doucet	LSU	Sr.	6-1	210
Tennessee has to give Vince Young a go-to-guy, and adding a sure-handed receiver like Early Doucet fits that need.
25		OLB	Dan Connor	Penn State	Sr.	6-3	233
The Giants defense is playing very well this season, but there are some areas that they need to address for the future. The biggest concern is at linebacker. Penn State's Dan Connor is an excellent choice at this pick.
26		WR	Malcolm Kelly	Oklahoma	Jr.	6-4	219
The Jaguars have had inconsistent play from their receivers and have been disappointed with a couple of their former first-round selections (Reggie Williams and Matt   Jones). Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly gives the Jaguars a deep threat who has the potential to score six points any time the ball is in his hands.
27		CB	Mike Jenkins	South Florida	Sr.	6-0	197
The Lions have a horrendous pass defense, and a lot of that has to do with the players they have in the secondary. Selecting USF’s Mike Jenkins, who is an excellent cover corner, is a great start.
28		OG	Herman Johnson	LSU	Jr.	6-7	356
It seems likely that longtime Steelers guard Alan Faneca will leave Pittsburgh at season’s end. Finding a replacement may be tough, but LSU’s Herman Johnson is a big, physical lineman who’s versatile enough to play inside or out.
29	from Colts	WR	Adarius Bowman	Oklahoma State	Sr.	6-4	220
The Niners need serious help. Their offense is horrendous. Their defense is disappointing. And it looks like there's no hope. The one thing San Francisco can do is give Alex Smith a deep threat who can make plays down field. Oklahoma State's star receiver Adarius Bowman helps Smith reach his potential.
30		RB	Mike Hart	Michigan	Sr.	5-9	202
Imagine how good Green Bay would be with a consistent running game. Adding a leader like Hart to the Packers offense compliments their passing game and makes them a much more dangerous team.
31		DT	Frank Okam	Texas	Sr.	6-5	320
This is a luxury selection for the Cowboys. They addressed their need for depth and versatility in the secondary with their first selection. Now adding a big, physical interior lineman in Okam, who can dominate inside, only enhances their pass rush.
32	PATRIOTS SELECTION FORFEITED