Scout.com Final Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is unpredictable and with the Miami Dolphins deciding to select Michigan OT Jake Long No. 1 overall, that's the only certainty in the 2008 Draft. With that said, Scout.com's Chris Steuber makes his final predictions for this Saturday's big event.

It's finally here; the NFL Draft is this Saturday, and all the analysis, discussion and predictions will be measured this weekend. The players in my top-ten haven't changed from my previous mock, but the order in which the players will be selected has been altered.

There haven't been any dramatic changes in my final mock draft in comparison to my previous one, which was released on April 16th. The biggest change has been with the status of Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart, who's jumped from No. 27 to No. 16, ending up with the Arizona Cardinals. Stewart provides the Cardinals with the young RB they need.

This final mock draft features 16 underclassmen and 15 seniors being selected in the first round. My first round mock draft also features 16 offensive players versus 15 defensive players being selected.

If you have any questions about my mock draft, email me by clicking on this link.

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click here to download Steuber's first-round comic book.

Round 1 | Round 2

No.	Team	Pos.	Name	College	Class	Ht.	Wt.
1		OT	Jake Long	Michigan	Sr.	6-7	315
Signed, sealed, delivered; Jake Long is officially a Dolphin. The Dolphins reached an agreement with the former Michigan OT and signed Long to a five-year, $57.5 million contract that includes $30 million in guaranteed money.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
2		DT	Glenn Dorsey	LSU	Sr.	6-1	297
Now with Jake Long going to Miami, the Rams will have to choose between Chris Long, Vernon Gholston and Glenn Dorsey. St. Louis will consider all options, even trading the selection. In the end, I don't think this is the right pick, as the Rams only amassed five sacks from the DEs last season, but the Rams front office favors Dorsey over Long.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Chris Long
3		QB	Matt Ryan	Boston College	Sr.	6-4	228
The Falcons love Glenn Dorsey and he's sitting on the board for them, but over the last 24 hours it appears the Falcons favor Matt Ryan. Personally, I don't think Ryan is the best QB in the class (Brian Brohm is the best QB) and isn't worth a top-three selection. But, Atlanta needs a new identity, and Ryan supplies the Falcons with a high character leader that they need at QB.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Glenn Dorsey
4		DE	Chris Long	Virginia	Sr.	6-3	272
The Raiders have a tough decision to make with Chris Long and Vernon Gholston on the board. Gholston is the kind of physical freak Al Davis is intrigued with, but Chris Long is a legacy in the Raiders organization. Darren McFadden will also receive consideration at this selection. In the end, the Raiders can't turn down the son of Hall of Fame DT Howie Long.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Vernon Gholston
5		DE	Vernon Gholston	Ohio State	Jr.	6-3	266
This is where the draft gets interesting. The Chiefs just traded their biggest playmaker on defense, DE Jared Allen. Trading Allen leaves the Chiefs scrambling for an impact DE, who can apply pressure on the QB. The Chiefs also need help on the offensive line, but with Jake Long off the board reaching for a player like Branden Albert is not realistic. Ohio State's Vernon Gholston makes the most sense with Allen's departure.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Matt Ryan
6		RB	Darren McFadden	Arkansas	Jr.	6-1	211
The Jets don't necessarily need a running back - they have a major need for a game breaking receiver - but with Darren McFadden falling into their lap and there not being a top-flight WR, they can't turn down the potential impact McFadden would bring to their offense.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
7	from 49ers	DT	Sedrick Ellis	USC	Sr.	6-0	309
This is another intriguing spot in the draft, and the Patriots have an opportunity to upgrade a defense that's full of aging veterans. New England will consider many options at this point: drafting a top cornerback, possibly Leodis McKelvin, a savvy linebacker in Keith Rivers, or grabbing the best player on the board. There is a possibility the Patriots trade out of this pick, but either way USC's Sedrick Ellis should be the pick.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Branden Albert
8		OG/T	Branden Albert	Virginia	Jr.	6-6	309
The Ravens missed out on the opportunity to select Matt Ryan and will look to add a QB in the second round. The secondary is a concern with Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle in their thirties, and the offensive line could use a versatile player who can play multiple positions. Upgrading the offensive line is a priority, and Virginia's Branden Albert is the pick.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Leodis McKelvin
9		LB	Keith Rivers	USC	Sr.	6-3	237
The Bengals want Sedrick Ellis to fall to them, and they will try to move up and draft him, but in the end I think they will stay at this spot. Cincinnati will have options with this pick, and there is a lot of talent on the board. They could draft Florida's Derrick Harvey, but another Trojan fits their defense well and adds much needed character on and off the field, LB Keith Rivers.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Sedrick Ellis
10		CB	Leodis McKelvin	Troy	Sr.	5-10	186
The Saints are another team that's interested in Sedrick Ellis, but the cost to move up is too high, so they will stay put and draft the best defensive player on the board. New Orleans added some quality veterans in the offseason, but targeting a young cornerback like Leodis McKelvin, who can have an immediate impact on defense and special teams, is a nice fit.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Keith Rivers
11		CB	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Tennessee State	Sr.	6-1	180
The Bills have to find a big wideout to compliment Lee Evans, but with Malcolm Kelly disappointing at his Pro Day and Devin Thomas being a reach at this position, the Bills will concentrate on another area. Upgrading the secondary is another priority, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has made a name for himself this offseason and ends up with the Bills.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
12		OT	Ryan Clady	Boise State	Jr.	6-6	320
The Broncos have many holes on their team and have a lot of work to do on draft day. The most glaring need of all is at the offensive tackle position. Boise State's Ryan Clady has made it this far, and Denver can be relived that he's still on the board.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
13		DE	Derrick Harvey	Florida	Jr.	6-4	271
The Panthers will look to upgrade the offensive and defensive line, as well as entertain the thought of selecting a RB with Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart on the board. The need for a pass rushing DE opposite Julius Peppers overrules any other priorities, and Florida's Derrick Harvey will help Peppers regain his dominant form.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
14		OT	Chris Williams	Vanderbilt	Sr.	6-6	317
The Bears have some areas of concern, such as quarterback and running back, but mostly on the offensive line. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall is intriguing and is a major possibility, but Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams provides the Bears with the outside presence they need on the O-Line.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
15		RB	Rashard Mendenhall	Illinois	Jr.	5-10	225
The Lions are desperate for a RB who can challenge for a starting position immediately. With Rashard Mendenhall falling to this spot, the Lions hope the Fighting Illini star can improve on the Lions dismal 80.5 YPG on the ground.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
16		RB	Jonathan Stewart	Oregon	Jr.	5-10	235
The Cardinals have to add a potential starter at cornerback, and with this year's draft class fairly deep at CB, that need can wait until the second round. The Cardinals understand that adding a young quality runner who they can pair with Edgerrin James, a player who can pound the ball, will make their offense complete. Oregon's Jonathan Stewart adds another dimension to the Arizona offense.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Mike Jenkins
17	from Vikings	OT	Jeff Otah	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-6	339
The Chiefs acquired this pick from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for DE Jared Allen. Kansas City selected Allen's replacement with their first pick and will look to add an OT with this selection. Pittsburgh Jeff Otah is the best OT on the board and the Chiefs don't hesitate selecting him.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Phillip Merling
18		CB	Mike Jenkins	South Florida	Sr.	5-11	200
The Texans need help in the secondary and will have two quality players to choose from: South Florida's Mike Jenkins or Kansas' Aqib Talib. Jenkins is the more polished cover corner, while Talib is a ballhawk who takes chances. Houston will take the conservative route and select the savvy Jenkins.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Aqib Talib
19		CB	Aqib Talib	Kansas	Jr.	6-1	205
The Eagles are a team that could draft the best available player, as they don't have many glaring needs. They could use help at safety, but drafting Kenny Phillips at this point is a reach. They could use a big play wide receiver, and no WRs have been selected thus far. And, they could use help at OT, but the top OTs are off the board. However, with Aqib Talib available, he provides the Eagles with a tall, playmaking corner who's versatile and can contribute in many areas.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Jeff Otah
20		WR	Devin Thomas	Michigan State	Jr.	6-2	215
The Buccaneers have to address the receiver position with this pick, and it's possible that they’ll look to add a cornerback as well. But the pick will be between DeSean Jackson and Devin Thomas. This will be a tough decision, but Thomas' upside as a receiver is much greater than Jackson's.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
21		LB	Jerod Mayo	Tennessee	Jr.	6-1	242
The Redskins could use a safety, wide receiver and a defensive end. To draft a safety at this spot is a reach. Devin Thomas, their primary target, is off the board, and Phillip Merling’s hernia surgery will scare off the Redskins. At this point in the draft, Jerod Mayo is the best player available and fills a need at LB, which currently has two starters, Marcus Washington and London Fletcher, in their thirties.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Limas Sweed
22	from Browns	RB	Felix Jones	Arkansas	Jr.	5-10	207
The Cowboys main priority is to find a quality cover corner who can develop into a starter for years to come. But with the top CBs off the board, the Cowboys will add a compliment to Marion Barber in the backfield. Dallas selects Arkansas' Felix Jones.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
23		DE	Phillip Merling	Clemson	Jr.	6-4	270
The Steelers have some options at this selection. They could reach for an offensive tackle and select Gosder Cherilus, which would fill a need, but with Clemson’s Phillip Merling falling to this spot - mainly because of his hernia – the Steelers get a quality 3-4 DE.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
24		WR	Limas Sweed	Texas	Sr.	6-4	215
The Titans lost Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy in free agency, and adding depth at DE is a must. With the top pass rushing DEs off the board, the Titans decide to give Vince Young a target he's familiar with, former Texas WR Limas Sweed.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: DeSean Jackson
25		WR	DeSean Jackson	California	Jr.	5-9	169
The Seahawks haven't drafted a tight end in the first round since 2002, and they may be tempted to select Dustin Keller this year. But, Seattle also has a need for a DT, FS and a WR. Miami's Kenny Phillips is possible at this pick and will get consideration, as will Kentwan Balmer. But Cal's DeSean Jackson is a big-play threat who becomes an instant sensation on special teams in the Great Northwest.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Malcolm Kelly
26		DT	Kentwan Balmer	North Carolina	Sr.	6-5	308
The loss of Bobby McCray and Marcus Stroud are huge losses on defense and will force the Jaguars to upgrade in the draft. There are a few possibilities for Jacksonville at this spot — Miami's Calais Campbell, UNC's Kentwan Balmer and Notre Dame's Trevor Laws. It will be a tough decision, but in the end Balmer's versatility will be most attractive.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
27		OT	Gosder Cherilus	Boston College	Sr.	6-7	314
I don't like to predict trades in a final mock draft, but anyone who's read my material knows that I think Brian Brohm is the best QB in this draft. I think this could be an area where a team like the Atlanta Falcons move up to draft Louisville QB Brian Brohm. But if the Chargers stay at this pick they will choose between Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers and Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus. Flowers would add depth in the secondary, but Cherilus completes the Chargers offensive front.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
28		CB	Brandon Flowers	Virginia Tech	Jr.	5-10	189
The Cowboys added a RB with their first selection and will either select a WR or CB with this pick. The Cowboys will be intrigued with the idea of drafting a tall receiver with game breaking ability, but they realize depth in the secondary is necessary. Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers is a physical, but slow corner with great ball skills.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
29	from Colts	WR	Malcolm Kelly	Oklahoma	Jr.	6-4	224
The Niners added a few veteran wide receivers this offseason, so drafting a first round WR isn't necessary. But with Gosder Cherilus off the board, the best player available happens to be a WR; Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly. Kelly struggled during his Pro Day, but the Niners are hoping he plays better on game days.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
30		TE	Dustin Keller	Purdue	Sr.	6-2	242
Green Bay is another team that can draft the best player available. They have a solid nucleus all around, but adding help in the secondary makes sense. Miami FS Kenny Phillips is a possibility, but with Purdue's athletic TE Dustin Keller available, the Packers decide to give Aaron Rodgers another offensive weapon.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
	PATRIOTS SELECTION FORFEITED
31		FS	Kenny Phillips	Miami	Jr.	6-2	212
The Giants desperately need to add depth at linebacker and at safety. Tennessee's Jerod Mayo would have been a nice addition, and Penn State's Dan Connor is a possibility, but the Giants decide to select Miami safety Kenny Phillips.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same

A member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has provided his analysis of the NFL and NFL Draft prospects on the web and on the radio since 1999.