MOCK DRAFT PICKS 1-10
| Mock NFL Draft No. 5 |
| Pick |
Team |
Pos. |
Player |
College |
Class |
Ht. |
Wt. |
| 11 |
 |
WR |
Devin Thomas |
Michigan State |
Jr. |
6-2 |
217 |
|
The Bills are well-positioned to address their need at either receiver or cornerback, but there's no real
top-of-the-first-round consensus at those two positions in this year's draft. Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly has been
our choice here in some previous mocks, and his pro-day workout Wednesday could put him right back into the picture for
Buffalo. But for now, we're going with Thomas, who's got the big-receiver size the Bills' crave opposite of Lee Evans,
plus a sense of upward momentum this spring. Corners that should still be available include McKelvin, Talib and South
Florida's Mike Jenkins.
|
| 12 |
 |
G |
Branden Albert |
Virginia |
Jr. |
6-7 |
317 |
|
With Matt Lepsis retired, the Broncos need help at offensive tackle. Jake Long and Clady are gone, but NFL scouts love
Albert and believe the ex-Cavalier can handle the transition to tackle as a pro. Vanderbilt's Chris Williams and
Pitt's Jeff Otah are other possibilities at tackle, and don't discount the chance Denver takes a receiver like Kelly
in the wake of Brandon Marshall's serious arm injury.
|
| 13 |
 |
DE |
Derrick Harvey |
Florida |
Jr. |
6-4 |
250 |
|
The Panthers' needs are at offensive tackle, where the franchised Jordan Gross looks unlikely to sign a long-term deal
and will be gone in 2009, and defensive end, where Julius Peppers has been underwhelming of late and Mike
Rucker is almost done. Harvey had a strong pro-day and has gained momentum. If OT remains Carolina's No. 1 goal, Williams
or Otah are its options, along with a potential trade up to land the highly regarded Clady.
|
| 14 |
 |
OT |
Jeff Otah |
Pittsburgh |
Sr. |
6-6 |
339 |
|
While I still think Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall might be a home-state temptation that's too tough to pass
on, the prevailing wisdom seems to be that Chicago's need at offensive tackle is too pressing to ignore. The Bears would then
address running back in the second round, keeping their fingers crossed that Oregon's Jonathan Stewart falls that far.
|
| 15 |
 |
RB |
Rashard Mendenhall |
Illinois |
Jr. |
5-11 |
225 |
|
The Lions could still move to strengthen their porous offensive line here with Vandy's Williams, but with Kevin Jones
released and Tatum Bell the only known quantity in their backfield, Mendenhall would appear to be a gift from the draft
gods. Mendenhall's blend of size, speed, and relative low mileage makes him a model Detroit can showcase.
|
| 16 |
 |
CB |
Leodis McKelvin |
Troy |
Sr. |
5-11 |
186 |
|
The Cardinals need an infusion of talent in the secondary, and they're fortunate in that McKelvin is still on the board smack
dab in the middle of the round. Arizona should have its choice between him, Talib or Jenkins, who
are among the draft's four top-rated cornerbacks in some order. Look for the Cardinals to address their desire for a second
option at running back in the second round.
|
| 17 |
 |
OT |
Chris Williams |
Vanderbilt |
Sr. |
6-5 |
318 |
|
The Vikings are in the position to take the highest-rated player remaining on their board, almost regardless of need.
Williams is one of the top five offensive linemen in the draft, and either he or one of the remaining first-round cornerbacks
(Talib or Jenkins) would seem to make the most sense.
|
| 18 |
 |
CB |
Aqib Talib |
Kansas |
Jr. |
6-2 |
193 |
|
With the stock of Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart perhaps slipping into early second round territory due to his
recent toe surgery, the Texans could return their focus to cornerback, where they still need depth despite adding ex-Cowboy
Jacques Reeves in free agency. Talib has prototypical size and speed for the NFL, but might best be used in nickel
situations until his technique improves and puts him in competition for a starting job.
|
| 19 |
 |
WR |
Malcolm Kelly |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
6-4 |
215 |
|
If the Eagles move displaced starting cornerback Lito Sheppard before the draft, they could re-stock that position in
the first round, with South Florida's Jenkins being a prime candidate. With only Boston College's Gosder Cherilus left
among first-round tackles, Philly should give quarterback Donovan McNabb one of the receiving weapons he asked for. Oklahoma's second pro-day is Wednesday, and how Kelly fares could affect this projection.
|
| 20 |
 |
CB |
Mike Jenkins |
South Florida |
Sr. |
6-0 |
200 |
|
We've had the Bucs taking strong-armed Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco in our last couple of mocks, but we're
switching up and going with Jenkins, who played his home games in Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium. We still think some
quarterback-needy team could trade back into the second half of the first round to nab Flacco, but Jenkins helps the Bucs
offset the loss of cornerback Brian Kelly.
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