I love this week leading up to the NFL Draft. It provides some hope to your team that it's holes will be filled, but these days leading up to the "Miami Dolphins are on the clock," are more fun for the incredibly wild speculation thrown about and the lies told by every general manager. It's our job to try and determine if there's truth to anything out there. It's been my experience that guys like Chris Mortensen, Mel Kiper and Peter King may be friends with more insiders than we are, but that doesn't translate directly into being able to predict what happens this weekend any better than those on their couch. They're the messengers of bad rumors and their friends understand the game.
Speaking of which, make sure to enter our NFL Mock Draft Challenge. You can change your predictions up until late Friday evening.
Here's the most recent "expert" mock drafts:
Craziest rumors that won't go away:
- Vernon Gholston going No. 1 to Miami. Apparently Bill Parcells is serious in his thinking that the Ohio State defensive end is a Lawrence Taylor Jr. Apparently. That or he's trying to bait a few of the other GMs that are in love with him.
- The Jets drafting Matt Ryan at No. 6. Even if he'll be a better QB than Kellen Clemens, New York can still become a better football team with any number of players not named Ryan. Draft McFadden.
- I don't buy this Branden Albert at No. 5 to KC. Maybe he'll end up in KC, but if that's there man they could trade down to the middle of round 1. Vernon Gholston will go in the spot with a trade ... or perhaps the Chiefs take him to replace Jared Allen.
- Devin Thomas at No. 11 to Buffalo. Believe me, I love DT, but he's a big reach. Even the Bills who've been known to just draft the guy they want regardless of value won't take him. I'm really just hoping he's around at No. 15, so we can harrass Detroit into taking yet another wideout. Someone needing a wide out more desperate than Buffalo will trade up around that 15th pick to get Thomas. He catches everything, but he only played for one year at Michigan State.
1. Dolphins - Jake Long. I know there was the slip of the tongue that Miami was going defense, but I don't see how they pass on 10-year-stud tackle.
2. Rams - Matt Ryan... but it's not going to the Rams. Someone will trade up to get in front of Atlanta. Perhaps the Ravens.
3. Falcons - Glenn Dorsey. ATL has a lot of holes to fill, big Dorsey will fill any holes in the defensive line by himself.
4. Raiders - Chris Long. Al Davis isn't passing at the chance for Howie's son.
5. Chiefs - Vernon Gholston. But probably not by the Chiefs. It seems you're either in love with this guy, or think he's one of the most overrated prospects in recent memory.
6. Jets - Darren McFadden. That offense needs life.
7. Patriots - Sedrick Ellis. Best player available, although I think none of us would be surprised to see the Pats trade down and take one of the top CBs.
8. Ravens - Ryan Clady. I'm not sure this is the Baltimore's pick. I think they'll trade up for Ryan. Someone will want to grab a top offensive lineman as these next 8-10 teams all could use one.
9. Bengals - Keith Rivers. For the love, draft a linebacker.
10. Saints - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Your thoughts?
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