Todd Robinson's 2008 NFL Draft Rankings

To do another NFL mock draft would be boring and repetitive. Everyone has a mock, but what’s the big deal with guessing where guys are going play, where the scouts have them ranked? The far more interesting question is, ‘what would the order be in 2011 after they played 3 years?’ How do YOU rank the new blood? Here are my rankings of the best players in the draft. I stopped at the old league size, 28, when Tampa Bay & Seattle were the newest teams…

Rankings by Todd Robinson

Updated: April 24th, 2008

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

Very few RB’s as fast as this – 4.33. Runs tough, good vision, could gain 7 or 8 lbs, huge upside. Was very productive in 3 college years – 4,485 yds, 5.9, 40 TD’s. Should join elite NFL RB’s soon.

2. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Unbelievably powerful, great burst, very refined DT, scary specimen with his shirt off, will make an impact rookie year.

3. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Born to protect a QB’s blind side, super feet, balance, athleticism at 6’ 6” 310lb. Adequate run blocking should improve, far more upside than J. Long.

4. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Watch his 2008 Rose Bowl tape vs. the USC defense, see his overall 08 stats, look at his size (5’ 10”) & weight (225lb), see his combine results. Delicious.

5. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

Looked great & measured great at combine (4.40), and put up huge #’s in 2007 (85, 1,350, 9). Former JC transfer also has nice size at 6’ 2” 216. Let’s hope he’s not a repeat of fellow Spartan Charles Rodgers, who also had measurables & stats.

6. Keith Rivers, LB, USC

Played 4 yrs @ SC, started 3 of them. Unreal athlete (42” vertical!!), great at lateral & deep pursuit. Very solid tackler, good hitter, 4.52 speed. Makes plays.

7. Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Has a nasty demeanor out there, very good run blocker. Not a great athlete, but good enough. Might be better suited for RT - pass blocking needs improvement.

8. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

Likely the best pure pass rusher in draft. Better suited for 4-3 defense at 266lbs. Very big upside, but might up as pass rushing specialist.

9. Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Smart, tough player, good leader, very productive senior year. Average NFL athletically, not special. A safe player, limited upside.

10. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Very good DT at times, good quickness, but production & size are not overwhelming – was inconsistent at times. Minor injury issues. Good athlete, but not a special, rare athlete.

11. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

Huge production senior year – over 4,500 yards & 31 TD’s, but 19 picks. Not an athletic NFL QB, average arm, not always accurate deep. Look at the myriad high 1st round QB busts over the last 10 years, about half either never do anything or play like 4th rounders. Nothing about Ryan says ‘sure thing’.

12. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

Sub 4.40 CB, natural coverage skills, solid tackler, and great returner (13.1 yards per punt return for his career with 7 TD’s). Great athlete who also has good hands.

13. Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt

Great quickness and feet for his size (6’6”, 323). Not a refined, finished product, but tons of potential. Only started playing senior of high school. Left tackle in college, could play there in pros if potential is reached.

14. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Powerful RB with great size (5’11”, 230) speed (4.48) combination. Very productive (1,722, 6.2 yds/carry, 11 TDs) in 2007. Not real elusive, won’t shy away from contact.

15. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

Lacks elite athleticism but has good size, quickness, strength, & non-stop motor. Natural pass rusher who plays run well. Hernia surgery has scouts wondering…?

16. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

Elite speed (4.33) and athleticism, a playmaker who can also return kicks. Great height (6’1”) but needs to gain some weight & strength. Technique still a little raw.

17. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

Quick first step, good size (6’5”, 271), excellent pass-rusher and solid against run. Very productive, good motor. Might need more weight & moves to excel at next level. Needs to be in 4-3 Defense.

18. Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

Very athletic & quick (4.54, 40 inch vertical) and productive. Solid tackler, good instincts, non-stop motor. Needs to work on shedding blockers.

19. Branden Albert, OG, Virgina

Excellent athlete with a killer instinct. Very good pass blocker. Good at pulling, but needs to improve run blocking overall. Lots of upside.

20. Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Averaged 7.6 yds/carry for his career, including 8.7 in 2007 while gaining 1,162 yds and scoring 11 TD’s on only 133 carries. Elusive with terrific burst. Size (5’ 10”, 207) might hold him back from being 20 att/gm RB.

21. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Good athlete, agility, & size, but questionable intensity, desire. Needs to get stronger and more polishing on technique.

22. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

Fast CB (4.40) with long arms and natural cover skills. Has played safety. Not great in run support, inconsistent at times.

23. Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Smooth athlete and good leaper who has terrific balls skills. Fast enough (4.45), but only average in run support. Character issues and technique are drawbacks.

24. Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

The next in a long line of stud Miami safeties. A big guy (6’2”, 212) who’s fast (4.55) and physical. Can cover well and is a very athletic playmaker.

25. DeSean Jackson, WR, California

Absolutely frightening in the open field. Rare speed (4.35) with great quickness and elusiveness. Very small (5’10”, 170) and needs to improve on route running, concentration.

26. Chilo Rachal, OG, USC

Very good athlete for size (6’5”, 315), great feet. Good technician, uses hands well, handles run and pass blocking equally well. Clocked a 4.92 40.

27. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

4 year starter for the Trojans, very disruptive force on the D-line. Plays run and pass very well, and is a playmaker. Not a freaky athlete, but adequate speed & athleticism to start in a 4-3 at the next level.

28. Fred Davis, TE, USC

A former WR in high school who added 25-30lbs in college. Huge jump in production from junior to senior year when Trojans needed a reliable pass catcher (62 rec, 881 yds, 8 TD’s). Runs a sub 4.70 40 and is a decent blocker. Should be solid NFL starter for many years.

Todd Robinson's 2008 NFL Draft Rankings

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