I've spent 822 hours, 27 minutes, and 29 seconds preparing this Mock Draft (includes time spent reading other Mock Drafts, watching film, going to a couple pro days, and any other research that would help me come to this point where I'm exhausted).  With all that being said, Saturday is the day that a year's worth of hard work, on the part of NFL Scouts and Personnel people in general, will finally be put to use.  And as I always say, the draft is the one event in football where each team is put on a stage against the other.  It really can be riveting tv.  It should be even better this year with the First and Second Rounds being shorter and being the only rounds done on Saturday w/ the remainder of the draft taking place on Sunday.  So without further ado, here are the picks that I believe will happen (especially the First Round, then most of it will be what I think should happen after that) and (if I get one pick wrong I will intentionally crap my pants and sit in it for a week...just kidding).  Now without further ado, I give to you the 2008 NFL Draft:
2008 Final Mock Draft

1.  Denver (from Miami)- Jake Long OT Michigan       

Either way, I think Jake ends up the #1 pick.  The caveat is whether it will be Miami, or maybe the Denver Broncos.

2.  St.L.- Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State

I think this is a mistake, but it seems the Rams like Carriker inside, meaning they need again to draft a guy to rush the passer from the outside, and they see him as the more explosive pass-rusher than Chris Long.

3.  Atl- Matt Ryan QB Boston College

Another mistake in my opinion, not b/c of value (the Falcons no doubt need a high-character QB), but b/c Ryan isn’t even the best QB in this class.

4.  Dallas (from Oak)-  Darren McFadden RB Ark

The trade that was apparently being talked about months ago, takes place and Jerry Jones gets his Arkansas homeboy.

5.  KC- Sedrick Ellis DT USC

Some have Ellis higher, some have Dorsey.  I guess it just depends on the team, but I’ve heard they really like him and certainly could use some youth and speed on that defense.

6.      NYJ-  Chris Long DE UVa

Not sure how he made it this far down the list, but b/c I think most of these teams are that dumb as far as drafting (or else they wouldn’t be in this position).  Long should be the #1 pick, but I doubt he will be.

7.  NE- Dominique Rogers-Cromartie CB Middle Tennessee State

Pats need a corner and they haven’t been afraid to take small-school guys before.  Don’t be surprised to see the Saints look to trade up and take Dorsey here, if they don’t trade up higher.  More on that in a moment.

8.  Bal- Leodis McKelvin CB Troy

If Matt Ryan were here, there’d be no doubt about this selection.  Since he’s not, expect a corner and then a 2^ndRound QB pick to come in & potentially start right away (like Henne?).

9.  Cincy- Keith Rivers LB USC

Everyone says the Bengals’ biggest need is at DT, but personally I think they need a LB and Rivers is as good as it gets, plus he appears to have high character (the main reason I don’t think they draft DeSean Jackson here even though that would also be a logical choice).

10.  New OrleansSaints- Glenn Dorsey DT LSU

In reality, there’s no way Dorsey is still around at 10, but I’m 95% sure the Saints will do whatever it takes to acquire this local product and address the final defensive need (they filled every other defensive hole).  If they do, they may lose their 2^ndRound pick, which I was thinking they could use on a young developmental TE like Martellus Bennett.

11.  Buffalo- Devin Thomas WR Michigan State

The most desired WR now and best fit for the Bills, who need a big receiver.  If one of the top 2 CBs was still here, that would also be a good option.

12.  Miami (from Denver)-  Ryan Clady OT Boise State

Their biggest need is ultimately OT and they get a good one plus the extra picks.  Good move Big Tuna.

Second Cavalier taken, can fit anywhere on the line (save Center) and as I said in a previous mock draft, the Panthers have so many holes they have to take the best player available here.

14.  Chicago- Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois

This is one of the rare years where RBs will actually climb in the draft, but many teams are thin w/ talent at the position and there are some good ones.  Personally, I think the Bears would better off going WR or OL, but taking the local product can’t hurt PR-wise.

15. Detroit- Brian Brohm QB Louisville

In my opinion, the best QB in the draft (by a slim margin over Ryan).  The Lions finally get a true QB of the future.  They can fill their other needs in later rounds.

Cardinals need Corner help w/ Rolle moving to safety and w/ the 2 highest-rated RBs off the board, they decide to take the best corner left knowing they can get a good RB later.

Need a pass-rusher and in their opinion he’s the best one here and fits their scheme pretty well.  Some good WRs and underrated TEs will be available later on.

18.  Houston- DeSean Jackson WR Cal

With the corner they wanted gone to Arizona, they take another need (a compliment to Andre Johnson).

A good fit to play any LB spot for the Eagles and give good immediate depth and over time turn in to a good MLB.

Could take a receiver here, but need for Corner depth and ability to get good receiver later makes this an obvious selection.

DE also a possibility here, but they get a good value pick and good fit for West Coast O.

22.  Oakland (from Dallas)- Limas Sweed WR Texas

Raiders need for playmakers on the outside and Al Davis’ love for the vertical passing game make this another obvious selection.

23.  Pittsburgh- Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College

Can play either side or could move inside to guard for a team that needs OL help.

24.  Tennessee- Mario Manningham WR Michigan

VY needs a playmaker and not many guys can stretch the field and make the big play as well as this guy.

25.  Seattle- Dustin Keller TE Purdue

Move TE gives Seattleanother playmaker in the passing game, although no help in run game.  Will take a year or two to really start to produce.

‘SC connection + obvious need for a high-quality DE makes this pick pretty easy.

Good fit for the 3-4 NT or DE and can grow and learn behind the game’s best (Jamaal Williams).

28.  Oakland (from Dallas)- Fred Davis TE USC

Gives Raiders another playmaker and stretch-the-field-guy and the versatility to run the 2 TE sets that Lane Kiffin loved at USC (w/ Fred Davis as one of them).

Niners have lots of needs, but if you can’t protect the QB than there’s no way Alex Smith will ever have a prayer of succeeding in Mike Martz’s offense.

Athletic enough to play the nickel until he’s needed to move into starting role for the almost-NFC Champions.

31.  NYG- Kenny Phillips S Miami

The Super Bowl Champs have a glaring need at the safety spot after losing Gibril Wilson to the Raiders and knowing the passing strength of teams in the division (the TE).

Second Round

32. Miami- James Hardy WR Indiana

33. St.L.- Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt

34. Atl- Chilo Rachal OG USC

35. KC- Anthony Collins OT Kansas

36. NYJ- Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon

37. Atl- Calais Campbell DE Miami

38. Bal- Chad Henne QB Michigan

39. SF- Trevor Laws DT Notre Dame

40. NO- Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M

41. Buf- Aqib Talib CB Kansas

42. Den- Early Doucet WR LSU

43. Car- Ray Rice RB Rutgers

44. Chi- Sam Baker OT USC

45. Det- Felix Jones RB Arkansas

46. Cin- Andre Caldwell WR Florida

47. Min- Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma

48. Atl- Duane Brown OT VaTech

49. Phi- Branden Flowers CB VaTech

50. Ari- Chris Johnson RB East Carolina

51. Was- Phillip Merling DE Clemson

52. TB- Donnie Avery WR Houston

53. Pit- DaJuan Morgan S NC State

54. Ten- Pat Sims DT Auburn

55. Sea- Jason Jones DE Eastern Michigan

56. GB- Joe Flacco QB Delaware

57. Mia- Dan Connor LB Penn State

58. Jax- Red Bryant DT Texas A&M

59. Ind- Roy Schuening OG Oregon State

60. GB- Jermichael Finley TE Texas

61. Dal- Josh Barrett S ASU

62. NE- Charles Godfrey CB Iowa

63. NYG- Chevis Jackson CB LSU

Third Round

64. Mia- John Carlson TE Notre Dame

65. StL.- Jordy Nelson WR Kansas State

66. KC- Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma

67. Car- Adrian Arrington WR Michigan

68. Atl- Kendall Langford DT Hampton

69. NE- Xavier Adibi LB VaTech

70. Chi- Will Franklin WR Missouri

71. Jax- Curtis Lofton LB Oklahoma

72. Buf- Brad Cottam TE Tennessee

73. Min- John David Booty QB USC

74. Car- Dre Moore DT Maryland

75. SF- Quentin Groves OLB Auburn

76. Det- Jordan Dizon LB Colorado

77. Cin- Chris Ellis DE VaTech

78. NO- Mike Pollak C ASU

79. Hou- Kevin Smith RB UCF  

Too bad the LT clone won’t be joining LT to learn from him.

80. Phi- Tom Zbikowski S Notre Dame

81. Ari- Bruce Davis DE/OLB UCLA

82. Min- Dexter Jackson WR Appalachian State

83. TB- Beau Bell LB UNLV

84. Was- Dwight Lowery CB SJSU

85. Ten- Tracy Porter CB Indiana

86. Sea- Terrell Thomas CB USC

87. Det- Steve Justice C Wake Forest

88. Pit- Trae Williams CB USF

89. Jax- Carl Nicks OT Nebraska

90. Chi- Jeremy Zuttah OG Rutgers

91. GB- Jamaal Charles RB Texas

92. Dal- Keilen Dykes DE West Virginia

93. Ind- Matt Forte RB Tulane

94. NE- Xavier Omon RB Northwest Missouri State

95. NYG- King Dunlap OL Auburn

96. Was- Erik Ainge QB Tennessee

97. Cin- DeMario Pressley DT NC State

98. Atl- Eric Young OT Tennessee

99. Bal- Shawn Murphy OT Utah State

Fourth Round

100. Mia- John Sullivan C Notre Dame

101. StL.- Cliff Avril LB Purdue

102. NYJ- Shawn Crable OLB Michigan

103. Atl- Erin Henderson LB Maryland

104. Oak- Frank Okam DT Texas

105. KC- Chase Ortiz DE TCU

106. Bal- Jo-Lonn Dunbar LB Boston College

107. SF-Phillip Wheeler LB Georgia Tech

108. Den- Oniel Cousins DT Utep

109. Car- Geno Hayes LB Florida State

110. Chi- Ali Highsmith LB LSU

111. Det- DJ Wolfe CB Oklahoma

112. Cin- Martin Rucker TE Missouri

113. NYJ- Drew Radovich OT USC

114. Buf- Kirk Barton OL Ohio State

115. Phi- Martin O’Donnell OL Illinois

116. Ari- Jeff Cavender OT Boise State

117. Min- Darrell Strong TE Pittsburgh

118. Hou- Simeon Castille CB Alabama

119. Den- Thomas DeCoud S Cal

120. TB- Robert Felton OG Arkansas

121. Sea- Keenan Burton WR Kentucky

122. Cle- Yvenson Bernard RB Oregon State

123. Pit- Chaz Schillens WR San Diego State

124. Ten- Tashard Choice RB Georgia Tech

125. Jax- Quintin Demps S Utep

126. Dal- Curtis Gatewood LB Vanderbilt

127. Ind- Vince Hall LB VaTech

128. GB- Tavares Gooden LB Miami

129. NE- Stanford Keglar OLB Purdue

130. NYG- Kelly Popinga LB BYU

131. Phi- Adam Kraus OG Michigan

132. Buf- Lionel Dotson DE Arizona

133. Bal- Curtis Johnson DE Clark Atlanta

134. Ten- Kenny Iwebema DE Iowa

135. GB- Paul Hubbard WR Wisconsin

Fifth Round

136. KC- Josh Johnson QB San Diego

137. StL.- Mike Hart RB Michigan

138. Atl- Kellen Davis TE Michigan State

139. Den- Steve Slaton RB West Virginia

140. KC- Arman Shields WR Richmond

141. Car- Jonathan Zenon CB LSU

142. Chi- Barry Booker DT VaTech

143. Jax- Kevin O’Connell QB SDSU

144. Cin- Wesley Woodyard LB Kentucky

145. Det- Will Robinson OT SDSU

146. NO- Jack Ikegwonu CB Wisconsin

147. Buf- Ben Moffit LB USF

148. Den- Jeremy Leman LB Illinois

149. Ari- Harry Douglas WR Louisville

150. Min- Shane Simmons LB Western Washington

151. Hou- Andre Woodson QB Kentucky

152. Phi- Tommy Blake DE TCU

153. TB- Marcus Harrison DT Arkansas

154. Was- Derek Lokey DL Texas

155. Cle- DJ Parker CB VaTech

156. Pitt- George Chukwu DT Rice

157. Ten- Bryan Mattison DE Iowa

158. Jax- Eric Foster DE Rutgers

159. Jax- Rodrick Johnson LB Oklahoma State

160. SD- Owen Schmitt FB West Virginia

161. Ind- Jacob Tamme TE Kentucky

162. GB- Titus Brown LB Mississippi State

163. Dal- DJ Hall WR Alabama

164. NE- Pedro Sosa OT Rutgers

165. NYG- Jerome Simpson WR Coastal Carolina

166. SD- Jamie Silva S Boston College

Sixth Round

167. Dal- DeJuan Tribble CB Boston College

168. StL.- Marcus Walker CB Oklahoma

169. Oak- Justin Tryon CB ASU

170. KC- Shannon Tevaga OL UCLA

171. NYJ- Mario Urrutia WR Louisville

172. Atl- Darnell Terrell CB Missouri

173. Bal- Ryan Grice-Mullen WR Hawaii

174. SF- Jason Rivers WR Hawaii

175. Chi- Todd Blythe WR Iowa State

176. Det- Craig Stevens TE Cal

177. Cin- Craig Steltz S LSU

178. NO- Alexis Serna K Oregon State

179. Buf- Peyton Hillis RB Arkansas

180. StL.- David Roach S TCU

181. Car- Andre Fluellen DT Florida State

182. Min- Jed Collins FB Washington State

183. Den- Wallace Gilberry DL Alabama

184. Phi- Durant Brooks P Georgia Tech

185. Ari- Spencer Larsen LB Arizona  

186. Was- Jamar Adams S Michigan

187. KC- Gary Barnidge TE Louisville

188. Pit- Chauncey Washington RB USC

189. Sea- Fernando Velasco OL Georgia

190. Cle- Kirk Elder OL Texas A&M

191. Phi- Jonathan Hefney S/Ret Tennessee

192. SD- Tyvon Branch CB Connecticut

193. Min- Thaddeus Coleman OT Mississippi Valley State

194. NYG- Evan Moore TE Stanford

195. Mia- Jacob Hester RB LSU

196. Ind- Colt Brennan QB Hawaii

197. NE- Joey Haynos TE Maryland

198. NYG- Chris McDuffie DT Clemson

199. NYG- Jeremy Thompson DE Wake Forest

200. Phi- Michael Marquardt DL ASU

201. Ind- Adam Oliver DE Georgia Tech

202. Ind- Marcus Henry WR Kansas

203. Phi- Marcus Monk WR Arkansas

204. Mia- Andy Crooks LB Wisconsin

205. Ind- Alvin Bowen LB Iowa State

206. Bal- Brian Bonner S TCU

207. Cin- Ryan Mundy S West Virginia

Seventh Round

208. Mia- Tony Joiner S Florida

209. Min- David Vobora LB Idaho

210. KC- Barry Richardson OT Clemson

211. NYJ- Anthony Morelli QB Penn State

212. Atl- Davone Bess WR Hawaii

213. Oak- Thomas Williams LB USC

214. SF- Paul Smith QB Tulsa

215. Bal- Art Carmody K Louisville

216. Det- Marcus Griffin S Texas

217. StL.- Mike Gibson OT California

218. NO- Maurice Murray DT New Mexico State

219. Buf- Mike Fladell OT Rutgers

220. Den- Jamey Richard OL Buffalo

221. Car- Breno Giacomini OT Louisville

222. Chi- Darius Reynaud WR West Virginia

223. Hou- Kelin Johnson DB Georgia

224. Buf- Glenn Sharp DB Miami

225. Ari- Orlando Scandrick DB Boise State

226. Oak- Ron Girault S Syracuse

227. Den- Dennis Keyes S UCLA

228. Was- Justin Forsett RB Cal

229. Ten- Bernard Morris QB Marshall

230. Phi- Cole Bennett TE Auburn

231. Cle- LeTroy Guion DT Florida State

232. Atl- Terrance Wheatley CB Colorado

233. Sea- Marty Tadman S Boise State

234. SD- Nick Hayden DE Wisconsin

235. Dal- James McClinton DT Kansas

236. Ind- Chris Brown TE Tennessee

237. GB- CarltonPowell DT VaTech

238. NE- Jason Shirley DT Fresno State

239. KC- Demetrius Bell OT Northwestern State (LA)

240. Bal- Ogemdi Nwagbuo DT Michigan State

241. Car- Ahtyba Rubin DT Iowa State

242. Was- Derek Fine TE Kansas

243. Chi- Tyson DeVree TE Colorado

244. Cin- Wilrey Fontenot CB Arizona

245. Mia- Kurt Hout DT Ferris State

246. Cin- Travis Brown WR New Mexico

247. Chi- Anthony Aldridge WR Houston

248. Chi- Sam Keller QB Nebraska

249. Was- Brandon Dombrowski OG SDSU

250. Car- Adam Bishop TE Nevada

251. Buf- Kolo Kapanui TE West Texas A&M

And Mr. Irrelevant is...

252. StL.- Patrick Lee DB Auburn

So after all that you think I'm crazy, I think I'm crazy, and the results undeniably are that I am. However, that was a lot of fun. It's almost as much fun as watching the thing actually unfold on draft day (since I have control in my mind of where these guys go). Most of the First Round selections I made my selections by who I think will go where and same with many of the Second Round picks, but after that, it more or less became where I want guys to go. That being said, I had a personal fav, Kevin O'Connell, going to the Saints until I realized there's no way he could possibly get past the Jaguars, who sent their Offensive Coordinator out here to San Diego to watch the guy at his Pro Day and seem to be in love with the guy. One final note is about Notable players who weren't drafted. They are: Wait there are none. That's a first. It also means my Mock is probably horrible b/c there are always at least 10 notable players who are not drafted. Oh well, like I said the last four rounds were my baby.

Friends' Teams' Picks:

For Matthew Patrick (Eagles):
Jerod Mayo LB
Brandon Flowers CB
Tom Zbikowski Safety
Martin O'Donnell OL
Adam Kraus OG
Tommy Blake DE
Durant Brooks P
Jonathan Hefney S/Ret
Marcus Monk WR
Michael Marquardt DL
Cole Bennett TE

For Bruce Miller (J-E-T-S):
Chris Long DE/OLB (Best Player in the Draft)
Jonathan Stewart RB (Best RB in the Draft)
Shawn Crable OLB
Drew Radovich OT
Mario Urrutia WR
Anthony Morelli QB

For Josh Deanne (Rams):
Vernon Gholston DE/OLB
Chris Williams OT
Jordy Nelson WR
Cliff Avril OLB
Mike Hart RB
Marcus Walker CB
David Roach Safety
Mike Gibson OT
Patrick Lee DB

For Stephen (Broncos):
Jake Long OT
Early Doucett WR
Oniel Cousins DT
Thomas DeCoud Safety
Steve Slaton RB
Jeremy Leman LB
Walace Gilberry DL
Jamey Richard OL
Dennis Keyes Safety

And My Teams (Saints first):
Glenn Dorsey DT
Martellus Bennett TE
Mike Pollak C
Jack Ikegwonu CB
Alexis Serna K
Maurice Murray DT

Chargers:
Kentwan Balmer DT
Owen Schmitt FB
Jamie Silva Safety
Nick Hayden DE

My 5 Favorite Players in this Draft:
5. Bruce Davis DE/OLB UCLA
Unreal pass-rush skills and shows athleticism to stand up and play in space. Plus, I got to watch him get better for the last 4 years.
4. Chase Ortiz DE/OLB TCU
Got to watch the guy on film and he reminds me a lot of Davis but w/ maybe even more ability to play the linebacker spot and more of a motor. Not as natural an athlete, but the tendency is for me to root hard for him being from a MWC Conference School.
3. Ray Rice RB Rutgers
Actually I could put about 5 different backs here (Kevin Smith: the next LT, Jonathan Stewart, Chris Johnson, and/or Jacob Hester who will most likely play FB). They're all grinders w/ at least one other good skill. Rice though reminds me some of Mo Drew and that isn't a bad thing at all.
2. Chris Long DE/OLB Virginia
As I said before, I think he is the best player in the draft (while Darren McFadden is the most talented). And it isn't so much who is dad is, although that's cool also, but I think just the fact he came from Virginia and is playing a little different position than his father and the opportunity to see if he can follow in his father's footsteps in a sense. I can't wait to watch him at the Pro Level.
1. Tie: Brian Brohm/Kevin O'Connell QB Louisville/SDSU: Okay, so I'm saying this about a guy who comes from my school and a guy a lot of other people like. Here's my defense on both of those. Brohm is the most NFL-ready QB not only this year, but I would say since Matt Leinart (although certainly the jury is still out on how that's going to work out). The knock on him is arm-strength, which I've never seen as a problem and I've watched a lot of him. The other is his injury history, which is a bit of a concern, but I believe everyone is at equal risk (unlike many of my compatriots who take the stance of it being like a habit. That's the reason many of them aren't very high on Jonathan Stewart either, although they do like Brohm, go figure). Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Brohm becomes a Super Bowl- winning QB w/ a couple of Pro Bowls and the possibility of being a Hall of Famer. In my opinion he's got all the tools. As for O'Connnell, in my Scouting Report on him, which I watched 3 games plus watched play in several others, I said he is going to either be a boom or bust kind of guy. He's as good an athlete as you will find at the QB position short of a Vince Young and with coaching can become a very good passer. I'm rooting for both of them to prove me right. I believe in the right system, they each can be tremendous QBs.

So, there is my Mock Draft w/ some extra information added in for your benefit. Starting in May, I will begin the process of evaluating next year's class, in addition to a lot of other football-related stuff. I already know who my favorite player of next year's draft is going to be, and there is almost nothing, short of his death or him going ape-s***, that could change my mind. But, I will do my best to evaluate him fairly and put him in a realistic place. I will say this about him, he reminds me a lot of my current favorite player in the NFL. But don't think he'll take that guy's place, only he reminds me a lot of him. We shall see.

Oh yeah, and how about CP3 and the Hornets last night? That was incredible 2nd Half performance by my man. Let's hope that's a sign of things to come. Go Hornets!

Enjoy the Draft everyone!