NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #31 New England Patriots – Forfeited

The New England Patriots would have had the 31st pick in the draft by virtue of losing the Super Bowl.

Instead, they forfeited the pick for cheating.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #30 – New York Jets – Dustin Keller (via Green Bay Packers)

The Jets have traded up to grab Purdue TE Dustin Keller.

Scouts, Inc.: 39

Strengths: Very athletic pass-catching weapon. Settles into soft spots when reads zone coverage and uses frame to shield defenders from the ball. Flashes the ability to make the tough catch in traffic and has the potential to develop into a productive red zone target. Lacks ideal explosiveness but changes directions well and runs adequate routes. He will generate yards after catch. Shows a second gear when tracking the ball downfield, knows when to turn back to look for passes and flashes the ability to work the seam. Gets adequate hand placement has a mean streak and flashes the ability to sustain blocks. Takes adequate angles to blocks and get into position at the second level. Has experience lining up wide, size can cause matchup problems for corners and is somewhat versatile.

Weaknesses: Is short, lacks ideal bulk for a tight end and can get muscled out of routes by linebackers and safeties. Footwork is inconsistent, takes some false steps and doesn’t always get into good position. Doesn’t deliver a powerful punch and isn’t going to knock many defenders back. Isn’t going to make many defenders miss, lacks breakaway speed and isn’t much of a big-play threat after the catch. Missed 2005 games with a sprained ankle, played with a broken left hand in 2006 and durability is somewhat of a concern.

Overall: Keller reshirted his first year at Purdue (2003), moving from wide receiver to tight end before his freshman season. He appeared in 33 games (13 starts) in his first three seasons (2004-’06), hauling in 74 receptions for 1,001 yards (13.5 average) and nine touchdowns. As a senior, he hauled in 68 receptions for 881 yards (13.0 average) and seven touchdowns in 13 games (all starts). His receptions per game (5.2) and receiving yards per game (67.8) ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, among the country’s tight ends in 2007. Keller missed one game in 2005 because of an ankle injury. Keller is undersized and he will never be a dominant drive blocker. He also will struggle to get off the line at times. However, this converted wide receiver is a playmaking threat in the passing game with the hands, athletic ability and versatility to develop into a quality contributor in the NFL. Teams that like to spread things out more offensively and have use for an H-back type should value Keller in the third round of the 2008 draft.

Rick Gosselin: 31

The Jets fans are booing but this is a reasonable pick at the spot. Whether it’s worth what it took to trade up remains to be seen.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #29 – San Francisco 49ers – NT Kentwan Balmer

The 49ers didn’t let much time tick off before grabbing North Carolina nose tackle Kentwan Balmer.

The ESPN guys are apoplectic but it’s a great value pick.

Scouts, Inc.: 20th

Strengths: Is tall with adequate bulk and room to get even bigger if necessary. When he plays hard he can be flat-out dominant. Gets good forward lean in stance and displays outstanding initial quickness. Has experience playing DT and NT. Takes sound angles to the ball and makes plays in pursuit. Is playing with a better motor as a senior. He can take on blocks when he stays low. Generally wraps up upon contact and is an adequate open field tackler. Athletic, flashes the ability to redirect inside after setting blockers up to the outside and is a relentless pass rusher. Moves well laterally and runs line stunts well. Shows adequate awareness, times jumps well and he gets hands up when isn’t going to get to the quarterback. Blocked two kicks in 2006 and can contribute on special teams.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent effort earlier in career. Is he a one-year wonder? Plays too high at times and will lose his power when he does. Not disciplined enough. Gets sucked inside and upfield too often. Needs to do a more consistent job with his hands and can take too long to shed blocks.

Overall: In his first three seasons at North Carolina (2004-’06), Balmer appeared in 30 games (11 starts) at defensive end and defensive tackle, recording 34 tackles (7.5 for losses) and 3.5 sacks. As a senior in 2007, he started all 12 games and delivered 59 tackles (9.5 for losses) and 3.5 sacks. He had right knee surgery following the 2005 season and missed two games in ’06 after suffering an ankle sprain. Balmer could play DE in a three-man front but we think he’s better suited to play DT or NT in a 4-3 scheme in the NFL. Regardless, he is tall and strong with adequate bulk and outstanding quickness. Balmer can take on blocks, disrupt plays in the backfield and collapse the pocket  but only when he wants to. While he finally displayed first-round ability as a senior, NFL teams must be concerned about this one-year wonder. Prior to 2007 we viewed Balmer as a talented underachiever and the question is whether the light has finally come on or if he will revert to old, lazy habits following his big NFL payday.

Rick Gosselin: 24

Mel Kiper: 25

For a team making the move to a 3-4, this move makes perfect sense.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #28 – Seattle Seahawks – DE Lawrence Jackson (from Dallas Cowboys)

The Seattle Seahawks traded down three spots to pick up a 5 and 7 and quickly grabbed Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC.

Scouts, Inc.: 33

Strengths: Possesses good overall size; adequate height, thickly built with longer arms (34.1) and bigger hands (9.1). Displays good initial quickness and mobility for his size. Shows some variety as a pass rusher, using a combination of quickness and power. At his best as a pass rusher when working one-on-one on the perimeter. Displays enough upper-and-lower body strength to seal off the perimeter when he’s playing with leverage. Does a good job at times of keeping separation from blockers and is learning how to disengage quicker than he would earlier in his career. Is tough and plays with a mean streak.

Weaknesses: Is more quick than fast. Lacks ideal top-end speed. He will never be the type of speed-end that can consistently run past offensive tackles. Lacks explosive closing burst as a pass rusher. Really struggles to split the double-team. He leaves his feet too frequently. Durability is only a minor concern but he has had ankle surgery twice during collegiate career; once in 2003 and most recently in spring of 2007.

Overall: Jackson was redshirted in 2003 and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle after the season. In his first three active seasons (2004-’06), he played in 39 games and recorded 121 total tackles (35 for losses), 20 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions. Jackson started all 13 games as a senior, delivering 60 tackles (17 for losses), 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. His right ankle required a second surgery before 2007 spring practice. His brother, Keith, played offensive tackle at Arizona. Jackson was one of the best young defensive ends in the nation during his first two seasons at USC (2004-’05) before his production tailed off as a junior in 2006. Part of the problem was that Jackson spent more time inside as the Trojans’ injected more 3-4 alignments on defense. The other problem was that Jackson didn’t handle all the double-team attention well. Regardless, Jackson bounced back as a senior in 2007, showing far more explosiveness when turned loose more frequently as an outside rusher. Jackson does not possess great top-end speed but his combination of initial quickness, size and power give him a chance to make an impact as an every-down starter in the NFL — likely as an end in a traditional 4-3 scheme. But if he doesn’t become a more consistent performer on the next level; Jackson will be a disappointment as a projected second-round pick.

Rick Gosselin: 42

A bit of a reach but a decent pick. There has been such an amazing run on lineman that the draft boards might have to be thrown out the window.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #27 – San Diego Chargers – CB Antoine Cason

The Chargers wasted little time in grabbing cornerback Antoine Cason from Arizona.

Scouts, Inc.: 42

Strengths: A tall, somewhat lean corner with long arms (32.3) and big hands (9.2). Very instinctive and confident. Played in a blitz-heavy scheme that frequently left him on an island, but he’s better suited to play zone in the NFL. He has very good straight-line speed. Footwork is sound, plays with good balance and shows good burst coming out of cuts. Gets good knee bend in backpedal, reads routes fairly well and closes quickly. Times jumps well and is tall enough to compete for jump balls. Has quick feet and shows a second gear when tracking the ball downfield. Reads routes well, reads quarterback’s eyes and is aggressive. Locates the ball well. Displays good ball skills and flashes big-play ability after interceptions. Physical and fills hard when reads run. Active and can effectively bluff blitz. Has progressed steadily and should only continue to get better with experience. A person of high character and a hard worker on and off the field. Passionate about the game and is out to prove he’s better than people think. Very durable athlete.

Weaknesses: Though he has quick feet and good straight-line speed, he shows stiffness in his hips. Struggles to open quickly and mirror faster/quicker receivers. Press technique can improve. Hand-placement is inconsistent and he hasn’t shown great upper body strength. Will have some problems rerouting receivers at the NFL level and is more effective playing off the line than he is jamming receivers. He plays the game hard but isn’t as physical as you’d like to see, especially from a cover-2 type NFL prospect. Takes too long to shed block when gets reached and occasionally takes himself out of the play by trying to avoid blocker rather than stacking him up. Doesn’t always wrap up upon contact and is an inconsistent open field tackler that isn’t going to deliver a lot of big hits.

Overall: Cason arrived at Arizona in 2004 and went on to start all 46 games during his Wildcats career (’04-07). In his first three seasons, he compiled 182 tackles (10 for losses), three forced fumbles, 10 interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown) and 18 pass breakups. He turned in his finest season as a senior, recording 71 tackles (four for losses), two forced fumbles, five interceptions (two of which he returned for TDs) and 14 pass breakups. He had two more scores and averaged 10.0 yards on 27 punt returns last season. Cason also participated on Arizona’s track team in 2006, competing in the 200 meters and the sprint relays. His father Wendell played three seasons in the NFL and his cousins  Aveion Cason and Ken-yon Rambo  also played in the league. Aveion has played six seasons with three different teams and Ken-yon played two seasons (2001-02) for the Cowboys. Cason has some stiffness in his hips and will struggle to turn-and-run with some faster NFL receivers, which is why he’s best suited to play in a cover-2 heavy scheme. Otherwise, his combination of physical tools, mental toughness and versatility is impressive. He has the size, straight-line speed and anticipation to emerge as a solid starter in a zone-heavy NFL defense, and he also can compete for touches on punt returns. Cason should come off the board in Round 2.

Rick Gosselin: 45

Rather early to take him here, frankly, although some mock drafts had the Cowboys grabbing him with the 28th pick.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #26 – Houston Texans – OT Duane Brown

The Houston Texans continued the amazing run on offensive tackles, grabbing Virginia Tech‘s Duane Brown.

Scouts, Inc.: 58th

Strengths: Has a quick first step and flashes the ability to get into position quickly. Gets adequate hand placement, has active feet and flashes the ability to sustain. Moves well laterally, can reach defenders lined up over outside shoulder and can seal the edge. Gets into pass set quickly and uses long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket. Footwork is inconsistent and is vulnerable to double moves but can redirect in pass protection and has the potential to develop into a very good pass blocker once gains more experience. Moved from tight end to tackle in 2005 and can still line up there in goal line situations. Tall, times jumps fairly well and blocked a field goal attempt last year.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t always take sound angles to blocks and can struggle to get into position at the second level. Plays too high, hasn’t shown great lower body strength and is going to have problems driving two-gap defenders off the ball. Bends at the waist rather than the knees, is undersized and is going to have problems anchoring against bull rushers. Dives at defenders’ feet rather than attacking the thigh pad and isn’t an effective cut blocker at this point. Lacks ideal awareness and doesn’t always adjust well to line stunts and blitzes.

Overall: Brown arrived at Virginia Tech as a tight end in 2003 and redshirted his first year. In 2004, he played in all 13 games as a reserve tight end, finishing the season with three receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. He was switched to right tackle in 2005 and started all 26 games over the next two seasons (20005-06). He switched to left tackle in the spring of 2007 and started all 12 games as a senior. Brown is a former tight end who is still somewhat raw and inconsistent but there’s no questioning his upside, as he has prototypical size, initial quickness and athletic ability. With that mind he projects as a third round pick.

Rick Gosselin: 56

Quiiiite a reach here. Clearly, a need move rather than a value move. I don’t like it.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #25 – Dallas Cowboys – Mike Jenkins (via Seattle Seahawks)

The Dallas Cowboys have moved up three spots, presumably for a cornerback. They take DB Mike Jenkins of South Florida.

I like this move. Indeed, Jenkins is higher rated than Felix Jones, who they took three picks earlier.

Scouts, Inc.: 17th

(5’10″, 197, 4.379) | SOUTH FLORIDA
Scouts Grade: 94

Strengths: Is thickly built for his adequate height. He has very quick feet and is extremely smooth getting in and out of his backpedal. Does a good job of opening up hips, shows a second gear when tracking the ball downfield and has the long arms to occasionally tip away passes from a trail position. Possesses outstanding top-end speed and can make up ground when the ball is in the air. Is smooth when forced to change directions quickly, shows very good burst coming out of cuts and shows outstanding balance coming out of his pedal. Times jumps fairly well and is tall enough to compete for jump balls. Continues to show more versatility with experience. Has some experience lining up at safety, can line up over the slot or on the outside and shows good instincts and closing burst when turned loose on the blitz. Has experience blocking for punt returns and shows some upside as a return specialist.

Weaknesses: Hasn’t shown great upper body strength, doesn’t use hands that well and gives away the inside too much. Though reads quarterback’s eyes and consistently gets into position to make plays on the ball, he lacks ideal ball skills. Mis-times some of his jumps, locates the ball late occasionally and will knock down some passes he should intercept. Run support aggressiveness is sporadic. Not overly physical, doesn’t shed blocks well and takes poor angles to the ball at times. Character is a concern after 2007 arrest/suspension.

Overall: Jenkins appeared in 38 games (28 starts) in his first three seasons (2004-’06), recording 92 tackles (two for losses), three interceptions and 29 pass breakups. As a senior, he started all 13 games at right cornerback and had 41 tackles (four for losses), three interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He also has experience at safety and returning kicks. He averaged 30.4 yards on nine kickoff returns last season, returning one kick 100 yards for a touchdown. Jenkins suffers from an asthmatic condition, and in ’04 he missed one game because of an ankle injury. In 2007, he was arrested after a fight outside a bar and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing or opposing an officer without violence. Jenkins’ asthmatic condition and 2007 arrest do create some reasons for concern. However, he did not miss playing time due to medical reasons the past three seasons and the off-the-field incident appears to be isolated. Jenkins has always possessed outstanding natural ability, including ideal speed and athleticism for a well-built cover corner. His recognition skills, technique and overall versatility improved as a senior, which is why he finally shot up NFL teams’ draft boards. Jenkins proved in 2007 that he’s capable of holding up on an island versus opponents’ top receivers and he became a bigger factor in run support. He came up big in clutch situations (see: interception returned to the Auburn two yard-line) and showed some promise in brief duty as a return man. Overall, Jenkins ranks among the top-three cover corners in this year’s draft, which is why we give him a mid-to-late first round grade.

Rick Gosselin: 15th

Mel Kiper: 22nd

This is more like it. Great pick by the Cowboys: It fills an important need and it’s a good value at the slot.

UPDATE: Here are the details on the trade:

COWBOYS GET …

First-round pick (25th overall) — South Florida CB Mike Jenkins

SEAHAWKS GET …

First-round pick (28th overall) — USC DE Lawrence Jackson
Fifth-round pick (163rd overall)
Seventh-round (235th overall)

That’s a lot to move up three spots, I think, but chances are that a 5th and 7th rounder won’t make this Cowboys roster.

UPDATE: Here’s a photo of Jenkins via Rick Herrin at Cowboys Corner.

His partner, Charean Williams, reports that, “The Texans would have taken Mike Jenkins. The Cowboys knew this, which is why they leap-frogged the Texans.”

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #24 – Tennessee Titans – RB Chris Johnson

The Tennessee Titans quickly grabbed East Carolina running back Chris Johnson after trading down in the first. Rather high for this guy, methinks.

Scouts, Inc.: 41st

Strengths: Possesses elite speed. Is an explosive open-field runner. Brings excellent versatility to the table thanks to his experience at RB, WR and KOR. He can explode through a hole. Gets from 0-to-60 mph faster than most RB’s. Shows excellent burst to and through the hole, as well as the second-gear to run away from defenders in space. Vision and patience were much improved as a senior in 2007. He has a compact running style and will do a decent job of protecting his body. He displays very soft hands as a receiver and return specialist. Has great experience working out of the slot and knows how to separate as a route runner. Can pluck on the run and gets upfield in a hurry after the catch. Shows good vision and run instincts when he gets into space; knows when to cut back against the grain and how to set up blocks.

Weaknesses: Is undersized and must add more bulk to frame in order to hold up physically at the next level. Has better strength than frame indicates but still not strong enough to break lots of tackles or push the pile as an inside runner. Doesn’t always drive his legs and finish runs strong. Durability was a problem throughout college and most concerning is his history of neck injuries. Lacks ideal running instincts and got away with a lot at the college level because of his speed that he won’t get away with in the NFL. Will get overwhelmed at the point of attack versus bigger linebackers in pass pro. Will struggle to hold up in that facet of the NFL game. Ball security has been a problem at times, as he turned the ball over seven times on fumbles during his first three seasons. He also has small hands (7 ¼ inches).

Overall: Johnson became a starter as a true freshman and during his career at East Carolina served as a running back, wide receiver and kickoff return specialist. In his first three seasons (2004-’06), he played 34 games (23 starts) and ran for 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns on 388 carries (4.0 average). In that span, he also had 88 receptions for 768 yards (8.7 average) and four touchdowns, plus 79 kickoff returns for 1,706 yards (21.6 average) and four touchdowns. Johnson broke out as a senior, starting all 13 games and leading the nation in all-purpose yards per game (227.7). He had 1,468 yards and 17 touchdowns on 236 carries (6.0 average), 37 receptions for 528 yards (14.3 average) and six scores, and 36 kickoff returns for 1,009 yards (28.0) and another TD. In 2006, Johnson had offseason neck surgery that forced him to miss spring drills but no playing time. He missed one game and was limited in others later that season because of a turf toe injury on his left big toe. Johnson shares a lot of similarities with Jerious Norwood, who was selected by the Falcons in the second round of the 2006 draft. Like Norwood, Johnson is a homerun threat with exceptional speed and versatility but marginal size and below-average strength. A team that can afford a luxury item like Johnson will be able to maximize his big-play potential as a runner, receiver and return specialist. However, we are not convinced he’s capable of handling a fulltime role at running back in the NFL, which is why we don’t grade him out as high as some. Regardless, Johnson is vying to become the first senior running back off the board. He projects as a second or third round pick.

Rick Gosselin: 41st

Hmmm.

NFL Draft 2008 – Round 1 #23 – Pittsburgh Steelers – RB Rashard Mendenhall

The Steelers took approximately two seconds to grab Rashard Mendenhall, easily the best player left on the board, after the Cowboys stupidly passed on him for Felix Jones.

Scouts, Inc.: 7th

Strengths: Thickly and powerfully built back. Possesses adequate height, a strong lower body and enormous arms. Runs with adequate pad-level and will generate lots of yards after initial contact. Drives his legs and always seems to be falling forward. Vision and patience are adequate to good. Shows above-average initial quickness and outstanding burst when bouncing runs outside. Very few backs his size share such a noticeable second-gear (see: 2008 Rose Bowl vs. USC). He is a reliable pass-catcher with a good feel for getting open underneath. Can pluck the ball on the run and is dangerous in the open field with a head of steam. Is more than willing in pass pro and possesses the size/strength to anchor versus blitzing linebackers. Does not have a lot of wear on his tires and his best football should be ahead of him.

Weaknesses: Not overly elusive and won’t generate many yards by making defenders miss in space. Had some fumbling issues earlier in his career. Only one season as fulltime load carrier at collegiate level. Will need some time to adjust to blitz pickup in NFL. Awareness in that regard is only decent. While he has been a productive receiver, he needs to do a better job of catching with his hands rather than allowing it to frequently get into his body. Off-season conditioning has never been his strength. Doesn’t have much room left on frame to add bulk, so he will need to guard against adding unnecessary weight.

Overall: After graduating high school early and arriving on campus in the spring of 2005, Mendenhall contributed immediately as a true freshman. In 10 games, he ran for 218 yards on 48 carries and had 13 receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. In 2006, he ran for 640 yards and five TDs on a Big Ten-best 8.2 yards per carry, adding another 164 yards and a score on 12 receptions. As a junior, Mendenhall delivered 1,999 total yards and 19 TDs in 13 games. He led the conference and ranked eighth in the nation in rushing yards (1,681). Mendenhall peaked as a junior, which was his first season as a fulltime starter at Illinois. While he still can improve as a football player, there are no glaring weaknesses to his game. Mendenhall is a powerful runner with the burst to hit the occasional homerun. He also is more than capable in the passing game  both as a receiver and blocker. With good coaching and attention to detail, Mendenhall has a chance to rank among the upper-echelon starters in the NFL a couple years from now. Mendenhall is worth a mid-to-late first round pick and he should be the second or third running back selected in April’s draft.

Rick Gosselin: 10th

Mel Kiper: 10th

Authoritative runner with a major league burst through the hole. Mendenhall’s hard-charging style makes him difficult to get to the ground.

Great pick. The Steelers continue to be the best value drafters in the league. They probably didn’t need a running back here. But how do you pass up top 10 talent at the 23 spot?