The Football Reporters Online Mock Draft
We like to think we are a little different. That we think “outside the box so to speak”. With that premise, here is our Roundtable Mock as of 12 am on April 24th.
The Mock Draft Roundtable was conducted without team trades.

Participants-Mike Ingram-Black Athlete.com, Shawn Zobel-Draft Headquarters.com
Dr. Bill Chachkes-Football Reporters Online & SBS-NFL Draft Magazine Blog, Frankie Underwood-Football Reporters Online and Fantasy Football Journal, and Ralph Garcia-Football Reporters Online.

1-Dolphins-Jake Long-T-Michigan- (Shawn) - Miami worked out a contract with Long so he is the pick here.
2-Rams-Chris Long-DT-Virginia- (Mike) Rams not only need pass rushers but also core players on defense after years of "The Greatest Show of Turf" hype.
3-Falcons-Matt Ryan-QB-B.C.-(Ralph) The Falcons must make a pick at QB that will help them over the next ten years. Matt Ryan
4-Raiders-Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU- (Frankie) I don’t believe the Raiders will draft McFadden, but by drafting Dorsey they can move Kelly back to Def. End.
5-Chiefs-Ryan Clady-OLT-Boise St. (Bill) A Bit of a reach at #5 but K.C. wants to win now, and they need the O-Line improved.
6-Jets-Vernon Gholston-DE/OLB-Ohio St. (Shawn) Because of the feud between the Jets and the Patriots, New York will go with Gholston here.
7-Patriots (fm 49ers)-Keith Rivers-LB-USC (Mike) Pats LB group was too old and, unlike the Pats vs. Giants D' Rivers would push back.

8-Ravens-Sedrick Ellis-NT-USC- (Ralph) The Ravens go with the logical choice in Ellis.
9-Bengals-Darren McFadden-RB Arkansas (Frankie) Besides the fact that McFadden has fallen too far, Cincy has trouble keeping their RB’s healthy.
10-Saints-Phillip Merling-DE-DT-Clemson (Bill) His motor is always on. Very busy in the pit keeping OL’s tied up.
11-Bills-Devin Thomas-WR-KR-Michigan St. (Shawn) The Bills have
reached for players in the past because they have them high on their boards. With their need at wide receiver, I think that this pick makes a lot of sense.

12-Broncos-Chirs Williams-OLT-Vanderbilt (Mike) Plug him in, plug him in. A 10-year starter, barring injuries. He is polished with great technique.
13-Panthers-Derrick Harvey-DE-Florida (Ralph) Harvey fits in well with defensive scheme.
14-Bears-Branden Albert-OLG-Virgina (Frankie) The Bears need a QB, but not this high, they already have too much invested in RBs, but OL depth is always important.
15-Lions-Sam Baker-OLT-USC (Bill) With Williams, Albert & Clady gone, Baker is the next best OL left on the board.
16-Cardinals-Leodis McKelvin-CB-RS-Troy (Shawn) The biggest need is in the secondary making McKelvin the pick.
17-Vikings-Jeff Otah-OLT Pitt. (Frankie) Jackson needs time to develop and Otah could provide that time.
18-Texans-Felix Jones-RB-Arkansas (Ralph) Time for Houston to "think outside the box" and go with Jones. He Averaged 100 Yards per every 12 touches.
19-Eagles-Kentwan Balmer-DE-North Carolina (Mike) My gut says this will be one of the deepest receiver classes since '96; so there will be good quality down the line. Speaking of the line, how about a big Play Big Guy to give Mike Patterson some backup and needed bulk along the D-line.
20-Bucs-Malcom Kelly-WR-Okalahoma (Bill) Tampa’s WR’s are getting old, so here is a shot of “Youth” for their offense.
21-Redskins-Limas Sweed-WR-Texas- (Shawn) The Redskins really like Malcolm Kelly, however with him and the top offensive and defensive linemen off the board, I think that they turn to the next best wide receiver.
22-Cowboys (from Cleveland)-Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-DB-Tenn. st. (Mike) The Boys need defensive backfield help and the talent is in the bloodlines here.
23-Steelers-Mike Jenkins-CB-RS-S.Fla. (Frankie) While Pittsburgh does need help on the O-line, all the Quality is gone. Corner is also a need that a former DB coach will recognize.
24-Titans-DeSean Jackson-WR-RS-California (Ralph) Young needs a receiver and that man is the versatile DeSean Jackson
25-Seahawks-Rashard Mendenhall-RB Illinois (Bill) He has fallen so far the Seahawks would be foolish to pass on him. Could develop into a threat in the ‘hawks offense.
26-Jaguars-Quentin Groves-DE-Auburn (Shawn) Quentin Groves DE Auburn: The Jaguars have a desperate need along the defensive line. With Balmer off the board, they take Groves.
27-Chargers-Dre Moore-DT-Maryland (Mike) 'Bolts add some credible depth in getting some help for super nose man Jamal Williams.
28-Cowboys-James Hardy-WR-Indiana (Ralph) With Jackson gone to the Titans the next best WR is Hardy.
29-49ers-Calais Campbell-DE-Miami (Frankie) 49ers still need to solidify the Defense and Campbell could only help.
30-Packers- Aquib Talib-CB-RS-Kansas (Bill) Green Bay is developing a solid Group of D-Backs. Could this be the icing on the cake?
31-Pats (forfeited)-
32-Giants-Jerod Mayo-OLB-Tenn. (Shawn) Giants go with Mayo here. They clearly need help at outside linebacker and Mayo is on fire.

This year's NFL Draft will not include any extensive suspense or excitement at the top pick as the Miami Dolphins have agreed to a multi-year contract with former Michigan Wolverine offensive lineman Jake Long.

The contract is five years in length and guarantees Long $30 million with the potential to accrue as much as $57.75 million.

Ask The Commish has a great breakdown of projected NFL Salary Cap space per team. NFL Team projected cap space as of March 15th 2008. In order of rank, team, and cap space. The total order is from first and best to last and worst.

1
Kansas City Chiefs
$27829000
2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
$26049700
3
Buffalo Bills
$21971300
4
New Orleans Saints
$20402900
5
Tennessee Titans
$17990400
6
Green Bay Packers
$17920400
7
Jacksonville Jaguars
$16783700
8
Minnesota Vikings
$16604400
9
San Diego Chargers
$16003100
10
Miami Dolphins
$14865800
11
Philadelphia Eagles
$14758000
12
San Francisco 49ers
$12457200
13
Chicago Bears
$11890400
14
St. Louis Rams
$11537400
15
Houston Texans
$10504400
16
New England Patriots
$8270090
17
Atlanta Falcons
$7928010
18
Cincinnati Bengals
$7780020
19
NY Giants
$6156960
20
Cleveland Browns
$4791990
21
Oakland Raiders
$3460620
22
Seattle Seahawks
$3387030
23
Baltimore Ravens
$3270950
24
Washington Redskins
$3239580
25
Indianapolis Colts
$2588520
26
Carolina Panthers
$1977940
27
Denver Broncos
$1860600
28
Arizona Cardinals
$1160080
29
Dallas Cowboys
$-227212
30
NY Jets
$-1797490
31
Pittsburgh Steelers
$-3260770
32
Detroit Lions
$-3390400