Hondo talks to scouts about Lion's picks...

Very interesting article on Hondo's Blog. He talked to some unnamed scouts who gave their take on the Lion's picks.

#1 17th Overall Gosder “GOZ” Cherilus OT Boston CollegeScout 1: “This was
a very solid pick of the Lions. When they made the trade with the Chiefs
we called this in our war room. We looked hard at Gosder and we really
liked him. He is a street fighter with a mean streak to match. We
felt he was (behind Jake Long) the best zone blocking OT in this draft. We
also loved his durability and that fact that he loves to practice. It was
no secret that Lions had to address the T situation and when Long went #1 we
felt that the Lions would go with this kid. He fits what they want to do
big time. If I was a Lions employee the only player we could have gotten
better for our needs would have been Jake (Long) and that wasn’t going to happen
without giving away the farm and they had too many needs to do that. When
you (Hondo) told me that they want to keep him at RT that made me laugh.
As soon as he (GOZ) is ready, Backus will move. He is to good to keep on
the right once he gets the NFL game. He certainly will be a major upgrade
from Backus on the right ”

Obviously Backus wasn't a right tackle, but if Cherilus can nail down this position and stay healthy, he's an obvious upgrade over the previous (Foster) tackle. Notice the scout mentions that he's a good fit for the zone blocking scheme, which Otah isn't in my opinion. With the way the tackles went off the board, he wasn't a reach at all. In fact, Branden Alberts was only projected to play tackle, but he's a better guard. He'd be great for the Lions as a left guard, but the Lions won't do as much pulling and trapping, so having top guards isn't necessary. This is one of the many good reasons to run a zone blocking scheme.

My official first round projection of the 2008 NFL Draft...

1. Dolphins- Jake Long, OL, UM
2. Rams- Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
3. Falcons- Matt Ryan, QB, BC
4. Raiders- Darren McFadden, RB, Ark
5. Chiefs- Chris Long, DE, Va
6. Jets- Vernon Gholston, DE, OSU
7. Patriots- Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Ravens- Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
9. Bengals- Keith Rivers, LB, USC
10. Saints- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
11. Bills- Delvin Thomas, WR, MSU
12. Broncos- Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
13. Panthers- Derrick Harvey, DE, Fla
14. Bears- Chris Williams, OT, Vandy
15. Lions- Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
16. Cards- Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
17. Chiefs- Branden Albert, OL, UVA
18. Texans- Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
19. Eagles- Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
20. Bucs- Jeff Otah, OL, Pitt
21. Redskins- Gosder Cherilus, OL, BC
22. Cowboys- Felix Jones, RB, Ark
23. Steelers- Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
24. Titans- Branden Flowers, CB, VaTech
25. Seahawks- Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
26. Jaguars- Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
27. Chargers- Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
28. Cowboys- Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
29. 49ers- Desean Jackson, WR, Cal
30. Packers- Chad Henne, QB, UM
31. Giants- Antoine Cason, DB, Arizona

Reading the tea leaves...

Usually at about this time before the draft comes along, I have a decent guage of what the teams are going to do, but this year it's a little bit different. I'm not buying a bunch of the pre-draft negotiation hype that surrounds the first pick, and therefore, the whole first round is a little weird right now. Here's a few thoughts I have on some of the picks...

1. Dolphins- It would be easy to say they've honed in on Jake Long, but I'm not really buying that. Listening to a radio interview with Chris Long, and the Dolphins really haven't been in touch, so I'm guessing the Dolphins will either draft Vernon Gholston, or Glenn Dorsey. The truth in the matter is that they have a need with all of these players. Just to make a pick, we'll say Jake Long goes here.

2. Rams- I've heard they would love Jake Long here, but I'm not buying that either. They are much more likely to draft an end, so my feeling is they'll pick Gholston here. I love Chris Long, but Gholston is a sexier pick, the better pass rusher. Long is a more well-rounded player, but I feel both will play in Hawaii.

3. Falcons- The only name I've really heard with them is Dorsey, and they'll trip on the way to announce his name as soon as the Rams pick.

4. Raiders- The thing about the Raiders, don't try to figure them out. In this scenario, there are two players available for them, both making a great deal of sense. You'd think that Chris Long is the perfect fit for them, but will they pick McFadden? Only one person knows. If Long is gone, it will be McFadden, but I think family wins out here and the Raiders select Long.

5. Chiefs- Branden Albert. He's really the only name I'm hearing for #5. And he will play LT.

6. Jets- In this scenario, they'll likely select Sedrick Ellis, but I'm not sure how they'll go, either. They could easily draft McFadden, or Ryan. This is also a candidate for a hot trade down with Baltimore, who covets Ryan. Remember, in the draft: Thou shalt not covet, and let the cattle out of the barn.

7. Patriots- I'd be shocked if they didn't select a corner, and it could be Leodis McKelvin, but I wouldn't fault them if they took Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who I'd give them here in this slot.

8. Ravens- They could stay here and get their man, Ryan. Or they could take a corner they could use, and take a better QB in the 2nd round. I'm not high on Ryan, so I don't get it, but they love him.

9. Bengals- With Ellis likely gone here, I've heard Keith Rivers going here, and Ryan Clady. Both would be solid picks. I'll give them Rivers.

10. Saints- Yes, the running backs are sliding, and this is another slot for a corner. McKelvin is a solid bet I would think to go to the Big Easy.

11. Bills- The Bills have shown us one thing with their recent picks- they'll get their guy, no matter where he's suppose to go. This would be a great place for Devin Thomas to go, he's the #1 WR by far in this draft.

12. Broncos- This is a team with many needs, believe it or not. There are plenty of RB's falling, especially McFadden. Clady is the pick here, I know they'd love to pick up their pass rush, but Clady is who I think they're targeting all along.

13. Panthers- This is where McFadden could very well end up at. I hope he hasn't been invited to New York, because he could get a little sqeamish if he doesn't go #4. He could really drop, and I'm not 100% sure the Panthers would take him, but I'm giving him to them.

14. Bears- I know the Bears would love two picks here, but their line is a mess; and Chris Williams is the likely pick.

15. Lions- In this scenario, I think it's very likely the Lions would take Derrick Harvey. I'd love to have Jerod Mayo, but I don't see Harvey going any earlier.

Random draft thoughts...

As we close into the final two weeks before the draft, a few things are taking shape. Team needs become better defined, and the cream of the draft crop rises to the top. As far as the Lions are concerned, there are some points that need to be kept in mind. They won't be able to repair all divots, but overall should be in fine shape. It looks like they have a healthy perspective on running backs, and won't overdraft that position. This is a deep year for that position, and they can find a legit player in the third round with one of their two picks. The second round seems like a great place for a line backer, and they have a couple to choose from. Jerod Mayo should be long gone by then, although I'd pick him up at 15, showing how high I think of his ability. Number 15 is looking like it will go down to Mayo, Derrick Harvey (who I think will be overdrafted in the top 10) and Chris Williams of Vandy.