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Will Rashard Mendenhall slip into the top ten of the 2008 NFL Draft?

The hype is almost over and the finish line is in site. The War Room Report  has made the last adjustments and present our final, 2008 NFL Mock Draft. 

1. Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan (Previous Pick: Jake Long) 

We have been projecting Jake Long here since very early in the draft process and are glad to see it come to pass. Jake Long is ready to step right in at left tackle, allowing Vernon Carey to move back to the right side. Miami is coached by a former offensive line coach and wishes to install a power running attack that needs dominate players at the point of attack. While Jake Long may not be at the level of Joe Thomas or Orlando Pace, he is close to that level and has one of the lowest bust factors of any project in the class. He will be an ideal first building block for the Parcells/Ireland era and was the correct pick.

2. St. Louis Rams – Chris Long, DE, Virginia  (Previous Pick: Chris Long)

This is a tough call. The Rams seem to be targeting Glenn Dorsey, which does make some sense since he is the top rated player on many draft boards, including the War Room Report. However, I have a feeling that they are merely posturing. The Rams have 2007 picks Clifton Ryan and Adam Carriker inside and lack any depth at defensive end outside of veteran Leonard Little. Chris Long should project well to a 4-3 defensive end position, with the ability to be equally stout against the rush and the pass. Gholston would get some consideration here, but Long’s on the field performance and intangibles make him the pick over Gholston. They may surprise me and be serious about Dorsey, and I will regret not changing this projection, but Chris Long should be the pick and still has a very good chance to be.

 
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 Where will Florida DE Derrick Harvey fall in the 2008 NFL Draft?

Here is where the draft turns for me. For the longest time the projection here has been Chris Long, but in the interest of full disclosure that may have been just because it was the easier move to make. The Rams are rumored to be considering one of three defenders—Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey, and Vernon Gholston. I know that the Rams need a pass rusher off the edge to complement Leonard Little, but at the same time I truly believe that the Rams have Glenn Dorsey above Chris Long and Vernon Gholston on their Big Board. If you look at the depth at the defensive end and defensive tackle position, they could go get a Lawrence Jackson or Chris Ellis in Round 2 if they so choose, but they will not be able to find any defensive tackles the likes of Glenn Dorsey, Dorsey truly is a game changing defensive tackle, the likes we may have not seen before. The Rams do still have Adam Carriker, their 1st round pick in 2007, who they could move outside at defensive end, but regardless, having a player like Glenn Dorsey several options, options not available if they select a Chris Long or Vernon Gholston. The decision will be a tough call, but if the Rams keep the #2 overall pick I expect them to select Glenn Dorsey.