bradjock

Agreed. Is anybody available? Personally I'm not a McNabb fan. He's past his prime and he has an enormous cap number. The league is cluttered with mediocre QB's (like Griese, Rex & Orton) while you could count on two hands the truly great ones. At this point in his career I'd include McNabb as being mediocre. Heck, Drew Brees has been terrible both times the Bears have played the Saints the past two years. It'll be interesting. If Rex resigns we might not even draft a QB.

Orton has the arm strength but he does not have the accuracy. It's very difficult to compare Flacco to Big Ben when Ben was drafted 11th overall and won a Super Bowl his 2nd season. If Flacco was anything like Big Ben he'd be projected to go one helluva a lot higher then the 2nd round.

Orton will never be as good as Rex can be and he'll never be as bad as Rex can be. If Orton had been the starter from day one this season, the Bears make the playoffs IMO, but we're not close to winning the Super Bowl. Is that good enough? Personally I'd be shocked as hell if Rex resigned. The only way it happens is if there is no market for him. I've been a big Rex supporter, but I can't imagine that his pocket presence is ever going to get any better, which means he's always going to get sacked and have his balls batted down 5 times a game. Is it good enough to start the season with Orton, Griese, and a rookie like Flacco or maybe Woodson?

Stranger things have happened. I know I was shocked as hell when Tommie Harris dropped to us, and I was going out of my mind last year when Greg Olsen dropped to us. Those are two huge examples of why you NEVER trade up. Either way I hope we can do something to address the safety situation. Does anybody have confidence that Danieal Manning can be better then mediocre? McGowan's not much better. Maybe Kevin Payne can do something but I'm not counting on it. Maybe this will FINALLY be the year Mike Brown stays healthy. (I know there's speculation we'll dump him, but it's not like we have a better option.)

nfldraftcountdown.com has Flacco going to the Bears with our 2nd round pick.

My guess is most teams are in a similar position to the Bears: We'd LOVE to have Phillips at #14, but there are too many other more important positions to fill. It's much easier to find a top safety then a top Offensive tackle. Not to mention, OT's cost one helluva a lot more on the open market. Two of the highest paid players on the Bear's roster are Tait & Fred Miller. I'm guessing the Bears will draft a safety with one of the two 3rd round picks.

Wouldn't Kyle Orton be a better comparison? Big arm, 6-6, worked out of the shot-gun a lot, slow delivery . . .

Huh??? When was the last time the Bears had a good QB that signed elsewhere??? Are you talking about Doug Flutie? In Angelo's defense, he was probably in high school when that move happened. As for Drew Brees, don't forget that he'd suffered a bad shoulder injury and it was uncertain whether he would ever fully recover. That and his salary was like 10 million a year. It's really tough to bitch about the decision to stick with Grossman last season when he did help get us to the Super Bowl. I doubt that Brees wouldn't have made much of a difference versus Indy.

Sheesh, why the hate? I just see Kiper being as good or bad as any. I just assume these analysts are always going to be wrong an take it with a grain of salt. It's too damn hard to accurately predict. Anyone doing a mock will get screwed by what will inevitably be the guy jumping way up (Last year it was Teddy Ginn Junior at #9. Most thought him being at 15 would be a big reach.) Or the guy who inexplicably drops (Last year it was Brady Quinn. In the early mocks some had him going #1 overall and he fell to the 20's) When those things happen the entire mock is busted. Then you have situation like in 2005 when Miami told Braylon Edwards, and anyone else who would listen, they were taking him with the #2 overall pick. So if you're Mel Kiper, do you believe Miami or can you see they're just doing it to fleece a trade from Cleveland? (Miami ended up taking Ronnie Brown) It's just too damn hard for ANYONE to accurately predict.

No, but here's McShay's who's also on ESPN Insider. Latest mock draft littered with juniors, linemen By Todd McShay Scouts Inc. Updated: January 23, 2008, 1:45 PM ET Comment Email Print The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft has come and gone. Now that we know who's staying and who's going, it's time for Scouts Inc.'s second mock draft. My first-round projection features 13 juniors, including No. 1 overall prospect Darren McFadden, who is not the No. 1 overall pick despite being far and away the best pro prospect available this year. The top two picks in this version of the mock draft are defensive linemen and an offensive lineman comes in at No. 5 overall. Furthermore, those three are among a group of 12 linemen from both sides of the ball who project as first-rounders. Much will change between now and the draft in April, but here is how I see things shaking down at this early juncture: Note: * denotes underclassman; ** denotes teams that will decide draft order by coin flip; *** denotes teams that could change position depending on playoff results 1. Miami Dolphins Record: 1-15 Biggest needs: MLB, OT, G, DT, CB, QB Projected pick: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU Dorsey's dominant performance against Ohio State in the BCS title game was a not-so-subtle reminder of his rare abilities. The 6-foot-1, 310-pounder was back to his disruptive ways thanks to a nearly five-week layoff that allowed him to rest a nagging knee injury originally suffered on a cheap shot in the Auburn game. That said, Bill Parcells, the Dolphins new VP of football operations, will make decisions on coaches, schemes and veteran personnel between now and the draft that could steer the team in a different direction. Dorsey is strong enough to adjust to a 3-4 defensive scheme, but it wouldn't play to his strengths as a penetrating interior force. It wouldn't be cost effective for Miami to spend No. 1 money on an interior lineman in that defensive scheme, either, so OT Jake Long and DE Chris Long are also options. Stay tuned. 2. St. Louis Rams Record: 3-13 Biggest needs: CB, DE, G, OT, OLB Projected pick: Chris Long, DE, Virginia The season-ending injury to perennial Pro Bowl OT Orlando Pace and the Rams' overall poor play along the offensive line this season make OT Jake Long a possibility with this pick. But assuming Pace returns to form in 2008, the Rams have a much bigger need along the interior of their offensive line, which can be addressed in free agency or in later rounds. Don't be surprised if St. Louis goes with the other Long here; Chris is not a prototypical edge rusher but is still a dominant playmaker with rare versatility and a motor that never quits. The Rams could solidify their defensive line for years to come by following 2007 first-round DT Adam Carriker with Long this season. 3. Atlanta Falcons** Record: 4-12 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: QB, OT, DT, RB, S Projected pick: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College This match is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. Ryan is the clear-cut No. 1 quarterback prospect in the 2008 class. In addition to solidifying the future of the all-important position for the Falcons, Ryan has the intangibles and character to help the franchise rebuild its tarnished image. 4. Oakland Raiders** Record: 4-12 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OT, DT, WR, DE, RB Projected pick: Darren McFadden*, RB, Arkansas Running back isn't quite a pressing need, but McFadden is a rare talent and an unbelievable value if he slips to the Raiders here. If the team isn't high on McFadden, though, Oakland could use this pick to fill a hole along the offensive or defensive lines. It should also be noted that the Raiders are financially strapped and will not want to dish out top-five money one year after selecting QB JaMarcus Russell with the top overall pick. So, if McFadden is still on the board, don't count out the possibility of a blockbuster trade by owner Al Davis. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, an Arkansas alum, would certainly listen to offers. 5. Kansas City Chiefs** Record: 4-12 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: OT, DE, C, WR, CB Projected pick: Jake Long, OT, Michigan Quarterback is still a question mark, but the Chiefs' No. 1 priority this offseason should be solidifying their offensive front. Long is unquestionably the most dominant offensive lineman in the 2008 class and could help Kansas City achieve that goal in a hurry. He has the versatility to play either right or left tackle, and his combination of size, technique, athletic ability and a mean streak would improve the Chiefs' line almost immediately. 6. New York Jets Record: 4-12 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: WR, NT, ILB, G, OLB Projected pick: Vernon Gholston*, DE, Ohio State This seems a bit high right now for Gholston, who flashes top-10 talent in many games (see: three sacks against Michigan) but disappears in too many others. Don't be surprised, however, if he works his way into the top-10 mix by the time April rolls around. Gholston is the best edge-rushing prospect in the class and we all know the premium NFL teams place on those players. He would be an excellent addition at rush linebacker for a Jets defense that is in need of some perimeter heat out of its 3-4 front. 7. New England Patriots (from 5-11 San Francisco) Record: 16-0 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: ILB, CB, OLB, OL depth Projected pick: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida The Patriots would like to inject some youth at inside linebacker, but there isn't a player at that position worth selecting this high now that James Laurinaitis (Ohio State) and Rey Maualuga (USC) are both returning to school next fall. The next priority is to find a replacement for CB Asante Samuel, a free agent who can't be franchised for a second consecutive year, and Jenkins is currently the top-rated cornerback in a weak 2008 crop. His combination of size, speed and athleticism is outstanding and his recognition skills improved each season. Jenkins also brings versatility to the table; he can play some safety and also chip in on returns. 8. Baltimore Ravens Record: 5-11 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: CB, QB, OLB, DE, OT Projected pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville Baltimore hopes this pick puts an end to its seemingly endless search for a franchise quarterback. There's no such thing as a "can't-miss" prospect in the NFL draft, especially at quarterback, and although Brohm is hardly an exception to the rule, he does possess the size, accuracy, pocket presence, intelligence and work ethic to thrive at the next level. 9. Cincinnati Bengals Record: 7-9 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: DT, LB, OT, DE, TE Projected pick: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC The Bengals have a big need for help along the interior of the defense and Ellis is a quick, tough and relentless defensive tackle. He has the potential to disrupt plays in the backfield with his explosive first step and can occupy blockers, which would make the Bengals' entire front seven better. 10. New Orleans Saints Record: 7-9 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: CB, DT, MLB, TE, OLB Projected pick: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina This is admittedly a bit of a reach, but unfortunately for the Saints this appears to be the area where the elite talent pool runs dry. Laurinaitis and CB Malcolm Jenkins returning to Ohio State could end up affecting the Saints more than any other team in the draft. Cornerback and defensive tackle are New Orleans' biggest need areas and Balmer is the best available prospect at either position. Although Balmer flashes top-10 potential at times, he also could turn out to be another bust in the mold of Jonathan Sullivan, who New Orleans selected sixth overall in 2003 but traded away in 2006 after he failed to live up to his potential. 11. Buffalo Bills Record: 7-9 Biggest needs: TE, CB, WR, LB, DT Projected pick: DeSean Jackson*, WR, California Jackson could join forces with former Cal teammate and current Bills RB Marshawn Lynch to give Buffalo one of the most exciting young offensive skill groups in the NFL. Jackson still has room to improve as a route-runner and he must get stronger in order to endure a 16-game NFL schedule. Much like Ted Ginn Jr. (No. 9 overall to Miami last season), however, Jackson's home run ability after the catch, on vertical routes and returning punts will be too tempting for a team with a top-15 draft pick to pass on. 12. Denver Broncos Record: 7-9 Biggest needs: OT, DT, S, MLB, G Projected pick: Ryan Clady*, OT, Boise State Clady is still improving his strength but he possesses impressive feet to go along with his enormous wingspan and huge frame. He would be an ideal fit in Denver's zone-blocking scheme. 13. Carolina Panthers Record: 7-9 Biggest needs: QB, WR, DE, OLB, OT Projected pick: Calais Campbell*, DE, Miami It would be tough to pass on a potential future franchise quarterback in Andre' Woodson, but I get the sense that coach John Fox is more worried about the immediate future. Instead of drafting a young signal-caller who will need time to develop, look for the Panthers to bring in veteran competition for Matt Moore, who showed some signs of potential late in the season. Drafting an end like Campbell, who could make an immediate contribution, seems more prudent for Fox; Mike Rucker is expected to retire and Julius Peppers disappeared in 2007. 14. Chicago Bears Record: 7-9 Biggest needs: QB, OT, DT, G, RB Projected pick: Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky Teams will be concerned about Woodson's occasional lapses in decision-making and lack of mobility, but he possesses the size, arm strength and accuracy as a passer to develop into a good starter in the NFL. The Bears will likely consider themselves fortunate if Woodson falls to them at pick No. 14 overall, given the quarterback issues that have plagued the team in recent seasons. 15. Detroit Lions Record: 7-9 Biggest needs: OT, G, CB, S, DE Projected pick: Aqib Talib*, CB, Kansas The Lions will be selecting outside of the top 10 for the first time since 2001 and the trick is to find quality players this far down the line. The Lions' secondary is undermanned and would welcome the services of Talib; he is a versatile, fluid athlete with excellent size and ball skills. His elite athleticism was on display when returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown this season, and Talib also saw some snaps on offense. 16. Arizona Cardinals Record: 8-8 Biggest needs: OLB, CB, TE, RB, DE Projected pick: Jonathan Stewart*, RB, Oregon The Cardinals have more pressing needs on the other side of the ball -- like defensive tackle and cornerback -- but there isn't a player available at either position who is as valuable as Stewart. He has the speed to provide a big-play element that is missing in the Cardinals' rushing attack while splitting carries with Edgerrin James early in his career. Stewart also could offer a boost as a kickoff returner. 17. Minnesota Vikings Record: 8-8 Biggest needs: DE, WR, S, QB, TE Projected pick: Derrick Harvey*, DE, Florida Believe it or not, Minnesota is still in the market for a pass-rushing defensive end despite investing recent back-to-back first-round picks in Kenechi Udeze (2004) and Erasmus James (2005). Harvey isn't quite as explosive as former teammate Jarvis Moss (first round to Denver last season), but he is more naturally athletic and if groomed properly should become a more complete player in the NFL. 18. Houston Texans Record: 8-8 Biggest needs: CB, G, WR, S, OT Projected pick: Kenny Phillips*, S, Miami The Texans boast arguably the best young defensive line in the NFL thanks to former first-round picks DE Mario Williams (2006) and DT Amobi Okoye (2007), and now they need a ball hawk in the secondary who can capitalize when that line forces bad throws from opposing quarterbacks. Phillips could be the right man for the job. He needs good coaching to improve his consistency, but there isn't a defensive back in this year's class who can stack up with Phillips' overall blend of natural physical tools. 19. Philadelphia Eagles Record: 8-8 Biggest needs: OT, S, WR, LB, TE Projected pick: Malcolm Kelly*, WR, Oklahoma Current Eagles OTs Jon Runyan and William Thomas aren't getting any younger, so Jeffrey Otah (Pittsburgh) and Michael Oher (Mississippi) are possibilities here. However, the Eagles are still in search of a big-play threat at wide receiver and Kelly could finally be the answer. Unlike most big receivers, he's a smooth route-runner who knows how to separate from man-to-man coverage. Kelly also might have the strongest hands of any receiver in this year's class. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record: 9-7 Biggest needs: OT, WR OLB, CB, QB Projected pick: Sam Baker, OT, USC Cornerback is also an area of need but Baker would be a steal this late in the first round. He suffered through an injury-plagued senior season and he still needs to get stronger, but no tackle in the 2008 is better equipped athletically to step in immediately and improve the pass-blocking situation for coach Jon Gruden's West Coast offense. 21. Washington Redskins Record: 9-7 Biggest needs: WR, DE, S, OT, CB Projected pick: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas The Redskins' top priority this offseason is to add a playmaking receiver to the roster. There projects to be a run of wide receivers in the bottom half of the first round before the shallow talent pool dries up and if the Redskins don't get involved here they're likely to get shut out of the wide receiver market. Sweed could become one of the steals of this year's draft; he possesses top-10 talent but will no doubt be undervalued due to a wrist injury that cut short his senior season but should have no long-term affects on his pass-catching ability. 22. Dallas Cowboys (from 10-6 Cleveland) Record: 13-3 Biggest needs: CB, WR, OT, ILB, RB Projected pick: Mario Manningham*, WR, Michigan Manningham is an underrated talent who could be special at the next level if he keeps his head on straight. With his good deep speed it wouldn't take Manningham long to take over Terry Glenn's role in the Dallas offense as the vertical threat opposite Terrell Owens. However, Manningham needs to get stronger in order to deal with physical press coverage. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers Record: 10-6 Biggest needs: OT. C, DE, G, RB Projected pick: Jeffrey Otah, OT, Pittsburgh The Steelers could use two of their first three picks on offensive linemen. They have bigger holes to fill inside at center and guard, but with his combination of size and skills Otah is far and away the best lineman available in this scenario. G Roy Schuening (Oregon State) and C John Sullivan (Notre Dame) could also become Steelers in later rounds. 24. Tennessee Titans Record: 10-6 Biggest needs: WR, CB, TE, WR, OL Projected pick: Early Doucet, WR, LSU Considering the Pacman Jones fallout, it wouldn't be surprising to see Tennessee pass on the more naturally gifted James Hardy, who has off-field baggage. The Titans need to draft a legitimate weapon for QB Vince Young to target in the passing game, and although Doucet battled injury during his senior season, has the quickness and playmaking ability to help Young. 25. Seattle Seahawks Record: 10-6 Biggest needs: OT, DT, RB, TE, G Projected pick: Rashard Mendenhall*, RB, Illinois It is unlikely that current Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander will ever return to his 2005 MVP form, and Maurice Morris has proven to be most effective in a complementary role. This year's crop of running backs is unusually deep, but Seattle might not want to wait; Mendenhall is an underrated receiver, has limited wear on his tires and is coming off a very impressive showing against the speedy USC defense in the Rose Bowl. 26. New York Giants*** Record: 10-6 Biggest needs: OLB, CB, S, OT, DT Projected pick: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC The Giants are in need of a legitimate upgrade at linebacker and Rivers is instinctive and athletic enough to contribute immediately on the weak side. Arkansas RB Felix Jones is another possibility here; his world-class speed makes him an ideal complement to current Giants power back Brandon Jacobs. Jones also can add value as a big-play threat as a receiver and in the return game, so keep an eye on this selection. 27. Jacksonville Jaguars Record: 11-5 Biggest needs: WR, DE, SS, CB Projected pick: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn The Jaguars should use this pick on the best available pass-rusher. Although Groves struggled through an injury-riddled senior season, there isn't an edge rusher in the 2008 class with better top-end speed. His stock is likely to soar following what should be impressive showings at the combine and individual workouts. 28. San Diego Chargers*** Record: 11-5 Biggest needs: G, OT, NT, FB, RB Projected pick: Dan Connor, MLB, Penn State Connor is a versatile prospect who spent most of his collegiate career at outside linebacker before moving inside as a senior. Similar to former teammate Paul Posluszny (second round to Buffalo last season), Connor is a bit overrated at this early point in the draft process. Regardless, he's athletic and tough enough to warrant late-first round consideration from a team like the Chargers, who are in need of an upgrade at inside linebacker. 29. Dallas Cowboys Record: 13-3 Biggest needs: CB, WR, OT, ILB, RB Projected pick: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy After nabbing a vertical threat at wide receiver five picks earlier in the person of Manningham, Dallas can take a chance on a potential shutdown cornerback in McKelvin. He has excellent speed and can also be a contributor in the return game, and McKelvin held his own against big-time competition this season. 30. San Francisco 49ers (from 13-3 Indianapolis) Record: 5-11 Biggest needs: WR, OT, OLB, DE, QB Projected pick: James Hardy*, WR, Indiana The 49ers need a playmaker at wide receiver to take the attention away from TE Vernon Davis and some pressure off QB Alex Smith. And although Hardy comes with some baggage and he needs some polishing, no receiver in this class possesses a more imposing combination of size and natural athleticism. 31. Green Bay Packers*** Record: 13-3 Biggest needs: OT, S, CB, TE, P Projected pick: Fred Davis, TE, USC Former first-round pick Bubba Franks never developed into a difference-maker in the passing game and his career is on the steady decline. Davis emerged as the Trojans' go-to-receiver with 62 receptions as a senior, finally getting a chance to showcase his outstanding athletic ability. Packers QB Brett Favre would certainly welcome the addition of a tight end like Davis, who can stretch the seam and generate yards after the catch. 32. New England Patriots*** Record: 16-0 Scouts Inc.'s three biggest needs: ILB, CB, OLB, OL depth Projected pick: Pick forfeited. The Patriots forfeit this pick as part of the penalty handed down for illegally taping Jets coaches from the sideline in Week 1. Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.

What happened to the Friday night draft? For some reason I was under the impression that round 1 was going to start on Friday night, with each team being given 10 minutes instead of 15.

Angelo seems to make every move with an eye on the future AND an eye on the present. In other words, he wants to win now and win later. Assuming we draft an OT early, I'd be shocked if we don't "red-shirt" him for a year, the way we have our d-linemen (Okwo & Dvoracek.) That means we'll likely suffer through one more year of Fred Miller, but I'd rather live with him then a rookie. This is assuming we don't sign an OT in free agency.

I believe it. Not just because Hub said it, but based on what JA has done in the past. Nobody was surprised in 2004 when JA drafted Tommie Harris, but drafting Tank Johnson in round two was one of the biggest surprises in the draft. Then in 2006, with Tommie, Tank, Boone, & Scott on the roster, and everyone crying that offense is the #1 priority, JA drafts Dvoracek in round 3 over a TE. Then he drafts D-line AGAIN with Mark Anderson (this was after we'd just signed our back-up DE Idonije to a nice contract.) It's not DT, but who the hell thought he'd take DE Dan Bazuin? Especially after having 2 good starters in Brown & Wale while finding a gem in round 5 the previous year in the 5th round with Mark Anderson. So in 3 of the last 4 years, I've genuinely been shocked as hell that Angelo has drafted a d-lineman. In two years Dvoracek has never played an entire NFL game. The speculation is Walker is gone. I personally believe Adams is a nice back-up and nothing else. With Rosen-ass as his agent Harris will want "crazy money." Maybe the talent won't be there for round one, but I wouldn't be surprised if we take a DT with our 2nd round pick.

The only time I specifically buy PFW is for the NFL Pre-season guide, and it lists Hub & his brother Bub as senior editors, and then it lists like 50 other writers/contributors. In other words, just because his rag says one thing doesn't mean he necessarily believes it. Yes it's a contradiction, but pretty much every news-source is going to contradict itself about 50 times between now and April 26th. At this point and time individual opinions don't mean a damn thing. By April Walker and Tommie Harris could BOTH be signed (not likely but not impossible) and that would make drafting a DT pretty much out of the question. Then again, Walker could be gone, Dvoracek's progress could be minimal, and JA may know that Rosenass will insist his client Harris should hit the open market. In that case, DT becomes a MAJOR priority. I just get annoyed that anytime something is posted with "Hub says" it always ends up being an attack on Hub rather then the point at hand. (The best case of this was when he said "The Bears couldn't make the playoffs with Kyle Orton as the quarterback." His mistake was not adding, "With the exception that if the defense becomes #1 in the league and if the rest of the NFC North goes to hell."

First off, for a player to be put on the PUP, he had to have been injured before training camp. Any player who has been active during TC is not elligible. (I found this out when I openly wondered why the hell we didn't PUP Michael Okwo & Dan Bazuin) Secondly, how do we know he's Dvoracek is that good? Yes we heard about how good he was in training camp, but after hearing how great Adam Archuletta was, I don't put much stock in that. Yes Anthony Adams looked good next to Tommie Harris & Darwin Walker who were both basically playing on one leg. Either way, it'd be foolish to assume Dvoracek is that good. I just hope we can work out a reasonable deal with Walker to ink him to a long term deal.

Agreed. On the "Big Board" Kiper has Phillips ranked #25 overall saying, "While he had a decent but not great season, Phillips has the skill level necessary to reach high honors in the NFL. He has excellent range and good ball skills, and he is solid in run support. Also keep in mind that safeties are in high demand in the NFL these days, and Phillips is clearly the top safety in this year's draft." Here's Kiper's entire big board: Merling, Rachal have huge upsides for next level By Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN.com (Archive) Updated: January 23, 2008 Comment Email Print As good as defensive end Gaines Adams was at Clemson in 2006, his former teammate Phillip Merling might be even better. [+] EnlargeRex Brown/Getty Images Defensive end Phillip Merling had seven sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2007. Adams -- the fourth pick in last year's NFL draft -- was extremely flashy during his playing days at Clemson; however, you can make the argument that Merling is the more complete player. Merling is one of three new underclassmen debuting on this week's top 25 Big Board, along with USC guard Chilo Rachal and Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly. * Asterisk denotes underclassman 1. *Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas (6-foot-1, 208) | Previous: Same The reasons for his dynamic performances throughout his career are excellent vision, very good balance, game-breaking speed and a passion for the game. 2. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 292) | Previous: Same Disruptive force along the interior. If there is one non-skill position player fans should watch, Dorsey is the one, because despite constant double-teams, he is always making plays or opening up space for his teammates. 3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (6-6, 320) | Previous: Same Top-drawer left or right tackle prospect. 4. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-4, 282) | Previous: Same A 3-4 defensive end with great bloodlines who understands leverage and uses his hands as well as any D-lineman in the country. 5. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 297) | Previous: Same Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and a nonstop motor. 6. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-4, 223) | Previous: Same He has the size and arm to wow the NFL brass during testing. 7. *Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas (6-1, 193) | Previous: 8 A game-changing cover corner who had 11 interceptions the past two seasons. Talib has outstanding recovery speed and tremendous leaping ability. He also showed his versatility by catching eight passes (four for touchdowns) on offense. 8. *Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St. (6-3, 262) | Previous: 9 He took his play to a new level in 2007, showcasing the explosiveness to overpower offensive tackles at the point of attack. Gholston also has excellent closing speed, as evidenced by the 14 sacks he registered. He also has the versatility to play with his hand off the ground. 9. *Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State (6-5, 320) | Previous: 7 An excellent left tackle prospect with athletic ability and solid technique that will make him a great blindside protector in the NFL. 10. *Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon (5-10, 233) | Previous: 16 A strong and athletic, big running back who displays tremendous patience with the way he sets up his blocks. 11. *Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson (6-4½, 272) | Previous: Unranked An underrated standout, Merling might not be as flashy as former teammate Gaines Adams (the fourth pick in last year's draft), but you can make the argument that Merling is a more complete player. 12. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (6-5½, 318) | Previous: Unranked Top-drawer talent, possessing superior athleticism and good feet to neutralize outside pass-rushers. 13. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (5-10½, 185) | Previous: 25 Not only a very good cover man with superior recovery ability (runs in the 4.38 range) and the aggressiveness to get the job done in run support, McKelvin has made a name for himself as the top return man in the entire nation. He's also stood out this season in games against the likes of Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma State and Georgia. With his speed and versatility, McKelvin will bring a great deal of value to a football team. 14. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 298) | Previous: 13 Unbelievably talented player who had a breakout season in 2007. 15. *Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas (5-11, 202) | Previous: 14 Tremendously explosive and versatile, Jones gained a whopping 8.7 yards per carry this season, while also excelling as a kickoff returner, gaining nearly 30 yards per return. 16. Sam Baker, OT, USC (6-4½, 310) | Previous: 12 Exceptional pass-blocker with superb technique. 17. *Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (6-7, 280) | Previous: 11 Physically imposing with his height and wingspan, Campbell is able to beat offensive tackles with either speed or power. He does a good job of varying his pass rush moves, while also proving to be solid against the run. 18. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh (6-5, 339) | Previous: Unranked Light on his feet for a huge bookend, Otah is still developing. He played only one year in high school and two at the junior college level. He also played basketball in junior college and is a tremendous athlete. His upside and potential are going to excite offensive line coaches in the NFL. 19. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-11½, 202) | Previous: Same He has excellent recovery speed and the toughness you look for in a cornerback. His size allows him to match up with an opponent's No. 1 wide receiver. 20. *Chilo Rachal, OG, USC (6-6¼, 339) | Previous: Unranked Tremendous size and plays with a defensive mentality you like to see. Rachal can match the speed and power of defensive ends he faces which is why he has so much upside at the next level. 21. *Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (5-10, 224) | Previous: 20 [+] EnlargeIcon SMI Malcolm Kelly had 19 touchdown receptions combined in 2006 and 2007. Authoritative runner with a major league burst through the hole. Mendenhall's hard-charging style makes him difficult to get to the ground. 22. Fred Davis, USC (6-4, 253) | Previous: 23 Productive, consistent and multitalented. He's caught five or more passes in eight of 13 games while also doing a very capable job as an inline blocker. Davis stretches the deep middle of the field with big plays while bringing excellent physical and athletic skills to the tight end spot. 23. *Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma (6-3½, 219) | Previous: Unranked He has the combination of size and speed that NFL teams covet, plus great hands and is a tremendous competitor. 24. *DeSean Jackson, WR, California (5-11, 168) | Previous: 10 Exciting wideout and returner with very good natural pass receiving skills. Jackson has excellent speed and is a terrific open-field runner. 25. *Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (6-1½, 200) | Previous: 17 While he had a decent but not great season, Phillips has the skill level necessary to reach high honors in the NFL. He has excellent range and good ball skills, and he is solid in run support. Also keep in mind that safeties are in high demand in the NFL these days, and Phillips is clearly the top safety in this year's draft. DROPPED Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 223) Previous: 15 He's a polished pure passer, but durability and mobility are concerns. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2½, 231) | Previous: 18 Big-play performer who always seems to be around the ball. *Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma (6-1, 200) | Previous: 21 Played extremely well as a strong safety in 2006 and then as a cornerback in 2007. Smith is athletic and tough, with dual versatility that NFL teams like. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (6-3, 233) | Previous: 22 He has the skill set to become a super blue-chipper. Rivers isn't spectacular, but he's a solid all-around player. *Pat Sims, DT, Auburn (6-3½, 305) | Previous: 23 Really came into his own this season, finishing with 11½ tackles for loss, 4½ sacks, and three forced fumbles. Sims uses his strength and leverage to hold strong at the point of attack, and also possesses the explosiveness to beat double-team blocks and collapse the pocket.

Since it costs extra to get, I try to post ESPN Insider stuff as much as possible. He has the Bear's taking OT Sam Baker @ #14. Kiper thinks 3 OT's will be gone already by the time the Bears pick. That'll be dissappointing, but I'd be happy with an OT. Will Dolphins deal first pick in 2008 NFL draft? By Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN.com (Archive) Updated: January 22, 2008 Comment Email Print A few notes from my first first-round projection for April's NFL draft: • The Miami Dolphins need help on defense and Bill Parcells is a defensive-minded coach, so DT Glenn Dorsey would be the logical pick. And while the Dolphins could listen to trade offers for the top pick, there has not been a lot of movement in the top 10 in recent drafts. Why did Adrian Peterson slip to No. 7 last year? Because teams weren't willing to trade up knowing they would have to part with draft picks and pay more money for the higher pick. Also for Miami, QB Matt Ryan has to be in the discussion because the Dolphins may not be sold on John Beck (a second-round pick last year). Miami needs quarterback help and Ryan is going to be a top-five pick. Ryan might be too good to pass up, and he's a better prospect than Beck was when he came out of BYU last year. (Ryan is the only QB I am projecting will go in the first round). • St. Louis will likely go with Long -- either Chris or Jake. Although the Rams drafted defensive tackle Adam Carriker last year, I could see them taking Virginia defensive end Chris Long. He's similar to Dorsey in that he plays with tremendous intensity and makes everyone around him better. If the Rams don't go with Chris Long, then Michigan left tackle Jake Long should be the pick since they could use help on the offensive line. • The Atlanta Falcons should be in a good spot to upgrade at either running back or quarterback, so Darren McFadden or Matt Ryan could be the choice. I like Ryan here because this is a franchise that is in desperate need of a quarterback after going from Michael Vick to Joey Harrington to Byron Leftwich before finishing the season with Chris Redman. • If Atlanta doesn't take McFadden, then Oakland will. (Remember, Oakland and Atlanta have a coin toss to determine who picks third overall.) After drafting first overall in 2007, Oakland could be looking at getting the best player in the draft if McFadden is available. Also, there are only 31 selections in the first round this year because the New England Patriots had to forfeit their pick after illegally videotaping signals during their Week 1 game against the New York Jets. The draft projections below are not based on ratings, but on information I have gathered and where I think teams will go based on needs. The first-round projections will be updated Jan. 31 following evaluations from the Senior Bowl. * denotes underclassman; ** denotes teams that will decide draft order by coin flip. Kiper's First-Round Projection Name Team Player Position 1 Miami Dolphins Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU 2 St. Louis Rams Chris Long, DE Virginia 3 Atlanta Falcons** Matt Ryan, QB Boston College 4 Oakland Raiders** *Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas 5 Kansas City Chiefs** Jake Long, OT Michigan 6 New York Jets *Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio St. 7 New England Patriots (from SF) *Aqib Talib, CB Kansas 8 Baltimore Ravens Sedrick Ellis, DT USC 9 Cincinnati Bengals *Phillip Merling, DE Clemson 10 New Orleans Saints Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina 11 Buffalo Bills *Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma 12 Denver Broncos *Ryan Clady, OT Boise St. 13 Carolina Panthers Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh 14 Chicago Bears Sam Baker, OT USC 15 Detroit Lions Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy 16 Arizona Cardinals *Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon 17 Minnesota Vikings *DeSean Jackson, WR California 18 Houston Texans Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida 19 Philadelphia Eagles Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers *Felix Jones, RB Arkansas 21 Washington Redskins *Calais Campbell, DE Miami 22 Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) *Mario Manningham, WR Michigan 23 Pittsburgh Steelers *Chilo Rachal, OG USC 24 Tennessee Titans Limas Sweed, WR Texas 25 Seattle Seahawks Fred Davis, TE USC 26 Jacksonville Jaguars *Derrick Harvey, DE Florida 27 San Diego Chargers *Reggie Smith, CB Oklahoma 28 Dallas Cowboys *Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois 29 San Francisco 49ers (from IND) *James Hardy, WR Indiana 30 Green Bay Packers Keith Rivers, LB USC 31 New York Giants Dan Connor, LB Penn St. 32 New England Patriots Forfeited pick Click here to send a question to Mel Kiper for possible use on ESPNEWS

This is a boring ass time of year for Bear's talk. That being said, you mention that JA sucks at drafting offense. I hope like hell he continues the tradition of signing offense and drafting defense. I'd love to see Travelle Wharton at LT for the Bears & Julius Jones at RB. I do think you undervalue the 2006 draft. The top 5 picks will all be HUGE contributors on this team if healthy. Not to mention, everyone knows who Devin Hester is. The scariest part is the Angelo has had 6 drafts and not one single O-lineman he has drafted has stuck. IMO Metcalf is gone (or should be.) I guess that's why I'm hoping we can sign Wharton.

In their defense, I'm sure a ton of NFC teams said the same about the Bear's last season. Hell, how did the Seahawks fans feel after they lost to us in playoff overtime? Then we get our asses kicked by the Colts, and "We are who they thought we were." I haven't been booted from Soldier Field but I've seen plenty of people removed.

You're doing a mock draft 95 days before the draft??? I just don't get the point in doing it so early. We could have easily signed LT Travelle Wharton from Carolina by then. That means we move Tait back to RT & drafting OT is out of the question. As for running-back, I could see us signing Turner or Julius Jones. If we lock Berrian or Grossman up to a long-term deal . . . when you combine this with how much the draft will change after the combine. I just don't see the point. That being said, I think we'll target the best OT available. This is a good year for them. Woodson's accuracy is worse then Orton's. I just don't see him being an upgrade. We've tried drafting running-backs and it hasn't worked. There's no point in drafting a WR if the rest of our offense sucks. So my advice is draft Otah.

Last year at this time I was giving JA all the praise in the world, and I still believe the 2006 draft was what you expect & hope for from you general managerevery year. The top 5 players (Danieal Manning, Devin Hester, Dusty Dvoracek, Jamar Williams, Mark Anderson) if healthy could all be starting, and you have a bon-a-fide superstar in the mix in Hester. As great as 2006 was, 2007 was awful. It's seriously made me wonder what the hell JA was thinking: #1 TE Greg Olsen--Helluva a player, but Matt Millen could have even made this pick. Angelo lucked out in what was arguably our greatest need, fell this far due to the fact so many teams drafted TE's the year before. #2 DE Dan Bazuin--With 3 good ends already, where does he fit in? This was considered a "reach" for the 2nd round. He looked lost in training camp and the SCORE football guys have nothing good to say about him. (Last year at this time they were praising Dvoracek.) #3 RB Garrett Wolfe--He reminds of Ahmad Bradshaw who looked great last Sunday for the Giants. Bradshaw was picked in the 7th round. I'd have loved to have Wolfe in the 5th but there's no way in hell he should have been taken this high. #3 LB Michael Okwo--From training camp to now, everything I heard or read indicates he's been bad & unimpressive. Also considered a "reach." #4 OG Josh Beekman--He's healthy, the Bears are out of it, and he's never activated. How bad is he? #5 SS Kevin Payne--Looked good before going out for the season. #5 CB Corey Graham--Nice special teams guy. #7 CB Trumaine McBride--Look ok filling in at CB. I like him as a back-up. I'm not ready to start him over RMJ. #7 OT Aaron Brant--He might have been cut before training camp even started. I do give tons of credit to JA for trading our #2, for a #2 & two #3's. Helluva a deal. That being said, after Olsen, this draft looks pretty horrible IMO. I hope JA can get it together.

I agree 100%. This quote from the article says it all: "based on what Marinelli preaches. Marinelli, a former defensive line coach, wants hardworking, consistent defensive linemen to drive the franchise. Rogers has had problems with his attitude, health and weight. He has been inconsistent and has underachieved, especially at crunch time. He was a non-factor during the six-game losing streak that eliminated the Lions from the playoffs." Considering what d-linemen cost and he's a two time pro-bowler, if he's cut, somebody will give him a big contract. Considering we're going to have to pay big-time to resign Tommie (who will be a free agent afte this year) it's definitely not worth it. Personally I'm hoping we restructure Darwin Walker's deal to make it more "cap-manageable" for this year. If not Walker, Adams looked good the 2nd half of the season. Dvoracek, if he can return healthy, should regain his starting spot. Not to mention Antonio Garay & Matt Toeaina looked good at times. We're not desperate at this position.

I didn't tape it (I've caught parts of it and it's pretty damn good.) But you can watch it on-line at Fox.com. If you go to this link http://www.fox.com/fod/ it will show a bunch of shows spinning. Wait for Terminator & click on it. It made me download some player to run it. Only took a minute. Not as good as watching it on TV but better then nothing.

Great insight as always!!! Thanks.