He has us taking Chris Williams and he has Mendenhall going at #15. I'd love it if we signed a guy like Max Starks, let St. Clair play left guard, and went after Mendenhall. It's not likely going to happen though. This was posted yesterday on ESPN INsider

 

Miami remains mum on No. 1 overall pick

By Mel Kiper Jr.

ESPN.com

(Archive)

Updated: March 4, 2008

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A few notes from my second first-round projection for April's NFL draft:

 

 

 

• The most notable change between my initial first-round projection and this one is that I have Virginia defensive end Chris Long going No. 1 overall to the Miami Dolphins. This is based on discussions with various NFL sources; however, Boston College QB Matt Ryan is still a distinct possibility to be the first pick. If Ryan goes No. 1 overall, then Long would go No. 2 to St. Louis, and Atlanta would take DT Glenn Dorsey with the third pick. The sources with whom I have spoken have no concerns about Dorsey's medical history.

 

 

 

• The name you can expect to hear more leading up to the draft is Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Now that the Patriots have lost Asante Samuel to free agency, I have the Division I-AA cornerback going to New England with the seventh pick. If the Pats pass on Rodgers-Cromartie, the Saints could take him with the No. 10 pick.

 

 

 

• Don't expect the Falcons to take Darren McFadden, because they just signed running back Michael Turner. Also, Minnesota won't be looking at a wide receiver in the first round because they've signed Bernard Berrian, so look for the Vikings to take a pass-rushing defensive end.

 

 

 

* denotes underclassman

 

Kiper's First-Round Projection

Name Team Player School

1 Miami Dolphins Chris Long, DE Virginia

2 St. Louis Rams Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU

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) Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Tennessee St.

8 Baltimore Ravens Sedrick Ellis, DT USC

9 Cincinnati Bengals *Phillip Merling, DE Clemson

10 New Orleans Saints Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy

11 Buffalo Bills *Malcolm Kelly, WR Oklahoma

12 Denver Broncos *Ryan Clady, OT Boise St.

13 Carolina Panthers *Derrick Harvey, DE Florida

14 Chicago Bears Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt

15 Detroit Lions *Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois

16 Arizona Cardinals Keith Rivers, LB USC

17 Minnesota Vikings *Calais Campbell, DE Miami

18 Houston Texans *Jonathan Stewart, RB Oregon

19 Philadelphia Eagles Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh

20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers *DeSean Jackson, WR California

21 Washington Redskins *Aqib Talib, CB Kansas

22 Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) *Felix Jones, RB Arkansas

23 Pittsburgh Steelers *Branden Albert, OG Virginia

24 Tennessee Titans *Jerod Mayo, LB Tennessee

25 Seattle Seahawks *Devin Thomas, WR Michigan State

26 Jacksonville Jaguars Kentwan Balmer, DT North Carolina

27 San Diego Chargers *Justin King, CB Penn State

28 Dallas Cowboys *Brandon Flowers, CB Virginia Tech

29 San Francisco 49ers (from IND) Gosder Cherilus, OT Boston College

30 Green Bay Packers Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida

31 New England Patriots Forfeited pick

32 New York Giants *Kenny Phillips, S Miami

I wouldn't mind Williams or Mendenhall. However, Mendy may be as good as gone to us knowing JA always goes after BPA

 

Side note- I don't see how OAK would draft McFadden since they just signed Fargas to a 3 or 4 year deal.

Right now, Willaims is probably my #1 choice. He is my 3rd best OL, and I think Clady is LONG gone. To be honest, I am not sure Williams gets past Denver.

 

As for Oakland/Fargas/McFadden. Fargas was not given big bucks. He was given good money, but nothing that would prevent them from drafting a stud if they feel one is there. In fact, I would point to us as an example. I think TJ was more proven w/ the Bears than Fargas w/ Oakland, and we took Benson. McFadden is graded higher than Benson, so I think the logic is easily there.

Mendenhall >>>>>>>

I can see Oakland drafting McFadden, he's their type of home run player and he carries the big name to excite the fans. They have their QB, they just signed Walker and yes they have Fargas signed too but his contract was reasonable. They can easily split time between him and McFadden.

ya thats somethin' to be happy about, we get the 3rd best LINEMAN... woopy friggin doo. and he blocks for the worst 3rd worst RB.

I want to be on record, again, stating that getting Mendenhall in the first is a horrible decision for the Bears. HORRIBLE

ya thats somethin' to be happy about, we get the 3rd best LINEMAN... woopy friggin doo. and he blocks for the worst 3rd worst RB.

 

Good point. It would be so much better to take the 2nd (or some say 3rd) best RB to run behind the 3rd worst offensive line.

I will say this. I no longer am looking at this in terms of this year. I see this as a season we are basically building, at least on offense. If there is a run on OL, I am wondering if Mendenhall would not be a bad pick. Understand, I don't expect much from him this year behind our OL. I view building our OL as a top need. At the same time, if you think in terms of a two year building program, then it makes more sense to take the best player available (offense) rather than a specific need.

 

Now let me say this. I do not really have an opinion of Mendenhall specifically. I don't know if he is truly a stud or dud. If we have him graded as an all star stud, and a run on OL makes that position a reach, then I can see the logic in taking the stud. I know your opinion full well. If I felt we were looking at competing on a higher level this year, I would agree. But if we are looking at '08 more for development, then best available simply makes more sense, and if a RB is far and away the best available, then RB makes sense.

If the top 3 OT's are gone then I wouldn"t have a problem drafting a RB.

When it comes to our offensive needs we are not in a position to reach for a player. Get somebody somewhere on offense that we can build around. I strongly prefer to get our LT for the next decade but if that's not a good option when we pick get me somebody else that can make a difference on the field. Reach for an average player to fill a need and your back to hoping you get a stud next year. Ask any Cubs fan how that's working for them.