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POSTED 1-25-08

The 2008 NFL Draft is still three months away, but it's never too early to project. That's especially true for you fantasy owners looking to nab the next Adrian Peterson. Just keep in mind, teams may swap draft picks several times over, but that shouldn't affect the players selected.

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is a top three pick regardless of what the Miami Dolphins do. The new regime in Miami has already indicated they'd be willing to trade down from the top spot. While the Dolphins will look to stockpile picks, other teams may look at the New York Giants' Super Bowl blueprint for inspiration and trade up for a franchise quarterback. Matt Ryan anyone?

But isn't that unpredictablity — along with a healthy dose of self-proclaimed draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. — half the fun? Until then, here's something to chew on:

1.MIAMI DOLPHINS
Glenn Dorsey DT — LSU
Comment: Their needs are many, but allowing the most rushing yards in the NFL is a stat that Bill Parcells will address immediately. Glenn Dorsey's strength, tenacity, and instincts make him the top pick in the 2008 draft.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Darren McFadden RB — Arkansas
Comment: St. Louis needs more defensive help, but it's getting more and more evident that you need two good running backs in the NFL. McFadden's talent is too hard to pass up, as he is the top running back in the draft.

3. ATLANTA FALCONS
Matt Ryan QB — Boston College
Comment: With Michael Vick jailed and a rapidly aging Warrick Dunn, Atlanta is no longer the juggernaut it was two years ago. Matt Ryan has the arm and the accuracy to be a franchise quarterback and can bring respectability back to Atlanta's passing game.

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Chris Long DE — Virginia
Comment: Their most immediate need is to help a porous defensive line, which was second only to the Dolphins in allowing rushing yards. Al Davis won't be able to pass up the father-son story, and Chris Long's versatility and athleticism allow him to play in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Jake Long OT — Michigan
Comment: Losing Pro-Bowlers Will Shields and Willie Roaf really took a toll on the Chiefs' rushing attack, as they finished dead last with 78 yards per game last season. They will be ecstatic to have the top rated tackle in the draft fall down to them.

6. NEW YORK JETS
Vernon Gholston DE — Ohio State
Comment: The Jets gave up an unpleasant 134 rushing yards per game last year en route to a disappointing season on both sides of the ball. Gholston's size and incredible speed fits the Jets' 3-4 defense perfectly and gives them an unrelenting pass rusher.

7. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Dan Connor LB — Penn State
Comment: The Patriots draft here after obtaining the San Francisco 49ers first-round selection in a 2007 draft-day trade. But New England also forfeited its own selection, No. 32, as part of the league-imposed punishment for stealing signals Week 1 against the New York Jets. We'd call it a wash if the damn Patriots weren't so resourceful. The youngest player of their starting linebacking corps is Adalius Thomas at 30, with Junior Seau being 39. Connor is a cerebral player who can cover sideline to sideline and thrive in Bill Bellichick's scheme.

8. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Sedrick Ellis DT — USC
Comment: The Ravens will continue their formula of defense and veteran leadership. Quarterback is their biggest question mark heading into 2008, but a talent with speed and quickness off the ball like Ellis will make it a no brainer.

9. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Calais Campbell DE — Miami
Comment: One of the many reasons the Bengals defense was so bad last year was the lack of a pass rush; they recorded the lowest number of sacks in the league with just 22. Campbell's combination of a 6-8, 280 frame and 4.75 speed will demand attention from opposing offenses.

10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Aqib Talib CB — Kansas
Comment: The Saints secondary left much to be desired in 2007, giving up 245 passing yards per game and intercepting the ball only 13 times. Talib's 6-2 height with 4.5 speed makes him a highly prized commodity against today's prototypical NFL receiver.

11. BUFFALO BILLS
DeSean Jackson WR — California
Comment: We'll give their defense a pass due to injuries, but their receiving corps gets a failing grade. With the emergence of Trent Edwards, Jackson's sub 4.4 speed will perfectly complement Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch.

12. DENVER BRONCOS
Ryan Clady OT — Boise State
Comment: The Broncos defense gave up 143 rushing yards per game and wore down by season's end, but the retirement of tackle Matt Lepsis takes priority. Mike Shanahan's offensive schemes require physical and athletic offensive lineman, and Clady fits the bill perfectly.

13. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Brian Brohm QB — Louisville
Comment: With Jake Delhomme, David Carr, and Vinny Testaverde, the Panthers had the oldest quarterback group in the league. Brohm has the physical attributes to be a quarterback of the future, and the time to pick is now.

14. CHICAGO BEARS
Andre Woodson QB — Kentucky
Comment: Bears general manager Jerry Angelo has publicly stated his desire to re-sign Grossman, and having competition at the position is good for the organization. That competition will come in the form of Andre Woodson, an SEC tested arm who threw 40 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions in his senior year.

15. DETROIT LIONS
Mike Jenkins CB — South Florida
Comment: The nation's worst defense gave up the most points and most total yardage in 2007. Jenkins can immediately provide speed and athleticism to a defensive unit that needs help in all three zones.

16. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Kenny Phillips FS — Miami
Comment: Their secondary turned out to be their biggest weakness, giving up too many big plays. The hard hitting and aggressive Phillips is just what the doctor ordered.

17. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Reggie Smith CB — Oklahoma
Comment: The bipolar Vikings finished first in rushing offense and rushing defense, but last in passing defense. Smith, who registered 74 tackles in his junior year, has the physical attributes to play corner or safety and improve a horrible Vikings secondary.

18. HOUSTON TEXANS
Malcolm Kelly WR — Oklahoma
Comment: Houston finished with a respectable 8-8 record with room for improvement on both sides of the ball. They lacked a big play threat outside of Andre Johnson. Kelly's 6-4 frame and 4.47 speed would really stretch the field for both Johnson and Houston's running game.

19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Sam Baker OT — USC
Comment: Their tackles on both sides of the line are aging and will need a facelift soon. Baker's good feet and pass blocking ability are exactly what Andy Reid needs for his west coast offense.

20. TAMPA BAY BUCANEERS
Johnathan Stewart RB — Oregon
Comment: The Bucs found out how important it is to have depth at the running back position and Cadillac Williams' short career has been injury prone. Stewart's hard nosed running style is great for tough yards, but he also has breakaway speed.

21. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Keith Rivers LB — USC
Comment: Though the defense played well, they are getting older and could use pass rush help. Ironically, picking at 21, Washington will look to bolster their defense with speed and the big play potential of Rivers.

22. DALLAS COWBOYS
Adarius Bowman WR — Oklahoma State
Comment: The whole nation, along with Jerry Jones, is wondering how far Dallas could have gone if Patrick Crayton had better hands. Standing 6-4 and running in the 4.40's, Bowman is your prototypical wide receiver and will be another dangerous option for Tony Romo.

23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Rashard Mendenhall RB — Illinois
Comment: The Steelers experienced first hand, courtesy of Jacksonville, how a pair of talented running backs can share the load and keep each other fresh. Pittsburgh could use Mendenhall immediately to complement Parker and catch the ball out of the backfield.

24. TENNESSEE TITANS
Kentwan Balmer DT — North Carolina
Comment: The Titans threw the fewest touchdown passes, had the most rushing attempts, and allowed the fifth fewest total yards per game. Jeff Fisher's formula is pretty obvious and he'll strengthen his defensive line with the strong and quick Balmer.

25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Felix Jones RB — Arkansas
Comment: Shaun Alexander simply has not been the same since his incredible 2005. Jones' speed and quickness will help the Seahawks' rushing attack sustain itself late into the season.

26. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
James Hardy WR — Indiana
Comment: With the emergence of David Garrard, Jacksonville will look to surround him with more weapons. The Matt Jones failed experiment and Northcutt's untimely dropped passes mean Hardy's 6-7 height and sure hands are the right match.

27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Leodis McKelvin CB — Troy
Comment: The Chargers, who finished fifth in both points for and against, will look to bolster an already stellar defense. His blazing sub 4.40 speed and kick return ability can add depth and put them over the hump.

28. DALLAS COWBOYS
Antoine Cason CB — Arizona
Comment: The Cowboys will look to add much needed depth in the secondary with a talented shutdown corner. Cason, a four year starter for the Wildcats, fits the bill perfectly with his speed and instinctive reads.

29. SAN FRANSISCO 49ERS
Pat Sims DT — Auburn
Comment: Though the 49ers were the worst scoring team in the league, management will give them time to grow and gel. However, their defense can be a really special one by building around Patrick Willis with Sims' ability to disrupt the backfield.

30. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Jeff Otah OT — Pittsburgh
Comment: With a solid defense, the Packers will need to shore up their offense for life after Brett Favre. They drafted Rodgers to replace Favre, and now they'll need a big, athletic tackle like Otah to protect his blindside.

31. NEW YORK GIANTS
Mario Manningham WR — Michigan
Comment: The Giants are one dynamic playmaker away from putting it all together. Toomer's days are numbered and it's only fitting for one Michigan standout to replace another.














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