2008 NFL Draft Picks

The 2008 NFL Draft was pretty interesting. It was full of interesting picks as well as trades and very strategic planning. Here is the first round results for the 2008 NFL Draft.

1 Miami: Jake Long OT
2 St. Louis: Chris Long DE
3 Atlanta: Matt Ryan QB
4 Oakland: Darren McFadden RB
5 Kansas City: Glenn Dorsey DT
6 NY Jets: Vernon Gholston DE
7 New Orleans: Sedrick Ellis DT
8 Jacksonville: Derrick Harvey DE
9 Cincinnati: Keith Rivers LB
10 New England: Jerod Mayo OLB
11 Buffalo: Leodis McKelvin CB
12 Denver: Ryan Clady OT
13 Carolina: Jonathan Stewart RB
14 Chicago: Chris Williams OT
15 Kansas City: Branden Albert OG
16 Arizona: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB
17 Detroit: Gosder Cherilus OT
18 Baltimore: Joe Flacco QB
19 Carolina: Jeff Otah OT
20 Tampa Bay: Aqib Talib CB
21 Atlanta: Sam Baker OT
22 Dallas: Felix Jones RB
23 Pittsburgh: Rashard Mendenhall RB
24 Tennessee: Chris Johnson RB
25 Dallas: Mike Jenkins CB
26 Houston: Duane Brown OT
27 San Diego: Antoine Cason CB
28 Seattle: Lawrence Jackson DE
29 San Francisco: Kentwan Balmer DE
30 NY Jets: Dustin Keller TE
31 NY Giants: Kenny Phillips FS

The first six picks were pretty straightforward. It seemed as the draft started thats what everyone predicted it to do. I knew who was getting picked when. After the top 6 it got a bit more interesting.

New England was able to trade down a bit, but still reached with their pick Jerod Mayo. Kiper and other analysts had him going later in the round. I didn't realize how much needs New England has, so they could of done better.

Baltimore did great with trading down to get more choices. Baltimore traded with Jacksonville. Jacksonville traded all the way down to pick #8 to reach for Derrick Harvey which may prove to be too much.

Baltimore in turn went after quarterback Joe Flaco since Matt Ryan was already chosen.

San Diego was pretty much certain to pick an offensive lineman or corner back. Most people had them selecting Brandon Flowers. Instead they went with Antoine Cason. That led to Brandon Flowers dropping to round 2. He was selected 35th overall by Kansas City.

This draft definitely made the AFC even more interesting. Especially the AFC West and the AFC South.

Steve Smith Signs Contract Extension

Steve Smith is going to be a Carolina Panther for many years to come. Smith added three years to his contract.

Smith agreed to terms on a six year 44 million dollar extension, that includes 17 million in guaranteed money.

This contract extension comes right after the Panthers cut their #2 wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to make room for the younger talent. Carolina had acquired several young WRs this offseason, and Johnson became expendable. He still remains a free agent.

Steve Smith now becomes one of the top five highest paid players at his position. He definitely plays as a top 5 caliber WR, he deserves to be paid accordingly.

NFL Draft Top 20 Picks

In case you didn't get to catch all of the draft I am going to give the top 2o picks. Some teams addressed their wants, while others addressed their needs. I'll let you decide.

1 Oakland Russell, JaMarcus QB Louisiana State
2 Detroit Johnson, Calvin WR Georgia Tech
3 Cleveland Thomas, Joe OT Wisconsin
4 Tampa Bay Adams, Gaines DE Clemson
5 Arizona Brown, Levi OT Penn State
6 Washington Landry, LaRon FS Louisiana State
7 Minnesota Peterson, Adrian RB Oklahoma
8 Atlanta Anderson, Jamaal DE Arkansas
9 Miami Ginn Jr., Ted WR Ohio State
10 Houston Okoye, Amobi DT Louisville
11 San Francisco Willis, Patrick ILB Mississippi
12 Buffalo Lynch, Marshawn RB California
13 St. Louis Carriker, Adam DE Nebraska
14 N.Y. Jets Revis, Darrelle CB Pittsburgh
15 Pittsburgh Timmons, Lawrence OLB Florida State
16 Green Bay Harrell, Justin DT Tennessee
17 Denver Moss, Jarvis DE Florida
18 Cincinnati Hall, Leon CB Michigan
19 Tennessee Griffin, Michael FS Texas
20 N.Y. Giants Ross, Aaron CB Texas

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Oakland Raiders Select Jamarcus Russell with the First Draft Pick

The long wait is over, the Oakland Raiders have finally selected Jamarcus Russell. Could this be someone who can actually get the ball to Randy Moss or will Moss be traded? With only one question actually answered for the Raiders, now many more come about. So many questions surround the Raiders, obvious why they finished last in the league last year.

There are also a lot of talk about trading picks for many teams, we'll see how that works out.

I will post the next first few draft picks as they happen.

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Michael Turner's Price Tag Still Two Draft Picks

If you are like me, you are craving NFL news. The hottest topic this month has been Michael Turner, who I wrote about before.

It's tough to say if he will be traded, there is no rush or need to. At least, for the Chargers. Six NFL teams are rumored to be in the market for Turner, two of which we know of. Tennessee and Buffalo haven't made it a secret they are in the market for Turner.

The pressure is now on them however with the NFL Draft Date getting close. April 28th is just around the corner, and any team wanting Turner will have to pay the price.

A.J Smith had this to say about trading Turner:

“It's still a 1 and a 3. I'm flexible. What I mean is that I recognize that a 1 and a 3 would paralyze a team's draft. So work with us.

“Six teams are still very interested. I can only tell you two, Buffalo and Tennessee, because they don't care if it's known. I'm sworn to secrecy on the others. They're trying to stay under the radar. A lot of people are scared to death to let it out. I'm amazed this is going on, but I told them I'd only verify if you come out. Teams love me because of that. I tell them I'd like to have a 1 and a 3 in '07 or '08. You guys decide what it's worth.”

Hard to say how much longer Turner will remain a Charger.

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Opting out of the Pro Bowl

I've never understood why a player would want to opt out, unless there was a really serious injury. Take Peyton Manning for example, he only played the first two series and not again.

The money isn't bad either, 20,000 just to make it and 40,000$ to win.

Now with football officially over we shouldn't have too many updates about the NFL until the draft. Now we can only speculate who Oakland will take.

With baseball right around the corner, it is possible I will make a fantasy baseball league if anyone is interested. I usually only play in one, but I will make my own for anyone who wants to play. I will do it on Yahoo! if anyone is interested.

Leave me a comment if you want to play.