Here is the second half of Round 1 in our second mock draft, picks 16 through 31. We made our first 15 picks Tuesday and we will unveil our first Round 2 mock draft Thursday.
16. Arizona — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The one knock on Jenkins is that he's not a very good tackler, but we expect that a coaching staff that sharpened its teeth under Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh will find a way to fix that, or at least minimize the negative impact of that. Everything else about him will be positive for a Cardinals secondary that lacks talent and depth at corner, especially with the anticipated move of Antrel Rolle to safety.
Jenkins is a solid press corner who has the speed to turn and run with anybody on deep routes. He also has excellent range and can play safety but needs to clean up his technique a bit. If he doesn't start right away, he will at least contribute in sub packages as a rookie. Last Week:CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
17. Minnesota — Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Free agent pickups Kendrick Allen and Ellis Wyms are not the answer to the Vikings' pass-rush woes, and the sports hernia that Merling just had isn't a concern except that teams haven't had a chance to see him work out. His game video tells the story as he recorded 12 sacks, 45 QB pressures, and 31 tackles for loss in just three seasons with the Tigers.
He has the frame to handle additional bulk, and coaches will work to improve his strength, but ultimately he has the ability and the body to play a dual DE/DT role much like the Giants' Justin Tuck. With Bryant McKinnie in trouble with the law again, OT could be a consideration here, maybe Jeff Otah, but a pass rusher is the more pressing need. Last Week: Merling
18. Houston — Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
This pick just makes a lot of sense. The Texans play a finesse game with their zone-blocking scheme and that is Williams' forte. He's smart and athletic, with long arms. He lacks tenacity and will struggle to absorb bigger ends and second-level defenders in the NFL without some added strength and bulk, but he has the frame to do it. With the top corners gone, Williams is a good pick here. Houston could also go RB as Rashard Mendenhall is in a bit of a freefall. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys are on the phone with Minnesota or the Texans to get up here to get him. Last Week: Williams
19. Philadelphia — Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Some may see this as a replacement pick for Brian Dawkins, who turns 35 this year, and Phillips will likely be the next FS of the Eagles. But for the time being he can help in sub packages and should be a starting candidate at SS, where Sean Considine and Quintin Mikell are better suited to backup roles.
Phillips is a very good tackler who plays like a linebacker at 212 pounds when down in the box, and he has good speed and range and has seen time at CB because of it. That versatility will get him on the field quickly. This is a pick that helps the Eagles immediately. Last Week: CB Mike Jenkins
20. Tampa Bay — DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Ike Hilliard is getting up there in years, Michael Clayton hasn't panned out and Maurice Stovall hasn't developed as quickly as Chuckie and company would like, so it's time to find another receiving threat to take the pressure off ageless Joey Galloway. Jackson has size, strong hands and 4.3 speed and can change direction on a dime. He's an excellent return man as well, which would help a Bucs team that ranked near the bottom of the league in punt returns in 2007. Last Week: Jackson
21. Washington — Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
Nobody is talking about Groves, which makes us think that more than one team is interested in his services. While he appears to be a non-entity in draft talk, Groves is a tough kid who played several different positions (RE, LE, OLB), played through injury and still tied the school record with 26 sacks. That kind of production doesn't go unnoticed. He's the best pure pass rusher in this draft, and he will immediately take pressure off Andre Carter, who has floundered in the nation's capital. Last Week: DE Calais Campbell
22. Dallas — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
The Cowboys can't believe that Mendenhall has fallen to them here, and frankly, neither can we. In all likelihood, Mendenhall and his 1,600 rushing yards and 17 TDs will be gone before this. Teams such as Chicago and Houston need a back, but they also have other pressing needs that we chose to address in the early rounds. Some might think Dallas would be wise to package this pick with No. 28 and move up to get this RB, but recent scouting reports have Arkansas' Felix Jones moving up the board quickly and some think he may even be better than Mendenhall.
If Chicago takes a back, expect Dallas to be on the phone to Minnesota, or even Detroit, to make sure it gets one of these backs. In this situation, Mendenhall can thrive in a platoon system with Marion Barber. Neither player has had a lot of opportunity in college or, in Barber's case, the pros to carry the load, so the committee format keeps them fresh and works to their strengths. If Mendenhall doesn't fall, you can expect the Cowboys to use one of their first three picks (22, 28 or 61) on another RB like Oregon's Jonathan Stewart. Last Week: CB Antoine Cason
23. Pittsburgh — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
The hometown boy stays in the neighborhood and gives the Steelers a big OT to eventually replace Marvel Smith, who will hit the FA market after this season. Willie Colon is best suited to play inside at G and Max Starks is better on the right side. There are concerns in the secondary, but the Steelers' offense begins and ends with the run game, and they must protect their $100 million-plus investment in Big Ben.
Otah is raw, but he is gifted athletically and has good size. In a year he'll be ready to anchor the line for Mike Tomlin. Gosder Cherilus is another option, but Otah is the higher-ranked player at this point, displaying more size and athleticism. Last Week: OT Gosder Cherilus
24. Tennessee — Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Let's ask ourselves a question. Do we think Norm Chow, the former architect of Southern Cal's offensive juggernaut, would leave Music City if he believed Vince Young was the real deal? This guy has been around some good QBs in his day. The answer is no, he wouldn't, especially not for UCLA! Still, the Titans can't fold on the QB just yet. They must get him some weapons before they condemn him. Sweed is 6'4", 215, and still ran a 4.40 in the 40. He's been productive despite injuries, scoring 20 TDs in his last 32 college games, and Young knows him from their days together in Austin.
The knock on Limas is that scouts haven't seen him play a whole lot of football lately. He missed the last seven games of 2007 with a broken wrist, and despite not being able to play in the Senior Bowl, he impressed scouts by trying two days of practice before fully healing. He stayed in school, is a high-character, mature kid, and is more polished than some of the early-entry juniors in this draft, which is all good stuff in the land of Pacman, LenDale and the like. Last Week: Sweed
25. Seattle — Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Mike Holmgren would really like another weapon in the passing game here, so a WR like James Hardy or a TE like Dustin Keller could be the pick. But if we're being smart, the Seahawks need to "feed the front" (there it is again) of this defense that is so good at getting after the QB. The loss of Chuck Darby and Ellis Wyms can't be ignored, so Laws, who is streaking up many team boards, is the pick.
Laws is not as tall as Kentwan Balmer, but he has a more solid build and outperformed Balmer in every test in the postseason workouts. Balmer is riding the coattails of a strong senior season that followed three years of questionable work ethic and lack of production. He chose not to participate in the Senior Bowl, showed poorly at the combine and was limited by a bad hamstring at his pro day. Which Balmer will show up is the question, which is why Laws is moving past him on many boards. Laws is a former wrestler who uses his hands well and has a great first step that will play well in Seattle's attacking scheme. Last Week: DT Kentwan Balmer
26. Jacksonville — Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern Cal
The Jags lost DE Bobby McCray to free agency and they are concerned about the lack of production they have gotten from Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer. They also traded away DT Marcus Stroud, and John Henderson can't do it alone, especially as he gets closer to the end of his career.
Jackson hasn't wowed anyone in workouts, but he put up numbers similar to Harvey's at the combine. He has played in the shadow of fellow Trojan Sedrick Ellis but played well in the Senior Bowl, and once again we'll ask you to go to the video. All this guy has done is start 51 of 52 career college games (he never missed a game) for one of the best teams in the country. In that time he recorded 30½ sacks and 52 TFL. He's not flashy but he can contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher as a rookie. Last Week: DE Quentin Groves
27. San Diego — Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The Chargers have done a nice job of putting their current team together and don't have any real pressing needs if they stay healthy, which is why they could go a number of ways with this pick, including a trade down to acquire some more selections (they don't pick again until the fifth round).
If they have to make a pick, they could go with RB Jonathan Stewart to backup LT, or CB Antoine Cason to give them a top nickelback to replace Drayton Florence. DT Kentwan Balmer could be groomed for Jamaal Williams' NT spot, and there are never enough LBs on a 3-4 team, which would put Dan Connor and Jerod Mayo in play. But the loss of OT Shane Olivea speaks most loudly to us, and we think Cherilus, a real grinder in the run game, fits well in this scheme, can move inside if necessary and is a great value at this pick. Last Week: S Kenny Phillips
28. Dallas — Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
It will take the Cowboys about 10 seconds to put this card in. Cason is a big defender (6'0", 191) who runs a 4.4 40 and is a tremendous playmaker who tracks the ball well in the air. He is a shutdown corner who needs to learn how to play more physically but has great timing and a knack for getting his hands on the ball. Opposing QBs completed just 31 percent of passes thrown his way as a senior.
Jacques Reeves is gone, so Cason could have a chance to challenge Anthony Henry for the starting spot opposite Terence Newman. Last Week: RB Jonathan Stewart
29. San Francisco — Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
Mayo was a productive player for the Vols (140 tackles in 2007) on the inside, but he also has excellent range and the closing speed to chase down lateral running plays and reach the QB. Though he didn't have many opportunities to rush the passer in college, his 4.5 40 time at the combine raised some eyebrows and would have the Niners trying him outside. But a pairing of Mayo and Patrick Willis on the interior doesn't sound too problematic, either. Last Week: Branden Albert, T-G, Virginia
30. Green Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Talib has all the tools — good hands, size, speed and playmaking ability. He has fallen due to some maturity issues and off-field incidents, but all indications are that he's on the right road back. If that's the case, then the Pack gets a steal here and an eventual replacement for Woodson or Harris. Last Week: Talib
31. New York Giants — Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Campbell has been pegged to go higher than this on most mocks, but he is coming off a subpar 2007 season and didn't test well at the combine. Yet he is big for a DE and could fill a dual role by moving inside on passing downs, much like Justin Tuck. You can't have enough pass rushers and the Giants haven proven that point with honors. Last Week: LB Jerod Mayo
Here is the second half of Round 1 in our second mock draft, picks 16 through 31. We made our first 15 picks Tuesday and we will unveil our first Round 2 mock draft Thursday.
16. Arizona — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The one knock on Jenkins is that he's not a very good tackler, but we expect that a coaching staff that sharpened its teeth under Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh will find a way to fix that, or at least minimize the negative impact of that. Everything else about him will be positive for a Cardinals secondary that lacks talent and depth at corner, especially with the anticipated move of Antrel Rolle to safety.
Jenkins is a solid press corner who has the speed to turn and run with anybody on deep routes. He also has excellent range and can play safety but needs to clean up his technique a bit. If he doesn't start right away, he will at least contribute in sub packages as a rookie. Last Week:CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
17. Minnesota — Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Free agent pickups Kendrick Allen and Ellis Wyms are not the answer to the Vikings' pass-rush woes, and the sports hernia that Merling just had isn't a concern except that teams haven't had a chance to see him work out. His game video tells the story as he recorded 12 sacks, 45 QB pressures, and 31 tackles for loss in just three seasons with the Tigers.
He has the frame to handle additional bulk, and coaches will work to improve his strength, but ultimately he has the ability and the body to play a dual DE/DT role much like the Giants' Justin Tuck. With Bryant McKinnie in trouble with the law again, OT could be a consideration here, maybe Jeff Otah, but a pass rusher is the more pressing need. Last Week: Merling
18. Houston — Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
This pick just makes a lot of sense. The Texans play a finesse game with their zone-blocking scheme and that is Williams' forte. He's smart and athletic, with long arms. He lacks tenacity and will struggle to absorb bigger ends and second-level defenders in the NFL without some added strength and bulk, but he has the frame to do it. With the top corners gone, Williams is a good pick here. Houston could also go RB as Rashard Mendenhall is in a bit of a freefall. Don't be surprised if the Cowboys are on the phone with Minnesota or the Texans to get up here to get him. Last Week: Williams
19. Philadelphia — Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Some may see this as a replacement pick for Brian Dawkins, who turns 35 this year, and Phillips will likely be the next FS of the Eagles. But for the time being he can help in sub packages and should be a starting candidate at SS, where Sean Considine and Quintin Mikell are better suited to backup roles.
Phillips is a very good tackler who plays like a linebacker at 212 pounds when down in the box, and he has good speed and range and has seen time at CB because of it. That versatility will get him on the field quickly. This is a pick that helps the Eagles immediately. Last Week: CB Mike Jenkins
20. Tampa Bay — DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Ike Hilliard is getting up there in years, Michael Clayton hasn't panned out and Maurice Stovall hasn't developed as quickly as Chuckie and company would like, so it's time to find another receiving threat to take the pressure off ageless Joey Galloway. Jackson has size, strong hands and 4.3 speed and can change direction on a dime. He's an excellent return man as well, which would help a Bucs team that ranked near the bottom of the league in punt returns in 2007. Last Week: Jackson
21. Washington — Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
Nobody is talking about Groves, which makes us think that more than one team is interested in his services. While he appears to be a non-entity in draft talk, Groves is a tough kid who played several different positions (RE, LE, OLB), played through injury and still tied the school record with 26 sacks. That kind of production doesn't go unnoticed. He's the best pure pass rusher in this draft, and he will immediately take pressure off Andre Carter, who has floundered in the nation's capital. Last Week: DE Calais Campbell
22. Dallas — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
The Cowboys can't believe that Mendenhall has fallen to them here, and frankly, neither can we. In all likelihood, Mendenhall and his 1,600 rushing yards and 17 TDs will be gone before this. Teams such as Chicago and Houston need a back, but they also have other pressing needs that we chose to address in the early rounds. Some might think Dallas would be wise to package this pick with No. 28 and move up to get this RB, but recent scouting reports have Arkansas' Felix Jones moving up the board quickly and some think he may even be better than Mendenhall.
If Chicago takes a back, expect Dallas to be on the phone to Minnesota, or even Detroit, to make sure it gets one of these backs. In this situation, Mendenhall can thrive in a platoon system with Marion Barber. Neither player has had a lot of opportunity in college or, in Barber's case, the pros to carry the load, so the committee format keeps them fresh and works to their strengths. If Mendenhall doesn't fall, you can expect the Cowboys to use one of their first three picks (22, 28 or 61) on another RB like Oregon's Jonathan Stewart. Last Week: CB Antoine Cason
23. Pittsburgh — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
The hometown boy stays in the neighborhood and gives the Steelers a big OT to eventually replace Marvel Smith, who will hit the FA market after this season. Willie Colon is best suited to play inside at G and Max Starks is better on the right side. There are concerns in the secondary, but the Steelers' offense begins and ends with the run game, and they must protect their $100 million-plus investment in Big Ben.
Otah is raw, but he is gifted athletically and has good size. In a year he'll be ready to anchor the line for Mike Tomlin. Gosder Cherilus is another option, but Otah is the higher-ranked player at this point, displaying more size and athleticism. Last Week: OT Gosder Cherilus
24. Tennessee — Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Let's ask ourselves a question. Do we think Norm Chow, the former architect of Southern Cal's offensive juggernaut, would leave Music City if he believed Vince Young was the real deal? This guy has been around some good QBs in his day. The answer is no, he wouldn't, especially not for UCLA! Still, the Titans can't fold on the QB just yet. They must get him some weapons before they condemn him. Sweed is 6'4", 215, and still ran a 4.40 in the 40. He's been productive despite injuries, scoring 20 TDs in his last 32 college games, and Young knows him from their days together in Austin.
The knock on Limas is that scouts haven't seen him play a whole lot of football lately. He missed the last seven games of 2007 with a broken wrist, and despite not being able to play in the Senior Bowl, he impressed scouts by trying two days of practice before fully healing. He stayed in school, is a high-character, mature kid, and is more polished than some of the early-entry juniors in this draft, which is all good stuff in the land of Pacman, LenDale and the like. Last Week: Sweed
25. Seattle — Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Mike Holmgren would really like another weapon in the passing game here, so a WR like James Hardy or a TE like Dustin Keller could be the pick. But if we're being smart, the Seahawks need to "feed the front" (there it is again) of this defense that is so good at getting after the QB. The loss of Chuck Darby and Ellis Wyms can't be ignored, so Laws, who is streaking up many team boards, is the pick.
Laws is not as tall as Kentwan Balmer, but he has a more solid build and outperformed Balmer in every test in the postseason workouts. Balmer is riding the coattails of a strong senior season that followed three years of questionable work ethic and lack of production. He chose not to participate in the Senior Bowl, showed poorly at the combine and was limited by a bad hamstring at his pro day. Which Balmer will show up is the question, which is why Laws is moving past him on many boards. Laws is a former wrestler who uses his hands well and has a great first step that will play well in Seattle's attacking scheme. Last Week: DT Kentwan Balmer
26. Jacksonville — Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern Cal
The Jags lost DE Bobby McCray to free agency and they are concerned about the lack of production they have gotten from Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer. They also traded away DT Marcus Stroud, and John Henderson can't do it alone, especially as he gets closer to the end of his career.
Jackson hasn't wowed anyone in workouts, but he put up numbers similar to Harvey's at the combine. He has played in the shadow of fellow Trojan Sedrick Ellis but played well in the Senior Bowl, and once again we'll ask you to go to the video. All this guy has done is start 51 of 52 career college games (he never missed a game) for one of the best teams in the country. In that time he recorded 30½ sacks and 52 TFL. He's not flashy but he can contribute immediately as a situational pass rusher as a rookie. Last Week: DE Quentin Groves
27. San Diego — Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
The Chargers have done a nice job of putting their current team together and don't have any real pressing needs if they stay healthy, which is why they could go a number of ways with this pick, including a trade down to acquire some more selections (they don't pick again until the fifth round).
If they have to make a pick, they could go with RB Jonathan Stewart to backup LT, or CB Antoine Cason to give them a top nickelback to replace Drayton Florence. DT Kentwan Balmer could be groomed for Jamaal Williams' NT spot, and there are never enough LBs on a 3-4 team, which would put Dan Connor and Jerod Mayo in play. But the loss of OT Shane Olivea speaks most loudly to us, and we think Cherilus, a real grinder in the run game, fits well in this scheme, can move inside if necessary and is a great value at this pick. Last Week: S Kenny Phillips
28. Dallas — Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
It will take the Cowboys about 10 seconds to put this card in. Cason is a big defender (6'0", 191) who runs a 4.4 40 and is a tremendous playmaker who tracks the ball well in the air. He is a shutdown corner who needs to learn how to play more physically but has great timing and a knack for getting his hands on the ball. Opposing QBs completed just 31 percent of passes thrown his way as a senior.
Jacques Reeves is gone, so Cason could have a chance to challenge Anthony Henry for the starting spot opposite Terence Newman. Last Week: RB Jonathan Stewart
29. San Francisco — Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
Mayo was a productive player for the Vols (140 tackles in 2007) on the inside, but he also has excellent range and the closing speed to chase down lateral running plays and reach the QB. Though he didn't have many opportunities to rush the passer in college, his 4.5 40 time at the combine raised some eyebrows and would have the Niners trying him outside. But a pairing of Mayo and Patrick Willis on the interior doesn't sound too problematic, either. Last Week: Branden Albert, T-G, Virginia
30. Green Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Talib has all the tools — good hands, size, speed and playmaking ability. He has fallen due to some maturity issues and off-field incidents, but all indications are that he's on the right road back. If that's the case, then the Pack gets a steal here and an eventual replacement for Woodson or Harris. Last Week: Talib
31. New York Giants — Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Campbell has been pegged to go higher than this on most mocks, but he is coming off a subpar 2007 season and didn't test well at the combine. Yet he is big for a DE and could fill a dual role by moving inside on passing downs, much like Justin Tuck. You can't have enough pass rushers and the Giants haven proven that point with honors. Last Week: LB Jerod Mayo
