Week 5 mock draft

I missed the Bears game yesterday because I was at a sweet rock concert, so head over to Windy City Sports Blog for a recap if you'd like. But they won, so hey, the season is still alive. Good to see they finally gave the ball to Benson, 27 times in fact, but that 2.4 yards per carry is anything but encouraging for the future. Hopefully the Bears can start a little winning streak at home against the Vikings next week.

Every five weeks we'll be doing a top ten mock draft for the NFL. Draft order is projected, not reflecting the actual standings. Picks are based on team needs, I certainly don't think Darren McFadden will be the sixth pick, or that Jake Long will go number one, but that's the way it worked out with this order.

1. Miami- OT Jake Long, Michigan

Miami is atrocious and needs helps all over the field. They really can't take Brohm because they invested a second round pick last year in John Beck (this is the reason I hate when bad teams take quarterbacks in the second round, if they're not good again the following year, they really can't draft a QB in round one), and Ronnie Brown  is pretty good, so they can't take McFadden. If Miami ends up with this pick, it will probably come down to Long and Dorsey, but Long gets the edge because the Dolphins offense is behind their defense at this point.

2. St. Louis- DT Glen Dorsey, LSU

A lot of people thought the Rams would be pretty good this year, but it just hasn't happened yet. They're another team that can't take Brohm or D-Mac, but adding someone like Dorsey could turn around the defense right away. He's a difference maker at defensive tackle that college teams can't even think about defending with man.

3. Atlanta- QB Brian Brohm, Louisville

If the Falcons found themselves in this situation, with Brohm, Andre Woodson, and McFadden staring them in the face, I think they would be smart to with D-Mac. But everyone knows Bobby Petrino coached Brian Brohm in college, and Brohm is once again putting up huge stats for a disappointing Louisville team. I've always considered Brohm an elite prospect, that this passage from Scott Wright of NFL Draft Countdown is making me question that:

I definitely don't see Brohm as an "elite" prospect and probably never will due to questions about the system he plays in and durability but there is still plenty to like about him and I really do have a hard time envisioning him getting past the Atlanta Falcons and his old coach Bobby Petrino in round one. A lot of experts are hopping off the Brohm bandwagon and labeling him as a 2nd round pick but for the time being I am sticking with him and still have him as the top senior signal caller, just ahead of André Woodson and Matt Ryan. That could obviously change though. We'll see how this ultimately shakes out for Brohm but you're absolutely right when you say that he is losing momentum on the Draft front.

4. Buffalo- DE Calais Campbell, Miami

They can't take Woodson because they took Trent Edwards in the second round last year, and can't take McFadden because Marshawn Lynch is spectacular. But if Dick Jauron's Bills find themselves in this situation, adding a premier pass rusher like Campbell would be ideal. Campbell is an edge rusher in the Julius Peppers/Mario Williams mold, and those don't come along too often.

5.  Minnesota- QB Andre Woodson, Kentucky

It remains to be seen if the Vikings want to hitch their wagon to a young quarterback or look for a veteran, but Andre Woodson might be too good to pass up at this point. A huge quarterback with a  strong arm, who is mobile and doesn't throw interceptions, Woodson has been my guy since last season. I hope this doesn't happen because a Woodson-Peterson backfield would dominate the NFC North for years to come, but it just might happen. A receiver like Desean Jackson is also an option here.

6. Oakland- RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas

Darren McFadden won't be the sixth pick in this draft- so I don't want anyone finding this in the archives in April and saying that's what I predicted. If D-Mac were to fall this far, only because so many teams already have good running backs, a team would certainly trade up to get him. McFadden is an elite prospect in every sense, with great size, speed, field vision, and the ability to make plays. He'd be a dream come true for Lane Kiffin and Oakland, and a running back like him could make that team a contender right away, because the defense is already in place.

7. Chiefs- S Kenny Phillips, Miami

This might be too low to put the Chiefs- they could easily end up with the number one pick. I mean, they lost to the Bears. This team is not good, they need new o-linemen, d-linemen, d-backs, and, of course, a quarterback. With Brohm and Woodson off the board, it's too early to reach for Colt Brennan or Matt Ryan (at least at this point in the process), so the Phillips is the pick. If he's anything like fellow Hurricane safeties Sean Taylor and Ed Reed, I think the Chiefs will do ok for themselves.

8.  Cardinals- DE Chris Long, Virginia

Another offensive lineman like Sam Baker from USC would be tempting for a Cardinals team that constantly finds itself in disarray up front, but Ken Wisenhunt needs pass rusher to make his 3-4 work, and Chris Long does that. Howie Long's kid, Chris has established himself as a top 15 pick the last two seasons.

9. Cowboys (from Browns) - WR Desean Jackson, Cal

The Cowboys have this pick from Cleveland in the Brady Quinn trade, and thank God the Browns are looking at least half competent so far. Can you imagine Dallas adding D-Mac? That thought is so scary I can't even think about it right now. They could use Sam Baker at offensive tackle (couldn't we all), but the "cowboy move" is probably adding a play making burner in Desean Jackson. This classes most dangerous weapon, Jackson would add the type of speed that Jerry Jones loves.

10. Saints- LB Dan Connor, Penn State

The Saints defense is pitiful. They need players at every position besides for d-end, and a linebacker like Connor would immediately upgrade the unit. Big 10 linebackers have had success in recent years, so Connor looks like a sure bet. He may even be better then former teammate Paul Poszluzny.