Contiuing the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, at pick 15 and the Detroit Lions. Matt Millen must be tempted to pick a WR.

The unexpected continues to happen as teams continue to draft players for need and depth.

15. Detroit Lions – Derrick Harvey DE (Florida) – a needed playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. The Lions gave up points in bunches last season and Harvey will help stop that trend.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Jonathan Stewart RB (Oregon) – a proven back that can play in the passing game, will help take the Cardinals reach that next level as he learns as the heir apparent to the Edge.

17. Minnesota Vikings – Phillip Merling DE (Clemson) – the lack of production of a pass rush from prior 1st round picks Erasmus James and Kenechi Udeze makes this pick necessary. Good thing Sidney Rice began to show signs of adjusting to the pro game later in the year or this would surely be a wide receiver. A long look at Brohm and Woodson will take place here.

18. Houston Texans – Patrick Lee CB (Auburn) – depth is needed as the Texans played thin in the secondary for much of ’07.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – Desean Jackson WR (California) – the Eagles need playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, Jackson provides that threat as well as competency in the return game.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gosder Cherilus T (Boston College) – Tampa Bay needs to repair the chain link fence they call an offensive line. Injuries to the quarterbacks will continue if they don’t. Cherilus is a reach this high, but a necessary reach.

21. Washington Redskins – Calius Campbell DE (Miami) – other than Andre Carter, there is no explosion up front on the Washington defense.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cle.) – Aquib Talib CB (Kansas) – Jacques Reeves couldn’t handle the corner last year so an upgrade is needed as Anthony Henry adds another year to his ready for the move to safety body.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Reggie Smith DB (Oklahoma) – versatile can play corner and safety and the Steelers need both.

24. Tennessee Titans – Devin Thomas WR (Michigan State) – on a team full of possession receivers; Thomas’ game breaking speed will be welcomed, also returned kicks in college which fills another need in Tennessee.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Rashard Mendenhall RB (Illinois) – Shaun Alexander is slowing down, (age, and/or injury?) and this rugged versatile back showed he is ready for the next level.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mario Manningham WR (Michigan) – the Jags desperately need a speed receiver to complement the tall receivers they have on the outside; Manningham must show toughness as he will be asked to run in the slot.

27. San Diego Chargers – Kentwan Balmer DT (North Carolina State) – this is a pick for depth as the Chargers return an exceptional group from the ’07 team.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Felix Jones RB (Arkansas) – with Julius Jones departing via free agency, Felix can step in to assist Marion Barber in carrying the load.

29. San Francisco 49ers – Malcolm Kelly WR (Oklahoma) – the ‘Niners need a threat on the outside and with Kelly’s size and hands, teams will have to pay attention to him.

30. Green Bay Packers – Jack Ikegwuono CB (Wisconsin) – as the Packers continue to build the team thru the draft, it’s time to bring in the next wave of corners, and who better for Jack to learn from than Charles Woodson and Al Harris as he recovers from injury.

31. New York Giants – Keith Rivers LB (USC) – who thought Rivers would still be around this late in the draft, who thought it would be the G-men making the pick? Rivers fills a need as the depth for playmaking linebackers for ‘Big Blue’ is average at best, Rivers raises the grade.

Picks 1-14

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