Scott Wright's 3/17 Mock Draft

[evil disco man]

From NFL Draft Countdown:

1. Miami Dolphins
Jake Long OT Michigan
This was one of the first places to have Chris Long going in the top spot and now it is probably one of the first to have Jake Long here as well. There is no question that the Dolphins would like to trade down but there may not be much of a market for #1 this year so if they get stuck and have to make the pick it will most likely be a Long, either Jake or Chris. Both are considered to be very safe choices here but I gave the ever so slight edge to Jake because offensive tackle is just a bigger need for Miami. The bottom line is that they already have some pass rushing outside linebackers but at this point Vernon Carey is the only starting-caliber offensive tackle on their roster.

2. St. Louis Rams
Chris Long DE Virginia
It's beginning to look more and more like this will be a defensive end for the Rams. For a while there Jake Long looked like the obvious choice but even though he is still in the picture the signing of Jacob Bell to help shore up that offensive line probably makes it much less likely. The defensive line has been a problem area in St. Louis for a while now so after upgrading the interior with Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan last year it might be time to look outside. Leonard Little is going to be 34-years-old next season and James Hall was cut so from a talent and need perspective there may not be a better fit than Chris Long, although if he's gone don't rule out Vernon Gholston.

ROUND TWO

33. St. Louis Rams
Mario Manningham WR Michigan
With Isaac Bruce gone they are perilously thin at wideout behind Torry Holt and Drew Bennett.

[The Special One]

I'm not sure about Manningham. I'd love for someone like Sweed if he was avialable.

[39thebeast]

I like how Manningham plays I don't know if Devaney would be in love with his character, but one thing you can't deny is he big time play maker.

[ENN107]

i like it. Manningham is a stud.

[keith m. klink]

I'm not sold on MANNINGHAM , and i think there are better prospects to be had . just me .

[cfh128]

Lets only hope that the cards fall this way and our draft starts like this.

[todd1]

Manningham was a stud on Saturdays, but looked terrible at the Combine. I can't believe he ran that slow, b/c all he did was run fly routes right past everyone in the Big 10. Maybe the Big 10 really is that slow??

Anyway, if the draft plays out like Wright says, I'd rather take James Hardy out of Indiana in round 2. He's bigger and timed faster than Manningham.

I'm also really pulling for Gholston over C. Long (can't teach athletic ability), but would not be too upset with C. Long.

[Mooselini]

I like the first pick. It seems as if Wright knows that we need a DE instead of OL. It even says that if Chris Long is gone, don't count out Gholston.

I don't know about the second pick, sure, WR would be nice. But not that one.

[rams_fan81]

Manningham was a stud on Saturdays, but looked terrible at the Combine. I can't believe he ran that slow, b/c all he did was run fly routes right past everyone in the Big 10. Maybe the Big 10 really is that slow??

Anyway, if the draft plays out like Wright says, I'd rather take James Hardy out of Indiana in round 2. He's bigger and timed faster than Manningham.

I'm also really pulling for Gholston over C. Long (can't teach athletic ability), but would not be too upset with C. Long.

Don't even start this stuff about the Big 10 being slow.... but yeah I agree with you about James Hardy his combination of size and speed is real nice.

[Nick]

Looks good to me. There's a conversation to be had about going Manningham over Hardy, but I think Manningham at that point is probably solid value as well. He improved upon his poor 40-time at his pro day.

[Fortuninerhater]

I like Gholston over Long as well, and the Rams need to figure out a way to get James Hardy to St. Louis.

[rams_fan81]

Looks good to me. There's a conversation to be had about going Manningham over Hardy, but I think Manningham at that point is probably solid value as well. He improved upon his poor 40-time at his pro day.

Really? what did he end up running at his pro day

[todd1]

Manningham ran a 4.38 to 4.42 (scout timimg differences) at his pro day.

[39thebeast]

Manningham was a stud on Saturdays, but looked terrible at the Combine. I can't believe he ran that slow, b/c all he did was run fly routes right past everyone in the Big 10. Maybe the Big 10 really is that slow??

Anyway, if the draft plays out like Wright says, I'd rather take James Hardy out of Indiana in round 2. He's bigger and timed faster than Manningham.

I'm also really pulling for Gholston over C. Long (can't teach athletic ability), but would not be too upset with C. Long.

Maningham timed faster first of all. Just Because you time faster doesn't mean you play faster on the field. Maningham plays much faster than Hardy.
Lets compare the 2

Stats:
Manningham 72 receptions 1,174 yards 12 touch downs
Hardy 79 receptions 1,125 yards 16 touchdowns

Speed: Mannigham
Size: Hardy
Playmaking ability: Manningham
Route running: tie
Character: Hardy
Durability: Hardy
Hands: Hardy
Leaping ability: Manningham
Better fit in Saunders system: Manningham

At first I was all for Manningham then I did some more research and I'm starting to like Hardy more. Hardy looks like a Linny guy to me and Manningham looks like Saunders guy to me that should be a nice little war room battle if they are both available.

[rams_fan81]

I think things like playmaking ability are a little bit of a judgment call.