Mendenhall would be a great value pick here (if available), same with Otah, giving a dynamic tandem at the OT positions with him and Levi Brown. Edge is way past his prime and a big upgrade is desperately needed, but it would be highly advised not to get too antsy and select the Felix Jones or Jonathan Stewerts of the world here, since there is still good possibility to draft that need later. Maybe they’ll go with a good second round back. But with the two best pass rushers off the board in Gholston and Harvey, there is almost no choice but to go CB with this pick.

Arizona never trades in the draft, but they have so many needs. If Harvey, Mendenhall, Otah, McKelvin, AND Rogers-Cromartie are gone, there might want to trade down and get anther pick to add to their first round CB. In a lot of ways this is Arizona’s situational nightmare, since they would be in heat if McKelvin or Roger-Cromartie were still available here. But with that said, the Arizona Cardinals selection with the 16th pick of the NFL draft is:

Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas

With the two best corners off the board, this pick can go between either him or Jenkins. Jenkins is a surefire starter now, but I’m not completely sold on his ability to be a ‘shutdown’ corner. Talib has potential, but just needs to be coached into being a bit more disciplined and better with his footwork and such. Jenkins is more NFL ready now, but I choose to go with the more potential here. Great corners need to be risk takers in order to be game changers, and I think Talib has the ability to be a game changer, or at least cementing a solid secondary… the only bright spot of the defense. Besides they are in a transitional period, so a year of Talib on-the-job training wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

And yes, I’m going against Evan Silva’s advice for Jenkins.

2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft

1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall