2008 NFL Draft Review: Picks 21-30

Written by Jimmy Boyd on May 28, 2008

Jimmy Boyd completes his first round draft notes as he examines picks 21-31 in this 2008 NFL Draft review exclusive.

Sam Baker, OT, Atlanta Falcons

Baker was a reach as the 21st overall selection, but the dirty birds didn’t have much of a choice with as thin as they are up front. However, giving up two second rounders to get him seems like too much.

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Taking Jones over Rashard Mendenhall could come back to haunt the Cowboys, especially if there reason was because he was already used to playing in the backup role. Cowboys fans will keep an eye on this one as Mendenhall is thought to be the better back on most every experts list.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers got the back they wanted here as the Cowboys may have let a great one get away. There has been much debate over who the second best back in the draft is after McFadden and names like Jonathan Stewart and Felix Jones have popped up along with Mendenhall. By bet is on Mendenhall and he inherits a good offensive line.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

Johnson is one of the fastest players in the draft, but he seems like a bad pick here for the sole purpose that Tennessee desperately needs receiving help. Plus, this is the third straight year they have gone after a running back in the first or second round. They didn’t address their receiver needs until the fourth round and it could haunt them in 2008.

Mike Jenkins, CB, Dallas Cowboys

Jenkins is Dallas’ insurance policy for Pacman Jones and I’d say he’s a damn good one. He can also return kicks.

Duane Brown, OT, Houston Texans

Houston grabbed a need player with the 26th pick, once again showing us that they aren’t afraid to put need over talent – a strategy which once left fans speechless for passing up Reggie Bush but now appears to have been the better move. The Texans were in a tough draft spot here and I think they showed their intelligence again.

Antoine Cason, CB, San Diego Chargers

The Chargers are stacked and didn’t really need much, but Cason definitely fills one of their needs in the secondary. He’ll take over for departed corner Drayton Florence. I think he has a chance to be a big play guy on a defense which puts so much heat on the QB.

Lawrence Jackson, DE, Seattle Seahawks

Jackson looks like a solid talent, but I can’t help but think of the USC lineman which have disappointed in recent years. Still, his quickness can’t be ignored. I really felt like Seattle should have considered going wideout with this pick as they could have had the pick of the litter.

Kentwan Balmer, DT, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are another team which desperately needed to address their wide receiver and linebacker situation but ignored it until the sixth and seventh rounds. Balmer is very athletic but very unpolished. I’m just not a big fan of taking first round projects.

Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets

This pick expresses the Jets concern of starting tight end Chris Baker not playing for them this season. Keller gives them a strong insurance policy with his ability to catch the ball down the middle of the field.

Kenny Phillips, FS, New York Giants

The Giants kept on winning with their draft day selections and Phillips got things started off nicely. They wanted more playmakers in the secondary to take advantage of the poor decisions that New York’s rush forces opposing QBs into, and I think they landed themselves one here.

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