Sweed Gone; What Will Skins Do?

April 4, 2008 at 10:18 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stole Limas Sweed away from the Washington Redskins, who are on the clock now in our ongoing Quick Hits 2008 NFL Mock Draft. What will Dan Snyder and Jim Zorn do now that their large WR is gone? Check it out and more as our mock continues.

21. “The Washington Redskins Select…” Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson - There are almost no certainties on draft day, we all know that. So, when experts do mock drafts, why do they make so much sense? The Skins grabbing Merling, who many believe is the best pass rusher in this draft, makes a whole lot of sense as a back-up plan. When Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed are off the board, Washington addresses their line. They’re old on the ends folks, and Merling gives them a force to be reckoned with. Another possibility for Merling is that he gets snagged number 17 overall by the Vikings, who need help there with Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James recovering from health issues.

22. “The Dallas Cowboys Select…” Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas - Some mockers have Jones now going as high as 16th to Arizona, but we still have “Jerra” grabbing him at 22. He’s a perfect fit for what a Cowboys need - a high profile back-up to Marion Barber. MB3 is still the guy, no doubt, but Jones will have intriguing dynasty value as Barber gets worn down over the next two years.

23. “The Pittsburgh Steelers Select…” Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida - Most folks are predicting an o-lineman or a d-lineman here, but we like Mike Tomlin to grab a corner. The former d-backs coach knows you can never have enough cornerbacks, and behind Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend there isn’t much these days. Jenkins could go as high as 15th to Detroit, but the Lions aren’t that smart. Tomlin will get the steal of the first round here.

24. “The Tennessee Titans Select…” DeSean Jackson, WR, California - Will there be four WRs taken in the first round of this year’s draft? Probably not, but Tennessee needs one. This pick could also be North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer, but that wouldn’t really be fun to talk about from a fantasy perspective. The Titans NEED a WR. They’ve put it off for WAY too long, and Justin McCareins, Justin Gage and Roydell FREAKING Williams are not the answer. Jackson gives Tennessee speed on the outside to stretch the field, which is important to new (old) OC Mike Heimerdinger. He’ll also add a lot to special teams in the return game. If Jackson goes here, he’s definitely someone to watch from a fantasy perspective in year one. A Santana Moss/Lee Evans type, if you will.

25. “The Seattle Seahawks Select…” Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue - Those of you that know us, know that we don’t like the name “Dustin.” But this guy is the perfect fit for Seattle. Marcus Pollard is OLD, and the West Coast system needs a TE who can haul in the rock. He finds seams in zone coverage very nicely, and is athletic - a poor man’s Kellen Winslow. In most years, Keller would be an early second rounder, but Seattle will reach here because of need, and because all of the main CBs are off the board. USC’s Fred Davis is experiencing a serious drop in stock, and could last until the early third round.