This was the pick the Raiders needed to make. Not only does McFadden give the Raiders a credible running game, he takes a ton of pressure off second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who should improve by leaps and bounds.
If McFadden lives up to his talent level and Russell becomes a legitimate quarterback, the Raiders could become the most improved team in the league. McFadden is all about production. He ran for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns in three seasons at Arkansas.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","2. Glenn Dorsey","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL%20Draft%20pics/080417_Glenn_Dorsey.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Rob Carr", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "246", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
After sending Jared Allen to Minnesota the Chiefs had to do something to upgrade the pass rush. They did it by picking the LSU defensive tackle, one of the draft’s most genuine players. No player coming out this season played more consistently or harder.
In addition to his effort and strength, Dorsey has the quickness to defeat double teams.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","3. Matt Ryan","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/071007/071007_MattRyan_vmed_5p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Winslow Townson", "AP", "253", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
It takes guts to go for the gusto and that’s just what the Falcons and owner Arthur Blank did by taking the Boston College quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the draft. Nothing will help them put the Michael Vick era in the rear-view mirror quicker than drafting the No. 1 quarterback available.
While the critics will try to nit-pick Ryan and point out his imperfections – he’s not elusive and will also take chances by forcing his throws -- Ryan has a major-league arm. He has an excellent release and the power to drive the ball deep down the sidelines with confidence and accuracy. Ryan will have his growing pains, but he is the answer for the beleaguered Falcons.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","4. Rashard Mendenhall","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/071006/071006_mendenhall_vmed_1p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Seth Perlman", "AP", "197", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
The rest of the league may rue the day that they allowed Mendenhall to slip all the way to the Steelers with the 23rd overall pick. Mendenhall is the classic running back combination of power and speed that teams want. Mendenhall doesn’t have the long track record, but he was sensational in 2007, running for 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry at Illinois.
The exclamation point came in the Rose Bowl against USC’s stellar defense. Mendenhall ran away from the Trojans speedsters throughout the game and was a one-man wrecking crew for the overmatched Illini.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","5. Chris Johnson","","","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
Johnson was not featured in many mock drafts as a first-rounder, but it’s hard to keep scouts and coaches from dreaming about the East Carolina running back who world-class speed and can exploit any defensive mistake.
No player has ever run a faster combine time and he should be the perfect complement to punishing Titans power back LenDale White.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","6. Chris Long","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/apmegasports/200804241257466631033-pf.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Don Petersen", "AP", "268", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
The Rams’ defensive end play was miserable last year. The Virginia defensive end is an intelligent athlete with the bloodlines to dominate.
However, the big issue for Long is that expectations may be too high from the start because his father Howie was such an outstanding player. His skills in the mental game -- setting up offensive linemen for huge plays at key portions of the game -- should serve him well.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","7. Devin Thomas","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/apmegasports/200804241255465311012-pf.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Andy Manis", "AP", "273", "305", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
Simply put, the Redskins need fast receivers. There’s no way of knowing whether Jason Campbell is a legitimate quarterback until he has the right weapons. The Michigan State receiver has game-changing speed and can get open when need.
Thomas is still a work in progress and new Redskins coach Jim Zorn should be able to teach him a few things about setting up defensive backs.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","8. James Hardy","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/apmegasports/200804241243458350948-pf.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Darron Cummings", "AP", "298", "177", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
Lee Evans is great, but the Bills have been selling his talent short by not having a legitimate threat opposite him. Hardy did not get the accolades during his college career because he played at Indiana, but scouts saw a multi-talented receiver who has some Randy Moss-type qualities because of his size, speed and hands.
Look for Hardy to go over the top of the defense in clutch situations and to run by the fastest defensive backs when he catches it in stride. A second-round gem.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","9. Kenny Phillips","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070824/070824_phillips_hmed_9p.hsmall.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Marc Serota", "Getty Images", "273", "298", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
Miami coaches rave about the safety's talent, comparing him to former Miami great and future Hall of Famer Ed Reed. Phillips is a brilliant athlete who provides plenty of pop.
Phillips will help a strong Giants secondary because he has the hunger to become a star and the skills to back up his desire. He can play zone or man-to-man and can force mistakes with his ability to intimidate.";
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("","10. Sedrick Ellis","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Jervay%2C%20John/NFL/Draft%20Trades/080426_Sedrick-Ellis.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Jeff Golden", "Getty Images", "293", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_2008_Draft_impact[i-1].body = "
Much like Glenn Dorsey, Ellis plays hard and never stops. USC coach Pete Carroll has not always given his former stars his stamp of approval but he has raved about his defensive tackle, who plays with leverage and knows how to collapse the pocket and destroy the opposition.
The Saints were pitiful on defense last year, ranking 26th overall and dead last in yards allowed per pass play. The Saints believe Ellis has too much pride to allow that to happen two years in a row."; spt_2008_Draft_impact[i++] = new Array("spt_080426_NFL_Draft_star","Vote","","","","", "lv2", "", "", "", "left", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); // END editorial data