Post from: Expert Fantasy

The Falcons have the third pick in the 2008 NFL draft and have plenty of directions they can go with the pick. However, the Falcons already made noise this offseason by signing Michael Turner. Turner, who many league experts think was the best running back on the open market, was signed to become the team’s new starting running back. After beginning his career with the San Diego Chargers behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner will try to prove he’s an every-down back with Atlanta.

Since the Falcons now have Turner and returning running back Jerious Norwood under contract, chances are the Falcons won’t look to draft a running back with the third pick of the draft. That means Darren McFadden will almost positively not be their pick.

Although they have good options at running back, quarterback still remains a big weakness for the Falcons. Last season, the Falcons lost both Vick and his backup (Matt Schaub). After trying various players at the quarterback position in 2007, the Falcons currently have Chris Redman and Joey Harrington signed. While both of those players are decent backup quarterbacks, the Falcons desperately need a franchise quarterback.

With that in mind, Matt Ryan is the obvious choice for the Falcons with the third overall pick. Ryan, the number one rated quarterback in the 2008 NFL draft, has played well in front of scouts and most experts expect him to go in the top ten. If Ryan is on the board, he’d be a very nice pick for the Falcons. If Ryan isn’t on the board, defensive players Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey would make sense.

Check out this Matt Ryan video:

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2. Martin Rucker, Missouri
Rucker isn’t very big nor is he very fast but he’s a very solid football player. He’s the type of player who can come up with the big catch when it’s needed most. He’ll need to get stronger to truly flourish in the NFL, though.

3. John Carlson, Notre Dame
Notre Dame had a disastrous season last year, Carlson was one of the few bright spots. He’s a very heady tight end with good athleticism who would be a safe pick in the draft. His stock could rise depending on his combine results.

4. Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
Bennett has great size at over 6-foot-7 and 252 pounds. His combination of size and athleticism gives him the chance to be as good as anyone on this list. Keep an eye on him as he could start climbing the draft charts.

5. Jermichael Finley, Texas
Finley has a huge amount of talent but was mysteriously underutilized at the University of Texas. Perhaps some of that was his fault but the offense didn’t seem geared to getting him the ball. However, some team in the NFL will take a chance on him.

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1) Darren McFadden, Arkansas
McFadden is a multi-talented running back weapon who should be a top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Look for him to be a top five pick and start rather quickly into his rookie season. After an explosive season by Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, McFadden’s stock should be extremely high in fantasy football going into next year.

2) Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
The drop from McFadden to Stewart is a pretty far drop, however Stewart is a solid back. He’s strong and should be a goal line threat beginning in his rookie season. Expect him to be drafted somewhere between 15 and 25.

Jonathan Stewart/Oregon Duck Football 2007

3) Felix Jones, Arkansas
The other Arkansas back in the draft, Jones is no slouch himself. He might also be drafted in the first round and depending on where he lands, he may see a lot of action in his rookie year.

4) Steve Slaton, West Virginia
Slaton entered the season as a possible top ten draft pick. He didn’t have a hugely successful senior season but it was successful enough that he should be drafted at some point in the first day. With good workouts, he could jump back into the end of the first round.

5) Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Mendenhall isn’t a well known player but he’s a player whose stock has risen rather fast this season. Some scouts have him as a top three running back in the draft. Keep an eye on him as he might shoot up draft boards as the draft nears.

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Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are locked into the first spot of the draft and Bill Parcells is now calling the shots in Miami. With Parcells at the helm, the Dolphins will probably go ahead and select the best football player in the draft. As of now, that player appears to be LSU’s Glenn Dorsey. A defensive tackle, Dorsey has a shot to be a dominant defensive player on the NFL level.

St. Louis Rams
After a horrendous 2007 season, the Rams earned the second overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. The Rams can look at their offensive line as the area of their team that needs the most work. With that in mind, expect the Rams to draft an offensive lineman such as Jake Long out of Michigan. With an improved offensive line, the Rams can quickly return to playoff contention.

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons, Raiders and Chiefs all have uncertain spots in the draft. Coin flips will decide who drafts third, fourth and fifth. No matter which spot the Falcons fall into, expect the team to go with the biggest name on the board. With Michael Vick gone, the Falcons need a player who will attract fans to their games. Darren McFadden will do just that. A future backfield of McFadden and Jerious Norwood could be a powerful combination in the future that will bring fans to the seats.

Darren McFadden Mix …

Oakland Raiders
The Raiders used to be a team to be reckoned with. Perhaps what the team needs to do is reach back to its past. Chris Long, the son of Howie Long, is a great prospect at defensive end out of Virginia. The Raiders defense took a step backwards last year and could use Long’s skills to lead an improved pass rush in 2008

Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs really tried to make Brodie Croyle a quarterback this season. That experiment seems doomed to fail. If the Chiefs officially give up on Croyle, Matt Ryan out of Boston College is the hottest quarterback prospect in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Chiefs could strike gold in Ryan and have the a franchise quarterback to build around.

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