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2008 ROUND 2

ROUND	TEAM	POSITION	COLLEGE

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TEAM	PICK	OVR PICK	PLAYER	POS	COLLEGE	TRADE NOTES
	1	32	*Phillip Merling	DE	Clemson
Draft Scout Says: Concerns about Merling's recovery from a sports hernia surgery dropped the talented ACC pass rusher out of the first round. With the first pick of the second round, however, the Dolphins added a big, physical defensive lineman that projects nicely outside to end in the 3-4 alignment.
	2	33	Donnie Avery	WR	Houston
Draft Scout Says: Someone could have made a lot of money in betting that Donnie Avery would end up being the first receiver taken in the 2008 draft. Avery lacks the big name of some of the other highly rated receivers, but his stock has been skyrocketing in recent weeks and he fills a clear need as a slot receiver and returner for the Rams.
	3	34	*Devin Thomas	WR	Michigan State	(From Falcons who acquired pick and 5th-round pick in 2009 draft from Raiders for CB DeAngelo Hall, March 21, 2008.)
Draft Scout Says: Once Jim Zorn was hired as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins, it was clear that the club would be adding taller receivers soon. The Redskins probably couldn't have anticipated that Devin Thomas would fall to this point, but in trading down, Washington played the board beautifully.
	4	35	*Brandon Flowers	CB	Virginia Tech
Draft Scout Says: With real needs at nearly every position, the Chiefs are in the enjoyable position of being able to take the best player available. With such a run on offensive tackles throughout the first round, the Chiefs shifted their focus to cornerback, adding Flowers, who is viewed by many as one of the toughest and most instinctive corners of the draft.
	5	36	Jordy Nelson	WR	Kansas State	(From Jets)
Draft Scout Says: Considering the young talent already on the roster, wide receiver is far from the Packers' greatest need. However, Jordy Nelson has been flying up draft boards all season long and ranked among the hottest prospects in the final weeks. A former walk-on strong safety, Nelson developed into an All-American receiver as a senior and impressed at the Senior Bowl and Combine.
	6	37	*Curtis Lofton	ILB	Oklahoma
Draft Scout Says: The Falcons may be a team in transition, but the players they're picking are the types of guys capable of building around. With their first two picks on the offensive side of the ball, middle linebacker Curtis Lofton steps in as a new face for the defense. Instinctive, physical, and athletic, Lofton should make an immediate impact.
	7	38	John Carlson	TE	Notre Dame	(From Ravens)
Draft Scout Says: The Seahawks hitched their wagon to the tired legs of Marcus Pollard at tight end last season to very marginal results. In aggressively trading up to get Carlson, the team adds the most NFL-ready tight end of the 2008 draft. What he lacks in upside, Carlson more than makes up for in consistency as a medium range target and inline blocker.
	8	39	*Chilo Rachal	OG	Southern Cal
Draft Scout Says: For all of the concern over wide receiver, the 49ers biggest concern remains their offensive line. In Chilo Rachal, the club added an ascending talent capable of filling in some of the holes along their front. Considering Rachal's physicality, Frank Gore may be the happiest 49er after this move.
	9	40	Tracy Porter	CB	Indiana
Draft Scout Says: Trading up to secure Sedrick Ellis did not - in itself - solve the Saints defensive problems. Adding an athlete with Tracy Porter's coverage skills, however, could go a long way in helping the Saints' defensive woes. Porter isn't as physical as scouts would prefer, but he has first round caliber agility and pure speed.
	10	41	*James Hardy	WR	Indiana
Draft Scout Says: An obvious area of need for the Bills was addressed with the selection of the 6-5, 217 pound Hardy to play opposite speedy playmaker Lee Evans. Hardy has rare athleticism for such a large receiver and has the strong hands and leaping ability to develop into one of the league's most productive red-zone targets.
	11	42	Eddie Royal	WR	Virginia Tech
Draft Scout Says: With concerns regarding Brandon Marshall and the depth behind him, the Broncos were expected to use an early pick on receiver. In adding Royal, the team addresses their concern over depth at the position, while also finally addressing their lack of a dynamic returner. Royal's stock has been on the upswing ever since a strong performance throughout Senior Bowl week.
	12	43	Tyrell Johnson	SS	Arkansas State	(From Eagles through Panthers)
Draft Scout Says: One of the fastest rising prospects over the last few weeks, Johnson was ranked by some clubs as the elite safety in the draft. A dominant player throughout his career at Arkansas State, Johnson was the most impressive safety in workouts, as well. Only questions about his level of competition pushed him this far down the board.
	13	44	Matt Forte'	RB	Tulane
Draft Scout Says: With concerns regarding the consistency and intensity from Cedric Benson, the Bears added a speed back in Garrett Wolfe last year. In adding a bigger back in Forte with this pick, clearly the pressure is on Benson to step up his production.
	14	45	Jordon Dizon	OLB	Colorado
Draft Scout Says: Last year the Lions surprised with the selection of Boise State safety Gerald Alexander. This year Jordon Dizon was the surprising Detroit pick of the second round. While he lacks the elite athleticism scouts are looking for, his production while at Colorado shows his ability. A few years ago NFLDraftScout.com was among the few to characterize Seattle's drafting of Lofa Tatupu as a strong pick. Dizon, like Tatupu lacks the size/speed numbers, but he ranks among the draft's most instinctive defenders and reliable open-field tacklers.
	15	46	Jerome Simpson	CB	Coastal Carolina
Draft Scout Says: Jerome Simpson might have been the first player even hardcore draft fans were left looking up their notes on NFLDraftScout.com. In reality, Simpson has been viewed among the elite receiver prospects throughout the year. Considering the bizarre saga with Chad Johnson, receiver was an area of prime need for the Bengals.
	16	47	Trevor Laws	DT	Notre Dame	(From Vikings)
Draft Scout Says: There isn't a team in the league that rebuilds along the lines like Philadelphia. Like every team in the league, the Eagles are always looking to add talented defensive tackles and Laws is certainly among 2008's best. What Laws lacks in size, he makes up for in strength, quickness, and tenacity.
	17	48	Fred Davis	TE	Southern Cal	(From Falcons who acquired pick and 1st- and 2nd-round picks in 2007 draft from Texans for QB Matt Schaub and 1st-round pick in 2007 draft, March 22, 2007.)
Draft Scout Says: Chris Cooley doesn't have to look over his shoulder with the selection of Fred Davis, but for Jim Zorn's offense to work effectively, more traditional tight ends were needed. Davis, the Mackey Award winner, has the athleticism to move around, while also holding up at the point of attack as a run blocker.
	18	49	*DeSean Jackson	WR	California
Draft Scout Says: It took a round later than expected, but Philadelphia added the dynamic receiver and returner they've needed throughout Donovan McNabb's entire career. Jackson, blessed with great timed speed and remarkable agility is one of the few receivers capable of making an immediate impact.
	19	50	*Calais Campbell	DE	Miami
Draft Scout Says: If teams focused their film study of Calais Campbell on his sophomore season, he may have been a top 20 selection. In struggling with consistency throughout last season, however, the 6-8, 290 pound Campbell fell into Arizona's lap here. With his talent and size, the Cardinals could be the ones with the last laugh.
	20	51	*Malcolm Kelly	WR	Oklahoma
Draft Scout Says: If there was any doubt as to how serious the Redskins were in adding size and athleticism to their receiving corps, the questions were answered throughout the second round. Kelly's stock dropped after poor Pro Day workouts and due to concerns about a lingering knee injury. At this point in the draft, however, Kelly was excellent value for the Redskins.
	21	52	Quentin Groves	OLB	Auburn	(From Bucs)
Draft Scout Says: Jacksonville entered the draft needing a speed rusher. After aggressively moving up to get Derrick Harvey in the first round, the team went to the well again, securing another speedy SEC pass rusher in Groves. There isn't a team in the league that made a greater improvement in their pass rush than the Jaguars via the first day of the draft.
	22	53	Limas Sweed	WR	Texas
Draft Scout Says: Big Ben lobbied for a red-zone target and got one with the Steelers drafting receiver Limas Sweed in the second round. Possessing first round caliber athleticism, Sweed dropped down the board due to concerns about his consistency while at Texas and a wrist injury that marred his senior season. At this point, however, Sweed provided excellent value.
	23	54	Jason Jones	DE	Eastern Michigan
Draft Scout Says: The free agent losses of defensive ends Travis LaBoy and Antwan Odom made pass rusher an area of huge need for the Titans. Jones, a versatile defender capable of helping at end and tackle, helped himself with a solid performance against the nation's elite at the Senior Bowl.
	24	55	*Ray Rice	RB	Rutgers	(From Seahawks)
Draft Scout Says: The John Harbaugh stamp on the Baltimore Ravens was felt through the first two rounds of the 2008 draft as the skill position players for which the team will be built around were added. Rice, while undersized, is among the draft's most physical backs and is very similar to Jacksonville star, Maurice Jones-Drew.
	25	56	Brian Brohm	QB	Louisville	(Packers acquired pick from Browns for DT Corey Williams, March 1, 2008.)
Draft Scout Says: The Packers addressed their need for a backup quarterback with the selection of Brohm in the late second round. Like the player he'll be backing up -- Aaron Rodgers -- Brohm dropped significantly lower than projected. In Green Bay's version of the West Coast Offense, however, Brohm's ability to read defenses and accurately distribute the football makes him a nice fit.
	26	57	Chad Henne	QB	Michigan	(Dolphins acquired pick from Chargers for WR Chris Chambers, October 16, 2007.)
Draft Scout Says: It came a round later than projected, but the Dolphins finally added some competition for John Beck with Chad Henne in the late second round. Some have knocked his composure in the pocket, but Henne is the draft's most talented pure passer. Henne also is the gutty leader Parcells has preferred throughout his career.
	27	58	Dexter Jackson	WR	Appalachian State	(From Jaguars)
Draft Scout Says: Considering that 36 year old Joey Galloway provided the only downfield threat for the Bucs over the past several years, the need was there for a dynamic receiver. In Dexter Jackson, Tampa Bay added a player with a history of stepping up his level of play each time he was challenged -- whether in the upset victory over Michigan, at the Shrine Game, the Senior Bowl, or the Combine, Jackson proved he deserved to be ranked among the elite receivers.
	28	59	Mike Pollak	C	Arizona State
Draft Scout Says: The run on offensive linemen was predominately reserved to the offensive tackles, but it is indicative of just how talented this year's offensive line prospects were with the Colts using their first and only pick of the draft's top two rounds on an offensive lineman. Pollak entered the year as a late round pick, at best, but improved his stock all season long, solidifying his status as the top pivot with a strong week at the Senior Bowl.
	29	60	Patrick Lee	CB	Auburn
Draft Scout Says: The Packers were expected to address their lack of depth behind aging starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson early and with rising cornerback Patrick Lee, they did so. Lee only emerged as a starter as a senior, but he showed enough in his one season that teams are quite high on his upside. Coming into a situation like Green Bay, where he'll likely be able to sit and learn early, should pay huge dividends in Lee's development.
	30	61	*Martellus Bennett	TE	Texas A&M
Draft Scout Says: In trading Anthony Fasano to Miami, the Cowboys suddenly found themselves with a hole at the position. Possessing the best combination of size, athleticism, and strength, Martellus Bennett has unique upside among this year's tight end class. Certainly Jason Witten has nothing to worry about as the starter, but in Bennett, the Cowboys have an exciting developmental talent.
	31	62	Terrence Wheatley	CB	Colorado
Draft Scout Says: The Patriots love speedy, physical defensive backs and in former Colorado corner Terrence Wheatley, they've found another one. Blessed with rare speed and toughness, Wheatley has been able to overcome his lack of prototype size to play well in the Big XII as both a corner and kick returner.
	32	63	Terrell Thomas	CB	Southern Cal
Draft Scout Says: The Giants were able to use their rotation along the defensive line to mask a questionable secondary. The selection of the versatile Thomas -- who has experience at both cornerback and safety -- gives the team a second athletic defensive back from the first day of the draft.