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"Value" is a buzzword often heard on draft day and beyond. Click to find out who were the best "value" picks were in each round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Round 1-23 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: Rated as the seventh player on our board, Mendenhall looks like a perennial Pro Bowler. The only legitimate criticisms are that he lacks experience in a Pro Style Offense and in the passing game. Mendenhall is the type of big back (225 pounds/26 bench reps at the Combine) and power runner that the Steel City will love. The Illinois product is a home run hitter as well, showing off his 4.45 speed in Indianapolis. Mendenhall is a complete back with cutback ability, burst, balance and power. He will make several teams regret passing on him and could challenge Darren McFadden as the most productive back from the Class of 2008.
 Photo Credit: OU Athletics Department
Round 3-74 – Carolina Panthers: Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.: Another player who dropped because of his lack of measurables, but the guy can play football. Connor will not be the first linebacker to overcome his physical deficiencies with his instincts and ability to read plays. The all-time leading tackler at Penn St. will make some scratch their heads as to why they passed him up. He is versatile enough to play inside or out, but with last year’s first round pick Jon Beason entrenched in the middle, expect Connor to bulk up and play on the outside. He will provide depth as a rookie and step into a starting role in year two for what should be a long and productive NFL career.
Round 4-112 – Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Collins, OT, Kansas: The first team All-Big 12 performer would have been wise to return for his senior campaign in Lawrence rather than throw his name into a deep and talented group of offensive tackles. He likely would have been a day one guy in ’09 if not a first round pick, which is what makes this such a valuable pick at this point in the draft. While he lacks ideal lateral quickness, Collins excelled as a pass blocker at KU. Don’t expect much in year one, but he has the upside to excel in the future.
Round 5-164 – New Orleans Saints: Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska: With only one season as a starter at Nebraska and some character issues, Nicks was expected to slide, but this former Cornhusker has day one talent. He possesses ideal size, can overpower defenders with the wingspan teams look for from their tacklers. He can move better than you might think and may be just scratching the surface of his potential. If he can stay out of trouble off the field and build on the progress he made as a senior, Nicks will be the steal of day two.
Round 6-176 – Miami Dolphins: Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo: The former Toledo Rocket improved throughout his four years as a collegian and showed that he is not just a product of his competition with his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds and showed good athleticism in the drills. But his value goes beyond his measurables--he is a patient runner who reads blocks well, taking what the defense gives him. Parmele will start training camp down on the depth chart but don’t be surprised if he cracks the starting lineup at some point in his rookie campaign. He is a Parcells kind of runner.
Round 7-220 – Denver Broncos: Josh Barrett, SS, Arizona St.: After lauding the skills and not the measurables of Malcolm Kelly and Dan Connor, we do an about face and go with a workout warrior in Arizona St. product Josh Barrett. The former Sun Devil checks in at 6’1” and 223 pounds with 4.35 speed—an amazing size and speed combination. His lack of production is a concern, but not in the seventh round—he is as a physically gifted as any safety in this draft and will contribute on special teams, making him well worth a selection in the final round.
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