Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 36-40

Your Who Dat Say contributors will roll out the first 40 picks in the NFL draft as we believe it will unfold at Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 26th. We will post 5 picks/day, concluding with the Saints 2nd round pick (#40 overall). Our Mock Draft Champion will be the contributor who gets the most picks right. In the event of a tie, the ugliest contributor loses – this does not bode well for "The Dowg." As always, we invite you to toast any pick you love or roast any pick you hate. Let the games begin.

Round 1 (picks 1-5): Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 1-5
Round 1 (picks 6-10): Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 6-10
Round 1 (picks 11-15): Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 11-15
Round 1 (picks 16-20): Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 16-20
Round 1 (picks 21-25): Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 21-25
Round 1 (picks 26-30): Mocking It Up: WhoDatSay's Mock Draft, Picks 26-30

Round 2 (picks 36-40):

36. New York Jets (Vern's pick) -- Dan Conner, LB Penn State. Eric Mangini knows that to contend with the Patriots he must be able to shut down Tom Brady and the Pat's high-octane offense. Gholston was nabbed in round 1 to affect the quarterback and now Mangini gets a guy who he hopes can fill the hole vacated by Jonathan Vilma. Dan Conner (6'3", 231lbs.) should be up for the task. Just a few weeks ago, he was considered the top middle LB in the draft and many teams probably still think he is. The Jets get a great value in Conner and exit the first two rounds with two players they will immediately press in to starting roles.

37. Atlanta Falcons (Duncan Donuts' pick) -- Dre More, DT Maryland. Atlanta lost their starting QB to the slammer, traded away their best defender to Oakland, cut their pro bowl tight end, and their group of receivers couldn't start at LSU. Excellent management Mr. Blank. I respect you as founder and former CEO of Home Depot, but you need to stop bringing your business skills into the NFL...it's not working. But back to the draft. Drafting Matt Ryan and Brandon Flowers with the first 2 picks is a huge step in the right direction. Because Atlanta's defense was so poor this past year, they will use this 2nd round pick and draft Dre Moore, DT from Maryland. He could have easily been a 1st round pick if not for so much depth in this year' draft. He's a day 1 starter and a must get after letting Rod Coleman go.

38. Baltimore Ravens (Section123Saintsfan's pick) -- Antoine Cason, CB Arizona. Both Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are solid starting cornerbacks in the NFL but turn 31 and 32 respectively this year. Both were sidelined with injuries at some point in the 2007 season as well. No other corner on this team is worthy of starting...ever. Can you even name another corner on this team? A future franchise shutdown corner needs to be drafted with this pick in order to play nickel as a rookie and to be groomed as a future No. 1 corner. Another needs to be drafted to play dime as a rookie and to be groomed as a future No. 2. That said, with this pick, the Ravens will select Antoine Cason from Arizona. He's simply way too valuable to pass up here. A starter since his freshman year at Arizona, Cason is very instinctive and has unbelievable quickness and agility. He is a good athlete, plays with great awareness, and can contribute as a return man.

39. San Fransisco 49ers (Buddon's pick) – James Hardy, WR Indiana. San Francisco has not had a viable weapon at wide receiver since T.O., and Alex Smith's ineptitude doesn't help the situation. Last year's free agent acquisition, Darrell Jackson, did not work out; nor do I see ancient Isaac Bruce as a long-term answer. Enter 6'5-3/8" James Hardy, who will go down, in addition to Vernon Davis, as the latest talented kid to see his career plop in the toilet due to the play of Alex Smith.

40. New Orleans Saints (The Dowg's pick) – Pat Sims, DT Auburn. Who Dat Nation undoubtedly knows the importance of these first two picks for its Black and Gold. If Coach Payton and Co. choose wisely, it could be the catalyst for another deep run in the playoffs. If not, well… I'll be friggin pissed. There are a million scenarios being tossed around, and it's hard to know what will transpire on Saturday. My criteria is simple: If we come out of rounds 1 and 2 with probable starters at defensive tackle and cornerback (be it through a trade or the draft), I will be more than content. Considering that we drafted a corner in round 1, we should go defensive tackle here. I think we go with Pat Sims. Scouts love his upside, but question his attitude and desire. That would have been a concern last year, but we have Ed Orgeron, baby. Coach O could get Dirk Nowitzki to toughen up and quit whining every time David West touched him. Moreover, luckily for the Saints, Sims played defensive tackle for Auburn and not d-line against them. If he had played defensive line against Auburn, a knee injury is sure to have ended his career, or at the least hurt his draft status. Nonetheless, the six-foot-four, 315 pound beast remains unclipped. So Sims it is. I can hear Coach O yaw-yawin from here!