Offensive tackle Jake Long was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. There wasn’t any suspense surrounding the top pick in 2008, as the Dolphins declared their intent to select Long weeks before the draft. Long agreed to a contract with the Dolphins four days before the 2008 NFL Draft began. Long earned Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season.

2008 NFL Draft Top Ten

Unrelated to Jake, the St. Louis Rams chose defensive end Chris Long out of Virginia with the second overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan went to the Atlanta Falcons at number three. The Oakland Raiders chose running back Darren McFadden fourth overall, while the Kansas City Chiefs took defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

  1. New York Jets – Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State)
  2. New Orleans Saints – Sedrick Ellis (DT, USC)
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida)
  4. Cincinnati Bengals – Keith Rivers (LB, USC)
  5. New England Patriots – Jerod Mayo (LB, Tennessee)

Several future Pro Bowlers were selected after the top 10 in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, including Ryan Clady, Branden Albert, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Aqib Talib, Chris Johnson, Mike Jenkins and Duane Brown.

Notes from the 2008 NFL Draft

A total of 252 players were selected in the 2008 NFL Draft, including a whopping 35 wide receivers. However, no wide receivers were taken in the first round. Meanwhile, 27 offensive tackles, defensive ends and linebackers were also taken in the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Patriots were forced to forfeit their first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft due to the “Spygate” scandal. The Pats kept the 10th overall pick because it was acquired in a trade with the Saints, but had to relinquish what would have been the 31st overall selection.

“Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2012 NFL Draft was David Vobora. The Idaho linebacker was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 252nd and final pick.

A handful of future Pro Bowlers went undrafted in 2008, including Dan Carpenter, Mike Tolbert, Clifton Smith and Marcel Reece.

Download: 2008 NFL Draft