Madden Mock Draft picks 15-17
by 
We’ve reached the mid-point in the Madden Mock Draft with picks 15 through 17. The Lions and Cardinals are constant underachievers that could make a move towards contention and the Vikings actually overachieved last year but still have some major weaknesses. Who will they select for Madden that could help them the most?
#15 Detroit Lions – Jonathan Stewart – RB – Oregon
At running back the Lions cut Kevin Jones and now rely on Tatum Bell. While he isn’t a terrible Madden back he isn’t one that can control the game either. Jonathan Stewart has a combination of speed and power and is a good receiver out of the backfield. They could also have used an OT here with Jeff Otah still available. It came down to choosing between the two of them and with Stewart being so dynamic his impact would be felt more in the game and he should have an iinitial rating around an 82.
#16 Arizona Cardinals – Mike Jenkins – CB – South Florida
The Cardinals are thin at corner after moving Antrel Rolle to safety and they could use a quick RB to split time with Edgerrin James. With Mendenhall and Stewart already gone the focus shifted to CB. There were two to choose from at this spot with Mike Jenkins and Aqib Talib. They will likely have around the same overall rating so there wouldn’t be a huge difference between the two. Jenkins has a slight speed advantage with Talib having a slight height advantage. Jenkins should have a high catch rating for a CB so he gets the nod.
#17 Minnesota Vikings – Jeff Otah – OT – Pittsburgh
The Vikings could use help in a couple places. They need a franchise QB, a pass rushing DE, and an OT. Considering the uncertainty of whether Bryant McKinnie will continue with the team after his off-the-field issues the best value here would be to take Jeff Otah. While there is a sleeper QB that could’ve been looked at he wouldn’t have been an upgrade for this year as Tavaris Jackson is relatively effective in the game. At DE a couple names could be discussed but Otah is the last of the top level OTs so grabbing him is the smart move.
Do you agree with selections 15-17? Look for the next update coming in a few days! You can check out all the picks in the mock draft by visiting the tag page.
April 12, 2008 at 5:20 pm
good pics so far… the lions do need a productive back like stewart
April 12, 2008 at 5:31 pm
As a Madden player and Vikings fan, I still think both with the way T-Jack is rated in game and how he plays on the field that it would be best to take a QB in Madden and in real life. As far as of right now, McKinnie is still on the team and just facing suspension for a few games, and Ryan “I should have been a” Cook is actually playing pretty well. I’d go with a DE or Qb in the game and in real life. At least in the game the QB or DE would progress better in a franchise.
April 12, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Finally – nice to see I’m not the only one concerned with McKinnie’s status. As a Vikings fan, I think OT is critical right now. McKinnie may actually be facing jail time. This is a problem. Also, the Vikings haven’t put forth effort to extend Birk’s contract. Which is a problem – and foolish. By drafting a top OT when there are a number of solid ones this year, it provides a solid replacement – either for McKinnie if he goes MIA or for Cook when he shifts to starting Center.
April 12, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Good picks pasta keep up the good work
April 12, 2008 at 8:53 pm
As a Vikings Fan I think they will probably go DE with Udeze going on IR probably and no one else at DE will be above an 80 theyll probably go with either Harvey Merling or Campbell here who will all start around 80-81 although for madden someone like DeSean Jackson would help with the Return game and a good 3 or 4th WR or Limas Sweed because other than Berrian no other WR will be above an 80 i dont see a QB going to them till the 2nd or 3rd rd and at OT its solid even though mckinnie situation is still up in the air
April 12, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Yea, the Vikings need the o-line to help protect a young QB in Tavaris Jackson who is still learning the NFL. The Lions need a prayer from God to help them with all their woes.
April 12, 2008 at 9:51 pm
The Vikings will not be taking OT with there first pick. More then likely there take the DE from Clemson or trade out the 17th spot.
April 13, 2008 at 7:16 am
#15 Lions – I agree on Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
#16 Cardinals – Agree on CB.
The Cards do need a CB.
I have it basically a toss-up between the top four or five CBs, so it could easily be Antoine Cason, Arizona; Aquib Talib, Kansas; Cromartie [I have gone], Jenkins [I have gone] and Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy.
So of the two I have left, I go with McKelvin. The 4.38 speed of McKelvin will put a very good Madden SPD rating on the field.
#17 Vikings – Disagree on OT.
The Vikes also need a pass rusher more, IMO, and I think Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson makes more of a team impact in Madden.
April 13, 2008 at 10:18 am
there will be no dominique rodgers-cromartie because there are no division II schools in ncaa 08
April 13, 2008 at 3:26 pm
i feel bad for kevin jones though
he had a great rookie year and then hes been injured
then he came back and did alright… and now hes gone
April 13, 2008 at 9:28 pm
As a viking fan…
April 14, 2008 at 9:26 am
IDK about these 3 picks, i mean they make sense and all but I got the Lions taking Rashard Mendenhall, the Cardinals take Aqib Talib and the Vikings take Derrick Harvey from Florida!!
April 14, 2008 at 2:38 pm
The great thing about this series, Pasta… is that i’ll recognize some of these names come draft day. Thank you. I haven’t followed college ball in a while. And apparently I missed something. What did McKinnie do that he might go to jail?
April 14, 2008 at 4:28 pm
[quote comment="17564"]The great thing about this series, Pasta… is that i’ll recognize some of these names come draft day. Thank you. I haven’t followed college ball in a while. And apparently I missed something. What did McKinnie do that he might go to jail?[/quote]
Cool I’m glad to hear that. Its even fun for me because I’m learning more as I look into things also.
Here is a decent recap of McKinnie’s situation: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/17/vikings-bryant-mckinnie-pleads-not-guilty-suspension-looming-f/
April 15, 2008 at 5:17 pm
The lions don’t Need a back.They need a corner.They Gonna Get Aqib Talib and The cardinals is gonna get Stewart