1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
A fairly safe choice and after that Ted Ginn thing last year, the 'Phins can't get too cute with the first pick. The best offensive player in the draft, Long will provide a few holes during runs and some clogs during the passing game. Yeah, basically the opposite of what the Dolphins' line provided last year. Guess I'm 1-for-1.
2. St. Louis Rams - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey will anchor the line and clog holes for years to come. Forgiving his injury history, he's most likely going to be the stud of the top 5.
3.Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Contemplated a trade with the Ravens and others and wanted to give the Falcons Chris Long and let the go for Brian Brohm or Joe Flacco in round two, but if no trades are appealing before the pick is due, a QB like Ryan is what the Falcons need they can go from there with trades.
4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Actually might be a stretch here because Fargas had a good year last year, but it might be too hard to pass up the best athlete in the draft. Run DMC and JaMarcus Russell could be quite the combination. Too bad they'd be wearing Oakland uniforms.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Chris Long, DE, Virginia
A dream come true for the Chiefs. Long is a great end for the 4-3 and they need to replace Jared Allen after that trade to the Vikings. If one of the top five offensive tackles are left at 17, the Chiefs may have had one of the luckiest first rounds ever.
6. New York Jets - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
The line-heavy draft continues as the Jets draft Ellis at the six spot. Sensible pick here, even if he is short and may be done growing. At 6' 1'' and around 300, he seems big enough now to be done growing.
7. New England Patriots (From San Francisco 49ers) - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Gholston will add more depth to the Pats' linebacking corps. Scary, I know. But with the current backers not getting any younger, Gholston will fill in nicely as an OLB or a DE because he played both in college. Versatility always sits well with Bill Belichick.
8. Baltimore Ravens - Branden Albert, OT, Virginia
With Ryan and Gholston gone, Baltimore should look to improve the offensive line. Corner is also an option, but it might be a little too high for a corner with the eight spot.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Kieth Rivers, LB, USC
The Bengals need defensive help and with their two previous first round picks going to the corner back slot, the Bengals should draft Rivers with the ninth slot because he's probably the best defensive talent projected to go in the middle of round one.
10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
The Saints still need defensive secondary help even after signing Aaron Glenn.
11. Buffalo Bills - Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
With McKelvin gone, the Bills probably face the Thomas/Cromartie-Rodgers debate, but pick up the very sensible Devin Thomas at the 11 spot.
12. Denver Broncos - Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
With the loss of Rod Smith and Javon Walker, the Broncos need to fill in a spot in their receiver core. The signing of Darrell Jackson only replaces Walker, so to improve, picking Sweed seems sensible. Plus, Sweed may be the best WR out of the draft when it's all said and done.
13. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
With sacks being few and far between for the Panthers last season, Harvey seems a likely pick. Offensive line or running back could also be a possiblity for the Panthers.
14. Chicago Bears - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
The Bears need help on offense. You can't have offense without a line. Why not pick Otah?
15. Detroit Lions - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
The Lions need to protect Kitna if he wants to get his guaranteed 10 wins this season. Williams is one of the best pass blockers in the draft so he seems like a perfect fit for Detriot's offense.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Cromartie-Rodgers, CB, Tennessee State
The Cards need more defensive help and Rodgers-Cromartie is a top two corner in the draft. If he's half as good as his cousin Antonio..well, the Cards will be disappointed, but I think they could settle for three-quarters.
17. Kansas City Chiefs (From Minnesota Vikings) - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
The dream has come true. The Chiefs land Chris Long, who slipped to five, and Ryan Clady who fell to 17. And, no, I'm not a Chiefs fan. :P
18. Houston Texans - Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
The Texans need defensive help anywhere applicable and Merling is probably the best projected defensive talent left on the board.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
The first safety is off the board. Phillips can learn from the aging Brian Dawkins and make an impact early and often. The Eagles could use a wideout, but Philly rarely drafts wideouts this early. Linebacker could also be a position that the Eagles go for, but Phillips seems a nice fit at 19.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Bucs lost Kelly to Detroit and Ronde Barber isn't getting younger. Jenkins can help the horrific return game. The Bucs could also pick a wideout, but it's unlikely due to the flow of this draft.
21. Washington Redskins - Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
The 21st pick is going to be either an end, a la Campbell, or a wideout, possibly Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly or DeSean Jackson from Cal.
22. Dallas Cowboys (From Cleveland Browns) - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
I know it's pretty late for the second running back, but offensive line and defense could very well be the norm until Jerry Jones snatches Mendenhall to back Marion Barber.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Johnathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
He could very nicely complement Fast Willie Parker if he drops this far. The Steelers might look to the offensive line to replace Alan Faneca, but it's tough to let Stewart slip any further.
24. Tennessee Titans - Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
VY hooking up to Kelly could be a possibility since the Titans shouldn't pick a running back. They have a crop of young running backs already. Offensive lineman will be available later in the draft and Kelly can give VY some much needed help.
25. Atlanta Falcons (From Seattle Seahawks) - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
The Seahawks will trade down for some combination of the 34th, 37th, and/or other picks from the Falcons. With the 25th pick, the Falcons will select Mayo to strengthen the defense.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College
With the Jaguars tough mentality and two-back gameplan, Cherilus seems like a great, great pick if he falls to them.
27. San Diego Chargers - DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
Alongside LT and Gates, Jackson would add another home-run threat making the Charger offense dangerous to score any play of the game.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
With a running back taken at 22, the Cowboys should look to the defense. Talib could provide a safety valve if Pacman doesn't pan out, so it seems a good fit.
29. San Francisco 49ers (From Indianapolis Colts) - Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
If Connor can excell in the NFL, the Niners could be scary for a looong time. Patrick Willis and Dan Connor could anchor a fantastic linebacking corps.
30. Green Bay Packers - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Since Jones spent plenty of time sharing carries in college, he should be alright in the Packers group of backs. The Packers aren't in dire need of positions and if Jones does make it to the 30th pick, Cheeseheads should be jumping with joy.
31. New York Giants - James Hardy, WR, Indiana
After winning a Super Bowl ring, the Giants have flexibility and obviously few holes to fill. Another weapon for Eli could help the Giants return to a deep post-season run.
How many trades?
I say three and I included one. [Seattle/Atlanta at 25]
I hope I didn't forget anyone blatantly obvious. This took a while so it's possible, and likely, that I blanked on someone important.
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