1.   Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
The Dolphins signed Jake Long to a 5 year, $57.75 million contract.

2.  St. Louis Rams – Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Well, I always thought this pick would be a Long, just dependent on which one the Dolphins chose to select.  With Jake Long officially a Dolphin, the Rams will take Chris hoping he can be the pass rusher they have craved.  By taking Long over Glenn Dorsey, the Rams will keep last year's top pick, Adam Carriker in the middle of the line alongside last year's 5th round pick Clifton Ryan.  With the addition of Long, this line has a lot of potential and suddenly much improved.  Most importantly though with Jake Long going to Miami, the Rams now are praying that Orlando Pace can stay healthy. 

3.  Atlanta Falcons – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
This pick should have Matt Ryan's name all over it, but with the likeliness of Brian Brohm, Joe Flacco, or Chad Henne sitting atop round two, the Falcons can instead get the big and athletic Dorsey, who many draft experts consider the top prospect in the draft.  Atlanta owns three 2nd round picks and could easily move back in the 2nd round to get its quarterback if it so wishes.  Dorsey is too good to pass up.  The Falcons have signed some free agent DTs this offseason, but far from starting/big name material.  As long as Dorsey has fully recovered from his injury, I think this pick makes better sense than drafting Ryan.  Ryan is a solid quarterback, but many scouts believe really has yet to differentiate himself from the other quarterbacks in the draft.  Dorsey is the top DT in years.  The Falcons may swape picks with the Rams just to secure Dorsey.

4.  Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
The Raiders need help on their defensive line and with Gholston and Ellis still on the board it is tempting, but the Raiders love playmakers and are probably salivating the idea of JaMarcus Russel and McFadden in the backfield together.  If Javon Walker is healthy, the Raiders have pretty good offensive weapon playmakers.  With the Raiders' depth at RB it is far from a need pick, but Al Davis loves playmakers. 

 
5.  Kansas City Chiefs – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
ThIs pick came down between Ellis and Vernon Gholston.  Even though the Chiefs traded DE Jared Allen, Ellis can make havoc in the interior aiding the ends.  Gholston also looks more of an ideal fit for a 3-4 defense.  The Chiefs would love to trade this pick and move down and select an offensive lineman.  The Saints could be a trading partner, with the Saints in need of a DT.  OT Jammal Brown was offered to the Falcons, a similar offer may persuade the Chiefs to take the trade.

6.  New York Jets – Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The Jets seem to be expecting to take either Gholston or McFadden, whichever one falls to them at #6.  With Gholston falling in their laps they make the easy choice.  Matt Ryan is the darkhorse at this pick.  Thomas Jones and McFadden, along with the special back in Leon Washington will make for a nice running game. 

7.  New England Patriots (from SF) – Branden Albert, G/OT, Virginia
Asante Samuel is now filthy rich in Philadelphia and with that cornerback is one of a few positions where the Pats could possibly have a need to fill.  However, with the depth at cornerback and the Pats now infamous for not giving big paydays to cornerback, I believe the Pats go with plan B if Vernon Gholston is unavailable and take Albert.  I have had Derrick Harvey at this place for sometime, but it just seems to be the case for the Patriots to take an OL, if its Albert or Clady.  The Patriots line struggled in the Super Bowl,, and the Patriots know they need to fix that up and why not get the versatile Albert who can play guard or tackle.  Also, Bill Belichick and Al Groh (Virginia's coach) have worked numerous years together under Bill Parcells.  I figure those two have talked to each otherr.

8.  Baltimore Ravens – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
If Ryan was on the board this would be a no brainer.  The Ravens may actually move up to make sure they get Ryan.  OT Ryan Clady and CB Leodis McKelvin are other options.

 
9.  Cincinnati Bengals – Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
I have had Sedrick Ellis here forever, but after looking at all the scenerios (even expecting the Saints to jump the Bengals), Ellis going to Cincy looks like a longshot.  IWith the signing of Antwan Odom, DE is no longer a need, and if Ellis is off the board, look for the Bengals to take OLB Keith Rivers. The Bengals lost FA Landon Johnson to the Panthers, and Rivers has no character issues, something the Bengals look at now.


10. New Orleans Saints – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
The Saints would love to get Sedrick Ellis and may also be interested in Keith Rivers, but with both off they pursues their biggest weakness last season: the CB position.  The Saints did sign free agent Randall Gay and gave Jason David a big contract a year ago.  But valuewise, McKelvin makes sense.

11.  Buffalo Bills – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
The Bills seemed to be in love with Malcolm Kelly, but that love affair kind of ended when Kelly ran that 40 on April 9.  Devin Thomas has surged the past few months to become the top rated receiver in the draft, but 11 may be too high for him. I actually expect the Bills to trade down and still get Thomas.  I know Detroit wants Derrick Harvey and may need to jump over Carolina to draft him, while Thomas should still be there at 15.

12.  Denver Broncos – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
With the retirement of Matt Lepsis, the left tackle position now seems vulnerable, and with Ryan Clady still on the board, this pick makes sense.  At 6-6, 320 lbs, Clady is the ideal LT, and actually has a higher ceiling than Jake Long.  Jake Long is more NFL ready, but I see Clady as having the better NFL career down the road.  The Broncos do have last year's 3rd round pick Ryan Harris and also Chris Kuper may switch to LT, but valuewise Clady is too good to pass up.  Branden Albert is a possibility if he is available.

 
13.  Carolina Panthers – Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
Tackle is an option if the Panthers do move Travelle Wharton to guard, but it seems the Panthers really like Derrick Harvey.  DE Mike Rucker coincidentally retired tordy.  Harvey and Julius Peppers would make for an amazing end combination. 


14.  Chicago Bears – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Grossman is out of Chicago, actually he just signed a one year deal.  But, I don’t see the Bears wanting to draft another first round quarterback. I think the Bears will focus on protecting that quarterback, and the massive Otah (6-6, 315) is a great way to do that.  Local favorite Rashard Mendenhall is tempting, but with depth at RB in the draft, and past failures drafting a RB in the first round have the Bears bypassing Mendenhall.

15.  Detroit Lions – Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee
I have been swaying this pick between Mendenhall and Jerod Mayo.  Rod Marinelli believes Mayo could be the perfect MLB for his Tampa 2 defense, something he has missed in Detroit, and even though he could be a reach, the depth at RB in this draft allows them to take the LB and get a RB in the 2nd round.  If a player fits yours scheme and he fills a need you cannot go wrong. 

16.  Arizona Cardinals ­– Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Edgerrin James' best years behind him, Mendenhall seems to be the logical choice.  With this pick, the Cards create a nasty running backfield.  Antrel Rolle is making the switch to safety so a CB like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie makes sense, but Mendenhall falling to 16 is great value.  

17.  Kansas City Chiefs – Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
If Jeff Otah or Chris Williams is here and I assume the Chiefs pass on an OT with their first pick, than this pick is pretty easy.  The Chiefs have been a huge fan of Otah and getting him at 17 is amazing value assuming they were interested taking him at 5. 

18.  Houston Texans – Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
I assume the Texans will be targeting OT or RB.  With the top tackles off the board, and Jonathan Stewart falling their laps its too perfect of a situation.  I actually liked that the Texans signed Chris Brown, it gives Stewart more time to recover from his injury.

19.  Philadelphia Eagles – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
The Eagles are very close to trading Lito Sheppard, making at least a nickelback a need. Sheldon Brown actually could move to safety, but DRC at 19 is a steal, and probably the cornerback with the highest ceiling.  If Devin Thomas fell here he would be temped along with either tackles, Otah or Williams.

20.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Joey Galloway seems to have found the fountain of youth and never ages, but the Buccaneers lack a young playmaker on the other side and eventually become the #1.  Michael Clayton was suppose to be that guy, but the only thing good about Michael Clayton lately has been the movie.  However, with Ronde Barber getting close to joining his brother in the studio and Brian Kelly departing for Detroit and the chance to draft a player of Jenkins' caliber at #20 makes this pick too good to pass up.  The Bucs can find a solid receiver in the second round, especially with Malcolm Kelly and Mario Manningham both dropping.  The Buccaneers may be getting Lito Sheppard in a trade, but for now Jenkins is best value, and even with Sheppard, Jenkins would be needed because Ronde Barber isn't getting any younger.

21.  Washington Redskins ­– Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Defensive end is the major weakness on this team, and Merling is last as the sure thing first round DEs.  The Skins would be tempted with Limas Sweed, the tall receiver they crave, but they seem to like Jordy Nelson and could get him in the 2nd round.  

22.  Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Jerry Jones is going to make sure that he gets one of the Arkansas Razorback before the first round is finished.   Jones would be a similar role in Dallas as he was in Arkansas where he will be the change of pace running back for Marion Barber.  With the Titans and Chargers interested in a RB, the Cowboys have to take Jones with this pick.

23.  Pittsburgh Steelers – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Offensive line seems to be the gameplan for the Steelers in this drat, and with Cherilus who looks to be a right tackle in the NFL, on the board, I think he is best choice.  Max Starks has the transistion tag, Marvel Smith will probably be a free agent next year, so the Steelers need to add depth on the o-line.  Cherilus, also hails from Offensive line U, Boston College, so you know he is going to be good.  If Cherilus is gone look at Kentwan Balmer who can play end in the Steelers' 3-4.

24.  Tennessee Titans – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Vince Young has had a great start to a very promising career.  Amazing he has done this with very little help and talent from his wide receivers.  It s not like Justin Gage and Roydell Williams scared many defenses last season.  The Titans did get a "major" pickup in former Titan Justin McCareins, but he was released by the Jets, who actually needed a #3 receiver.  The Titans could look at Lawrence Jackson or Kentwan Balmer with recent free agent losses of DEs Antwan Odom, Travis LaBoy, and DT Randy Starks.  With Young's former teammate and favorite weapon at Texas, I say the Titans finally help out the quarterback.

25.  Seattle Seahawks – DeSean Jackson, WR, California
With the recent signings and of TJ Duckett and Julius Jones, the Seahawks no longer have a need at RB.  The Seahawks now could add that receiving threat tight end in Dustin Keller or Martellus Bennett, but they are more second round value.  The interior of the defensive line struggled in the playoffs, and Marcus Tubbs is coming off an injury and return is questionable and with Kentwan Balmer on the boarrd its tempting.  But, with D.J. Hackett now gone and Bobby Engram near the end of his career and a chance to get the speedy playmaker in Jackson, I say the Seahawks pull the trigger.

26.  Jacksonville Jaguars – Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
With Kentwan Balmer available the Jags are able to fill the voide left by Marcus Stroud after they traded him to Buffalo.  Jacksonville may need to pray some because Balmer may not get past Seattle, but if Balmer falls to them I say they take him.  Calais Campbell and Lawrence Jackson are possibilities, but Balmer is the best value.

27.  Atlanta Falcons – Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (projected trade with San Diego)
With the Chargers not having another pick until the 5th, I expect them to trade this pick for 2 2nd rounders.  The Falcons are the perfect trading partner.  If the Falcons do past on Matt Ryan, look for them to move back in the first round and get their QB.  I have Brohm as the 2nd top rated quarterback. 

28.  Dallas Cowboys – Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
The Cowboys don't seem to be afraid of players with off the field issues, so Talib's recent admissions of smoking marijuana probably won't scare them to much.  With Jacque Reeves gone, and even with Pacman Jones, the Cowboys take Talib.  Talib is a big physical player who has the skills to be a premier corner in this league and only falls because his off the field issues.  The Cowboys said they would do this pick as if they won't have Pacman for next season.

29.  San Francisco 49ers (from IND) – James Hardy, WR, Indiana
The 49ers would be love to grab Gosder Cherilus to pair with Joe Staley at tackle, but both of those guys are off the board, in addition to DeSean Jackson.  Hardy is a physical specimen with amazing size at 6-6, and solid 4.5 speed.  The 49ers have signed Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson in the offseason, but its hard to bypass a huge target such as Hardy.  DE/OLB Quentin Groves is tempting here.

30.  Green Bay Packers – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
The Packers need depth behind Al Harris and Charles Woodson, both getting up there in years.  Cason may lack ideal speed, but seems to be all over the field and knows how to make plays.  He may be best actually for the Packers as a safety, but will immediately come in and help at the nickle position.  CB Brandon Flowers is a possibility too.

31.  New York Giants – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
With LBs Kawika Mitchell, Reggie Torber, and FS Gibril Wilson gone in free agency, I think this pick comes to the top S in the draft in Phillips or CB Brandon Flowers or Connor (however, both LBs are gone).  Phillips looks to be the next in a great line of safeties from Miami.  His stock has dropped recently, but he is still definitely a first round draft pick.  Safety Tyrell Johnson's name has also been mentioned here.