1. Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan
While the Dolphins are considering at least three players at this point, in the end I think Bill Parcells would prefer to spend first pick $ on an OT than a DE.
2. St. Louis Rams – Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Howie’s son just makes sense. He is the right player, at the right position.
3. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
They need help at a lot of positions, but in the end, what they really need is a leader.
4. Oakland Raiders – Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
The Raiders want a guy who will be on the highlight film. Gholston is that guy.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Offensive line is a huge priority, and Clady is a very good prospect.
6. New York Jets – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Dorsey’s slide, prompted by health concerns, ends here.
7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco) – Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida
Patriots believe that with good pass rushers, elite CBs are not needed. Harvey fits that plan.
8. Baltimore Ravens – Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Brohm’s strange riches to rags journey comes full circle as Ravens fill their biggest need.
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
The Bengals need a lot of defensive help, and Ellis can be the anchor.
10. New Orleans Saints – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
Saints need a CB, and won’t look a gift-horse (from Troy) in the mouth.
11. Buffalo Bills – James Hardy, WR, Indiana
When developing a young QB, a big WR is not a bad thing to have.
12. Denver Broncos – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Williams is the kind of athletic OL who will fit in the Broncos’ scheme.
13. Carolina Panthers – Brandon Albert, OG, Virginia
John Fox likes to build in the trenches. Albert will be a 10 year starter.
14. Chicago Bears – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
That’s right! I have McFadden sliding all the way to 14. And Bears fans will be thrilled.
15. Detroit Lions – Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
A very good pick by a team in desperate need of defensive help.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Philip Merling, DE, Clemson
The Cardinals need to find a way to generate a pass rush from the DL.
17. Minnesota Vikings – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
Jenkins is a good value at this point and will fit well with the Vikings.
18. Houston Texans – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Texans get an every down RB who should top 1,000 yards as a rookie.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
O line help is needed, and Otah is a BIG addition.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Tampa is not happy with their long term QB situation, and so they reach a bit.
21. Washington Redskins – Quentin Groves, OLB/DE, Auburn
Perhaps not a great fit in D.C., but the Skins are desperate for a pass rusher.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland) – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
It’s a match made in the Lone Star State.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
The Hurricanes streak of first round picks continues.
24. Tennessee Titans – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
Titans need a more dynamic player in the backfield.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Hawks get an immediate RT and an heir apparent to Walter Jones.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
Great value at this stage in the draft. Rivers will excel behind the Jaguars big DL.
27. San Diego Chargers – DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Chargers need another playmaker on offense.
28. Dallas Cowboys – Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
Talib has had some red flags regarding the use of a certain plant. But if Dallas would consider Pacman…
29 San Francisco Niners (from Indianapolis) – Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Niners need OL help, but value’s not there. Mayo and Willis will be a great pair.
30. Green Bay Packers – Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Connor fills a need and will be a productive rookie.
31. New York Giants – Justin King, CB, Penn State
King gives a much needed infusion of youth in the DB.
32. Miami Dolphins – Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Maybe the Dolphins will have an all Wolverines draft?
33. St. Louis Rams – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Has the size that Linehan likes (6’2, 217) and the speed to stretch the field (4.40).