By Dave Ryan

1st Round

1. Miami Dolphins-Chris Long-DE-Virginia

The notion that Bill Parcells is going to draft one of “his guys” has already been beaten to death, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a correct one. Chris Long makes far too much sense for the worst team in the NFL to pass up at the top of the draft.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Chris Long-DE-Virginia

 

2. St. Louis Rams-Jake Long-OT-Michigan

Even with virtually an unlimited amount of ways they can go with this pick, the Rams can’t allow themselves to pass up a potential rock on the offensive line like Long projects to be. With the size and strength to dominate for years, Jake Long is one of the best offensive line prospects on paper in the past couple of years.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Jake Long-OT-Michigan

 

 

 

 

1. Atlanta Falcons-Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College

Now that the Falcons have released both Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich from their roster, it opens the door for a franchise quarterback with this pick. Regardless of whether Matt Ryan is worth of being a top five pick or not, the Falcons need to address the quarterback position and Matt Ryan is the guy for the job.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Matt Ryan-QB-Boston College

 

 

1. Oakland Raiders-Vernon Gholston-DE-Ohio State

A freak athlete who continues to impress scouts, Gholston is a perfect fit for an up-and-coming Raiders defense. Al Davis loves the flashy end of things as well, and an imposing specimen (see picture above) like Gholston seems like a very good fit for his Raiders.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas

 

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs-Glen Dorsey-DT-LSU

Even with holes on the offensive line, the Chiefs might find it a bit too hard to pass up a franchise defensive tackle like Glen Dorsey at this slot. Dorsey should anchor the Chiefs line for years and will probably end up taking a couple trips to Hawaii before his career is all said and done.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Glen Dorsey-DT-LSU

 

 

1. New York Jets-Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas

It’s unreal to think that McFadden could really slip this far, and the Jets would be foolish to let him potentially end up on a divisional rival like the Patriots. Like Adrian Peterson a year ago, McFadden, the consensus top tailback in the draft, will make an instant impact and could just wind up winning the rookie of the year award in the process.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Keith Rivers-LB-USC

 

 

1. New England Patriots-Antoine Cason-CB-Arizona

Even with the recent signing of veteran cornerback Lewis Sanders, the Pats are still pretty thin in the secondary. Cason is the number one ranked corner in this draft, and could start from day one in New England next year.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Vernon Gholston-DE-Ohio State

 

 

1. Baltimore Ravens-Mike Jenkins-CB-South Florida

If they can’t land Cason here, the Ravens will go with the next best defensive back available in Mike Jenkins. Physical yet with great end to end speed, Jenkins should develop into a shutdown corner in two to three years.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Antoine Cason-CB-Arizona

 

 

1. Cincinnati Bengals-Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC

After a wild turn of events that saw Lions defensive tackle to Cleveland instead of Cincinnati as initially rumored, the Bengals are left to wonder how to shore up their defensive line. Ellis is a legit top ten talent and would be a great fit in both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Illinois

 

 

1. New Orleans Saints-Ryan Clady-OT-Boise State

After an aggressive offseason that included trading for linebacker Jonathan Vilma and signing underrated corner Randall Gay, the Saints need to start protecting some of their investments on the other side of the ball. Clady has impressed as of late with his athleticism, and could go much higher on draft day knowing the premium that NFL teams pay to offensive tackles.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC

 

 

1. Buffalo Bills-Limas Sweed-WR-Texas

Lacking a redzone threat, the Bills would also get some much needed size for their receiving corps with the selection of Sweed. Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly is also an intriguing option here, but Sweed ultimately looks to be the one who is more able to contribute immediately.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Limas Sweed-WR-Texas

 

 

1. Denver Broncos-Malcolm Kelly-WR-Oklahoma

It would be unwise to expect too much from the newly signed Keary Colbert, and the Broncos could certainly use another weapon for quarterback Jay Cutler. Kelly is a big receiver much like Limas Sweed out of Texas, and would team with #1 option Brandon Marshall to make a very dangerous receiving tandem.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Malcolm Kelly-WR-Oklahoma

 

 

1. Carolina Panthers-Brian Brohm-QB-Louisville

Even with rumors swirling that Delaware’s Joe Flacco could be rising up most everyone’s draft boards, the Panthers can’t pass up the potential of a healthy Brian Brohm running their offense for the next ten years. Brohm should compete with the oft-injured Jake Delhomme for a starting role right away.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Brian Brohm-QB-Louisville

 

 

1. Chicago Bears-Branden Albert-G-Virginia

Lacking an interior blocker for Cedric Benson to trip over, the Bears can go with the best available with the selection of Albert. Virginia’s versatile lineman is an absolute rock, and would instantly give Chicago’s lackluster line a major upgrade.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Ryan Clady-OT-Boise State

 

 

1. Detroit Lions-Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Illinois

The recent resigning of Tatum Bell was a tad bit surprising, but the Lions are still desperately seeking a playmaker at the running back position. Mendenhall is a “Darren McFadden Lite” with the speed and power to excel in any system, and could have an Adrian Peterson-like impact in the NFC North next season.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-CB-Tennessee State

 

 

1. Arizona Cardinals-Keith Rivers-LB-USC

It’s a pretty big plunge for Rivers to fall all the way to Arizona here at number 16, but it very well could happen in a weak top to bottom linebacker class. The Cardinals have major questions at the position, and grabbing the top linebacker available would be a great steal for them at this point in the first round.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Derrick Harvey-DE-Florida

 

 

1. Minnesota Vikings-Derrick Harvey-DE-Florida

Even though their past draft picks of defensive ends haven’t quite worked out too well, the Vikings have a good chance at finally getting it right with the selection of Harvey. A tenacious pass rusher, the talented Harvey would bring a swagger to a Minnesota defense that looks to be much improved in 2008.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Calais Campbell-DE-Miami

 

 

1. Houston Texans-Jonathan Stewart-RB-Oregon

Even in a draft class with a very deep talent pool for running backs, the Texans would be wise to use their first round pick on a future star like Jonathan Stewart. A physical specimen, Stewart not only has the speed to be a playmaker in the NFL, he’s also built like a rock and should be able to handle a starting role with ease.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Jonathan Stewart-RB-Oregon

 

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles-Chris Johnson-RB/KR-ECU

With the high amount of respect being paid to kick return specialists like Chicago’s Devin Hester, the Eagles can add a much needed spark to their return game with the electric Chris Johnson with this pick. Johnson’s speed will make an instant impact on special teams, and he could also be used as a change of pace back to spell Brian Westbrook on offense.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburgh

 

 

1. Tampa Bay Bucs-Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-CB-Tennessee State

After losing corner Brian Kelly to free agency this past weekend, the Bucs can find a suitable replacement in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Cromartie excels in zone coverage, and would fit nicely into Tampa Bay’s cover-two defensive scheme.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Frank Okam-DT-Texas

 

 

1. Washington Redskins-Kenny Phillips-S-Miami

The Redskins haven’t been able to find much by way of free agency to help their glaring need at safety, and they don’t appear to be in that much of a hurry to address anything until draft day. A good reason for this is that top safety Kenny Phillips should still be on the board when they make this pick, giving Washington another excellent talent in their defensive secondary.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Kenny Phillips-S-Miami

 

 

1. Dallas Cowboys-Leodis McKelvin-CB-Troy

The Cowboys could very likely try to package both of their first rounders in an effort to move up and draft Darren McFadden, but staying put has its advantages as well. Dallas can afford to wait and target both Jamaal Charles and Felix Jones at pick #28, leaving them with the ever-rising McKelvin to give their secondary and special teams play a nice jolt.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Leodis McKelvin-CB-Troy

 

 

1. Pittsburgh Steelers-Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburgh

The loss of guard Alan Faneca is clearly going to take a toll, but the Steelers are in a great position to improve their offensive line with this pick. Getting Otah, the third rated offensive tackle, this late in the first round is the definition of value.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Mike Jenkins-CB-South Florida

 

 

1. Tennessee Titans-Aqib Talib-CB-Kansas

Lacking a shutdown corner, the Titans will benefit from a deep cornerback class when they make this pick. Talib isn’t the best athlete you’ll find in this draft, but he has the talent to step in and play right away at a very high level.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Aqib Talib-CB-Kansas

 

 

1. Seattle Seahawks-Reggie Smith-CB/S-Oklahoma

Now that they are preparing for life after Shaun Alexander, the Seahawks offense figures to be a bit more explosive. Their defense however, remains a question mark as top cornerback Marcus Trufant’s future with the club is uncertain. Oklahoma’s Reggie Smith can play both safety and corner, giving Seattle a versatile weapon they can add to their developing secondary.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Branden Albert-G-Virginia

 

 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars-Frank Okam-DT-Texas

Now that Marcus Stroud is in Buffalo, the Jaguars will have found a very suitable replacement if monster defensive tackle Frank Okam is on the board when they make their first round selection. Although he weighed in at nearly 350lbs at the combine, Okam is a monster who could team with fellow tackle John Henderson to help retain Jacksonville’s dominance on the inside.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Ali Highsmith-LB-LSU

 

 

1. San Diego Chargers-Quentin Groves-DE/LB-Auburn

In San Diego’s 3-4 scheme, a versatile edge rusher like Groves will always have a home, and he makes perfect sense in this case. The prospects of Groves and Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman both roaming the middle of the field together also might be too much for San Diego to pass up.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Quentin Groves-DE/LB-Auburn

 

 

1. Dallas Cowboys-Felix Jones-RB-Arkansas

In Jerry Jones’ mad dash to draft his ever-beloved Darren McFadden, Jones must have certainly noticed Felix Jones along the way. Arkansas’ other star tailback has the speed and elusiveness to be a game changer in a Cowboys uniform, and is a worthy consolation prize for an owner so insistent on his fellow classmate.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Jamaal Charles-RB-Texas

 

 

1. San Francisco 49ers-Joe Flacco-QB-Delaware

As the hype continues, Delaware’s enigmatic signal caller might just find a way to sneak into the first round after all. As questions about the rest of the quarterback class continue to be raised, San Francisco could stir things up a bit and throw a wrench into their quarterback situation with the selection of Flacco here.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Chris Williams-OT-Vanderbilt

 

 

1. Green Bay Packers-Shawn Crable-LB-Michigan

At 6’5 and nearly 250lbs, Michigan’s Shawn Crable owns a size/speed combination that is rare enough in college football, let alone the NFL. The Packers need help at strong-side linebacker, and a raw but talented Crable could be the one to fill that void and wind up as a late round steal in the process.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Shawn Crable-LB-Michigan

 

 

1. New York Giants-Dan Connor-LB-Penn State

A steal at the end of the first round, Connor is a relentless tackler who would give the Super Bowl Champions a much needed playmaker on defense. After the loss of Kawika Mitchell, Connor’s likely destination would be middle linebacker, a position where he should excel in New York.

Last Week’s Pick (3/3): Dan Connor-LB-Penn State

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Watch:

This only includes players who were featured in the first round from last week’s edition.

Going Up:

Mike Jenkings-CB-South Florida (+15)

Branden Albert-OG-Virginia (+11)

Ryan Clady-OT-Boise State (+4)

Vernon Gholston-DE-Ohio State (+3)

Sedrick Ellis-DT-USC (+1)

Antoine Cason-CB-Arizona (+1)

 

Going Down:

Keith Rivers-LB-USC (-10)

Rashard Mendenhall-RB-Illinois (-6)

Frank Okam-DT-Texas (-6)

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie-CB-Tennessee State (-5)

Jeff Otah-OT-Pittsburgh (-4)

Darren McFadden-RB-Arkansas (-2)

Derrick Harvey-DE-Florida (-1)

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