Updated April 25
1. Miami -- Jake Long -- OT -- Best fit for them. Chris Long and Vernon Gholston were projections to OLB in 3-4 defense. I don't think Glenn Dorsey fits the Dolphins scheme on defense. They have a young running back (Ronnie Brown) and a young QB (John Beck) to work with, so that eliminated Darren McFadden and Matt Ryan. Also they have a huge need at offensive tackle.
2. St. Louis -- Chris Long -- DE -- They need a DE, with Leonard Little and James Hall coming off injuries, more than a DT, where Adam Carriker and Cliff Ryan played well for them last year.
3. Atlanta -- Glenn Dorsey -- DT -- I am sure there will be a hard discussion over Matt Ryan and Glenn Dorsey. New GM Tom Dimitroff comes from New England, which has three first-round picks starting in its defensive line. That is his background and I think he stays with that model.
4. Oakland -- Darren McFadden -- RB -- Might be best player in draft. He takes pressure off JaMarcus Russell.
5. Kansas City -- Vernon Gholston -- DE -- With the trade of Jared Allen this makes sense here, and they try to get an offensive tackle at No. 17.
6. New York Jets -- Matt Ryan -- QB -- The position is probably not their first choice, but it is a need for them. I would not be surprised if the Jets stay aggressive like they have been this offseason and try to trade up for McFadden, which would give them a headline in New York.
7. New England -- Jarod Mayo -- LB -- I really do not know who they will pick, but they need a LB, and personally I like Mayo over Keith Rivers; more physical and better instincts.
8. Baltimore -- Ryan Clady -- OT -- They wanted Matt Ryan. In this scenario they will try to move back. If they stay they will stick with their board and take the best player.
9. Cincinnati -- Sedrick Ellis -- DT -- Fills a need, easy pick, but holding their breath that Baltimore doesn't take him.
10. New Orleans -- Keith Rivers -- LB -- Best defensive player on the board over the need at CB, but I would not be surprised if they did not try to trade up to get ahead of Cincinnati to take Sedrick Ellis.
11. Buffalo -- Devin Thomas -- WR -- It's between CB and WR. They have made a point they want a big receiver who complements Lee Evans. Thomas gives them that guy. I would not be surprised if they tried to trade down (taking Thomas later) with a team that is trying to trade up to get an OT like Brandon Albert.
12. Denver -- Chris Williams -- OT -- They need an OT. Branden Albert has to come into this discussion, too.
13. Carolina -- Derrick Harvey -- DE -- They have needs at OT, RB and DE, but DE is the biggest need of the three. For years the strength of this team was the defensive line.
14. Chicago -- Jeff Otah -- OT -- They might also look at RB, but OL is a big need with the age of John Tait and Olin Kruetz, as well as the loss of Fred Miller and Reuben Brown. Since Tait can play LT and RT they have the flexibility of taking a guy like Otah, who you could start out at LT position. If he's not quick or athletic enough you could move him to the right side.
15. Detroit -- Rashard Mendenhall -- RB -- Easy pick here. Good player at a position they desperately need and they say they want to run the ball more this year.
16. Arizona -- Felix Jones -- RB -- They need to add speed to the backfield and take the load off Edgerrin James. They will also have to look at the CB position here.
17. Kansas City -- Branden Albert -- OG/OT -- The Chiefs can use help in both spots. Unfortunately, he can play only one at a time. Great draft if they get Gholston and Albert.
18. Houston -- Leodis McElvin -- CB -- They want an OT, but they are gone, so they take the consensus best CB in the draft.
19. Philadelphia -- Jonathan Stewart -- RB -- This would give them a big back and take some pressure of Brian Westbrook on his number of carries. Also Philly always looks ahead; Westbrook is 28 and they do not have a back of the future.
20. Tampa Bay -- DeSean Jackson -- WR -- They need to add speed to the offense. Jackson does that and helps the return game. Another consideration here could be a CB like Brandon Flowers, who would excel in their defensive system, but they would try to get him in the second round, I believe. Flowers does not have top speed, but Tampa has had success before with corners without top speed.
21. Washington -- Phillip Merling -- DE -- They want a big WR, but they can get that in the second round.
22. Dallas -- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -- CB -- They need a CB despite the trade for Pacman Jones, and they would be thrilled if Cromartie is there.
23. Pittsburgh -- Gosder Cherilus -- OT -- At one point this was the strength of the team. It is not anymore.
24. Tennessee -- Limas Sweed -- WR -- They like Texas players and they have a need at WR. Jerod Mayo has to get some consideration here.
25. Seattle -- Dustin Keller -- TE -- They have a need at TE, but I'm not sure they will fill it here. It makes more sense to fill it in the second round.
26. Jacksonville -- Lawrence Jackson -- DE -- I believe they will try to trade up to get a DE (Merling), but if not successful, it will be between Kentawn Balmer and the next best DE. Just a hunch on my part they take the DE.
27. San Diego -- Mike Jenkins -- CB -- They could use a corner to replace Drayton Florence.
28. Dallas -- Jamaal Charles -- RB -- They will get trade offers here from teams that want to move up to get Chad Henne or one of the other QBs. If they stay here, Charles fills there need for a speed back,
29. San Francisco -- Kentwan Balmer -- DE/NT -- They want to improve the OL/DL, and Balmer is best player available player at this point.
30. Green Bay -- Antoine Cason -- CB -- They have a need due to the age of their cornerbacks.
31. New York Giants -- Kenny Phillips -- S -- They will take the best defensive player on the board at this point.
