The Long and short of Round 1
1. Miami
Jake Long, OT, Michigan The contract has already been signed. Long isn't considered by many the best player in the draft, but Miami's mind-set is that if you're going to pay a five-year, $57 million contract, the prudent choice is the player you feel most reduces the margin of error. Long is projected to play left tackle, allowing Miami to move Vernon Carey to right tackle. Top needs: OL, DL, QB, CB.
2. St. Louis
Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU The Rams are deciding between Dorsey, Virginia defensive end Chris Long, and Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston. This is the first draft run by new personnel chief Billy Devaney, who says the choice will be a consensus with head coach Scott Linehan and others. Long and Gholston might be the best fit for a team that received just 5 1/2 sacks from its ends last season, but Dorsey is probably too tantalizing to pass up. Top needs: DL, OL, CB, WR.
3. Atlanta
Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College New general manager Thomas Dimitroff kicks off his first draft by addressing the game's most important position. Ryan has all the intangibles former franchise quarterback Michael Vick mostly lacked. Chris Redman and Joey Harrington would serve as stopgaps until Ryan is ready to step in. Top needs: QB, CB, OT, DL.
4. Oakland
Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State Raiders owner Al Davis is predictable in one way: his unpredictable approach to the draft. The Raiders tend to lean toward size and speed, which would presumably take Southern Cal defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis off their radar. Arkansas running back Darren McFadden would create quite a buzz, but the Raiders very well could select Gholston, a freakish athlete who projects to bolster their pass rush. Top needs: DL, OL, WR.
5. Kansas City
Chris Long, DE, Virginia After trading Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen to the Vikings, the Chiefs will be looking to replenish up front and Long could step in from Day 1. He's the type of hard-working, high-character player the Chiefs, flush with draft choices, can feel good about making the first piece of their rebuilding process. Sedrick Ellis would also be a strong candidate. Top needs: OL, DL, CB, QB.
6. New York Jets
Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern Cal They've been making a lot of noise about Darren McFadden, and even though they want more explosion in their offense, the Jets could pass on McFadden because of character concerns. They'll try to trade to a club looking to take McFadden or Ellis. Top needs: RB, QB, CB.
7. New England (from San Francisco)
Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia The Patriots will presumably look to trade down. Darren McFadden could go here to a team like Dallas that has ammunition (picks 22 and 28) to move up. Then the Patriots could target defenders at a more reasonable cost, such as Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo or Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason. If they keep the pick, the Patriots' preference would seemingly be defense, possibly Troy cornerback Leodis McKelvin. But when they consider the contract required of a seventh overall pick, they probably will feel better making the safe choice - an athletic, mauling offensive lineman who has the flexibility to play guard and tackle. Top needs: LB, CB, DL, OL.
8. Baltimore
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas GM Ozzie Newsome would like to emerge from this draft with a quarterback and top cornerback, but a combination of McFadden and Willis McGahee at running back would be too enticing. First-year coach John Harbaugh is looking to establish a new identity in Baltimore, and this would do the trick - a grind-it-out, dynamic rushing offense. It would also preserve McGahee, who has averaged a whopping 290 carries over the last four years. If McFadden is gone, cornerback Leodis McKelvin would likely be the pick. Top needs: CB, QB, OL.
9. Cincinnati
Keith Rivers, LB, Southern California What they really covet is a defensive tackle after having two trades - for Shaun Rogers and Dewayne Robertson - fall apart. They are high on Sedrick Ellis, but Rivers is a solid fallback option, fitting the bill in two important areas: He's a high-character player, which the Bengals are prioritizing, and he'd start immediately at weakside linebacker for a front seven that needs more talent. Top needs: DL, WR, LB, RB.
10. New Orleans
Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy They've been one of the most active teams in exploring trade-up scenarios, targeting defensive tackles Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, and they've also had discussions with the Giants about acquiring veteran tight end Jeremy Shockey, which could affect their drafting. McKelvin is one of the draft's fastest players, and he would look even faster starting opposite Mike McKenzie and playing on the fast surface in New Orleans. Top needs: DL, TE, WR.
11. Buffalo
Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State This is coach Dick Jauron's first draft in Buffalo without retired GM Marv Levy, and he's said a big receiver is a top priority, which puts Thomas, Indiana's James Hardy, and Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly on the radar. Playing in a division with the Patriots, who spread out teams with multiple-receiver sets, they would likely pounce if Leodis McKelvin slipped. Top needs: WR, CB, TE.
12. Denver
Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State It's been a tumultuous offseason in Denver with the dismissal of general manager Ted Sundquist. The Broncos have already addressed some defensive concerns this offseason, so they are likely to fortify their offense in the draft. An athletic left tackle such as Clady would fit their zone-blocking scheme while helping fill the void left by Matt Lepsis's retirement. A running back also is a possibility. Top needs: OL, DL, RB.
13. Carolina
Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida Don't be surprised if Carolina trades up should Matt Ryan slide. The Panthers would also like to address their pass rush after finishing 31st in sacks (23) in 2007, and Harvey - who is climbing up several teams' boards - would be a dynamic bookend to Julius Peppers. Top needs: OT, DE, DT, RB
14. Chicago
Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt The Bears have just two tackles on their roster - John Tait and John St. Clair - and they're in the perfect spot to address their most pressing need. Williams could strengthen two spots, because if he lines up at left tackle, it would allow Tait to play his natural position on the right side. Some have speculated the Bears might go for a running back - offensive coordinator Ron Turner did recruit Rashard Mendenhall to Illinois - which could happen if there is an early run on offensive tackles. Top needs: OL, WR, RB.
15. Detroit
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon Jim Colletto has replaced Mike Martz as Detroit's offensive coordinator, and the plan is to install a power-based running game. They don't get much more powerful, or explosive, than Stewart. GM Matt Millen will have to be comfortable with medical reports on Stewart's injured toe. If he isn't, running back Rashard Mendenhall and Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo would be fallback choices. Top needs: RB, OL, LB.
16. Arizona
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State The Cardinals are disappointed with former first-round pick Antrel Rolle and plan to move him from cornerback to safety, so they're looking for reinforcements to pair with starting corners Roderick Hood and Eric Green. There is concern over Rodgers-Cromartie having just one kidney; if medical reports scare them off, the Cardinals might go for a running back. Top needs: CB, LB, RB, DE.
17. Kansas City (from Minnesota)
Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College With their second first-round pick, the Chiefs can address their offensive line. Cherilus and Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah are maulers who will likely be starters at right tackle from the get-go, and Cherilus would seemingly get the nod based on BC's strong track record with offensive linemen. It also doesn't hurt that Chiefs line coach Bob Bicknell is a BC grad. Top needs: OL, DL, CB, QB.
18. Houston
Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida The Texans run the Broncos-based, zone-blocking scheme, so a tackle like Jeff Otah isn't a pressing need. Thus, they would likely turn to cornerback, and protect themselves as former first-round pick Dunta Robinson rehabs a knee injury. The Texans are candidates to trade down. Top needs: OT, CB, DE, RB.
19. Philadelphia
Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh With both starting offensive tackles at the end of their contracts, the Eagles would be delighted if one of the top six linemen is available. Otah (6-6, 322) is a fit for their smashmouth blocking up front, and he would have the luxury of developing at his own pace with Jon Runyan ahead of him at right tackle. The Eagles have been shopping cornerback Lito Sheppard, and if a deal is struck, it could affect their draft plans. They also like linebacker Jerod Mayo. Top needs: OL, DB, DL.
20. Tampa Bay
Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas The Buccaneers hosted Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard this week. If a trade goes through it could alter the Bucs' direction with this pick, and a playmaking receiver or running back would seemingly be the choice. Jones would be a better fit than Rashard Mendenhall, he'd add value as a return man, and he'd be an insurance policy if Cadillac Williams doesn't return from a knee injury. Top needs: RB, WR, CB.
21. Washington
Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson A large Redskins contingent, including owner Daniel Snyder, watched Merling's final workout Thursday, then traveled to Oklahoma to watch receiver Malcolm Kelly. The pick is likely between those two players, and while Snyder might be enticed by the receiver, his football staff will likely tell him defensive end is the safer choice. The Redskins love Merling's attitude and how he's played through pain, and envision him as a fixture as a strongside end. Top needs: DE, WR, LB.
22. Dallas (from Cleveland)
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois With the Cowboys also selecting at No. 28, they are a candidate to trade up if they see a player they covet falling, such as Darren McFadden. With running back Marion Barber scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the season, they must plan accordingly. Top needs: RB, DB, WR.
23. Pittsburgh
Kentwan Balmer, DE, North Carolina The Steelers might be leaning toward Tennessee's Jerod Mayo, arguably the top inside linebacker for the 3-4. But Pittsburgh drafted linebacker Lawrence Timmons in the first round last year, and still have James Farrior and Larry Foote. It would be wise to bolster an aging defensive line with Balmer, whose style of play is suited to the Steelers' system. Top needs: DL, OL, RB.
24. Tennessee
Chris Johnson, RB, E. Carolina The Titans are seeking a dynamic offensive threat who gives them production on the outer edges of the field. A receiver would be ideal - and quarterback Vince Young would surely lobby for Texas's Limas Sweed - but the club is wary of the high rate of first-round failures at the position. So they reach a bit and turn their attention to a blazing fast, pass-catching running back to pair with the burly LenDale White. Top needs: WR, DL, RB.
25. Seattle
Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern California Their top need is a tight end and they could reach up for someone like Purdue's Dustin Keller, an H-back who could be dynamic in their West Coast offense. But the Seahawks probably feel Keller will be available later. Adding bulk up front should help the defense. The Seahawks will consider trading out, so teams looking for a quarterback here will find a willing partner. Top needs: TE, DL, DB.
26. Jacksonville
Kenny Phillips, S, Miami Like the other teams in this range, the Jaguars could be open to trading down. They'd like to add a defensive lineman, either a run-stuffer inside or a pass rusher off the edge. Yet as coach Jack Del Rio pointed out earlier this year, when you're trying to get past the Patriots and Colts in the AFC, you better be deep in the secondary. Phillips would start alongside last year's first-round pick, safety Reggie Nelson. Top needs: DL, OL, DB.
27. San Diego
Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech GM A.J. Smith, whose solid track record evaluating talent speaks for itself, has a challenge this year as he's without picks in the second, third, and fourth rounds. So the Chargers are prime candidates to move out of the first round in hopes of accumulating more picks. They'd like a big offensive tackle, but getting a physical third corner fills another important need. Top needs: OT, CB, RB.
28. Dallas
Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas The Cowboys would be pleased if one of the top offensive tackles slid to them, but they also must be prepared for the possibility that newly acquired cornerback Pacman Jones is not reinstated from suspension. So they take a corner, bolstering an area in which they lost top backups Nate Jones and Jacque Reeves in free agency. Top needs: RB, DB, WR, OL.
29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis)
Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee The 49ers struck gold in the first round last year with linebacker Patrick Willis. After releasing veteran Derek Smith this offseason, they could use more youth on the inside of their 3-4. A combination of Willis and Mayo would be impressive. Some have speculated that the 49ers might go after a pass-rushing linebacker, so Auburn's Quentin Groves could get a look. Top needs: LB, OT, DB.
30. Green Bay
Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona GM Ted Thompson has made 14 draft-day trades since taking over in Green Bay, and all 14 have been to trade down. So another trade wouldn't be a surprise. In addition to a top tight end, Green Bay is looking for a third cornerback to provide insurance for over-30 starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson, both of whom battled injuries in 2007. Top needs: TE, CB, QB.
31. New York Giants
Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State Jerry Reese put together arguably the NFL's best draft class in 2007 in his first year as Giants GM. The Giants lost safety Gibril Wilson in free agency and brought in veteran Sammy Knight, but he's a short-term fix. Johnson, one of the draft's rising players, would be a long-term answer, while Penn State linebacker Dan Connor could also get a long look. Top needs: LB, DB, WR.
59. Indianapolis
The Colts are without a first-round pick, trading it to the 49ers during last year's draft for a 2007 second-rounder (used to select offensive tackle Tony Ugoh). They have single picks in Rounds 2-5 and 7, and four picks in the sixth round. The Colts traditionally do a solid job in the draft, so the lack of a first-rounder shouldn't hurt much. Top needs: LB, TE, OL.
122. Cleveland
The Browns traded their first-round pick to Dallas during last year's draft for a 2007 first-rounder used to take quarterback Brady Quinn. This offseason, they sent their second-rounder to Green Bay for defensive lineman Corey Williams and their third-rounder to Detroit in a package for defensive lineman Shaun Rogers. So their draft will ultimately be judged by those moves, although GM Phil Savage is counting on adding a cornerback. Top needs: CB, OLB, RB. 
