The 2008 NFL draft has already begun with the Dolphins agreeing to terms with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, but there is still plenty of intrigue in round one. The first round is low on skill positions, and has plenty of talent on both offensive and defensive lines, and cornerback. I only have four skill positions going in the top 15 picks.
1. Dolphins: Jake Long OT Michigan- No suspense here as Miami signed Long to a five-year, $57-million deal on Tuesday. Long became the third offensive lineman taken first overall. If his career ends up half as good as the last one, Orlando Pace, the Dolphins will be very happy.
2. Rams: Chris Long DE Virginia - St. Louis has a tough decision between the top two defenders on the board, Long and Dorsey. After drafting Adam Carriker and moving him to tackle, the Rams take what some consider the safest pick in the draft. Long, the son of Raiders Hall of Fame defensive end Howie has the motor and skill to make an early impact.
3. Falcons: Glenn Dorsey DT LSU - The fallout of the Michael Vick debacle makes it hard for the Falcons to pass on Matt Ryan, but with 11 picks in the draft they can get a QB in the second round. Dorsey anchors a defensive line that allowed 127 rushing yards per game last year.
4. Raiders: Darren McFadden RB Arkansas - After a massive influx of free agents on both sides of the ball, Oakland is in position to draft the best player available. Even after resigning running back Justin Fargas, the two back set is becoming the new trend in the NFL, and McFadden certainly has the bravado to wear the black and silver.
5. Chiefs: Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State - Kansas City traded the reigning NFL sack leader, Jared Allen to Minnesota, and Gholston is the guy to replace him. The Chiefs are in desperate need of an offensive lineman, but Gholston replaces a need and pick five might be too high for Virginia tackle / guard Brandon Albert.
6. Jets: Matt Ryan QB Boston College - I didn't pick Ryan here so much because the Jets have a dire need for him, but because he probably won't fall past this pick. Ryan is the best name left on the board after the Jets saw targets Gholston and McFadden go off the board. New York has Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens returning under center, but Ryan could be their franchise QB. The Ravens could be desperate enough to pull of a trade for Ryan at six or higher.
7. New England: Keith River LB USC - Rivers would be an influx of youth to a linebacker corp that includes weathered veterans Matt Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi. Rivers was one of the top rated linebackers coming out of high school, and did not disapoint at Souther Cal as he racked up 162 tackles in two full seasons.
8. Ravens: Branden Albert OT/G Virginia - If Baltimore doesn't make a play for Ryan, the Ravens will look to the fast-rising Albert to become an eventual replacement for left tackle Jonathan Ogden. Albert only played two games at left tackle in his college career, but has the frame to project to the outside in the league.
9. Bengals: Sedrick Ellis DT USC - The Bengals would be happy to grab the second best defensive tackle on the board with the ninth pick. The Saints are known to covet a nose tackle, and if they can't trade up with the Rams to take Dorsey, they would be distressed to see Ellis go off the board only a pick ahead.
10. Saints: Mike Jenkins CB South Florida - The defensively- challenged Saints could use a shutdown corner after allowing 245 passing yards per game a season ago. Jenkins had three interceptions as a senior and ran a 4.37 40 at the NFL combine.
11. Bills: Devin Thomas WR Michigan State - Buffalo has a desperate need for a receiver opposite Lee Evans. Thomas, a JUCO transfer, only had one productive year in East Lansing, but the Bills saw enough to take him at 11.
12. Broncos: Ryan Clady OT Boise State - The basis for Mike Shanahan's successful run offense has been his ability to develop offensive lineman. Clady become the Boise State's first first-round selection, and finds him self in the perfect situation going from one Bronco team to another.
13. Panthers: Derrick Harvey DE Florida - The former Gator fills a void for Carolina after the retirement of Mike Rucker. Harvey had 11 sacks as a junior, but fell off to 3.5 as a senior. At 6-foot-4 with 4.8 speed, the drop off won't be enough to prevent him from falling past the Panthers.
14. Bears: Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt - Chicago had trouble making holes for running back Cedrick Benson and providing protection for revolving door under center. Williams would provide Rex Grossman a little more time for Grossman to overthrow a receiver downfield.
15. Detroit: Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois - The Lions have used many backs to try to replace Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, and after cutting former first round pick Kevin Jones in the off season, are in the market for another. Mendenhall has the talent to go higher, but the need isn't there for other teams. The Lions struggled after a 6-2 start last season, and an inept running game shoulders a lot of the blame.
Picks 16-31 will appear in tomorrow's issue of the DM.
