http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/2....cfm?writer=26
MIA Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Three drafts, three different #1s. Will I switch again next month? I don't think so, but don't put it past me. Long is the best fit for the Dolphins here, because he can fit at end, at tackle, or maybe even linebacker, according to some. Wherever he's put on the field, you can count on him to produce. And frankly, the Dolphins need some production on defense.
STL Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.
The Rams still could go for Jake Long, or for Sedrick Ellis, who would allow Adam Carriker to move back to defensive end full-time, but if Chris Long isn't on the board, then the Rams go with Gholston, who's proving himself to be an athletic freak of nature. He does have that 'hit or miss' look to him, but I'm leaning more towards him being a hit.
ATL Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
Yes, they need some help on defense, and could use Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey. They also need an O-lineman, and could go for Jake Long. But, I've kept Ryan here for the first couple of mocks, and I'll keep him here for now, since they can get some high-quality help in other areas with their two second-rounders.
OAK Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Ellis didn't really have the earth-shattering combine that some may have been expecting after the Senior Bowl, but it's not the end of the world. Oakland just gave Tommy Kelly a $50 million deal, and whether or not he's deserving of it is debatable, but give Ellis a few years, and he'll be deserving of one, without a doubt.
KC Jake Long, OT, Michigan
With the way things could shake out with the first few picks, Long could fall to #5. There's a chance that Kansas City could go for Ryan Clady of Boise St. either way, but Long is still the top o-lineman on the board for now, and with that being the Chiefs' biggest need, then you take the best guy available.
NYJ Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
There are a lot of areas that the Jets need to address, and it wouldn't be a surprise if they try to trade up with one of the teams in the top five, like Atlanta, so that they can get Vernon Gholston if he doesn't go in the top 2. But, if Gholston's gone, then take the best player on the board in McFadden.
NE Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
With Asante Samuel gone to the Eagles, and the Pats not having another pick in the first round (whose fault is that?), it's best for them to take a corner here, and wait for the bottom of the second to get a linebacker. There are quite a few worthy corners here, but McKelvin is the man.
BAL Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
The Ravens need a QB, because Steve McNair's too banged up, Kyle Boller's not the answer, and Troy Smith likely isn't either. Brohm is pretty set as the #2 guy right now, and could actually make a push to be taken higher.
CIN Keith Rivers, LB, USC
I know, if Glenn Dorsey's here, why not take him? There's a chance that they can pick up someone like Pat Sims, Dre Moore, Red Bryant, or Athyba Rubin in round 2 or 3, but they've got holes all over the defense. Rivers could step in and start at linebacker immediately, and be the first step towards defensive respectability for the Bengals.
NO Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
The Saints had the #30 pass defense in the league this season, so it might be a bit of an understatement that they need help in the secondary, and that's where a shutdown corner like Jenkins comes in. He's got the cover skills to be a special one.
BUF Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
After picking up linebacker Kawika Mitchell, the Bills can use their first-round pick on a top-notch receiver. They've got speed with Lee Evans, so they go with size and athleticism in Kelly.
DEN Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
There's a chance, albeit a small one, that Dorsey could drop out of the top 10. If he does, the Broncos would be foolish not to draft him, because if he's healthy, he could be a star for them at tackle.
CAR Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
With Mike Rucker headed towards retirement and Julius Peppers having a subpar year, the Panthers managed only 23 sacks in 2007. Harvey's put on 20 pounds, and with his size, agility, and strength, could make an immediate impact in Carolina. He's still a pretty raw talent, which is a scary thought.
CHI Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
Yes, the Bears do need to wrap up their signal-caller for the future, but they also need an offensive lineman to add some depth and youth, and with Clady dropping past Kansas City and Denver, he's a perfect fit for Chicago.
DET Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
The Lions had one of the worst defenses in the league, which tripped up their hopes of fulfilling Jon Kitna's audacious prediction of 10 wins. They could really use some help in the secondary, and with Leodis McKelvin and Mike Jenkins off the board, the Lions get a quality shutdown corner in Talib, who could also help them out in the return game, and even catch a few passes from Jon Kitna.
ARI Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Running back or corner? There'll be a lot of talent still on the board at both come the second round, but I'll stick with Cason to be the pick here. It's hard to pass on him, not only because he's an in-stater, but also because he fills the biggest position of need.
MIN Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn
Minnesota had a solid defensive line in 2007, but it wasn't spectacular, as no lineman recorded more than five sacks. Groves solidfied his status as a first-rounder at the combine, and should sneak into the top 20.
HOU Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
Stewart is both thunder and lightning - he's got the size and strength of a bruising power back, but he's got the game-breaking speed to run away from you after he runs through you. He's a triple threat, as a runner, receiver, and returner, so he'll give the Texans that big-play back that Houston fans (used to) wish they could have had in Reggie Bush.
PHI Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
Whoever is taking the snaps for the Eagles next year, may it be Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, or A.J. Feeley, is going to need to be upright, and not getting knocked on his behind 12 times. Williams can play either left or right tackle.
TB DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
Joey Galloway and Ike Hilliard are no spring chickens, and after having a huge rookie season in 2004, Michael Clayton's potential has been curtailed by injuries over the last three years. The addition of Jackson would not only add a game-breaker to thr receiving corps, but Buccaneer fans also likely won't have to wait another 31 years to see a kickoff return for a touchdown.
WAS Philip Merling, DE, Clemson
Andre Carter had a huge year with 10.5 sacks, but he was the brightest spot in the Redskins' defensive line. Merling has been rated as high as a top-10 pick by NFL Draft Countdown, so if he is here at #21, the 'Skins would be insane to let him fall past them.
DAL Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
Rodgers-Cromartie has moved himself into definite first-round status after the combine, and could jump into the top 15. He's tall, fast, he can cover, and he answered any concerns about tackling ability at the Senior Bowl. Not only that, he could play either corner or safety, and give Dallas an option at kick returner. What's not to like?
PIT Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger had a career season in 2007, and Willie Parker was the NFL's leading rusher when he went out for the season in Week 15, but their injury-riddled offensive line was a liability, to say the least, giving up 47 sacks on the season. Otah ran a 5.5 at the combine, but he wasn't 100%, so his stock shouldn't drop at all.
TEN Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
It would be an understatement to say that the Titans could use some upgrades at receiver, and they do it by reuniting Vince Young with one of his favorite targets from his collegiate days, who knows how to go up and get it, no matter where it's thrown. His stock had fallen thanks to his injured wrist, but he's on the move back up now.
SEA James Hardy, WR, Indiana
The Seahawks picked up free agent running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett, so it looks like they won't be in the market for a running back. So, they go with another need and pick up a big-time receiver in Hardy. Matt Hasselbeck had a career year in 2007, so imagine what he could do with the addition of this athletic playmaker to his stable of targets.
JAX Kentwan Balmer, DT/DE, North Carolina
After the loss of Marcus Stroud, the Jaguars need a new defensive tackle, and after Ellis and Dorsey, Balmer is the best option. He didn't run that fast at the combine, but neither did a lot of other top prospects.
SD Branden Albert, G, Virginia
Because the Chargers are light in the pockets when it comes to picks in the draft, they could trade this one to get more. But, if they keep it, who do they take? Albert impressed enough at the combine to push himserlf into first-round consideration, and the fact that he could play guard or tackle should be very appealing to the Chargers' brass.
DAL Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
I've had the Cowboys taking Felix Jones for quite a while, but I thought I'd switch it up and still address their need for a speed back with the fastest back in the draft, East Carolina speedster Johnson, who ran a blistering 4.24 40 at the combine. Johnson can run, catch, and return kicks, and he's very sure-handed as well.
SF Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
Alex Smith needs targets, among other things, to save his starting job. Thomas ran one of the fastest 40 times at the combine, and off the heels of a monster junior year, is one of the hot names on the board.
GB Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Charles Woodson and Al Harris are both in their 30s, and Porter, who ran a 4.29 40 at Indiana's Pro Day, has jumped into contention for a first-round spot. Porter's a little small, but he's got excellent cover skills, he's fast, and he's an interception machine. He could also return punts.
NE Forfeited
NYG Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.
There aren't a lot of teams with the need to draft a linebacker in the first round, so with that in mind, Connor drops to the bottom of the first. But, that's a steal for the Super Bowl champs, whose defense gets even better with the addition of the latest stud linebacker to come out of Happy Valley.