<aft is upon us. Here is my final mock draft:
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long (OT-Michigan)
The Dolphins and Long have already agreed to a contract, so this pick is a done deal. Miami’s GM Bill Parcells obviously wanted to avoid a lengthy contract hold-out (like what happened with first overall selection Jamarcus Russell last season) so the organization made the decisive decision to get the deal done before the draft.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long (DE-Virginia)
With Jake Long already gone, the Rams have a big decision to make. They have wholes on their offensive and defensive lines. Had Jake Long still been around, St. Louis would have jumped to address the o-line, but looking at the players still available, my bet is that the Rams select a DE. While they drafted DE Adam Carriker out of Nebraska last year with the 13th overall selection, the organization quickly turned the 6’6’’ 300 pounder into their starting DT. But with aging DT La’Roi Glover (33) and DE Leonard Little (33) both maintaining starting roles, the Rams must decide between Glen Dorsey, Vernon Gholston, and Chris Long. My opinion is that the team will Chris Long here, but don’t rule out either Gholston or Dorsey being selected with the number 2 pick.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Glen Dorsey (DT-LSU)
Atlanta has many problems, and this is obviously a rebuilding year. Glen Dorsey seems to be the consensus pick, but QB Matt Ryan also will draw consideration. The ultimate factor here is the three second round picks they have. They will likely use one of these picks on a QB.
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden (RB-Arkansas)
Al Davis has to make a big decision between two freak athletes: McFadden, and Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston. The Raiders already have Justin Fargas, but McFadden would greatly improve this team.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Branden Albert (G-Virginia)
Kansas City has 13 draft picks this year after the Jared Allen trade, and it is likely they will attempt to address problems on both the offensive and defensive with their two first round picks. With Chris Long off the board, I would guess the Chiefs would reach a little bit for Albert, who could easily be changed to a tackle position in the NFL, and then hope Florida DE Derrick Harvey is available at #17.
6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston (DE-Ohio St.)
7. New England Patriots: Keith Rivers (OLB-USC)
8. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Ryan (QB-Boston College)
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis (DT-USC)
10. New Orleans Saints: Leodis McKelvin (CB-Troy)
11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas (WR-Michigan St.)
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady (OT-Boise St.)
13. Carolina Panthers: Chris Williams (OT-Vanderbilt)
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah (OT-Pittsburgh)
15. Detroit Lions: Rashard Mendenhall (RB-Illinois)
16. Arizona Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB-Tennessee)
17. Kansas City Chiefs (from Minnesota): Derrick Harvey (DE-Florida)
18. Houston Texans: Mike Jenkins (CB-South Florida)
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Gosder Cherilus (OT-Boston College)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Hardy (WR-Indiana)
21. Washington Redskins: Limas Sweed (WR-Texas)
22. Dallas Cowboys: Aqib Talib (CB-Kansas)
23. Pittsburg Steelers: Jonathan Stewart (RB-Oregon)
24. Tennessee Titans: Kentwan Balmer (DT-North Carolina)
25. Seattle Seahawks: Dustin Keller (TE-Purdue)
26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Phillip Merling (DE-Clemson)
27. San Diego Chargers: Antoine Cason (CB-Arizona)
28. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones (RB-Arkansas)
29. San Francisco 49ers: Jerod Mayo (OLB-Tennessee)
30. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Flowers (CB-Virginia Tech.)
31. New York Giants: Tyrell Johnson (S-Arkansas St.)