NFL Mock Draft: Who's Going No. 1?

I couldn't resist writing about my personal take on the NFL draft. I don't want to waste time, so here we go.

1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long, DE/OLB, Virginia

I think this pick is between Jake and Chris Long. The reason I am going with Chris Long is because the Dolphins are now a defensive team. They are searching for a 3-4 rushing linebacker, and this Long fits the bill.

Granted, the Dolphins do need a quarterback rather badly, but I think that they can nab somebody like Flacco or Henne in the next few rounds.

2. St. Louis Rams - Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

I will be the first to admit that I wasn't too impressed with Gholston prior to the Combine. I thought that he lacked the consistency and size needed to succeed in the NFL. Then he went berserk in Indianapolis.

He recorded a 4.58 40, and delivered an outstanding 42-inch vertical.

The reason I think the Rams will bypass their need at defensive tackle in the first round is because if they don't, they will be forced to go with Adam Carriker. Carriker has just lost 20-plus pounds, and is coming off shoulder surgery. He will most likely not be very effecitve.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

This is a race between Matt Ryan, Jake Long, and Glenn Dorsey. I think Long edges the other two because of the money Atlanta has spent addressing the defensive tackle need this offseason. They signed Rashad Moore, Kindal Moorehead, and Simon Fraser, and they will not draft a player who will take all their places.

The reason they won't draft Matt Ryan is because there are many other decent, if not better, options available to them in the second round. They can go with Long with the third pick, and still draft someone like Flacco or Henne.

4. Oakland Raiders - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

I'm actually going to predict that Al Davis doesn't go for the flashiest player available this year! I think he will address the legitimate need for his ball club as he drafts Dorsey.

Right now the Raiders have Terdell Sands and Gerard Warren as their primary defensive tackles. Nothing against them, but they could use some help from the best defensive tackle available.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

Chiefs GM Carl Peterson has had his fair share of screwed-up drafts. According to WalterFootball, of all the drafts from 2000 to 2005, only six of those players are currently on the roster.

Larry Johnson is getting old and is slowing down. I think Peterson goes the wrong route yet again as he picks up a running back to re-build his franchise around.

6. New York Jets - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

The Jets would absolutely love to grab Darren McFadden with their first round pick, and they might just have to trade up in order to do so.

If they stay where they are, I think that they are in a position to draft the best player available because they need help almost everywhere. Ryan Clady, the second rated offensive tackle, is the best available. He will bolster a relatively weak spot on the Jet's team, currently held by D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Anthony Clement.

The reason they will take Clady and not Matt Ryan is because I don't think they will give up so easily on Kellen Clemens. Actually, Ryan isn't too much better than Clemens, he is just rated so high because of a draft that isn't top-heavy in the quarterback section.

7. New England Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy State

With the departure of Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, cornereback is a huge need for these Patriots.

I still can't get over the fact that they are drafting seventh. Somebody has to have cheated, right?

8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

This year's Brady Quinn will be Matt Ryan, but he won't drop as far. People have Ryan projected in the top five, but I don't think that he is all that great of a prospect. This year is just lacking the elite quarterbacks at the top of the draft.

The Ravens are currently relying on Troy Smith, who they haven't really invested in. He was grabbed with a fifth-round pick last year.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?