Making a mock draft this year is as much a crap shoot as anything else as no pick other than #1 seems a sure thing, an even that isn't definetly a sure thing as of yet. None the less, here is my attempt at predicting the first round of this years NFL Draft.

 

1.       Miami Dolphins – Jake Long OT, Michigan

Bill Parcells will make sure he has his guy locked up going in to the draft and won’t allow what happened with Russell last year to happen to him. Jake Long will be for the Dolphins and Parcells what Jumbo Elliot was for the Giants and Parcells. It’s tough to take an OL first, but Jake Long isn’t your average OT and will be a pro bowler right from the start and will stay there for a long time.

2.       St. Louis Rams – Chris Long DE, Virginia

They would rather have the other Long, but they can’t be too upset over this. Word has it Gholston is being considered here as well as Dorsey, but Long is the safe pick and I see it going this way. Chris Long will have an immediate impact for the Rams.

3.       Atlanta Falcons – Glenn Dorsey DT, LSU

If he’s healthy he’s a monster. If he’s healthy he might be the best player in this draft and the Falcons are in love with that fact. If it’s me I’m taking Matt Ryan here, but the Falcons love this guy and you can’t blame them, it’s just a huge risk.

4.       Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas

This will be a very interesting pick. Ideally the Raiders would love to have the son of Howie fall to them here which could actually happen if the Rams decide to go with Dorsey or Gholston. But with Long gone it comes down to McFadden or Gholston. I can certainly see this going either way, but how do you pass on McFadden? How?

5.       Kansas City Chiefs – Matt Ryan QB, Boston College

All of the so called “experts” have this pick being Brandon Alberts, and I understand that and think it’s certainly possible. But I don’t know how they can pass on Ryan. Brodie Croyle isn’t the answer for a franchise QB and the Chiefs have to know that. Matt Ryan might not be Dan Marino or John Elway but he isn’t a bust either. It would be a mistake for them to go anywhere but here.

6.       N.Y. Jets – Vernon Gholston DE, Ohio St.

McFadden and Ryan are the guys they have their eyes on, but they can’t be to disappointed to have Gholston land in their laps here. There is concern that he didn’t produce on the field as much as in workouts, but athletically the guy is a beast. And you know they love taking New England’s guy one pick ahead of them.

7.       New England Patriots – Leodis McKelvin CB, Troy

This is where the draft gets a bit harder to predict. They love Vernon Gholston, but they don’t get a chance at him here. There’s talk that they would take Derrick Harvey and put him at OLB, but I don’t see it. In my mind this pick comes down to one of three guys, Leodis McKelvin, Ryan Clady or Keith Rivers. I think Clady might be a bit bigger than N.E. like their O-Lineman to be. I considered Rivers to be the better choice here, but with the signing of Hobson I think they hold off on that and address their biggest need which is Cornerback. I know they don’t always like to take corners early, but they need this guy.

8.       Baltimore Ravens – Brandon Alberts OG, Virginia

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