NFL Draft: Top Five Preview, Post Jake Long

So, as everyone has heard by now, after an ongoing negotiation with Michigan's offensive tackle Jake Long, the Dolphins have reached an agreement with him, officially making him the first overall pick in the 2008 draft.  The Rams, Falcons, Raiders, and Chiefs round out the top 5, and all 4 of the teams could have used Long, but now will have to find another player.

 For the Rams, the number 2 pick, with QB Matt Ryan (Boston College) and HB Darren McFadden (Arkansas) still on the board, a trade is very possible. The Rams have Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson in their backfield, making both Ryan and McFadden highly improbable picks.  Either a trade may go through on draft day, or one of the top 4 defensive lineman could go in this spot, those 4 being defensive ends Vernon Gholston (Ohio State) and Chris Long (Virginia), and the defensive tackles Sedrick Ellis (USC) and Glenn Dorsey (LSU). 

 The Falcons at number 3 have glaring holes all over their roster.  They have needs for a franchise quarterback, halfback is a possibility after the release of Warrick Dunn, and a big defensive line need, with the loss of Rod Coleman. It's possible you'd see another defensive lineman going here, if the Rams indeed keep their pick, in either Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey. The Falcons, however, need a reliable quarterback first and foremost, and Matt Ryan fits that description.

 At number four, the Oakland Raiders are on the clock. With Darren McFadden still on the board, and no true running back in their offense, the Oakland Raiders would be fools to pass him up. However, everything is possible when it comes to the NFL Draft, which means another defensive lineman could go in the top 4, to compliment Tommy Kelley, and to replace Warren Sapp, or the Raiders could go in a whole different direction and pull a move that resembles the Dolphins/Brady Quinn story of last year.

 Rounding out the top 5 are the Kansas City Chiefs. Obviously, the Chiefs biggest need is an offensive line, and they did nothing during free agency to fix it. They were hoping and praying that Jake Long slip to the 5 spot, but that is literally impossible now, as he is the first overall pick. Next up on the Chiefs needs list is either defensive line, and their is going to be one of the Gholston, Dorsey, Long, Ellis quartet left, or cornerback. And because their is not a corner worth drafting top 5 this year, the Chiefs will  most likely go either defensive line, take a reach at an offensive lineman, or trade down and acquire more picks to fill the holes they have at many positions.