With the NFL Draft a couple of days away, most fans have no idea who their respective teams will draft. Miami has already locked up Jake Long as the number one pick, so I projected the rest of the first round, based on how I see players fitting into certain situations. Here are my projections:
1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT Michigan.
This pick was easy for me to make, seeing as it has already happened. Bill Parcells wants to build a solid line to open running lanes for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Long will help them do that and protect quarterback John Beck for now.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE Virginia.
The Rams need help on the defensive line. They drafted Adam Carriker out of Nebraska last year, and he is developing into a solid defensive tackle. Leonard Little is aging, so Long should help out in the near future and take Little's place once he leaves St. Louis.
3. Atlanta: Glenn Dorsey, DT LSU.
Dorsey is the best player in this draft and should be an impact player very soon. Atlanta. Dorsey is a big body in the middle who should be able to draw attention away from last year's first round pick, DE Jamaal Anderson.
4.Oakland: Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas.
The Raiders usually find ways to screwup their first-round picks. However, the thought of JaMarcus Russell andMcFadden in the same backfield is enough to give Raiders fans hope and Lane Kiffin some offensive firepower.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State.
Originally, I had Branden Albert going here but, with the Jared Allen trade, the defensive line becomes a major need. There is more value for a defensive end at this pick than there is for an offensive lineman.
6. New York Jets: Branden Albert, OG Virginia.
McFadden is the guy the Jets really want here but he was gone at pick 4. I say the Jets go back to Virginia to draft a lineman, just a couple of years after drafting D'Brickashaw Ferguson. They signed Alan Faneca in the off-season, but the other lineman are not all that impressive.
7. New England Patriots: Keith Rivers, LB USC.
I fully expect the Patriots to trade out of this pick. However, assuming they do not make a trade, I expect them to draft a linebacker. They have shown the willingness to pay linebackers big money, and Rivers could develop for a couple of years behind the other Patriot linebackers.
8. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Ryan, QB Boston College.
The Ravens feel as if they need to draft a franchise QB. At number 8, it's not at bad spot to draft one. Ryan is the highest rated quarterback in this class, and it would be a huge surprise if the Ravens pass on Ryan.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT USC
The Bengals need a big man in the middle and Ellis is going to fill that role. I fully expect the Bengals to trade up in order to secure Ellis. Either way, Ellis is the pick.
10. New Orleans Saints: Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy State
The Saints secondary has been burned over the past two seasons. Jason David has been a bust and Randall Gay is not the answer. McKelvin should become a solid NFL cornerback and help out the Saints defense.
11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas, WR Michigan State
The Bills need a big receiver to play opposite Lee Evans. Thomas, who is 6-2, fits the mold and should help Trent Edwards' develpoment.
12. Denver Broncos: Chris Williams, OT Vanderbilt
The Broncos need someone to protect the blindside of quarterback Jay Cutler. Who better to do that than the man who did it during his collegiate career? No one, which is why Williams is the pick here.
13. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Harvey, DE Florida.
With Mike Rucker's retirement, the Panthers need someone to fill his spot on the defensive line. Harvey is the best available defensive end and should be a good defensive end for Carolina.
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah, OT Pittsburgh.
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