Originally Posted on FFToolbox
1. Miami: Chris Long, DE, Virginia: Long is the best fit for the Dolphins here, because he can fit at end, at tackle, or maybe even linebacker, according to some. Wherever he’s put on the field, you can count on him to produce. And frankly, the Dolphins need some production on defense.
2. St. Louis: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio St.: The Rams still could go for Jake Long, or for Sedrick Ellis, who would allow Adam Carriker to move back to defensive end full-time, but if Chris Long isn’t on the board, then the Rams go with Gholston, who’s proving himself to be an athletic freak of nature. He does have that ‘hit or miss’ look to him, but I’m leaning more towards him being a hit.
3. Atlanta: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: Yes, they need some help on defense, and could use Sedrick Ellis or Glenn Dorsey. They also need an O-lineman, and could go for Jake Long. But, I’ve kept Ryan here for the first couple of mocks, and I’ll keep him here for now, since they can get some high-quality help in other areas with their two second-rounders.
4. Oakland: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC: Ellis didn’t really have the earth-shattering combine that some may have been expecting after the Senior Bowl, but it’s not the end of the world. Oakland just gave Tommy Kelly a $50 million deal, and whether or not he’s deserving of it is debatable, but give Ellis a few years, and he’ll be deserving of one, without a doubt.
5. Kansas City: Jake Long, OT, Michigan: With the way things could shake out with the first few picks, Long could fall to #5. There’s a chance that Kansas City could go for Ryan Clady of Boise St. either way, but Long is still the top o-lineman on the board for now, and with that being the Chiefs’ biggest need, then you take the best guy available.
6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: There are a lot of areas that the Jets need to address, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they try to trade up with one of the teams in the top five, like Atlanta, so that they can get Vernon Gholston if he doesn’t go in the top 2. But, if Gholston’s gone, then take the best player on the board in McFadden.
7. New England: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: With Asante Samuel gone to the Eagles, and the Pats not having another pick in the first round (whose fault is that?), it’s best for them to take a corner here, and wait for the bottom of the second to get a linebacker. There are quite a few worthy corners here, but McKelvin is the man.
8. Baltimore: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: The Ravens need a QB, because Steve McNair’s too banged up, Kyle Boller’s not the answer, and Troy Smith likely isn’t either. Brohm is pretty set as the #2 guy right now, and could actually make a push to be taken higher.
9. Cincinnati: Keith Rivers, LB, USC: I know, if Glenn Dorsey’s here, why not take him? There’s a chance that they can pick up someone like Pat Sims, Dre Moore, Red Bryant, or Athyba Rubin in round 2 or 3, but they’ve got holes all over the defense. Rivers could step in and start at linebacker immediately, and be the first step towards defensive respectability for the Bengals.
10. New Orleans: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: The Saints had the #30 pass defense in the league this season, so it might be a bit of an understatement that they need help in the secondary, and that’s where a shutdown corner like Jenkins comes in. He’s got the cover skills to be a special one.
Check out the rest of the mock draft at FFToolbox
