FIRST ROUND

1. Miami Dolphins: Chris Long, DE, Virginia: Chris Long is an impressive prospect that had and equally impressive showing at the combine. His versatility and the fact that he’s already so technically sound should be too much for Bill Parcells to just let pass by.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jake Long, OT, Michigan: Basically, the Rams OL stinks and Jake Long is the best offensive lineman in the draft. He is a pro-typical OT with long arms and good feet. If Orlando Pace can return to form after a season-ending injury, the Rams’ line would be solidified by 2 stalwart tackles.

3. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: Talk about just what the doctor ordered. With the face of the franchise gone for good, and the recent signing of RB Michael Turner, there is no better player in the draft to bring excitement back to the city.

4. Oakland Raiders: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC: Oakland needs someone to replace the retired Warren Sapp, and I’m betting injury concerns keeps them from going with Dorsey. Ellis is a superb athlete, almost freakish.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State: The Chiefs have many needs, but getting a freak like Gholston to rush the passer will help their defense improve tremendously. A lot of folks think they’ll grab Matt Ryan here if he’s available, but I don’t think the front office is ready to give up the Brodie Croyle experiment just yet.

6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: Sure, the Jets have other needs, but passing up on a talent like McFadden just won’t happen. It’s not often that the #1 player on the board is around for the team picking 6th.

7. New England Patriots: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: So just how does a team that went through the regular season undefeated and get caught for cheating end up with the 7th overall pick? Seriously, I’m asking. In any event, the rich get richer here with the selection of the top CB in the draft.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: The Ravens aren’t exactly bare at the position, but a talent like Dorsey isn’t easy to pass up. Dorsey will add depth to an aging DL and is a great value pick.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC: Rivers is an athletic player that grades out well to boot. I have Connor rated a bit higher, but that puts me in the minority. Nonetheless, the Bengals will use this pick to shore up their very thin LB position.

10. New Orleans Saints: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas: The Saints need to find someone to cover receivers and Talib fits the bill. He’s a playmaker and will help the Saints shore up a consistently bad secondary. He can also help Bush return kicks.

11. Buffalo Bills: Dan Connor, LB, Penn St.: Connor had an impressive career in college. He’s tough and a solid tackler which is exactly what the Bills defense needs. He’s a special player.

12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State: The Broncos don’t have such a great running game for nothing. Clady will fit in nicely on a unit that steadily produces and the beat will go on.

13. Carolina Panthers: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal: Pairing superstar receiver Steve Smith with Jackson will just be too tempting to pass up for the Panthers. It could also help revive the career of QB Jake Delhomme.

14. Chicago Bears: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: If the Bears can ever find a legitimate QB they’ll be instant contenders. Brohm makes the most sense and may be the best QB in the draft anyways.

15. Detroit Lions: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: Yeah, the Lions will not only draft another WR this year, but they’ll go ahead and make it another Texas Longhorn, too. Does it make sense? No. Do the Lions ever make sense on Draft Day? No.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: The Cards need help at corner and if they don’t pick Jenkins then it won’t matter how many points they score with 2nd year starter Matt Leinart. Some think they’ll grab a RB here, but I don’t think it’s as pressing of a need.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: Minnesota needs someone to get after the QB. Harvey can do just that. Minnesota needs WRs too, but they can grab some later in the draft.

18. Houston Texans: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: The Texans desperately need a running back. Stewart provides Houston fans for something to cheer about and takes the heat off of Matt Schaub.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt: The youth movement starts with solidifying the offensive line for future QB Kevin Kolb.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sam Baker, OT, USC: Baker is the last solid tackle left on the board. The Bucs need OL help and Baker will contribute immediately.

21. Washington Redskins: Malcom Kelly, WR, Oklahoma: Washington needs a big-play receiver and Kelly could be the answer. He’s big, fast and likes to run deep.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. St.: The Cowboys need help in the secondary and a replacement for Julius Jones. Good thing they have 2 picks in round 1.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt: Otah has a lot of talent and fills a need for the Steelers. It never hurts to draft the hometown kid, either.

24. Tennessee Titans: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: Will the Titans please draft some offensive players to help VY? Mendenhall is the pro-typical NFL-style running back.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.: The signing of Julius Jones lets the Seahawks grab a receiver.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Philip Merling, DE, Clemson: The Jags need help rushing the passer. Merling is a good all-around end that performed consistently well in the ACC.

27. San Diego Chargers: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami: The Chargers will add the best safety prospect in the draft to their already potent defense. Nice move.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas: Sure, Felix Jones didn’t have a great combine, but will Jerry Jones really care? I doubt it. Besides, Jerry Jones is rumored to be hog wild about both Arkansas backs,

29. San Francisco 49ers: James Hardy, WR, Indiana: Hardy has all the tools to become a solid pro, and could become great.

30. Green Bay Packers: Fred Davis, TE, USC: The Pack needs a solid TE and will land one after cutting lose of Bubba Franks in the off season.

31. New York Giants: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: Goodbye Michael Strahan. Hello Calais Campbell.

32. New England: Cheaters.

Go to Round 2 of Kelsey’s Mock Draft

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