The NFL Draft is only two weeks away, and speculation is rampant about who teams will be selecting with their first-round picks. There‘s certainly no shortage of options, and with that in mind, I thought I‘d break down which directions each team looks likely to go in the opening round on April 26, starting with the first team that will be on the clock, the Miami Dolphins.
I originally posted this article and the second article (picks 9-16) on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I took them down in order to re-post them after my mock draft, as I ended up going in a different direction with a few picks. Picks 9-16 will be re-posted later, and after that will come 17-24 and 25-31.
1. Miami Dolphins: Will they go Long, or will they surprise us? What Bill Parcells and the Cowboys, I mean Dolphins, will do with the #1 pick has been hotly debated for quite a while, and fortunately, there‘s only a few more weeks until they reveal their decision.
Many names have been thrown about - LSU DT Glenn Dorsey, USC DT Sedrick Ellis, Virginia DE Chris Long, Ohio St. DE Vernon Gholston, Boston College QB Matt Ryan, Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, and Michigan OT Jake Long. It doesn‘t appear that they‘re going to trade it, so which one of those guys will it be?
One of the Longs, who are both the top prospects at their respective positions, seem to be the likeliest possibilities, because Tony Sparano can count on them to be immediate starters in places of need. If it is one of the Longs, it will likely be Jake, because offensive line is a more pressing need than defensive end/rush linebacker.
However, it wouldn‘t be a surprise if Gholston winds up being the name Roger Goodell calls first. With his freakish athletic ability and potential, he could be a superstar.
Miami has started negotiations with Jake Long, and has also reportedly opened talks with Gholston as well, but that‘s not something to read too deeply into just yet. Still, I picked Jake Long #1 in my mock, because like I said, O-line is their biggest need right now, and they can address the others with their other early picks.
My Choice: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Secondary Choice: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
2. St. Louis Rams: What do they need more - offensive line or defensive line? The Rams‘ offensive line was ravaged by bad luck last season, and if Jake Long doesn‘t get taken with the first pick, he could be an option at #2. However, if he‘s taken at #1, then the clear path is defense. Leonard Little is getting older, and coming off of a serious injury, and La‘Roi Glover is not the tackle that he used to be.
With Boston College‘s Gosder Cherilus an option in the second round, defense seems like the most logical choice, especially if Chris Long falls to #2. If he goes #1, then Gholston is the choice, simple as that. Gholston projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL, but he can afford to put on a