My First NFL Mock Draft

1. Miami Dolphins
Jake Long T Michigan 6-7 305
I think Parcells know that if his QB is to have a chance, he needs a premier LT. Jake is the man.

2. St. Louis Rams
Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State 6-4 260
The Rams would have loved Jake long, but he's gone. Now they go after the one DE who could beat Long in college - Vernon Gholston. He immediately impacts this awful defensive unit.

3. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan QB Boston College 6-5 225
The Vick era is over. The Ryan era begins.

4. Oakland Raiders
Darren McFadden RB Arkansas 6-1 217
While Chris Long makes the most sense, Al Davis is senile. He likes the flash of McFadden. He might also trade with Dallas here.

5. Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Otah T Pittsburgh 6-6 340
I'll copy Mayock here, Otah fits the scheme and for Croyle to succeed, the O-Line needs HELP! Also, Herm Edwards wants to keep his job.

6. New York Jets
Chris Long DE Virginia 6-4 285
Mangini is salivating over this one, Long falls to them and the Jets fans actually cheer the pick.

7. New England Patriots
Dominque Rodgers CB Tennessee State 6-1 185
Belichick might want a better player. but he has no cornerbacks. Rodgers Cromartie, who may be the most naturally talented, is his choice to replace Asante Samuel.

8. Baltimore Ravens Sedric Ellis DT Southern California 6-1 295
The Ravens have other needs, but Ellis' value is just too good to pass up here.

9. Cincinnati Bengals
Glenn Dorsey DT LSU 6-2 300
The Bengals, who lost out on Shaun Rodgers, take Dorsey, injury concerns or not, this guy will help out an awful defensive unit.

10. New Orleans Saints
Aqib Talib CB Kansas 6-1 180
The Saints' secondary is a liability, and they pick Talib at #10.

11. Buffalo Bills
Ryan Clady T Boise State 6-5 320
Many people have Buffalo taking a WR here, but there will be talent available in the 2nd round. They look to strengthen their O-Line with Ryan Clady.

12. Denver Broncos
Derrick Harvey DE Florida 6-4 252
Harvey really helps this awful defensive unit.

13. Carolina Panthers
Keith Rivers OLB Southern California 6-3 230
The Panthers can't pass up on Rivers' talent, they'll address RB in the 2nd round.

14. Chicago Bears
Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois 5-11 225
Surprise move in the Bears making a smart pick, but maybe they realize that Cedric Benson sucks, so they take Illinois hero Mendenhall to eventually take the reins at starting RB.

15. Detroit Lions
Mike Jenkins CB South Florida 5-11 200
The Lions are lucky that they can choose between Jenkins and McKelvin at CB. Then end up going with Jenkins.

16. Arizona Cardinals
Leodis McKelvin CB Troy 5-11 190
The Cardinals are another team who need help in the secondary, and they address that need with McKelvin.

17 . Minnesota Vikings
Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma 6-4 220
The Vikings want a tall wideout who can get a hand on Tarvaris Jackson's errant passes.

18. Houston Texans
Kenny Phillips FS Miami 6-1 202
Will Demps was a Pro-Bowl alternate by accident. The Texans take the only safety worthy of first round consideration.

19. Philadelphia Eagles
Limas Sweed WR Texas 6-4 220
The Eagles finally give McNabb his first round WR. Jackson is a consideration but his small frame might be snapped in half in minicamp.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DeSean Jackson WR California 5-11 165
The Bucs take Jackson, a speedster at WR and a guy who can help in the return game.

21. Washington Redskins
Calais Campbell DE Miami 6-7 282
Washington takes the first bust of the Jim Zorn era, Calais Campbell. Now they have a Campbell on each side of the ball.

22. Dallas Cowboys
Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon 5-10 235
Although they need more help in the secondary, Jerry Jones can't resist a Barber-Stewart backfield combo.


23. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Baker T Southern California 6-5 308
After losing Alan Faneca, and their line allowing Roethlisberger to be sacked more times than is healthy, the Steelers take the top lineman on the board, who can play G or T, to protect their $100M QB.

24. Tennessee Titans
Mario Manningham WR Michigan 5-11 180
Vince petitions Fisher for a wideout. Despite a poor combine, they take Mario.

25. Seattle Seahawks
Branden Albert G Virginia 6-7 315
They signed Julius Jones to take over at RB, now they look to fill the void open since Hutchinson left.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Phillip Merling DE Clemson 6-5 270
Jack del Rio likes the big DE Merling. I have a good feeling about this one.

27. San Diego Chargers
Reggie Smith CB/FS Oklahoma 6-0 200
Reggie Smith can play both corner and safety, he can pair with Eric Weddle or replace Drayton Florence. They'll need the help against Brady and Peyton in the playoffs.

28. Dallas Cowboys
Chris Williams T Vanderbilt 6-6 315
Flozell Adams is 38. Osi Umenyiora is 25. Need I say more?

29. San Francisco 49ers
James Hardy WR Indiana 6-6 220
A reach, but this round has stolen the top WRs. They need a tall guy to catch Alex Smith's non-spiraling overthrows.

30. Green Bay Packers
Pat Sims DT Auburn 6-4 315
Eventual replacement in the middle for Corey Williams.

31. New York Giants
Antoine Cason CB Arizona 6-0 182
Jerry Reese likes Cason. Madison and McQuarters are old. Giants go CB for the second straight year.