Please feel free to post a copy of your mock as well. You can either give a detailed analysis, or just the players and teams. It will be interesting to see if anyone nails it.
1st Edition (Possible revisions throughout the week may follow)
1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan
The Dolphins are trying to play some serious games right now and are offering a K-Mart blue light special contract for the #1 pick. They have supposedly given Jake Long a deadline to accept a contract that would be much lower than JaMarcus Russell's was last year.
If they stick to their guns and move on to "plan B", then Vernon Gholston seems to be the next object of their affection. We'll see how this plays out throughout the course of the week.
I think Long makes a lot of sense, as he gives them an anchor for their line for the next ten years. Long isn't as good as Joe Thomas (last year's top LT who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie), but he's not far behind. He's got the nastiness that you like from an O-lineman.
2. St Louis Ram- Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
Many believe that this pick will be Glen Dorsey (I myself am going back and forth on what I think).
The reason I think Gholston goes here is the Rams want to switch full time to a 3-4 defense. Dorsey is not a good fit at nose tackle, and it would be a waste of his talents for him to play there. Gholston is a perfect fit in the 3-4 scheme that the Rams intend to play primarily. He is a physical phenomenon at 6'3", 266lbs, and running a 4.55 40. He gives the Rams a legitimate pass rusher (which they BADLY need), and also has the speed to drop back into coverage.
3. Atlanta Falcons- Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU
There's a lot of talk about Dorsey dropping due to uncertainty about his medical issues. I personally think that if he's here, the Falcons will SPRINT to the podium to turn in the pick.
Medical issues not withstanding, Dorsey is probably the best player in the draft. He fits perfectly in the Falcons 4-3 defense. He can collapse the interior of the offensive line and apply pressure from the tackle position, and is a solid run defender. Dorsey instantly cures what ails this defense, which boasts solid bookends in last year's 1st round pick Jamaal Anderson & stud (when healthy) John Abraham.
Matt Ryan is a consideration here, but I think the Falcons will address the QB position with one of their three second round picks.
4. Oakland Raiders- Chris Long, DE/OLB, Virginia
Many are projecting Darren McFadden with this pick. I think that's a HUGE mistake. They already re-signed Justin Fargas who went over 1,000 despite starting only seven games. In addition they have Michael Bush who would have been a top 20 pick in 2006 had he not decided to stay for his senior year. As a result he ended up braking his leg, ending his season, and dropping him to the 4th round of last year's draft. He is 100% healthy, and could pair with Fargas to make for a very solid running attack. They also have Dominic Rhodes and LaMont Jordon (who figures to be the odd man out).
Chris Long gives them a blue collar DE, who's motor never stops running. He is a relentless pass rusher. The Raiders now have what I believe to be the best secondary in the NFL with the aquisitions of Deangelo Hall (via trade) and Gibril Wilson (free agency), added to studs Nnamdi Asomugha & Michael Huff. Adding a DE like Long could make for a very stingy defense that could wreak havoc like the days of old.
Of course this is Al Davis we're talking about, so throwing 40 million dollars at a RB is always a possibility whether it's a position of need or not...
5. New Orleans Saints (via trade with Kansas City) - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
I think the Chiefs trade out of this spot to accumulate more picks, and drop to #10 where they can still pick up a solid LT that they badly need (at a much lower cost as well).
New Orleans is only a year removed from having the top offense in the NFC, but their defense has been a disaster. They addressed CB to some degree by adding Randall Gay, and got what I think will be a steal in a trade for Jonathan Vilma. Vilma will be much more effective in the Saints 4-3 than he was in New York when they switched to a 3-4.
CB is still a position of need, but I think Ellis is an elite prospect that again gives them an anchor for the interior of the D-line. They have solid bookends in Will Smith and Charles Grant. Adding a monster like Ellis will give them a fearsome front four, and give opposing QB's much less time to pick apart their secondary.
