NFL MOCK DRAFT - An Early Look
Observer staff writer Charles Chandler predicts how the first round of the NFL draft could go on April 26. Check back for updates next Sunday and on draft day.
Pick Team Player Pos. School Comment
1. Miami Jake Long OT Michigan Is Bill Parcells bluffing with early contract negotiations?
2. St. Louis Chris Long DE Virginia DT Glenn Dorsey another option as Rams beef up defensive line
3. Atlanta Glenn Dorsey DT LSU Falcons must improve defensive line; QB Matt Ryan a possibility
4. Oakland Darren McFadden RB Arkansas Al Davis loves speed; Gholston possibility, too.
5. Kansas City Ryan Clady OT Boise State Chiefs are in dire need of offensive line help.
EXTRA, EXTRA: If Jake Long is gone, the Chiefs might try to trade down. They need a tackle, but this might be too high to take any of them.
6. N.Y. Jets Vernon Gholston DE Ohio State Would gladly take McFadden, too
x-7. New England Leodis McKelvin CB Troy Patriots could deal down or take DT Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Matt Ryan QB Boston College Ravens' QB situation is in dire straits; OL also an option
EXTRA, EXTRA: Watch out if Ryan doesn't go here. The Panthers could take him at No. 13 if another team doesn't trade up to get him first.
9. Cincinnati Sedrick Ellis DT So. Cal. Bengals are concerned he won't be available here
10. New Orleans Keith Rivers LB So. Cal. This would further improve Saints' revamped LB corps
11. Buffalo Branden Albert OL Virginia Bills put WR need on hold and get promising blocker
12. Denver Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt Broncos need tackle help; also could take a RB
13. Carolina Jeff Otah OT Pittsburgh Powerful run blocker, but RBs Stewart, Mendenhall are enticing.
EXTRA, EXTRA: If the Panthers don't trade out of the No. 13 spot, three more players to watch closely are Clady, Ryan and defensive end Derrick Harvey. If they trade down, be on the lookout for tackle Gosder Cherilus.
14. Chicago Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois The Cedric Benson waiting game is over
15. Detroit Derrick Harvey DE Florida Chance for a top pass rusher here is too good to pass up
16. Arizona Mike Jenkins CB S. Florida Cards' defense ranked 28th vs. pass last season
17. Minnesota Phillip Merling DE Clemson Vikings could go for a WR
EXTRA, EXTRA: If a second QB goes in the first round, it's likely to be Louisville's Brian Brohm. The Vikings are a potential destination.
18. Houston D. Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tenn. St. Texans need defensive help and are surprised he's here
19. Philadelphia Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee Athletic and strong; Mayo could be one of draft's best deals
20. Tampa Bay Aqib Talib CB Kansas Bucs need young legs in the secondary
21. Washington Calais Campbell DE Miami, Fla. Is this a misprint? Redskins with a draft pick?!
y-22. Dallas Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon Will Cowboys try to trade up for McFadden?
23. Pittsburgh Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College Steelers need muscle up front but could also eye RB Stewart
24. Tennessee Kentwan Balmer DT N. Carolina Titans need to reload on their defensive line after depletions
25. Seattle Kenny Phillips S Miami, Fla. Seahawks' secondary could use a playmaker
26. Jacksonville Lawrence Jackson DE So. Cal. A bit of a reach, but Jags need defensive line help
27. San Diego Felix Jones RB Arkansas Chargers land a replacement for Michael Turner
EXTRA, EXTRA: East Carolina RB/KR Chris Johnson is another possibility. His 4.24 speed in the 40-yard dash gives him a chance to go somewhere in Round 1.
28. Dallas Devin Thomas WR Michigan St. Cowboys start planning for future at receiver
z-29. San Francisco DeSean Jackson WR California Why not pick a wideout being tutored by Jerry Rice?
30. Green Bay Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech Packers address their biggest need
31. N.Y. Giants James Hardy WR Indiana Giants need a complement to Plaxico Burress
NOTES: New England forfeited it's first-round pick. X: From San Francisco; Y: From Cleveland; Z: From Indianapolis
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