1. Dolphins – Chris Long DE (Virginia) Howie Long's son and a Parcells kind of player. Solid pass rush and superior run defense, but also coachable and a student of the game.

2. Rams – Vernon Gholston DE (Ohio State) An over the top Combine and workout season puts him in the elite ranks. Could go first.

3. Falcons – Darren McFadden RB (Arkansas) Yes they signed free agents. RunDMc is too good to pass. This is a highly tradable pick.

4. Raiders – Glenn Dorsey DT (LSU) The chronic leg problem will shorten his career, and hurts his draft spot. It will be an outstanding career while it lasts. The Raiders picked Robert Gallery too recently to take Jake Long.

5. Chiefs – Jake Long OT (Michigan) The most NFL ready lineman in the draft. This is another very trade worthy pick.

6. Jets –  Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB (Tennessee State) Electric. The best pure cover CB with speed.

7. Patriots – Aqib Talib CB (Kansas) The Patriots love versatility, Talib could conceivably make an NFL team at WR, and definitely as a Special Teams ace. He has answered a lot of questions about his speed. Expect Chicago to offer for this slot if Ryan is still on the board.

8. Ravens – Matt Ryan QB (Boston College) This is the dream scenario for Baltimore. While this slot is near value, I expect Ryan to go higher via trade, say to Chicago.

9. Bengals – Sedrick Ellis DT (Southern Cal) The defense needs help, and the trenches are where you start. Best defensive player available pick.

10. Saints – Leodis McKelvin CB (Troy) This is a small college with big time results, see Osi Umenyiora, DeMarcus Ware. Also a quality return man. Clady would be a solid choice as well.

11. Bills – Mike Jenkins CB (South Florida) The Bills would love a WR, and could trade down (Chicago?). Secondary is the next biggest need.

12. Broncos – Keith Rivers LB (Southern Cal) A lot of drafts have an OL going here. It would make sense – for another team. The Broncos grade OL differently, and can get theirs later. They also love speedy LBs. A trade offer from Arizona is very possible.

13. Panthers – Ryan Clady OT (Boise State) This is too low, but that happens, and good players slide. The best topside of any lineman in this draft pool.

14. Bears – Rashard Mendenhall RB (Illinois) The Bears would love to see local boy Mendenhall here. The Cardinals are likely to trade past them.

15. Lions – Antoine Cason CB (Arizona) In recent years the Lions went BPA through the draft. That is not necessarily the smartest thing any more, but works well here.

16. Cardinals – Jonathan Stewart RB (Oregon) If the Cards cannot get Mendenhall, Stewart is solid consolation. His toe surgery is an issue.

17. Vikings – Phillip Merling DE (Clemson) The Vikings need a WR badly, despite free agent signings, but have a history of not pulling the trigger in the first round. Merling will work well in their scheme.

18. Texans – Chris Williams OT (Vanderbilt) He's a LT, which is a bonus. The Texans have a lot of options here.

19. Eagles –  Jeff Otah OT (Pittsburgh) The Eagles have no glaring needs, so they can bring Otah along slowly.

20. Buccanears – Gosder Cherilus OT (Boston College) Unlike Williams and Clady, he is not a true LT. But, as a RT, he makes you consider left handed QBs.

21. Redskins – Limas Sweed WR (Texas) This would be a nice scenario for Washington. They need a go to WR desperately, and Sweed is good value here.

22. Cowboys –  Felix Jones RB (Arkansas) It is not a glaring need, so there will be time to work him into the rotation.

23. Steelers – Branden Albert OG (Virginia) The Steeler line is in transition. They get a building block before he is outright needed.

24. Titans – Derrick Harvey DE (Florida)  There is no such thing as too much pass rush. Ask the Giants. This is where teams wanting a 2nd tier QB will start looking to trade up.

25. Seahawks – Carl Nicks OT (Nebraska) The Shawn Alexander Age is over, but there are no RBs worthy of the slot, and the Seahawks love good OL. This is about the edge of the table. The following picks are either need driven, or of lower grade.

26. Jaguars – Pat Sims DT (Auburn) Marcus Stroud is gone, so this pick fills a hole. That is decent value is a bonus. Kentwan Balmer also makes sense. They could trade down for either player.

27. Chargers – Kenny Phillips S (Miami) How the mighty have fallen. Slow workout times and an embarrassing Wonderlic have cost him. He can make plays though. Reggie Smith is also very possible.

28. Cowboys – Reggie Smith S/CB (Oklahoma) Even if the Cowboys sign Pacman Jones, the depth in the secondary is nil. Smith becomes the nickel back and could start at FS. Brandon Flowers would also make sense.

29. 49'ers – Quentin Groves DE (Auburn) The 49ers party all the way home. Groves is a steal at this point.

30. Packers – Brandon Flowers CB (Virginia Tech) The best slow cover man in the draft. They make jokes about his speed, but not his ability to make plays on the ball. Think Everson Walls.

31. Patriots – None $$ (Photo Tech) This is the ultimate economy pick. Expect New England to trade toward their original position.

32. Giants –  Curtis Lofton ILB (Oklahoma) The ultimate tradable pick. The Giants have no needs that can be firmly settled with this slot, and they are directly in front of the Tuna. Best player available shown here.

Foot note -- not part of the article.

First day OL prospect Heath Benedict was found dead in his apartment, of what appear to be natural causes. I considered listing him in the line article, but cut the thread just in front of him.

Also, my placement of Malcolm Kelly at the top of the WR is already out of date. He has not run in workouts, and the speculation is dropping him, probably to second round. Limas Sweed is basically the same type player, see Derrick Bowe, and is the new top WR.