MOCK DRAFT, PHASE I 

Chris Long tops the board... 

DOES THIS DRAFT HAVE A CONSENSUS No. 1 yet ? No. But neither did last year's, when JaMarcus Russell was the top pick while Adrian Peterson ended up being a steal at No. 7 overall. But what the 2008 NFL Draft does have is a lot of great options for teams. So who will go No. 1? The Sports Forecaster's crystal ball says it's going to be Virginia's powerful defensive end Chris Long for now, at least... 

 1  DOLPHINS: Chris Long DE, Virginia
The 'Phins could go several ways with this pick, but Long looks like the guy most likely to wind up in Miami. He is not only a proven defensive force coming off a dominant season and a great Combine, Long has great bloodlines as Hall-of-Famer Howie's son. With Miami's defense aging fast, Long could be a cornerstone for the future.

 2  RAMS: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
After last season's injury-plagued downturn, the Rams are desperate for an injection of youthful hope and talent. Gholston has been flying up the charts after an awesome display at the Indy Combine and the Rams need more talent on the D-line after managing just 31 sacks last season. This could be Leonard Little's eventual replacement.

 3  FALCONS: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
While not as exciting as some of the top QB prospects to come along in recent years, Ryan (pictured) is exactly what the Falcons need behind center right now: a big, confident, accomplished leader who can help balance the offense with a new focus on running (now that Michael Turner is a Falcon). Regardless of what happens with Michael Vick, Ryan is a great pick here.

 4  RAIDERS: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
This may seem like a bit of a fall for McFadden, but the Rams, Falcons, and Dolphins already have cornerstone backs in place. That could mean a real windfall for the Raiders, who can plug McFadden in right away and see him become a top-tier NFL tailback right away. He also would give Oakland an elite 1-2 punch for the future with QB JaMarcus Russell.

 5  CHIEFS: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
For the past couple of years the Chiefs have really struggled to get the most out of one of the NFL's top running backs, Larry Johnson. As long as they are coached by Herm Edwards they will be a run-first team, so Long is a key add for them here if he's still around at No.5. He has the ability to help out right away.

 6  JETS: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
The Eric Mangini 3-4 defense didn't really click in 2007 and nose guard like Ellis might be an impact player for them right away. The Jets could really use the pressure he brings up the middle and his excellence at stuffing the run. His mobility and intensity would be welcome additions to a run defense that was one of the NFL's worst last season.

 7  PATRIOTS: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Why would the Pats add an offensive lineman after the historic, record-breaking season their line had in 2007? First, because that line's pass protection got exposed in the Super Bowl. Second, New England puts a high value on having depth on the O-line; and third, because Clady may simply be the best player around at this point.

 
 8  RAVENS: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State
Despite having a highly talented secondary in 2007, the Ravens were hurt by injuries and their starting corners are aging. Enter Rodgers-Cromartie, who may have really helped himself with a lights-out Indy Combine. He has a nice mix of size and raw athleticism, which might give him some versatility for a team like Baltimore (which covets it.

 9  BENGALS: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Best player available? Maybe, but Dorsey would also be a nice fit for the Bengals. Cincy has really struggled in recent seasons getting much consistency from their D-line. The Bengals need a player like Dorsey who can bring grit, leadership, enthusiasm, and the ability to collapse the pocket and pick up the run.

 10  SAINTS: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
McKelvin has been soaring up the draft charts of many scouts in the past few months and would be an ideal fit for a Saints' secondary that was mostly awful last season. His big-play ability is something that was sorely lacking in New Orleans, and McKelvin would also bring valued depth in the return game.

 11  BILLS: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
This might seem a bit high for Sweed (pictured) but he may be the best big receiver in the draft. That is exactly what the Bills need, as they really struggled taking the pressure off Lee Evans in 2007 and need a big possession guy. Sweed has the goods to be a No.1 and really helped himself with a strong Combine.

 12  BRONCOS: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
The undersized Bronco defense was just plain terrible at stopping the run in 2007, which makes a guy like Rivers invaluable. He is an NFL-ready tackling machine who can be plugged into several positions. He is the type of athletic playmaker the Broncos love to draft, and there is a good chance he will be available right around this point in the draft.

 13  PANTHERS: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
DeShaun Foster is gone, and DeAngelo Williams hasn't quite shown yet that he can be a durable, every-down back for Carolina. That makes Mendenhall both a logical and excellent choice here for the Panthers, who are desperate to get their running game jump-started. They scored a measly seven times on the ground in 2007.

 14  BEARS: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
The Bears have several areas of need after last year's big disappointment, but fewer are as pressing as at quarterback. Brohm isn't the most exciting or well-known QB prospect to come along in ages but he certainly has some upside. With Rex Grossman back for more and Brian Griese now gone, Brohm might be needed sooner rather than later.

 15  LIONS: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
After sending Dre Bly to the Broncos the Lions really struggled in pass coverage last season. Jenkins might be just what they need: an athletic, versatile defensive back who is ready to make plays. He can also help fill a fairly pressing need in the return game.

 16  CARDINALS: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Florida)
The Cards love athletic and versatile young defenders, and Phillips is exactly that. And after the Cards' secondary allowed almost 250 passing yards per game in 2007, they need an injection of talent and depth. There are other specific areas they might target here, but none are as pressing and Phillips might go around this point.

 17  VIKINGS: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
How bad were the Vikes at stopping the pass in 2007? They were the worst in the NFL, allowing roughly 280 passing yards per game. Talib is an NFL-ready defensive back with good size and a lot of big-play ability. He's also the type of player who can fit in right away with what Minny likes to do in pass coverage.

 18  TEXANS: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon
This might be a little high for Stewart (pictured) if it were most other NFL teams, but the Texans are desperate for a top-tier featured back. They have really struggled at carrying the ball over the past couple of years and Stewart is an exciting prospect who is also remarkably polished for a guy without much major starting experience. Might be a steal.

 19  EAGLES: DeSean Jackson, WR/KR, California
Over the past couple of seasons QB Donovan McNabb has struggled to find a true go-to wideout in the passing game. They also need some more talent in the return game, so Jackson would appear to be an ideal fit. His stock has wavered a little lately, but he has elite jets and a proven track record.

 20  BUCCANEERS: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
The Bucs don't really focus on stopping the run but it has become a bit of a weakness since they traded away Booger McFarland to the Colts. Balmer has the mobility the Bucs love and he also picks up the run pretty well. Balmer's versatility is also something that could make him appealing to the Bucs.

 21  REDSKINS: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
The Redskins boasted a much-improved defense in 2007 but still suffered a little in the pass-rushing game, which lacked balance and depth. That makes Harvey a logical fit, and his instincts coming off the edge make him a good bet to be able to step up early in the NFL.

 22  COWBOYS: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Is he a perfect fit for the Cowboys' defense? Depends on your perspective. The recent loss of Jason Ferguson opens up a need for depth, and while Marling is a very versatile guy who can fit into any of several roles along the line. He may be gone earlier than this, but if Merling is still around here the 'Boys may have a bit of a steal.

 23  STEELERS: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
How ideal is this pick for the Steelers ? Otah played at Pitt, and with the recent departure of Alan Faneca, they need a top talent to step in and add depth. Otah's stock has been up and down lately because of an underwhelming Combine performance, which could see him slip to this point. 

 24  TITANS: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
As a product of nearby Vandy, Williams would be a nice public relations pick here for the Titans. But he is also a very nice pick from a needs perspective, since QB Vince Young needs more protection in the pocket. Williams is also the type of great athlete the Titans tend to covet, so all signs point to this being a likelihood.

 25  SEAHAWKS: Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn
The 'Hawks put a lot of stock into having talent and versatility on the D-line, and Groves fits both those requirements to a T. He's good enough to go earlier than this, but his injury history and some off-field incidents may see him drop to this point. If he does, he's a shoo-in for Seattle at No. 25.

 26  JAGUARS: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
With defensive end Paul Spicer getting older and Marcus Stroud now with Buffalo, the Jags need to start adding potential replacements along the line. Jackson (pictured) has the versatility the Jags love in their defenders and he's certainly accomplished and NFL ready, something that fits with this team-on-the-rise.

 27  CHARGERS: Branden Albert, OG/T, Virginia
Above all the Chargers seem to look to take the best possible athlete available, often regardless of position. They don't have a pressing need at guard but Albert is probably the most intriguing and high-upside guy likely to be available here. He would look great lined up alongside Marcus McNeill.

 28  COWBOYS: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Last season the Cowboys got a huge year from Terrell Owens, but they needed more big-play consistency from their secondary receivers. Thomas has an intriguing combination of elite speed and size, and he had a big enough year for the Spartans to see him going this high.

 29  49ers: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
Is this a little high for him? Probably not, all things considered. With Alex Smith not looking like the franchise guy the Niners were hoping for, Flacco is the perfect addition to either push Smith or replace him soon. This guy has a huge arm and a lot of poise, and could be a steal for a team desperate for answers under center.

 30  PACKERS: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
No question, the Packers have to be thrilled with how Ryan Grant stepped up for them in 2007. But even with Grant playing well, the Pack need more of a dependable running game, especially now that Brett Favre is retired. Jones is a very underrated option who was nothing but productive for Arkansas and could provide a great change-of-pace to Grant.

 31  GIANTS: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Antonio Pierce is still around, but now that Kawika Mitchell is gone the Giants need someone who can dominate as a do-it-all guy in the middle of their linebacking corps. Enter Connor, who is the latest in a long line of well-rounded tackling machines produced by Penn State.