Chris Long Tops My 3rd Mock Draft

Free agency is winding down and, even with potential trades still in the works; it looks like most teams now know their major needs going into this month's NFL draft.

I've already put together two mock drafts this year but only focused on the top 10. Today, I think I'll go a bit further and look at all the picks in the first round.

1. Miami Dolphins - Chris Long, DE. Some think the Dolphins will instead look to draft offensive lineman Jake Long with the first overall pick. But, offensive linemen can be developed; Long is one of the few prospects actually worthy of a top 5 pick. I see the Dolphins building around defense with this pick (assuming, of course, someone doesn't blow them away with a trade offer first).
2. St. Louis Rams - Jake Long, OT. Despite what I said before about offensive linemen and how you can develop them, the Rams are a team that is desperate for as much offensive line help as they can get. After signing quarterback Marc Bulger to a big contract a short while ago, they don't want to see him injured as much as he was last season.
3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey, DT. Darren McFadden will be available at this point, but the team just spent big money bringing in Michael Turner and I just don't think running back is a pressing need for them. New Head Coach Mike Smith is a defensive guy so I see him bringing in a player to build that defense around.
4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB. Owner Al Davis loves playmakers and that is exactly what McFadden would bring to an offense. Paired with JaMarcus Russell, you could see a team that shows a lot of improvement in 2008.
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DB. The Chiefs would love for Jake Long to fall to them here because offensive line is a much more pressing need. However, they are trying to get younger on defense and Cromartie should be a solid cornerback. They may consider a quarterback here, but I think they are going to give Brodie Croyle a chance to show what he can do.
6. New York Jets - Vernon Gholston, DE/LB. Gholston is a good fit for the 3-4 defense the Jets run and a good value at this spot in the draft.
7. New England Patriots - Aqib Talib, DB. The Patriots need to get younger at linebacker but any linebackers outside of Gholston would be a reach at this point. I think they look to add depth to their secondary.
8. Baltimore Ravens - Brian Brohm, QB. A lot of people think Matt Ryan will be the first quarterback taken in the NFL draft and Brohm will find himself in a free-fall. I think it might be the other way around. A year ago, before deciding to stay in school for another year, Brohm could have been one of the top picks in the draft. I think the Ravens will remember that when they have a choice of the top two passers.
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis, DT. Part of me thinks that, with the issues going on with Chad Johnson, the team might consider a wide receiver. But, it's a weak receiver class this year and it would be a reach to take one at this spot. Ellis immediately upgrades their front seven.
10. New Orleans Saints - Keith Rivers, LB. Cornerback is a much bigger need. But, the top two are already off the board. Having a linebacker like Rivers will also help their defense.
11. Buffalo Bills - Malcolm Kelly, WR. Receiver is the team's biggest need. And, while Kelly is a bit of a reach, he is a perfect fit for the Bills. His size will match up with the speed of the team's other receivers.
12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT. Long-time left tackle Matt Lepsis retired and they will need to replace him. Defense is a bigger concern than offense but there aren't any linebackers or defensive tackles that are worth this pick.
13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams, OT. The Panthers are another team in need of help on their offensive line and, with Clady already off the board, they will make sure to get the next best left tackle prospect.
14. Chicago Bears - Rashard Medenhall, RB. A lot of people chalk up the Bears' demise last year to their quarterback play. I think inconsistency from their running backs did much more damage to them. Give Rex Grossman a legitimate running game and he can show he's one of the better quarterbacks in the league.
15. Detroit Lions - Matt Ryan, QB. Jon Kitna is not a long-term answer at quarterback for this team and Ryan would be a steal at this spot. Plus, having a veteran like Kitna gives the team the opportunity to develop the rookie for a year or two.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Leodis McKelvin, DB. Antrell Rolle is moving to safety and the team will need a solid number 2 corner. McKelvin gives them a player who should be able to start immediately.
17. Minnesota Vikings - Derrick Harvey, DE. Minnesota needs help with its pass rush and Harvey gives them a guy who can do just that. Receiver might be a possibility here too.
18. Houston Texans - Jonathan Stewart, RB. The Texans have signed two free agent running backs in two seasons; Ahman Green and Chris Brown. But, considering that position is notorious for injuries in Houston, I think they add another one to their stable.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Limas Sweed, WR. The Eagles need to add playmakers on their offense if they want any hope of winning in the NFC East. Sweed upgrades their receiving corps.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DeSean Jackson, WR. The Buccaneers have roughly a half dozen quarterbacks on their roster right now and need someone for them to throw to. Jackson is the best receiver left on the board.
21. Washington Redskins - James Hardy, WR. Hardy gives the Redskins and new Head Coach Jim Zorn a nice big body for their new West Coast Offense.
22. Dallas Cowboys - Mike Jenkins, CB. From their pursuit of currently suspended cornerback Pacman Jones, defensive back is a glaring need for this team. I don't think the trade will be worked out (the Titans want too much for him) so I see them drafting to fill that position instead.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jeff Otah, OT. I think the Steelers would prefer Chris Williams but, with Williams off the board, will take the hometown product instead.
24. Tennessee Titans - Mario Manningham, WR. Maybe one day the Titans can enter the draft and not have wide receiver as their top need. Manningham gives them a player with the ability to stretch the field.
25. Atlanta Falcons (from Seattle Seahawks) - Chad Henne, QB. Henne is a quarterback that is moving up many boards and will likely be gone by the end of the first round or will be taken by the Dolphins at the start of the second round. The Falcons need a passer to build around and, after taking Dorsey with the 3^rd overall pick, will look to trade into the first round. I think the Seahawks will bite simply because their most pressing need is offensive line and the top linemen are already off the board. If the Seahawks stay here, I think they'll likely look at receivers because you can never have too many of those.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Devin Thomas, WR. The Jaguars are another team that might look to improve their defense at this spot but I think they won't pass up on a potential game-changing receiver (though one that will likely need a year or two to develop).
27. San Diego Chargers - Gosdar Cherilus, OT. Cherilus is a guy that may be a bit of a reach here. But, the Chargers don't have a second round pick this year and no pressing needs so they'll likely take him at this spot.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Kenny Phillips, S. The Cowboys have the luxury of having two first round picks and I think they use the second one to take the best safety available in this draft.
29. San Francisco 49ers - Quentin Groves, DE. This team desperately needs an impact receiver and Isaac Bruce isn't that guy. However, at this point in the draft, they are better off improving their defense with a guy who can play linebacker in their system.
30. Green Bay Packers - Felix Jones, RB. Part of me thinks the Packers go cornerback here. However, the other part thinks that, if Jones is still on the board like in this scenario, they'll take him instead; especially since Ryan Grant still isn't under contract. If the Falcons haven't traded up at this point to take Chad Henne, don't be surprised to see the Packers pull the trigger to trade down with them.
31. Forfeited by the New England Patriots
32. New York Giants - Dan Connor, LB. The Giants need help at linebacker and they'll land a solid player at this spot.