Draft Days

With the NFL draft now only 12 days away, there is a lot of speculation on who will go number one to the Dolphins. So far, the team is apparently talking contract with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston. Personally, I have listed Jake Long in the number one slot in my mock drafts. I think Gholston will be a suprise pick by the Oakland Raiders at number four.
Lets take a look at the Dolphins most likely options:
Jake Long, OT, Michigan: could be a perennial Pro Bowler at right tackle, but the consensus is he will man the left side. While it could take a bit longer for him to develop here, they need to provide protection for whoever their quarterback is.
Chris Long, DE, Virginia: A typical Parcells pick. He is big, strong and has a famous father. I think they will go with Jake, with Chris falling (not really) to number two to the Rams.
Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State: Another Parcells-type guy. Hard working, great size and good skill set. Most analysists feel he will be better in the long run than Long, but he could require more time to develop. Would be great as a outside linebacker in a 3-4 defence.

With all this in mind, here is my Mock Draft for round one.
1. Miami Dolphins select Jake Long, OT from Michigan
2. St Louis Rams select Chris Long, DE from Virginia
3. Atlanta Falcons select Glenn Dorsey, DT from LSU
4. Oakland Raiders select Vernon Gholston, DE from Ohio State
5. Kansas City Chiefs select Sederick Ellis, DT from USC
6. New York Jets select Darren McFadden, RB from Arkansas
7. New England Patriots select Keith Rivers, LB from USC
8. Baltimore Ravens select Matt Ryan, QB from Boston College
9. Cincinnati Bengals select Kentwan Balmer, DT from North Carolina
10. New Orleans Saints select Leodis McKelvin, CB from Troy State
11. Buffalo Bills select Brandon Albert, OG from Virginia
12. Denver Broncos select Ryan Clady, OT from Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers select Derrick Harvey, DE from Florida
14. Chicago Bears select Johnathan Stewart, RB from Oregon
15. Detroit Lions select Jared Mayo, LB from Tennessee
16. Arizona Cardinals select Brandon Flowers, CB from Virginia Tech
17. Minnesota Vikings select Calais Campbell, DE from Miami (Fla)
18. Houston Texans select Rashard Mendenhall, RB from Illinois
19. Philadelphia Eagles select Kenny Phillips, S from Miami (Fla)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Mike Jenkins, CB from South Florida
21. Washington Redskins select Phillip Merling, DE from Clemson
22. Dallas Cowboys select Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB from Tennessee State
23. Pittsburgh Steelers select Aqib Talib, CB from Kansas State
24. Tennessee Titans select Deshean Jackson, WR from California
25. Seattle Seahawks select Quentin Groves, LB from Auburn
26. Jacksonville Jaguars select Jeff Otah, OT from Pittsburgh
27. San Diego Chargers select Felix Jones, RB from Texas
28. Dallas Cowboys select Malcolm Kelly, WR from Oklahoma
29. San Francisco 49ers select Dan Conner, LB from Penn State
30. Green Bay Packers select Brian Brohm, QB from Louisville
31. New England Patriots forfeit pick
32. New York Giants select Xavier Adibi, LB from Virginia Tech

There you go, a few surprises, but overall should be fairly accurate. Round two to come in the next few days.