NFL M OCK D RAFT

1. Miami -- T Jake Long, Michigan

Skeptics doubted Big Tuna would settle for an offensive lineman with a team ranked 30th in defense against scoring. But he did, raising questions whether he was studying the draft or staring at that blue temperature indicator on his bottle of beer.

2. St. Louis -- DE Chris Long, Virginia

The Rams have been sheep on defense for too long. Leonard Little (one sack) appears done. Long makes too much sense here. Maybe too much sense for muttonheads.

3. Atlanta -- QB Matt Ryan, Boston College

Look at it this way: Do you really want to believe in Chris Redman? The question answers itself. The Falcons have gutted their team, and starting over usually begins with the quarterback. Most figure they'll take DT Glenn Dorsey, but they go for the flash.

4. RAIDERS -- DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU

All along, I've believed (or recommended) they trade down for a Lawrence Welk (a one and a two). But if

Dorsey is here, the temptation may be too strong to stay put. They simply must do something about a run defense that has underperformed for a decade. If Dorsey and Chris Long are gone and they're staring Darren McFadden in the face, Al Davis will be tempted. But logic demands a trade. As if logic mattered with the Raiders.

5. Kansas City -- DE/LB Vernon Gholston, Ohio State

The Chiefs don't need McFadden, who is now dropping like a rock. Jared Allen is gone. Gholston could be as devastating as the troubled Allen was. Also possible: lineman Branden Albert.

6. New York Jets -- RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas

Hello. The Jets do need a running back. Cynics say planting McFadden in New York is like asking John Daly to serve as night watchman in a liquor store then televising it. Too many temptations and too much media scrutiny. But too much talent to ignore.

7. New England (from 49ers) -- LB Keith Rivers, USC

This would have been the 49ers' pick too, if they still had it. The only knock on Rivers is his reckless style. Enter Bill Belichick to deal with that.

8. Baltimore -- CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy

The Ravens had hoped Ryan would still be around. If he is, color him purple. If not, do they reach and take Joe Flacco, who belongs somewhere in the 18-27 range? Probably not.

9. Cincinnati -- T Ryan Clady, Boise State

Cincinnati needs defensive help. Always. Unfortunately they stink at drafting defense. Clady is an accomplished pass blocker so this pick ensures the health of Carson Palmer. They'll just keep trying to outscore people, thank you.

10. New Orleans -- DT Sedrick Ellis, USC

He's slipped far enough to make this a steal. They knew they weren't going to get the hometown kid, Dorsey.

11. Buffalo -- DE Derrick Harvey, Florida

The Bills need an edge rushbacker. They might surprise and take Quentin Groves.

12. Denver -- T Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh

Otah is a beast of a run blocker. He's got Denver written all over him.

13. Carolina -- T Chris Williams, Vanderbilt

There are needs at defensive end, running back and free safety as well, but if Julius Peppers can be restored to his former self, they can take care of other necessities in the later rounds.

14. Chicago -- G/T Branden Albert, Virginia

The Bears need a quarterback. They wouldn't recognize one if he bit them on the muzzle. Rather than make another mistake with Brian Brohm or risk being made to look like they reached for Flacco, they take Albert, who should have gone some time ago.

15. Detroit -- CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech

What? No wide receiver? Matt Millen goes to his gut and takes a tough guy for a neglected defense that gave up more points than any other team in the NFL last year.

16. Arizona -- RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois

A bruiser to complement Edgerrin James in the waning days of his career.

17. Kansas City (from Minnesota) -- G Chilo Rachal, USC

As Albert was falling, the Chiefs harbored dreams he would last to here. They may have tried to trade up when they saw Otah, Williams and Albert go back-to-back-to-back. Whatever. The Chiefs will draft an offensive lineman with one of their two first- rounders.

18. Houston -- CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State

With Dunta Robinson coming back from a serious knee injury, the Texans are hurting at the deepest position in the draft. Easy decision.

19. Philadelphia -- CB Aqib Talib, Kansas

They picked up Asante Samuel, but it is believed Lito Shepard's days in Philly are done. They are smitten with Talib.

20. Tampa Bay -- QB Joe Flacco, Delaware

Chuckie loves his quarterbacks and he didn't do badly with another Delaware product.

21. Washington -- DE Philip Merling, Clemson

Or they could go with Malcolm Kelly to fill a receiver need.

22. Dallas (from Cleveland) -- RB Felix Jones, Arkansas

Everybody and his uncle has Hog grad Jerry demanding Felix. Joneses stick together too. Sooey, indeed.

23. Pittsburgh -- WR James Hardy, Indiana

A full boat of wide receivers are there for the picking. The Steelers like'em tall and shouldn't have let Plaxico Burress get away. Hardy is Plaxico II.