Mock draft: Moving aside, Rams will still take Long

Updated April 25

I can't remember a draft where there's been this much talk of movement at the top. Kansas City wants to go backward. St. Louis would consider it, too. New England and the Jets may move forward. The same goes for New Orleans.

And Baltimore? All the Ravens care about is Matt Ryan. They want him, and they want him bad. Good news, John Harbaugh, I think you win this battle -- especially if the draft falls like this:

1. Miami Dolphins
	Jake Long, OT, Michigan: Score one for the home team.
2. St. Louis Rams
	Chris Long, DE, Virginia: The Rams need a defensive end more than they do a tackle; plus, they need the leadership Long brings. Don't rule out a deal with Atlanta.
3. Atlanta Falcons
	Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State: The Falcons might be able to get him by sitting still, but they don't want to take that chance. They've been talking about trading up for Dorsey, who fills a need at defensive tackle.
4. Oakland Raiders
	Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: So there are character issues. These are the Oakland Raiders, for crying out loud. They don't care. The guy is a rare talent, and the Raiders won't pass on him.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
	Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State: The Chiefs are in the same position Arizona was a year ago when it took tackle Levi Brown with the fifth pick. They would like to move down, but don't count on it.
6. New york Jets
	Vernon Gholston, OLB, Ohio State: Both the Jets and Patriots are interested in Gholston, with each talking to Kansas City about moving forward. If McFadden is still here (which he shouldn't be), he's the slam dunk.
7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
	Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California: What was one of the criticisms of last year's Patriots? Uh-huh, that their linebackers were older than Dick Butkus. Rivers could be Mike Vrabel's understudy, an injection of young legs at a position of need.
8. Baltimore Ravens
	Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: Baltimore is locked on this guy and has been since the retirement of Steve McNair. The Ravens will do what they can to get him, and if it means moving forward they will.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
	Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California: Attention, Cincinnati: New Orleans also would like this guy. If the Saints move forward it's for Ellis or Dorsey, but I don't see how they go to No. 2. The Bengals hope they don't go ahead of them, either.
10. New Orleans Saints
	Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: The best cornerback in the draft, and he may be gone by this time. He fills a need, but don't be surprised if the Saints push to move up.
11. Buffalo
	Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State: I'm not as confident about this one because I know the Bills are looking at cornerbacks, too. But this is a perfect spot for him, and sooner or later they must find another outside threat for Trent Edwards.
12. Denver Broncos
	Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt: The Broncos were hoping that Clady would be here. He won't. So they go for the offensive tackle who's most like him. Williams is the guy. Running back is also a possibility here.
13. Carolina Panthers
	Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: Something needs to be done about a pass rush that produced 23 sacks last season. With Harvey, the Panthers also get a bookend pass rusher for Julius Peppers.
14. Chicago Bears
	Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh: The Bears could use another running back, too, but they need offensive linemen first -- so they better strike now. They can get the backs later.
15. Detroit Lions
	Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee: It could be a running back, with Mendenhall the most likely choice. But coach Rod Marinelli wants speed and productivity on defense, and this guy has both.
16. Arizona Cardinals
	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tenn. State: This is another team looking for help at running back, but it will wait and strike for Cromartie first -- provided, of course, he's there.
17. Kansas City (from Minnesota)
	Branden Albert, G, Virginia: A surprise? Apparently you haven't seen Kansas City's offensive line lately. If he's here the Chiefs take him, but look for others to try to move up. Albert can play guard or tackle, and suitors covet that .
18. Houston Texans
	Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: The Texans want OT Chris Williams, but he shouldn't be here. Mendenhall might slip. If he does the Texans will have no choice but to pounce.
19. Philadelphia Eagles
	Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College: Andy Reid loves offensive and defensive linemen, and he must get help for his aging and declining offensive tackles. This is his chance.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: Brian Kelly is gone, and Ronde Barber just turned 33. So, yes, there's a need here. The Bucs can thank their lucky stars if he's still available.
21. Washington Redskins
	Philip Merling, DE, Clemson: The Redskins would like a big receiver for Jason Campbell, too, but they go first for defense, then look to help themselves with receiver down the road.
22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland)
	Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas: It makes too much sense ... unless, of course, someone like Tampa Bay takes him ahead of the Cowboys. He becomes this year's Julius Jones to Marion Barber.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers
	Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: He could go as high as the 12th spot, but some teams will be scared off by the toe injury. Not Pittsburgh. The Steelers can bring him along slowly as Willie Parker's caddy. If Stewart is gone it's Kentwan Balmer.
24. Tennessee Titans
	Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina: He can play inside or outside and would fit nicely in Jim Schwartz's defensive line rotation. The Titans might consider Stewart or a wide receiver here, too.
25. Seattle Seahawks
	Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue: The Seahawks need pass receivers, and Keller is a former wideout. Plus, he plays a position of need. DE Lawrence Jackson is touted as a possibility, but it's too high for him.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
	Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas: The Jags want defensive linemen, but I can't find a decent one at this position to give them. So I'm reaching here, folks, for my next best running back, figuring the Jags must prepare for Life After Fred someday.
27. San Diego Chargers
	Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech: The Chargers would love to help their offensive line, particularly at tackle, but the best of that group should be picked over by this time. That would push the club to find a backup corner to replace Drayton Florence.
28. Dallas Cowboys
	James Hardy, WR, Indiana: This is another one that makes too much sense. The Cowboys have aging receivers, and they just acquired Pacman Jones at cornerback. Of course, there's no guarantee he plays so that's a possibility.
29. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis)
	DeSean Jackson, WR, California: So the 49ers have Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. They need a gamebreaker on the outside, and Jackson could be the man. DE Quentin Groves also a possibility.
30. Green Bay Packers
	Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State: The Packers were looking for cornerbacks, but they're not going to take a flyer on Aqib Talib. So they go for the tackling machine.
31. New England Patriots
	Pick forfeited.
32. New York Giants
	Kenny Phillips, S, Miami He looks like a perfect fit for a defense that lost one of its starting safeties. If he's not here, look for the club to consider taking Arkansas defensive tackle Marcus Harrison.