Heath Benedict, an offensive lineman from Newberry College in South Carolina, was found dead at his home on Wednesday evening, according to NFL.com. Police said that no foul play is suspected in the death of the 24-year-old. He participated in last month's NFL combine. "He was a big, tough man, but he had a very gentle heart," Newberry President Mick Zais said. "He was a teddy bear."

Some changes spawned by free agency and also some more info gleaned from various reliable sources. As always, this does not necessarily represent what I would do, but rather what I believe is going to happen. Regarding New England?s pick at #7 overall, I have Matt Ryan as the pick. Before you spit-take your coffee, an explanation: I?m picking the slot, not the team. Do I think the Patriots would seriously take Matt Ryan--no way! I believe they are trading down, and that Matt Ryan will be the seventh overall pick. Because at this point I do not know their dancing partner (though I?ve got a good idea who!), I?m going to leave the teams where they are slotted. There are a couple of other slots where I?m doing the same thing, and I?ll indicate this in the explanation. Now that the Deangelo Hall deal is done, the Falcons will have picks 34, 35, and 48 overall. That makes Atlanta a prime candidate as a trading partner. I will be fairly surprised if the Cowboys wind up picking at both #22 and #28 as well; they might get bundled to move up, but I believe the more likely scenario is they trade down with one of the picks. Round 1 1. Miami Dolphins: Chris Long, DE, Virignia In the last mock I had Matt Ryan here, but I?ll give you two reasons for the change. First is courtesy of those who convinced me Bill Parcells believes he can win more quickly with a strong defense and an average QB. I buy that argument. I also believe the Josh McCown signing buys them another year to see if John Beck can be a Parcells guy, or if McCown himself can be that guy. Chris Long is the epitome of a Parcells guy, a non-stop physical player with a high football IQ who hates losing more than he loves winning. 2. St. Louis Rams: Jake Long, T, Michigan I?m even more convinced the Rams will take Long after Michigan?s pro day. They seem relatively unfazed by the prospect of pulling the plug on the Alex Barron experiment, and I also get the vibe the plan is for Long to get up to NFL speed for a year on the right side and then swing over to replace Orlando Pace at LT. I?ve received conflicting info regarding their plan if Jake Long is not on the board; one person told me Chris Long, but someone higher up the front office chain steered me towards Glenn Dorsey. Since he is the person who told me last March they were taking Adam Carriker, I?ll trust him. 3. Atlanta Falcons: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC Surprise! After hammering in every prior mock how the Falcons covet Matt Ryan and would take him if he is available, yet Ellis is the pick here. Why? Enough people who know new coach Mike Smith have convinced me just how integral having a dynamic DL is to him, and Ellis is a proven disruptive playmaker. Ellis gets the nod over Glenn Dorsey because he is more explosive into the backfield and has enough versatility to move around on the line, an important trait when a team is undergoing as massive a reconstruction as these Falcons. 4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas No change from the last mock, despite some pretty virulent hate mail from disgruntled Raiders fans. I?ll use blunt words so the average Raiders fan can understand this: your owner doesn?t give a crap what the team needs, or what you think he should do. When Al Davis sees a RB with McFadden?s size run a sub-4.4 40, he sees the young Marcus Allen who won him a Super Bowl. And McFadden has perhaps the highest ceiling of any player in this draft, the ability to dictate defensive adjustments to help out young heavyweight QB Jamarcus Russell. 5. Kansas City Chiefs: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU One well-respected scout believes the NFL player Dorsey most resembles is Chiefs legend Neil Smith, a menacing line anchor with enough agility and quickness to make plays in the backfield. Kansas City has never really replaced Smith despite lots of prominent attempts. Having a dominant D-Line is integral to the Tampa 2 defense coach Herm Edwards favors, and paired with NFL sack champ Jared Allen, Dorsey could provide that and help the Chiefs win some of those 17-13 games. 6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State Proving at his pro day he?s more than agile enough to play in space as a 3-4 OLB, Gholston is an ideal fit for the Jets. Though he has stated repeatedly he prefers to play with a hand on the ground, his quick play diagnosis and explosive first step with balance will allow him to make the transition relatively painless. New York sorely needs an impact pass rusher to make life easier on their secondary. 7. New England Patriots (from SF): Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: Read the explanation above; I?m picking the player and slot, not the team! If by some small chance the Patriots hold onto the pick, it will be either Keith Rivers or more likely Leodis McKelvin, though they vastly prefer Vernon Gholston. That would leave Ryan for the Ravens, and I have a hard time believing they would pass on him. If Ryan is off the board already, the slot goes to any of the players above who would be bumped down. 8. Baltimore Ravens: Ryan Clady, T, Boise State Though they have more pressing needs at other spots (CB, WR, maybe QB), GM Ozzie Newsome will not hesitate to put off those needs if he can get a potentially dominant LT to replace the retiring Jon Ogden. If Clady answers the questions about his intensity and level of competition, the Ravens transition from one Hall of Famer to, at worst, a perennial Pro Bowl-caliber player at one of the highest profile positions on the field. It?s not their most pressing need, but Newsome has proven in the past he won?t bypass better talent at one spot for slightly lower talent at a position of greater need. 9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, LB, USC This might seem a bit high for Rivers, who is the type of player who leads a team in tackles every year for a decade but does so without a lot of sizzle or panache. That suits the Bengals, who have enough flamboyance elsewhere and sorely need a stalwart defensive leader. Rivers can play any of the LB spots and has the athleticism to handle the hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense the team is allegedly going to run. I?ve been told by a person who would know that the talk of a RB here is strictly a smokescreen. If Chad Johnson gets dealt (I highly doubt that, but stranger things have happened!), then all bets are off regarding this and their other picks. 10. New Orleans Saints: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy The Saints badly need a reliable cover man who can also make plays at corner, and that describes McKelvin to a ?T?. He?s a little smaller (5?10?, 190) than the other top CBs, but his amazing recovery speed and fluidity out of his breaks separate McKelvin. He?s also clutch--nearly 80% of his plays on the ball (INTs and passes defensed) came on 3rd down. And though they need a dynamic return man about as much as Howie Mandel needs a barber, McKelvin is also a top-flight punt and kick returner 11. Buffalo Bills: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State Thomas is tearing up draft boards after tearing up Big Ten defenses last fall. He is a lethal open-field runner with an ideal blend of size (6?1?, 215) and speed (4.4 40 with a 1.47 first 10--that?s outstanding). Showing very strong hands and the ability to line up all over the field, Thomas is a perfect fit for the Bills, who need a sizeable complement to Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish. Consider this about Thomas: he was more productive as both a receiver and return man than the more heralded Desean Jackson, plus he?s significantly bigger and accelerates faster to boot. 12. Denver Broncos: Chris Williams, T, Vanderbilt Williams more closely fits the agile, technically proficient tackle the Broncos prefer for their running style than the other tackles on the board. He?s also got experience protecting QB Jay Cutler?s backside. Denver typically is one of the most active draft-day movers, and if they feel they can move down and still get strong value with either Williams or a WR (they love Desean Jackson), Mike Shanahan will have no problem making a deal now that he wrested complete control over personnel decisions. 13. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida The Panthers struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback last season, and it can?t all be laid upon Julius Peppers? subpar effort. And with Peppers entering the last year of his deal, having a contingency plan and someone to help him is a very good idea. Harvey has an effective barrage of pass rush moves and also holds the edge well against the run. Many scouts like him better than former Gator teammate Jarvis Moss, the Broncos 1st rounder last season who showed strong potential. The Panthers are one of the teams that could be involved in trading up for Matt Ryan. Also, if the Bengals take Harvey (and they might), Carolina would be happy ?settling? for Jeff Otah here. 14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah, T, Pittsburgh The Bears have the weakest skill position talent in the NFC, but upgrading the offensive line can only help Ced Benson, Rex Grossman et al. Otah is a massive bookend who is still learning how to play, but he has proven to be a quick study and has the functional bulk to move inside if needed. When a team has multiple line spots to fill like Chicago, that versatility and upside are valuable assets. The Bears are another team that might move up to snare Matt Ryan or perhaps Ryan Clady. 15. Detroit Lions: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida The Lions brought in upgraded starters at CB in Brian Kelly and Leigh Bodden, but Kelly is nearing the end and Bodden has struggled with injuries. Jenkins is an ideal Tampa 2 scheme cover corner, a smart athlete with great closing speed who brings the wood in run support. He actually reminds me of a younger Brian Kelly, only faster. Detroit is going through great pains to bring in guys coach Rod Marinelli trusts, and Jenkins fits that mold perfectly. 16. Arizona Cardinals: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois Another pick where it?s not the primary need, but such a talent at a position that does need upgrading is too tempting to pass up. Mendenhall has all the trappings of Willie Parker, who became a star under Coach Whisenhunt, and his ability to bounce runs outside the tackles is a nice contrast to Edgerrin James. Taking a corner here makes a lot of sense as well. 17. Minnesota Vikings: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State DRC has more than proven he can play with the big boys, and his pedigree (his cousin led the AFC in INTs) helps his cause. Adding to the secondary is imperative for a team that plays both DET and GB twice every season, even if the Lions will use the 4 wide set less often. I?m told by reliable sources the Vikings are not interested in either a WR or a QB with this pick. 18. Houston Texans: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon His recent toe surgery might scare some teams off, but the Texans desperately need an impact RB. Stewart?s package of power, speed, and receiving ability would allow Coach Kubiak to get the offensive balance and clock-munching drives the team sorely needs to make the next step forward. They couldn?t go wrong with any of the aforementioned CBs if their concerns over Stewart?s health change--and the Texans are more sensitive than most to injury issues. 19. Philadelphia Eagles: Desean Jackson, WR/KR, California The lightweight Jackson would help these birds kill two needs with one stone--a dynamic return man and a receiver who can make things happen in the open field. He?s not the #1 WR they covet, but I?m not sure they see anyone in this draft who plugs that hole. I tend to be a harsh judge on Jackson as a receiver, but Andy Reid?s offense would play to his strengths. This could also be a slot/player pick, not necessarily the team. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma The word that always comes up when scouts talk about Kelly is ?smooth?. He?s the best big-play threat of the taller wideouts and knows how to create space for himself. The caveat is that ?smooth? can quickly morph into ?soft?, and Jon Gruden reacts to ?soft? the way Billy Packer does when Duke doesn?t get a call. Many believe they prefer Desean Jackson with this pick, but I would also not rule out Kentwan Balmer or Pat Sims. 21. Washington Ethnic Slurs: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami FL The very tall (6?8?) Campbell has the athleticism to become an impact pass rusher, or at worst be a major passing lane disruptor. The Skins recently hired his position coach from Miami to coach their DL, and that kind of familiarity can mean a lot on draft day. Campbell isn?t real sturdy against the run and his effort sometimes wanes, but as part of a DE rotation he should be an effective pro. With Andre Carter, Demetric Evans, and Philip Daniels, Washington can bring him along slowly and reap the benefits down the line. 22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Limas Sweed, WR, Texas No player?s reputation took a bigger unmerited hit than Sweed?s did courtesy of his wrist injury, which basically washed away the last 9 months of his career. Some of us still remember the physical WR with amazing body control, strong hands, and the sneaky speed that few tall guys exhibit. Trust me, Jerry Jones remembers that guy too. If Sweed is off the board, don?t think the Cowboys just automatically default to the next WR on their board--bolstering the DL and secondary are high on the priority list too. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Branden Albert, G, Virginia Albert shined in the physical ACC under former Jets coach Al Groh. He is the top interior line prospect in the draft, but several scouts have confirmed Albert could develop into a stud bookend tackle, if needed. The Steelers are in the midst of an OL overhaul, and Albert?s versatility and experience in a pro-style offense make him a perfect fit. 24. Tennessee Titans: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina Balmer is the active widebody the Titans need inside to complement Albert Haynesworth. Some worry about his sudden emergence after basically doing nothing of note his first seasons in college, but in recent drafts the Titans have been more than willing to take a chance on players like that--and have often been handsomely rewarded. 25. Seattle Seahawks: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue No player helped his stock raise higher this offseason than Keller, the physical marvel of the Combine who amazingly took it up a notch at his pro day. Watching film of Keller shows he?s used to making tough catches with his hands and does a great job setting up his routes, a la Dallas Clark. The Seahawks desperately need a reliable receiving TE who can force defensive adjustments, and Keller fits the bill perfectly. 26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Philip Merling, DE, Clemson Recent sports hernia surgery puts a ceiling on Merling?s draft stock, but if he doesn?t rush the recovery he should be fine my midseason. Widely regarded as the most well-rounded of the top DEs in this draft, Merling controls the edge very well and has flashed the ability to make some plays in the backfield. 27. San Diego Chargers: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas The Chargers put a premium on making big plays and pressuring the offense into mistakes and turnovers, then capitalizing on those mistakes. That is precisely what Talib does best--baiting the QB into a bad throw and making the tough catch after flashing exceptional closing speed. San Diego needs to restock the secondary with more youthful talent, though they also represent an ideal candidate to trade out of the 1st round so a team like Atlanta or Kansas City can trade up to snare the QB of their choosing here. 28. Dallas Cowboys: Dajuan Morgan, DB, North Carolina State Morgan is rocketing up draft boards thanks to an awesome senior season where he flew all over the field making plays and backed it up with impressive workout numbers. He is primarily a safety but played CB for two years and has the footwork and closing speed to handle playing nickel. That versatility gets him drafted ahead of Kenny Phillips, a better overall safety but a more limited player. The Cowboys desperately need a guy just like Morgan, a safety who can keep plays in front of him and also cover receivers like a corner. 29. San Francisco 49ers (from IND): Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan Judging by all the recent hype surrounding his rising stock, NFL teams aren?t too concerned about Manningham?s awful ending to his collegiate career, or his apparent fear of being touched while he?s running. At Michigan?s pro day pretty much the entire 49ers offensive staff met with Manningham and it sure seemed like a mutual admiration society. When he?s on his game he can be the dynamic downfield threat the team sorely needs, and he doesn?t lack for confidence--an important trait in a Mike Martz offense. 30. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma Of the remaining crop of corners, Smith is the best fit for the pressing, physical style the Packers employ. He also can play safety and provide very solid run support. With both starting CBs nearing the end of effectiveness and some lingering questions at safety, Smith?s versatility and knack for making plays at key moments are a great fit in the land of butterburgers and beer. 31. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State Despite lacking ideal measurables, Connor passes the on-field eyeball tests with flying colors. His ability to play any LB spot is quite appealing to the Giants, who lost two LBs and might move Kiwanuka back to DE. Connor will never be an All Pro, but you can pencil in 104 tackles and a couple of fumble recoveries every year for the next decade. New England lost their pick as punishment for violating NFL rules concerning the use of video recording equipment Round 2 32. Miami Dolphins: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan 33. St. Louis Rams: Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma 34. Atlanta Falcons: Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware 35. Atlanta Falcons (from OAK): Kenny Phillips, S, Miami FL 36. Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech 37. New York Jets: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville 38. Baltimore Ravens: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee 39. San Francisco 49ers: Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College 40. New Orleans Saints: Anthony Collins, T, Kansas 41. Buffalo Bills: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn 42. Denver Broncos: Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida 43. Carolina Panthers: Erin Henderson, LB, Maryland 44. Chicago Bears: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas 45. Detroit Lions: Matt Forte, RB, Tulane 46. Cincinnati Bengals: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn 47. Minnesota Vikings: Fred Davis, TE, USC 48. Atlanta Falcons (from HOU): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana 49. Philadelphia Eagles: Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech 50. Arizona Cardinals: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona 51. Washington Ethnic Slurs: James Hardy, WR, Indiana 52. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame 53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin King, CB, Penn State 54. Tennessee Titans: Early Doucet, WR, LSU 55. Seattle Seahawks: Chilo Rachal, G, USC 56. Green Bay Packers (from CLE): Sam Baker, T, USC 57. Miami Dolphins (from SD): Beau Bell, LB, UNLV 58. Jacksonville Jaguars: John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame 59. Indianapolis Colts: Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech 60. Green Bay Packers: Jermichael Finley, TE, Texas 61. Dallas Cowboys: Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida 62. New England Patriots: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn 63. New York Giants: John Greco, G/T, Toledo Round 3 64. Miami Dolphins: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech 65. St. Louis Rams: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC 66. Kansas City Chiefs: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California 67. New England Patriots (from OAK): Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State 68. Atlanta Falcons: Duane Brown, T, Virginia Tech 69. Carolina Panthers (from NYJ): Roy Schuening, G, Oregon State 70. Chicago Bears: John David Booty, QB, USC 71. Jacksonville Jaguars (from BUF): Tavares Goodman, LB, Miami FL 72. Buffalo Bills: Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri 73. Minnesota Vikings (from DEN): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston 74. Carolina Panthers: Jordy Nelson, WR, Kansas State 75. San Francisco 49ers: Shawn Murphy, G, Utah State 76. Detroit Lions: Marcus Howard, LB, Georgia 77. Cincinnati Bengals: Jamaal Charles, RB, Texas 78. New Orleans Saints: Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M 79. Houston Texans: Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech 80. Philadelphia Eagles: Ezra Butler, LB, Nevada 81. Arizona Cardinals: Cliff Avril, DE/OLB, Purdue 82. Minnesota Vikings: Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado 83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina 84. Washington Ethnic Slurs: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland 85. Tennessee Titans: Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State 86. Seattle Seahawks: Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas 87. Detroit Lions (from CLE): Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech 88. Pittsburgh Steelers: Paul Hubbard, WR, Wisconsin 89. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn 90. Chicago Bears (from SD): Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M 91. Green Bay Packers: Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton 92. Dallas Cowboys: Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State 93. Indianapolis Colts: Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State 94. New England Patriots: Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa 95. New York Giants: Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina The Bears and 49ers swapped spots in the 3rd round based on the tampering charges surrounding Bears LB Lance Briggs.

The price might be too high for the Cowboys to trade up in next month's draft to grab Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, according to The NFL Network. Is seems as though the pair of first round picks that Dallas has aren't enough to move into the top five. They might have to throw in their second-rounder, in addition to the two first-rounders, in order to land in the top five. Even then, there is no guarantee McFadden will be there when it's time for their selection.

Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart underwent surgery Wednesday afternoon to repair a fracture near the top of his foot. The decision to have the surgery now was made so that Stewart could be ready for training camp. Jeff Risdon of RealGM most recently had him selected 18th by the Houston Texans.

Olympic sprint champion Justin Gatlin showed off his skills for scouts on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. He was present for Tennessee's pro timing day. He is the reigning 100-meter Olympic champion, but faces an eight-year ban for a doping violation. He is appealing the punishment. Gatlin took part in Tampa Bay's rookie mini-camp last year.

Updated for transactions through March 3rd. Some precursory notes: All the recent trades of players for picks appears to put a real damper on significant draft-day trades. Do not expect much movement near the top, but there is some chatter in the 20-40 range. Teams are still sorting out their draft boards and developing contingency draft plans. Combined with the remaining free agents still looking to sign, that means there is still some fluidity--what you see today might change quite a bit over the next 7 weeks. Round 1 1. Miami Dolphins: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College This assumes they find no takers to move down, and that?s likely the case. There is very little (if any) separation between the top 3-4 prospects, and teams picking below that simply aren?t willing to meet Parcells? demands in a trade. Lots of pundits will point to the fact that Parcells once started a successful rebuild with Drew Bledsoe at #1 overall, but I have another rationale for Miami picking Ryan. The QB position in MIA has been a black hole since the chronically over-appreciated Dan Marino retired, and the ego of the Tuna won?t be satisfied until he proves he can fill that vacuum. Ryan will have to cut back on the INTs, but history has proven that talented QBs (the Mannings, Roethlisberger) can do that and win Super Bowls. 2. St. Louis Rams: Jake Long, T, Michigan Big Jake solidified his status as the top tackle in this draft and a top overall prospect with his impressive showing in Indy. He might indeed be better served on the right side, but Long has enough experience and attitude that he can handle LT duties just fine. He?s the best run blocking tackle to enter the league since Tony Boselli, and the Rams need loads of help across the front line, where they are replacing as many as 3 starters. I?m told by a reliable source the Rams have more interest in Vernon Gholston and Ryan Clady than they do in Glenn Dorsey, Darren McFadden, or Chris Long, and that Jake Long is a notch above all those on their draft board. 3. Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: Dorsey represents Plan B for the Falcons, who really want Matt Ryan but will not trade up to get him. He makes an excellent fall-back choice for the talent-starved defensive front, a unit which new Head Coach Mike Smith places the utmost importance. Dorsey commands constant double teams and still has enough quickness and motor to make plays in the backfield. The nagging injury questions surrounding Dorsey could scare off some teams, and if the Falcons buy into that buzz they?ll take Sedrick Ellis or Ryan Clady instead. The Michael Turner signing means they are out of the Darren McFadden business. 4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas Never mind that RB is the one position where the Raiders have both talent and depth; Al Davis doesn?t worry about taking coal to Newcastle when the coal burns as fast as Darren McFadden. As soon as the Raiders staff got word of McFadden?s blazing 40 time at the Combine, they all resigned themselves that he is the pick no matter what they need or who else is available. He has the chance to be a very special running back, but the knocks on him (dead legs, ball security, system) are legit as well. Humble prediction: if by some freak of nature he doesn?t go here and the Raiders go with Sedrick Ellis, McFadden is this year?s Brady Quinn or Aaron Rodgers, a suspected Top 5 draftee who plummets far below any reasonable prognostication. 5. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Clady, T, Boise State The Chiefs line needs an extreme makeover, and Clady is a sound choice for a new foundation. The man of few words lets his play do his talking, and the junior has a higher talent ceiling than Jake Long thanks to his exceptional footwork. If anyone can fill Willie Roaf?s pigeon-toed shoes, it?s Clady. Expect the Chiefs to check the market and see if they can slide down a few spots and still get Clady or Jeff Otah, who coach Herm Edwards covets as well. There is very little chance the Chiefs do not take a tackle with their first pick. 6. New York Jets: Chris Long, DE, Virginia Long is the top overall prospect on my board, but as I mentioned earlier there is little reason to hold tight to those rankings amongst the top 4-5 slots. The Jets would love Long to fall here, as he has experience playing DE in a pro-style 3-4 run by former Jets coach Al Groh as UVA. Like AJ Hawk and Joe Thomas in the last two drafts, Long represents the ?safe? pick (i.e. almost no chance of busting). Both those guys would up being very good very quickly, and Long should immediately upgrade the Jets balky defense with both his ability to get to the QB and his strong run support. 7. New England Patriots (from SF): Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State Mike Vrabel is nearing the end of a very long and prolific career as a pass-rushing converted defensive end who also happens to play great run defense and technically sound coverage. Gholston is the same type of player, only a little faster and stronger. As with Vrabel (who flopped in Pittsburgh before it clicked), it might take a little time for Gholston to adjust to playing without a hand on the ground, but he gives Belichick & Co. flexibility when they slide into a 4-3 front in nickel packages. As I mentioned in the Top 103, Gholston is better at disrupting screens and toss sweeps than any collegiate DE I?ve ever seen in nearly 30 years of watching. Sleeper pick: Rashard Mendenhall. 8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy In a division with some pretty prolific passing attacks, having a strong secondary is paramount to success. The Ravens have perhaps the best safety duo in the league, but corner is another story. McKelvin shined when facing BCS-conference competition and also shined at both the Senior Bowl and Combine. His package of size/speed/hands is ideal, and he?s comfortable playing the physical style the Ravens demand of their defenders. His skills as a return man are a bonus. 9. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida The anemic pass rush hindered what could be a decent young secondary, and losing Justin Smith to free agency only exacerbates the giant hole at defensive end. Harvey is an accomplished pass rusher with better upside than former Gator teammate Jarvis Moss, whom Head Coach Marvin Lewis openly coveted last draft. Trading for Dewayne Robertson mitigates the need at DT, and none of the available LBs are as potentially dynamic as Harvey. 10. New Orleans Saints: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC Some scouts rate Ellis even with Glenn Dorsey, and his dominating performance during Senior Bowl week opened a lot of eyes to his impressive quickness and ability to get off blocks despite lacking traditional bulk. The Saints are focusing on improving their defense up the middle, and Ellis certainly can help in that regard. A lot of Saints fans would like to think they?d address their chronic need for CB help here instead of overpaying second-tier free agents every spring, but like the Bengals just above them, the New Orleans coaching staff feels an improved pass rush will make their CBs look a lot less crappy. 11. Buffalo Bills: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas The Bills are set at #1 WR with Lee Evans and with the underneath/scat type WR in Roscoe Parrish. What they desperately need for whomever is playing QB is a quality #2 WR with size, great hands, and ability to get and remain open. That describes Sweed to a ?T?, and he showed in Indy he has very good speed and agility for a tall WR. The Bills have been known to throw some draft curveballs, and the potential is there for another one with the Sleeper Pick: Philip Merling. 12. Denver Broncos: Keith Rivers, LB, USC The Broncos D never really recovered from losing Al Wilson. With Ian Gold now gone as well, the time to restock the LB cupboard has come. Enter Rivers, who has great range, instincts, and the versatility to play inside or outside. With a little coaching and a solid supporting cast, Rivers has the ability to spearhead a very good defense. The great depth at T in this draft affords them the ability to skim the cream of a very weak LB class here and still upgrade the OL later. 13. Carolina Panthers: Jeff Otah, T, Pittsburgh Don?t be fooled by the re-signing of Travelle Wharton and the franchise tagging of Jordan Gross--this team still desperately wants to get better and deeper up front. The massive Otah (6?5?, 339 when dieting) has the bulk and power to move inside to replace Mike Wahle before he takes over for Gross in 2009. This is one of the few teams looking to move up, and picking up an extra 3rd rounder to shed Kris Jenkins? unwanted bulk might allow them to slide up and take Sedrick Ellis, whom they love. 14. Chicago Bears: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois They would much prefer Clady or Otah, but if they?re both gone GM Jerry Angelo will not be disappointed in taking Mendenhall. He has the speed, vision, and powerful running style to resuscitate the moribund Bears ground game, and the fact he has local ties won?t hurt either. Should Angelo be spooked by the freakishly long string of 1st round RB busts in Chicago, Brian Brohm could fit here. 15. Detroit Lions: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida The Lions are undergoing a major overhaul at corner, with a renewed emphasis on ball skills, controlling mistakes, and run support. Jenkins provides all of that in spades, and he hit it off with the Lions coaches during their Combine interview. Jenkins and new acquisition Leigh Bodden (picked up with a 3rd rounder for Shaun Rogers) have the potential to be an above-average CB duo in a division full of QBs who throw INTs in bunches. Matt Millen will consider Keith Rivers if he?s still on the board. 16. Arizona Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State DoRoCro (it?s a heck of a lot easier to type that than his full name!) may come from a small school, but he?s shown he?s every bit as good as any CBs from the big-time schools. With Antrell Rolle moving to the safety/nickel spot, the Cards need a guy who can step right in and provide both good man coverage and run support. DoRoCro has the size, speed, and technique to be that guy. They would take Mendenhall here if he?s still on the board. 17. Minnesota Vikings: Philip Merling, DE, Clemson Merling must now officially be referred to as ?underrated?, because that?s the label seemingly every pundit has tagged upon him. He can get to the QB better than the stats may show, but what really gives Merling value is that he is never out of position and can get off blocks to make plays. He has the agility to drop into coverage on occasion, a good trait of a team that likes to blitz LBs. Sleeper Pick: Chris Williams. 18. Houston Texans: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon This pick represents a perfect fit of what a team needs and what a player offers. Stewart can run for power between the tackles, but what makes him special is his burst into the open field and his great receiving skills. They desperately need help in the secondary as well, but Stewart?s potential as a true difference-maker is too great to pass on here. This pick is also the start of the range where teams looking to package picks and move up from the 2nd round starts to be viable, and the Texans will indeed be listening. 19. Philadelphia Eagles: Desean Jackson, WR/KR, California Donovan McNabb cries out for playmakers; Jackson is the epitome of a big-play guy, if you can live with the prolonged stretches where he does next to nothing as a receiver. The Eagles sorely need a premium return man, and that?s where Jackson has the greatest potential impact. He?s not quite Devin Hester on returns, but he?s a far more accomplished wideout, even if he weighs 20 pounds less than most ?small? WRs. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma Another good marriage of team need and player skill; Kelly is the best big-play threat of the bigger WRs with similar potential to Braylon Edwards. Since QB Jeff Garcia doesn?t have the field-stretching arm, Kelly?s best initial value comes as a red zone target, where the Bucs have consistently struggled in recent years. Don?t rule out the Bucs as a destination for Brian Brohm, as unlikely as that might seem with this pick. 21. Washington Ethnic Slurs: James Hardy, WR, Indiana The Skins desperately need size and strength at WR, and Hardy flashed the speed to go along with those in Indy. Hardy has thrived against several current and future NFL corners and has experience playing with a QB who likes to throw on the run like Jason Campbell. He has some flags but also undeniable potential. The Dan Snyder era has featured lots of wheeling and dealing of draft picks, and teams shopping to get someone unexpectedly falling (say, Gholston or Otah) will likely find a dance partner here. 22. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE): Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas Talib doesn?t have ideal speed for a corner, but he?s proven time and again he can make plays all over the field. His confidence and leadership are unmatched in this corner class as well. The Cowboys have missed out on the top free agent CBs and sorely need an overall upgrade at the position. They go CB ahead of WR with their two first rounders because the WR pool is deeper with higher talent. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Williams, T, Vanderbilt The Steelers OL is in the midst of an overhaul, and the fast-rising Williams has all the tools to be a top-flight NFL tackle. His rep for playing ?soft? isn?t unmerited but is overblown. Better protection for new $100M man Ben Roethlisberger is paramount; the Steelers ranked dead last in QB pressures and sacks per pass last season. If Williams and all the above tackles are gone, they will reach for Sam Baker here. 24. Tennessee Titans: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina The Titans struggled mightily when Al Haynesworth missed time, and free agency hurt their already-thin depth. Balmer is a late blooming physical stud who effectively uses brute force to make an impact as either a 2- or 3-technique DT. Once again, the depth at WR allows the Titans to address that hole later. 25. Seattle Seahawks: Branden Albert, G, Virginia He hasn?t always played like it, but Albert has shown often enough that he is capable of being a dominant NFL guard, particularly as a run blocker. The Seahawks brought in Mike Wahle, but his age and health dictate that Holmgren & Co. have a solid Plan B for a potential Super Bowl run. Sleeper Pick: Matt Forte. 26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn Groves is a speed rushing specialist with outstanding athleticism and snap anticipation. He often played like just another guy and isn?t much of a run defender, which limits his draft ceiling. Groves would essentially replace Bobby McCray, another player of similar swings in production. 27. San Diego Chargers: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech Flowers is your typical Hokie DB: athletic, tough, and willing to risk the big play to make the big play. On a team with a strong pass rush like the Chargers, that works very well, and Flowers would make a very talented nickel back. The Chargers are steadfast believers in taking the best player available, so if Balmer or any of the above tackles or corners are around, they?ll be the pick here. I?ve heard from a reliable source they are not Kenny Phillips fans even though he makes sense here. 28. Dallas Cowboys: Devin Thomas, WR/KR, Michigan State Thomas is a one-year wonder with outstanding physical tools. He?s lethal in the open field and also provides a dynamic option as a return man, qualities which the Cowboys need in more youthful packages. As always, any team with multiple picks bunched closely together is a great candidate to trade up, and if Darren McFadden somehow falls a little, expect Jerry Jones to work the phones hard. 29. San Francisco 49ers (from IND): Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida Whoever winds up being the least awful in their QB derby will need lots of help at WR. Caldwell has moved up draft boards with impressive displays in Mobile and Indy, and further reviews of game film prove his rising stock is merited. He?s perhaps the best route runner of the top grouping of wideouts and has very good running ability after the catch. They would love if one of the aforementioned tackles drops here. 30. Green Bay Packers: Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma Smith fits the mold of the current aging Packers CBs: physical, quick-closing, and often in need of safety help over the top. He?s also played some safety and performed well in that capacity, and having versatile depth is important when you?re thisclose to the Super Bowl. The Pack are a good candidate to trade down and save some signing bonus $$. 31. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State Connor lacks ideal physical attributes, but his instincts and intangibles are off the chart. He?ll never be a star, but in Steve Spagnuolo?s attacking 4-3 Connor has the potential to be a very solid weakside LB. The Giants have lost all their LB depth to free agency, meaning they will reach a little to fill a need here. Curtis Lofton also makes sense with this pick. - New England lost their pick as punishment for violating NFL rules concerning the use of video recording equipment Round 2 32. Miami Dolphins: Sam Baker, T, USC 33. St. Louis Rams: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan 34. Atlanta Falcons: Chad Henne, QB, Michigan 35. Oakland Raiders: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami FL 36. Kansas City Chiefs: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona 37. New York Jets: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville 38. Baltimore Ravens: Chris Johnson, RB/KR, East Carolina 39. San Francisco 49ers: Chilo Rachal, G, USC 40. New Orleans Saints: Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech 41. Buffalo Bills: Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue 42. Denver Broncos: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami FL 43. Carolina Panthers: Curtis Lofton, LB, Oklahoma 44. Chicago Bears: Early Doucet, WR, LSU 45. Detroit Lions: Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee 46. Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Collins, T, Kansas 47. Minnesota Vikings: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn 48. Atlanta Falcons (from HOU): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana 49. Philadelphia Eagles: Matt Forte, RB, Tulane 50. Arizona Cardinals: Beau Bell, LB, UNLV 51. Washington Ethnic Slurs: Gosder Cherilus, T, Boston College 52. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas 53. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin King, CB, Penn State 54. Tennessee Titans: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech 55. Seattle Seahawks: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn 56. Green Bay Packers: Erin Henderson, LB, Maryland 57. Miami Dolphins (from SD): Fred Davis, TE, USC 58. Jacksonville Jaguars: King Dunlap, T, Auburn 59. Indianapolis Colts: Shawn Murphy, G, Utah State 60. Green Bay Packers: Martellus Bennett, TE, Texas A&M 61. Dallas Cowboys: Kevin Smith, RB, Central Florida 62. New England Patriots: Zach Bowman, CB, Nebraska 63. New York Giants: Tony Hills, T, Texas Round 3 64. Miami Dolphins: Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt 65. St. Louis Rams: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC 66. Kansas City Chiefs: John Greco, G/T, Toledo 67. New England Patriots (from OAK): Geno Hayes, LB, Florida State 68. Atlanta Falcons: Duane Brown, T, Virginia Tech 69. Carolina Panthers (from NYJ): Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware 70. San Francisco 49ers: Athyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State 71. Jacksonville Jaguars (from BUF): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri--one of these two picks will be Buffalo, the other Jacksonville, but as of now which pick Buffalo dealt to the Jaguars for DT Marcus Stroud is not clear. 72. Buffalo Bills: Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa 73. Minnesota Vikings (from DEN): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston 74. Carolina Panthers: Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton 75. Chicago Bears: Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego 76. Detroit Lions: Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame 77. Cincinnati Bengals: Jordon Dizon, LB, Colorado 78. New Orleans Saints: Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee 79. Houston Texans: DaJuan Morgan, S, NC State 80. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Crummey, G, Maryland 81. Arizona Cardinals: Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers 82. Minnesota Vikings: Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech 83. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shawn Crable, DE/OLB, Michigan 84. Washington Ethnic Slurs: Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State 85. Tennessee Titans: Roy Schuening, G, Oregon State 86. Seattle Seahawks: Marcus Harrison, DT, Arkansas 87. Detroit Lions (from CLE): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn 88. Pittsburgh Steelers: Paul Hubbard, WR, Wisconsin 89. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dre Moore, DT, Maryland 90. Chicago Bears (from SD): Tom DeCoud, S, California 91. Green Bay Packers: Carl Nicks, G/T, Nebraska 92. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremy Geathers, DE, UNLV 93. Indianapolis Colts: Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California 94. New England Patriots: Chevis Jackson, CB, LSU 95. New York Giants: DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College