Arkansas running back Felix Jones might be the biggest winner from the injury that has Oregon's Jonathan Stewart out of action for four to six months. Jones moves up 12 spots in the most recent edition of my mock draft.
Other changes this week include the Carolina Panthers taking offensive tackle Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh rather than USC linebacker Keith Rivers, while the Chicago Bears, who previously had Otah, take a running back (Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois). Rivers falls to Green Bay, in the 30th spot, while fellow linebacker Jerod Mayo of Tennessee slips from the Packers to the New York Giants at the bottom of the round.
Leaping back into the first round after a terrific pro day workout and a series of personal interviews is Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib, who is now slated to go to the Houston Texans at pick No. 18.
» Mock draft 1.0 | Mock draft 2.0
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 1. Miami Dolphins |
 Chris Long DE, Virginia |
It wouldn't be a shock to see the Dolphins go with a quarterback because their new decision-makers, led by Bill Parcells, could easily decide they need someone better than John Beck. But is that someone Boston College's Matt Ryan, the presumptive top quarterback in the draft? For now, that's not entirely clear because Ryan didn't throw at the NFL Scouting Combine or play in the Senior Bowl. In the meantime, Long looks to be as safe as any player who could be chosen in this spot. He's one of the most complete and NFL-ready defensive ends to emerge from the college ranks. He had a tremendous performance at the combine. He also has extremely high character. Previous mock pick: Chris Long |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 2. St. Louis Rams |
 Jake Long OT, Michigan |
After last year's 3-13 finish, the Rams have plenty of holes to fill. If the Dolphins pass on Chris Long, the Rams might very well grab him here. Otherwise, they figure to address their biggest problem area, the offensive line, which lost three starters (including tackle Orlando Pace) to season-ending injuries in 2007. Jake Long could very well be this year's Joe Thomas, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Long had a dominant collegiate career. He has an excellent combination of size, strength, and athleticism, all of which resulted in a highly impressive showing at the combine. Previous mock pick: Jake Long |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 3. Atlanta Falcons |
 Glenn Dorsey DT, LSU |
The Falcons need a quarterback, but this seems far too high to select anyone at the position in this draft. Dorsey's dominance should go a long way in allowing Mike Smith's defense-first mentality take hold. First, though, the Falcons will need to be satisfied that there are no lingering problems with Dorsey's tibia stress fracture that he said dates back to the summer of his junior season. Previous mock pick: Glenn Dorsey |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 4. Oakland Raiders |
 Darren McFadden RB, Arkansas |
McFadden is probably the best player in the draft. Although the Raiders would have to take a long look at Dorsey if he were still available, they would have a hard time resisting an infusion of McFadden's world-class speed and game-breaking skills. Previous mock pick: Darren McFadden |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 5. Kansas City Chiefs |
 Ryan Clady OT, Boise State |
The Chiefs could easily go with Matt Ryan, if he's available, but they insist they are happy with incumbent starter Brodie Croyle and expect him to make major strides with new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. They are desperate for help on the offensive line and at cornerback. Previous mock pick: Ryan Clady |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 6. New York Jets |
 Vernon Gholston DE, Ohio State |
Eric Mangini is desperate to put some teeth into his pass rush. Gholston, an exceptionally talented and versatile defensive end who had 22 ½ sacks for the Buckeyes the past two seasons, should fill nicely into the Jets' front. Previous mock pick: Vernon Gholston |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 7. New England Patriots (From San Francisco) |
 Leodis McKelvin CB, Troy |
After losing Asante Samuel and Randall Gay, the Patriots have little choice but to rebuild themselves at cornerback. Previous mock pick: Leodis McKelvin |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 8. Baltimore Ravens |
 Matt Ryan QB, Boston College |
This could be a reach, although the Ravens do need to a quarterback to lead them in the post-Brian Billick era. Cornerback also is a distinct possibility here. Previous mock pick: Matt Ryan |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 9. Cincinnati Bengals |
 Sedrick Ellis DT, USC |
Ellis adds a big, strong, athletic force that the middle of the Bengals' defense needs. Previous mock pick: Sedrick Ellis |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 10. New Orleans Saints |
 Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB, Tennessee St. |
Rodgers-Cromartie's monster performance at the combine has caused his draft stock to soar, and the Saints just might be willing to take a little bit of a gamble on this small-college prospect. It also doesn't hurt that he is a cousin to one of the best corners in the NFL, Antonio Cromartie. Previous mock pick: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 11. Buffalo Bills |
 Malcolm Kelly WR, Oklahoma |
The Bills need a big, athletic complement to Lee Evans. Although a quadriceps injury prevented the 6-foot-4 Kelly from participating in combine drills, he looks to be the right choice to help bring much-needed improvement for their passing game. Previous mock pick: Malcolm Kelly |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 12. Denver Broncos |
 Chris Williams OT, Vanderbilt |
The Broncos' offseason shopping addressed a variety of defensive needs and wide receiver. That would seem to make offensive tackle an obvious spot for this pick. And who better to protect Jay Cutler's blind side than the man who once did so for him in college? Previous mock pick: Chris Williams |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 13. Carolina Panthers |
 Jeff Otah OT, Pittsburgh |
The Panthers have crying needs on both lines. Otah allows them to help plug a hole in their porous pass protection. Previous mock pick: Keith Rivers |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 14. Chicago Bears |
 Rashard Mendenhall RB, Illinois |
The Bears can't continue to leave their running game in the unreliable hands of Cedric Benson. Previous mock pick: Jeff Otah |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 15. Detroit Lions |
 Mike Jenkins CB, South Florida |
Picking up Leigh Bodden from Cleveland was a first step in fixing the Lions' cornerback problems. Adding Jenkins is another one. Previous mock pick: Mike Jenkins |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 16. Arizona Cardinals |
 Felix Jones RB, Arkansas |
The Cardinals need a big-play running back to consistently provide the balance Ken Wisenhunt wants to incorporate in his offense. Edgerrin James is getting too old to be that player anymore. Previous mock pick: Rashard Mendenhall |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 17. Minnesota Vikings |
 Derrick Harvey DE, Florida |
With Erasmus James still bothered by knee trouble and Kenechi Udeze undergoing treatment for leukemia, the Vikings need an edge rusher who can make an immediate impact. Previous mock pick: Derrick Harvey |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 18. Houston Texans |
 Aqib Talib CB, Kansas |
The Texans can't go wrong with a running back or a cornerback, two of the deeper positions in the draft. If Mendenhall and Stewart are off the board at this point, they should be able to land a good cornerback. Talib helped himself with an impressive workout during Kansas' pro day workouts. Previous mock pick: Jonathan Stewart |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 19. Philadelphia Eagles |
 Kenny Phillips S, Miami |
Phillips' athleticism and ability to be as effective against the run as he is in coverage make him a nice complement to Brian Dawkins. Previous mock pick: Kenny Phillips |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
 DeSean Jackson WR, California |
The Buccaneers need playmakers, and Jackson gives them a good one. They also could use some help for their offensive line, but Jon Gruden is likely to go with a receiver first. Previous mock pick: DeSean Jackson |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 21. Washington Redskins |
 Limas Sweed WR, Texas |
The Redskins need help in a variety of spots, but new coach Jim Zorn is pushing for someone to add spark to his offense. Previous mock pick: Calais Campbell |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 22. Dallas Cowboys (From Cleveland) |
 Justin King CB, Penn State |
King's speed and athleticism provide a very workable foundation for the Cowboys to utilize at a position of need. Previous mock pick: Justin King |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 23. Pittsburgh Steelers |
 Branden Albert G, Virginia |
Not a whole lot to analyze here. Alan Faneca is gone, so the Steelers replace him with another player who fits their big, physical prototype for an offensive lineman. Previous mock pick: Branden Albert |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 24. Tennessee Titans |
 Kentwan Balmer DT, North Carolina |
The Titans could very well go against the grain of their drafting philosophy and get a wide receiver, a position they haven't addressed with a first-round pick in 10 years. Balmer would enhance the tremendous production of the best tackle in the game, Albert Haynesworth. Previous mock pick: Limas Sweed |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 25. Seattle Seahawks |
 Dustin Keller TE, Purdue |
The acquisition of Julius Jones takes care of the Seahawks' running back need. Now, they can focus on getting another high-impact target for Matt Hasselbeck. Previous mock pick: Devin Thomas |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 26. Jacksonville Jaguars |
 Calais Campbell DE, Miami |
Campbell should give the Jaguars' pass rush a much-needed boost. Previous mock pick: Phillip Merling |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 27. San Diego Chargers |
 Brandon Flowers CB, Virginia Tech |
It will be difficult to fill needs this low in the draft because the risk of reaching figures to be so much greater. But the Chargers would seem to be making a solid choice with Flowers. Previous mock pick: Brandon Flowers |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
28. Dallas Cowboys |
 Devin Thomas WR, Michigan State |
The Cowboys would love to make a deal to move up near the top of the draft to select McFadden but that probably won't happen. Instead, they will address another pressing offensive need by taking Thomas. Previous mock pick: Felix Jones |
| Team | Pick | Analysis | |
 29. San Francisco 49ers (From Indianapolis) |
 Gosder Cherilus OT, Boston College |
Cherilus' draft stock has been climbing steadily since his impressive performance in the Senior Bowl, where the 49ers' coaches saw him first-hand. Previous mock pick: Gosder Cherilus |
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| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 30. Green Bay Packers |
 Keith Rivers LB, USC |
The Packers are likely to use this pick to address the team's future rather than trying to fill an immediate need. They could easily go with an offensive tackle a good one happens to fall this far, but they would have a very hard time passing up on the best linebacker in the draft. Previous mock pick: Jerod Mayo |
| Team | Pick | Analysis |
 31. New York Giants |
 Jerod Mayo LB, Tennessee |
The Giants would like to move outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end, his natural position. Mayo would allow them to do so. Previous mock pick: Dan Connor |
