Deseret News first-round mock draft

Deseret News first-round mock draft

Pick Team ... Player ... Pos. ... School

1. Miami Dolphins ... Jake Long ... OT ... Michigan
We know we got this pick right.

2. St. Louis Rams ... Glenn Dorsey ... DT ... LSU
They finally make a good defensive draft call.

3. Atlanta Falcons ... Matt Ryan ... QB ... Boston College
They get a new face for their franchise.

4. Oakland Raiders ... Vernon Gholston ... DE ... Ohio State
Others are tempting, but Gholston is a need pick.

5. Kansas City Chiefs ... Chris Long ... DE ... Virginia
They quickly find a replacement for Jared Allen.

6. New York Jets ... Darren McFadden ... RB ... Arkansas
Their opponents finally have to account for someone.

7. New England Patriots ... Keith Rivers ... LB ... USC
Their fossil-like defense needs some youth.

8. Baltimore Ravens ... Ryan Clady ... OT ... Boise State
They'd rather have a QB, but do need OL help.

9. Cincinnati Bengals ... Sedrick Ellis ... DT ... USC
Their defense is terrible against the run and pass.

10. New Orleans Saints ... Leodis McElvin ... CB ... Troy State
If the Saints don't move up, they'll add a corner.

11. Buffalo Bills ... Devin Thomas ... WR ... Michigan State
They need a wideout to complement Lee Evans.

12. Denver Broncos ... Chris Williams ... OT ... Vanderbilt
He'll be back to protecting former teammate Jay Cutler.

13. Carolina Panthers ... Derrick Harvey ... DE ... Florida
Someone needs to replace the retired Mike Rucker.

14. Chicago Bears ... Jeff Otah ... OL ... Pittsburgh
His bruising style will come in handy in the cold.

15. Detroit Lions ... Jerod Mayo ... LB ... Tennessee
They have wasted too many picks on offense recently.

16. Arizona Cardinals ... Mike Jenkins ... CB ... South Florida
The secondary is the Cards' biggest weakness.

17. Kansas City Chiefs ... Branden Albert ... OT ... Virginia
Chiefs are looking to get stronger in the trenches.

18. Houston Texans ... D. Rodgers-Cromartie ... CB ... Tennessee State
He has speed, and he can also contribute as a returner.

19. Philadelphia Eagles ... DeSean Jackson ... WR ... California
Donovan McNabb could use a deep threat in his arsenal.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... Limas Sweed ... WR ... Texas
How pedestrian was Tampa's offense in the playoffs last year?

21. Washington Redskins ... Phillip Merling ... DE ... Clemson
They need to address the defensive line before other positions.

22. Dallas Cowboys ... Rashard Mendenhall ... RB ... Illinois
Jerry Jones wants another weapon, and he gets one here.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers ... Jonathan Stewart ... RB ... Oregon
They need a tough, inside runner to complement Fast Willie.

24. Tennessee Titans ... James Hardy ... WR ... Indiana
Vince Young can't throw the ball to himself.

25. Seattle Seahawks ... Kentwan Balmer ... DT ... North Carolina
They were too soft against the run last season.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars ... Lawrence Jackson ... DT ... USC
He'll help the defense forget about Marcus Stroud.

27. San Diego Chargers ... Gosder Cherilus ... OT ... Boston College
Team has few holes, but could use another blocker.

28. Dallas Cowboys ... Aqib Talib ... CB ... Kansas State
They traded for Pacman, but can't count on him — yet.

29. San Francisco 49ers ... Dan Connor ... LB ... Penn State
Defensive-minded coach continues rebuilding project.

30. Green Bay Packers ... Dustin Keller ... TE ... Purdue
New quarterback could use a big target.

31. New England Patriots ... None
Pick forfeited for Spygate scandal.

32. New York Giants ... Kenny Phillips ... S ... Miami
They need a replacement for departed S Gibril Wilson.

Local watch

It won't be a banner year for local players being selected in the NFL draft. None are expected to be picked in the first two rounds today. The state will get at least two players — BYU's Bryan Kehl and Utah State's Shawn Murphy — drafted between the third and seventh rounds on Sunday. There are a handful of other players who have hopes of being selected.

Player ... Pos. ... School ... Projection
Bryan Kehl ... LB ... BYU ... 3rd-5th
Shawn Murphy ... OL ... Utah State ... 6th-7th
Kevin Robinson ... WR ... Utah State ... 7th-FA
David Hale ... OL ... Weber State ... 7th-FA
Steve Tate ... DB ... Utah ... FA
Kelly Poppinga ... LB ... BYU ... FA
Victor Filipe ... DL ... Western Oregon (Highland High) ... FA

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