Yours truly participated in a mock draft of writers who cover each NFL team for Sports Illustrated Here's how it went.

1 Dolphins (Harvey Fialkov) – Michigan OT Jake Long
I can't go wrong with this one as the 'Long' wait ended four days early after the Dolphins locked up the No. 1 pick by signing Michigan tackle Jake Long to a five-year deal worth $57.75 million, including $30 million guaranteed. The 6-7, 315-pound Long is expected to be the franchise's cornerstone left tackle they haven't had since Richmond Webb bolted eight seasons ago. With coach Tony Sparano being a long-time o-line coach, and Dolphins czar Bill Parcells both believing in building teams from the inside out this was a no-brainer. One of Tuna's favorite all-time players was a 6-7 left tackle from Michigan named Jumbo Elliott. Sound familiar?

2 Rams (Howard Balzer) - Virginia DE Chris Long
Now the Rams know they have the choice of Long, Glenn Dorsey, Darren McFadden or Vernon Gholston. A trade is in play with a team that wants to ensure they get Dorsey or McFadden, but don't be shocked by the addition of McFadden, especially with Steven Jackson entering the final year of his contract. Gholston's athletic ability will be tempting as will Dorsey's excellence, but in the end, the Rams go with the safest pick in the draft at one of their neediest positions.

3 Falcons (Steve Wyche) - Glenn Dorsey, LSU DT
Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is past the angst of the Rams taking his most coveted prospect. There is some temptation for BC QB Matt Ryan here but Dorsey is the defensive anchor defensive-minded head coach Mike Smith wants to build upon. Injury concerns have been pooh-poohed by Dimitroff from Day 1. Dorsey immediately replaces departed starter Rod Coleman and helps protect MLB Keith Brooking and boosts production of second-year DE Jamaal Anderson.


4 Raiders (Steve Corkran) – Arkansas running back Darren McFadden
Raiders managing general partner Al Davis bucks conventional wisdom by drafting the best player available and not the best player at the position of greatest need. Davis , as usual, just can't get past the speed and wow factors. Adding McFadden gives the Raiders, perhaps, the most-talented player from this year's draft class. However, it also gives coach Lane Kiffin a crowded backfield and, therefore, a major problem to resolve. McFadden joins a backfield that includes Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan and Michael Bush -- the team's fourth-round pick last season. Something has to give. The Raiders just became a more exciting team, though not necessarily a better one.

5 Chiefs (Adam Teicher) – Boise State OT Ryan Clady
Gholston and Ryan are both temptations, but the offensive line is the Chiefs' most glaring weakness, so they address it here by taking the best tackle not named Long. Wednesday's trade of Jared Allen to the Vikings gives the Chiefs an extra draft choice in the first round (No. 17) so look for them to find Allen's replacement at defensive end in a dozen picks.

6 Jets (Tom Rock) – Boston College QB Matt Ryan
Watching the Raiders take McFadden, the player the Jets covet most, is one of the reasons they may be itching to climb up ahead of Oakland. Here they'll take their second choice and it's not a bad one. Having Ryan in the mix will give them a chance to actively shop veteran Chad Pennington and provide them with a backup plan in case Kellen Clemens doesn't improve from a mediocre 2007. Worst-case scenario two years from now, Clemens is a bonafide starter and the Jets still have Ryan with a strong resale value to dangle in front of other QB-starved teams.

7 Patriots (John Tomase) - Vernon Gholston , DE /LB, Ohio State
Bill Belichick and Co. had to take a linebacker before the fifth round one of these years, and Gholston is the perfect guy. The 6-3, 266-pounder started his Buckeyes career as a linebacker, moved to defensive end, and finished as a drop end, which means he has experience with some of the coverage aspects the Patriots seek in their outside linebackers. While the learning curve in New England's 3-4 is steep, Gholston has already spent summers working out with fellow Ohio State grad Mike Vrabel, so he's got a head start.

8 Ravens (Aaron Wilson) – Troy University CB Leodis McKelvin
Although disappointed that they were unable to immediately end their quest for a franchise quarterback since Matt Ryan is off the draft board, after exploring trade-back scenarios with the New Orleans Saints regarding USC defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis, the Ravens stay true to their board and land one of the fastest-rising prospects. With cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle up in years and recovering from injuries and illness last season, respectively, the Ravens need an influx of talent at this critical position. McKelvin lacks ideal size, but has 4.38 speed, a competitive streak, sound character and rare return skills with eight career kick returns for touchdowns. He could develop into a shutdown cornerback, and his special-teams ability is a bonus attribute for new coach John Harbaugh.

9 Bengals (Kevin Goheen) – Southern Cal DT Sedrick Ellis
The Bengals spent their last two first-round picks on CBs (Johnathan Joseph in ’06 and Leon Hall in ’07) and now address the front line of a defense that has finished in the bottom six of the league four of the five seasons Marvin Lewis has been at the helm. Ellis should help immediately in providing push up the middle. The Chad Johnson fiasco and release of Chris Henry leaves Cincinnati with a need at WR but the No. 9 pick is not the spot to fill that hole. The offense was a disappointment in 2007 but has talent in-house to improve. That kind of talent level doesn’t exist on the defensive roster.

10 Saints (Sheldon Mickles) – Southern Cal LB Keith Rivers
The Saints would have loved to have had a shot at Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, but they still come out OK. They've been looking for a fast, aggressive linebacker long before Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs arrived in 2006, and they finally get their guy. Scott Fujita is a solid starter on the strong side and they traded for middle 'backer Jonathan Vilma and then signed Dan Morgan for the weak side to try and upgrade the league's 26th-ranked defense. But they need insurance (especially if Morgan continues to have injury problems) and the 240-pound Rivers, who ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds at his Pro Day, gives them some options for the future since he plays all three linebacking positions. Being the latest in a long line of star USC linebackers doesn't hurt, either.

11 Bills (Mark Gaughan) – Michigan State. WR. Devin Thomas
The Bills’ two biggest needs are at wide receiver and cornerback. The top cornerback on the board (Leodis McKelvin) is gone. The top wideout is Thomas. Last season Buffalo ranked 30th on offense and 30th in passing yards. Their offense has been mostly painful to watch this entire decade. They have no one right now to start on the outside opposite Lee Evans. Thomas is a big threat who fills a glaring, glaring need.

12 Broncos (Mike Klis) – Vanderbilt LT Chris Williams
B-o-o-o-r-r-i-n-g! Before making this pick, the Goodmans - dad Jim and son Jeff, who are assuming right-hand command of the Broncos’ draft following the ouster of GM Ted Sundquist - put in calls to Detroit at No. 15, Houston at No. 18 and Dallas at No. 22 in hopes of trading down. The Broncos like Williams, but don’t necessarily believe he’s worthy of No. 12 money. Taking Williams was a tough call over Branden Albert, the left tackle/offensive guard from Virginia whose stock supposedly had risen in recent weeks. But reuniting Williams on the blindside of former college teammate Jay Cutler was irresistible. The Broncos also bypass coveted Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, bringing relief to Travis Henry and The Henry-ettes.

13 Panthers (Stan Olson) – Florida DE Derrick Harvey
The Panthers are faced with an embarrassment of riches at this point. For all the talk that they will take an OT, my guess is that they go for a rush end after offering a defensive front that had no one with more than 3.5 sacks last season. And the best DE available is Florida 's Harvey, who seems good enough to step into the hole left with the retirement of Mike Rucker. Carolina needs someone to jumpstart a front four that has been fading in recent years, and the 6-4, 250-pound Harvey is the bet here. Don't rule out an RB at this spot, with Jonathan Stewart and Rashard Mendenhall still available. DeAngelo Williams will need some help. If they were to pick an OL, they like Jeff Otah and Branden Albert alot.

14 Bears (Bob Legere) – Pittsburgh OT Jeff Otah
Coach Lovie Smith was ridiculed much of last season for insisting that the Bears get off the bus running the football, especially when they finished No. 32 in average gain per rush and No. 30 in rushing yards. They would like hometown favorite RB Rashard Mendenhall from Illinois, but they must improve an o-line that was poor last season and has since lost two starters (ORT Fred Miller, who was released and OLG Ruben Brown, who was not offered a contract). Brandon Albert might receive some consideration, but Otah is more of the smash-mouth type player they want for the running game, and he has great upside. They're confident he can start at ORT right now and believe he can eventually handle the left tackle spot.

15 Lions (Mike O'Hara) – Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo
You could hear hearts crack in the Lions' draft compound when the Panthers took Derrick Harvey. That's who the Lions' targeted at No. 15. They want to look to defense, but consider other options. They've had nine first-round draft picks since 2000 and eight have been used on offense -- one quarterback, one running back, two tackles and four wide receivers. The exception was 2006, when Rod Marinelli took linebacker Ernie Sims in his first year as head coach. Sims is the only first-round pick starting on the Lions' defense. Marinelli wants fresh legs and more talent on defense. With Harvey off the board, the choices are a running back, trading down or staying put and going for defense. The Lions like Mayo. He can play inside or outside.

16 Cardinals (Scott Bordow) – Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall
With the move of Antrel Rolle to free safety, Arizona needs a cornerback and will be tempted by Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib and Tennessee State corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. But the Cardinals desperately need some gamebreakers on offense. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are not protypical deep threats, and running back Edgerrin James can't turn a 6-yard gain into a 60-yard touchdown. Mendenhall would give the Cardinals a potential home-run hitter and possibly lead to the club trading James or releasing him before training camp.

17 Chiefs (Adam Teicher) – Clemson DE Phillip Merling
The Chiefs gambled a quality defensive end would be available here and it paid off. Merling might not pick up right where Jared Allen left off, but it's a good start. Kansas City leaves the first round with two players -- Clady and Merling -- who should start from day one.

18 Texans (Megan Manfull) – Virginia OT Branden Albert
The Texans have had problems at left tackle since they drafted Tony Boselli with the No. 1 overall pick in the expansion draft. They thought they drafted their "future" at left tackle two years ago when they selected Charles Spencer in the third round. He suffered a serious knee injury two starts into his career and is still trying to make a comeback. If Branden Albert or Chris Williams are available here, it would be hard for the Texans to look anywhere else. They are determined to finally solve their offensive line woes and each of those tackles fit well into the zone blocking system Alex Gibbs is implementing.

19 Eagles (Reuben Frank) – Tennessee State CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
As desperate as the Eagles are for a wide receiver for the present and an offensive tackle for the future, it’s just not their nature to reach at a position of need. The Eagles consider nickel corner a 12th starting position, and with the anticipated departure of Lito Sheppard, Rodgers-Cromartie provides speed and playmaking alongside veteran corners Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel. Rodgers-Cromartie also injects immediate hope into a lifeless return game that was among the NFL’s worst in 2007. He gets the nod over Michael Jenkins on a character tiebreaker.

20 Buccaneers (Rick Stroud/Steve Holder) – South Florida CB Mike Jenkins

This will look like a homer move, but this isn't about taking the hometown kid. Jenkins' body of work at USF is what the Bucs want at cornerback -- a player who is equally proficient playing man-to-man or zone coverage. With Brian Kelly now in Detroit and Ronde Barber having recently turned 33, they could become very thin very quickly at cornerback. The Bucs are in dire need of help in the return game, which is something Jenkins offers. The Bucs need help at receiver, too, but there will be options available in the second round as well.

21 Redskins (David Elfin) – Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly
Washington, after being weirdly quiet during free agency, is in unusual territory with nine picks, its most since 2002. And the Redskins haven't had their first pick in the first round below the top 10 since 2002. They would probably have taken Phillip Merling or Branden Albert because seven of their starting offensive and defensive linemen are at least 30. Instead, they'll grab Kelly, the big receiver that new coach Jim Zorn needs to properly run his offense, ignoring his recent slow 40 times and petulant comments.

22 Cowboys (Clarence Hill) – Kansas CB Aqib Talib
The Cowboys must get a corner in the first round and it could be two if they finally make the trade for Adam Pacman Jones. The Cowboys lost two cornerbacks in free agency and have no experienced depth behind starters Anthony Henry and Terence Newman. And considering both of those players were hurt much of last year they need a cornerback who they can count on make an immediate contribution. The Cowboys will look running back as well. Felix Jones and Jonathan Stewart are huge considerations.

23 Steelers (Ed Bouchette) – Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart
Pittsburgh has not drafted a running back in the first OR second rounds since Tim Worley in 1989. That draft drought ends here. Although they do not expect him to slip to No. 23, the Steelers will snap up the big, powerful runner they need to get the tough inside yards to go with Fast Willie Parker’s home runs. Pittsburgh lost several late leads last season because it could not grind it out; Stewart will change that, and also make a so-so line better. They also believe his toe will be plenty healed before the season begins.

24 Titans (Paul Kuharsky) – Arkansas RB Felix Jones
While the attention has been on receivers, the Titans need for dynamic playmakers on offense extends beyond the position. While Limas Sweed, and maybe DeSean Jackson, will get a look here, the Titans decide the better value is at running back. In his first turn as offensive coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger liked to get some catches for his backs. Jones will compliment a power running attack headed by LenDale White (second round 2006) and Chris Henry (second round 2007), giving the Titans a new look as well as an option in the return game.

25 Seahawks (Scott Johnson) – USC DE Lawrence Jackson
With plenty of areas to address, especially on special teams, the Seahawks would prefer to trade down a few spots and add some mid-round picks. With no takers, Seattle uses the best-player-available philosophy at No. 25. An aging offense takes backseat to a defensive line that could use depth. Jackson can play immediately and could push Darryl Tapp for a starting spot at right end by midseason. Team president Tim Ruskell knows defense, so he gambles that a top-flight tight end, running back and/or receiver might be available in Round 2 and beyond.

26 Jaguars (Jeff Elliott) – Auburn DT Pat Sims
The Jaguars used nine minutes and 55 second before selecting Sims as they were on the phone with the Dolphins attempting to put together a deal where they would package their pick at No. 26, oft-criticized wide receiver Matt Jones and one of their three fifth-round picks this year in exchange for Jason Taylor. The Dolphins wouldn't budge. The Jaguars wanted a quality DE in the worst way and after failing to get one in free agency, passing on Jared Allen because of the price and failing to get Phillip Merlin or Lawrence Jackson whom they had targeted all along, they settled for Sims to help replace the traded Marcus Stroud. Some felt Calais Campbell would be the better choice here, but the Jaguars were concerned about numerous other tall Des who had failed and at the last minute, got cold feet on Campbell and went with the safer pick in Sims.

27 Chargers (Jay Paris) – Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus
With the Chargers returning the bulk of their starters from a team which advanced to last season's AFC Championship Game, there wasn't a frontline position needing to be filled. But the Chargers are thin at offensive tackle with former starter Shane Olivea being released in the offseason after losing his spot to Jeromey Clary. But with just six NFL starts at right tackle on Clary's resume and no viable backups on the roster, the Chargers draft offensive tackle xx of xxx to supply depth and possibly push Clary for a starting role. The team also has depth concerns at defensive line, cornerback and running back, but the lack of players at such a critical spot for a high-octane offense was just too important to overlook.

28 Cowboys (Clarence Hill) – Texas RB Jamaal Charles
This is a spot where the Cowboys will mostly likely look to trade down, especially if the board goes like it has today. Owner Jerry Jones said he will not reach for a prospect and believes his will get calls from other teams looking to get up into the first round, especailly teams looking to take a quarterback. The Cowboys would have take Felix Jones here if he were available and although they also have needs at receiver they need someone to contribute immediately. History says receivers don't have the big first year impact. Charles or Chris Johnson could fill need the need at running back and provide a complement to starter Marion Barber.

29 49ers (Kevin Lynch) – Cal WR DeSean Jackson
Jackson visited the team facility and the 49ers have long been interested in him. His return abilities and deep speed fulfill two needs. The 49ers hope defenses will have to devote safety help to his side because if he gets behind a cornerback it's a touchdown. Drawing the safety could open the running game for running back Frank Gore and allow room for tight end Vernon Davis to function underneath.

30 Packers (Greg Bedard) – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Well, since trying to predict who Packers GM Ted Thompson will draft is akin to figuring out your wife's thought process, this is a tall task. Thompson took DT Justin Harrell last year when he already had 34 linemen. This year, conventional wisdom says the Packers need a cornerback to start replacing 30-somethings Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Or a quarterback since some guy named Brett Favre retired leaving Aaron Rodgers, the anti-Ironman, all by his lonesome. Thompson, after trying desperately to trade down, will buck his outside-the-box thinking and go with Cason, who has the physical cover skills needed in the Packers' scheme.

31 Giants (Ralph Vacchiano) – Miami S Kenny Phillips
There aren’t many holes on the Super Bowl champs, but safety is the biggest and most obvious one since they lost Gibril Wilson to the Oakland Raiders. They did sign veteran Sammy Knight, but they’d be just a stop-gap player. There only other safeties are up-and-down James Butler and Michael Johnson, a raw talent heading into his second year. They’re looking for a young safety prospect to groom for the future. And defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo absolutely loves the potential of Phillips, a speedy, smart playmaker who could fill the role that he watched Brian Dawkins fill in Philadelphia for years.