Draft rumors buzz

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins went the safe route in signing Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long earlier this past week, thus making him the No. 1 overall choice in today’s NFL draft.

Long – in the long run – may not become the best player of his class. But the Dolphins were confident he’d have a productive career and felt his “bust” potential was lower than the other prospects.

Now the St. Louis Rams are on the clock, and a handful of other teams could be on the move.

Among the biggest names in the draft are Virginia defensive end Chris Long, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden. The order in which they come off the board is anyone’s guess.

This year, there’s even less time for guessing.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will call the 2008 draft to order at 3 p.m. EDT in New York City.

Unlike past years, teams have just 10 minutes (rather than 15) to make a selection.

With the later start, only the first two rounds will be staged today.

After the formality of calling out Long as the No. 1 pick, the Rams will choose second, followed by Atlanta, Oakland and Kansas City.

That’s now. That order could change.

No fewer than four players with Pro Bowl credentials could be dangled as trade bait today, regardless of what their teams are saying publicly.

Roos gets rich deal

Former Eastern Washington University player Michael Roos became the NFL’s third-highest-paid tackle, according to his agent, by agreeing to a six-year, $43 million contract extension with the Tennessee Titans, the Web site Tennessean.com reported.

Roos’ contract was to expire after the 2008 season.

He was a second-round draft pick by the Titans in 2005.