First-round selections

1. Miami Dolphins

JAKE LONG, OT, 6-7, 315, Michigan

Bulldozer of a tackle in the run game who can also be a solid insurance policy for any franchise QB. Has the strength to move the pile and aggressiveness and smarts to clear out second-level blockers. Lacks the nimbleness of the truly great LTs, as he’ll occasionally get beat by quick edge rushers or a strong second move.

2. St. Louis Rams

CHRIS LONG, DE, 6-4, 275, Virginia

A versatile prospect at the position who could be a three-down player due to his array of pass-rush moves and nose for the football. Strong and athletic enough to fight off blocks, his one weak spot is a lack of edge-rush speed. Still, his quickness and anticipation usually are enough for him to overwhelm all but the most massive OLs.

3. Atlanta Falcons

MATT RYAN, QB, 6-5, 224, Boston College

Has all the tools to succeed in the modern NFL. Is tall enough to see over defenses, quick to check down through receivers, and can avoid the rush and throw on the run. His one weakness is the deep ball. Calm under pressure. Showed toughness when dealing with left foot injuries in junior year, but had surgery in January 2007 and a successful senior year.

4. Oakland Raiders

DARREN McFADDEN, RB, 6-2, 210, Jr., Arkansas

Has the speed and acceleration to make defenders look foolish, as well as the strength to defeat tacklers and make a strong second effort. Good vision and can run between the tackles or outside them. Excellent skills receiving – and throwing – the ball. Has developed a nice cut move for blitz pickups, but will need to improve stand-up blocks.

5. Kansas City Chiefs

GLENN DORSEY, DT, 6-2, 316, LSU

Explosive and violent, he makes up for lack of size with his strength and energy. Astonishingly quick off the ball, and strong. Quick to diagnose plays and find the ball. Demands attention from blockers, but production could be limited. Also some durability issues.

6. New York Jets

VERNON GHOLSTON, LB, 6-4, 258, Jr., Ohio State

Has the speed to get upfield and past blockers in a hurry, but is less effective against the run. Raw, with plenty of potential to become a top speed rusher or linebacker.

7. New Orleans Saints

SEDRICK ELLIS, DT, 6-1, 305, Southern Cal

Sudden off the ball, he can disrupt plays before they develop. Good at sniffing out the ball and pursuing. Probably not ideal for a two-gap scheme.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

DERRICK HARVEY, DE, 6-5, 252, Jr., Florida

Quick to read and react, he could be a linebacker project. Either way, he shows excellent acceleration and speed, as well as football IQ.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

KEITH RIVERS, LB, 6-3, 235, Southern Cal

Excellent athletic ability, but sometimes can get neutralized, especially in traffic. Persistent effort. Shows promise in pass coverage.

10. New England Patriots

JEROD MAYO, LB, 6-1, 242, Tennessee

Smart and agile athlete who shows good ability to change direction and stay with RBs and TEs in coverage, as well as avoid blockers. Not great in tight spaces, so his blitzing ability is limited to edge rushes.

11. Buffalo Bills

LEODIS McKELVIN, CB, 5-11, 190, Troy

Elite coverage corner, who shows willingness, if not ability, in run support. Agile and quick. Standout kick returner.

12. Denver Broncos

RYAN CLADY, OT, 6-6, 316, Jr., Boise State

Clady is quick and nimble, but not a great drive blocker. Long arms, intelligence also pluses.

13. Carolina Panthers

JONATHAN STEWART, RB, 5-11, 235, Oregon

Compact, agile bowling ball of a back who doesn’t fear contact and doesn’t get brought down easily. Decent speed, but not going to blow people away. Struggled with nagging injuries.

14. Chicago Bears

CHRIS WILLIAMS, OT, 6-6, 315, Vanderbilt

Nimble feet help tackle in pass protection, but needs to get more aggressive and physical in running game. Smart player who uses good technique.

15. Kansas City Chiefs

BRANDEN ALBERT, OG, 6-6, 309, Jr., Virginia

Strong in the upper body but needs to add leg strength to be at his best. Skilled at trap-blocking, but struggles to get out to the second level. Could wind up at tackle.

16. Arizona Cardinals

DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE, DB, 6-2, 182, Tennessee State

Hard worker with good game instincts and the athletic ability to stick with WRs or close on the ball. Technique is raw.

17. Detroit Lions

GOSDER CHERILUS, OT, 6-7, 315, Boston College

Four-year starter at tackle (first three on the right side) who is better in the running game. Huge arms and hands. Needs coaching to fix poor technique in pass protection.

18. Baltimore Ravens

JOE FLACCO, QB, 6-7, 236, Delaware

Raw ability is there, but footwork and mechanics need improvement. Comes from shotgun system (after transferring from Pittsburgh). Elite arm strength, and improving vision moved him up boards at workouts and postseason games.

19. Carolina Panthers

JEFF OTAH, OT, 6-6, 340, Pittsburgh

Bulk and lack of athleticism point to his future as a right tackle for a run-heavy team. Raw, but has the tools (including nearly 3-foot long arms) to become a nice choice.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AQIB TALIB, DB, 6-1, 202, Kansas

Great athleticism and ball skills, he has the ability to see time at WR, not to mention in the return game. Needs to improve footwork and technique. Has some off-field issues.

21. Atlanta Falcons

SAM BAKER, OT, 6-4, 309, Southern California

Moves well for his size, gets into position quickly and can sustain his blocks once locked onto a defender. Injuries hindered his senior season and his stock dropped considerably.

22. Dallas Cowboys

FELIX JONES, RB, 6-0, 200, Jr., Arkansas

He’s an explosive, shifty back who does his best work in open space. Needs to run with a lower pad level, gain strength to shake initial tacklers. Could be factor on kick returns.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers

RASHARD MENDENHALL, RB, 5-11, 210, Jr., Illinois

A load who relies on superb vision more than quick cutting or outright speed. Downhill, one-cut style runner, but not totally a runaway truck type.

24. Tennessee Titans

CHRIS JOHNSON, RB, 5-11, 195, East Carolina

Explosive outside runner with natural hands and plenty of experience running routes; he even lined up at WR some. Could be a nice weapon in the right scheme and on kick returns.

25. Dallas Cowboys

MIKE JENKINS, DB, 6-0, 200, South Florida: Has the speed to stay with anyone and the strength to play good press coverage. He’s the top CB in the draft, though he needs to improve tackling, especially in run support, as well as ability to read routes.

26. Houston Texans

DUANE BROWN, OT, 6-4, 315, Virginia Tech

Former tight end who has quick feet, athletic ability and a good initial burst to develop into a formidable pass-blocker. Not a great drive-blocker and can get pushed into backfield by bull rushes.

27. San Diego Chargers

ANTOINE CASON, DB, 6-0, 191, Arizona

Proved at the combine that he has the speed to run with receivers downfield. Good instincts allow him to locate the ball quickly and provide solid run support. Inconsistencies in press coverage led many to believe he’d slip to the second round.

28. Seattle Seahawks

LAWRENCE JACKSON, DE, 6-4, 271, Southern California

Has good quickness and the upper-body strength to become a run-stopper but lacks closing speed and struggles with double-teams.

29. San Francisco 49ers

KENTWAN BALMER, DT, 6-5, 298: Good off the snap, and shows impressive ability when the effort is there. Possible underachiever, though, or could just be a project.

30. New York Jets

DUSTIN KELLER, TE, 6-3, 242, Purdue

Can develop into a productive receiver with more reps. Hands, speed and athletic ability are there. Some durability concerns.

31. New York Giants

KENNY PHILLIPS, DB, 6-2, 208, junior, Miami

Good speed and ability to read plays. Makes plays in the running game and in coverage, though isn’t great in man coverage. A playmaker.

Note: New England forfeited its first-round selection, which would have been in the 31st spot.

Capsules by

Associated Press and ESPN.com