NFL DRAFT NOTES

On April 26 -27, 2008 we’ve got the NFL Draft.Here’s some of what’s being said around the country. Russ Lande of the Sporting News writes that Matt Ryan, the Boston College QB, didn’t quite exhibit “the elite arm” the pro scouts were hoping for during his workout. He averaged 322 yards a game and his 4507 yards was the third best last year. He hit an ACC-best 59.3% of his passes.

Matt Ryan – Photo: Winslow Townson/AP

According to nfldraftscout.com: “The cone of silence is still in place at Dolphins headquarters, so don’t expect any reaction to the workout from any team officials. It’s believed that the Dolphins are feigning interest in Ryan in an effort to entice some trade suitor …”The bigger question, though, is whether Kansas City would be willing to ante up for a quarterback drafted in the top five. The Chiefs frugal approach to free agency — where they’ve done very little to date — would suggest they aren’t willing to pay what a top quarterback would command.”Lots of people think the true object of the Dolphins’ affection is Chris Long, the first team All-American DE from Virginia. Long, 6-3 and 272 lbs ranked 3rd in the nation with 14 sacks for a loss of 122 yards.

Chris Long

WalterFootball.com has Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State going second to the St. Louis Rams; Jake Long OT from Michigan going to the Atlanta Falcons; the Raiders at 4 going with Darren McFadden, FB from Arkansas; Sedrick Ellis, DT from USC going at 5 to Kansas City; the Jets at 6 taking CB Leodis McKelvin from Troy State; the Patriots at 7 also taking a CB, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie from TSU; and Matt Ryan landing at 8 with the Baltimore Ravens.

DraftDaddy goes the same way with picks 1 to 4 but then says Kansas City is going with DT Glenn Dorsey of Louisiana State. At 6 the Jets take DE Derrick Harvey of Florida. The Patriots use #7 for CB Mike Jenkins of South Florida, And the Ravens with #8 pass on Matt Ryan for CB Leodis McKelvin.

CB Leodis McKelvin

About.com has Matt Ryan going at #3 to the Falcons.

Scott Wright of nfldraftcountdown.com flips the Longs for the Dolphins: they take Jake Long with #1, giving the Rams Chris Long with #2. Then comes back to give the Ravens Matt Ryan.

If you’ve got some spare time, take a minute and create our own Mock Draft. And before you know you’ll be watching the real thing and seeing how well you’ve done.

And to help you out here’s the order of picks: 1 – Dolphins; 2 – Rams; 3 – Falcons; 4 – Raiders; 5 – Chiefs; 6 – Jets; 7 – Patriots From 49ers; 8 – Ravens; 9 – Bengals; 10 – Saints; 11 – Bills; 12 – Broncos; 13 – Panthers; 14 – Bears; 15 – Lions; 16 – Cardinals; 17 – Vikings; 18 – Texans; 19 – Eagles; 20 – Buccaneers; 21- Redskins; 22 – Cowboys From Browns; 23 – Steelers; 24 – Titans; 25 – Seahawks; 26 – Jaguars; 27 – Chargers; 28 – Cowboys; 29 – 49ers From Colts; 30 – Packers; 31 – Giants.

Note: The first round will have only 31 picks. The Patriots’ first-round pick was revoked.

Tags: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jake Long, Leodis McKelvern, Matt Ryan, Miami Dolphins, NFL combine, NFL scouting