The AJC's NFL Mock Draft

Atlanta Falcons

The AJC's NFL Mock Draft

Projections for the first 16 picks in the 2008 draft, by D. Orlando Ledbetter.

Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long has already signed a $58 million contract with the Dolphins, who own the top pick in the 2008 draft. The picks that follow are projected by AJC NFL writer D. Orlando Ledbetter.

The Falcons have a great need at defensive tackle, but the St. Louis Rams, who have the No. 2 pick, will take LSU's Glenn Dorsey, the top prospect at that position.

The Falcons will listen to offers, but if no team is willing to offer numerous picks, they will take Boston College QB Ryan with the No. 3 pick. And the Michael Vick era will come to an end.

Arkansas running back Darren McFadden will go to the Oakland Raiders, who select fourth.

The Chiefs, drafting fifth, will take Virginia defensive end Chris Long, the son of NFL great and current TV analyst Howie Long.

Rated right behind Chris Long at defensive end is Vernon Gholston of Ohio State, who will go sixth to the Jets.

Troy's Leodis McKelvin, regarded as one of the top defensive backs available, is expected to be the first Georgian drafted. The Waycross native will go at No. 7 to the Patriots.

After Jake Long, the top offensive tackle prospect is Boise State's Ryan Clady, who will be picked eighth by Baltimore.

With the ninth selection, the Bengals will draft Southern Cal defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.

Linebacker Keith Rivers will make it two Trojans in a row when he is the No. 10 pick by the Saints.

The first pick from a Football Championship Subdivision school (formerly Division I-AA) will be cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of Tennessee State, who will be taken by Buffalo.

The Broncos, needing help in the backfield, will turn to Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall at No. 12.

The Carolina Panthers are hoping that Pittsburgh's Jeff Otah, another quality offensive tackle, will be a lucky No. 13 draftee.

The draft field also includes some highly regarded running backs, as the Bears will nab Oregon's Jonathan Stewart at No. 14.

Vanderbilt's Chris Williams will make it four offensive tackles in the first 15 draft spots when the Lions pick him.

A plentiful supply of defensive ends includes Clemson's Philip Merling, who will round out the first half of the first round when he is taken at No. 16 by the Cardinals.

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Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long has already signed a $58 million contract with the Dolphins, who own the top pick in the 2008 draft. The picks that follow are projected by AJC NFL writer D. Orlando Ledbetter.

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