A week to go

Now that the Capitals' season is on life support, I can shift my attention back to the NFL Draft, which has only had a portion of my attention. Actually, perhaps my job and girlfriend will be the ones receiving the attention I had previously devoted to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, because it's not like I haven't been paying attention to draft rumors. Anyway, this is how I see it breaking down right now.

I'm not ready to project any trades, but the hottest spot figures to be at 7, since New England may be looking to trade out of to recoup their lose first round pick from Spygate. What I've heard at 1 is that Parcells is looking to pay the top pick less than JaMarcus Russell got last year, that Jake Long is his first choice, and Gholston his second. I've also heard is that Jake Long is a mortal lock to go top 5, but the same can't be said for Gholston. So Gholston would likely be more receptive to a less-than-market-value-but-more-than-$30-million signing bonus. I also compared Todd McShay's and Mel Kiper's mock drafts and if they have the same player at a spot, it's hard to deny they likely have inside info.

1. Miami Dolphins - Vernon Gholston DE/OLB Ohio State
2. St. Louis Rams - Jake Long OT Michigan
3. Atlanta Falcons - Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
4. Oakland Raiders - Chris Long DE Virginia
5. Kansas City Chiefs - Branden Albert OG Virginia
6. New York Jets - Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
7. New England Patriots - Keith Rivers LB USC
8. Baltimore Ravens - Matt Ryan QB BC
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Sedrick Ellis DT USC
10. New Orleans Saints - Leodis McKelvin CB Troy
11. Buffalo Bills - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee State
12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady OT Boise State
13. Carolina Panthers - Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
14. Chicago Bears - Jeff Otah OT Pitt
15. Detroit Lions - Rashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
16. Arizona Cardinals - Mike Jenkins CB South Florida
17. Minnesota Vikings - Derrick Harvey DE Florida
18. Houston Texans - Aqib Talib CB Kansas
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Devin Thomas WR Michigan State
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - James Hardy WR Indiana
21. Washington Redskins - Philip Merling DE Clemson
22. Dallas Cowboys - Desean Jackson WR Cal
23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kentwan Balmer DT UNC
24. Tennessee Titans - Linas Sweed WR Texas
25. Seattle Seahawks - Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
26. Jacksonville Jaguars - Calais Campbell DE Miami
27. San Diego Chargers - Gordon Cherilus OT BC
28. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones RB Arkansas
29. San Francisco 49ers - Jerrod Mayo LB Tennessee
30. Green Bay Packers - Brandon Flowers CB Virginia Tech
31. New York Giants - Kenny Phillips S Miami