If the draft were held now ...

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 10/28/07

The start to the Bobby Petrino era hasn't gone well, but the Falcons' 1-6 mark has them in position to land a major talent in the 2008 NFL draft.

Miami (0-7), St. Louis (0-7), Atlanta (1-6) and the New York Jets (1-6) are in "contention" to land to the top pick in the draft. The four teams have either second-year or first-year coaches.

Then there are seven 2-4 teams — Buffalo, Cincinnati, Oakland, Philadelphia, Minnesota, New Orleans and San Francisco — that can still back into the race for the top pick.

There will be a great debate about the merits of the top three quarterbacks in the draft. Boston College's Matt Ryan is considered the top prospect, followed by Louisville's Brian Brohm and Kentucky's Andre Woodson.

"The obvious Louisville connection is there," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said of the Falcons. "Now, again, there isn't a question that they are going to have to look at a quarterback. If Petrino has that comfort level with his college guy, that's fine. Ryan and Woodson both have pretty good upsides."

Here's a look at Miami, St. Louis, New York and Atlanta and whom they could take at the top of the 2008 draft.

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ST. LOUIS (0-7)

Needs: Offensive line, defensive line, receivers are aging

Possible pick: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

The real deal: The Rams just spent a ton of cash on Marc Bulger and don't want two high-salaried quarterbacks.

Long, a massive 6-6, 320-pounder, could play left or right tackle for the next 10 years.

"He is a dominant football player," Salisbury said. "If there is a lineman to go first, he's the one at that position. Those guys are hard to come by. ... There is a streak of nastiness in him that I like."

If Orlando Pace can make it back from his shoulder injury, the Rams could instantly solve some of their offensive woes by adding Long.

"He lost 10 pounds on purpose in the offseason and went through all kinds of agility drills to improve his feet," Mayock said of Long. "He looks like a better athlete on tape this year."

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MIAMI (0-7)

Needs: Defensive line, linebacker and possibly quarterback

Possible pick: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

The real deal: Rookie head coach Cam Cameron must find out if John Beck, the Dolphins' second-round pick this year from Brigham Young, is the quarterback of the future. If Beck's the heir to the Dan Marino throne, then they can turn to revamping their aging defense.

Dorsey would be the perfect piece to build around.

"Glenn Dorsey is the most dominant defensive player that we have on the planet in college football," ESPN NFL analyst Sean Salisbury said. "He can rush the passer. He's big. He's the best player, up until two weeks ago, on the best team. If this kid lasts past the third pick, somebody is missing the boat."

LSU's list Dorsey as 6 feet 2, but that might be on the generous side.

"He reminds me, in college, a little bit of Warren Sapp," Mayock said.

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N.Y. JETS (1-6)

Needs: Defensive line, offensive line and running back

Possible pick: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

The real deal: If the Jets determine that Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens is their quarterback of the future, look for them to help their defense and take Howie Long's kid.

"The one thing that he does as good as anybody in this draft is that his motor never stops," Salisbury said. "This kid is strong and nasty. He will not take a play off. His energy is through the roof and his old man played the same way. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Long is considered a prototype 3-4 end and would fit the Jets' scheme.

"Chris has taken his game to another level," Mayock said. "He's using his hands as well or better than any other defensive lineman in the country."

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ATLANTA (1-6)

Needs: Quarterback, defensive line, offensive line, safety

Possible pick: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville

The real deal: Petrino would re-unite with his former quarterback. But some have BC's Ryan rated ahead of Brohm.

"The quarterback from Boston College is head and shoulders above all of them," said Mayock, a Boston College alum and former safety with the New York Giants. "I watched four game tapes from those three quarterbacks' junior year. Ryan, Woodson and Brohm. The way I had them rated coming into the season was Ryan one, Brohm two and Woodson three.

"I've kind of flip-flopped Woodson and Brohm after watching more tape this year. A lot of NFL people believe that Matt Ryan could end up being the top pick of the entire draft, but he will certainly be the first quarterback taken."

Woodson also has his supporters.

"I'm not sure if you went around the league and talked to all of the teams, that about 20 of them would have Woodson at the top of their lists," Salisbury said. "Woodson is the rawest of the group and has the most potential."