Jake Long is a Miami Dolphin after signing a contract to become the first overall selection of the 2008 NFL draft. This is not a real shocker that many were beginning to anticipate after GM Jeff Ireland’s verbal slippage last week.
How this will impact the remainder of the first round is uncertain. The Kansas City Chiefs were very high on Long and now a trade with either Minnesota or Tampa Bay becomes a better and more viable option to fill their offensive line needs. But if all the teams in front of them decide to select defensive players, which is a realistic option for all the clubs, the Chiefs would be hard pressed not to make a drastic move in an effort to salvage what they were expecting from this draft. Can you say Darren McFadden?
Minnesota is trying to deal troubled tackle Bryant McKinnie and perhaps Kansas City would reduce their asking price for star defensive end Jared Allen and deal him to the Vikings if they included McKinnie in a trade. It actually makes sense because both players are in danger of suspension for off-the-field conduct. It also - and more importantly - would allow Kansas City to look at other spots other than offensive line. Drafting on need alone is an ill advised practice that leads to selections such as Lawrence Phillips and Ryan Leaf. But who the Chiefs would select at five would be in doubt. There is an outside chance that they would select Darren McFadden, but all their top defensive lineman prospects would have to be off the board for that to happen. They probably would deal down, something they are very hesitant to do, if they want to acquire a tackle and additional picks. But the way things have been going so far, Kansas City might not end up with any of their desired draft picks at all.
Much of the Chiefs hopes fall onto the Atlanta Falcons and their chances of selecting DT Glenn Dorsey. I am starting to lean toward the Falcons picking Matt Ryan. They’re in a very bad situation and Ryan has gained some steam just at the right time. The news that Carolina has interest in moving ahead of Baltimore to increase their chances on landing Matt Ryan has greatly improved his draft value and Atlanta would be pressured to take the top signal caller this year. There is even an outside chance that Joe Flacco would be picked by the Ravens if the Panthers do make such a move which would destroy almost every mock draft in the country.
All hell has broken loose as it does every year right before the best offseason spectacle in sports. What teams will do will be uncertain until their 15 minutes has passed. But there is one thing you can guarantee, every team will tell you they got the guy they wanted.