The Dolphins have already been in touch with representatives for Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and are expected to discuss possible contract terms with defensive ends Chris Long of Virginia and Vernon Gholston of Ohio State.

As the situation plays out leading up to draft day, it's simply hard to envision Bill Parcells & Co. paying No. 1 overall money to a player who projects as a right tackle in the NFL. Unless Jake Long agrees to take significantly less money than JaMarcus Russell did as the first pick last year, Miami will likely wind up targeting Chris Long to help revamp an aging front seven.

That will help shape the top six, with the two Longs, Gholston, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden widely considered the top group of this draft class. The wild card could be Ryan, who may experience a Brady Quinn-like freefall if Atlanta, Kansas City and Baltimore pass on him in the top 10.

1. Miami: Chris Long, DE, Virginia: Most assume Long isn't a great fit for the 3-4, but that's also assuming the Dolphins are going strictly to that scheme. Miami might stick with a 4-3 base, using elements of the 3-4. In that scenario, Long could be an excellent versatile playmaker who lines up primarily at end while dropping back on occasion. He's a better athlete than many give him credit for.

2. St. Louis: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State: The Rams got only 5.5 sacks from their ends last season, and Leonard Little is on the downside at 34 and coming off toe surgery. St. Louis would snag Chris Long if he doesn't go No. 1, but Gholston is a better pure athlete and the Rams would hardly be settling by adding him to the end rotation.

3. Atlanta: Jake Long, OT, Michigan: The Falcons spent a lot of money on RB Michael Turner, and would be wise to provide him a decent line to run behind. Projected as a right tackle in the NFL, Long would be an excellent road-grader in front of Turner and improve the protection in front of whoever winds up under center.

4. Oakland: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: Yes, the Raiders gave Tommy Kelly a seven-year deal worth more than $50 million this offseason, but that won't stop them from scooping up Dorsey should he fall this far. If the Raiders' doctors are satisfied there won't be lingering issues from his fractured leg in 2006, Dorsey would be an excellent fit next to Kelly to clog the middle and help keep DE Derrick Burgess in one-on-one matchups.

5. Kansas City: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College: The Chiefs are a prime candidate to trade down with Jake Long off the board and no other offensive linemen, cornerbacks or wide receivers worthy of a pick this high. If they keep the pick, Ryan is a logical selection to bring in to immediately compete with Brodie Croyle. Ryan is capable of learning the playbook quickly and starting Week 1 if Croyle stumbles in training camp.

6. New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas: The most polarizing player at the top of the draft, McFadden comes with significant red flags to go along with his enormous upside. If he's still available, expect the Jets to take the gamble on greatness to help a pedestrian offensive unit that could really use a big-play threat. With Thomas Jones to split the load behind a beefed up offensive line, McFadden would have a rookie situation similar to that of the player he is often compared to, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

7. New England: Keith Rivers, OLB, Southern California: The Patriots are another team rumored to be interested in trading out of their first-round slot. If they stay put, Rivers would provide a boost to an aging linebacking corps. Tedy Bruschi could be entering his final season, Junior Seau has still been noncommittal about his future and there isn't a lot of great young depth at the position.

8. Baltimore: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy: The Ravens' defense suffered miserably when CBs Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle were out of the lineup last season. McKelvin is an intriguing talent who could compete for time in nickel and dime packages while learning behind the veteran starters and providing an immediate spark to the return game.

9. Cincinnati: Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California: After failed attempts to land Shaun Rogers from Detroit and Dewayne Robertson from the Jets, Ellis would likely be coveted by the Bengals. Cincinnati's defensive struggles in recent years starts with a lack of production up front, and Ellis impressed at the Senior Bowl and USC's Pro Day.

10. New Orleans: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida: If Ellis is available, the Saints could certainly use some young talent to groom on their defensive interior. Barring that, they still need to upgrade at corner, where Jason David was a free-agent bust, Mike McKenzie is coming off knee surgery and Randall Gay can't be considered the long-term solution. Jenkins has plenty of experience, should be able to contribute early and is a possible fit at free safety down the road if his mediocre speed proves to be a problem on the outside.

11. Buffalo: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State: The Bills' glaring need is for a No 2. receiver to play opposite Lee Evans, but that can be addressed in the second round. Harder to find at this spot is a talented corner who can play a nickel role as a rookie and eventually push Jabari Greer for the starting job opposite Terrence McGee.

12. Denver: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma: Broncos coach Mike Shanahan can't really believe Keary Colbert is the answer opposite Brandon Marshall. And with Marshall's continued poor off-field decision making leading to a fairly serious arm injury, Denver would be wise to address the position early on draft day. After posting a poor 40-yard dash time on a slow track April 9, Kelly rebounded in another effort April 16 and legitimized the 4.55-second speed he was billed to have all along.

13. Carolina: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State: The Panthers plan to move OT Jordan Gross from the right side to the left and slide LT Travelle Wharton inside to guard. Once considered a possible top-five pick, Clady has watched his name slowly drift down most draft boards because he is still very raw. The Panthers could buy themselves some significant long-term insurance with Gross currently signed to only a one-year franchise tag tender.

14. Chicago: Branden Albert, OL, Virginia: The Bears need a starting tackle and a starting guard. Fortunately, Albert has the potential to step in immediately at either spot. A guard for the Cavaliers, scouts believe he has the athleticism to slide outside. All the talk about the Bears' lack of skill position players is moot until they address their rapidly aging line.

15. Detroit: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon: With Tatum Bell currently atop the depth chart, it's clear the Lions will address the position during the draft. Stewart slid down some draft boards after it was learned he underwent surgery for turf toe, but it's not considered a long-term issue. He is a legitimate featured back talent who would allow Detroit to use the speedy Bell as a home-run hitting complement out of the backfield.

16. Arizona: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida: The Cardinals need to do something to help their undermanned secondary, and improving the pass rush is a good place to start. With Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor coming off injuries, Harvey would be a good addition to help Darnell Dockett get after opposing passers.

17. Minnesota: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh: The Vikings have one of the most balanced depth charts in the league, so they're in the enviable position of going the "best available player" route. Otah is a raw, but very intriguing talent. With Bryant McKinnie's future with the team uncertain following his latest off-field incident, Otah would be an excellent pick to groom for a year and possibly stick next to LG Steve Hutchinson in 2009.

18. Houston: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt: LT Ephraim Salaam is still solid enough to protect QB Matt Schaub's blind side for another year, but they need a young player to groom behind him. Williams fits the bill because he needs year or two to bulk up and learn how to be more aggressive to go along with his strong finesse moves before taking over at left tackle in the NFL.

19. Philadelphia: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State: Coach Andy Reid prefers to address the trenches in the first round, but if there are no offensive tackles left on the board, it's past time to give QB Donovan McNabb a legitimate downfield weapon. Thomas has shot up the draft board since the end of the season, and has the speed to help McNabb stretch the field vertically.

20. Tampa Bay: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona: With Brian Kelly gone and Ronde Barber on the backside of his career at 32, the Bucs sorely need an infusion of youth at the position. Cason doesn't have blazing speed, but he doesn't need it in the Tampa-2. With positive early reports on Eugene Wilson's move to corner, Cason doesn't have to start immediately, but has the experience to earn significant snaps early on.

21. Washington: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson: With Phillip Daniels 35 years old, the Redskins can add Merling to the mix opposite Andre Carter. Merling's versatility is also appealing. He can slide inside to help the interior, where Cornelius Griffin is showing signs of slowing and the Redskins lack exciting young talent.

22. Dallas: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois: The Cowboys are in the fortunate position of benefitting from the teams ahead of them having far bigger needs than running back. A top-15 talent, Mendenhall would be an excellent addition as a complement to bruising Marion Barber. Mendenhall has only one big season on his resume, but he's a versatile back who would fit nicely in a tandem role as a rookie.

23. Pittsburgh: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College: Cherilus projects better to the right side in the NFL, and that's where the Steelers are most in need of immediate help. Undersized Willie Colon is currently the starter, but would find immediate competition from Cherilus. And if LT Marvel Smith leaves as a free agent after next season, the Steelers can always experiment with Cherilus on the left side, where he played his final season at BC.

24. Tennessee: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas: The Titans have to give QB Vince Young some viable downfield targets if he is ever to develop as a passer. TE Alge Crumpler was a nice start, and bringing in Young's former Longhorn teammate would be another important step. At 6-4, Sweed would provide a big target for the erratic Young.

25. Seattle: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina: Coach Mike Holmgren sung the praises of Brandon Mebane's rookie season, but the Seahawks still have to be concerned after getting run over, around and through by Packers RB Ryan Grant in the playoffs. Chuck Darby left as a free agent and oft-injured Marcus Tubbs can't be counted on. Considering the Seahawks' undersized linebackers, the defense could certainly use Balmer's 6-5, 308-pound frame to occupy blockers.

26. Jacksonville: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: Campbell is coming off a disappointing junior year, but displayed more than enough talent during an excellent sophomore season. He has decent pass-rush skills and is strong against the run -- an important trait for any Jaguar defender. One of Jacksonville's few glaring holes is at end, where Paul Spice isn't getting any younger and Reggie Hayward hasn't looked the same since his 2006 Achilles' injury.

27. San Diego: Pat Sims, DT, Auburn: Having a run-stuffing presence in the middle of the 3-4 is critical, and the Chargers have to be concerned with Jamal Williams showing signed of wear and tear and having both knees worked on this offseason. Sims doesn't fit the classic mold of a nose tackle for the 3-4, but he is an intriguing talent who possesses enough size at 6-2, 310 to bring to help spell Williams.

28. Dallas: James Hardy, WR, Indiana: Hardy is a physical freak at 6-6 with 4.45-second speed, and displayed very soft hands during an impressive showing during positional drills at the Combine. Locating the eventual successor to Terrell Owens is critical for the Cowboys, who desperately need an infusion of young talent at the position behind Owens and Patrick Crayton. Hardy could prove to be one of the steals of the draft down the road.

29. San Francisco: Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Auburn: One of the 49ers' top priorities is finding a hybrid end/linebacker who fits their 3-4 defense and can get after the passer on third downs. Reports are that teams are satisfied that Groves' recent surgery to treat his Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome (an abnormality in the heart's electrical system) isn't a concern. Primarily an end for the Tigers, Groves experimented with dropping back to outside linebacker last season and would be an excellent pickup for the 49ers here.

30. Green Bay: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville: Yes, it's a bit of a long shot to think the Packers will bring in a big-name quarterback when they're trying to make Aaron Rodgers comfortable in his new starting role. But consider that if the Packers fail to land a veteran backup like J.P. Losman or Sage Rosenfels on draft day, they have no suitable replacement should Rodgers go down. If the top cornerbacks are off the board, the Packers have few other glaring holes to address and Brohm would provide key insurance for a serious playoff contender.

31. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State: The Giants have the luxury of a very strong two-deep depth chart. After losing Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell in free agency and with Mathias Kiwanuka coming off a season-ending injury, the Giants could add key versatility in Connor, who can play outside or inside.

Derek Harper is a Senior Editor for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.