Steve McNair calling it quits.

Well, I must say Air Mcnair on the outs is probably better for the Ravens. Still hate to see him go.

I really hope they don't jump on Ryan. I would rather see a CB or WR in round one and pick up a QB to develop along with Troy Smith in a later round like Flaco, or Brennan.

I completely agree, although I can't imagine why the Bears at 14 (15?) would pass by the top QB in the draft with their ragtag group of crap, although if one of the top 3 or so OT are still on the board, it would be tough to pass up even for a potential QB of the future.

You're not wrong. Matt Ryan is the only QB in this draft that I have a first round grade on, and it's more like a mid-to-late 1st round.

Ryan is an average athlete who has those so-called "intangibles" that you like in a QB. He's big, sturdy, and poised. He clearly excelled in college (well, senior year, at least) on his talent, not on the talent of the rest of his team (of which there was little). He's got that going for him, but at the same time, you gotta wonder if you're looking at Drew Bledsoe minus the cannon.

Brian Brohm is one of those "system" QBs who lacks the arm strength that you really want from a 1st round QB. He racked up some big numbers in college, one 5-yard crossing route at a time. He's not someone I'd draft and expect to put on an aerial show. There's a lot to like in terms of smarts and decision making, but he may be limited in term of ultimate final potential.

Joe Flacco out of Delaware is the most interesting QB in the draft. He's got the best arm out of the potential first-day QBs, but he's a raw guy you draft and develop.

As for Chad Henne... he's one of those guys that might become a better pro than a college player, but he's very inconsistent and needs a lot of work.

Troy Smith is a project. I don't think the answer is taking on another young project QB if the team thinks they will eventually have something in Smith.

I think there is a very good chance that the Ravens enter training camp with Kyle Boller, Troy Smith... and Byron Leftwich.

Especially in the top 10, it's best to throw need out the window and try and get an impact player.

Ryan Clady or Branden Albert would be nice scores for the offensive line.

It would be interesting to see what Baltimore would do if Sedrick Ellis is on the board. Ellis is a short, athletic one-gap DT, and the Ravens are a two-gap scheme.

A lot of mocks have them taking Troy corner Leodis McKelvin.

For all your draft needs, the "Emmitt Smith" 2008 mock draft.

Damn. That's a lot of dough, though. Hopefully Clady will fall to the Chiefs. If they can trade Allen, and pick up another 1st round pick, they will get nice start on rebuilding.

I think the big difference is that Long's deal is a 5 year, and Russell's is a 6 year. Long gets to hit Free Agency that much quicker (and if he's as good as he thinks he is and stays healthy, makes even more money) and the Dolphins have a little less risk and financial exposure should he bust out.

This is version 1.0 of my first round "Big Board" - I reserve the right to radically alter it at any time.

1. Glenn Dorsey (DT, LSU)
2. Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State)
3. Chris Long (DE, Virginia)
4. Sedrick Ellis (DT, USC)
5. Jake Long (OT, Michigan)
6. Ryan Clady (OT, Boise State)
7. Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas)
8. Branden Albert (OG, Virginia)
9. Keith Rivers (OLB, USC)
10. Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois)
11. Chris Williams (OT, Vanderbilt)
12. Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida)
13. Mike Jenkins (CB, South Florida)
14. Leodis McKelvin (CB, Troy)
15. Philip Merling (DE, Clemson)
16. Jeff Otah (OT, Pitt)
17. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (CB, Tennessee St)
18. Matt Ryan (QB, Boston College)
19. Aqib Talib (CB, Kansas)
20. Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)
21. Jonathan Stewart (RB, Oregon)
22. Devin Thomas (WR, Michigan)
23. Quentin Groves (DE, Auburn)
24. Kenny Phillips (S, Miami)
25. Gosder Cherilus (OT, Boston College)
26. Dan Connor (OLB, Penn St)
27. Chilo Rachal (OG, USC)
28. Calais Campbell (DE, Miami)
29. Jerod Mayo (LB, Tennessee)
30. Justin King (CB, Penn State)
31. Felix Jones (RB, Arkansas)

Of course. That's the difference between a draft board and a mock draft.

Mock drafts are tricky, as every team ascribes to varying levels of "drafting for need" versus "drafting the best player available". Most teams pay lip service to the latter, but a lot give in to the former.

#8 on my board isn't necessarily a pick for the Ravens. It's the eighth best player in the draft in my eyes. I most certainly don't expect the draft to play out this way (after all, I'd need Jake Long at #1 in order to even start doing that!)

I expect Branden Albert will go lower than #8, unless a team projects him as a tackle in their system.

The top of this draft is a good time for teams to get their lines in order. Plenty to choose from at DT, DE, OT, and even an elite-looking OG.

I'd like to join in, but on Saturdays at that time, I'm either hungover looking for caffeine or getting started early.

Good for the Chiefs. They can certainly use the help, and with the depth at some of the core positions in this draft they should get good value.

Sounds like the Vikings are making a push for the playoffs, and I think they have a contender on their hands if they can get the QB position solidified... do you think they'll pick up Ryan/Brohm/Flacco, *Legion*? I like some of what Jackson can do, but he may turn out to be a bit brittle.