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The Star’s projected draft
Just remember when you’re keeping score at home that this figures to be one of the most unpredictable drafts in memory.
1 MIAMI DOLPHINS
OT Jake Long, Michigan
Like a bingo card, this is our free space.
2 ST. LOUIS RAMS
DE Chris Long, Virginia
He gets the nod over DT Glenn Dorsey, but barely.
3 ATLANTA FALCONS
QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
This is as much about good PR as anything else.
4 OAKLAND RAIDERS
DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
He fills the void created by Warren Sapp’s retirement.
5 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
He’s got Jared Allen’s shoes to fill and 15 1/2 sacks to replace.
6 NEW YORK JETS
RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
McFadden gives moribund offense a home-run hitter.
7 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (from S.F.)
DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Seymour, Green and Wilfork’s contracts expire after 2009.
8 BALTIMORE RAVENS
CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
Shutdown corner prospect has returned eight kicks for TDs.
9 CINCINNATI BENGALS
LB Keith Rivers, USC
Fills the void of Landon Johnson, who left via free agency.
10 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tenn. St.
Saints allowed NFL-high 15 plays of 40-plus yards.
11 BUFFALO BILLS
WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State
Bills ranked 30th on offense and passing yards last year.
12 DENVER BRONCOS
OT Ryan Clady, Boise State
Matt Lepsis’ retirement makes this the most pressing need.
13 CAROLINA PANTHERS
DE Derrick Harvey, Florida
Rucker’s retirement and Peppers’ falloff dictate this move.
14 CHICAGO BEARS
OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Smash-mouth blocker can help No. 30 rushing offense.
15 DETROIT LIONS
RB Jonathan Stewart. Oregon
Lions want to run the ball, so they’ll take either Stewart or …
16 ARIZONA CARDINALS
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois
Time to find the eventual replacement for Edgerrin James.
17 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Minnesota)
OT Branden Albert, Virginia
They may have to trade down from 5 or up from 17 for him.
18 HOUSTON TEXANS
OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
LT has hindered the franchise since its inception in 2002.
19 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
Jenkins can be nickel back and injects life in return game.
20 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
CB Aqib Talib, Kansas
He’ll fit Tampa Bay’s Cover 2 as replacement for Brian Kelly.
21 WASHINGTON
WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
Big receiver for new coach Jim Zorn.
22 DALLAS COWBOYS (from Cleveland)
WR DeSean Jackson, California
Jackson gives aging receiving corps some youth.
23 PITTSBURGH STEELERS
DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Steelers need a nose tackle to help stop the run.
24 TENNESSEE TITANS
RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
A multi-purpose back for Titans’ new offensive coordinator.
25 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
Seahawks take Merling over …
26 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
He’ll fit in with a nasty defensive front.
27 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
This is one of the few positions where Chargers lack depth.
28 DALLAS COWBOYS
CB Antoine Cason, Arizona
Can you really trust Pacman Jones?
29 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (from Indy)
DE Calais Campbell, Miami
Quentin Groves’ heart procedure frightens 49ers
30 GREEN BAY PACKERS
QB Joe Flacco, Delaware
There’s no backup in the house for Aaron Rodgers.
31 NEW YORK GIANTS
S Kenny Phillips, Miami
This was one area of weakness for the Super Bowl champs.
NOTE: New England forfeited its pick as part of the penalty for illegally videotaping an opponent’s signals during a game.