The Star’s first-round analysis

Randy Covitz, The Star’s NFL writer, breaks down the first round of the NFL draft.

1 MIAMI DOLPHINS

OT Jake Long, Michigan

Dolphins investing $57.75 million that Long can protect QB.

2 ST. LOUIS RAMS

DE Chris Long, Virginia

Long had 14 sacks last season; the Rams DEs totaled 5.5.

3 ATLANTA FALCONS

QB Matt Ryan, Boston College

Falcons can now totally cut ties with Mike Vick.

4 OAKLAND RAIDERS

RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas

Al Davis couldn’t resist the speed and game-breaking ability.

5 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU

Will Outland Trophy winner be another bust at tackle for KC?

6 NEW YORK JETS

DE/OLB Vernon Gholston, Ohio State

Gholston brings 14 sacks to a team that had just 29 last year.

7 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from S.F. through N.E.)

DT Sedrick Ellis, USC

New D-line coach Ed Orgeron recruited him to USC.

8 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (from Baltimore)

DE Derrick Harvey, Florida

Jaguars spent four picks to get hero of BCS title game in 2007.

9 CINCINNATI BENGALS

LB Keith Rivers, USC

Rivers brings versatility to 27th- ranked defense.

10 NEW ENGLAND (from N.O.)

LB Jerod Mayo, Tennessee

Bruschi, Vrabel and Seau aren’t getting any younger.

11 BUFFALO BILLS

CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy

Needed a high-quality corner opposite starter Terrence McGee.

12 DENVER BRONCOS

OT Ryan Clady, Boise State

With the retirement of Matt Lepsis, this was a no-brianer.

13 CAROLINA PANTHERS

RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon

Stewart gives running game a 235-pound battering ram.

14 CHICAGO BEARS

OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt

Left tackle enables John Tait to move to the right side.

15 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Detroit)

OL Branden Albert, Virginia

Pick for Jared Allen helped pick up much-needed left tackle.

16 ARIZONA CARDINALS

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tenn. St.

Should help the NFL’s 28th-ranked pass defense.

17 DETROIT LIONS (from Minn. through KC)

OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College

QB Jon Kitna took a beating; Detroit allowed 54 sacks last year.

18 BALTIMORE RAVENS (from Houston)

QB Joe Flacco, Delaware

Strong-armed transfer from Pitt will challenge Kyle Boller.

19 CAROLINA PANTHERS (from Philadelphia)

OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh

Panthers traded up to take the tackle they wanted.

20 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

CB Aqib Talib, Kansas

Talib, who lacks great speed, fits Tampa’s cover two defense.

21 ATLANTA FALCONS (from Washington)

OT Sam Baker, USC

Arena League Commissioner’s son gets to play indoors.

22 DALLAS COWBOYS (from Cleveland)

RB Felix Jones, Arkansas

The worst-kept secret in the draft.

23 PITTSBURGH STEELERS

RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois

Steelers’ first RB in the first round since Tim Worley in 1989.

24 TENNESSEE TITANS

RB Chris Johnson, East Carolina

QB Vince Young will throw screens to this 4.29 speedster.

25 DALLAS COWBOYS (from Seattle)

CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida

Jenkins provides insurance for Pacman Jones’ antics.

26 HOUSTON TEXANS (from Jax. through Balt.)

OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech

Another attempt to solve long-running problem at LT.

27 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

CB Antoine Cason, Arizona

A team can never have enough good corners.

28 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Dallas)

DE Lawrence Jackson, USC

Jackson will be a bookend for NFC sack leader Patrick Kerney.

29 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (from Indy)

DT Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina

Balmer fits in the middle of the 49ers’ 3-4 front.

30 NEW YORK JETS (from Green Bay)

TE Dustin Keller, Purdue

Keller can be an upgrade over Chris Baker.

31 NEW YORK GIANTS

S Kenny Phillips, Miami

Phillips extends the U’s streak of first-round picks to 14 years.

NOTE: New England forfeited its pick as part of the penalty for illegally videotaping an opponent’s signals during a game.