How the Post-Gazette's veteran pro football writer sees the first round of the 73rd NFL draft playing out this afternoon at Radio City Music Hall in New York:

1. DOLPHINS: Jake Long
Tackle: Ht: 6-7: Wt: 313: Michigan
The skinny: Just a wild guess here.

2. RAMS: Chris Long
Defensive end: Ht: 6-3: Wt: 272: Virginia
The skinny: Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett gets his man.

3. FALCONS: Glenn Dorsey
Defensive tackle: Ht: 6-1 1/2: Wt: 297: LSU
The skinny: New coach Mike Smith builds through defense.

4. RAIDERS: Darren McFadden
Running back: Ht: 6-1: Wt: 210: Arkansas
The skinny: Al Davis can't resist a big playmaker.

5. CHIEFS: Vernon Gholston
Defensive end: Ht: 6-3: Wt: 266: Ohio State
The skinny: Trade of Jared Allen makes this necessary.

6. JETS: Matt Ryan
Quarterback: Ht: 6-5: Wt: 225: Boston College
The skinny: Eight years later, they try to get their QB again.

7. PATRIOTS: Brandon Albert
Guard: Ht: 6-5 1/2: Wt: 309: Virginia
The skinny: Fastest-rising player in draft the past month.

8. RAVENS: Leodis McKelvin
Cornerback: Ht: 5-10: Wt: 190: Troy
The skinny: Ravens settle here, but would love to get Ryan.

9. BENGALS: Sedrick Ellis
Defensive end: Ht: 6-0 1/2: Wt: 309: USC
The skinny: Try, try and try again on defense.

10. SAINTS: Keith Rivers
Linebacker: Ht: 6-2 1/2: Wt: 240: USC
The skinny: Long-sought help for the No. 26-ranked defense.

11. BILLS: Devin Thomas
Wide receiver: Ht: 6-2: Wt: 215: Michigan State
The skinny: Desperate for receivers and corners.

12. BRONCOS: Ryan Clady
Offensive tackle: Ht: 6-6: Wt: 309: Boise State
The skinny: Need to protect Jay Cutler's blind side.

13. PANTHERS: Jonathan Stewart
Running back: Ht: 5-10: Wt: 235: Oregon
The skinny: Won't last 10 more picks to the Steelers.

14. BEARS: Chris Williams
Offensive tackle: Ht: 6-6: Wt: 315: Vanderbilt
The skinny: No. 30 rushing team needs a blocker.

15. LIONS: Derrick Harvey
Defensive end: Ht: 6-5: Wt: 271: Florida
The skinny: Help for a pass rush that needs it.

16. CARDINALS: Rashard Mendenhall
Running back: Ht: 5-10: Wt: 225: Illinois
The skinny: It's time to replace Edgerrin James.

17. CHIEFS: Jeff Otah
Offensive tackle: Ht: 6-6: Wt: 322: Pitt
The skinny: A good start to remake a woeful line.

18. TEXANS: Mike Jenkins
Cornerback: Ht: 5-10: Wt: 197: South Florida
The skinny: Want a left tackle, settle for a big corner.

19. EAGLES: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Cornerback: Ht: 6-1 1/2: Wt: 184: Tennessee State
The skinny: Eagles ignore other needs here.

20. BUCCANEERS: DeSean Jackson
Wide receiver: Ht: 5-9 1/2: Wt: 169: California
The skinny: Electric little man with big-play ability.

21. REDSKINS: Phillip Merling
Defensive end: Ht: 6-4: Wt: 275: Clemson
The skinny: 'Skins need to get younger in their D-line.

22. COWBOYS: Aqib Talib
Cornerback: Ht: 6-0 1/2: Wt: 202: Kansas
The skinny: Yes, even with Pac-Man aboard.

24. TITANS: Felix Jones
Running back: Ht: 5-10: Wt: 207: Arkansas
The skinny: Averaged 8.7 yards a carry last season.

25. SEAHAWKS: Lawrence Jackson
Defensive end: Ht: 6-4 1/2: Wt: 271: USC
The skinny: Going with best player on their board.

26. JAGUARS: Justin King
Cornerback: Ht: 5-11: Wt: 192: Penn State
The skinny: Will quickly put disappointing '07 behind him.

27. CHARGERS: Gosder Cherilus
Offensive tackle: Ht: 6-6 1/2: Wt: 314: Boston College
The skinny: Add depth now with a future starter.

28. COWBOYS: Limas Sweed
Wide receiver: Ht: 6-4: Wt: 215: Texas
The skinny: Big Ben would love this: T.O. and the 6-4 L.S.

29. 49ERS: Quentin Groves
Defensive end: Ht: 6-3: Wt: 259: Auburn
The skinny: Projected as OLB in a 3-4 defense.

30. PACKERS: Antoine Cason
Cornerback: Ht: 6-0: Wt: 191: Arizona
The skinny: Completes run on cornerbacks in first round.

31. GIANTS: Jerod Mayo
Linebacker: Ht: 6-2: Wt: 242: Tennessee
The skinny: Need inside linebacker and get the top one available.