Well, the suspense at the top of the NFL Draft has already been spoiled. Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long is going No. 1 to the Miami Dolphins. But who will the St. Louis Rams take? What about the Atlanta Falcons?  And what about all these trade rumors? The fun is only about to begin. Managing Editor Michael Hicks takes a sneak peek look at the scenarios, the rumors and prepares you for this weekend’s festivities from Radio City Music Hall in New York City .

MIAMI DOLPHINS: Now that the Miami Dolphins have selected OT Jake Long with the No. 1 pick, will they find a trading partner to take on 32-year-old defensive end Jason Taylor, and if so, can they get a first-round draft pick for the 11-year veteran?

ST. LOUIS RAMS: The St. Louis Rams are “officially” on the clock. OK, no, they’re not, but who will they take? Defensive end Glenn Dorsey appears to be the favorite, at the moment, probably much to the dismay of the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. They’ve all but turned down the notion of trading down. So if they do take Dorsey, will that send the Falcons and  Saints into a mad scramble for a backup plan?

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ATLANTA FALCONS: If Dorsey is gone, do the Atlanta Falcons -- one year removed from the Michael Vick debacle -- look for his replacement in Boston College QB Matt Ryan? And if Dorsey is here and the Falcons take him, what does that say about Ryan?

OAKLAND RAIDERS: Al Davis isn’t a spring chicken, but he’s also not a fool. He knows his team doesn’t need Arkansas RB Darren McFadden, at least his head coach, Lane Kiffin, says that, according to an Oakland Tribune report. But will the Raiders pass on the player everybody claims the best of this year’s bunch and draft Howie Long’s son, Virginia defensive end Chris Long? Furthermore, will the Raiders trade down for more picks since they don’t have a second-, third- or fifth-round pick? Gulp, times have definitely changed in Raider Nation.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Repeat after me, with the next pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select … Got it. Good, you’ll be hearing it a lot this weekend. K.C. has 13 picks this weekend, including three picked up in the mid-week trade of DE Jared Allen to Minnesota . One of those picks is No. 17 overall to go with the 5th pick. If Ryan slides by Atlanta , will the Chiefs take him? Rumors tend to say no, as the Chiefs may go with current QB Brodie Croyle for one more season. Nevertheless, the Chiefs are in serious rebuilding mode. Can you say offensive and defensive line help?

NEW YORK JETS: Do you think the New York Jets faithful at Radio City Music Hall won’t be clamoring if McFadden is still on the clock when the team comes up at Pick 6? And what if the Jets pass on him since they have the duo of Thomas Jones and  Leon Washington? What about Ryan? Is he the answer to the Jets’ QB woes? Will they trade Chad Pennington? There are a lot of questions surrounding the Jets. Is that really anything new?

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Like the New England Patriots need it, but is it really fair that the best team of this decade is drafting in the Top 10, especially after last season’s run? Fair or not, they’re here. New England , seemingly, is in a position to take either the best player available here or trade back. Vernon Gholston, Keith Rivers and Sedrick Ellis seem like the best value here, but the team’s most pressing need is at CB. Could a trade down to land South Florida’s Mike Jenkins, Troy ’s Leodis McKelvin or Tennessee State ’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie be in the work?

BALTIMORE RAVENS: You think the Baltimore Ravens aren’t itching to find out if Ryan will fall to them at No. 8? With the recent retirement of Steve McNair and just Kyle Boller and Troy Smith on the roster, QB is a need. CB is also a possibility, but it would be a reach at this spot. Baltimore has done well in the draft with Ozzie Newsome at GM. This year shouldn’t be any different. But is it Ryan or bust for Baltimore ?

CINCINNATI BENGALS: Is it safe to say that the Cincinnati Bengals won’t be looking for their next player at the nearest prison? I think that’s a pretty safe bet. Nevertheless, this team needs to straighten up or Marvin Lewis will be shipped out. Ellis has been linked to this pick by a number of mock drafts and reporters, most recently the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mark Cumutte. If Ellis isn’t there, then maybe Rivers. One other thing: Will WR Chad Johnson get traded? For the team’s sake, they best hope so. What good does he do for you if you’re not using him?

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: You think the New Orleans Saints are serious about moving up in the draft? They’re reportedly offering offensive tackle Jammal Brown in trade offers to jump up and take LSU’s Dorsey. Is this too high of a price to pay? The Rams are rebuffing the offer. So, now what? Trading up to get USC’s Ellis? That’s the rumor. Now, the question is, will it happen?

BUFFALO BILLS: For weeks the rumor coming out of Buffalo is that they need a playmaker, they want a playmaker, they want California WR/KR DeSean Jackson? Is that a little high for this year’s Ted Ginn Jr.? Oh wait, Ginn went 9th overall last year to Miami . Maybe we’re on to something here. But then again, Buffalo reaching for a player isn’t anything new. Two years ago, the Bills took safety Donte Whitner at 8th overall. Adding WR to an anemic passing game, which was 30th last year, makes since. But at No. 12? Also, will disgruntled QB J.P. Losman get dealt and to whom and for what? Don’t expect more than a mid-round pick for him.

DENVER BRONCOS: The Denver Broncos continue their quest to find the right mix on the DL by adding former N.Y. Jet, Dewayne Robertson, in a trade Thursday for a bag of chips. OK, they dealt a conditional 2009 draft pick. Not bad, but will Robertson’s woeful knee hold up? Nevertheless, the move has no impact on this year’s draft. The team could go in a variety of directions -- OL, secondary or RB -- in Round 1. If the team goes with offense, it can only make Jay Cutler better and give Brandon Marshall somebody to wrestle with on the practice field instead of his brother at home. Look for the pick to be an O-lineman.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: Carolina Panthers two words for you -- Derrick Harvey. Reports say that if the Florida defensive lineman is there he won’t make it to Chicago at 14. I don’t think the Bears are worried about that. Finding a running back to compliment DeAngelo Williams and replace the departed DeShaun Foster is a need as well.

CHICAGO BEARS: Rex Grossman is back. So will the Bears draft a QB in Round 1? Will they trade up for Ryan? Trade down for maybe Louisville ’s Brian Brohm or Joe Flacco of Delaware . Don’t count on it. According to the Chicago Tribune, the need is on the offensive line. Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams is possible, but he may not make it past Denver at 12. So the next logical choice is Pittsburgh ’s Jeff Otah. But will they still address the QB situation at some point?

DETROIT LIONS: The offensive line could use help. The defensive line could use help. But this is the Detroit Lions and Matt Millen. And if we’ve learned anything in recent drafts is that Millen will go with playmakers. What three WRs in as many drafts wasn’t good enough for you? Most projections have the Lions filling a need at RB with both Kevin Jones and T.J. Duckett no longer on the roster. Could the pick be Oregon ’s Jonathan Stewart or Illinois ’ Rashard Mendenhall?

ARIZONA CARDINALS: Good news and bad news for the Arizona Cardinals. The good news: Offensive linemen are a plenty in this year’s draft. The bad news, they’re drafting 16th and the top three or four will probably be gone by then. But not to worry someone will fall. They always do. That said, would it be a surprise if Arizona went RB here and grabbed the back that Detroit doesn’t? Edgerrin James isn’t as young as he used to be.

HOUSTON TEXANS: Here’s all you need to know about the Houston Texans going into the first round of the draft -- Dunta Robinson is likely to miss half of the season. Can you say cornerback? I thought so.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The biggest news coming out of Philadelphia isn’t who they’ll pick in this year’s draft, but who they might get rid of. Most notably among their current players on the trade market is cornerback Lito Sheppard. According to a report on FoxSports.com, the Eagles have received as high as a late second-round pick for him, but the team is seeking more. So does this mean Philadelphia will be seeking one of the top cornerbacks at No. 19? Not necessarily, according to a report on Philly.com. Safety might be the route the Eagles go. Could that mean Miami ’s Kenny Phillips is on their radar?

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: One possible suitor, according to the above reports from FoxSports.com and Philly.com, for Sheppard’s services is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Tampa Tribune reported Friday that the Bucs are willing to send their second-rounder to Philadelphia , but not so likely to add an additional pick, even if it’s a 5th-rounder in 2009 -- the same deal Oakland sent to Atlanta for DeAngelo Hall. As for the draft, the Bucs only have five picks -- one in each of the first five rounds. Wide receiver and cornerback are the most pressing needs. The Tampa Tribune reports that the team will all but draft a CB at some point this weekend.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS: You want a shocker? Consider this, the Washington Redskins, as of Friday, enter this weekend’s draft with nine draft picks. Has Daniel Snyder lost his mind? The free-spending Redskins owner usually doesn’t have this many picks to concern himself with, and he still might not if he can get the Cincinnati Bengals to deal disgruntled wideout Chad Johnson to him. If not, maybe Arizona ’s Anquan Boldin or Detroit ’s Roy Williams will be a Redskin. That’s Snyder’s hope. And it would be a stick-it moment for the Skins to their archrival, the Dallas Cowboys, who also covet any of those receivers. If a trade doesn’t go down, the two most noticeable names linked to the 21st pick, according to The Washington Post, are Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly and DE Phillip Merling of Clemson.

DALLAS COWBOYS: Well, let’s see, Dallas has Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson and, now, Pacman Jones, virtue of a trade with the Tennessee Titans. Can a trade for malcontent Chad Johnson be on the way? You think he’d fit in? OK, what about a deal for Detroit wideout Roy Williams? How confusing would that be to have two Roy Williams on the same team? Will the team take another CB in Round 1 despite the trade? Will they draft a RB to replace Julius Jones and compliment Marion Barber? It must feel like Christmas to Jerry Jones.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS: A report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last Sunday stated that the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t’ have any major holes to fill in their starting lineup, but had needs everywhere. The most prominent need is on the offensive line, where the team lost seven-time Pro Bowler Alan Faneca during the offseason. In  that same report, Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert said the Steelers could draft at any position but QB and TE. Best bet is an offensive or defensive lineman in Round 1 with a WR somewhere in the next couple of rounds.

TENNESSEE TITANS: Have you heard Vince Young lately? Better yet, do you think the higher-ups with the Tennessee Titans have heard his whispers lately? If they have, Young will be hooking up with his former Texas Longhorn teammate, WR Limas Sweed. The move would make sense. The Titans need WR help. They had the fewest TD catches in the league last year. You think the Titans like that Texas Longhorn pipeline they’re building? Young, safety Michael Griffin, now Sweed. Hmmmm.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: According to a report in the Seattle Post-Intelligence, the Seattle Seahawks are just about ready for anything when it comes to the No. 25 pick in the first round. Could that mean trading out of the pick? Possibly, if Seattle is sitting in a prime spot for a team wanting to move back up to grab one of those QBs not named Matt Ryan, be it Brohm, Flacco or Henne. Another rumor floating around though is whether or not the Seahawks are pursuing N.Y. Giants TE Jeremy Shockey. The New York Daily News reported that Seattle is interested, but that report was disputed by the Tacoma News Tribune and Seahawks officials. Lastly, is the team settled at RB with the addition of Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett despite releasing former league MVP Shaun Alexander?

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Only once before has the Jacksonville Jaguars had the 26th pick in the draft. That was in 1999, and the team selected CB Fernando Bryant, who became a starter, but not a Pro Bowler, according to the Florida Times-Union. The team would like to draft a pass rusher, but with most of the defensive linemen expected to go early in the first round, getting someone of first-round caliber might be difficult. Like Seattle and other teams at the bottom of the round, a trade down could be in the works for a team eyeing a QB.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: Only win away from the Super Bowl, needs are few and far apart for the San Diego Chargers. They could find a replacement for Michael Turner, who left for a bigger deal with the Atlanta Falcons. But, according to the San Diego Times-Union, one thing is a certainty: The Chargers will draft a cornerback in this draft. Whomever they select will be in line to battle for the third CB spot and play in nickle packages. Will they select Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers in Round 1 or wait until the second or third round to address the position? With the Chargers, there seem to be few questions. The only other position of major consideration is reserve offensive tackle.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Talk about being in a rough spot. First, the San Francisco 49ers are coming off a 5-11 season. Now, they have to wait until the 29th pick to draft this weekend. OK, OK, so the Niners used their first-round pick last year by taking OT Joe Staley, who started all 16 games. They recouped a pick by trading for Indianapolis ’ selection. What will they do? New offensive coordinator Mike Martz needs playmakers to help out QBs Alex Smith or Shawn Hill, whomever wins the starting job. Two possible first-round picks, according to the San Francisco Chronicle are Indiana WR James Hardy or Boston College OT Gosder Cherilus. According to the Chronicle report, the Niners needs, in order, are offensive line, defensive line, wide receiver and cornerback.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: The big news of the offseason for the Green Bay Packers was the retirement announcement of QB Brett Favre. The big news entering draft weekend is the lingering fact that Favre hasn’t turned in his retirement papers and just may be itching to come back. Poor Aaron Rogers. This may never be his team. One more year with Favre could be the key to the team staying in the hunt for a Super Bowl run. As for the draft, in particular Round 1, a cornerback with first-round talent and no off-the-field issues would be a winner, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette. But, according to two NFL scouts in the same report, the chances of Green Bay finding that at 30 are slim and none. Almost the same odds as GM Ted Thompson trading up, something he’s never done in eight drafts -- five with Seattle and three in Green Bay .

NEW YORK GIANTS: Defense, defense, defense. It’s all about defense for the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, who lost both of their starting outside linebackers and safety Gilbril Wilson this offseason. The Giants haven’t used a first-round pick on a LB since 1984 when they took Carl Banks. But with Reggie Torbor and Kawika Mitchell gone, it might be time to revisit the past. And, oh, what about that Jeremy Shockey trade? According to Newsday, the Giants are listening to offers, but nobody has overwhelmed them enough to bite. But, I bet, by the end of the weekend, Shockey won’t be a Giant.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: The Minnesota Vikings draft started with the trade for Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen. They gave up their first-round pick and both third-round picks for him. It solves a need. Next need is more help on offense, at either WR or QB. The Vikings won’t pick until Pick No. 47. One of the top four quarterbacks probably won’t be there, but a WR will. Troy Williamson is gone and Bernard Berrian is in from Chicago . Why not add another WR to mix and see if Tavaris Jackson can throw the ball to him?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The Indianapolis Colts don’t own a first-round pick, either. But they own the sixth round, with four picks. What? That’s not worth mentioning. OK. How about this? The Colts are the only team in the NFL that all 22 starters last year on offense and defense have played their entire career with the same team. That says something. This team knows how to draft and keep its talent together. Linebacker is the most pressing need, and, unfortunately for the Colts, it’s probably the weakest position in this year’s selection process.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: What, the Cleveland Browns are participating in the draft? With their first three picks traded away, including this year’s No. 1 to acquire QB Brady Quinn last year, Cleveland won’t be selecting until the 4th round. Might make for a good time to go on a fishing trip with last year’s No. 1, OT Joe Thomas.

Michael Hicks is the managing editor for DraftStock.com