Buzzmaster: We're getting Mel right now!
Mel Kiper: We've got the draft coming up. Let's get to the questions!
Rick-Lowell, MA: Why do I keep hearing that Chris Long may fall out of the top 5? I think Long and Dorsey are the 2 guaranteed not to fall past 5. Am I wrong?
Mel Kiper: I don't think Long. I think Long goes two to St. Louis or 5 to KC. The KC pick depends on the Allen trade. He would be an interest as a 3-4 OLB standpoint. He could play on his feet.
Alex (Tulsa, Oklahoma): Since Miami has primarily addressed their offensive line issue by signing Jake Long as the number 1 pick in the draft, do you see them drafting a QB in the second round or are their other positions they should attend to?
Mel Kiper: You keep hearing that Chad Henne is going to get some consideration at 32. But to me you don't bring in competition if you believe in the young QB in John Beck. We'll know what they think about Beck when they draft 32nd.
Mel Kiper: This team has tons of needs. CB, TE, WR, OG.
Bret - Ionia,MI: Everything I've read has the Lions taking RB Mendenhall. I'm worried Chicago might take him first. I think it's a good move for Detroit. What do you think?
Mel Kiper: I don't think Chicago takes Mendenhall at 14. Mendenhall is the kind of guy, you wonder if Detroit would take him. But Jerod Mayo would be a perfect fit for their system. Then in the second round get a Ray Rice or Chris Johnson.
Michael (Houston): What are the chances Baltimore goes with Ellis over Ryan assuming they are both available at 8?
Mel Kiper: No. They have to take the QB. They have to take the QB. The Ravens have to come out of this first round with a QB. Either taking one at 8 or moving back into the first round to get one late. If Ryan's gone, then they might move back in to get Flacco. If Ellis is there at 8, then possibly Baltimore could move from 8 to 10 and allow New Orleans to get Ellis. Then they could hope that Ryan is there at 10. But that's risky. What's to say a team wouldn't move in to 9 to get Ryan.
Mel Kiper: If Ryan's gone at 8, I think Baltimore might look at Rivers or a CB.
Joe (Huntsville,AL): Who is a better pick for the Falcons, Ryan or Dorsey?
Mel Kiper: They could go either way. Dorsey is my No. 1 player in this draft and Ryan is my No. 3. If they feel they can get back into the first round, and get Flacco or someone. They're like Baltimore, they have to get a QB in the first round. They could take Dorsey at 3 and then try to trade back in to get a Flacco, Henne or Brohm. To me, Dorsey is a hard guy to pass up. But they need a QB. I don't think they can go wrong either way.
Kris Chicago, IL: Our Jeff Otah or Chris Williams good enough prospects of being starters early in the season for the bears if either one gets drafted?
Mel Kiper: If you draft the LT, you expect him to play from Day 1. Chicago also needs a RB. Jonathan Stewart is a guy I look at. He could be a really good tandem RB with Benson. They're a team that you look at, there is no WR to take at 14. I don't see them taking a QB at 14. I would say it's a LT like Otah or Clady or someone like that. Or they take Stewart or a Felix Jones.
Rich( N.Syracuse NY): The bills need a quality tight end. Any hope for them in early rounds!!!
Mel Kiper: I think it is. Second round, they could look at John Carlson from Notre Dame or Fred Davis from USC. If they want to go third round, they could look at Kellen Davis or Brad Cottam.
Chuck (San Jose): If Howie Jr and Gholston are available at #4, it is a no brainer for the Raiders to take Howie Jr, right? Please tell me Al will not be seduced by Gholston's speed? This guy is inconsistent and has too many comparsions to Mamula, most likely just a workout wonder.
Mel Kiper: No. I have heard that they'd go Gholston over Chris Long. That's just what I've heard. With McFadden and Ellis in the discussion. Ultimately, Al Davis makes this call, which makes it a very tricky pick to call. I've heard from various sources that it could be Long. I think Gholston or McFadden would make the most sense.
daniel (norman ok): how about malcom kelly from OU do you think he still has a chance to go in the first round after poor combine and pro day performances
Mel Kiper: Devin Thomas is going to be the first WR taken. He could go as early as 11 to Buffalo. Kelly could go in the late first round.
Dallas, Pittsburgh, Tennessee all looking for WRs. If I had to guess right now, I would say Kelly is an early second round pick.
tom* (parkville, md): How will the Jake Long signing affect picks 2-5 in Saturday's draft?
Mel Kiper: It doesn't effect it at all. It's been about the last three weeks that we've been predicting he would go to Miami. Teams have prepared for that. Once you lock in Long, you knew that the Rams would be looking DT. It really has been laid out for about three weeks now.
Steve (Manchester, NH): Patriots...what is the likelihood that they trade down? If they do who will be their trade partner and what can they expect to get for #7? If they stay at 7....what direction do they go?
Mel Kiper: It could be New Orleans at 10. They could trade with Denver at 12. Carolina at 13. I would think those would be some of the teams that would be looking to move up. The two teams that would definitely be possibilities are New Orleans to get Ellis and Carolina to get Matt Ryan.
Jordan (Houston, TX
The Texans have several needs, what direction do you see them going with their pick at 18?
Mel Kiper: They could go RB and get Jonathan Stewart or Mendenhall. They could take a CB. I would go one of those two positions.
Matt (Boston): Combine time, Dominic Rodgers Cromartie was the hottest name out there for cornerbacks. Why has the talk about him cooled down?
Mel Kiper: A little bit. He was hot for a long time. For the combine, Senior Bowl week. It's just a long process leading up to the draft. He's not a real good run support corner. It wouldn't shock anybody if he went in the top 10 or went 21. He could go from 7-21.
Stephen (Bluefield WV): If the Raiders do not select McFadden at 4, is he definitely going to the Jets? How far could he slide?
Mel Kiper: Oakland has got to consider McFadden. He has got to get consideration from the Jets. Adrian Peterson went at 7, McFadden could go at 6. I don't see him getting past the Jets.
Mike (Brooklyn): Hey Mel, you have Tyrell Johnson as your Number 1 safety in the draft. In your opinion, what does he have that Kenny Phillips doesn't?
Mel Kiper: When you compare the two, I thought Johnson had a much better year. He was the Sun Belt Conference DPOY. He had some real strong games against Texas, Tennessee, Memphis, Southern Mississippi. He played against some quality teams, even though he played in the Sun Belt. He's faster than Phillips. Stronger. Just as athletic. His performance was superior.
TD (OH): Mel, The breaking news in you sector of the industry is the Allen trade ... period! How does the trade affect the first ten picks?
Mel Kiper: KC could all of a sudden could look DE over OT. They could look at Chris Long or Harvey over Brandon Albert. I think Harvey, if he goes at 5 would be one of the major reaches of the first round. He's No. 23 on my board.
Ryan (SF) : Mel.. Christmas is only a couple of days away.. What can us 49er fans expect to find under the tree? Any chance they can trade back and pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd Rd pick?
Mel Kiper: Possibly. Where they're picking late in the first is usually where you find some activity. They need WR help, OLB, DE, CB. They could be a team that's looking to pick up some choices. If they stay where they are, I think they look OLB or WR.
JAP (Dallas): Why are the saints not looking at McFadden. With Deuce being hurt and not having much left, shouldnt they consider him?
Mel Kiper: No. No. New Orleans has to look at DT or a CB. They have McAllister coming back and Bush. What this offense really needs is a TE. On defense, they desperately need a DT or a CB.
Louis (DC): Did the Vikings overpay for Allen?
Mel Kiper: They know they're a DE away from being a dominant defense. Allen is a talented football player. They know at 17 they're not going to get a DE of his caliber. The thing about Minnesota is that they don't know if they have the right QB. The jury is still out on Jackson. This is a real good football team that is a QB away.
Nick (the Ville): Mel, where do you see Brian Brohm being picked?
Mel Kiper: He could go late first round to a team trading back in to Round 1. I would say early to mid second round. You could look at Chicago, Carolina, Minnesota, Atlanta. Those are the possibilities in Round 2.
Mel Kiper: Enjoy the draft! We've been doing this since August. We'll do a review chat at some point next week. Stay tuned for that.
