Scout First-Round Mock Draft UPDATED: 4/9

With the NFL's focus solely on the NFL Draft at this point in the offseason, the draft forecast is becoming clearer as we progress towards draft day. Scout.com's NFL Draft Analyst Chris Steuber updates his first-round mock draft.

The NFL Draft is about two weeks away, and the forecast is becoming clearer. Pro Days are finally over, and NFL personnel and scouts are holding meetings preparing their draft boards for April 26th. My current mock draft has stayed consistent with the previous version with a few modifications.

In my previous two mock drafts, I projected two different teams trading up into the first round to select Louisville QB Brian Brohm. I still believe a team will entertain the thought of moving up to select Brohm, but I've backed off that prediction in this version.

My current mock draft features 15 underclassmen being selected in the first round. There are 31 picks in the first round this year due to the Patriots forfeiting their own selection in light of the Spygate scandal. My first round mock draft also features 15 defensive players versus 16 offensive players being selected.

If you have any questions about my mock draft, email me by clicking on this link.

For coverage of your favorite NFL team, CLICK HERE. For the UPDATED 2nd Round Mock Draft, CLICK HERE.

Round 1 | Round 2

No.	Team	Pos.	Name	College	Class	Ht.	Wt.
1		DE	Chris Long	Virginia	Sr.	6-3	272
The Dolphins could go many ways with the top selection, and trading the pick is still an option, but in the end Virginia's Chris Long is the safest selection for Miami.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
2		DE	Vernon Gholston	Ohio State	Jr.	6-3	266
With Chris Long off the board, the St. Louis Rams will look to add another D-Lineman who can get to the quarterback. LSU's Glenn Dorsey proved he was healthy at his Pro Day and has regained his status as the draft's top DT, but Ohio State's Vernon Gholston is a physical freak who will have an immediate impact in the NFL as a pass rushing terror.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
3		OT	Jake Long	Michigan	Sr.	6-7	315
The Falcons have a hard decision to make at this selection. With Glenn Dorsey, Matt Ryan and Jake Long available, they will have to decide between offense and defense. Atlanta has a new head coach in place and identifying a franchise QB is necessary, but adding a potential All-Pro OT in Long allows the Falcons to target a QB in the second round.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
4		DT	Glenn Dorsey	LSU	Sr.	6-1	297
The Raiders will entertain the idea of selecting Darren McFadden and will also take phone calls from teams looking to move up to select McFadden, but in the end the pick will be between Sedrick Ellis and Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey's recent surge is enough for the Raiders to select an LSU player in the first round two years in a row.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Darren McFadden
5		QB	Matt Ryan	Boston College	Sr.	6-4	228
The Chiefs are in a tough spot. They have to decide between adding a cornerback like Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a defensive tackle in Sedrick Ellis, or reaching for an offensive lineman like Ryan Clady, Chris Williams or Branden Albert. But with value on the board in Matt Ryan, the Chiefs give Brodie Croyle some competition in camp and make him earn a starting job.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
6		RB	Darren McFadden	Arkansas	Jr.	6-1	211
The Jets are in a situation where they can draft the best available player or look to add depth in the secondary by selecting a cornerback in the first round two years in a row. But with an impact player like Darren McFadden available, the Jets turn in their selection quickly.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Sedrick Ellis
7	from 49ers	CB	Leodis McKelvin	Troy	Sr.	5-10	186
Losing Asante Samuel and Randall Gay this offseason makes cornerback the No. 1 priority for the Patriots. Troy's Leodis McKelvin plays a similar style to Samuel and also provides New England with a quality return man on special teams.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
8		CB	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Tennessee State	Sr.	6-1	180
The Ravens have to identify a franchise quarterback and add some stability behind center, but adding a playmaker in the secondary is exactly what the Ravens need. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has seen his stock skyrocket over the last month and will ultimately land in the top-ten with the Ravens.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
9		DT	Sedrick Ellis	USC	Sr.	6-0	309
The Bengals desperately need help on defense, especially at linebacker and defensive tackle. USC's LB Keith Rivers had a great performance at his Pro Day and solidified himself as a top-ten pick, but the Bengals have to get a push up the middle and another Trojan, Sedrick Ellis, will provide it.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Glenn Dorsey
10		LB	Keith Rivers	USC	Sr.	6-2	241
The Saints added help in the secondary with the addition of Randall Gay and added two veteran linebackers, Dan Morgan and Jonathan Vilma. There are a few options on the board for New Orleans, but like I said, RIvers is a top-ten pick and ends up with the Saints.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
11		WR	Malcolm Kelly	Oklahoma	Jr.	6-4	224
The Bills have to find a big wideout to compliment Lee Evans. Evans constantly gets double-teamed, so having another option on the other side will benefit the offense. Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly makes the most sense and gives Trent Edwards another option on offense.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
12		OT	Ryan Clady	Boise State	Jr.	6-6	320
The Broncos have done a good job with Jay Cutler’s development, but giving him a quality tackle to grow with makes sense. Ryan Clady may move up in the draft as we make our way towards April, but I still believe he will be available for Denver.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
13		DE	Derrick Harvey	Florida	Jr.	6-4	271
The Panthers will look to upgrade the offensive and defensive line in the first round. Carolina added depth on the D-Line in free agency, but the Panthers have to add a pure pass rusher to help Julius Peppers rebound from a difficult year. Florida's Derrick Harvey fits Carolina's need.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
14		RB	Rashard Mendenhall	Illinois	Jr.	5-10	225
After losing Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad this offseason, the Bears turned to one of their former players, Marty Booker, and also added Brandon Lloyd to help the offense. The Bears have to address another area on offense, and that's their woeful rushing attack. With concerns surrounding Cedric Benson, drafting local product Rashard Mendenhall will give Chicago a boost.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
15		OT	Chris Williams	Vanderbilt	Sr.	6-6	317
The Lions have done a good job of revamping their secondary in free agency and will concentrate on another area in the draft. Adding a quality OT will go a long way in helping the offense be more efficient, and Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams is exactly what they need.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
16		CB	Aqib Talib	Kansas	Jr.	6-1	205
Arizona will consider drafting a running back at this selection, but with Mendenhall off the board they will focus on upgrading their secondary. The Cardinals are happy to see the best playmaking CB in the draft, Aqib Talib, still on the board.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
17		DE	Phillip Merling	Clemson	Jr.	6-4	270
The Vikings were able to sign Bernard Berrian this offseason to help the progression of Tarvaris Jackson, so adding a WR with this selection isn't necessary. But the most glaring need resides at defensive end. Despite having sports hernia surgery, Clemson's Phillip Merling is one of the best all around DEs in the draft and is a perfect fit for the Vikings.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
18		OG	Branden Albert	Virginia	Jr.	6-6	309
The Texans will consider Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart with this pick, but after his toe surgery, Houston will wait to add a RB later in the draft and bolster their offensive line. Virginia's Branden Albert is rapidly rising up the charts and may ultimately end up being a top-12 pick.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Jeff Otah
19		OT	Jeff Otah	Pittsburgh	Sr.	6-6	339
The Eagles are a team that could draft the best available player, as they don't have many glaring needs. They could use a big play wide receiver and Devin Thomas and DeSean Jackson fit that need. But the Eagles have two aging OTs, Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, and drafting a young player like Jeff Otah is a move the Eagles will most likely make.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: DeSean Jackson
20		WR	DeSean Jackson	California	Jr.	5-9	169
The Buccaneers have to address the receiver position with this pick, and it's possible that they’ll look to add a cornerback. The pick will be between DeSean Jackson and Devin Thomas. Thomas is rising quickly, but Jackson's dynamic ability to stretch the field and on special teams wins out.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Devin Thomas
21		WR	Devin Thomas	Michigan State	Jr.	6-2	215
The Redskins could use a safety, especially with the loss of Sean Taylor. But they decide to pass on Kenny Phillips to address their need for a receiver. Michigan State's Devin Thomas is a big target who will compliment Santana Moss perfectly.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Limas Sweed
22	from Browns	CB	Mike Jenkins	South Florida	Sr.	5-11	200
The Cowboys lost two cornerbacks in free agency, Jacques Reeves and Nathan Jones, so adding depth in the secondary is a must. South Florida's Mike Jenkins provides Dallas with a quality cover corner that they can build their secondary around.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
23		OT	Gosder Cherilus	Boston College	Sr.	6-7	314
Losing Alan Faneca is a tough pill to swallow, but the Steelers will have to move on and find depth on the O-Line. The top tackles are off the board along with the top guard, Branden Albert, so the Steelers select a durable, reliable tackle in BC's Gosder Cherilus.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Branden Albert
24		WR	Limas Sweed	Texas	Sr.	6-4	215
The Titans lost Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy in free agency and adding depth at DE is a must. With the top pass rushing DEs off the board, the Titans decide to give Vince Young a target he's familiar with, former Texas WR Limas Sweed.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Quentin Groves
25		DT	Trevor Laws	Notre Dame	Sr.	6-1	304
The Seahawks haven't drafted a tight end since 2002, and that was used on Jerramy Stevens in the first round. Stevens was a disappointment, and Seattle may select Dustin Keller, but will wait to draft a TE. Seattle's biggest need is on the D-Line, where they have to secure a young DT. The pick will be between UNC's Kentwan Balmer and Notre Dame's Trevor Laws. Laws is moving up draft boards quickly and ends up with the Seahawks.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Dustin Keller
26		DE	Calais Campbell	Miami	Jr.	6-8	290
The loss of Bobby McCray and Marcus Stroud are huge losses on defense and will force the Jaguars to upgrade in the draft. There are a couple of possibilities for Jacksonville at this spot — Miami's Calais Campbell and UNC's Kentwan Balmer. Campbell's potential wins out over Balmer.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
27		RB	Jonathan Stewart	Oregon	Jr.	5-10	235
The Chargers are in a situation to draft the best available player, and they can go in many directions. But the one direction they should go in is adding a running back. LaDainian Tomlinson is still the best in the business, but how many more years will he play at a top level? Michael Turner signed with Atlanta, and the Chargers can't rely on Darren Sproles to be their backup running back. Oregon's Jonathan Stewart falls to the Chargers due to his recent toe surgery.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same
28		RB	Felix Jones	Arkansas	Jr.	5-10	207
The Cowboys addressed their need for depth in the secondary with their first pick, and will look to add a young playmaker on offense with this selection. Dallas has a need for another running back to pair with Marion Barber and a wide receiver to add along side of Terrell Owens. With the top receivers off the board, Dallas selects Arkansas' Felix Jones.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Brian Brohm (in projected trade with Atlanta)
29	from Colts	LB	Dan Connor	Penn State	Sr.	6-3	231
The Niners added a few veteran wide receivers this offseason, so drafting a first round WR isn't necessary. The Niners struck gold with Patrick Willis last season and will continue to upgrade their linebacker core with steady Penn State LB Dan Connor.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Gosder Cherilus
30		TE	Dustin Keller	Purdue	Sr.	6-2	242
The Packers are another team that can draft the best player available. They have a solid nucleus all around, but adding help in the secondary makes sense. Brandon Flowers and Antoine Cason are two good options, but adding a young TE is a bigger need. Purdue's Dustin Keller is the best TE in the draft and fills the void left by Bubba Franks.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Antoine Cason
	PATRIOTS SELECTION FORFEITED - (16 - 0)
31		FS	Kenny Phillips	Miami	Jr.	6-2	212
The Giants desperately need to add depth at linebacker and in the secondary. Adding a linebacker like Tennessee's Jerod Mayo is possible, but with Miami's Kenny Phillips still available, he replaces the recently departed Gibril Wilson.
Previous Mock Draft Selection: Same

A member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has provided his analysis of the NFL and NFL Draft prospects on the web and on the radio since 1999.