I just did a mock draft for a radio station in Washington, D.C. and I went with Troy CB Leodis McKelvin. I stated that I thought the Pats would try hard to trade down from that spot but if they stayed, McKelvin would be the selection. This is how the mock draft played out:

1. Miami - Jake Long (Although Fred Kirsch still isn’t buying it)
2. St. Louis - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta - Chris Long
4. Oakland - Sedrick Ellis
5. Kansas City - Vernon Gholston
6. NY Jets - Darren McFadden

It was between Keith Rivers and McKelvin and I went corner. I believe if the Pats think McKelvin is the top CB on the board and will most likely get drafted three or four picks later, it’s not a stretch to take him at seven. With Matt Ryan still available, this would represent a good opportunity to trade down but if they are forced to stay at seven, I think Bill Belichick and Co. strongly consider taking the guy they think is the best cornerback available in this draft.

This is for Dan in Charlottesville, who took me to task via e-mail for my comparison of K-State’s Jordy Nelson to the Pats’ Wes Welker on the PFW Draft Prospect Database on Patriots.com.

First off, I wrote my all my comments before Tom, our resident, self-proclaimed “draft expert” (the 859th nickname he’s given himself in the past year, if anyone’s counting).  So, when he saw what my description of Nelson was, he hollered over to me, “Hey, Erik, I’m gonna set you up here.” We all take shots at each other in the office all the time, but we always alert one another first.

Now, to my reasoning. Yes, I realize he’s much taller (6-3) and stronger (220 lbs) than Welker, and perhaps a bit faster (4.5 40). But after watching Nelson’s tape, I didn’t envision him as a #1 or 2 receiver right away in the pros. Down the road, perhaps. I think he’d make more of a contribution (and a lot sooner) as a slot guy, particularly given his aforementioned skills.

Everyone knows the kind of damage the diminutive Welker inflicted on teams last year. Heck, even Jabar Gaffney made big catches when the Pats put him in as the second slot receiver last season.

Now just imagine what a team with two established outside receivers could do with 6-3, 220-pound receiver going over the middle. Apparently, a lot of NFL teams are considering the mismatch possibilities, because Nelson has been steadily rising on some draft watchdog websites. He’s projected to be a 3rd or 4th rounder on most boards I’ve seen, and he’s generally ranked among the top ten receivers in this year’s draft.

Granted, some clubs may see Nelson as a future 1 or 2 receiver. Maybe he is. I just don’t see it happening right away.

It looks like there is a good chance the Falcons and Rams will swap first round picks. Atlanta really wants LSU DT Glenn Dorsey and doesn’t want to lose him to a team like the Saints, who are trying to trade up and select Dorsey. Meanwhile, the Rams are targeting a pass rusher, most likely Chris Long. The reason for this is last year’s top pick, DL Adam Carriker, is up to 315 pounds. Carriker was told to add some weight this offseason by the Rams coaching staff because they plan on moving him inside. Dorsey is almost guaranteed to go No. 2, it’s just a question of which team gets him. The smart money is on the Falcons.

If the Falcons and Chiefs pass on Matt Ryan, it sets up for Baltimore to grab the former BC star with the eighth pick. If that scenario plays out, the Patriots could be in a position to trade that seventh pick to a team that wants to come up and get Ryan. However, I’m hearing that no team really values Ryan enough to trade up for him, so it’s looking like the Ravens may be able to get him by just staying put. Mel Kiper better hope the Ravens select Ryan at eight or he’ll be looking for a new job.