Each year, the league identifies six surefire top-10 picks, invites them to New York and then watches one of them wilt in the green room for 15 picks or so. Last year, I had a front-row seat to Brady Quinn's free-fall. A member of NFL security was sneaking me slices of turkey from Quinn's meat tray before the commissioner invited the embarrassed quarterback to his private quarters, where they shared an awkward man hug and two loaves of pumpernickel.
Per NFL town crier Adam Schefter, this year's invitees are Virginia's Chris Long, Michigan's Jake Long, LSU's Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State's Vernon Gholston, Boston College's Matt Ryan and Arkansas' Darren McFadden.
Out of this group, who has the most potential for dropping out of the top six? Well, I'm glad you asked. I'm starting to hear rumblings that the Raiders might take Gholston at No. 4. And if the Jets have to choose between McFadden and Chris Long (this could totally happen) at No. 6, they're going with Long. So who finally scoops up McFadden?
Well, it's not going to be the Patriots. Are Ravens fans starting to get excited? They certainly should be. I'm planning a trip to Baltimore early next week, so I'll try to find out more. For now, let's keep this between us.
