NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will step in front of a podium a little after 1 p.m. (MST) today and announce that the Miami Dolphins have selected Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long with the first pick in the 2008 draft.
That much we know. What else will happen is a crapshoot.
This year's draft, which takes place today and tomorrow in New York, is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable selection meetings in years. Some teams are trying to move up (the Saints), and others (Ravens, Panthers) could look to move down if their targeted players are gone when it's their turn to pick.
Here's a look at five storylines that will shape this year's draft:
The Falcons hold the keys: The Dolphins have made their pick, and the Rams are looking at defensive help if they don't agree to a blockbuster deal for the second pick. That leaves Atlanta, at No. 3, with several options to work with.
The Falcons could use some help just about everywhere, but especially on the defensive line, where either LSU's Glenn Dorsey or Virginia's Chris Long will be available. The guess here is they pick Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, giving fans hope for the future and a new face for their franchise. The Chiefs, at No. 5, will probably be hurt by the pick, but the Ravens, at No. 8, will be devastated.
Which teams are looking to play a big splash? The Chiefs and Cowboys certainly have the ammunition to move up with multiple first-round picks. But it's unclear if either of them want to move up. The Saints, who are picking at No. 10, have made no secret they would like to move as high as No. 2, to presumably select Dorsey, a local product.
Fans of those three teams will no doubt be on the edge of their seats, hoping they make some franchise-changing decisions.
Will the Jets-Patriots feud continue to escalate? It's incredibly ironic that with all the bad blood between these two franchises, they will pick back-to-back in the first round. The Jets are picking sixth, and the Patriots are seventh following a draft-day trade with the 49ers last year.
The possibilities are endless here. The Patriots could trade ahead of the Jets to take a player they might want. The Jets could trade out of their slot, giving another team the chance to select a player the Patriots might covet. The Jets could also just pick someone that the Patriots want. One thing certainly won't happen: Executives from both teams won't be on the phone with each other working out any trades.
Any chance a player suffers an Aaron Rodgers-Brady Quinn type of fall? Probably not. Ryan isn't going any lower than eighth. He's the only quarterback who's a sure-fire first-round pick. It wouldn't be shocking if the other quarterback prospects — Louisville's Brian Brohm, Michigan's Chad Henne and Delaware's Joe Flacco — slip to the second round.
The best hope for Brohm, Henne and Flacco going in the first round might be if a quarterback-needy team with an early pick in the second round makes a move into the lower end of the first round.
Forget about the unproven guys. There may be some big names changing uniforms: There are some Pro Bowl-type players who could be on the move this weekend for various reasons. The Bengals say they won't trade receiver Chad Johnson, but we'll see if they can pass up tempting trade offers.
Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey is likely to be dealt to New Orleans. And two other big names, Arizona's Anquan Boldin and Miami's Jason Taylor, could find new homes.
Deseret News first-round mock draft
Pick Team ... Player ... Pos. ... School
1. Miami Dolphins ... Jake Long ... OT ... Michigan
We know we got this pick right.
2. St. Louis Rams ... Glenn Dorsey ... DT ... LSU
They finally make a good defensive draft call.
3. Atlanta Falcons ... Matt Ryan ... QB ... Boston College
They get a new face for their franchise.
4. Oakland Raiders ... Vernon Gholston ... DE ... Ohio State
Others are tempting, but Gholston is a need pick.
5. Kansas City Chiefs ... Chris Long ... DE ... Virginia
They quickly find a replacement for Jared Allen.
6. New York Jets ... Darren McFadden ... RB ... Arkansas
Their opponents finally have to account for someone.
7. New England Patriots ... Keith Rivers ... LB ... USC
Their fossil-like defense needs some youth.
8. Baltimore Ravens ... Ryan Clady ... OT ... Boise State
They'd rather have a QB, but do need OL help.
9. Cincinnati Bengals ... Sedrick Ellis ... DT ... USC
Their defense is terrible against the run and pass.
10. New Orleans Saints ... Leodis McElvin ... CB ... Troy State
If the Saints don't move up, they'll add a corner.
11. Buffalo Bills ... Devin Thomas ... WR ... Michigan State
They need a wideout to complement Lee Evans.
12. Denver Broncos ... Chris Williams ... OT ... Vanderbilt
He'll be back to protecting former teammate Jay Cutler.
13. Carolina Panthers ... Derrick Harvey ... DE ... Florida
Someone needs to replace the retired Mike Rucker.
14. Chicago Bears ... Jeff Otah ... OL ... Pittsburgh
His bruising style will come in handy in the cold.
15. Detroit Lions ... Jerod Mayo ... LB ... Tennessee
They have wasted too many picks on offense recently.
16. Arizona Cardinals ... Mike Jenkins ... CB ... South Florida
The secondary is the Cards' biggest weakness.
17. Kansas City Chiefs ... Branden Albert ... OT ... Virginia
Chiefs are looking to get stronger in the trenches.
18. Houston Texans ... D. Rodgers-Cromartie ... CB ... Tennessee State
He has speed, and he can also contribute as a returner.
19. Philadelphia Eagles ... DeSean Jackson ... WR ... California
Donovan McNabb could use a deep threat in his arsenal.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ... Limas Sweed ... WR ... Texas
How pedestrian was Tampa's offense in the playoffs last year?
21. Washington Redskins ... Phillip Merling ... DE ... Clemson
They need to address the defensive line before other positions.
22. Dallas Cowboys ... Rashard Mendenhall ... RB ... Illinois
Jerry Jones wants another weapon, and he gets one here.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers ... Jonathan Stewart ... RB ... Oregon
They need a tough, inside runner to complement Fast Willie.
24. Tennessee Titans ... James Hardy ... WR ... Indiana
Vince Young can't throw the ball to himself.
25. Seattle Seahawks ... Kentwan Balmer ... DT ... North Carolina
They were too soft against the run last season.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars ... Lawrence Jackson ... DT ... USC
He'll help the defense forget about Marcus Stroud.
27. San Diego Chargers ... Gosder Cherilus ... OT ... Boston College
Team has few holes, but could use another blocker.
28. Dallas Cowboys ... Aqib Talib ... CB ... Kansas State
They traded for Pacman, but can't count on him — yet.
29. San Francisco 49ers ... Dan Connor ... LB ... Penn State
Defensive-minded coach continues rebuilding project.
30. Green Bay Packers ... Dustin Keller ... TE ... Purdue
New quarterback could use a big target.
31. New England Patriots ... None
Pick forfeited for Spygate scandal.
32. New York Giants ... Kenny Phillips ... S ... Miami
They need a replacement for departed S Gibril Wilson.
Local watch
It won't be a banner year for local players being selected in the NFL draft. None are expected to be picked in the first two rounds today. The state will get at least two players — BYU's Bryan Kehl and Utah State's Shawn Murphy — drafted between the third and seventh rounds on Sunday. There are a handful of other players who have hopes of being selected.
Player ... Pos. ... School ... Projection
Bryan Kehl ... LB ... BYU ... 3rd-5th
Shawn Murphy ... OL ... Utah State ... 6th-7th
Kevin Robinson ... WR ... Utah State ... 7th-FA
David Hale ... OL ... Weber State ... 7th-FA
Steve Tate ... DB ... Utah ... FA
Kelly Poppinga ... LB ... BYU ... FA
Victor Filipe ... DL ... Western Oregon (Highland High) ... FA