Sheil Kapadia will be posting on this entry throughout the first round of the NFL draft. Refresh your browser for updates.

Welcome to the first annual Moving the Chains NFL draft running blog. I'll be here for the entire first round, updating picks and offering commentary as I follow the action on ESPN. And like I said yesterday, no Mel Kiper hair jokes.

Ravens fans, the news today, as reported by The Sun's Jamison Hensley is that the Rams wanted the Ravens' first-, second- and fourth-round picks in exchange for the No. 2 pick overall and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. That asking price was too much.

1. Miami Dolphins - Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Roger Goodell just announced the first pick. Count me among those who don't like the No. 1 selection being announced days before the draft. It ruins some of the suspense, doesn't it? Anyway, can't argue with this pick for Miami. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said earlier in the week that Long will play left tackle, despite some concerns about him as a pass blocker.

Meanwhile, the cast of characters for ESPN: Chris Berman, Steve Young, Keyshawn Johnson, Mel Kiper Jr. and Chris Mortensen. This blog should practically write itself.

The crowd seems pretty rowdy. What's the alcohol situation there? Are these fans ripped because of the 3 p.m. start? It would appear so. I'm getting very excited.

ESPN's Suzy Kolber is interviewing Chris Long for what I believe is the fifth time today. He says he can't wait "to get it over with." It's unclear if he's talking about the interview or the draft process. Long also rips his mom for not turning her phone on vibrate.

2. St. Louis Rams - Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Nice embrace between Chris and father Howie as the Virginia defensive end gets selected second. "The guy has a motor." I've heard that phrase roughly 2,364 times in the past couple months when people talked about Long. Another safe pick. This guy will be a quality player for a decade.

ESPN's Rachel Nichols is reporting from Atlanta's draft headquarters. My buddy C-Nast made a great point about Nichols. You ever notice how all her reports sound the same: "I talked to [insert name of player or coach] and he told me [insert important quote/piece of information]." Keep an eye on this the rest of the draft. It never fails.

3. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

Well, I guess we wasted a lot of time in the past week talking about Ryan in a Ravens uniform, huh? But that's the fun part about the draft. By the way, I'm loving the 10-minute rule between picks. This thing is really moving along. Is it just me, or does Ryan's dad look a little like Tony Sparano?

It's as tough as ever to take Berman seriously after all those YouTube videos popped up where he was cursing up a storm and hitting on the makeup lady. Who's with me here?

"When I say Atlanta, what's the first thing that comes to mind?" That's the question Kolber posed to Ryan. I would have given anything to hear him respond "Michael Vick." Instead he said "Winning football games."

4. Oakland Raiders - Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

In the same way you can't say "Chris Long" without "motor." It seems you can't say "Darren McFadden" without "character issues." McFadden could have the most impact of any player in this draft for the 2008 season.

Meanwhile, the story so far is LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey slipping. Some consider Dorsey the best player in the draft.

5. Kansas City Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

I usually reserve the term "value pick" for my fantasy drafts, but I think it fits here. Analyst Kirk Herbstreit calls Dorsey the best DT he's seen in college football over the last 13 years, and Kiper calls him the best player in the draft. Not bad for the No. 5 selection.

Meanwhile, the Jets are on the clock. This is the best part of the draft. The fans look like they're each about 12 beers deep. A sign reads "The Jets draft blunders end today." It looks like Ohio State's Vernon Gholston is the guy the New York faithful are targeting. Let's hope that they go in a different direction just for entertainment purposes.

6. Vernon Gholston, OLB/DE, Ohio State

The Jets fans are happy. They got their man. ESPN's Mortensen tells us that Gholston looks like Tarzan with his shirt off. Tarzan? This is why I love the draft.

Several analysts have criticized Gholston for his inconsistent play, saying he disappears at times during games. He bench pressed 225 pounds 37 times at the combine, tying him for the top mark. But my favorite piece of information about Gholston is that he had a female roommate in college. No lie. Check out the Dayton Daily News article "Gholston, female roommate just friends."

"It's a good living situation," Gholston said in the article. "I know my role, and she knows her role. I take out the trash, and she does the dishes."

7. New Orleans Saints (trade from New England) - Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

The first trade of the draft! Very exciting. New Orleans moves up to get Ellis, who Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta said could be a top-three pick in any other year. Meanwhile, ESPN's Steve Young uses the word "hubris," confusing at least half of the viewership.

Adds Berman: "It will be interesting to see if they march again on offense." Boomer strikes again.

A trade for the Ravens. Baltimore deals the No. 8 pick to the Jaguars, who were slotted at No. 26. The Sun's beat guys will have the latest on this development shortly. It will be interesting to see what the Ravens got in this trade. You gotta think they'll pick up either Chad Henne or Joe Flacco with the 26th pick.

8. Jaguars (trade from Baltimore) - Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

Kiper calls this the first reach of the draft. It's still unclear what Jacksonville gave up to land this pick. It's clear that teams want pass rushers after what the Giants did to win the Super Bowl. Five of the first eight picks are defensive linemen. Meanwhile, the Under Armour prototype commercial just ran for the 43rd time. Someone please keep count on this the rest of the way for me.

Awkward exchange between Berman and Kiper. Not sure if there were technical difficulties or if Kiper was confused by Berman saying "Sacco" when referring to Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco.

9. Cincinnati Bengals - Keith Rivers, LB, USC

By all accounts, Rivers is a great character guy. Should fit in perfectly in Cincinnati. No word on whether he's already demanded a trade. Funny moment when the cameras went to the Bengals draft party. The Cincy fans looked like they had never heard of Rivers. Not sure what was going on there.

10. New England Patriots - Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

I'll be honest. I didn't catch this pick. Was updating the site with the details of the Ravens trade, but I'm pretty sure Berman made a "Hold the Mayo" joke in there somewhere. New England definitely needed some linebacker help so this pick isn't really a surprise.

11. Buffalo Bills - Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

Interesting that the first cornerback didn't go off the board until now. There were four cornerbacks grouped together in this draft, but no real consensus on who the best one was. I like this pick. McKelvin is considered a dynamic playmaker. The camera shows one Bills fan in the crowd wearing what I believe is an Andre Reed jersey, but I could be wrong. He doesn't seem too happy. Cheer up big fella.

12. Denver Broncos - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

I'm typing like a madman to keep up here. Mavis Beacon would be proud. As Berman says, "A Bronco becomes a Bronco." Clady had been considered the second or third rated offensive tackle in the draft.

13. Carolina Panthers - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Maybe the biggest surprise of the draft so far, along with the Jaguars taking Harvey. Stewart had toe surgery, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to go, but make no mistake about the guy's talent. He was probably the biggest recruit in the history of Oregon's program and set a school record with 1,722 yards last season. If you don't believe in drafting running backs early, then you hate this pick, but definitely a gutsy move.

By the way, I am the new prototype. The future is our's...

14. Chicago Bears - Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Here go the tackles. What happened to Virginia's Branden Albert? His name was flying up the draft charts this week. Williams postponed his honeymoon for the draft. "She's happy because I'm going to get a job soon," Williams told the Associated Press. It's funny how a multi-million dollar pay check can make your significant other more accommodating.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (from Detroit) - Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia

There he goes. I'm not sure what the Chiefs gave up for this pick, but some had Albert tabbed as a top seven or eight talent. They've picked up players for both the offensive and defensive lines so far. Albert, a Glen Burnie product, is pictured in Edgewood, Md.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to make the "Which wide receiver will the Lions take?" joke.

Question: Where is Todd McShay? I've heard from the guy everyday for the past two months, but he's nowhere to be found in ESPN's draft coverage. Where are you Todd?

16. Arizona Cardinals - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

The second cornerback goes off the board, and he only has one kidney. Is this relevant? I have no medical background so I couldn't tell you, but it seems weird that every analyst mentions it even though we have no clue if it has any effect on the guy.

We are more than halfway through by the way. This thing is flying by. I'm a little winded, but I think I still have a strong run in me. Remember, only 31 picks in the first round since the Patriots lost their real first-round selection from Spygate.

17. Detroit Lions - Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

Kiper says it's a slight reach. That's gotta make Lions fans happy. I was holding out hope that they'd take Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas. Too bad. By the way, we didn't even see this pick live. ESPN was at commercial. I was going to blog off NFL Network's coverage, but I'm still not sure how many of you get that channel.

Uh-oh. The Ravens have now traded up to No. 18 to select Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco.

18. Baltimore Ravens - Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

There's your quarterback of the future Baltimore. The Ravens traded for the second time today, moving up to No. 18 to take Flacco, the strong-armed quarterback from Delaware, At 6 feet 6, Flacco is said to have the strongest arm in the draft. The Sun will have complete details of this pick shortly.

Flacco puts his hat on before the pick is announced.

19. Carolina Panthers (from Philadelphia) - Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

For the second year in a row, the Eagles trade their first-round pick. Maybe they'll take another quarterback in the second round? Meanwhile, the Panthers pick up an offensive tackle to go along with Oregon RB Stewart. The price was pretty steep though as they gave up this year's second-round pick and next year's first rounder.

20. Tampa Bay Bucs - Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Just don't let Talib go on Michael Irvin's radio show like Mavericks forward Josh Howard. The Kansas cornerback, of course, admitted to failing three drug tests for smoking pot while in college.  

Meanwhile, the Falcons trade for the Redskins' first-round pick. "I feel strongly that it's not gonna be a quarterback," says Berman. Meanwhile, Steve Young makes some reference to Cam Cameron running the Falcons' draft. I'm getting very confused.

21. Atlanta Falcons (from Washington) - Sam Baker, OT, USC

I'm not comfortable with the Redskins having a first-round pick and the Lions not selecting a wide receiver. A new era is truly upon us in the NFL. The 'Skins trade the pick to Atlanta. Kiper says Baker has short arms. Ouch. My favorite college football writer, SI.com's Stewart Mandel, says Baker is one of the more underrated prospects in the draft:

Let's see here. Baker was the starting left tackle -- most important position on the line -- for the most dominant program in the country for four straight years. When Baker got injured last season, quarterback Mark Sanchez (filing in for Booty at the time) suddenly found himself running for his life. Based purely on Baker's college track record, I assumed he would be one of, if not the top, tackle on the board; instead, I see he's barely in the top 10. Baker reportedly did not test well at USC's pro day, which means, of course, that those four years never happened.

22. Dallas Cowboys - Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Well, the Cowboys ended up with a running back from Arkansas, but it wasn't the one everyone thought they might trade for. Jones is considered a "home run hitter." Remember, this is the pick Dallas got from Cleveland when the Browns took Brady Quinn last year.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers - Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

Mendenhall was considered the No. 2 running back in the draft by some pundits, but he ended up being the fourth RB taken. Further proof that teams are continuing to screw fantasy football owners by playing two backs. If Mendenhall's legit, he and Willie Parker will provide the Steelers with a scary backfield.

24. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina

I don't remember seeing many mock drafts that had five running backs going in the first round. I think Kiper was so excited he almost fainted upon telling us that Johnson ran a 4.24 40-yard dash at the combine. So, the good news for Titans fans is that they have a thunder and lightning combo in the backfield. The bad news is Vince Young still has no one to throw to. No wide receivers taken yet in the first round.

25. Dallas Cowboys (from Seattle) - Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

Another trade. I'm having trouble keeping up here. That makes eight deals in the first round. Jenkins was part of the four cornerbacks considered to be among the elite at the position. Now all four are off the board. Hopefully Jenkins will have Pacman Jones to mentor him at some point this season.

But that's not the biggest news in regards to Dallas football. An ESPN commercial just informed us that the Dallas Desperados play the Philadelphia Soul on Monday. Will Dallas come to its senses?

26. Houston Texans - Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech

Funny moment here in the office. It's been a busy day, and senior sports producer Pete Sweigard, who's been updating the site with all the Ravens news, just let out a yell when he heard Goodell say: "In a trade with the Baltimore Ravens..." before announcing this pick. Pete thought the Ravens were making their third deal of the day at first, before realizing what was happening.

27. San Diego Chargers - Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

I mentioned SI.com college football writer Stewart Mandel earlier. He also had Cason ranked as one of the more underrated players in the draft:

Four-year starter. Three-time All Pac-10 honoree. Fifteen career interceptions, including three touchdowns. And a signature, nationally televised performance last season against then second-ranked Oregon in which he scored on both a 42-yard interception return and a 56-yard punt return. I'm not sure you could ask for a more solid, consistent four-year career by a major-conference cornerback (Aqib Talib turned pro early), yet he's only considered a second-rounder, well behind a guy from Troy (Leodis McKelvin) and a guy from Tennessee State (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie). What more did the guy need to do?

28. Seattle Seahawks - Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

I've read about 2,000 mock drafts in the last month, listened to everything Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have had to say and been tuned into sports talk radio. Yet I don't remember seeing Jackson going in the first round anywhere. This is right up there with any of the surprises in the first round.

29. San Francisco 49ers - Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Steve Young had the 49ers thinking cornerback, but they went with a defensive lineman. Heard Balmer interviewed on ESPN Radio yesterday, and he seemed like a good guy (although I'm not one to judge a guy's character based on interviews with the media).

The Jets have made a trade for the 30th pick. The fans are excited, and quite possibly drunker than they were three hours ago when New York made its first pick.

30. New York Jets (from Green Bay) - Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue

Tough to gauge the fans' feeling on this one. One guy started pumping his fist wildly, but he also had a look on his face like he had no clue who Keller was. Another Jets fan stood in shock with his hands on his head. They look like a fun group. Maybe next year I can live blog from New York city and sit with the Jets fans.

31. New York Giants - Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

Giants fans are pretty entertaining as well. One guy is waving a video camera around wildly. Another in a Plaxico Burress jersey is just staring at the camera with his mouth wide open. And a third in a Giants bandanna is just yelling "NUMBER ONE!" over and over. The Giants take the first safety off the board.

And that concludes the first round. It's been a wild ride. Several trades, two that included the Ravens, and no wide receivers taken. Thanks for the comments. I'll obviously have much more draft content later tonight and tomorrow, but that'll do it for the first-round running blog.

And remember, you are the new prototypes. The future is now...