I’ve done the Bills and the Patriots Post-Draft grades and will be cranking the rest of them out over the course of the next week. I’ll finish up the AFC East today and will begin working on the AFC North as well.

News:

- Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says he’ll use Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker in a pony backfield this year.

- Redskins rookie receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly will both start out at the “Z,” or flanker position behind Santana Moss.

- The Texans will use fourth-round rookie Xavier Adibi behind Morlon Greenwood at weak-side linebacker initially. Also, offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam, not first-round pick Duane Brown, is expected to be the Texans’ opening-day starter at left tackle.

- Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron says that when considering QBs in the draft, the Ravens were “looking for a guy that can function in the shotgun.”

- Panthers first-round pick Jonathan Stewart plans to begin rehab within a week and fully expects to be ready for training camp.

- First-round pick Kenny Phillips is scheduled to play free safety for the Giants.

- The Giants reportedly hope to “develop” sixth-round QB Andre Woodson and trade him for a high draft pick in a few seasons.

- The Raiders plan to use fourth-round DB Tyvon Branch at safety.

- Third-round pick Jacob Hester will be a full-time tailback for the Chargers.

- Jaguars top draft picks Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves are expected to both challenge for time at right defensive end.

- Rookie Jamaal Charles is expected to begin his career as the Chiefs’ No. 3 back behind Larry Johnson and Kolby Smith. He may also return kicks.

- Lions general manager Matt Millen views third-round pick Cliff Avril as a potential replacement for Kalimba Edwards at right defensive end.

- The Broncos think of fifth-round running back Ryan Torain the same way they once thought of Terrell Davis, according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter.

- Bears general manager Jerry Angelo considers second-round pick Matt Forte a “three-down back.”

- The Rams believe second-round pick Donnie Avery can be their third receiver as a rookie.

- The Houston Chronicle expects third-round pick Steve Slaton to be the Texans’ third-down back as a rookie.

- The Panthers will use third-round pick Charles Godfrey at free safety.

- The Cardinals envision Early Doucet as a slot receiver.

- The Colts will use rookie Philip Wheeler at middle linebacker.

As you can see, I’ve taken down the draft weekend blog and news and have updated the site with all of the 2008 Draft information. I’ll be getting started soon on the lengthy, detailed Post-Draft grades. As I mentioned yesterday, there are a few teams that I really think did a pretty good job this weekend. It really seems like there weren’t any teams that didn’t get valuable players that fit their team needs. While there were a few teams that didn’t have many picks (Vikings, Browns), they still did a very good job of drafting with the picks that they had. This year’s draft was very unique in that the value of players was all over the board. Duane Brown, for example, was being projected as a possible 2nd Round pick, but more of a 3rd-4th Round value. He went in the Late-1st. At the beginning of the season, I as well as many others had Kentucky’s Andre Woodson ranked as a 1st Round pick. He went in the 6th Round yesterday. That’s the draft for you.

Tonight I’ll be heading over to Packer Chatters for my final draft chat before this weekend’s draft. Feel free to stop by to talk about the draft.

- Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is confident that the Steelers would take Jonathan Stewart at No. 23 overall if he’s available.

- The Dolphins are reportedly considering trading back into the 1st Round with four players in mind, including Michigan quarterback Chad Henne, Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey, Auburn defensive end Quentin Groves, and Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco.

- Citing “a reliable league source,” SI.com reports that Atlanta will likely pass on Matt Ryan at No. 3 overall even if Glenn Dorsey is off the board. Smokescreen anyone? I was told a few days ago that whatever you hear in the 72 hours leading up to the draft you should ignore. Granted, some of this info makes sense, this one however, does not. This story makes perfect sense in terms of why Atlanta would want to put it out there. With Baltimore in love with Ryan, the Falcons don’t want the Ravens to trade up to #2 Overall and take him. Again, this info could likely go either way, but that’s just my opinion on it.

- According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Bills are reportedly looking at Michigan State wide receiver Devin Thomas with the No. 11 overall pick. Clayton also expects the Bengals to look at Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall if Sedrick Ellis is gone at the No. 9 pick.

As of right now, I think that I’d be surprised if the Vikings don’t win the NFC North next season. The Bears and Lions have gotten worse in the last few years, and the Packers clearly have gotten worse with the retirement of quarterback Brett Favre. The Vikings have the best defensive line in football with Pat and Kevin Williams along with last season’s best defensive end. Because of the Williams brothers at defensive tackle, there isn’t a very good chance that any offensive line will be able to double-team Jared Allen. Because of this, I definitely think that another double-digit sack season is likely. Minnesota is a team that a lot of people are going to need to look out for next season.

Other News:

- The Saints have acknowledged that they are in the process of trying to trade up in this weekend’s draft. This move really doesn’t surprise me and I think that it’d be a good move for the Saints. New Orleans is just a few pieces away from returning the playoffs. They will get Deuce McCallister back this year and hopefully last year’s 1st Round pick wide receiver Robert Meachem will be able to help out as well. They traded for Jonathan Vilma and signed Dan Morgan this offseason, clearly upgrading their linebacker core. To trade up and add a Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis, I think that a move like that would really energize the Saints defense, especially if it’s Dorsey. Being that he played at LSU, Dorsey would be a fan favorite the instant he was selected.

I’ve been debating where my tiers are in the 1st Round in terms of talent and value. Here’s what I have at this point:

Tier 1 – Jake Long, Glenn Dorsey, Matt Ryan, Chris Long, Sedrick Ellis, Vernon Gholston, Darren McFadden

Tier 2 – Keith Rivers, Leodis McKelvin, Branden Albert, Ryan Clady, Derrick Harvey, Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Stewart.

Tier 3 – Devin Thomas, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Chris Williams, Jeff Otah, Mike Jenkins, Aqib Talib, Phillip Merling, DeSean Jackson, Kenny Phillips, James Hardy, Kentwan Balmer, Felix Jones, Jerod Mayo.

Tier 4 – Dustin Keller, Gosder Cherilus, Brandon Flowers, Quentin Groves.

In my mind, it’d make sense for the Saints to trade up a few spots land one of the premier players in Tier 1, rather than settling for a player in the top of Tier 2. Hopefully that helps to understand my reasoning.

- The Rams have reportedly exchanged trade ideas with the Jets, who hold the #6 Overall pick in the draft.

- The Seahawks released running back Shaun Alexander yesterday. If you’ve been reading this site for awhile, you’d know that I was reporting this earlier than most people when I was at the Combine.

The Chiefs have officially traded defensive end Jared Allen to the Vikings. In exchange, Kansas City will receive Minnesota’s 1st Round pick (17th Overall) and both of their 3rd Rounders (#73 and #82 Overall); this all according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter. The first 3rd Round pick the Vikings had, had originally come from Denver.

Because of this trade, I’ve also updated my mock draft with the Chiefs new pick. You can view it here.

The Miami Dolphins have signed Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to a six-year contract. The deal will be voided after five years and includes $30 million guaranteed and $57.5 million in total value. Long gets to hit free agency more quickly than last year’s 1st Round pick JaMarcus Russell. For that, he but he will get $2 million less in guaranteed money and $3.5 million less in total money.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports the Redskins recently offered their 1st Round pick in 2008 and their 3rd Rounder in 2009 for Chad Johnson. The 3rd Round pick could’ve escalated to a 1st based on performance in 2009, but the Redskins were turned down.

The Broncos “love” Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, according to the Denver Post.

Eagles general manager Tom Heckert says he believes there are “two or three” 1st Round wideouts in this year’s draft class.

I’ve updated my mock draft, which you can view here.

Two radio spots tonight: I’ll be on Sports Radio 610 in Houston at 7:05 Central time. Click here to listen online.

I’ll be on KSTP AM 1500 in Minneapolis at 7:40 Central time. Click here to listen online.

Following the two radio spots, Draft Headquarters will host a draft chat tonight. Everyone is invited to participate. Just be on this page at 8:00 PM Central.

Other News:

- As to reports the Dolphins are nearing an agreement with Jake Long, NFL Network’s Adam Schefter says the sides are “closer,” but wouldn’t characterize them as “close.” Schefter also believes that if the Dolphins take Jake Long with the No. 1 overall pick, the Rams will select Glenn Dorsey at No. 2.

- Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly is the most likely receiver the Redskins would consider with the No. 21 overall pick, according to the Washington Post. Did I not tell you guys just a few days ago that Washington had their eye on Kelly? The Redskins have also reportedly geared their interest toward defensive ends in the draft, rather than defensive tackles. Phillip Merling is expected to receive consideration for the #21 pick as well. Washington reportedly prefers Merling to Miami’s Calais Campbell.

I have posted the final player interview of the 2008 Draft. I spoke with Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly this morning and have posted the interview here.

As expected, it’s a very busy week. I have two radio spots tomorrow night before taking part in another Draft Chat here at Draft Headquarters.

One other note: We’ve started to sell space on the website for ad’s. If you’d be interested in advertising on the site, please email me here for more information.

News of the day:

- There is talking coming out of Miami that the Dolphins are close to agreeing to a contract with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. With Jake Long off the board, the Rams would then likely go with Chris Long. You can read that article here. The Palm Beach Post seconds NBCSports.com’s report that the Dolphins are nearing a contract agreement with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long.

- Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome believes that the Dolphins will take Virginia defensive end Chris Long if they can’t trade out of the No. 1 overall pick. “Right now, probably half of you think Jake Long is going to be the No. 1 pick,” Newsome said. “I’d probably smile and say that’s not going to happen.”

- ESPN’s John Clayton writes that the Saints remain interested in trading up to No. 2 in the draft, but the Rams haven’t gotten back to them.

- Peter King says one thing he “knows to be true” is that the Rams don’t want Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston.

- Beat writer John McClain says he knows the Texans “love” Leodis McKelvin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.- Ravens director of scouting Eric DeCosta says Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie “might be the best cover guy in the entire draft.”

- There is “growing evidence” that the Panthers are targeting Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey with the No. 13 overall pick, according to MLive.com. Have I not been telling you guys that Carolina likes Harvey?

- Citing NFL personnel sources, the Miami Herald reports that the Ravens are actively pursuing a trade up in the draft.