What should they do?

The Miami Dolphins took some of the mystery out of the NFL Draft by anointing mammoth Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as their No. 1 pick and signing him to a five-year, $57.75 million contract.

I guess that means we can do without NFL commissioner Roger Goodell coming to the podium on Saturday and announcing that the Dolphins are ''on the clock.''

Before Miami's pre-emptive strike, I was convinced that Long represented the best option for the Atlanta Falcons if he remained available when it came time for them to pick at No. 3. I know a left tackle doesn't represent a dynamic promotional vehicle. People don't buy tickets to watch offensive linemen block, but the Falcons need a guy who can put defenders on their butts more than they do a first pick who can put butts in seats. Ticket-buyers want to watch a good product and it's obvious the Falcons need to follow new general manager Thomas Dimitroff's directive to build from the inside and out if at all possible.

With Long gone, the logical pick for the Falcons would be either LSU's Glenn Dorsey or USC's Sedrick Ellis. Having seen Dorsey in person several times over the last couple seasons, I'm enamored with his ability to beat double-teams and the relentlessness with which he plays. He's a load to handle in the middle.

Who would you choose with the third overall pick? The Falcons obviously need help at quarterback and cornerback, but are those positions enough of a priority to receive attention with the third overall pick.

While Boston College's Matt Ryan represents the best of a so-so quarterback class, keep in mind that he won't necessarily represent an immediate cure-all. If Atlanta was able to sign him before the season, there's still the likelihood that he would be limited to a backup role until he learns the offense. Plus, would you risk his health behind that offensive line?