Round One: Tampa Tribune NFL writer Ira Kaufman reacts to every pick and move in the first round of Saturday’s NFL Draft.

Initial reaction to the first 31 picks:

As expected, the opening round of the NFL draft was teeming with tackles and cornerbacks. If you were a WR, you obviously didn’t overwhelm pro scouts and NFL executives.

The league’s effort to streamline the first round proved successful and few teams needed more than five of their allotted 10 minutes to make their pick.

Kansas City and Dallas, two teams boasting a pair of first-round choices, used those selections wisely as the Chiefs and Cowboys approached the draft with different objectives.

After dealing DE Jared Allen to Minnesota, KC is in full rebuilding mold with young QB Brodie Croyle. The Chiefs were ecstatic to see DT Glenn Dorsey fall to No. 5 and the Chiefs moved up later in the round to pick off versatile offensive lineman Branden Albert, who could be shifted from guard to tackle.

The Cowboys, looking to augment a talent-laden roster, added another dynamic playmaker in RB Felix Jones before grabbing USF corner Mike Jenkins. Jones provides QB Tony Romo with a game-breaking option after the sledgehammer runs of Marion Barber. Jenkins will compete for a starting spot, especially if the Pacman Jones situation doesn’t work out in Big D.

The Jets were sitting at No. 6 and thought they had a shot at RB Darren McFadden, but once the Arkansas standout was chosen by Oakland, New York was forced to regroup. Eric Mangini’s club may have reached a bit in selecting Vernon Gholston, a talented edge rusher with bust potential.

For the first time since 1990, no wide receivers were selected in the opening round as seven tackles dropped off the board. Eight of the first 11 picks were on the defensive side of the ball and several clubs made sure they came away with a pass rusher, noting one of the keys to the stunning postseason run of the Giants last season.

Sitting third, the Falcons were tempted to choose Dorsey, but Atlanta swallowed hard and drafted Boston College QB Matt Ryan, who threw 19 interceptions as a senior. Ryan will be the new face of the franchise and there will be some temptation to rush him onto the field because Atlanta’s QB situation is so depressing.

The Buccaneer pass defense, which ranked No. 1 in 2007, won’t mind welcoming Ryan to the pro ranks.

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Pick By Pick

1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Now the question is, whose blind side is he protecting?

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

Howie’s rowdy son gives a soft defense instant attitude.

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

The new face of the franchise doesn’t have many weapons to work with.

4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

JaMarcus Russell’s burden is lightened by another SEC standout.

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

KC’s defensive overhaul is off to a promising start.

6. New York Jets: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State

Eric Mangini reaches for a talented but erratic edge rusher.

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

Saints find a dance partner for a trade (the Patriots) and move up for a nasty run stuffer.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Baltimore): Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

His first priority is to introduce Peyton Manning to the turf.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, LB, USC

Teeming with talent—and no character issues.

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

Brainy and versatile linebacker gives Pats a needed infusion of youth at the position.

11. Buffalo Bills: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

AFC’s worst defense eagerly grabs the draft’s top-rated cornerback.

12. Denver Bronocs: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

Jay Cutler’s blind side appears to be in good hands – and a massive wingspan.

13. Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

Not exactly a ringing endorsement for DeAngelo Williams.

14. Chicago Bears: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

Chicago joins the protection racket during this run on offensive tackles.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (from Detroit): Branden Albert, OG, Virginia

Rebuilding KC moves up two spots to grab the draft’s most versatile offensive lineman.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.

Nice fit for Arizona as Mike Jenkins slides a little closer to Tampa.

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

Jeremy Trueblood clone should open holes for NFC’s least productive ground game.

18. Baltimore Ravens (from Houston): Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

Local favorite boasts a big arm, big upside and a big opportunity.

19. Carolina Panthers (from Philadelphia): Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt

Carolina ready to grind it out behind this mauler and fellow tackle Jordan Gross.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

Terrific ball skills outweighed nagging character issues.

21. Atlanta Falcons (in trade): Sam Baker, OT, USC

Unfazed by Baker’s injury issues, Atlanta moves up for a road grader.

22. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland): Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

Jerry Jones reaches back to his Arkansas roots for this blur.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

The NFL’s No. 3 running game adds an option behind workhorse Willie Parker.

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

Physical, running game-based team adds fastest back in the draft.

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

From Tampa’s team to America’s Team in a single bound.

26. Houson Texans (from Jacksonville): Duane Brown, OT, Virginia Tech

Aggressive mauler could struggle on the left side.

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

SD plugs in a nickel back with smarts and experience.

28. Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas): Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC

Yet another athletic Trojan off the board, but he’s streaky.

29. San Francisco (from Indianapolis): Kentwan Balmer, DE, North Carolina

Rangy run-stuffer will occupy blockers in front of middle linebacker Patrick Willis.

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

The Jets moved up to grab this oversized wide receiver who can get downfield.

31. New York Giants: Kenny Phillips, S, Miami (Fla.)

Super Bowl champs happy to select the draft’s premier safety.