The NFL draft began Saturday afternoon as expected, with Jake Long and Chris Long going 1-2.

With the third pick, the Atlanta Falcons, who struggled last year with Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich at quarterback, among others, selected Boston College QB Matt Ryan, considered the most NFL-ready quarterback available.

The New England Patriots originally had the No. 7 pick but made a trade involving New Orleans and wound up with the No. 10 selection, where they chose outside linebacker Jerod Mayo of Tennessee.