Though plenty of league insiders believe that Baltimore Ravens would pounce on quarterback Matt Ryan if he’s on the board at No. 8, they thought the same thing about the Miami Dolphins at No. 9 a year ago, after Brady Quinn made it past the Vikings at No. 7 (who arguably needed a quarterback) and the Falcons at No. 8 (who didn’t realize how badly they’d need one).

And so if Ryan squirts past the Falcons at No. 3, the Chiefs at No. 5, and the Jets at No. 6, and if the Chiefs don’t use the No. 17 pick and other consideration to jump in front of the Ravens at No. 7, what happens to Ryan if the Ravens pass at No. 8?

The Bengals don’t need him at No. 9.  Nor do the Saints at No. 10.  Nor the Bills at No. 11.  Nor the Broncos at No. 12.

Things could get interesting at No. 13, where the Panthers might be inclined to land Jake Delhomme’s replacement.  Or at No. 14, since the Bears have a bare cupboard at quarterback — but also might be too stubbornly arrogant proud to admit it. 

The Lions could be intrigued at No. 15, the Cards would pass at No. 16.  The Chiefs probably would take him at No. 17.

So the fall won’t be as dramatic as Quinn in 2007 or Aaron Rodgers in 2005.  But Ryan could be in for a long day in New York City, and he might eventually regret accepting that invitation to attend the festivities in person.