Times staff writer Sam Farmer’s report Saturday...

Times staff writer Sam Farmer’s report Saturday from Indianapolis, where many of the nation’s top professional football prospects are participating in the NFL scouting combine:

That’s up to the Miami Dolphins, who can either stay in that position or attempt to trade out of it to obtain more draft picks. As it stands, there is no obvious top selection, especially for a franchise that could use so much help in so many places.

But that doesn’t mean this draft class is devoid of elite prospects. The challenge will be identifying the game-changing player who will be worthy of a rookie contract that will include roughly $35 million in guaranteed money.

Who’s No. 1?

Among the players that Bill Parcells, Miami’s top executive, is believed to be eyeing for the top spot:

Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan -- Zeroing in on a franchise quarterback is still the most difficult task for NFL scouts. Ryan certainly looks and sounds the part. His 19 interceptions last season have to give Parcells pause, though, and the longtime coach is believed to be very hesitant to take a quarterback this high.

Virginia defensive end Chris Long -- The son of legendary Raiders defensive lineman Howie Long is said to have the snap-to-whistle motor of his father, the type of kid who never takes a play off. The younger Long is poised and bright, and isn’t likely to relax his standards after a staggering influx of cash.

Michigan tackle Jake Long -- The Cleveland Browns used the third pick on Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas last season and got outstanding play from the rookie left tackle. Experts say Long is just that type of player. Then again, there are no sure things. Ask the Raiders, who used the second pick on Iowa’s “can’t-miss” tackle Robert Gallery in 2004, and he has been a bust so far.

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey -- Dorsey is considered by many evaluators to be college football’s most talented interior defensive lineman. He played in a 4-3 defense for the Tigers, and that’s the same scheme run by the Dolphins. But if Parcells plans to convert Miami to a 3-4 team, as he did in Dallas, he’s going to be looking for 3-4 personnel. Still, Dorsey might be the best fit.

USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis -- Perhaps no player boosted his stock more by staying for his senior season than Ellis, twice named the Pac 10’s best lineman. Although Ellis is a dark horse at best to be the top pick, he’s helped by the fact that he excelled despite playing for three different line coaches and has experience in the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

Quotable

Ohio State tackle Kirk Barton, on whether teams are asking about his controversial decision to bring a cigar and bottle of champagne to the news conference after the Michigan game: “Yeah, they ask you about everything. With Google, it’s not hard to find everything you’ve ever done. Teams are going to do their homework. Their job is to figure out everything you’ve done in your past -- injuries, potential character flaws. They want to know why you did certain things. The biggest thing is you’re happy to have a clear record.”

Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo, a little too honest when asked about his favorite pastime: “I play video games all day.”

Kansas tackle Anthony Collins, on not being heavily recruited out of high school because he played just one year of football: “I was a basketball player. I thought I could make it in basketball. It turns out I couldn’t jump worth nothing.”

Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis, who can also play defensive end, on his first sack: “It was weird when I got my first sack. I didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t like scoring a touchdown. It was kind of different. I was kind of standing there, looking around -- ‘What do I do now?’ ”

--

sam.farmer@latimes.com

--

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

It’s all relative

Virginia’s Long isn’t the only prospect with family ties to a notable figure in football. Some of the other blood lines worth noting.

Sam Baker, USC offensive tackle -- Son of David Baker, commissioner of the Arena Football League.

Sam Keller, Nebraska quarterback -- Son of Mike Keller, a former NFL player and vice president of football operations for the now-defunct XFL.

Brian Brohm, Louisville quarterback -- Brother of former NFL quarterback, Jeff Brohm, and son of Oscar Brohm. All three started at quarterback for the Cardinals.

Andre Caldwell, Florida receiver -- Brother of Washington Redskins receiver Reche Caldwell.

Jacob Hester, LSU running back -- Distant cousin of Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw. (“My great aunt was married to his uncle.”)

Ali Highsmith, LSU linebacker -- Cousin of former NFL running back Alonzo Highsmith.

DeSean Jackson, Cal receiver -- Brother of former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Byron Jackson.

Jeremy Geathers, UNLV defensive end -- Son of former NFL defensive lineman Jumpy Geathers.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State cornerback -- Cousin of San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who had a league-leading 10 interceptions last season.

Marcus Griffin, Texas safety -- Twin brother of Oakland safety Michael Griffin, first-round pick of the Raiders last season.

Husain Abdullah, Washington State safety -- Brother of Denver Broncos safety Hamza Abdullah.