| 1 |
 |
QB |
Blaine Gabbert |
Missouri |
Jr. |
6-5 |
235 |
|
History says the top-rated quarterback winds up going first overall in the draft, and that's a trend that has held true in 10 of the past 13 years (from the
start of the Peyton Manning era in 1998 on). Before all is said and done on the evening of April 28, I expect Gabbert to emerge as the most pro-ready passer
available, and that means he'll eventually distance himself from Cam Newton and work his way into Carolina's plans.
|
| 2 |
 |
DE-DT |
Marcell Dareus |
Alabama |
Jr. |
6-4 |
306 |
|
Dareus went into the combine with Warren Sapp and some others higher on him than they were on Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, but that refrain became a
full-throated chorus coming out of Indianapolis. When they started comparing them side by side, Dareus turned out to be bigger and have better burst than the
more celebrated SEC defensive tackle. And the NFL also likes that he comes with a Nick Saban seal of approval.
|
| 3 |
 |
QB |
Cam Newton |
Auburn |
Jr. |
6-6 |
250 |
|
The Bills want to draft a franchise quarterback who ends their long tortured post-Jim Kelly history at that position, and they're not exactly making a secret
of their interest in Newton. Ryan Fitzpatrick's play in 2010 gives Buffalo the luxury of showing patience with Newton, and he'll need some time to make the
transition to a pro-style passing game. There's a lot of divided opinion on Newton, but I'm starting to believe the Bills see the glass as way more than half
full.
|
| 4 |
 |
WR |
A.J. Green |
Georgia |
Jr. |
6-4 |
212 |
|
The Bengals are not in denial about Carson Palmer's threat to walk into retirement, so taking either Gabbert or Newton, if either is available, is a strong
possibility. But neither is still on the board in this scenario, so the easy choice is Green. He didn't wow scouts at the combine to the same degree as Alabama receiver Julio
Jones, but once you put on his game film, he makes his case for the top five quite convincingly.
|
| 5 |
 |
LB |
Von Miller |
Texas A&M |
Sr. |
6-3 |
243 |
|
The Cardinals seem intent on getting a veteran quarterback via trade or free agency and then continuing to develop second-year man John Skelton for the
future. That puts them in prime position to target Miller, who only cemented his reputation as the draft's biggest impact defender with a boffo showing in
terms of testing and drill work at the combine.
|
| 6 |
 |
DE |
Da'Quan Bowers |
Clemson |
Jr. |
6-4 |
275 |
|
With the Browns switching back to a 4-3 defensive front, how can you do better than having the draft's top pass-rushing end fall in your lap? Cleveland
likely would be happy with Green, Dareus or Bowers, but getting a player who's in the mix for the No. 1 pick at No. 6 registers as tremendous value in the
second half of the top 10.
|
| 7 |
 |
CB |
Patrick Peterson |
LSU |
Jr. |
6-1 |
222 |
|
Like the Browns, the 49ers get to sit tight and let one of the draft's elite players come their way. In Peterson, San Francisco gets the best possible
replacement for aging cornerback Nate Clements, and his combine 40-yard dash time of 4.31 allayed concerns that he would run more like an NFL safety than a
top cover corner.
|
| 8 |
 |
DT |
Nick Fairley |
Auburn |
Jr. |
6-5 |
298 |
|
There are teams with some question marks by Fairley's name, be it his slightly less than NFL-prototypical size, his lack of technique when using his hands,
or his thin track record of just the one stellar season at Auburn. But the Titans covet a defensive play-maker and they'll be thrilled that Fairley's game
got picked apart sufficiently in the pre-draft scouting season to ensure his availability when their turn comes around.
|
| 9 |
 |
CB |
Prince Amukamara |
Nebraska |
Sr. |
6-1 |
205 |
|
Amukamara needed to run well in Indy to lock down his spot in the top 10, and he did, averaging about 4.4 in his two combine 40s. The Cowboys are desperate
for upgrades in a secondary that played like a weak link all last season, and the Nebraska cornerback seems entrenched as the draft's No. 2 rated cover man.
|
| 10 |
 |
WR |
Julio Jones |
Alabama |
Jr. |
6-4 |
220 |
|
So now we find out that Jones posted a 4.39 in the 40 and was a combine workout star despite having a stress fracture in his left foot that required surgery
last weekend. The Crimson Tide receiver won't be able to do much of anything physically until right around draft time, but that's not going to keep him off
the radar screen for the receiver-needy Redskins.
|
| 11 |
 |
DE |
Robert Quinn |
North Carolina |
Jr. |
6-5 |
270 |
|
Quinn didn't make everyone forget his year-long suspension with his combine performance, but he's got elite pass-rushing skills and the Texans happen to be
in the market for someone to bring the heat from the edge in Wade Phillips' new 3-4 defense. That makes him a nice fit for Houston at outside linebacker, and
a pretty good first-round value, too.
|
| 12 |
 |
QB |
Jake Locker |
Washington |
Sr. |
6-3 |
230 |
|
Locker's combine workout showcased his obviously improved accuracy and footwork, and his athleticism was one of the bigger surprises of the weekend in Indy,
putting him on even ground with even Cam Newton in terms of speed and mobility. The Vikings seem intrigued with the ex-Washington star and with only Joe Webb
on their QB depth chart, they're definitely motivated to snatch up the draft's third-rated passer.
|
| 13 |
 |
OT |
Tyron Smith |
USC |
Jr. |
6-5 |
280 |
|
Smith in Indianapolis proved he was big enough (307 pounds) and strong enough (29 reps in the bench press) to vie for the distinction of being the draft's
top-rated offensive tackle, and he has already over-taken Colorado's Nate Solder in the eyes of many talent evaluators. Protecting franchise quarterback
Matthew Stafford is job one in Detroit this season.
|
| 14 |
 |
DE-LB |
Aldon Smith |
Missouri |
Jr. |
6-5 |
260 |
|
If the Rams don't get their wish and find Alabama receiver Julio Jones waiting for them at No. 14, they may have to make a tough decision on Smith, a local
hero from Missouri who hasn't played a ton of football and may be better suited to playing outside linebacker in a 3-4. The Rams' need a 4-3 end opposite
Chris Long, and Smith needs to follow up a so-so combine effort with a better showing at the Tigers' March 17 pro day.
|
| 15 |
 |
RB |
Mark Ingram |
Alabama |
Jr. |
5-10 |
215 |
|
There are plenty of arguments for the Dolphins not taking Ingram in the slot almost every mocker has had him locked into for almost two months. It's a
pass-first league. You can get quality running backs well below the first round. And it makes no sense to take Ingram at No. 15 when you can trade down and
still get him. All valid points. But if you think a back is special enough, you don't mess around. You grab him when you can. Time will tell if the Dolphins
agree.
|
| 16 |
 |
DE |
Cameron Jordan |
California |
Sr. |
6-4 |
283 |
|
The Jaguars might be tempted by a rising quarterback like Florida State's Christian Ponder, but it's more likely he's on their second-round radar. Jordan had
one of the more impressive combine showings among defensive ends, and he's 6-4, 287-pound prospect who plays with speed and intensity, and should be able to
infuse Jacksonville's front seven with a much-needed dose of playmaking.
|
| 17 |
 |
DE |
J.J. Watt |
Wisconsin |
Jr. |
6-6 |
292 |
|
The Patriots will be fortunate if the first-round board breaks this way, because Watt is considered the draft's best five-technique 3-4 defensive end, with
both run-stopping and pass-rushing skills in his game. New England has needs at both outside linebacker and offensive line, but it makes sense to prioritize
the defensive line, then address the other two areas with its picks at No. 28 and No. 33.
|
| 18 |
 |
DE |
Cameron Heyward |
Ohio State |
Sr. |
6-5 |
288 |
|
This is higher than a lot of mocks have Heyward going, but the Chargers have a glaring need at right end and he strikes me as the kind of player who would
catch San Diego general manager A.J. Smith's eye. With questions about Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn's health, and Temple defensive end Muhammad
Wilkerson's lack of a track record, logic keeps leading me to put Heyward and the Chargers together.
|
| 19 |
 |
OT |
Anthony Castonzo |
Boston College |
Sr. |
6-7 |
308 |
|
We're not going to over-think New York's situation. The Giants need an offensive tackle and they should have a couple options among the likes of Castonzo,
Solder or Tyron Smith. New York's penchant to lean toward the Boston College prospect makes this dangerously close to no-brainer territory.
|
| 20 |
 |
DE |
Ryan Kerrigan |
Purdue |
Sr. |
6-4 |
263 |
|
The Bucs crave pass rush, and there sits Kerrigan, who knows his way around an offensive backfield. He displayed the athleticism and intensity at the combine
that he has always had on game day, and he should make for a very solid, though likely not spectacular, addition to Tampa Bay's emerging front seven.
|
| 21 |
 |
DT |
Stephen Paea |
Oregon State |
Sr. |
6-1 |
303 |
|
With UCLA outside linebacker Akeem Ayers hurting his draft stock with a subpar combine showing in terms of his speed and athleticism, we're shifting our
focus for Kansas City to Paea, whose 49 reps on the bench press caught everyone's attention at the combine. Two other possibilities for the Chiefs would be
Georgia's Justin Houston (if K.C. thinks he's an OLB instead of a 3-4 end) or Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget.
|
| 22 |
 |
OT |
Nate Solder |
Colorado |
Sr. |
6-8 |
314 |
|
All of last season the Colts regretted they didn't go for an offensive tackle in 2010's first round, and I can't see them making the same mistake twice.
Solder is a better pass blocker than run blocker at this point, but that fits pretty well with where the emphasis lies in Indy.
|
| 23 |
 |
OT |
Gabe Carimi |
Wisconsin |
Jr. |
6-7 |
327 |
|
The Eagles' top need should line up well with where the value is at this point of the first round, with Carimi and Florida guard-center Mike Pouncey offering
two solid options for Philly's offensive line. Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith would fill another void, but he's got character red flags and Andy Reid
doesn't need the headache.
|
| 24 |
 |
LB-DE |
Justin Houston |
Georgia |
Jr. |
6-3 |
258 |
|
The Saints need more pass rush and impact out of their front seven, and Houston put himself into first-round consideration with a strong effort at the
combine. Either at outside linebacker or right end, his athleticism should upgrade New Orleans' ability to chase the ballcarrier.
|
| 25 |
 |
QB |
Ryan Mallett |
Arkansas |
Jr. |
6-6 |
238 |
|
Mallett should let his right arm do all the talking, because it continues to make a first-round case for itself better than his mouth. After sparkling in the
passing drills in Indy, he followed it up with another strong showing at the Arkansas pro day Tuesday. Maturity issues notwithstanding, some QB-needy team is
going to take a chance on Mallett's potential.
|
| 26 |
 |
CB |
Jimmy Smith |
Colorado |
Sr. |
6-2 |
205 |
|
I'm sticking with Smith to the Ravens because Baltimore has never been afraid to take a chance on the player with both talent and character red flags,
especially when he plays a position of such need. Baltimore, as always, will rely on its locker-room leaders to help teach Smith the Ravens' Way. But at No.
26, with Smith likely earning a top 20 grade, he's too tempting to pass up.
|
| 27 |
 |
DE |
Adrian Clayborn |
Iowa |
Sr. |
6-4 |
285 |
|
It's difficult to imagine the Falcons getting to the elite level in the NFC without adding more playmakers in their passing game, so deep threats like Boise
State's Titus Young or Maryland's Torrey Smith have to be considered. But Clayborn aids a Falcons pass rush that's also in need of an upgrade. The medical
concerns with his right arm/shoulder could prove troubling to some teams and prompt a red flag, but he's probably a solid gamble for late first-round
territory.
|
| 28 |
|
G-C |
Mike Pouncey |
Florida |
Sr. |
6-4 |
310 |
|
If the Patriots came away with Watt and Pouncey with their two first-round picks, they'd assure themselves of a coveted A+ in all those widely read and
lightly trusted draft report cards. But building from the lines out is never a bad approach in the draft, and New England would be instantly better off on
both fronts.
|
| 29 |
 |
OT |
Derek Sherrod |
Mississippi State |
Sr. |
6-6 |
312 |
|
The Bears offensive line needs attention and Sherrod is the highest-rated remaining tackle available. Though his play has drawn some comparisons to
underachieving 2008 Bears first-round pick Chris Williams -- not what Chicago fans want to hear -- Sherrod is considered NFL-ready and would offer the Bears
immediate help.
|
| 30 |
 |
DT |
Phil Taylor |
Baylor |
Sr. |
6-3 |
334 |
|
Either with the best available 3-4 end (Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson?) or a big guy in the middle, the defensive line seems likely to get first-round
attention in New York. In Taylor, the Jets would get a wide-bodied run-stuffer who could help fill the void left by the oft-injured (and now departed) Kris
Jenkins.
|
| 31 |
 |
CB |
Aaron Williams |
Texas |
Jr. |
6-1 |
195 |
|
The Steelers got all the way to the Super Bowl with mid-tier cornerbacks, but it's not a formula for success they want to try to repeat every season.
Williams may wind up playing safety at some point in his NFL career, but he ran well enough (in the 4.5 range) at the combine to merit a late-first round
grade. He's a more physical style cover man, and he's not afraid to tackle and use his body to hand out punishment.
|
| 32 |
 |
DT-DE |
Muhammad Wilkerson |
Temple |
Jr. |
6-5 |
305 |
|
If the Packers are prepared to lose Cullen Jenkins in free agency, they should be at least considering a 3-4 five-technique defensive end with their first
pick of the draft. Wilkerson might need a year to develop, but he has the right measurables for the position and consistently flashed a knack for
high-impact plays at Temple last season.
|
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