| 1 |
 |
QB |
Cam
Newton |
Auburn |
Jr. |
6-6 |
250 |
|
Here's the way things stand in Carolina: The Panthers would love to trade out of the top spot, but realize it's likely not
happening. Barring a move, they will pick Newton, but they'll do so with a queasy feeling in the pit of their stomachs.
They know he carries risk, but they also feel they have to roll the dice and take the quarterback who has the potential to
make the biggest possible impact in order to compete in the NFC South and help revive the franchise's flagging fortunes. If
a case of last-minute cold feet strikes in Carolina, Alabama's Marcell Dareus will be the benefactor.
|
| 2 |
 |
DE-DT |
Marcell Dareus |
Alabama |
Jr. |
6-4 |
306 |
|
It wouldn't shock me if the Broncos went for pass rush in Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller or pass coverage in LSU
cornerback Patrick Peterson. But in Dareus they get the run-stuffer that would make head coach John Fox happy, and he'd
represent a cornerstone around which to build in Denver's transition back to a 4-3 defense.
|
| 3 |
 |
QB |
Blaine Gabbert |
Missouri |
Jr. |
6-5 |
235 |
|
Miller seems to be the consensus choice for the Bills, but I've read quarterback for Buffalo all along, and I'm sticking
with my gut. With Ryan Fitzpatrick as their 2011 starter, the Bills have the perfect veteran QB on hand to groom a young
quarterback who would benefit from a year's worth of learning how to play the position in the NFL. For all the same reasons
the Panthers believe they have to go quarterback, Gabbert is the pick in Buffalo.
|
| 4 |
 |
WR |
A.J.
Green |
Georgia |
Jr. |
6-4 |
212 |
|
Green becomes an easy choice once both Newton and Gabbert are gone. The majority of NFL talent evaluators tell me Green is
the most elite offensive prospect in the draft, and he's that rare receiver worthy of a top-five investment.
|
| 5 |
 |
LB |
Von
Miller |
Texas A&M |
Sr. |
6-3 |
243 |
|
The Cardinals don't want to take a quarterback here, but will feel forced to if Gabbert gets to them. But if Miller is
there, it should be a no-brainer for Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt. If both Miller and Gabbert are gone, the Cardinals
would gladly turn in the card for Peterson.
|
| 6 |
 |
WR |
Julio Jones |
Alabama |
Jr. |
6-4 |
220 |
|
I've had North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn to the Browns, but Mike Holmgren's draft history in Seattle was dotted
with picks at receiver. Jones gets the nod over Quinn because second-year quarterback Colt McCoy can't fully develop
without a go-to outside weapon. Late rumblings this week have the Browns exploring trade options downward, perhaps with
some team eager for position to land either Jones or Patrick Peterson.
|
| 7 |
 |
CB |
Patrick Peterson |
LSU |
Jr. |
6-1 |
222 |
|
Peterson still being on the board might very well tempt a team like No. 11 Houston into coming up to No. 7 get him, but I
don't love the odds of a deal getting done on the clock. With the 49ers ranked 24th against the pass last season, Peterson
is a smart, safe choice, and a great top 10 value.
|
| 8 |
 |
DT |
Nick
Fairley |
Auburn |
Jr. |
6-5 |
298 |
|
The Titans would love to land either Washington quarterback Jake Locker or TCU's Andy Dalton, but somewhere later in the
round (in the No. 14-20 range), so they'll explore any trade options. If Gabbert somehow lingers, Tennessee would pull that
trigger. If the Titans sit tight, they'll take Fairley and feel confident they're getting one of the draft's slam-dunk top
10 prospects.
|
| 9 |
 |
OT |
Tyron Smith |
USC |
Jr. |
6-5 |
280 |
|
Sources say the Cowboys would love to trade down and still get an offensive tackle somewhere in the middle of the first
round. Barring that, they'll take Smith because right tackle Marc Colombo is not returning to Dallas this season. Boston
College tackle Anthony Castonzo is seen as more NFL-ready from day one, but his ceiling isn't as high as Smith's. It's more
like Jerry Jones to take the gamble on the player with the greater upside than to play it safe and down the middle. Dallas
has a higher grade on Smith this year than it did on OT Russell Okung last year.
|
| 10 |
 |
DE |
Robert Quinn |
North Carolina |
Jr. |
6-5 |
270 |
|
One rival GM said it best: "When you figure the Redskins out, give me a call and let me know what they're trying to
accomplish with their roster.'' The scenarios for Washington do seem all over the map. I've heard the Redskins love Florida
State quarterback Christian Ponder (even more than Locker), but might have to move down into the middle of the first round to justify taking him. Either Cal's Cameron Jordan or Wisconsin's J.J. Watt could be the choice at defensive end,
but we're closing our eyes and giving them Quinn based on him being the highest-rated pass rusher remaining.
|
| 11 |
 |
DE-LB |
Aldon Smith |
Missouri |
Jr. |
6-5 |
260 |
|
The Texans will investigate a trade up in the hopes of landing a big fish like Miller or Peterson, but my sense is they
won't like the price tag and will choose to stand pat at No. 11. Their choice will come down to Smith, who would add to their
pass rush as an outside linebacker, or Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, who would improve their shoddy pass defense.
If new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips gets his wish, and I think he will, the front seven will get the first-round
attention.
|
| 12 |
 |
QB |
Jake
Locker |
Washington |
Sr. |
6-2 |
231 |
|
I had the Vikings trading down to No. 28 to get Locker in my 5.0 mock, but that's too low. They still might be working on a
deal to drop into the middle of the round and land Locker, but I'm not sure who their potential trade partner would be.
Minnesota's other solid option is Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan, and while I believe the Vikings have cleared Clemson
Da'Quan Bowers medically, I don't seem them risking their pick on him.
|
| 13 |
 |
CB |
Prince Amukamara |
Nebraska |
Sr. |
6-1 |
205 |
|
I don't think the Lions would take the tumbling Bowers with an elite prospect like Amukamara still available. Boston
College offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo is the obvious offensive line option, but one intriguing scenario I heard this
week had the Lions surprisingly going running back, with Alabama's Mark Ingram. The thinking behind that is Jahvid Best
isn't an every-down back and Lions head coach Jim Schwartz wants to grind away in the running game to lessen the pounding
that Matthew Stafford has taken.
|
| 14 |
 |
DT |
Corey Liuget |
Illinois |
Jr. |
6-3 |
300 |
|
Julio Jones isn't falling to the Rams and in all likelihood St. Louis isn't moving up to get him. St. Louis believes it
will get a receiver it likes in the second round. Aldon Smith would be tempting if he gets past Houston, because Rams head
coach Steve Spagnuolo sees a lot of Mathias Kiwanuka in him (a situational pass rusher to start, then an impact defensive
end). But with Smith gone, Liuget is the consensus pick in St. Louis. The Rams are desperate for help at defensive tackle,
and he's got solid mid-round value.
|
| 15 |
 |
G-C |
Mike
Pouncey |
Florida |
Sr. |
6-4 |
310 |
|
I'm hearing plenty about the Dolphins' interest in TCU quarterback Andy Dalton at No. 15, but it feels a little high for a
guy who could turn out to be another Chad Henne. Miami is likely trying to move down to take Dalton lower, but Pouncey
looks like the safer selection and addresses a need in Miami's interior line. What about Ingram? I have finally been
convinced the Dolphins will take a pass on him, which probably means he's their guy.
|
| 16 |
 |
DE |
Cameron Jordan |
California |
Sr. |
6-4 |
283 |
|
I've had the Jaguars with Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan for a few mocks now, and they love him. But in this scenario
Jacksonville has its choice between Kerrigan, Jordan and Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt. I think Jordan is the
highest-rated end among them, and it probably doesn't hurt that the Jags hit on Cal defensive tackle Tyson Alualu last year
in the first round.
|
| 17 |
 |
DE |
Da'Quan Bowers |
Clemson |
Jr. |
6-4 |
275 |
|
The Patriots are a great wild card in the round, because they could trade down, trade up or stand pat and play it safe
with their first of two first-round picks. Bowers has the clear-cut medical issue with his knee, but the Patriots are
desperate for more pass rush, have a little room to gamble with an extra first-rounder, and would be getting a player at
No. 17 who once was talked about as a potential No. 1 overall. I'm also told that historically speaking, New England
doesn't put as much focus on a player's medical report as some teams do (see last year's Rob Gronkowski pick).
|
| 18 |
 |
DE |
J.J.
Watt |
Wisconsin |
Jr. |
6-6 |
292 |
|
The Chargers' need for a disruptive 3-4 defensive end with size, speed and a great motor finds its perfect match in Watt,
the former Central Michigan tight end who can both stand up against the run and chase down the passer. Plus, he just seems
like a no-nonsense, A.J. Smith kind of guy.
|
| 19 |
 |
OT |
Anthony Castonzo |
Boston College |
Sr. |
6-7 |
308 |
|
With an aging offensive line and a history of picking former B.C. Eagles, Castonzo is a no-brainer for the Giants, who are
led by ex-Boston College head coach Tom Coughlin. Castonzo could go much higher than this (in the No. 9-13 range), but if
he lingers into the late teens, he's a great value.
|
| 20 |
 |
DE |
Ryan
Kerrigan |
Purdue |
Sr. |
6-4 |
263 |
|
I feel confident Tampa Bay would be the absolute floor for either Bowers or Watt if one of them falls to the Bucs, but
given their need for pass rush, they're not going to let Kerrigan get past them either. He was a proven playmaker in
college, and Kerrigan looks like an early contributor who has high character and a top-notch work ethic.
|
| 21 |
 |
OT |
Gabe
Carimi |
Wisconsin |
Jr. |
6-7 |
327 |
|
Carimi will arrive in Kansas City as a solid answer to the team's right tackle question, and he's one of the cleanest
prospects left in the first round. My sense is that Kansas City is a little wary of Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor's
medical history, and Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston gets flagged on character issues.
|
| 22 |
 |
OT |
Nate
Solder |
Colorado |
Sr. |
6-8 |
314 |
|
Maybe Solder isn't the guy the Colts are targeting, but offensive tackle has to be Indy's first-round focus. I keep
hearkening back to Colts president Bill Polian admitting he should have drafted Indiana offensive tackle Rodger Saffold at
No. 31 in 2010, and how he lived to regret it. Solder is a tall, pass-blocking tackle who will instantly upgrade Indy's
offensive line from an athletic standpoint.
|
| 23 |
 |
OT |
Danny Watkins |
Baylor |
Sr. |
6-3 |
310 |
|
Andy Reid is said to love Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith, and he's a viable option given Philly's need in the secondary.
But how can you forget the way quarterback Michael Vick got hammered in the second half of the season behind that porous
and injury-riddled Eagles offensive line? Watkins is a versatile and hard-nosed competitor, and Reid loves those kind of
guys, too.
|
| 24 |
 |
DE |
Adrian Clayborn |
Iowa |
Sr. |
6-4 |
285 |
|
The Saints like both Clayborn and Alabama running back Mark Ingram, but I have to believe the team's need on the defensive
front seven outweighs the temptation of adding another Heisman winner to the backfield (well, since-vacated former Heisman
recipient at least). Two other options worth noting would be defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson of Temple and defensive
tackle Phil Taylor of Baylor.
|
| 25 |
 |
QB |
Andy
Dalton |
TCU |
Sr. |
6-2 |
215 |
|
As one NFL personnel man told me, "Seattle at No. 25 is about where things could start getting wacky with trades.'' I'm
buying that, because I think this slot will be targeted by the teams chasing quarterbacks like Dalton, Ponder and maybe
even Arkansas' Ryan Mallett. Seattle could still wind up taking Dalton, or maybe even Ponder, but a quarterback of some
sort is going 25th overall to somebody. How's that for clarity?
|
| 26 |
 |
CB |
Jimmy Smith |
Colorado |
Sr. |
6-2 |
205 |
|
I've had Smith to the Ravens for mocks and mocks now, but if he's gone, Baltimore would be interested in Wilkerson, Ohio
State's Cam Heyward, or trading out of the round to pick the pocket of some quarterback-needy team. Smith is a
first-round prospect with first-class baggage issues, but the Ravens believe they have the locker room structure to set him
straight.
|
| 27 |
 |
WR |
Jonathan Baldwin |
Pittsburgh |
Jr. |
6-4 |
228 |
|
I'm predicting a surprise of sorts from the Falcons, who are desperate for an explosive player either at a pass-rushing
position or receiver. If Clayborn lingers to Atlanta, he's probably the layup selection. I'm not buying the notion the
Falcons might try to trade up into the top five for one of the round's two elite receivers -- it'll cost them their whole
draft -- but Baldwin or Boise State's Titus Young are two options who might be tempting at No. 27. Don't hold your breath
for Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston. He won't be considered in the first round. If Atlanta believes Baldwin fits
its locker-room mentality, he could be the Falcons' bold first-round gamble.
|
| 28 |
| RB |
Mark
Ingram |
Alabama |
Jr. |
5-10 |
215 |
|
There's still a more than decent shot the Patriots trade out of this pick if a quarterback-needy team overwhelms them. But
otherwise, coming away from the first round with the tandem of Bowers on defense and Ingram on offense looks like another
New England heist to me. The Patriots need a workhorse in the backfield, and I'm guessing Nick Saban has given his buddy
Bill Belichick a glowing seal of approval when it comes to Ingram.
|
| 29 |
 |
OT |
Derek Sherrod |
Mississippi State |
Sr. |
6-6 |
312 |
|
Sherrod is a borderline first-round prospect, so it wouldn't be shocking if Chicago tried to trade down to get a similar
offensive tackle prospect in the second round. But if the Bears stay at No. 29, Sherrod is the best of who's available at
Chicago's greatest position of need. Texas cornerback Aaron Williams is likely another decent option on the Bears' radar
screen.
|
| 30 |
 |
DT |
Phil
Taylor |
Baylor |
Sr. |
6-3 |
334 |
|
The Jets in my scenario have their choice between Taylor, Wilkerson and Heyward, who are all solid choices at 30. I'm going
with Taylor as the most logical replacement for the space-eating Kris Jenkins.
|
| 31 |
 |
CB |
Aaron Williams |
Texas |
Jr. |
6-0 |
204 |
|
The Steelers do the prudent thing and take the best available cornerback for a secondary that got exposed in the Super Bowl
against Green Bay. Depending on whom you believe, they have Williams rated higher than Miami cover man Brandon Harris.
|
| 32 |
 |
DE |
Cameron Heyward |
Ohio State |
Sr. |
6-5 |
288 |
|
The Packers have tons of options sitting in the first round's reverse pole position, but Heyward makes sense as a 3-4 end
replacing free-agent-to-be Cullen Jenkins. Wilkerson would be another possibility to fill that same need. If Ingram makes
it all the way to No. 32, he'd be a weapon to add to the Green Bay backfield.
|
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