| 1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: PATRICK PETERSON, CB, LSU |
The Panthers are a conservative organization with numerous needs. They’ll go safe with Peterson. Peterson will be plugged in at one CB spot and immediately give Ron Rivera a building block on defense. They need a lot of building blocks so they may look to trade down.
| 2. DENVER BRONCOS: DA’QUAN BOWERS DE, CLEMSON |
Mike Fox is also conservative and will look to build a tough defense, starting with Bowers. Fairley has the most potential but needs to be on the right team. Bowers motor doesn’t stop and will step in and anchor the line from day 1.
| 3. BUFFALO BILLS: ROBERT QUINN, DE, NORTH CAROLINA |
Quinn is rising rapidly & the Bills need a disruptive force on the defensive line, especially one who can put some heat on the QB. It appears the issues with the agents that kept him off the field in 2010 have been resolved.
| 4. CINCINNATI BENGALS: A.J. GREEN, WR, GEORGIA |
They could pull a major shocker and pick Cam Newton, but they lost both T.O. & Ocho Stupido so they need a legitimate wide receiver on the roster. The Bengals need to figure out who is going to throw Green the ball since Carson Palmer is threatening to retire if he's not traded. Look for a QB in round 2.
| 5. ARIZONA CARDINALS: PRINCE AMUKAMARA, CB, NEBRASKA |
Prince's blazing top speed at the combine vaulted him towards the top of many draft boards. The Cards have a major need at pass rusher but Amukamara's versatility, leadership, tackling ability and now speed, make him too tempting to pass up.
| 6. CLEVELAND BROWNS: NICK FAIRLEY, DT, AUBURN |
Possibly the most talented player in the draft. There are some concerns about his motor and the fact that his entire career at Auburn wasn't like his outstanding senior season. With the switch back to a 4-3, Fairley should be the anchor Pat Shurmur is looking for.
| 7. SAN FRANCISCO 49ER'S: BLAINE GABBERT, QB, MISSOURI |
The obvious weak point on this team is QB. The 49ER's are ready to win now, but they won't get to that next level with the likes of Alex Smith at the helm. They could still go for someone like Donovan McNabb but I think that Jim Harbaugh will also want to start with a young QB with a ton of talent.
| 8. TENNESSEE TITANS: VON MILLER, OLB, TEXAS A&M |
They really want Gabbert and I can't see them going after Cam Newton. Fortunately there is a premier pressure player on the outside in Miller. Last year Miller put up 68 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He's done nothing but impress since the season ended.
| 9. DALLAS COWBOYS: TYRON SMITH, OT, SOUTHERN CAL. |
They really want Amukamara, but his combine performance puts him out of reach. They need a lot of help on the offensive line and Smith should pair with Doug Free to give them two young bookend tackles. Smith is a little inexperienced and just growing into his frame, but is a superior athlete.
| 10. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: MARCELL DAREUS, DT, ALABAMA |
Now that Albert Haynesworth is out of the picture the Skins need to address the defensive line. Darius is a stud who is a great value at #10 and will team with Orakpo to make that unit a strength. They do need a QB, but if they take Newton here you know Snyder is running over Shanahan.
| 11. HOUSTON TEXANS: J.J. WATT, DE, WISCONSIN |
Yes this is a little high for Watt, but his stock has been rising. There are higher ranked players available but Watt has a motor and leadership qualities that the Texans need. This team is a competent defense away from being a major playoff contender.
| 12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CAM NEWTON, QB, AUBURN |
The Cam watch is over. Sorry ESPN, he won’t last until the end of round 1. Newton has a TON of physical ability but has been a swirl of controversy all season. Newton will be the QB of the future and maybe the present depending on what they do in free agency.
| 13. DETROIT LIONS: NATE SOLDER, OT, COLORADO |
The up and coming Lions could add an outside pressure player here but if they don't protect Matt Stafford better they will be stuck around 500 for a while. Solder is tough, strong, long and athletic and gives the Lions one bookend to work with.
| 14. ST. LOUIS RAMS: JULIO JONES, WR, ALABAMA |
I may take a mulligan on this one, given Jones foot surgery. When healthy, Jones' size, hands and production give Sam Bradford the outside threat he so desperately needs. The Rams are building a strong foundation and the addition of Jones gives the Rams their own set of triplets.
| 15. MIAMI DOLPHINS: MARK INGRAM, RB, ALABAMA |
This is the consensus, safe pick. They do have a need at running back with the potential departure of Williams and Brown but Sporano is on loose footing in Miami and will need to bring in someone who can immediately help this team. Ingram has the potential to be the consistent big-play threat the Dolphins offense lacks.
| 16. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: CAMERON JORDAN, DE, CAL. |
The Jags have bigger needs such as linebacker and need a young QB to develop, but Jordan's total package is too hard to pass up. Why the slide? Just numbers. Jordan might be a much higher pick if this draft wasn’t loaded with defensive lineman.
| 17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: ADRIAN CLAYBORN, DE, IOWA |
How do the Pats always have two #1 picks? They're smart, that's why. They treat it like a business and don’t make it personal. Clayborn is a high-character guy and a relentless pass rusher. He seems custom made for the Patriots who need a few more pieces on their young defense.
| 18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: ALDON SMITH, OLB, MISSOURI |
The Chargers have a very good D, but need to generate more pressure on the passer. Smith should be able to handle that task with gusto. Smith is a sack machine who lives in opposing backfields. Smith is a steal for the Chargers at #18.
| 19. NEW YORK GIANTS: AKEEM AYERS, OLB, UCLA |
The Giants have been looking for linebackers for the last five years and will be pleasantly surprised to find the ultra-athletic and versatile Ayers still there at #19. The Giants have a bevy of talent along their defensive line and a solid secondary. Ayers could be the missing link in the middle.
| 20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: RYAN KERRIGAN, DE, PURDUE |
The up and coming Bucs lack anyone who can consistently pressure the QB. Kerrigan's motor never stops and has a great work ethic that should fit right in on this young team. The pieces are lining up for the Bucs but can they leapfrog the Pack and Bears?
| 21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: ANTHONY CASTONZO, OT, BC |
Castonzo is exactly what the Doctor and Matt Cassel need. The Chiefs also have a need a wide receiver. Given Todd Haley's stormy history with T.O., I doubt they bring in someone like Randy Moss, so they will have to address this position later on in the draft.
| 22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: MIKE POUNCEY, OG, FLORIDA |
The Colts need Pouncey's kind of toughness. He wants to play center in the NFL, but that might not happen right away. Ideally the Colts would prefer a tackle at this spot but Pouncey is tough, talented and a winner. His pedigree doesn't hurt either.
| 23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: AARON WILLIAMS, CB, TEXAS |
Asante Samuel needs help on the opposite side now that Eric Hobbs will retire after a major neck injury. The Eagles have plenty of playmakers on offense but their secondary was susceptible to big plays at times. Williams has good height and instincts but needs to become a better tackler & play more aggressive.
| 24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado |
Similar to the Eagles, the Saints have plenty of weapons on offense but their defense was susceptible to big plays all season. The Saints have more pressing needs on defense such as linebacker or along the line, but Smith is the most talented player left on the board and should be able to contribute immediately.
| 25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: JAKE LOCKER, QB, WASHINGTON |
Regardless of whether they keep both Hasselback and Whitehurst, neither is the long-term answer at QB. They can both be adequate starters while the future QB is groomed. In a surprise, the Seahawks select local product Locker who was once thought of the same way people now view Andrew Luck.
| 26. BALTIMORE RAVENS: GABE CARIMI, OT, WISCONSIN |
There are no pass rushers available at this point and considering the Ravens have a big need along the offensive line, Carimi is a great fit at this point. Carimi is a massive man with an attitude. The 4-year starter for the Badgers will plug right in with the Ravens and be a fixture for years to come.
| 27. ATLANTA FALCONS: TORREY SMITH, WR, MARYLAND |
The Falcons would have loved to have Carimi at this spot because this team needs a little mental toughness but Smith should also fill a need opposite Roddy White. There are no major holes to fill as I write this, so they could also opt to tradedown and acquire future or additional picks.
| 28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: RAHIM MOORE, FS, UCLA |
The Pats addressed their defensive line with their first #1, now fill a need in the secondary with the selection of Moore. Moore hits all the numbers and is a superior athlete who hasn’t always played up to his potential. Sort of a un-Patriot pick, but in the Pats system he could thrive.
| 29. CHICAGO BEARS: DEREK SHERROD, OT, MISSISSIPPI ST. |
The Bears really need a big play receiver but aren't going to find one at this point. Sherrod should be a starter from day 1, most likely at right tackle. He's a massive man who is athletic for his size and is one of the few kids who really has his head screwed on right.
| 30. NEW YORK JETS: JUSTIN HOUSTON, OLB, GEORGIA |
The Vernon Gholston experiment is over. An all time bust at this point in his career. Jason Taylor was adequate in spots but is not the answer. Houston lived in the other teams backfield last season and could be the ingredient this Jets team needs to put this team over the top.
| 31. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: TITUS YOUNG, WR, BOISE ST. |
No major needs for the Steelers at this point. Hines Ward can't play forever and Young is the kind of pesky player that seems to thrive in the Steelers system. Young has great hands and speed, but lacks maturity and ideal size.
| 32. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh |
Despite winning the super bowl and seeming to have a lot of depth at wideout, Rodgers and company could not have been too happy with all the dropsies the receiving corps had. Baldwin is a big man with good football speed. Baldwin did not run well at the combine but plays a lot faster.
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