1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: PATRICK PETERSON, CB, LSU
The Panthers are a conservative organization with numerous needs. They will go safe with Peterson. Peterson will connect on a CB point and immediately give Ron Rivera a building block on defense. They need a large number of building blocks, so they may look to trade lower.
2. DENVER BRONCOS: DA’QUAN BOWERS OF, 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 engine is non-stop and will step in and anchor the line from day 1.
3. BUFFALO BILLS: ROBERT QUINN, OF, NORTH CAROLINA
Quinn is rising fast and the Bills need a disruptive force on the defensive line, especially one who can rush the quarterback. It appears that the issues with the agents that kept him off the field in 2010 have been resolved.
4. CINCINNATI FLARES: AJ GREEN, WR, GEORGIA
They could pull off a big upset and take Cam Newton, but they lost both TO and Ocho Stupido, so they need a legit wide receiver on the roster. The Bengals need to figure out who will throw the ball to Green, as Carson Palmer threatens to retire if they don’t trade him. Look for a QB in round 2.
5. ARIZONA CARDINALS: PRINCE AMUKAMARA, BC, NEBRASKA
Prince’s incredible top speed at the combine propelled him to the top of many draft boards. The Cardinals are in dire need of a 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 engine and the fact that his entire career at Auburn was not like his excellent senior season. With the move back to 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 of this team is QB. The 49ERs are poised to win now, but they won’t get to the next level with the likes of Alex Smith at the helm. They could still go with someone like Donovan McNabb, but I think Jim Harbaugh will also want to start with a very talented young QB.
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 first outside pressure player in Miller. Last year, Miller racked up 68 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He has done nothing but impress since he finished the season.
9. DALLAS COWBOYS: TYRON SMITH, OT, SOUTH CAL.
They really want Amukamara, but their combined performance puts him out of reach. They need a lot of help on the offensive line and Smith should pair up with Doug Free to give them two young tackles. Smith is a bit inexperienced and growing in his structure, but he is a superior athlete.
10. WASHINGTON REDSKINS: MARCELL DAREUS, DT, ALABAMA
Now that Albert Haynesworth is out of the picture, the Skins must tackle the defensive line. Darius is a stallion that has great value at #4. At #10 and he will team up with Orakpo to make that unit a strength. They need a QB, but if they take Newton here, you know Snyder is running over Shanahan.
11. HOUSTON TEXANS: JJ WATT, OF, WISCONSIN
Yes, this is a bit high for Watt, but his stock has been going up. There are higher-ranked players available, but Watt has the engine and leadership qualities the Texans need. This team is a competent defense far from 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 he’s been a whirlwind 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 emerging Lions could add an outside pressure player here, but if they don’t protect Matt Stafford better, they’ll be stuck around 500 for a while. The weld is tough, strong, long and athletic and gives the Lions a bookend to work with.
14. ST. LOUIS RAMS: JULY JONES, WR, ALABAMA
I can mulligan in this case, given Jones’ foot surgery. When he’s healthy, Jones’ size, hands and production give Sam Bradford the outside threat he so desperately needs. The Rams are building a solid 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 choice. They need to be running backs with the possible departure of Williams and Brown, but Sporano is on the loose in Miami and he will need to bring in someone who can help this team right away. Ingram has the potential to be the constant big-play threat the Dolphins offense lacks.
16. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: CAMERON JORDAN, DE, CAL.
The Jags have bigger needs, like a linebacker, and they need a young quarterback to develop, but Jordan’s total package is too hard to pass up. Why the slide? Only numbers. Jordan could be a much higher pick if this draft wasn’t loaded with defensive linemen.
17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: ADRIAN CLAYBORN, OF, IOWA
How come the Pats always have two #1 picks? They are smart, that’s why. They treat it like a business and don’t make it personal. Clayborn is a big-character guy and a relentless pass-rusher. He seems tailor-made for the Patriots who need a few more pieces in his young defense.
18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: ALDON SMITH, OLB, MISSOURI
The Chargers have a very good D, but they need to put more pressure on the passer. Smith should be able to handle that task with gusto. Smith is a sack machine who lives in opposite backfields. Smith is a steal for the Chargers at No. 18.
19. NEW YORK GIANTS: AKEEM AYERS, OLB, UCLA
The Giants have been looking for linebackers for the past five years and will be pleasantly surprised to find the ultra-athletic and versatile Ayers still up there at No. 19. The Giants have a wealth 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, OF, PURDUE
The up-and-coming Bucs lack someone who can consistently pressure the quarterback. Kerrigan’s engine never stops and she has a great work ethic that should be a perfect fit for this young team. The pieces are lining up for the Bucs, but can they top the Pack and Bears?
21. KANSAS CITY HEADS: ANTHONY CASTONZO, OT, BC
Castonzo is exactly what the Doctor and Matt Cassel need. The Chiefs also need a wide receiver. Given Todd Haley’s stormy history with TO, I doubt they’ll bring in someone like Randy Moss, so they’ll have to tackle this position later 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 in this spot, but Pouncey is tough, talented and a winner. His pedigree doesn’t hurt either.
23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: AARON WILLIAMS, BC, 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 instinct, but needs to become a better tackler and play more aggressive.
24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Jimmy Smith, BC, Colorado
Like 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, linebacker or down 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. Both can be suitable starters while the future QB is being prepared. Surprisingly, the Seahawks went with local product Locker, who was once viewed the way people now view Andrew Luck.
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS: GABE CARIMI, OT, WISCONSIN
There are no pass rushers available right now and considering the Ravens are in dire need along the offensive line, Carimi is a perfect fit right now. Carimi is a huge man with an attitude. The Badgers’ 4-year starter will connect directly 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 in this spot because this team needs some mental toughness, but Smith should also fill a need against Roddy White. There are no major holes to fill as I write this, so you might as well choose to switch and purchase future or additional picks.
28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: RAHIM MOORE, FS, UCLA
The Pats tackled their defensive line with their first #1, now they fill a need in the secondary with the pick of Moore. Moore hits all the numbers and is a superior athlete who hasn’t always lived up to his potential. Sort of a non-Patriot pick, but in the Pats system he could thrive.
29. THE CHICAGO BEARS: DEREK SHERROD, OT, MISSISSIPPI ST.
The Bears really need a great playcatcher, but they’re not going to find one right now. Sherrod should start from Day 1, most likely at right tackle. He is a huge man who is athletic for his size and is one of the few kids who really has his head on straight.
30. NEW YORK JETS: JUSTIN HOUSTON, OLB, GEORGIA
Vernon Gholston’s experiment is over. An all-time bust at this point in his career. Jason Taylor was adequate at times, but it’s not the answer. Houston lived in the backfield of the other teams last season and could be the ingredient this Jets team needs to put this team over the top.
31. PITTSBURGH STEEL: TITUS YOUNG, WR, BOISE ST.
There aren’t any big needs for the Steelers right now. Hines Ward can’t play forever and Young is the kind of annoying player who 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 receiver, Rodgers and company couldn’t have been too happy with all the drops the receiving corps got. Baldwin is a great man with good football speed. Baldwin didn’t run well at the combine but plays much faster.
