1. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
The "Force Majeure" for college football in 2010 is now the hotly debated first overall pick in 2011.
2. Denver Broncos
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
The best defender for the national champs gives new defensive-oriented coach John Fox a nice start in Denver.
3. Buffalo Bills
Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Might have been hoping that Newton would still be available, but good pass rushers are always welcomed.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The best wide receiver in the draft could entice Carson Palmer to stick around for awhile.
Mock draft 1.0: QBs go early
A lot can happen in the next two months, but following the combine, Pat Kirwan has two quarterbacks being selected in the top four picks in his initial mock draft.
5. Arizona Cardinals
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Will need the Larry Fitzgerald stamp of approval, but many believe this young man is the class of the QBs in this draft.
6. Cleveland Browns
Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
New regime in Cleveland, and new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron gets another building block.
7. San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
He has size, speed, range, and can return kicks.
8. Tennessee Titans
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
Many think he is the equal of Fairley, maybe better.
9. Dallas Cowboys
Anthony Castanzo, OT, Boston College
Offensive line is a place Dallas is continuing to try to fortify.
10. Washington Redskins
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Showed at the Senior Bowl and combine that he can do it all.
11. Houston Texans
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Defense continues to be the issue for the Texans, thus another "reboot" is necessary on that side of the ball.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The rebuilding of the front four begins with this Hawkeye.
13. Detroit Lions
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Lions will have to decide that he's a true LT, otherwise this pick could easily be used on defense.
14.St. Louis Rams
Keeping combine in perspective
There were great workouts at the combine and others left something to be desired. Good or bad, teams can't overblow what happened in Indy, says Michael Lombardi. **More ...**
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Rams (and Sam Bradford) hold their breath that Minnesota doesn't jump on this talented youngster.
15. Miami Dolphins
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Amidst much clamor to select a QB, the Dolphins begin to fortify their run game.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Last year a DT in Cal's Tyson Alulu. This year, Jags address the edge.
17. New England Patriots
Cameron Jordan, DE, California
He seems right for Patriots' style of 3-4 defensive end.
18. San Diego Chargers
Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Another speedy weapon on defense for the Bolts.
19. New York Giants
Mike Pouncey, C/OG Florida
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Ronde Barber is coming back for one more season. He can tutor his eventual replacement.
21. Kansas City Chiefs
Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
Not a need pick, but Chiefs know talent, and like a motor that's stuck on high.
22. Indianapolis Colts
Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Franchise tag, new contract, whatever for Peyton Manning; he still must be kept upright.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
New defensive coordinator Juan Castillo will like this selection.
24. New Orleans Saints
Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
Think Gregg Williams will find ways to use this pass rusher?
25. Seattle Seahawks
Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Hawks really missed Red Bryant when he was injured.
26. Baltimore Ravens
Brandon Harris, CB Miami
Ravens still hang their hat on defense, and a young corner would help.
27. Atlanta Falcons
Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Local flash brings explosiveness to linebacker's pass rush.
28. New England Patriots
Derek Sherrod, OT, Miss. State
Tom Brady was the NFL's MVP in 2010, and this young dancer at LT will help him contend for that honor again in the near future.
29. Chicago Bears
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
The Bears will continue to win with defense.
30. New York Jets
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
The loss of heady Jim Leonhard for the playoffs leads Jets to seek a playmaker on the back end.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Back-to-back first-round offensive linemen (Maurkice Pouncey in 2010) will add a spring to Big Ben's step.
32. Green Bay Packers
Cam Heyward, DE, Ohio State
If not Heyward, this could easily end up being another offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers and the Super Bowl champs.
