1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: PATRICK PETERSON, CB, LSU
The Panthers are a conservative organization with many needs. They’ll be safe with Peterson. Peterson will connect on a CB point and immediately give Ron Rivera a building block on defense. They need a lot of building blocks, so they may look to trade lower.
2. DENVER BRONCOS: DA’QUAN BOWERS FROM, CLEMSON
Mike Fox is also conservative and will be looking to build a tough defense, starting with Bowers. Fairley has the most potential but he needs to be on the right team. Bowers engine does not stop and will intervene and anchor the line from day 1.
3. BUFFALO BILLS: ROBERT QUINN, DE, NORTH CAROLINA
Quinn is coming up fast and the Bills need a disruptive force on the defensive line, especially one that can pressure the quarterback. It appears that the agent issues that kept him off the field in 2010 have been resolved.
4. CINCINNATI FLARERS: AJ GREEN, WR, GEORGIA
They could pull off a big upset and pick Cam Newton, but they lost both TO and Stupid Eight, 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 landed him at the top of many draft boards. The Cardinals are in dire need of pass-rushers, but Amukamara’s versatility, leadership, tackling ability and now speed make him too tempting to pass up.
6. CLEVELAND BROWN: 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 trade back at 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 49ERs are ready 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 pressure player on the outside in Miller. Last year, Miller had 68 tackles, 17.5 for losses, 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 their league. They need a lot of help on the offensive line and Smith should pair with Doug Free to give them two young tackles. Smith is a bit inexperienced and is growing into the structure of him, 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 a great value in the position n. 10 and he will team up with Orakpo to make that unit a fortress. 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 rising. 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 being a major playoff contender.
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CAM NEWTON, QB, AUBURN
Cam clock is over. Sorry, ESPN, it 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: JULIO JONES, WR, ALABAMA
I can mulligan on this one, given Jones’ foot surgery. When he’s healthy, Jones’ size, hands and production give Sam Bradford the outside threat he so badly 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 choice. They have a need to be running backs with the possible departure of Williams and Brown, but Sporano is on the loose in Miami and will need to bring in someone who can help this team right away. Ingram has the potential to be the constant big-play threat that 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, FROM, 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 great 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 generate more pass rush. Smith should be able to handle that task with gusto. Smith is a sack machine who lives in the opposing backfields. Smith is a steal for the 18th-ranked Chargers.
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 plethora 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 constantly 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 get past the Pack and Bears?
21. KANSAS CITY CHIEF: 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 address this position later in the draft.
22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: MIKE PUNCEY, 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 strong, 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 is retiring 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 he needs to become a better tackler and play more aggressively.
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, at linebacker or on 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 as the future QB prepares. Surprisingly, the Seahawks chose local product Locker, who was once viewed the same 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 have a huge need along the offensive line, Carimi is a perfect fit at the moment. Carimi is a huge man with attitude. The Badgers’ 4-year starter will connect directly to the Ravens and be a fixture for years to come.
27. ATLANTA HAWKS: 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 filling a need in the secondary with the Moore pick. Moore hits all the numbers and is a superior athlete who hasn’t always played up to his potential. Kind of a non-Patriot pick, but in the Pats system he could thrive.
29. CHICAGO BEARS: DEREK SHERROD, OT, MISSISSIPPI ST.
The Bears really need a great play catcher, but they’re not going to find one right now. Sherrod should start on 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 other teams’ backfield last season and could be the ingredient this Jets team needs to put this team on top.
31. PITTSBURGH STEEL: TITUS YOUNG, WR, BOISE ST.
There are no 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 appearing to have a lot of depth at receiver, Rodgers and company couldn’t have been too pleased with all the dropsy the receiving corps had. Baldwin is a big man with good football speed. Baldwin didn’t run well at the combine but he plays much faster.