1. Carolina Panthers (2-14): CB Patrick Peterson, 6'1" 211 lbs. LSU - I know this is going against the grain a bit but in the end Peterson is the best prospect in the draft due to his combination of size, speed, and athleticism, as well as his solid production on the field in college the last three years. He could turn out to be the type of DB that can do the things that Darrel Revis does for the Jets. The second and third rounds should be decent spots to take a QB or a D-lineman.
2. Denver Broncos (4-12): DT Marcel Dareus, 6'3" 306 lbs. Alabama - Could very easily go first overall but if not, Denver would be more than willing to add Dareus to the mix in their front line of defense. His work ethic and scheme versatility bode well for him in the pros.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12): OLB Von Miller, 6'3" 238 lbs. Texas A & M - The best overall linebacker and pass-rushing prospect in the draft should help out immediately on the Bills' defense. The team may go after a QB in round two.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): QB Blaine Gabbert, 6'4" 235 lbs. Missouri - Even though it will take a few years for Gabbert to develop, this pick quickly solves any Carson Palmer issues for the team in the future.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): DE Robert Quinn, 6'5" 260 lbs. UNC - An athletic pass-rusher that could play up or down. He should help make things interesting on any defense.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): WR AJ Green, 6'4" 208 lbs. Georgia - Cleveland would like to trade down but if they don't find a willing partner Green would be worth the pick here. He has the skills to become a huge difference-maker on offense.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10): CB Prince Amukamara, 6'0" 200 lbs. Nebraska - Even though new coach Jim Harbaugh played QB, he is a very defense-minded coach. There are not many highly sought after DB's this year either so I wouldn't be surprised to see San Fran jump on one early. Amukamara possesses a well-rounded game and he should contribute early.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10): DT Corey Liuget, 6'3" 300 lbs. Illinois - A bit of surprise with Nick Fairley still on the board but Liuget is almost as complete of a prospect as you can find and has been considered a top 15 talent by most analysts for a while now. His stock continues to rise and the lack of red flags makes him hard to pass up for a team that needs to retool its defense a bit.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10): OT Tyron Smith, 6'5" 307 lbs. USC - Name another position on the Cowboys that needs talent more than the O-line. This is one of the few picks that hasn't changed since my last mock update as Smith should be able to quickly find a home on the 'Boys roster.
10. Washington Redskins (6-10): WR Julio Jones, 6'4" 208 lbs. Alabama - It's either Jones or Cam Newton here and I believe the 'Skins will go with the "safer" pick as the WR performed as good as anybody at the combine after dominating the college gridiron for the last three seasons.
11. Houston Texans (6-10): DT Nick Fairley, 6'3" 298 lbs. Auburn - The team has tried several times to shore up the D-line and Fairley could help bring a lot of pressure up the middle to assist the porous pass-defense. Amukamara would be an ideal pick here but despite his stock slipping a bit Fairley still possesses a huge upside that could turn out to pay off for the Texans.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10): QB Cam Newton, 6'5" 248 lbs. Auburn - I really do not care to hear any comparisons to Daunte Culpepper as Newton is a different type of QB prospect. His combination of size, athleticism, and confidence could help him develop into a type of player that revolutionizes the QB position in the NFL.
13. Detroit Lions (6-10): DE Da'Quan Bowers, 6'4" 280 lbs. Clemson - May not fill the biggest need for the Lions but Bowers should be another piece that helps turn the D-town D-line into one of the best in the league. He was widely considered the top prospect this year until some health issues caused him to slip.
14. St Louis Rams (7-9): OT Anthony Castonzo, 6'7" 300 lbs. Boston College - A four-year starter that is closer to being NFL-ready than most of the other O-line prospects in the draft. This is a bit of a reach but the Rams are determined to put together a solid O-line.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9): G/C Mike Pouncey, 6'5" 311 lbs. Florida - The 'Fins still need help on the O-line too and Pouncey seems like one of the top two prospects there. His potential is high due to his versatility alone.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): DE Adrian Clayborn, 6'3" 285 lbs. Iowa - The Jags continue trying to improve at end to assist the rising talent at tackle. Clayborn has some health issues but he was once considered a top five pick and gets rave reviews from former coaches, teammates, and opponents.
17. New England Patriots (14-2/from Raiders): DE J.J. Watt, 6'5" 290 lbs. Wisconsin - A versatile prospect that hustles himself into a lot of plays. Watt should fit right in at end in the Pats D.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7): DE Cam Jordan, 6'4" 287 lbs. Cal - Another versatile end that should be able to aptly play the "5" in the 3-4 defense.
19. New York Giants (10-6): RB Mark Ingram, 5'9" 215 lbs. Alabama - Might as well grab the best player on the board since there is no linebacker worth taking here. Ingram is as tough of a runner as you will find in the draft.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6): Muhammad Wilkerson, 6'4" 315 lbs. Temple - May not be the speedy pass-rusher that everybody seems to covet, but Wilkerson is a big, strong player with the athleticism to help seal up some running lanes and collapse the pocket. The Bucs were one of the worst teams in the league against the run last year and they will seek to improve in that area.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-7): DE Ryan Kerrigan, 6'4" 264 lbs. Purdue - Led the nation in tackles for a loss last year and should take over for the aging veteran Mike Vrabel.
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-7): OT Nate Solder, 6'8" 319 lbs. Colorado - It seems that the Colts could go any number of ways here but Solder is one of the few real left tackle prospects available and was once considered a sure-fire top 20 prospect that some, including myself, have grown cold on. Does he have enough sand to anchor against big, strong NFL defenders?
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-7): CB Aaron Williams, 6'0" 204 lbs. Texas - Williams is a guy that is creeping up draft boards a little bit and could go as high as this in the first round. If the Eagles can improve on defense they could be THE team to beat in 2011.
24. New Orleans Saints (11-6) Aldon Smith, 6'4" 263 lbs. Missouri - I do not have Smith rated as high as other writers but I still think he is a good prospect worth looking at here. I just have a feeling it might take a bit for him to adjust to working in the NFL and he will need to add the bulk required to handle it full time.
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-10): OT Gabe Carimi, 6'7" 314 lbs. Wisconsin - Instead of reaching for a QB here the 'Hawks will either seek a trade down or take Carimi, who is a very good right tackle prospect that could help pave the way for the running game.
26. Baltimore Ravens (13-5): DE Cam Heyward, 6'5" 294 lbs. - Could be another Trevor Pryce-type of player at end, which the team would love to have for another ten years.
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-4): CB Jimmy Smith, 6'2" 211 lbs. Colorado - I had Atlanta taking Aaron Williams here but if he's gone they could go after the next best thing. If Smith can grow up he could become a very good starting corner.
28. New England Patriots (14-3): OL Derek Sherrod, 6'5" 321 lbs. Mississippi State - The team could go defense again here but Sherrod is an intriguing OT prospect that a lot of NFL coaches would love to get their hands on.
29. Chicago Bears (12-6): DT Stephen Paea, 6'1" 303 lbs. Oregon State - Strong player that should help stop the run, create room for the linebackers, and occasionally get in the QB's face.
30. New York Jets (14-6): TE Kyle Rudolph, 6'6" 259 lbs. Notre Dame - Could help out immediately in the passing game and should be more NFL-ready than any of the other receiver prospects that are left on the board.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (14-5): OG Danny Watkins, 6'4" 310 lbs. Baylor - Another brick to add to the front wall. Watkins should look good next to last year's first rounder and rookie pro-browler, Maurkice Pouncey. An OT or a CB might be more of a need but there are not any as good as this OG.
32. Green Bay Packers (14-6): DE/OLB Brooks Reed, Arizona - Yes, I realize that OLB Akeem Ayers is still on the board but he does not seem to have the fire in his belly or the short area quickness that Reed possesses. He and Clay Mathews could absolutely terrorize opposing offenses for a long time.
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