1. Carolina Panthers: QB Cam Newton - A big risk here but I cannot criticize it because I had this one pegged in my first mock, and in the end it could be one well worth making. I have never denied Newton's ability as an athlete and a college player, but the NFL is a whole new ballgame. Whether or not he is up to the task is up for debate. We will just have to wait and see.
2. Denver Broncos: LB Von Miller - Possibly the best player in the draft, Miller should help out on defense immediately. I love his attitude as well as his ability on the field. He and Elvis Dumervil cold be destroying QB's for a long time.
3. Buffalo Bills: DT Marcel Dareus - As soon as he got through the first two picks I figured this was a lock. He could have just as easily gone first overall. The league's worst run defense just got better.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: WR AJ Green - Somebody has to eventually replace Batman and Robin, so it may as well be the best WR prospect we have seen since Calvin Johnson came out.
5. Arizona Cardinals: CB Patrick Peterson - A lot of raw ability as an athlete and could turn out to be the best player overall. I don't think anybody had this one pegged but you definitely cannot knock the organization for taking Peterson over anybody, especially Blaine Gabbert.
6. Atlanta Falcons: WR Julio Jones - A big move up for the Falcons but they now have the guy they wanted. Despite his case tendency to drop the ball, Jones is big, strong, and can leap with the best of them. His monster workouts bumped his stock up the last couple months.
7. San Francisco 49ers: DE Aldon Smith - The word is that Smith probably could have been a top five pick next year as he is young and still developing. I figured Jim Harbaugh and gang would go defense, I just didn't think it would be Smith.
8. Tennessee Titans: QB Jake Locker - A year ago this would have not been a surprise, but this year most folks, including myself, had him pegged as a second round value. They saw something they liked in him and took him. Despite his ugly stats, this guy is a winner that could have done greater things on a better college team.
9. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyron Smith - The first pick that turned out just the way I predicted brings a great athlete to the 'Boys O-line, which is something they have needed for a couple years now. It may take a while but Smith could turn out to be something special.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Blaine Gabbert - The organization is comfortable with David Garrard for now but they obviously believe they need an upgrade soon in order to be a playoff contender. Give him some time and he could give them the same type of play that Ben Roethlisberger gives the Steelers.
11. Houston Texans: DE J.J. Watt - Great hustler that fills a need as this team has to improve on defense in order to make the playoffs. Watt could play end or tackle for the Texans.
12. Minnesota Vikings: QB Christian Ponder - A bit of a reach for sure, as this guy would have been available late in round one. However, I like the fact that the team needed a QB and they didn't hesitate to go after one.
13. Detroit Lions: DT Nick Fairley - Chris Berman said it best when he exclaimed "Wow", as in Watch Out World. Fairley and (Ndamukong) Suh will be a pair of names that we all will hear a lot of in the near future.
14. St Louis Rams: DE Robert Quinn - The pass-rusher that the team needs dropped from the top ten right into their laps. They would have taken Fairley if he hadn't gone one pick earlier.
15. Miami Dolphins: OG/C Mike Pouncey - This was an easy one to pick in my opinion, as the 'Fins needed blockers and they may have gotten the best one the entire draft in Pouncey. Sure he had some rough moments snapping the ball in 2010 but he was still the Gator's best offensive player.
16. Washington Redskins: DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan - Nice pick here as Kerrigan attacked the line of scrimmage better than anybody else in college football last season while leading the nation in tackles for a loss.
17. New England Patriots: OT Nate Solder - This draft has been full of surprises so far and this pick is another one. I don't think it is too wise to criticize the Pats organization though, as they can easily make you look stupid in the end.
18. San Diego Chargers: DT Corey Liuget - Could have been a top ten pick as everybody loves his quickness and hustle. Liuget was not really considered to be a great fit in the 3-4 going into the draft but I do not doubt that he has the ability to be a very effective defender for the Chargers.
19. New York Giants: CB Prince Amukamara - The best player available should at least help out at the nickel spot immediately and become a fixture as a starter very quickly.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Adrian Clayborn - Looks like a great fit in my opinion. He is the type of tough guy that this team was known for having on defense several years ago. He was widely considered one of the top overall prospects going into the 2010 season.
21. Cleveland Browns: DT Phil Taylor - He will help plug up running lanes no matter what defensive scheme the Browns run. I actually like him in the 4-3 more than the 3-4 as he reminds me of the Vikings' Pat Williams a lot.
22. Indianapolis Colts: OT Anthony Castonzo - Definitely fills a need and could turn out to be a very good left tackle very quickly.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OG Danny Watkins - This 26 year-old rookie should start immediately and help bring some consistency to the position.
24. New Orleans Saints: DE Cam Jordan - The Saints had their pick of quality talent here and taking Jordan seems like a great fit for them. He should at least be a steady player for the next ten years.
25. Seattle Seahawks: OL James Carpenter - Lots of upside as a guard or tackle, Carpenter is a huge prospect (6'4" 324 lbs) with the feet to mirror pass-rushers. I think he is going to end up being a pro-bowl caliber guard.
26. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jonathan Baldwin - Another reach in my opinion, but his size (6'5" 228 lbs) and skills are much needed assets at the position for KC.
27. Baltimore Ravens: CB Jimmy Smith - A strange pick as the team technically missed their pick at #26 and then had to wait a turn. Smith is a top 20 talent with some character concerns. Maybe some quality time with John Harbaugh, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed will do him some good.
28. New Orleans Saints: RB Mark Ingram -Well, after spending a 2012 first round pick to move up and get Ingram here, it is evident that the team really believes it got a steal in Jordan four picks earlier. The NFC South is really shaping up to be a very interesting division.
29. Chicago Bears: OT Gabe Carimi - No doubt the Bears need help on the O-line and they feel lucky to have Carimi fall to them. There were no decent receivers worth taking here.
30. New York Jets: DL Muhammad Wilkerson - A big guy that should make a nice end in the 3-4 with his power and agility.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Cam Heyward - I love this pick as Heyward fits the mold of a classic Steelers' end that can stand up linemen, chase down ballcarriers, and occasionally punish the opposing QB.
32. Green Bay Packers: OT Derek Sherrod - A quality pick for the Super Bowl champs as Sherrod not only fills a need, but he fills it with a large frame (6'5" 320 lbs). He also has the feet to be an effective pass-protector and should team with last year's first round pick, OT Bryan Bulaga, to give Aaron Rodgers some quality protection for a long time.
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