Ron Rivera understands how rare a player like Dareus is and opts for the most dominant and versatile defensive lineman in the draft. None of this year’s quarterbacks are worth the first overall pick. A few years from now, people will be talking about how smart a move this was. The Panthers will take their chances with Jimmy Clausen at QB for another year or draft a QB in the later rounds.
2. BRONCOS: DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
Picks one and two go DT. After seeing the immediate impact of Suh last year, teams will be jumping all over Dareus and Fairley. I’m not saying Fairly should be the number two pick, but I think it is likely to happen since the Broncos have NO ONE for the interior of the DL. Fairley is a perfect fit for their switch back to the 4-3. The Broncos will get a lot of calls on draft day for this pick.
3. BILLS: QB Cam Newton, Auburn
Ralph Wilson will fall in love with his athletic ability and hope that his star quality brings the fans back, even if this is a reach for Newton.
4. BENGALS: QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
I don’t think Carson Palmer is bluffing on his threat to retire and Bengals will be happy to get the best QB in the draft at fourth overall. AJ Green is also a big possibility here.
5. CARDINALS: LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
The Cardinals will shore up their QB position with a veteran or in the later rounds, and Von Miller is drawing comparisons to Clay Matthews. They have a bigger need at OLB than QB either way. Can you name an OLB on Arizona that isn’t Joey Porter, who will be 34 at the beginning of the season? I sure can’t.
The Browns have needed a playmaker at WR for years and have not even found anyone to replace Braylon Edwards’ mediocre production during his short career in Cleveland. Green could blossom into a top 10 receiver. His physical play reminds me a lot of Larry Fitzgerald.
7. 49ers: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
This guy might be the best player in the draft, but the NFL’s baffling bias against DBs has him falling to the seventh pick. The 49ers, much like when they got Michael Crabtree, will be more than happy to snag him.
8. TITANS: DE Robert Quinn, UNC
Despite taking a DE with their first pick last year, it is still a need for the Titans, who might lose Jason Babin to free agency. They will be more than happy to land possibly the best pass rusher in the draft, despite the fact that Quinn missed all of last season thanks to a NCAA suspension.
9. COWBOYS: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
The Cowboys were terrible against the pass last year and they are lucky to get this type of talent at cornerback. If Rob Ryan is anything like his brother, he will be clamoring for help at the cornerback position in order to effectively run his defense. Offensive line is as a huge need, but unless the Cowboys trade down, I don’t see them going in that direction with their first pick.
10. REDSKINS: DE Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson
Bowers falls to the Redskins because of questions over his knee problems despite once being thought of as the first overall pick (Sergio Kindle went from a surefire first round pick to a mid second round pick for similar reasons). However, the Redskins will not let this type of talent fall past them, even if he isn’t a great fit for their 3-4 defense.
11. TEXANS: DE/OLB Aldon Smith, Missouri
The Texans need at least one starter at OLB, two if they move Brian Cushing inside alongside DeMeco Ryans. Smith is a high energy athlete with a ton of potential who will fit right into Wade Phillips’ new 3-4 scheme.
12. VIKINGS: QB Christian Ponder, FSU
SURPRISE! This guy is flying up the draft boards and from what I have seen out of him, I think he could end up being the most productive of any of these quarterbacks. He is extremely smart, very comfortable taking snaps from under center, unlike Newton and Gabbert, and seems like he could fit well into almost any offensive scheme. His accuracy really sets him apart from the other QBs in this draft. He is the most pro-ready QB in this draft and the Vikings need someone to step in day one since they have no one at QB right now. Jake Locker takes a huge hit by losing his spot as the third best QB in this draft.
13. LIONS: OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
The Lions have been in desperate need of offensive line help for the last decade or longer and Castonzo seems to be the best OL prospect and has the most upside in this year’s draft. He used to play tight end, which shows how athletic this guy is.
14. RAMS: WR Julio Jones, Alabama
I think someone will trade up for Jones before the Rams can get to him, but for now, I have him falling to St. Louis. No one will be happier if this happens than Sam Bradford. Jones ran faster than almost everyone at his position at the combine, and the guy had a broken foot (a similar injury that had Michael Crabtree sit out of the Combine all together two years ago). That toughness and speed will make him an extremely productive player.
15. DOLPHINS: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will not be back in Miami next year, so running back will be a huge need. Ingram will be a big upgrade over both of them and could man the position for the Dolphins for years. He runs slow, but is quick and powerful, which is much more important for an NFL running back than straight-line speed anyway. However, this pick looks more and more like it could be Ryan Mallett.
16. JAGUARS: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
The Jaguars finally take a hardworking, solid player at the DE position instead of taking the risk-reward type projects that have failed them over and over at the DE position. Kerrigan will be a productive player in the NFL for a long time.
17. PATRIOTS: DE/DT Cameron Jordan
I think the Pats will break their trend of trading down and actually trade up to get a top DE or rush OLB, especially if they think there will be a rookie salary cap. However, if they keep this pick, they will jump all over Jordan. His father played tight end for the Vikings for 12 years and was selected to 6 consecutive Pro Bowls. Cameron is extremely smart and will thrive in Belichick’s defense.
18. CHARGERS: DE JJ Watt, Wisconsin
Watt is an extremely productive and high motor player who can line up all over the Charger’s defensive line that has been lacking a playmaker the last couple of years. Watt could be a top 10 pick, but I think he falls a bit because teams will be looking for pure pass rushers.
19. GIANTS: OT Tyron Smith, USC
Eli Manning threw WAY too many interceptions last year. While a lot of that had to do with the Giants’ receivers being decimated by injuries, the Giants’ aging offensive line is equally as responsible. Smith can step in day one at right tackle and has the potential to move to the left side in a few years.
20. BUCCANEERS: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
The Bucs need help at DE after drafting two DTs with their first two picks last year. An edge rusher is exactly what the youngest team in the NFL needs to take the next step to make the playoffs. Clayborn had 11.5 sacks in his junior year, but only 3.5 in his senior year. The Bucs will hope he was not a one-year wonder.
21. CHIEFS: NT Phil Taylor, Baylor
The Chiefs have a solid young defense, but a top notch, space eating nose tackle will take this defense to the next level. There are not many 330+ pound defensive linemen in this draft so I could see someone trading up to get him before the Chiefs get their hands on him.
22. COLTS: OL Nate Soldier, Colorado
Peyton Manning looked uncomfortable all of last season and that was mainly because he constantly had to be concerned that someone was sprinting full speed towards him from his blindside. The Colts have to find a left tackle in this draft and Soldier, once thought of as the top tackle prospect in this draft, is the most qualified offensive tackle left to man that position.
23. EAGLES: DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
As usual, Andy Reid refuses to take anything besides a defensive lineman or an overweight offensive lineman in the first round. Paea shocked everyone at the Combine by breaking the bench press record by lifting 225 pounds 49 times. Much like with Brodrick Bunkley in 2006, Reid will fall in love with this guy’s numbers and draft him without another thought.
24. SAINTS: DT Corey Liuget, Illinois
The Saints don’t have too many glaring needs, but they could use someone at DT to pair next to Sedrick Ellis. Liuget is one of the best 4-3 DTs in the draft, so they are lucky to get him all the way down here.
25. SEAHAWKS: OL Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
Carimi can play numerous positions on the offensive line and will be a day one starter for the Seahawks where ever they see fit. Quarterback is an issue, but I think they will resign Matt Hasselbeck and let Charlie Whitehurst develop another year, for whom they gave up a second round pick only a year ago.
26. RAVENS: CB Jimmy Smith, Colorado
The Ravens essentially HAVE to find a starter at CB in this draft. Smith is big and physical and is an immediate upgrade over all of the Ravens’ CBs from last year, despite all of his character concerns. If Ray Lewis and Ed Reed can’t get this guy to play at the top of his game, no one will.
27. FALCONS: Rahim Moore, UCLA
Tight end is a big need for the Falcons since Tony Gonzalez probably only has one year left in him, but unfortunately this is an extremely weak class at the tight end position. Safety is another weak group, but Moore is by far the best safety in this draft and should be able to help out the Falcon’s pass defense immediately, which was exposed in their blowout loss to the Packers.
28. PATRIOTS: OL Mike Pouncey, Florida
Twin brother of Steelers’ rookie center, Pouncey will take over Login Mankins’ spot at left guard. The Pats have to protect Brady better if they plan on breaking their recent playoff losing streak.
29. BEARS: OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi St.
Jay Cutler took an unbelievable beating last year and that is what ended up costing them a trip to the Super Bowl. Sherrod should be able to start day one of the other side of Chris Williams.
30. JETS: DE/DT Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple
The Jets’ front seven needs upgrades at all positions except for middle linebacker. Wilkerson is a bit of a project, but the Jets would be lucky to get him here because of his immense potential. He will either replace or start next to Shaun Ellis, who is a free agent.
31. STEELERS: CB Aaron Williams, Texas
As shown during the Super Bowl, the Steelers need depth at cornerback. Aaron Rodgers threw all over them with ease. If it weren’t for a few critical drops by the Packers’ receivers, the Steelers would have been blown out in that game. If the Steelers plan on beating any quarterbacks besides Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez in the playoffs, they need to improve the back end of their defense.
32. PACKERS: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
USC and UCLA join forces in Wisconsin to create a dominant pass rush. Clay Matthews needs someone on the other side of the field from him rushing the passer and Ayers can take over that spot immediately. These two could rival James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley as the top OLB tandem in the NFL.
***NOTES: I think a team at the top of round 2 will trade up to get either Jake Locker or Ryan Mallet in the first round, but the teams in the second half of round one have bigger needs elsewhere that I just can’t see them taking a risk on one of these quarterbacks. Look for Cardinals, Titans, 49ers, and Redskins fighting for these two at the top of round 2 or trading up to pick them.
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