NFL Mock Draft

1 Carolina Panthers – QB Cameron Newton (Auburn): 2010 second-rounder Jimmy Clausen gravely struggled in his 13 appearances (10 starts) as a rookie and the Panthers will make Newton the No. 1 pick of the Draft to add instant excitement to an offense that scored an NFL-worst 12.2 points per game.

2 Denver Broncos – DT Marcell Dareus (Alabama): The Broncos need to improve the interior of their defensive line with aging vet Jamal Williams at the top of the depth chart, and they will not pass up Dareus, who should immediately make an impact after ranking last in the NFL with just 23 sacks.

3 Buffalo Bills – OLB Von Miller (Texas A&M): The Bills had one of the most innocuous pass rushes in 2010, and adding Miller will provide the Bills the wrecking ball they desire off the edge for their 3-4 scheme.

4 Cincinnati Bengals – WR A.J. Green (Georgia): 33-year-old vet Chad OchoCinco continued to regress last season and is uncertain to return for the next campaign, so at pick No. 4 Cincinnati will select Green, who has potential to develop into one of the finest receivers in the NFL.

5 Arizona Cardinals – CB Patrick Peterson (LSU): The Cardinals won't look to address their more pressing need at outside linebacker with Von Miller off the board, and will also pass on quarterback Blaine Gabbert to select Peterson, who is the best player available at slot 5 and he should immediately improve their pass defense that ranked 23^rd in 2010.

6 Cleveland Browns – DE/OLB Robert Quinn (UNC): The needy Browns can go several ways with this pick, but will ultimately decide on Quinn, and he should make their defense far more menacing after recording just 29 sacks in 2010.

7 San Francisco 49ers – QB Blaine Gabbert (Missouri): The 49ers' top priority is at quarterback, and they will be sending a thank you note to the Cardinals for passing on Gabbert and allow them to move on from former first-round bust Alex Smith.         

8 Tennessee Titans – DT Nick Fairley (Auburn): The Titans were bullied up front last season due to a lack of size at defensive tackle, and they will be thrilled that the quick and powerful Fairley is still on the board at pick No. 8.

9 Dallas Cowboys – OT Tyron Smith (USC): Smith possesses the athleticism and toughness that Dallas loves, and they make him the No. 9 pick of the Draft with the aging Marc Colombo and unimpressive Doug Free their current starting offensive tackles on the roster.

10 Washington Redskins – WR Julio Jones (Alabama): Washington has higher needs at quarterback and nose tackle, but won't pass on a receiver of Jones' caliber at pick No. 10, especially with Santana Moss uncertain to return as a free agent. 

11 Houston Texans – CB Prince Akumamara (Nebraska): Akumamara should be a near lock if available at pick No. 11 after Houston's cornerbacks were lit up early and often in 2010 and not surprisingly finished the campaign ranked dead last in pass defense.

12 Minnesota Vikings – QB Jake Locker (Washington): While viewed as a reach, the Vikings still select Locker at pick No. 12 with a major void left at quarterback following the retirement of Brett Favre and with former receiver Joe Webb still viewed as a project.

13 Detroit Lions – OT Anthony Castonzo (Boston College): The Lions would like to add more pieces to their young up-and-coming defense, but play it safe and invest in their offensive line with Castonzo at pick No. 13 when considering that Jeff Backus is set to turn 34 in September and with Gosder Cherilus coming off microfracture knee surgery. 

14 St. Louis Rams – DT Corey Liuget (Illinois): The Rams don't trade up to land Julio Jones and decide to shore up their unstable defensive line with Corey Liuget with no receivers worthy of the No. 14 pick.

15 Miami Dolphins – C Mike Pouncey (Florida): The Dolphins have pressing needs at quarterback and running back, but opt to fill their hole at center in Pouncey with no prospects worth reaching for at either of the aforementioned positions.      

16 Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue): The Jaguars don't use much time on the clock before deciding that Kerrigan is their guy at pick No. 16 with Aaron Kampman a big question mark while coming off a second torn ACL and no intimidating pass-rushers behind the former stud on the roster.

17 New England Patriots – DE Cameron Jordan (Cal): The Patriots need to become more dominant off the edge in their 3-4 scheme, and are ecstatic that a prospect of Jordan's caliber is still on the board at slot 17, as the former Golden Bear has elite potential and he will constantly demand extra attention due to his ability to make an impact against both the run and the pass.

18 San Diego Chargers – DE J.J. Watt (Wisconsin): The Chargers miss out on Jordan by one pick, but are happy to “settle” for Watt, who also has a bright future in the NFL and will provide a needed infusion of youth and power at the position.

19 New York Giants – OTNate Solder (Colorado): The Giants only surrendered 16 sacks in 2010, but decide to invest in their future and improve their depth at offensive tackle in Solder at pick No. 19 with David Diehl set to turn 31 in September and Kareem McKenzie going on 32.    

20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson): At pick No. 20, the edge rusher-needy Buccaneers end up being the club willing to roll the dice on Bowers, who could've been a top-3 pick if not for concerns regarding his surgically-repaired knee.

21 Kansas City Chiefs – OT Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin): Branden Albert is yet to develop into a reliable left tackle and the Chiefs go with Carimi at pick No. 21 with the lack of a stable starter on the right side as well.

22 Indianapolis Colts – OT Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State): The Colts covet an upgrade at left tackle over Charlie Johnson and take a shot on Sherrod at pick No. 22, as he possesses an intriguing mix of speed and athleticism for a big man.

23 Philadelphia Eagles – CB Jimmy Smith (Colorado): Smith's toughness and physical nature appeals to the Eagles enough to select him at pick No. 23, and he should help fill a major hole at right cornerback early in his career.

24 New Orleans Saints – DE Adrian Clayborn (Iowa): The blitz-happy Saints can't pass up an imposing pass rusher like Clayborn at slot 24, and he provides a much needed jolt of youth at the position with Will Smith set to turn 30 in July and Alex Brown going on 32.

25 Seattle Seahawks – CB Aaron Williams (Texas): After rumors to the contrary, Seattle decides not to take a chance on any of the remaining quarterbacks at pick No. 25, and instead opt to address their secondary need at cornerback with the ultra-athletic Williams after ranking 27th in passing yards allowed per game in 2010.           

26 Baltimore Ravens – DE Cameron Heyward (Ohio State): The Ravens covet a vertical threat, but will add a future force at defensive end in Heyward with no receiver worth reaching for at pick No. 26.   

27 Atlanta Falcons – DE Aldon Smith (Missouri): Smith is an impressive athlete and Atlanta will scoop him up at pick No. 27 in hope that he will provide a boost to their pass rush right away and develop into a worthy successor to All-Pro John Abraham, who will turn 33 in May and is entering the final year of his contract.

28 New England Patriots – RB Mark Ingram (Alabama): The Patriots filled their biggest necessity at defensive end by nabbing Jordan at slot 17, and try to address their need for an every-down runner at pick No. 28 with Ingram, who likely impresses the club with his excellent field vision to find holes and ability to pound out tough yards in the trenches, which will help take some pressure off a less-than-stellar offensive line. 

29 Chicago Bears – DT Stephen Paea (Oregon State): Rumors have been swirling that Chicago will target a big receiver like Jonathan Baldwin (Pitt) with this pick, but they will ultimately fill a more pressing need at defensive tackle with Paea, who is an impressive athlete with rare quickness for the position.   

30 New York Jets – OLB Akeem Ayers (UCLA): The Jets covet an imposing edge rusher for their aggressive 3-4 defense, and roll the dice on the explosive Ayers, who could develop into a cornerstone for the defense if he adds strength, sharpens his instincts and limits his mistakes.     

31 Pittsburgh Steelers – OG Danny Watkins (Baylor): At pick No. 31 the Steelers add Watkins, who should immediately fill their weak spot at right guard, which saw three different starters in the role last season.  

32 Green Bay Packers – RB Mikel Leshoure (Illinois): With Ryan Grant coming off a season-ending ankle injury and third-down back Brandon Jackson uncertain to return as a free agent, Green Bay will scoop up Leshoure, who could develop into an excellent starter and will take some of the backfield burden off of 2010 late-season standout James Starks.