1)Carolina Panthers (2-14)
Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)
It’s hard for me not to put Alabama’s DT Marcell Dareus right here, but we need to look at the facts right now. Fact number one: John Fox is the type of coach that believes that you build your team around your defense, and you have a solid quarterback to manage the offense. The game has changed and we are in a League where it’s QB driven and you have to be more balanced with the ability to attack in the air, rather than being conservative.
Fact number 2: Cam Newton has a lot of upsides, he has a strong arm, he is very athletic, and he has the ability to move outside the pocket and make plays with his feet. He’s a project player than can either be one of the biggest busts or biggest prizes. He has too much potential and skill set for you to pass up at the number one offense. Fact number three: the coaches have already stated they want to make Carolina an east coast version of San Diego Chargers seeing how their head coach and offensive coordinator is both from the Chargers they want somebody that can make the throws and bring a passing game like Phillip Rivers and that person right now is Cameron Newton.
2)Denver Broncos (4-12)
Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)
In my opinion, Dareus to me is the best player in the draft. He also is the safest pick along with Patrick Peterson. The Broncos defense which never made a serious impact in the past season, needs some work. Darius’ ability to rush the passer and stop the run, along with the elite players on defense can turn this team around.It also might be a possibility that the Broncos could go with Gabbert. John Fox is the new head coach in Denver this season and the last time Fox had the number two pick of the draft he grabbed defensive lineman Julius Peppers.
3)Buffalo Bills (4-12)
Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)
The Bills definitely love QB Cam Newton, DT Marcell Dareus, CB Patrick Peterson, but they have to find an answer on the offensive side at the quarterback position and that answer right now is Blain Gabbert. They would love for Cam Newton to fall to them at number three, but unless they are trading up to get in the first spot, Newton won’t be there at the third pick and the next best thing is Blain Gabbert.The positives about Gabbert are: he will be able to become a solid player in the future, probably needing grooming to get him ready for that position. He has the best footwork between the top two quarterbacks, and more NFL ready than Newton. However the thing that holds Gabbert back is his ceiling is a lot lower than Newton’s. Gabbert can be a pro-bowl QB, with 3,500-4,000 yard seasons if he is in the right offense with the right weapons. But it’s not Buffalo.
4)Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
Da’Quan Bowers (DE-Clemson)
I’m expecting the Bengals to trade up to possibly draft either Newton or Gabbert. It is possible that they will trade back some picks to get Ryan Mallet in the later 1st round, as pick up some extra picks to help them continue to build the program. Bowers stock has dropped a little after pushing back workout dates further and further. In turn, causing people to question if his knee is really 100% , and will he be able to produce on the next level. His pro day didn’t help with reports stating he looked winded and not his usual explosiveness that allowed him to lead the nation in sacks (15.5) in 2010. But even with all the questions, teams will do their research to make sure his knee is really ok. If everything goes the way it’s supposed to I can’t see Bowers dropping out of the top-10.
5)Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
Von Miller (LB, Texas A&M)
The Cardinals need a play maker on the defensive side of the ball that can make an impact and Miller is that player. He can play in a 4-3 or 3-4, he has a high football IQ, has great instincts and is also a natural playmaker. The Cardinals might also look to grab Peterson with this pick but I think Miller will get the selection.
6)Cleveland Browns (5-11)
A.J. Green (WR, Georgia)
Colt McCoy started and played in 8 games this season. He had a shaky season plagued by injuries and was also overwhelmed at the fast paced NFL level. But he showed glimpses that he could be the franchise QB for this organization but to do that he will need a target. That’s where Green comes in. He’s a solid player that has a big body that can take some hits. Green also is a great route runner and natural catcher with his hands. McCoy, Green, and Hills are a good offense to build around.
7)San Francisco 49’ers (6-10)
Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)
Peterson is the best player in the whole draft; he’s also the safest pick of the draft so it’s kind of hard to imagine him sliding down to 7th especially when every team in the top 10 can use him. Peterson is a freak of nature at 6’0, 219LBS and runs a 4.34, his hands are large, and he’s quick with great instincts and a shut down type of corner. The reason why Peterson’s stock will drop is because he stated he doesn’t want to return Kickoffs in the NFL. Mainly wanting to be just a CB but occasionally doing Punt Returns a lot of teams were looking at him for his dual threat. Peterson will automatically start when he comes in and will make the 49’ers defense a lot better and with Patrick Willis this could be a great defense in no time.
8)Tennessee Titans (6-10)
Nick Fairley (DT, Auburn)
The Titans at the 8th spot are a perfect example of drafting the best player available. They really need a defensive lineman but that’s not their top 3 needs (QB, LG, ILB) but with Fairley sitting here at the 8th spot you are getting the best person available and your also filling a need. There will be a lot of QB’s, O-Line, and LB’s in the later rounds so why not go for the best player. At the beginning of this offseason 96% of all mock drafts had Fairley as the Top-3 pick. Once Andrew Luck decided he wasn’t entering the draft 98% of all mock drafts had Fairley as the overall top pick. But his stock dropped after a shaky combine performance and also a lot of questions surrounding a player that had only one breakout year.
Fairley will instantly bring a solid run stop and pass rusher presence to the middle of this defensive line. As long as they fill some other needs on the defensive side this could be a great defense next season.
9)Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
J.J. Watt (DE, Wisconsin)
Watt is a great relentless pass rusher that will play till the end of the whistle. He will be spectacular as a DE in a 3-4 defense as a 5 technique; Watt also brings vocal leadership with strong hands and good footwork. At 6’5 290LBS having Watt at DE and Sean Lee at LB this could be a greedy fast paced defense that can get in the backfield in a hurry.
10)Washington Redskins (6-10)
Robert Quinn (DE, UNC)
The Redskins will lose Andre Carter in the offseason and if they didn’t he’s 32 years old. In the NFC East you are looking at probably the best conference for D-linemen; New York Giants (Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Barry Cofield, Jason Pierre-Paul) Dallas Cowboys (DeMarcus Spears, Jay Ratliff, Stephen Bowen) Philadelphia Eagles (Brandon Graham, Mike Patterson, Trent Cole) the Redskins have no D Line depth like the rest of the conference. Quinn will come in and bring that fast pass rush, also able to stop the run on the edges. He will become an instant impact on a struggling Redskins defense.
11)Houston Texans (6-10)
Aldon Smith (DE, Missouri)
Smith is a player that can play either 3-4 or 4-3 also has the ability to line up in the LB position if he has to. He is an excellent pass rusher with tremendous talent that the Texans will need if they want to compete for the conference title. Smith also has great footwork and quick hands that he uses well to get himself in the backfield.
12)Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
Cameron Jordan (DE, California)
Jordan is another pass rusher that does what he needs to do to get himself in the backfield. A solid player that you can build a defensive line around, very coachable and has a high football IQ.
13)Detroit Lions (6-10)
Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska)
Amukamara is a greedy, savvy, ball hawk CB, and that is exactly what the Lions need on their struggling defense. He can cover in any type of package and makes great plays off of instincts and hardly ever gets beat on the deep ball. He is a selfless player that can be a leader on the defense that will need leadership.
14)St. Louis Rams (7-9)
Julio Jones (WR, Alabama)
Julio Jones is a scary player, 6’3, 220LBS and ran a 4.39 at the combine with a fractured foot that he didn’t even know was fractured. Jones is a great route runner and can make the perfect sticks in his footwork. Arguably the best receiver in this year’s draft, his stock dropped for the reason that a lot of times he catches off his body more than his hands and also does double catches. If he can work on that, Julio Jones and Sam Bradford can be a serious combination for years to come.
15)Miami Dolphins (7-9)
Mark Ingram (RB, Alabama)
The Dolphins not only get the best RB in the draft at 15, but they also get their biggest need in the first round. Ingram is a small, powerful, and fast player with the ability to power himself through defenders or cut back and make them miss. It also seems like the perfect fit for Ingram offensive wise. He will remind a lot of fans of a stronger version of Ricky Williams when he was in his prime.
16)Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue)
Kerrigan is a workhorse-type pass rusher whose game is compared to Aaron Kampman, who would line up at the other end spot. He has good footwork and good hand movements that can get him in the backfield to touch the QB. He’s a coachable player with tremendous upside; also a good fit for what the Jaguars are trying to do defensively.
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