NICK's MOCK - 1.0

1. Carolina Panthers - QB Cam Newton (Auburn) - Wow, the new regime in Carolina believes the ceiling is too high on this kid to pass up! Newton becomes the first NCAA player to go pro and take a significant pay cut. :) Big, Strong, Quick, No Character, and not accurate with the football, somewhere Al Davis sobs that he didn't have the #1 overall pick this year. Cam is the closest thing to a " boom or bust" pick as there is in this draft.
2. Denver Broncos - CB Patrick Peterson ( LSU) - With John Elway's public distaste for Tim Tebow, I was tempted to go QB Blaine Gabbert at this spot, however I couldn't logically see a team with 2 starting Qbs on its roster drafting another one at #2. Peterson is a true shut down cornerback. He has it all to become one of the all time greats at the position. Imagine the impact that D.Revis had for the Jets, if the Jets have "Revis Island" The Broncos will have "Peterson Peninsula"
3. Buffalo Bills - WR A.J. Green ( Georgia) - Gaping Holes on defense, Check ! Unproven QB, Check ! Despite all of that the Bills go offense again this year in round one. The extremely gifted and acrobatic Green gives the Bills something they have lacked since Eric Moulds in his prime, a legit #1 Wideout. I believe Gailey's coaching staff is content enough with Fitzpatrick's play last year that they want to try to build around it as opposed to drafting a QB that isn't any further along at this point.

4. Cincinnati Bengals - QB Blaine Gabbert ( Mizzou) - Its my firm belief that Carson Palmer will never don a Bengal uniform again. The Bengal faithful get a large, mobile QB with a lot of tools, but Blaine is still a couple years away from being ready to start and make an impact. If coached correctly and brought along slowly Gabbert could become a Franchise quarterback for a decade.

5. Arizona Cardinals - OLB/DE Robert Quinn ( UNC) - The secret is out, the second biggest problem the cards had last season besides Kurt Warner's retirement was the total lack of pass rush. Quinn is a rare specimen that should be a star at the NFL level.

6. Cleveland Browns - DT Nick Fairley ( Auburn) - Fairley was the best player on the field for the entire Nat'l championship and literally any game Auburn played last season. Although the browns have more pressing needs, Nick is a top 3 talent with Warren Sapp ability and the Browns should be giddy to land him at #6 overall.

7. San Francisco 49ers - CB Prince Amukamara ( Nebraska) - I think this is a little high to pick Prince, but he was a very productive player for the Huskers and his combine numbers were very impressive for a corner of his size. The Niners opt for a QB in Round 2 and snatch Prince before the longtime Rival Cowboys are able to land him at Pick #9.

8. Tennessee Titans - DT Marcell Dareus ( Alabama) - Big , Strong, well coached and fills a major need for the Titans. Dareus gives them a tackle with BEEF, Jason Jones is a fine player but a bit undersized vs the run. Dareus pairs with last years first round pick Derrick Morgan and Free agent pickup of the year Jason Babin to form a very nice defensive front.

9. Dallas Cowboys - OT Tyron Smith ( USC) - This is not a sexy pick for the Cowboys, but if this pick is anything other than Offensive Tackle the cowboys might as well just forget it. They have invested a ton of money in Tony Romo and the guy spends more time on his back than Jenna Jamison. Romo will be all over Jerry Jones for some O Line help.

10. Washington Redskins - WR Julio Jones ( Alabama) - Shanny looks to find another Brandon Marshall/ Rod Smith for his offensive system in our Nations Capital . If he can work refining his hands and route running, then Julio could be exactly what the doctor ordered. A big physical specimen with elite straight line speed ( 6'3" 220lbs ) he ran the 40 in 4.39 seconds. One has to wonder with this unique skill set why didn't he create more separation from DBs in his time in Tuscaloosa ? Possibly Nick Saban's run first offense?

11. Houston Texans - DE/ OLB Von Miller ( Texas A&M) - Von Miller is highly touted Big 12 - All conference selection. When I watched him in games he was hit or miss however when he hit, it was big time. Hopefully for the Texans sake new D Coordinator Wade Phillips can take this local state product and channel his inner Demarcus Ware.

12. Minnesota Vikings - DE Da'quan Bowers ( Clemson) - Once the #1 HS recruit in the nation Bowers tapped into his enormous bag of skills for the Tigers in 2010 registering an NCAA leading 15.5 sacks. Bowers is just reaching his potential if the Vikings are able to land him they should thank their lucky stars.

13. Detroit Lions - OT Anthony Costonzo ( BC) - The Lions are in desperate need at Tackle, much like my previous Cowboys pick the Lions have a major investment at the quarterback position. Costonzo is a hard nosed tackle that can play either tackle position.

14. St. Louis Rams - DT Corey Liuget ( Illinois) - Rams brass would love for one of the premier wide receivers to fall, but that is highly unlikely. The defensive minded coach Spags continues to fortify the young defense with a highly talented defensive tackle. Liuget is LEGIT and is a not too distant 3rd rated D-tackle in this years class.

15. Miami Dolphins - RB Mark Ingram ( Alabama) - Since every other mock draft in America went with Ingram I have been hesitant to make this selection. However with the uncertainty of the current running back situation the phins should do tricks in the pool to land the physical ground machine that is Mark Ingram. The former Heisman winner should fit in nicely in South Beach.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Cameron Jordan ( CAL ) - For the second year in a row the Jags use their first round pick on a D lineman from CAL. Although it seems that every year I have been on the planet the Jags have drafted a D lineman they do it again. Jordan should be a nice compliment to the other young lineman in Jacksonville.

17. New England Patriots - DE JJ Watt ( Wisconsin) - Man alive this pick reeks of the Pats. If you watched any minute of a Badger game last year you would notice the large white guy with a relentless motor. Great fit in New England. Great Pick here.

18. San Diego Chargers - DE Cameron Heyward ( Ohio State) - Ironhead's son was a consistent performer at The Ohio State. He is versatile and will give the chargers defensive front a little more giddy up. He dominated the Sugar Bowl ( hello Ryan Mallet)

19. NY Giants - OT Gabe Carmini ( Wisconsin) - What can I say there are a lot of teams that need Tackle help. Carmini is another solid big10 tackle to come out. Not amazing at anything, but should grow into a solid starting tackle.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OLB Akeem Ayers ( UCLA) - A speedy play making linebacker that never quite kept up the consistency at UCLA. However his game may be tailor fitted for the NFL. The young talent is starting to stack up for a very good looking Bucs squad.

21. Kansas City Chiefs - OLB/DE Ryan Kerrigan ( Purdue ) - The Chiefs have some holes and really need a relentless pass rusher opposite pro bowler Tamba Hali. Kerrigan was a total animal and has good measurables. Does he have the footwork to play 3-4 OLB in the league. The scouts say yes, and I have to agree. Another nice piece for an improving defense in KC.

22. Indianapolis Colts - OT Nate Solder (Colorado) - We finally get to see what Peyton can do with a little bit of time on his hands. Nate Solder is in my opinion the best pure Left Tackle in the draft. Great feet as a former TE, plays with a mean streak that you look for. The Ceiling in through the roof on this kid.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Jimmy Smith ( Colorado) - Wow, when was the last time you saw back to back Buffs taken in the 1st round ? ... Me either ! Jimmy Smith is multi-skilled cover corner with good size and speed. He should be a very solid starting corner for a long time.

24. New Orleans Saints - DE Adrian Clayborn ( Iowa) - Clayborn was a tad overrated last year, but is still a talented player with good hands and should be a nice rotation player in New Orleans. He could benefit in the Big Easy learning from all pro Will Smith.

25. Seattle Seahawks - QB Ryan Mallet ( Arkansas) - The Seahawks could go a million different ways on this pick, but I think that Ryan Mallets huge arm and tremendous upside are just too much for the offensive minded Pete Carrol to pass up. Mallet becomes the new face of the franchise in the Pacific Northwest.

26. Baltimore Ravens - CB Brandon Harris ( Miami) - I really believe that Mike Pouncey could be the pick here because that is truly an Ozzie Newsome pick. However I think the pressing need at the CB position will be just too much for the Secondary starved Ravens to resist. Harris could benefit from playing along side all of the vets on this Raven defense.

27. Atlanta Falcons - TE Kyle Rudolph ( Notre Dame ) - I love this pick! Rudolph is a monster TE with big play ability. With the ageless Tony G getting up there, Rudolph will fill in as a Redzone and double TE weapon and then slide into the starter roll when Tony retires.

28. New England Patriots - G/C Mike Pouncey ( Florida) - Another Phenomenal value pick for the Pats! This guy is every bit as talented as his brother and will solidify the Patriots offensive line. This pick makes all the sense in the world.

29. Chicago Bears - WR Torrey Smith ( Maryland) - Smith is a stud! Don't let the lack of success from previous Maryland recievers fool you, this guy can flat out play. Folks will argue the Bears dire need at the offensive line position and Derek Sherrod could be in play here, but I think they go with an offensive weapon that they lack.

30. NY Jets -NT Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple) - The Jets could use a big clog in the middle, Jenkins is long gone and realistically they have been playing thin at this position due to injury for the past two seasons. This is a need pick.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Derek Sherrod ( Miss St) - Cornerback and Offensive Line, those are really the only weak links in the Steelers mighty armor. Sherrod is a very good player that should be able to play right away, but knowing the Steelers they wont rush him into action until he is fully prepared and ready. Pitt will use multiple mid to late round picks to try and snag a corner or two.

32. Green Bay Packers - LB Justin Houston ( Georgia) - Unbelievable that a player of his caliber and immense potential is able to fall to a team that just won the Superbowl. Houston is the perfect player to put at the OLB position opposite Clay Mathews and should cause nightmares for the offensive minds in the NFC North. The Packers close out the first round with a splash. Houston is big at 270lbs but moves well and will be very good NFL Starter.