Below is my sixth annual mock draft on Buffalobills.com. As I state every year I don't claim to know any more than the collection of other prognosticators who put a mock draft together. This is just how I think things could pan out in round one. As always, my intent here is to be informative and entertaining. As we all know anyone would be fortunate to hit on a third of the actual picks.
Team | Top 3 Needs | Possible Selections |
1. Carolina | DL, WR, QB | |
Top choice:QB Cam Newton - Auburn
DT Marcell Dareus
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New head coach Ron Rivera is a defensive guy at his core, but in the QB dominated NFC South he needs a difference maker.
2. Denver | DL, LB, OT | Top choice:LB Von Miller - Texas A&M DT Marcell Dareus |
Broncos' head coach John Fox could have double pass rush threat pairing Miller with Dumervil. |
3. Buffalo | DL, QB, LB | Top choice:DT Marcell Dareus - Alabama CB Patrick Peterson |
The Bills can address their 32nd ranked run defense with the most complete defensive lineman in the class. |
4. Cincinnati | QB, WR, ILB | Top choice: QB Blaine Gabbert - Missouri WR A.J. Green |
The Bengals need a contingency plan for Carson Palmer's seemingly inevitable departure. |
5. Arizona | QB, OLB, OT | Top choice: OLB Robert Quinn – North Carolina CB Patrick Peterson |
The Cards land the heir apparent to Joey Porter. |
6. Cleveland | DE, WR, CB | |
Top choice:DL Nick Fairley - Auburn
CB Patrick Peterson
A scheme-versatile pass rushing talent, Fairley will help harass opposing QBs. |
7. San Francisco | CB, DT, QB | |
Top choice:CB Patrick Peterson - LSU
DE Da'Quan Bowers
The 49ers get a tremendous value and address a pressing need at the same time. |
8. Tennessee | DT, LB, QB | Top choice: DT Corey Liuget - Illinois DE Da'Quan Bowers |
Titans go with best value that meets their positional needs. |
9. Dallas | OT, CB, DL | Top choice:OT Tyron Smith - USC DL Cameron Jordan |
Cowboys invest long term in their offensive line. |
10. Washington | QB, WR, NT | Top choice:WR A.J. Green - Georgia DE Da'Quan Bowers |
Redskins can't resist opportunity to add number one receiving target. |
11. Houston | OLB, S, NT | Top choice:DE Da'Quan Bowers - Clemson OLB Aldon Smith – Missouri |
Bowers might not be a perfect fit in Houston's 3-4 scheme, but they need another pass rusher. |
12. Minnesota | QB, DL, OT | Top choice: DE Cameron Jordan - Cal OT Anthony Castonzo |
Head coach Leslie Frazier addresses defensive front, which has quickly become long in the tooth. |
13. Detroit | OLB, OT, CB | Top choice:OLB Aldon Smith - Missouri CB Prince Amukamara |
The Lions need a top flight pass rusher just a bit more desperately than a number one corner. |
14. St. Louis | WR, OLB, DT | Top choice:WR Julio Jones - Alabama |
The Rams cannot believe their good fortune with Jones still on the board. |
15. Miami | OL, RB, QB | |
Top choice:OT Anthony Castonzo – BC
DE J.J. Watt
The Dolphins get a book end to line up opposite Jake Long. |
16. Jacksonville | LB, OL, CB | Top choice: CB Prince Amukamara - Nebraska DE Ryan Kerrigan |
The Jaguars gave up a ton of big plays in the passing game and get a good value for the secondary. |
17. New England | OLB, DE, WR | Top choice:DE J.J. Watt - Wisconsin G Mike Pouncey |
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The Patriots re-fortify a defensive line that was left shorthanded by injury in 2010.
18. San Diego | OLB, DE, CB | |
Top choice:G Mike Pouncey - Florida
DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan
With no ideal front seven value for San Diego's 3-4 defense, Chargers address OL interior. |
19. NY Giants | OL, OLB, DT | Top choice:OL Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin DT Muhammad Wilkerson |
Giants need infusion of youth on O-line and Carimi offers tackle-guard versatility. |
20. Tampa Bay | DE, OLB, CB | Top choice:DE Ryan Kerrigan - Purdue DE Adrian Clayborn |
Bucs get big time producer for their moribund pass rush. |
21. Kansas City | OLB, NT, WR | Top choice:OLB Akeem Ayers – UCLA NT Phil Taylor |
A perfect complement to Pro Bowl pass rusher Tamba Hali, Ayers could be mentored by Mike Vrabel. |
22. Indianapolis | OT, DT, SS | Top choice: OT Nate Solder - Colorado DT Phil Taylor |
The Colts need help up front. Their pick will hinge on which side of the line the better value lies. |
23. Philadelphia | CB, OL, OLB | Top choice:CB Jimmy Smith - Colorado DE Adrian Clayborn |
Smith represents quality value here and addresses much needed help in coverage. |
24. New Orleans | DL, OLB, SS | Top choice:DE Adrian Clayborn - Iowa DT Phil Taylor |
The Saints veteran pass rushers are past their prime. It's time for a youth movement. |
25. Seattle | OL, DL, QB | |
Top choice:DT Phil Taylor - Baylor
QB Jake Locker
Seahawks surprise and address run front beset with injuries adding a true space eater. |
26. Baltimore | CB, OLB, OT | Top choice:OT Derrick Sherrod – Mississippi St. DT Muhammad Wilkerson |
With cornerback value lacking, the need at offensive tackle is simply too great to ignore. |
**27. San Francisco | DT, QB | |
Top choice:QB Jake Locker - Washington
DT Muhammad Wilkerson
With 12 total picks, 49ers surrender 2nd and 3rd to move back into first in deal with Atlanta and get Jim Harbaugh an athletic quarterback to work with. |
28. New England | OL, WR, RB | Top choice: OLB Justin Houston - Georgia G Danny Watkins |
Patriots go defense again to improve the pass rush with plans on trading top pick in round 2. |
29. Chicago | OT, DT, G | Top choice:DT Muhammad Wilkerson - Temple G Danny Watkins |
With no offensive tackle value here, Bears address their defensive interior with best value on the board. |
30. NY Jets | DL, CB, LB | Top choice: DE Cameron Heyward – Ohio St. OLB Brooks Reed |
The Jets address an aging defensive line with the quintessential 3-4 end in Heyward. |
31. Pittsburgh | OL, CB, DL | Top choice:G Danny Watkins - Baylor CB Aaron Williams |
Steelers can have a solid interior for years to come with the addition of native Canadian. |
32. Green Bay | DE, OT, RB | |
Top choice: RB Mark Ingram - Alabama
CB Aaron Williams
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Ingram is a good value and a perfect complement to the slashing James Starks.