Sunday, April 10, 2011

Now On The Clock: Picks 1-4

From this point on I will be officially starting my mock draft by predicting four picks with each post, up until draft day. After painstaking research on each position group, I am finally ready to start speculating on how things will shape up in this year's draft!

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton. QB. Auburn
This is with out question one of the toughest drafts to predict in recent memory. Unlike in recent years, there is certainly no clear cut #1 pick and the Panthers could go a couple different ways with this pick. If you read my QB rankings you know I'm not too high on Newton, but my opinions on him clearly will make no difference on where he gets drafted. From everything I've been reading and hearing lately, Carolina is leaning towards Newton at this point which is a very logical pick for them. The Panthers will look to scrap the Jimmy Clausen after just one season, and hand the reigns over to Newton to lead the franchise out of the cellars and back to prominence. Newton's mobile style of play, will give Carolina's offense a whole new look, and it will be interesting to see if he starts immediately or if he will be eased into the starting lineup over time.


2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus. DT. Alabama 
It is very clear that the Broncos need help on the defensive side of the ball. A lot of help. One of the Broncos biggest needs in the draft is at D-line and Dareus will fit in perfectly in their 4-3 defense that new head coach John Fox is bringing back to Denver. Dareus is a very solid, low risk, pick here who would fill a big hole for the Broncos. I could also see them going for Auburn's DT Nick Fairley, and it will ultimately come down to who they have higher on their big board, whom I assume is Dareus. 


3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller. OLB. Texas A&M 
The Bills biggest hole is at offensive tackle, but unfortunately there is no prospects at tackle this year that are worthy of the number three spot. On the bright side the Bills have a lot of holes, and Von Miller would take care of one of their next biggest holes (outside linebacker) very nicely. The Bills are shaky at QB and should take a hard look at Blaine Gabbert with this pick, but in the end I think Ryan Fitzpatrick did enough last season to warrant himself one more shot as starting signal caller for the Bills. Also look out for Patrick Peterson here as another valid option. 



4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green. WR. Georgia 
I don't necessarily think this is the right move for the Bengals, but if I had to bet on someone right now to be there top pick it would have to be Green. Carson Palmer vowed to never take a snap as QB for the Bengals again, both TO and Ocho Cinco seem to be on there way out of town, and all is wrong in 'Nati. Here's what taking Green at this spot does to help turn things around. First off, it gives fans one the most exciting playmakers in this year's draft to gawk over. Secondly, and more importantly, it greatly increases the Bengals chances of luring in a free agent QB like Donovan McNabb, Vince Young, or Kevin Kolb. 






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