MOCK DRAFT FIRST ROUND>>>DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER PETER FUERTES PREDICTS WHO GOES WHERE TODAY:
2. DENVER BRONCOS — Marcell Dareus, Alabama, DTShould take Champ Bailey clone and replacement in LSU CB Patrick Patterson,but most mocks have Broncos taking Tide’s run-stuffing monster.
3. BUFFALO BILLS — Von Miller, Texas A&M, LBPass-rushing specialist been moving up lately, Bills better hope Milleris not the next Quentin Coryatt should they take him.
4. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Blaine Gabbert, Missouri, QBBengals owner Mike Brown continues his spitting contest with Carson Palmer.But with Palmer all but a goner, this selection is a necessity.
5. ARIZONA CARDINALS — Robert Quinn, North Carolina, DE/OLBAnother player who bolstered his credentials during pro day;a pass-rushing beast.
6. CLEVELAND BROWNS — A.J. Green, Georgia, WRCardinals could take Green in No. 5 spot; if he’s here for Browns,it gives McCoy a bona-fide playmaker.
7. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Patrick Peterson, LSU, CBArguably the best — and most NFL-ready — player in the draft,Peterson gives 49ers their best cover corner since Deion Sanders.
8. TENNESSEE TITANS — Julio Jones, Alabama, WRA more-than-worthy replacement for talented but troubled receiver Kenny Britt.Jones is in the mold of Larry Fitzgerald.
9. DALLAS COWBOYS — Tyron Smith, USC, OTWould solidify an offensive line that struggled in 2010 — as Tony Romo can attest— and give Cowboys their franchise tackle.
10. WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Prince Amukamara, Nebraska, CBDefensive lineman is a need here, but Amukamara’s talent, along with uncertaintyabout Carlos Rogers’ return, is too much to pass up here.
11. HOUSTON TEXANS — Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson, DEWas hoping for Peterson or Amukamara to slip, but porous Texans defense getsNCAA’s leader in sacks last season to pair with Mario Williams.
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Jake Locker, Washington, QBPotential 2010 No. 1 pick saw his stock fall after injury-filled senior season,but Vikings are desperate for a quarterback — unless they try to makemove for Kevin Kolb or Donovan McNabb.
13. DETROIT LIONS — Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple, DLVersatile defensive lineman also has seen his stock rise.Wilkerson could create havoc with defensive lineman/franchise player Ndamukong Suh.
14. ST. LOUIS RAMS — Aldon Smith, Missouri, DE/OLBWith impact wide receivers Jones, Green gone, Ramssettle for hometown favorite to strengthen defense.
15. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Mark Ingram, Alabama, RBDolphins don’t take chance of Patriots snagging2009 Heisman winner, add to backfield with uncertainfutures of Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams.
16. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Andy Dalton, TCU, QBSurprised everyone by taking Tyson Alualu inlast year’s draft; this pick makes ittwo reaches in a row.
17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, QBScuttlebutt is they’re already preparing for life after Tom Brady;this is the type of franchise that would take a risk with playerwhose stock has plummeted with whispers about maturity, attitude.
18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS — Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, OTOne of the most underrated players of this draft, Badgers lineman should have afew All-Pros to his name once career is done.
19. NEW YORK GIANTS — Jimmy Smith, CB, ColoradoNot in the status of Peterson or Amukamara but, with the DeSean Jacksons andDez Bryants in the NFC East, Giants look for more secondary help.
20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, DEBuccaneers are elated to see Lott Trophy winner on the board, giving Raheem Morrisanother defensive weapon to add alongside last year’s No. 1 pick, Gerald McCoy.
21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Mike Pouncey, Florida, GHard-nosed offensive lineman and brother of Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey,should add nastiness to improving Chiefs.
22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Nate Solder, Colorado, OTWith Peyton Manning getting older, Colts need infusion of youth to protect franchiseQB, beginning with this right tackle who should be 10- to 15-year starter for Colts.
23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, OTAnd the run of offensive linemen continues. With any cornerbacks of worth gone,Eagles select draft’s third elite tackle prospect.
24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue, DEWith Saints ranking in bottom half in pass rush last season, they takelunchpail-type lineman with high motor.
25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Corey Liuget, Illinois, DTWould be a steal for ’Hawks to end up with Illini pass rusher, whom some believecould be a top 15 pick.
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS — Cameron Jordan, Cal, DEGM Ozzie Newsome tickled pink, or purple, over seeing pass-rusherfall to this spot.
27. ATLANTA FALCONS — Brooks Reed, Arizona, DE/OLBJohn Abraham’s not getting any younger, Jamaal Anderson continues to bedisappointing; here’s their successor on Falcons’ defensive line.
28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova, OLBill Belichick goes with this little-known, but rising prospect that could takethe place of aging Matt Light ... or departing Logan Mankins?
29. CHICAGO BEARS — Akeem Ayers, UCLA, OLBFrom Bruin to Bear: With Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher getting older, Monsters ofthe Midway could use more youth at linebacker.
30. NEW YORK JETS — Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DTDidn’t play a down last season because of NCAA sanctions, but impressed enoughduring his pro day to warrant first-round status; fills need for pass-rushing DT.
31. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Randall Cobb, Kentucky, WR/KRWith Hines Ward aging, Steelers could pair this speedster along with Mike Wallaceto form devastating combination for Ben Roethlisberger. Al Davis must be jealous.
32. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Justin Houston, Georgia, DE/OLBSuper Bowl champions get richer by adding depth to already deep defense. Houstonshould allow Clay Matthews to wreak more havoc on the pass rush.
1. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Cam Newton, Auburn, QBHe might not be the right choice, but for the star-starved Panthers, they almosthave no choice but to take the Heisman winner. A poor man’s Vince Young.
TODAYROUND 1
5 p.m. TV: ESPN,NFL Network.
FRIDAYROUNDS 2-3
3 p.m. TV: ESPN (3-5 p.m.),ESPN2 (5-7:30 p.m.), NFL Network.
SATURDAYROUNDS 4-79 a.m. TV: ESPN,NFL Network.
AkeemAyers
