And as I’ve stated plenty of times recently, I think it’s important for a potential top pick — especially a quarterback — to create a marketable media buzz before a franchise makes such a steep financial commitment. Don’t take Gabbert out of the running for the top pick, but his hype has simmered, which indicates the Panthers probably aren’t leaning in his direction.
Let’s open up Mock Draft VIII, the eighth edition of 13 mock drafts that will run every Thursday until April 28.
1. Carolina Panthers
2010 Record: 2-14
Needs: Quarterback, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, guard, wide receiver, tight end, defensive end
The Pick: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton
Previous Pick: Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers
Analysis: Newton is the top pick for the second consecutive week, but it’s nowhere close to a sure thing.
2. Denver Broncos
2010 Record: 4-12
Needs: Defensive end, cornerback, safety, outside linebacker
The Pick: Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus
Previous Pick: Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers
Analysis: This should be down to Dareus, Bowers, Robert Quinn and Von Miller, in no particular order. Dareus has been the pick here for some time.
3. Buffalo Bills
2010 Record: 4-12
Needs: Quarterback, tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker, tight end, cornerback, safety
The Pick: Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller
Analysis: The Bills will probably have their sights set on the same players as the Broncos, but Buffalo needs a straight-line pass rusher more than anything.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
2010 Record: 4-12
Needs: Defensive end, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, inside linebacker, safety
The Pick: North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn
Analysis: Quinn and Carlos Dunlap would be quite a controversial pair as the bookends on Cincinnati’s defensive line, but they’d also have the potential to combine for at least 20 sacks every single year.
5. Arizona Cardinals
2010 Record: 5-11
Needs: Quarterback, left tackle, guard, outside linebacker, cornerback
The Pick: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson
Analysis: This should either be Peterson or Von Miller, but don’t count out Blaine Gabbert, either.
6. Cleveland Browns
2010 Record: 5-11
Needs: Wide receiver, tackle, guard, defensive end, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, cornerback, safety
The Pick: Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green
Analysis: It would be surprising if Green isn’t the first wideout off the board, but if the Browns go with Julio Jones, quarterback Colt McCoy will be throwing to a guy who beat him in the 2010 national championship.
7. San Francisco 49ers
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, defensive end, safety, wide receiver
The Pick: Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert
Previous Pick: Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara
Analysis: If Gabbert is the real deal, don’t expect him to fall past Jim Harbaugh here. If Harbaugh goes in another direction, it’s for one of two reasons: Gabbert isn’t that good, or Harbaugh is planning to mortgage an arsenal of draft picks to take Andrew Luck in 2012.
8. Tennessee Titans
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, inside linebacker, defensive end, guard
The Pick: Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers
Previous Picks: Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley
Analysis: Bowers and Robert Quinn are the two best 4-3 defensive ends in the draft class, so the Titans would be happy to land one of them. If Bowers’ issues are truly concerning, though, the Titans will look at Aldon Smith.
9. Dallas Cowboys
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Tackle, defensive end, guard, safety, cornerback
The Pick: Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley
Previous Pick: Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, Colorado tackle Nate Solder
Analysis: Fairley has seemed to regain some solidarity to his draft stock after his post-combine plunge, but a slide to No. 9 isn’t anything too alarming due to the talent in the top 10.
10. Washington Redskins
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, right tackle, wide receiver, right guard, cornerback, safety, defensive end
The Pick: USC tackle Tyron Smith
Previous Pick: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton
Analysis: Smith is the responsible pick. He could probably go as high as No. 6 to Cleveland.
