Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers, Von Miller and Patrick Peterson were all indestructible at one point, but their exposed flaws have opened the door for Cam Newton and Marcell Dareus. This process is all about riding the momentum, especially with more than a month remaining before the draft, and things tend to settle down a little more in the last couple of weeks.
Let's open up Mock Draft VI, the sixth 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: Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers
Previous Pick: Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley
Analysis: By the time this is all said and done, this could definitely be Cam Newton, but for right now, let's stay with Bowers.
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: Dareus is intriguing because he projects to succeed in both the 3-4 and 4-3. The Broncos are switching to a 4-3 this season, but they've still got 3-4 personnel, which makes Dareus even more valuable to them.
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: Former NFL scout Dave Razzano tweeted that Miller reminds him of Jets bust Vernon Gholston, so that's fairly horrifying. Razzano said Miller doesn't always have a high motor, can get eaten up at the line and doesn't chase down the ball carrier. But that's a stark contrast to everyone else who has fallen in love with Miller since the Senior Bowl.
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: The Bengals need to get back to their 2009 formula of playing hard-nosed, physical football, and Quinn's addition to the front line would help them get to that point.
5. Arizona Cardinals
2010 Record: 5-11
Needs: Quarterback, left tackle, guard, outside linebacker, cornerback
The Pick: LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson
Analysis: Peterson was an elite returner in college, but would a team really want their top-five pick to be returning kicks and punts? Maybe not.
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: Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the class of the AFC North, have subpar cornerbacks, so Green should give the Browns an advantage in that area.
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: After Cam Newton's week of hype, it would be surprising if Gabbert was the first quarterback off the board, but he seems to fit Jim Harbaugh's style better than Newton. Plus, Hollywood might be too close to San Francisco for the 49ers' liking.
8. Tennessee Titans
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, inside linebacker, defensive end, guard
The Pick: Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley
Previous Picks: Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus
Analysis: Fairley's light frame is a little scary, but it's not like he was playing against toothpicks in the SEC. The talent is there, even if he's no longer viewed as a strong candidate for the top pick.
9. Dallas Cowboys
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Tackle, defensive end, guard, safety, cornerback
The Pick: USC tackle Tyron Smith
Previous Pick: Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, Colorado tackle Nate Solder
Analysis: The Cowboys' season was long gone before Tony Romo went down in 2010, but Jerry Jones has to limit the chances of that happening again. This might speak to the quality of the offensive linemen in this draft class, but it's not often you get a chance to take the top-rated tackle with the ninth pick.
10. Washington Redskins
2010 Record: 6-10
Needs: Quarterback, right tackle, wide receiver, right guard, cornerback, safety, defensive end
The Pick: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton
Previous Pick: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett
Analysis: If the Redskins take Newton, it might be worthwhile for them to keep Donovan McNabb for another year or so. If that's the case and the rookie scale isn't in place for this draft class, they could have two quarterbacks on the roster with upwards of $100 million in contracts.
