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The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft has come and gone, and the 2011 draft board is undergoing plenty of shuffling as the college all-star season gets underway.
That means it's time for Scouts Inc.'s second mock draft of the year, which features a new No. 1 after Stanford QB Andrew Luck decided to return to school. Defensive players, including a pair of dominating defensive linemen, make up three of the top five and six of the top 10.
Things will surely change as the all-star circuit plays out and prospects take part in the NFL combine and personal workouts, but here's how we see things at this early stage in the pre-draft process.
1. Carolina Panthers
Record: 2-14
Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
The Panthers made no secret of the fact that they would draft Stanford QB Andrew Luck if he were available, but with Luck off the board they turn their attention to their need for a pass-rusher. Bowers is the best available with his explosiveness, and he also has the strength to hold the edge against the run.
2. Denver Broncos
Record: 4-12
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Denver needs to overhaul its defensive front, and while new coach John Fox has not yet named a defensive coordinator, Fairley has the versatility to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 front. Fairley is quick, disruptive and plays with an edge, and he could not be blocked by one man during the college season.
3. Buffalo Bills
Record: 4-12
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
The Bills are in need of a franchise quarterback, and with Luck not on the board, Gabbert is the best available signal-caller. He has the physical tools and football smarts to become a very good NFL QB once he makes the full transition to a pro-style offense.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 4-12
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The Bengals need to find the heir apparent to Carson Palmer at some point but won't find him in this scenario. With Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco likely on their way out of town, Green would be an ideal replacement. He is very smooth for his size and plays the ball better than any receiver in the 2011 class.
5. Arizona Cardinals
Record: 5-11
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Another team with a quarterback need but no signal-caller worthy of its pick available, the Cardinals turn their attention to their next-biggest need. Peterson has a freakish combination of size and athleticism, plays the ball well and can also contribute in the return game.
6. Cleveland Browns
Record: 5-11
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
This is a tough call. The Browns need help at receiver and would take Green if he's available, but Quinn offers great potential as a pass-rusher despite sitting out the entire 2010 season because of off-the-field issues and would fill another big need in Cleveland.
7. San Francisco 49ers
Record: 6-10
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio brings a 3-4 scheme with him, and Dareus proved his effectiveness in three-man fronts under Nick Saban at Alabama. Dareus is quick, strong and mobile and would further upgrade a defense that already ranks in the top 10 against the run.
8. Tennessee Titans
Record: 6-10
Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Gabbert is the only quarterback in this class worthy of a top-10 grade. This is a reach for the Titans, but with the departure of Vince Young they need to find a long-term answer under center. Locker has some accuracy issues but his intangibles and work ethic are assets.
9. Dallas Cowboys
Record: 6-10
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Defenses field a lot of nickel packages in today's NFL and the Cowboys need help at corner. Mike Jenkins took a big step backward in 2010, Terence Newman isn't getting any younger and Orlando Scandrick is a No. 3 corner at best. Amukamara is fluid, has great instincts and anticipation and plays the ball well and is even versatile enough to help out at safety if needed.
10. Washington Redskins
Record: 6-10
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
This is another reach for a quarterback, but the Redskins have parted ways with Donovan McNabb, and Rex Grossman is clearly not the answer. There's no doubt Newton has the physical tools, and coach Mike Shanahan and his staff believe in their ability to develop quarterbacks, but he's still a long-term project as a pro-style passer.
11. Houston Texans
Record: 6-10
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
There is a lot of talk about the Texans becoming more versatile in their fronts, and while Miller played end in college we believe he is a good fit as a SAM linebacker in a 4-3 or an inside linebacker in a 3-4. He is a freakish athlete who plays sideline-to-sideline against the run, has upside in coverage and can get after the quarterback as a blitzing linebacker.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Record:6-10
Tyron Smith, OT, USC
This was one of the hardest projections to make. The Vikings need a quarterback and a safety but there are none on the board worthy of this pick, and GM Rick Spielman is not going to reach for a player who doesn't belong. Offensive line is not Minnesota's biggest need but Smith is emerging as the top offensive tackle in the class with his natural feet and athleticism, and you can never go wrong drafting good offensive linemen.
13. Detroit Lions
Record: 6-10
Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Jeff Backus isn't getting any younger and Gosder Cherilus has been nicked up, and while offensive tackle isn't a top need, the Lions would get a big, naturally talented player who could be the long-term answer at tackle when Backus moves along.
14. St. Louis Rams
Record: 7-9
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Jones is a big, physical receiver who can run. He came into his own in 2010 and is ready to contribute right away, and he would give second-year QB Sam Bradford another weapon on a rapidly improving offense.
15. Miami Dolphins
Record: 7-9
Mike Pouncey, C, Florida
Mike is not quite as good as his brother Maurkice, who has solidified Pittsburgh's interior offensive line and is one of the top rookies in the league, but the Dolphins need help on the interior and Mike is ready to start right now. The Dolphins need a running back as well, but as much as we like Mark Ingram, this is too high for him.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 8-8
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
We have a second-round grade on Mallett. Others might disagree with our evaluation, but the Jaguars have a quarterback need and Mallett is the only remaining quarterback on the board who appears to have starting potential. If Mallett should get past this pick there's a strong chance he won't come off the board until Day 2.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland)
Record: 14-2
Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The Patriots have a lot of options here but Kerrigan fits their mold of a player with the height and bulk to play outside linebacker and get after the quarterback in their 3-4 scheme. He's not an exceptional athlete, but Kerrigan is instinctive and relentless.
18. San Diego Chargers
Record: 9-7
Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
The San Diego defense has not been the same since Shawne Merriman was injured and eventually released. Larry English has been a disappointment and Ayers would fill the Chargers' need for a 5-technique who can get after the passer.
19. New York Giants
Record: 10-6
Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
After studying tape of Liuget we feel he's not far behind Fairley and Dareus among defensive tackles. The Giants have spent a lot of money on ends and pass-rushers in recent years, and Liuget would help provide a strong presence in the middle as an every-down defensive tackle.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 10-6
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Tampa Bay has a lot of needs along the defensive front seven but there's not a traditional 4-3 linebacker worth taking here, so Clayborn makes sense with his strength. He would team with DTs Gerald McCoy and Brian Price to form one of the best young defensive lines in the league.
21. Kansas City
Record: 10-6
Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
Kansas City needs a pass-rusher opposite Tamba Hali and Smith is one of the more underrated players in this draft. He's a little undersized for a 4-3 end but is a perfect fit at outside linebacker in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense.
22. Indianapolis Colts
Record: 10-6
Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Castonzo needs to develop his overall skill set a bit and get stronger in the lower body, but given how desperate the Colts are for linemen who can protect Peyton Manning, this pick makes sense.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 10-6
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
The Eagles have been up-and-down with their offensive line picks in recent years, but while Carimi has some limitations athletically there is little doubt in my mind he's NFL-ready and will be a quality starter at right tackle for the next 10 years. He's the most technically sound and consistent lineman in this year's class.
24. New Orleans Saints
Record: 11-5
Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
New Orleans continues to look for upgrades along the front seven, and while Paea is not a pass-rusher he is tough to move and would make the Saints more stout against the run, offering a good complement to current DT Sedrick Ellis.
25. Seattle Seahawks
Record: 7-9
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Seattle has a lot of positions to upgrade but no truly glaring need, and Watt offers good value here. Some feel his best fit is as a 5-technique in a 3-4, but given the way he is always on the move I think he's better off at left end in a 4-3 front like the one the Seahawks run.
26. Baltimore Ravens
Record: 12-4
Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Heyward proved in the Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas that he is a versatile playmaker when motivated. He would be a nice addition to an already-strong defensive line and a good complement to Terrell Suggs on the opposite end.
27. Atlanta Falcons
Record: 13-3
Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Houston played a hybrid role in college and could be a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he makes sense here as the heir apparent to DE John Abraham. Houston would help the aging Abraham stay fresh and have the chance to develop his skill set.
28. New England Patriots
Record: 14-2
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Running back is not necessarily a need and this is a bit of a luxury pick, but if the Patriots get a pass-rusher at No. 18 it would be hard for them to pass on the best running back in the draft.
29. Green Bay Packers
Record: 10-6
Cameron Jordan, DE, California
The Packers have a ridiculous amount of talent at linebacker and Jordan would help them become more stout along the defensive front. He is an underrated prospect with the strength to hold the edge and make plays.
30. Chicago Bears
Record: 11-5
Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
Tommie Harris has not taken the next step to become an elite force, and the Bears are always looking for smaller, quicker defensive linemen who fit their scheme. Nevis could provide depth while preparing to step into a starting role. Chicago needs an offensive tackle but the talent dropoff is significant after the top four and no available tackle is worth this pick.
31. New York Jets
Record: 11-5
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
Veteran NT Kris Jenkins has played only seven games during the past two seasons and the Jets cannot count rely on him to be a constant presence in the middle of their defense. Taylor has the size to anchor in the middle and good feet for a 350-pounder.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 12-4
Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
Ijalana might be a bit of a surprise here but he has good physical tools and a lot of upside. A lack of depth along the offensive line has become an issue for the Steelers, and assuming Ijalana checks out medically after playing with some nagging injuries he would offer help in that area while preparing to step into a full-time role.