1. Panthers: Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn.
Newton presents bust factor, but he's the most dominant talent in the draft at the sport's most important position. The Panthers are leaning toward a quarterback with the No. 1 overall selection, and Newton outplayed Blaine Gabbert by a massive margin at the college level.
2. Broncos: Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock reported this week that "everybody in the league" believes it would be an "upset" if the Broncos didn't use the No. 2 pick on Dareus. The best defensive tackle in the draft according to Mayock, Warren Sapp, and Rob Rang, Dareus is a no-brainer pick for Denver.
3. Bills: Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A&M.
Chan Gailey sent out indications at last week's owners meetings that he's head over heels for Newton and Blaine Gabbert. We're not buying it from a coach who specializes in turning non-premium quarterbacks into productive passers. Miller is everything that Aaron Maybin isn't..
4. Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri.
If Carson Palmer skips the season (likely) and there's no pre-draft free agency (also likely), who's going to play quarterback in Cincinnati? Palmer is in physical decline anyhow, so even stubborn Bengals owner Mike Brown can't afford to pass on perhaps the highest-rated passer in the draft.
5. Cardinals: Robert Quinn, linebacker, North Carolina.
Arizona has made its interest in Gabbert clear, but he's not getting by the Bills and Bengals after the Panthers draft Newton first. The Cardinals' pick then comes down to Patrick Peterson and Quinn, and the latter plays a more needy position while also offering a higher long-term upside.
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