2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Top Five Picks

It's that time of year. Bleacher Report is abuzz with mock drafts, draft analysis, and all of the articles that make April a special month for draft followers. I figured I'd do my top five mock draft and go from there. There is a surprise or two with my picks, but you'll have to read to find them out.

Without further ado, my mock draft of the top five picks.

1. Carolina Selects QB Cam Newton

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

Cam Newton going first makes all the sense in the world. Newton is a quarterback, and in the NFC South, where every team is defined by their quarterback, the Panthers need to find their team's identity with this pick.

Newton would be able to take the Panthers out of the basement with the rest of the talent on the roster.

The Panthers may well go with Patrick Peterson or Marcell Dareus here, but for a team entering a new coaching regime with Ron Rivera, this pick is about redefining a franchise.

Coming off of a 2-14 season with a combination of Jimmy Clausen, Matt Moore and Brian St. Pierre playing quarterback, Newton is the guy to bring the Panthers back to respectability.

2. Denver Selects DT Marcell Dareus

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Marcell Dareus is the top prospect on some boards, and he becomes the second defensive tackle taken second overall in the last two years. Dareus won't have an Ndamukong Suh-like impact, but he is the perfect combination of need and best available with the second pick.

With many positions other than the defensive line resolved, John Fox would love for Dareus to help lead the transition to a 4-3 front.

Jamal Williams was recently released, and the Broncos are looking for his heir apparent in the form of a 4-3 defensive tackle. Dareus fits the bill with his run-stuffing ability.

While some speculate that other defensive line prospects like Nick Fairley have higher ceilings, the Broncos can't afford another huge risk with this pick after taking Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas in the first round last year.

3. Buffalo Selects LB Von Miller

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SAINT PAUL, MN - APRIL 6: Linebacker Von Miller of Texas A&M, who is entered in this year's NFL draft, arrives for a hearing at the U.S. Courthouse on April 6, 2011 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. NFL players have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL owne

The Bills get a linebacker in Von Miller who can step in and, from day one, be the guy who the defense runs through. Miller is a talented pass rusher, but unlike former first-round-miss Aaron Maybin, Miller showed versatility against the run in the Senior Bowl.

The Bills struggles were due in large part to shaky defense last year, and Von Miller would team with Shawn Merriman and Paul Posluszny to make a feared linebacking corps.

The Bills don't need a quarterback this early, with better value to be found later on, and Von Miller is a safe pick after CJ Spiller was a non-factor last year.

4. Cincinnati Selects QB Blaine Gabbert

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

Don't get me wrong here—I don't think Blaine Gabbert deserves to be a first or second round prospect.

He's shown me absolutely nothing when it comes to production (Chase Daniel threw 38 touchdowns in the same offense that Gabbert threw 16), mechanics (Gabbert doesn't set his feet to throw), or NFL quarterback ability (he is too content to make plays out of the pocket and be a runner).

Apparently I'm alone in my convictions, and NFL teams are high on Gabbert.

With the Carson Palmer situation unresolved, Jay Gruden makes a panic move and convinces the Bengals brass to take Gabbert.

No offensive coordinator wants Jordan Palmer or Dan LeFevour taking the majority of snaps for the team, and as such, Gabbert goes to the Bengals.

5. Arizona Selects WR AJ Green

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver A.J. Green of Georgia runs with the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Yes, you read that right. I predict the Cardinals take AJ Green.

The offense isn't changing in Arizona, and look for Ken Whisenhunt to wait for the resolution of the labor situation to bring in a veteran quarterback who will keep Larry Fitzgerald happy.

While Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are no doubt talented, Arizona hasn't had a true gamebreaker line up across from Fitzgerald since Anquan Boldin jumped ship for Baltimore.

AJ Green has all of the physical tools to make Arizona into a high-flying team offensively.

Green is a top-flight receiving prospect and will team with Larry Fitzgerald to cause nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.