1 Carolina: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. The Panthers stake their future on last season's Heisman Trophy winner.

2 Denver: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M. Pass-rushing terror goes to new Broncos coach John Fox.

3 Buffalo: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama. Fast for his size (319 pounds) and can play in either 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

4 Cincinnati: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. Most gifted receiver in the draft, had 23 TDs in three seasons despite missing four games in 2010 for NCAA infraction.

5 Arizona: Patrick Peterson, CB, Louisiana State. Best cover corner in the draft, has great ability to break on the ball.

6 Atlanta (from Cleveland): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. Not far behind Green in draft projections, nor in actual draft. Caught 75 passes for seven TDs last season.

7 San Francisco: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri. Had 17 sacks in his career, but missed three games last season with broken leg.

8 Tennessee: Jake Locker, QB, Washington. Didn't have great passing numbers, but is an excellent athlete who throws well on the run.

9 Dallas: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California. Needs to gain some weight on his 307-pound frame, but should be a solid left tackle for the Cowboys, whose offensive line is aging.

10 Jacksonville (from Washington): Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. Will have to adjust to pro-style offense with Jaguars after playing spread in college.

11 Houston: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin. Will bolster a defensive line - opposite Mario Williams - for franchise that's never been to the playoffs.

12 Minnesota: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State. Few figured he would go this high, but Vikings needed a QB badly.

13 Detroit: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. With Ndamukong Suh, addition of Fairley could give the Lions one of the best young defensive lines in the league.

14 St. Louis: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. He goes lower than many experts thought, but should give the Rams help with their rush from the edge.

15 Miami: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida. Dolphins were in need of help on their line, find it up the road in Gainesville with versatile Pouncey.

16 Washington (from Jacksonville): Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue. Redskins get a high-energy guy after trading down with Jaguars.

17 New England (from Oakland): Nick Solder, OT, Colorado. Was a tight end entering college; now he's set to be the Patriots' left tackle of the future.

18 San Diego: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois. Chargers need Liuget to help quickly, but he needs to hit the weight room.

19 N.Y. Giants: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska. G-Men get tough, physical corner who should contribute immediately.

20 Tampa Bay: Adrian Clayborn, DL, Iowa. Bucs must not have been concerned that Clayborn's sack total dropped from 11.5 in 2009 to 3.5 last season.

21 Cleveland (from Kansas City): Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor. Browns get help on defensive line from player who is fully recovered from foot injury.

22 Indianapolis: Anthony Castonzo, OL, Boston College. Somewhere Peyton Manning is smiling, because Colts grab one of top pass-rush blockers in draft.

23 Philadelphia: Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor. Watkins is a 26-year-old former firefighter and hockey player from Canada.

24 New Orleans: Cameron Jordan, DE, California. Saints need help on the defensive line; Jordan will provide it if he improves pass-rushing skills.

25 Seattle: James Carpenter, OL, Alabama. Seahawks hurting badly on the offensive line, so Carpenter should contribute immediately.

26 Kansas City (from Atlanta through Cleveland): Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh. Chiefs play West Coast offense, so Baldwin should be a good fit for QB Matt Cassel.

27 Baltimore: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: Smith brings much-needed size, speed and shutdown capability to the 21st-ranked pass defense.

28 New Orleans (from New England): Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama. If there was a run on any kind of player in the first round, it was Alabama players (four taken).

29 Chicago: Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin. Bears were thought to have been interested in North Carolina DT Marvin Austin.

30 N.Y. Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple. Thought by many experts to be perhaps the steal of the first round.

31 Pittsburgh: Cameron Heyward, DT, Ohio State. Is one of a record 12 defensive linemen taken in first round.

32 Green Bay: Derek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State. Super Bowl champion gets a solid run blocker.