Now that the NFL combine is over and colleges' Pro Days have begun, combined with the fact that there is little else to talk about on the NFL front due to a continuation of negotiations between the league and the NFLPA, there is little else than to speculate about the draft. In SB Nation's latest draft projections, there are some new developments. Quarterbacks are the talk of the town, as both Auburn's Cam Newton and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert are projected to be selected before the Arizona Cardinals select at No. 5.
In what is a surprise, Cam Newton is projected to be selected No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers. The surprise is that Newton supposedly turned a few people off by his third person self-references, his talk of being an entertainer and an icon and his lack of accuracy in the combine throwing drills.
In this mock draft, Blaine Gabbert is gone at No. 4, headed to Ohio to play for the Cincinnati Bengals. It would appear that the Bengals are preparing for Carson Palmer's either departure or retirement.
In what is also a new projection, Washington quarterback Jake Locker skyrockets up to No. 15 and is projected to be a member of the Miami Dolphins.
As for the Cardinals, Von Miller is still the projected player they select. It is well known that the team is high on the Texas A&M pass rusher, and it is painfully clear that the Arizona defense lacks a pass-rushing presence.
Perhaps the most notable fall from grace is Auburn's defensive lineman Nick Fairley. Projected to go as high as the first pick in the draft, he now falls to number eight, being drafted by the Tennessee Titans. This would not exactly be a bad situation, as he could be the guy to replace the hole left by the departure of Albert Haynesworth. Fairley, if you remember, answered some questions for us at SB Nation Arizona about the draft not long ago.
The SB Nation Top Ten goes like this:
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn.
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU.
3. Buffalo Bills: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M.
6. Cleveland Browns: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama.
7. San Francisco 49ers: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska.
10. Washington Redskins: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin.
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