MOCK DRAFT FIRST ROUND >>> DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER PETER FUERTES PREDICTS WHO GOES WHERE TODAY: 2. DENVER BRONCOS — Marcell Dareus, Alabama, DT Should take Champ Bailey clone and replacement in LSU CB Patrick Patterson, but most mocks have Broncos taking Tide’s run-stuffing monster. 3. BUFFALO BILLS — Von Miller, Texas A&M, LB Pass-rushing specialist been moving up lately, Bills better hope Miller is not the next Quentin Coryatt should they take him. 4. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Blaine Gabbert, Missouri, QB Bengals owner Mike Brown continues his spitting contest with Carson Palmer. But with Palmer all but a goner, this selection is a necessity. 5. ARIZONA CARDINALS — Robert Quinn, North Carolina, DE/OLB Another player who bolstered his credentials during pro day; a pass-rushing beast. 6. CLEVELAND BROWNS — A.J. Green, Georgia, WR Cardinals could take Green in No. 5 spot; if he’s here for Browns, it gives McCoy a bona-fide playmaker. 7. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Patrick Peterson, LSU, CB Arguably the best — and most NFL-ready — player in the draft, Peterson gives 49ers their best cover corner since Deion Sanders. 8. TENNESSEE TITANS — Julio Jones, Alabama, WR A more-than-worthy replacement for talented but troubled receiver Kenny Britt. Jones is in the mold of Larry Fitzgerald. 9. DALLAS COWBOYS — Tyron Smith, USC, OT Would solidify an offensive line that struggled in 2010 — as Tony Romo can attest — and give Cowboys their franchise tackle. 10. WASHINGTON REDSKINS — Prince Amukamara, Nebraska, CB Defensive lineman is a need here, but Amukamara’s talent, along with uncertainty about Carlos Rogers’ return, is too much to pass up here. 11. HOUSTON TEXANS — Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson, DE Was hoping for Peterson or Amukamara to slip, but porous Texans defense gets NCAA’s leader in sacks last season to pair with Mario Williams. 12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Jake Locker, Washington, QB Potential 2010 No. 1 pick saw his stock fall after injury-filled senior season, but Vikings are desperate for a quarterback — unless they try to make move for Kevin Kolb or Donovan McNabb. 13. DETROIT LIONS — Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple, DL Versatile defensive lineman also has seen his stock rise. Wilkerson could create havoc with defensive lineman/ franchise player Ndamukong Suh. 14. ST. LOUIS RAMS — Aldon Smith, Missouri, DE/OLB With impact wide receivers Jones, Green gone, Rams settle for hometown favorite to strengthen defense. 15. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Mark Ingram, Alabama, RB Dolphins don’t take chance of Patriots snagging 2009 Heisman winner, add to backfield with uncertain futures of Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams. 16. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Andy Dalton, TCU, QB Surprised everyone by taking Tyson Alualu in last year’s draft; this pick makes it two reaches in a row. 17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Ryan Mallett, Arkansas, QB Scuttlebutt is they’re already preparing for life after Tom Brady; this is the type of franchise that would take a risk with player whose stock has plummeted with whispers about maturity, attitude. 18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS — Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, OT One of the most underrated players of this draft, Badgers lineman should have a few All-Pros to his name once career is done. 19. NEW YORK GIANTS — Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado Not in the status of Peterson or Amukamara but, with the DeSean Jacksons and Dez Bryants in the NFC East, Giants look for more secondary help. 20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, DE Buccaneers are elated to see Lott Trophy winner on the board, giving Raheem Morris another defensive weapon to add alongside last year’s No. 1 pick, Gerald McCoy. 21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Mike Pouncey, Florida, G Hard-nosed offensive lineman and brother of Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey, should add nastiness to improving Chiefs. 22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Nate Solder, Colorado, OT With Peyton Manning getting older, Colts need infusion of youth to protect franchise QB, beginning with this right tackle who should be 10- to 15-year starter for Colts. 23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, OT And the run of offensive linemen continues. With any cornerbacks of worth gone, Eagles select draft’s third elite tackle prospect. 24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue, DE With Saints ranking in bottom half in pass rush last season, they take lunchpail-type lineman with high motor. 25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Corey Liuget, Illinois, DT Would be a steal for ’Hawks to end up with Illini pass rusher, whom some believe could be a top 15 pick. 26. BALTIMORE RAVENS — Cameron Jordan, Cal, DE GM Ozzie Newsome tickled pink, or purple, over seeing pass-rusher fall to this spot. 27. ATLANTA FALCONS — Brooks Reed, Arizona, DE/OLB John Abraham’s not getting any younger, Jamaal Anderson continues to be disappointing; here’s their successor on Falcons’ defensive line. 28. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Benjamin Ijalana, Villanova, OL Bill Belichick goes with this little-known, but rising prospect that could take the place of aging Matt Light ... or departing Logan Mankins? 29. CHICAGO BEARS — Akeem Ayers, UCLA, OLB From Bruin to Bear: With Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher getting older, Monsters of the Midway could use more youth at linebacker. 30. NEW YORK JETS — Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DT Didn’t play a down last season because of NCAA sanctions, but impressed enough during his pro day to warrant first-round status; fills need for pass-rushing DT. 31. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Randall Cobb, Kentucky, WR/KR With Hines Ward aging, Steelers could pair this speedster along with Mike Wallace to form devastating combination for Ben Roethlisberger. Al Davis must be jealous. 32. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Justin Houston, Georgia, DE/OLB Super Bowl champions get richer by adding depth to already deep defense. Houston should allow Clay Matthews to wreak more havoc on the pass rush. 1. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Cam Newton, Auburn, QB He might not be the right choice, but for the star-starved Panthers, they almost have no choice but to take the Heisman winner. A poor man’s Vince Young. TODAY ROUND 1 5 p.m. TV: ESPN, NFL Network. FRIDAY ROUNDS 2-3 3 p.m. TV: ESPN (3-5 p.m.), ESPN2 (5-7:30 p.m.), NFL Network. SATURDAY ROUNDS 4-7 9 a.m. TV: ESPN, NFL Network. Akeem Ayers