With the draft less than a week away, I am here with my final Mock Draft. Look for our draft review special coming on the Friday morning after Round 1. We will obviously review the first round and I will be providing daily written analysis for the other rounds. Hope your Draft and Holiday week goes well. See you next weekend.

MIKE KAYE

1. Carolina (2-14) / Marcel Dareus / DT / Alabama

Dareus is a safe and versatile pick. He can rush the passer and take care of the run. Carolina has had constant issues sustaining against the rush of running backs, so Dareus is a pick of need and a definite hit for the 1^st overall pick.

2. Denver (4-12) / Nick Fairley / DT / Auburn

Fairley is a one year wonder but some one year wonders turn out to have great staying power. Fairley is immensely talented and fits Denver’s need, switching to a 4-3. He can start right away, but will he be dominant? That’s for the team that picks him to decide.

3. Buffalo (4-12) / Von Miller / OLB/DE / Texas A & M

Miller is the best pass rusher in this draft; he is just so natural at getting past O-linemen. Buffalo needs to be able to force errant throws and take down opposing QBs if they want to win games with their mediocre offense. Miller is a step in the right direction as he has Brian Orakpo written all over him.

4. Cincinnati (4-12) / Julio Jones / WR / Alabama

Jones is definitely a guy to consider if Marvin Lewis wants to bring a new edge to his offense. Jones is willing to go across the middle and brings toughness that is frankly unusual for a wide-out. He ran impeccable times and had incredible athleticism at the Combine while on a broken foot. He may be a Anquan Boldin-like player.

5. Arizona (5-11) / AJ Green / WR / Georgia

How do you make up for a lack of quarterback? Not reach for one and take another weapon for a potential free agent QB. Green is widely considered a superior WR prospect and would fill the void of the previously-mentioned Anquan Boldin in the desert. This would also allow Larry Fitzgerald to get a little less attention on game days from opposing defenses.

6. Cleveland (5-11) / Robert Quinn / DE / UNC

The Browns are switching to a 4-3 with very little ingredients for such an experiment. Robert Quinn is a Julius Peppers like talent and if he had not been suspended all last year, most likely would be the number one pick. Quinn is a step in the right direction for the Shurmur regime.

7. San Francisco (6-10) / Patrick Peterson / CB / LSU

San Fran isn’t going to reach for a QB. Jim Harbaugh will keep Alex Smith around much to their fans disappointment. With that said, the secondary is definitely an area that would welcome improvement. Nate Clements keeps getting older and at this point in his career, is not worth the money he receives. Peterson is the best player in the draft and would be huge for the Niners at 7.

8. Tennessee (6-10) / Blaine Gabbert / QB / Missouri

A change in coaching after over a decade and a half is hard. But a new coach is likely to want a new QB and Blaine Gabbert seems to fit the system the Titans will be implementing. He is young and will need time to develop but nothing gets a fanbase more excited about a team in rebuilding than a new leader. Gabbert is a name that the Titans can market to their fans.

9. Dallas (6-10) / Tyron Smith / OT / USC

Tyron Smith seems to be on the minds of many mockers for the Cowboys. It makes sense as he is athletic and young and reminds me of Flozell Adams. The Cowboys need to keep Romo on his feet and Smith can help provide some much-needed protection.

10. Washington (6-10) / Cam Newton / QB / Auburn

Mike Shannahan is a stubborn coach who thinks he can do anything with any talent. Enter Cam Newton who is coming off a Heisman and National Championship. Newton is everything the Skins hoped Donovan McNabb would be but younger. The coaching staff will enjoy molding Newton while Rex Grossman gives them time to develop him.

11. Houston (6-10) / Prince Amukamara / CB / Nebraska

Houston is switching to a 3-4 but their secondary has to improve before the defense even looks to transition anything else. The historically bad performance by the back four of the defense means it is a blessing in disguise that Amukamara falls to Houston.

12. Minnesota (6-10) / Jake Locker / QB / Washington

Locker seems to fit the mobile/quick draw QBs that Minnesota has targeted prior to Brett Farve and I don’t look for that to change, even with a new Head Coach. Locker is inaccurate but has all the other intangibles that I think Minnesota will fall for.

13. Detroit (6-10) / Nate Solder / OT / Colorado

An easy way to keep your Franchise QB from getting injured is by getting a Franchise left tackle to protect him. Solder is athletic and long and has the ability to develop into a strong protector of Matt Stafford.

14. St. Louis (7-9) / Aldon Smith / DE/OLB / Missouri

With Julio and AJ gone, the D-line could use some support. Smith is another one-year star but if he plays the same way he did in college this past season, he will be well worth the 14^th selection.

15. Miami (7-9) / Anthony Costanzo / OT / Boston College

Vernon Carey’s career seems to slowly be ending, and with running back not being a strength in this draft, a replacement for Carey would be ideal.

16. Jacksonville (8-8) / Ryan Kerrigan / DE / Purdue

While I do think it is in the best interest for the Jags to move back and select a QB, if they pick here, they can’t be too upset about being stuck with Kerrigan. He has one of the best motors I have ever seen and looks very intriguing to a team with little pass-rush.

17. New England (^ Oakland) (8-8) / JJ Watt / DE / Wisconsin

Watt is a blue-collar guy and plays the 5-technique. Bill is sold.

18. San Diego (9-7) / Cam Jordan / DE / California

Jordan is a football player. He can play pretty much any line position and rush linebacker in a 3-4. SD needs to get better upfront with their 5-techs and Jordan will provide them with depth and young talent.

19. New York Giants (10-6) / Mike Pouncey / OG / Florida

I think this a tad high for Pouncey but for the NYG, all of their needs would be reach picks with the remaining prospects at 19. Pouncey is a talented right guard, unfortunately that is his only real position.

20. Tampa Bay (10-6) / Adrian Clayborn / DE / Iowa

I have had this pick in almost every mock I have done and I just think it will happen. He is a thick, hard-nosed guy like Warren Sapp that I think will become and an instant favorite in Tampa. If his shoulder concerns don’t bother Mike Mayock, then they probably don’t frighten TB’s front office.

21. Kansas City (10-6) / Corey Liuget / DE/DT / Illinois

Glenn Dorsey is completely out of position at the 5-tech so I expect him to be traded after the CBA is done. Liuget is a phenomenal athlete and would provide a bookend to Tyson Jackson who has struggled since entering the league.

22. Indianapolis (10-6) / Gabe Carimi / OT/OG / Wisconsin

Carimi is a big mauler that reminds me of former Eagles great Jon Runyan. He can replace Ryan Diem at right tackle or start at right guard. Either way, it adds youth to an aging offensive line.

23. Philadelphia (10-6) / Jimmy Smith / CB / Colorado

Character issues aside, Smith is just as talented as the top corners in the draft. I think with the great group of guys in the Eagles lockroom, Smith will have a good environment to grow as the corner across from Asante Samuel.

24. New Orleans (11-5) / Justin Houston / DE / Georgia

Houston is an athletic prospect that fits a huge need for New Orleans. Alex Brown is no longer starter-worthy and they need a replacement.

25. Seattle (7-9) / Derek Sherrod / OT / Mississippi St.

With Tom Cable now the offensive line coach the team will look to further improve the O-line with a new right tackle. Sherrod has dropped over the past few months but I see him as a Michael Oher like tackle who can improve and learn quickly.

26. Baltimore (12-4) / Brandon Harris / CB / Miami

Harris gets overlooked because of UM’s record last year and I think that is a poor reason to pass on the very talented cover-man. Watch some of his highlights and tell me that he wouldn’t be a welcome addition to the Webb and Wilson corner group.

27. Atlanta (13-3) / Da’Quan Bowers / DE / Clemson

He falls due to injury and inconsistency but Atlanta has time to wait for the replacement to John Abraham. Bowers is a similar beast and after a half season recovery period to learn the playbook, has the opportunity to make an impact.

28. New England / (14-2) Mark Ingram / HB / Alabama

I don’t think the open love for Ingram is a smokescreen. B-squared wants him and will get him for the right value. The Heisman winner can greatly improve the Pats rushing and screen game.

29. Chicago (11-5) / Muhammad Wilkerson / DT/DE / Temple

Wilkerson had ten sacks last season for the Owls at DT. He can definitely be the replacement to Tommy Harris and command some of Julius Pepper’s double-teams.

30. N.Y. Jets (11-5) / Phil Taylor / NT / Baylor

The Jets are seriously in need of a nose tackle after cutting ties with Kris Jenkins. Look for the big man from Baylor to fill that hole.

31. Pittsburgh (12-4) / Danny Watkins / OG/OT / Baylor

While the joke gets olds, the Steelers constantly need to improve their o-line. Watkins is an older prospect but has only been playing football for four years. Watkins is smart and will be a great neighbor for Maurkice Pouncey.

32. Green Bay (10-6) / Mikel Leshoure / HB / Illinois

James Starks is nice and Ryan Grant is coming off an injury, but Mikel Leshoure can certainly sharpen the defending Champ’s rushing attack. I absolutely love the Illinois prospect for the Pack.

Photo: AP

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