Countdown to the NFL DRAFT: The Final Mock Draft

Well, after a lot of discussion, it's finally up on us. Thursday, from Radio City Music Hall in New York, the 2011 NFL Draft will get underway.

According to NFL insiders close to the Carolina Panthers, it appears Cam Newton will be the first overall pick taken on April 28th. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is one of three quarterbacks expected to crack the top ten.

Here are projections for the entire first round.

1. CAR Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

2. DEN Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

3. BUF Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

4. HOU Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

5. ARI Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn 

6. CLE A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

7. SF Jake Locker, QB, Washington

8. TEN Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

9. DAL Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina

10. WAS Tyron Smith, OT, USC

11. TEX Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

12. MIN  Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

13. DET Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

14. STL Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

15. MIA Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

16. JAC Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida

17. NE Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

18. SD Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

19. NYG Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

20. TB Cameron Jordan, DE, California

21. KC Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

22. IND Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

23. PHI Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

24. NO Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

25. SEA Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

26. BAL Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

27. ATL Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt

28. NE Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple

29. CHI Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

30. NYJ Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona

31. PIT Justin Houston, DE, Georgia

32. GB Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State