The latest mock draft, from waltersports.com, has Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley going as the top pick to the Carolina Panthers, with the New Orleans Saints selecting a defensive end. View the mock draft, below.

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Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks is sacked by Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers in the first half in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona.

Courtesy---waltersports.com

Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn 
With Andrew Luck going back to school, this pick is now down to three players: A.J. Green, Da'Quan Bowers and Nick Fairley. Mel Kiper went with Fairley, while Sun Tan Man has Bowers has No. 1.

I can't agree with the latter. First of all, Bowers fills the lesser of the three needs between wide receiver, defensive tackle and defensive end. And second, Bowers is an athletic freak who posted great numbers this year, but he has some really bad tape and one has to wonder why he didn't produce in his first two years at Clemson.

Fairley satisfies the greatest need, and I think there's a much greater chance he's the No. 1 pick in the wake of his tremendous Co-National Championship performance (congrats, by the way, to Auburn and TCU for winning it all.)

http://walterfootball.com/draft2011.php

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