Super Bowl betting players probably won’t start paying attention to mock drafts until after the big game on February 6th, unless you’re a fan of one of these five teams, as you have to look to the future. Here is who we think should go in the top five on April 28th. Carolina The Panthers were ready to pick quarterback Andrew Luck before he decided to stay at Stanford, so Jimmy Clausen will get another chance to prove he’s the man, much to Steve Smith’s chagrin. The Panthers really missed defensive end Julius Peppers, so look for Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers to wear Carolina blue. He was born in South Carolina, so he should have the fans on his side (ironically, Peppers was born in North Carolina and went to Chapel Hill). Bowers was ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and he won the Bronco Nagurski Trophy as the best national player. Denver The Broncos will likely need secondary help as it doesn’t look like Champ Bailey will return, so they’ll get one of the best corner prospects to come out in a while, LSU’s Patrick Peterson, who won the Thorpe (best defensive back) and Bednarik (another version of the Nagurski) Trophies. Patterson is a big, physical corner with great hands, and he’s also a great return return man. The Broncos were 25th against the pass, so those who bet on NCAA football will figure Peterson can step right in. Buffalo What does the team who needs everything ask for? You probably go for the best player available, and the Bills really need a pass rusher. Their NFL pick should be lineman Nick Fairley, who won the Lombardi Award as best lineman in the country. Fairley, from Auburn, has a motor that never stops and he can play anywhere on the line, in either a 3-4 or 4-3 system. He is still a junior and hasn’t actually declared yet, and if he doesn’t, the Bills will go with Alabama’s Marcel Dareus. Cincinnati The Bengals will hope that Dareus falls to them, as they also need a pass rusher. They also have options like Georgia’s A.J. Green, who could step in for Terrell Owens, but the Bengals are already very young at receiver outside of Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals could also go with Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara at the corner, and he is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Some think he’s better than Peterson. Arizona The Cardinals proved they need a quarterback, especially to keep receiver Larry Fitzgerald happy, and they shouldn’t let the Matt Leinart bust scare them off. Take your pick from Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett, Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert or Washington’s Jake Locker, although Auburn’s Cam Newton could jump them all with a big effort in the BCS title game against Oregon, which ironically will be played in the Cardinals’ stadium at the University of Phoenix. Arizona taking a quarterback is a pretty solid bet.
