With the Super Bowl over, many NFL fans turn their attention to the upcoming draft (those that can look past the impending lockout anyway). Every year experts and novices from all over the web do their best to create mock drafts in an attempt to see who will land where. Obviously this early in the offseason there is still a lot of time for workouts and interviews - not to metion the NFL Combine - to shake up the projections.

To start with, we here at RCS took nine mock drafts, placed them next to each other and tabulated the average draft order as determined by these expert mock drafts, listed in the table as RCS Average Selection. This methodology does not take into account team needs. (Click on chart to enlarge)

No big surprise that Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley is the top-rated pick at the moment with Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers right behind him.




Blaine Gabbert of Missouri is the top projected QB, and the fifth highest project player overall. However, one expert (Chad Reuter from CBS) has Auburn's Cam Newton going first overall. Newton shakes out as the eighth ranked prospect overall. While the experts seem to have opinions all over the place, one thing everyone seems to agree on (except Pro Football Weekly) is that the Dolphins will take Alabama RB Mark Ingram with the 15th pick.

Drafts used in RCS Compilation:

ESPN - Mel Kiper (Insider access needed) - Updated January 19
ESPN - Todd McShay (Insider access needed) - Updated February 10
CBS - Pete Prisco - Updated February 10
CBS - Chad Reuter - Updated February 13
CBS - Rob Rang - Updated February 13
National Football Post - Wes Bunting - Updated February 10
Fox Sports - Pete Schrager - Updated February 9
Pro Football Weekly - Nolan Nawrocki - Updated February 8
Sports Illustrated - Don Banks - Updated February 9