TNH selects the top 10 picks

9. Carolina Panthers

Fletcher Cox - DE/DT, Mississippi State

It’s interesting to think that Cox began the offseason pre-combine as a late first-round pick, likely to the Patriots. But the 6-foot-4, 298-pound monster has dominated his offseason workouts, especially with his impressive 4.79-second 40-yard dash time. The defensive line seems to be a lacking area for the Panthers, who registered 31 sacks and 12 fumble recoveries in 2011, and gave up just shy of 4,000 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns to opponents. I think Cox has the ability and the capacity to become a tremendous pass rusher in the NFL, and should be able to grow with a relatively young team.

10. Buffalo Bills

Riley Reiff - OT, Iowa

I debated with myself over this pick for a little while, but came to the conclusion that Reiff just pushes out cornerback Stephon Gilmore and wide receiver Michael Floyd for the last selection in the top-10. The Bills did a lot of work defensively this offseason, making the notable signing of Mario Williams a top priority. While I do think Gilmore would fit in well with the Buffalo defensive backs, protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick for the entirety of the season should be high on the Bills’ to-do list. Reiff stands out as a big lineman, listed at 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds, although multiple scouting reports say that his arms are too short for a player at the tackle position in the NFL. Either way, Reiff comes in as the consensus second-rated offensive lineman behind Kalil, and will have an impact wherever he goes in the draft – whether that is in Buffalo or somewhere else.

Check out the rest of my picks for the first round:

11) Kansas City Chiefs: ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

12) Seattle Seahawks: DE Quinton Coples, North Carolina

13) Arizona Cardinals: G David DeCastro, Stanford

14) Dallas Cowboys: S Mark Barron, Alabama

15) Philadelphia Eagles: DT Michael Brockers, LSU

16) New York Jets: DE/OLB Chandler Jones, Syracuse

17) Cincinnati Bengals: DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

18) San Diego Chargers: OT Cordy Glenn, Georgia

19) Chicago Bears: WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

20) Tennessee Titans: CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

21) Cincinnati Bengals: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

22) Cleveland Browns: WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

23) Detroit Lions: OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

24) Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Dont’a Hightower, Alabama

25) Denver Broncos: DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

26) Houston Texans: DE Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

27) New England Patriots: DE Shea McClellin, Boise State

28) Green Bay Packers: OLB Nick Perry, USC

29) Baltimore Ravens: C Peter Konz, Wisconsin

30) San Francisco 49ers: CB Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama

31) New England Patriots (will trade pick for later round selection): WR Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech

32) New York Giants: TE Coby Fleener, Stanford