Everyone has a mock draft. And most, come April 28, won't mean much.

But prior to the big show in New York City, there are 32 draft boards that really do matter. Those are the projections made in team war rooms that can guide how far a club thinks it needs to trade up to get a player, and how far it believes it can deal down without really regretting it.

With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to seek out a college scout to put together his own mock draft. And one I know from an AFC team was nice enough to take on the task.

Here is his take on how the first 32 picks could shake out:

First round

1. Pick No.

   1

   

   MARCELL DAREUS

   DT

   Alabama

    
   Dareus has a well-rounded skill set on the interior. Nick Fairley gets the hype, but Dareus is the best defensive tackle in this draft.
2. Pick No.

   2

   

   PATRICK PETERSON

   CB

   LSU

    
   Cornerback Champ Bailey was re-signed, but he isn't getting any younger.
3. Pick No.

   3

   

   VON MILLER

   LB

   Texas A&M

    
   A Derrick Thomas-type pass-rushing talent off the edge for the Bills.
4. Pick No.

   4

   

   DA'QUAN BOWERS

   DE

   Clemson

    
   A huge need for the Bengals, and they get the best defensive end in the draft.
5. Pick No.

   5

   

   CAM NEWTON

   QB

   Auburn

    
   The pick here could be Blaine Gabbert, too, but with Miller off the board, it will be a quarterback.
6. Pick No.

   6

   

   A.J. GREEN

   WR

   Georgia

    
   Their young quarterback needs weapons, and Green is the best non-quarterback offensive player in this draft. Some would argue he is the best offensive player in the draft, period.
7. Pick No.

   7

   

   NICK FAIRLEY

   DT

   AUBURN

    
   Fairley is not an ideal fit for their defensive scheme, but the 49ers can't pass on his elite talent if he drops to them here.
8. Pick No.

   8

   

   BLAINE GABBERT

   QB

   MISSOURI

    
   Some people feel as if Gabbert is a lock to be a top-5 pick, but he's got some "bust" factor to him, so he falls to the Titans.
9. Pick No.

   9

   

   ANTHONY CASTONZO

   OT

   BOSTON COLLEGE

    
   If this seems high for Castonzo, it is. The Cowboys would love to move back in the first round to get him, but this is an enormous area of need for this team.
10. Pick No.

    10

    

    JAKE LOCKER

    QB

    WASHINGTON
    The Redskins could go with wide receiver Julio Jones here, too. But if they trade back to try and get Locker, they risk not getting him at all. They'll take him here.
11. Pick No.

    11

    

    JULIO JONES

    WR

    ALABAMA

     
    Sure, they have tons of needs as Wade Phillips installs a new 3-4 defense, but in the end they'll be thrilled to match Jones with Andre Johnson.
12. Pick No.

    12

    

    CAMERON JORDAN

    DE

    CAL

     
    It's no secret the Vikings need help along the defensive line, and they could lose Ray Edwards.
13. Pick No.

    13

    

    NATE SOLDER

    OT

    COLORADO

     
    It's the safe, smart pick. There's nothing sexy about this strategy; Jim Schwartz just needs to keep his quarterback upright in 2011.
14. Pick No.

    14

    

    ALDON SMITH

    DE

    MISSOURI

     
    They wanted A.J. Green or Julio Jones with this pick, and could opt to move back if both receivers are gone.
15. Pick No.

    15

    

    ROBERT QUINN

    DE

    NORTH CAROLINA

     
    Mark Ingram is the easy pick with this one, but the Dolphins will opt to go defense here and take a running back with their next pick.
16. Pick No.

    16

    

    PRINCE AMUKAMARA

    CB

    NEBRASKA

     
    The Jaguars are thrilled that a top-level athlete like Amukamara falls to them here.
17. Pick No.

    17

    

    J.J. WATT

    DE

    WISCONSIN

     
    This is terrific value for the Patriots at No. 17. Ingram could also be an option here.
18. Pick No.

    18

    

    RYAN KERRIGAN

    DE

    PURDUE

     
    They would rather have Aldon Smith or Quinn here, but the Chargers will happily take Kerrigan and address a position of need.
19. Pick No.

    19

    

    GABE CARIMI

    OT

    WISCONSIN
    The biggest area of need for the Giants is addressed.
20. Pick No.

    20

    

    AKEEM AYERS

    OLB

    UCLA

     
    Ayers is a very balanced football player who will be solid in coverage assignments in the Bucs' defensive scheme.
21. Pick No.

    21

    

    PHIL TAYLOR

    DT

    BAYLOR

     
    Taylor might not have a great motor, but these big two-gap players are tough to find, and he's helped himself with a solid Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.
22. Pick No.

    22

    

    COREY LIUGET

    DT

    ILLINOIS
    Either way, the Colts will go offensive or defensive line with this pick.
23. Pick No.

    23

    

    JIMMY SMITH

    CB

    COLORADO

     
    : Smith could surprise some people and go higher than No. 23, and the Eagles are thrilled to get him here. If he drops, it will be due to character concerns, not football ability.
24. Pick No.

    24

    

    RAHIM MOORE

    S

    UCLA

     
    The Saints address a big need with the best safety in the draft.
25. Pick No.

    25

    

    ADRIAN CLAYBORN

    DE

    IOWA

     
    Clayborn falls a bit and the Seahawks address a need on their defensive line.
26. Pick No.

    26

    

    BRANDON HARRIS

    CB

    MIAMI

     
    Harris is a player on the rise and could go higher than this. The Ravens would be thrilled to pick him up at No. 26.
27. Pick No.

    27

    

    MIKE POUNCEY

    C/G

    FLORIDA

     
    The Falcons will likely draft the best player on their board at No. 27 due to multiple needs, but Pouncey would upgrade the interior of their offensive line.
28. Pick No.

    28

    

    MARK INGRAM

    RB

    ALABAMA
    His marginal timed speed causes him to drop, and the Patriots will benefit from it by getting the best running back in the draft.
29. Pick No.

    29

    

    MUHAMMAD WILKERSON

    DE

    Temple

     
    He's a versatile player who will help the Bears on their defensive line.
30. Pick No.

    30

    

    JUSTIN HOUSTON

    OLB

    Georgia

     
    This is a big need for the Jets. Houston has pass-rushing ability and a thick, well-built lower body.
31. Pick No.

    31

    

    TYRON SMITH

    OT

    USC
    Smith drops right into the Steelers' lap in this mock. Though Smith might not fall this far, the Steelers wouldn't pass on him if he did.
32. Pick No.

    32

    

    DANNY WATKINS

    G

    BAYLOR

     
    Watkins is an instant starter for the Packers. He is an older player who plays with a mean streak.