Day 1 of the NFL draft obviously brings much anticipation — and anxiety — centering around who is going where in tonight’s first round.

We are less than 24 hours away from having our most pressing question of the 2011 NFL Draft answered: Will the Panthers take Auburn QB Cam Newton with the top overall selection?

The bigger question, however, is if Newton has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback.

The personal life of Ryan Mallett has been dissected and discussed in the days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, but our Micheal Lombardi believes that the talented quarterback will end up going in the first round. Possibly to the Dolphins.

The question about Cam Netwon‘s ability to be a franchise quarterback is moot, according to our Michael Irvin. The true question is if Carolina has the players that will allow Newton to reach his full potential. Irvin talks about that and more.

Browns RB Peyton Hillis is the new Madden cover athlete. Fantasy owners might want to remember the name Monatario Hardesty on draft day.

Depending on whose opinion you listen to, draft prospect Mark Ingram is either sliding right out of the first round or is underrated because running backs are being devalued in the 2011 NFL Draft. Or both.

According to NFL.com analyst and legendary Dallas Cowboys personnel guru Gil Brandt, six linebackers have been drafted in the top 10 during the past decade with less-than-fantastic results … like having only one Pro Bowl appearance collectively.

One freaking day. One more for scouting personnel across the league to figure it out, so to speak. Hopefully the Panthers have, as they’re in the leadoff spot.

The third annual NFL.com mock draft, like its predecessors, was an interesting endeavor in looking at how the first round could ultimately play out, with NFL Network and NFL.com analysts playing the roles of general managers.

NEW YORK –- In the days leading up to the NFL Draft, much of what prognosticators see playing out is a matter of educated guessing. But some names continue to emerge as players who could slide in the first round Thursday night — a topic that was discussed among NFL Network’s analysts during their Tuesday production meeting.

NEW YORK – It’s not the most formal of mock drafts, but the NFL Network’s third annual roundtable mock draft is one of our last looks at how the analysts see the first round of the NFL Draft unfolding.

Almost there. We’re just two days away from the spring’s biggest sporting event (Stanley Cup, NBA Finals? Ugh.) In a couple more nights we’ll all be seeing how far a certain (iconic?) quarterback falls, if Chan the man (Gailey, of course) is comfortable with an Ivy Leaguer under center, and what the two Johns (Fox and Elway) do in the two-hole.

If you haven’t heard it yet, you’re bound to catch it at some point this weekend. Someone, whether it’s a draft analyst, host, or just the burly guy drinking a PBR next to you at the sports bar, will wonder aloud why a team would take a tight end in the first round.

Washington’s Jake Locker is going to be the third quarterback off the board, according to our draft expert Mike Mayock.

The Bengals are looking for a quarterback, that much we know about the draft. But where do the Bengals make the move? Our Gil Brandt told readers on Monday during his NFL.com chat that the Bengals could be looking to move out of the No. 4 spot in the draft, and that the club has its eyes on quarterback down the draft board.