2011 NFL Mock Draft: Jake Locker, Andrew Luck Top the Early Big Board

The focus right now is predicting how the players from the 2010 NFL Draft will fare come September. But who are the college athletes that stayed in school this year or will be eligible to move to the NFL on Draft Day 2011?

This list is not predicting the results of the 2010 season before anyone even makes teams; If you want a good list of team predictions, see the related article by Jon Star.

This list will instead predict the top talents of the 2011 draft, taking into consideration the most likely to enter the draft (Mark Ingram, Jake Locker, and Julio Jones to name a few).

Mock Drafts are fun because they focus on the “what if” factor and yes, it may be early, but come one, don't tell me that you haven't searched 2011 NFL Draft on Google or Yahoo.

While I am not ready to determine who will be picking where (though I may suggest the teams who will be in that general draft area), I am confident in picking the top prospects that would go right now based on my own Big Board.

Naturally, there will be plenty of athletes moving up and down, falling completely off the radar or becoming the next Tim Tebow in terms of popularity, so this will change like crazy.

(We all know what popularity does to a players stock come Draft Day, now, don't we? See Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels and Timmy Tebow for any questions)

In 2010, the quarterback position's stock fell dramatically because many teams felt the draft was more talented defensively and in the blocking areas. In the first round, only seven impact players (QB’s, RB’s, WR’s, and TE’s) were taken.

2011 will be different. It looks like it’s about flash, explosiveness and skill players.

I have never seen a class this loaded with receivers and quarterbacks. The wideouts especially. They are mostly all underclassmen, but we have as many as five beasts over 6'3" and with 40 times under 4.5. It’s amazing that all of these guys are available at the same time.

Fans of horrible teams who want to see some excitement on the field may have to wait only one more year.

Let’s see who will go in the first round and when.

Follow Joshua Worn on Twitter @tmi86

Official 2011 Mock Draft 1.0

No. 1 | Jake Locker, QB, Washington

School: Washington
Position: QB
2011 Draft Year Status: Senior
Hometown: Ferndale, WA
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220

Overlooking Jake Long (2008) and Mario Williams (2006), every single No. 1 pick during the 2000’s was a quarterback. Taking a quarterback number one overall makes sense; you tie the most money into the most important player, you are usually the team in desperate need of a starting quarterback, etc.

This year is no different. Jake Locker, who would have gone over Sam Bradford in this year’s draft, will be the undoubted No. 1 overall pick.

Who will he go to in 2011? The Buffalo Bills seem to be the likely first choice.

Locker has prototypical NFL quarterback size, a rifle for a right arm, and outstanding athleticism for the position.

He has also made enormous strides under first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Another year of improvement -- particularly with ball security -- will have Locker a "lock" for the top spot in 2011.

No. 2 | Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

School: Stanford
Position: QB
2011 Draft Year Status: Sophomore
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 235

Two quarterbacks being taken overall does seem odd but in 2011 is very likely. The Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars could easily be the top two teams picking on Draft Day. If so, these two triggermen should be gone.

The only way they don’t go number one and two overall is if St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland are picking first.

Andrew Luck is a darkhorse to be the 2011 number one pick. He has great size and had a very good year as a starter in 2009, the 2010 season will really determine who will go first. I sense Luck sneaking up to the No. 1 spot simply because of his skill set.

He could very realistically have the best statistical season in college football, and with the NFL-style offense that is being run at Stanford, he will be a popular name when the Super Bowl ends next year.

No. 3 | Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

School: Wisconsin
Position: OT
2011 Draft Year Status: Senior
Hometown: Cottage Grove, Wisconsin
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 313

Carimi is a massive left tackle prospect with 36 career starts under his belt.

He shows good natural mobility for his frame, but Carimi must continue to improve his lower-body strength and hand usage in order to solidify a spot in the top of the draft.

Gabe Carimi isn't one of the more well known offensive line prospects, but (like Bulaga and Calloway of Iowa) he comes from a program that consistently churns out a lot of very good linemen to the NFL. Carimi took over for former first round pick Joe Thomas at Wisconsin,

It seems like a realistic expectation at this point, in fact I have him here because I know a team like St. Louis will be here, begging for a dominating tackle to protect their latest investment.

No. 4 | A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

School: Georgia
Position: WR
2011 Draft Year Status: Junior
Hometown: Summerville, South Carolina
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 207

Okay, so here starts the influx of wide receiver talent. Green should be the first to go.

He is a big, fluid target with long arms, big hands and outstanding hand-eye coordination. He needs to return to form after missing three games with a sprained AC joint in 2009.

More consistent play from the quarterback position at Georgia this season would help to maximize his draft status.

Mel Kiper has him as a top four, and Todd McShay has him as a top eight.

No. 5 | Donta’ Hightower, LB, Alabama

School: Alabama
Position: LB
2011 Draft Year Status:
Hometown: Lewisburg, Tennessee
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 255

Hightower was injured early last year and his draft status has all but disappeared right now.

When you watched him next to Rolando McClain, Hightower was actually the one who had scouts buzzing and you all know where McClain went.

Hightower will have a huge season and be the first defensive player taken in the 2011 draft.

No. 6 | Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

School: Alabama
Position: WR
2011 Draft Year Status: Junior
Hometown: Foley, Alabama
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 211

A big physical wide receiver, Jones battled an ankle injury early in the 2010 season but came on strong down the stretch.

While he lacks elite top-end speed, he is still a physical, savvy route-runner with strong hands.

Preceding the 2009 football season, Julio Jones was voted to the All-SEC Coaches' Football Team (first team), one of only four players to be voted such unanimously (along with Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, Tennessee safety Eric Berry and LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black)

No. 7 | Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

School: Arkansas
Position: QB
2011 Draft Year Status: Junior
Hometown: Texarkana, Texas
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 238

Mallett is possibly a pick by Seattle who will find out very quickly that Charlie Whitehurst is not the quarterback of the future.

On the fill-side, there are not many quarterbacks who stand 6-7 in the NFL, so Mallett needs to prove he's capable of becoming the exception to the rule.

His deceptive mobility should help. More importantly, Mallett displays elite arm strength and a silky smooth delivery.

While his accuracy as a passer can be streaky, there is room for improvement if he can refine his mechanics.

No. 8 | Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

School: Notre Dame
Position: WR
2011 Draft Year Status: Junior
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195

The stud receivers keep coming off the board. There are just so many of them this year, it's ridiculous.

Floyd is another monster, 6′3, 220 pounds and he caught 44 passes in just 7 games last year.

He could be another huge possession receiver at the big level. Coming from Notre Dame doesn't hurt either, and it also makes you wonder what would have happened if Golden Tate had stayed at school for one more year.

No. 9 | Greg Romeus, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh

School: Pittsburgh
Position: DE
2011 Draft Year Status: Junior
Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 270

Greg Romeus could be good in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. He had 8 sacks as a junior.

A diamond-in-the-rough recruit three years ago, Romeus has gone on to establish himself as an All-America candidate with the ability to be the Big East's premier defender.

No. 10 | Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

School: LSU
Position: CB
2011 Draft Year Status: Junior
Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 211

I think Detroit will realistically pick right around here, and say what you want about their offensive tackle needs, (I have been forced to listen to every possible scenario, being from Detroit) I say they will take cornerback. They haven’t had a decent cornerback since, well, forever.

Thankfully, with such talent at QB and WR, Peterson will fall into their laps and for the second straight year the Lions will get the top defensive player in the draft.

Cornerbacks often fall, so it takes a pretty special talent to be taken in the top ten, and Peterson is just that.

No. 11 | Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

Do you see a theme here? The fourth receiver off the board in the first 11 picks, and another guy who stands over 6′3. Jonathan Baldwin isn’t Larry Fitzgerald, but he’s not far off. I really think all of these receivers declare this year.

No. 12 | Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

Heyward should continue to bulk up and by this point next year could be a 6′7, 300 pound monster at end.

No. 13 | Terrance Tolliver, WR, LSU.

Make that five receivers in the first 13 picks. And make that ANOTHER guy over 6′3.

No. 14 | Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Mark Ingram is the reigning Heisman winner and is a complete back, with size and speed to match. He’ll be an explosive threat in the NFL.

No. 15 | Case Keenum, QB, Houston

There’s the fourth quarterback. I knew we didn’t forget him.

No. 16 | DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson

McDaniel has long been on the radar of NFL personnel folks. This season should be his official coming-out party.

No. 17 | Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

Austin is going to be part of an excellent defense next season in Chapel Hill. He is highly regarded and will be part of an immensely deep class.

No. 18 | Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Another NC defensive back, Quinn May be best suited in a 3-4 defense as a strong side linebacker.

No. 19 | Will Hill, S, Florida

It's time to roll out the welcome mat for UF's next super DB. The position was passed down from Lito Sheppard to Keiwan Ratliff to Reggie Nelson to Joe Haden.

No. 20 | Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

The third-year sophomore could emerge as a legitimate first-round prospect if he builds on last year's momentum and erases any previous doubt regarding his ball security.

No. 21 | Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina

Huge returning player for the Tarheels (and another NC player taken in the first round…really?), Carter will be a solid outside back in the NFL.

No. 22 | Evan Royster, RB, Penn State

Royster could jump up the draft boards if he has another year of 200 carries and 1000 yards.

No. 23 | Mark Reynolds, OT, BYU

He is the top underclassmen offensive tackle in the nation but falls down due to where he plays.

No. 24 | Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Miller is a big linebacker who could be a pick for a 3-4 team.

No. 25 | Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State

Sure he’s only 5’7”, but man can he fly. The NFL is all about speed these days, and someone will take this weapon in round one.

No. 26 | Allen Bailey, DT, Miami

Hey, look! A Hurricane in the first round! We haven’t seen that in a while. Defensive tackles often slip unless they are truly elite, however.

No. 27 | Greg Jones, OLB, Michigan State

Jones is extremely productive in college and could be a nice counterpart for any outside linebacker.

No. 28 | Mike Pouncey, OG/OC, Florida

Brother of Pittsburgh first-round pick Maurkice Pouncey. He's not quite as athletic as his twin brother, but he shows good strength at the point of attack and plays with a similar mean streak.

No. 29 | Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

This underclassman was the former top recruit in the country. As the season goes on he could shoot up the draft boards.

No. 30 | Adrian Clayborn, DE/DT, Iowa

Very talented defensive lineman who can play in any scheme, he has had some off the field troubles.

No. 31 | Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

Could have been a first round pick in 2010. 20s-30s are where a ton of cornerbacks seem to go every year. Besides, his name is a first-round talent anyway.

No. 32 | Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

If Tim Tebow can go in the first round, so can Terrelle Pryor. Plus, Minnesota might be looking for its next quarterback at this spot. I’m just saying. Am I serious? Is anyone at this point?