2011 NFL Mock Draft: Could Ryan Mallett Challenge Andrew Luck For No. 1?
The 2011 NFL Mock Draft madness continues, and it's been two weeks since my last one. A lot has changed in two weeks, and I'm not just talking about the draft order.
The Redskins benched and then signed Donovan McNabb to a contract extension, the Bengals are getting steadily worse, and the Panthers now have a legitimate shot at the No. 1 overall pick.
The Cardinals continue to flounder and the Browns are improving, which probably makes any shot they have at A.J. Green a long one at best.
This mock draft is based on this week's power ranking coupled with some predictions about how the season will end.
Starting with my pick on who will win the Super Bowl this week . . .
32. Philadelphia Eagles, Bruce Carter, OLB North Carolina
1 of 32
Why Carter Goes Here: When you draft at the bottom of the first round, you sometimes go with the best player available over a specific need. Carter is the best player available, and the Eagles pass rush isn't where it should be for a playoff team.
Skills: Carter has enough speed on the outside to add to the Eagles' pass rush, and he can get good range to stop runners from breaking loose
What Changed From Last Time: Janoris Jenkins, the previous pick for the Eagles, is long gone by this point.
31. New York Jets, Kyle Rudolph, TE Notre Dame
2 of 32
Why Rudolph Goes Here: The Jets probably will want another wide receiver because Braylon Edwards will want too much money, and he's really not that good. No other wide receiver on the board at this point is a true first-rounder, so you move to tight end.
Outside of Dustin Keller, the Jets have no real depth at that position, just a bunch of bodies, so Rudolph can step right in and be the backup. The only other top prospects on the board at this point are safeties, and the Jets have this guy named Darrelle Revis.
Skills: Rudolph is a good route runner who gets off the line quick and makes the hard catches.
What Changed From Last Time: With Jonathan Baldwin off the board now, the Jets still need someone who can catch the ball, and the rest of the wide receiver prospects aren't first-round talent at this point in the process.
30. New England Patriots, DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
3 of 32
Why Love Goes Here: New England needs offensive linemen, and with two picks in the first round, you have to believe one of them will be a offensive tackle..
Skills: Love is scouted as a good pass blocker, which is what Bill Belichick will be looking for to upgrade his offensive line.
What Changed From Last Time: Nate Solder is now off the board, and we go back to my original pick.
.jpg?w=256 "Rams Jaguars Football")
29. Green Bay Packers, Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech
4 of 32
Why Williams Goes Here: The Packers running game needs a serious upgrade.
Skills: Williams is a good runner who can explode through the line and make the cuts to find the open field.
What Changed From Last Time: Cameron Heyward is dropping out of the first round with his inconsistent play, and the Packers do need some better talent in the backfield.
28. Atlanta Falcons, Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi
5 of 32
Why Sherrod Goes Here: The Falcons go with best player available, and Sherrod should be that guy. Plus, you can never have enough depth on your offensive line.
Skills: Described as a great run blocker, Sherrod can open big holes for Michael Turner to run through.
What Changed From Last Time: Nick Fairley has shot up the draft boards and has already left the building for his new team by this point in the first round.
27. Indianapolis Colts, Nate Solder, OT Colorado
6 of 32
Why Solder Goes Here: The Colts should have all their offensive weapons back next year, and upgrading the offensive line only makes sense.
Skills: Solder gets good grades in both pass and run blocking, meaning he can keep Peyton Manning upright and open holes for Joseph Addai.
What Changed From Last Time: Anthony Costanzo is gone, so Solder gets the call.
26. New Orleans Saints, Cameron Jordan, DE California
7 of 32
Why Jordan Goes Here: The Saints only have 19 sacks as a team so far this season, so a pass rusher will be in the cards for next year.
Skills: Jordan has speed, good technique, and will make a good fit on the Saints line.
What Changed From Last Time: Von Miller now is off the board, and Jordan is a good alternative.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida
8 of 32
Why Pouncey Goes Here: Other than Pouncey's twin brother, Maurkice, the Steelers offensive line is strung together with clothespins and fairy dust. Plus these guys are twins who have played together almost their whole life. This pick qualifies as a "no-brainer."
Skills: Can play multiple positions on the line and the familiarity factor because of his brother can't be overstated.
What Changed From Last Time: Nothing, if the Steelers don't pick Pouncey, something has gone wrong in the Steelers front office. This picks makes more sense than any other possible scenario. If Pouncey still is on the board here, he joins his brother on the Steelers line.
24. New York Giants, Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
9 of 32
Why Carimi Goes Here: The Giants defense needs corners, but the best corners are off the board, so the default pick becomes the best player available, Gabe Carimi.
Skills: Has the physical attributes you look for in a first-round prospect and is a great pass blocker.
What Changed From Last Time: Moving back up in the first round, the Giants don't go for Ras-I Dowling this early.
23. Baltimore Ravens, Aaron Williams, CB Texas
10 of 32
Why Williams Goes Here: The Ravens secondary is just not what it used to be, and they haven't been shutting down passing games like they used to.
Skills: Williams is good at man-to-man coverage and can read the quarterback.
What Changed From Last Time: With Williams available, Rodney Hudson becomes someone the Ravens can try to get in the second round.
22. Tennessee Titans, Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
11 of 32
Why Miller Goes Here: Miller gives the Titans more depth on their line, and he becomes another potential playmaker on a very good team.
Skills: Miller has great skills, field awareness, and an ability to get in the backfield and disrupt the play.
What Changed From Last Time: Miller is available again for the Titans in this mock, and he was my original pick.
21. Seattle Seahawks, Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State
12 of 32
Why Paea Goes Here: The Seahawks defense hasn't been stopping anybody, and Paea can shut down some running lanes.
Skills: Paea is a big guy who takes up a lot of room and is rated as an excellent run blocker.
What Changed From Last Time: Nothing. This pick makes good sense for the Seahawks.
20. Chicago Bears, Anthony Costanzo, OT Boston College
13 of 32
Why Costanzo Goes Here: The Bears offensive line isn't even worth talking about. Anything is better than what they have now.
Skills: Costanzo immediately is better than anyone currently on the line in every aspect of the game.
What Changed From Last Time: Costanzo has moved up the draft boards, and the Bears will take the best offensive lineman available, so Sherrod goes later.
19. New England Patriots (Via Oakland), Drake Nevis, DT LSU
14 of 32
Why Nevis Goes Here: The Patriots need a wide receiver, but Bill Belichick doesn't reach and all the first-round talent is gone by now, so Belichick, assuming he doesn't trade this pick (he will) will start rebuilding his defense.
Skills: Nevis is described as a good run blocker who can handle and break up double teams.
What Changed From Last Time: The Raiders are moving down the draft board every week and taking Belichick's high first-round draft pick options away from him, so Mark Ingram is gone by now.
18. San Diego Chargers, Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pitt
15 of 32
Why Baldwin Goes Here: As powerful as the Chargers offense is, if a tight end is your leading touchdown catcher, you need an upgrade at wide receiver.
Skills: Baldwin is tall, has long strides and has great ball handling skills.
What Changed From Last Time: Antonio Gates isn't getting any younger, and Phillip Rivers is going to need more weapons on offense, so picking defensive end Allen Bailey here doesn't make as much sense.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Janoris Jenkins CB Florida
16 of 32
Why Jenkins Goes Here: Ronde Barber is telling people he's retiring. Even if he doesn't, he's getting old, so the Buccaneers need to put some youth here.
Skills: Jenkins has all the skills you want to see in a first-round corner. He stays with his receivers and he can read the play to make adjustments as necessary.
What Changed From Last Time: With Janoris Jenkins available, the Bucs take Jenkins over Travis Lewis, who is not looking like he'll be a first-round prospect at this point.
16. Kansas City Chiefs, Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
17 of 32
Why Ayers Goes Here: The Chiefs gave up a lot of points to the Denver Broncos last week, and Ayers is a guy who can change that.
Skills: Ayers is quick, can read quarterbacks and tends to know where the ball is going to go. He can disrupt plays.
What Changed From Last Time: Ayers is a better prospect here than my previous pick, Cameron Jordan.
15. Houston Texans, Allen Bailey, DE Miami
18 of 32
Why Bailey Goes Here: The Texans defense is putrid. Bailey will give them a legitimate pass rushing threat.
Skills: Bailey is quick and when offenses run the ball, he's good at getting to and tackling the runner.
What Changed From Last Time: Bailey is a better pick at this position than Rahim Moore, my previous pick.
14. Miami Dolphins, Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
19 of 32
Why Ingram Goes Here: While the Dolphins probably are going to need a quarterback out of the draft, all the first-round talent is gone by this point, so they'll go running back here with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown both potentially gone.
Skills: Ingram is the top-rated running back in the draft. He's fast, has great moves, and would be a low-risk pick for the Dolphins.
What Changed From Last Time: With Ingram on the board, DeMarco Murray will have to wait his turn.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars, Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
20 of 32
Why Kerrigan Goes Here: The Jaguars defense isn't that great, and Kerrigan makes them faster and better.
Skills: Kerrigan has been having a great year and gives the Jaguars a better pass-rushing threat than anyone they currently have on the roster.
What Changed From Last Time: Nothing. Kerrigan is a good pick for the Jaguars.
12. St. Louis Rams, Julio Jones, WR Alabama
21 of 32
Why Jones Goes Here: The Rams spent the money to get a No. 1 quarterback; now they have to give him a No. 1 receiver.
Skills: Jones can make the big plays, plays tough, runs good routes, and will be a starter in Week 1.
What Changed From Last Time: Nothing. As long as A.J. Green is off the board, this is the Rams' pick.
11. Denver Broncos, Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
22 of 32
Why Clayborn Goes Here: The Broncos, assuming Head Coach Josh McDaniels doesn't try and trade up or down, will go with Clayborn because he's the best defensive talent on the board at this point, and the Broncos defense needs help.
Skills: Clayborn is a powerful rusher and run blocker who is a threat every time he steps on the field.
What Changed From Last Time: Marcell Dareus, the previous pick, now is gone since the Broncos aren't as high in the draft this week.
10. Cleveland Browns, Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
23 of 32
Why Fairley Goes Here: The Browns have a ton of needs, so even if one of those needs, A.J. Green, is off the board, they have other areas they can turn to without reaching or trading down. Fairley goes here and begins rebuilding a very thin Cleveland defensive line.
Skills: Fairley is a great talent who gets to where the ball is, makes tackles and will be threat to any runner coming through the line.
What Changed From Last Time: Green is off the board and the Browns stick with best player available. It's not like they have a shortage of needs.
9. San Francisco 49ers, Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
24 of 32
Why Quinn Goes Here: With the promising play of Troy Smith, even if the 49ers draft a quarterback next year, it won't be in the first round, so they go defense.
Skills: Quinn gets high marks for his play on the field and his maturity off the field. Assuming Mike Singetary still is the head coach, Quinn is a perfect fit for Singletary's team.
What Changed From Last Time: Prince Amukamara, my previous pick, is off the board now.
8. Detroit Lions, Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
25 of 32
Why Amukamara Goes Here: The Lions next area of upgrade is the secondary, and Amukamara is a great person to fill that need.
Skills: Amukamara is the second-rated corner in the draft, and he'll help the Lions defense become one of the better ones in the league.
What Changed From Last Time: Da'Quan Bowers is off the board.
7. Washington Redskins, A.J. Green, WR Georgia
26 of 32
Why Green Goes Here: The Redskins have made their choice at quarterback, so now they better give Donovan McNabb someone to throw to.
Skills: Green is the top-rated receiver in the draft with great hands and route-running skills, and he can make the big plays.
What Changed From Last Time: While the Redskins may still draft a quarterback, and McNabb's contract has an "out" clause, Christian Ponder will have to wait.
6. Dallas Cowboys, Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
27 of 32
Why Dareus Goes Here: The Cowboys defense is going to need some work, and Dareus will make that line much better.
Skills: Dareus is one of the best defensive talents on the board, and he has great pass-rushing capabilities.
What Changed From Last Time: With the Cowboys showing life under Jason Garrett, they're no longer in a position to get Patrick Peterson.
5. Arizona Cardinals, Jake Locker, QB Washington
28 of 32
Why Locker Goes Here: Kurt Warner won't come out of retirement, Derek Anderson and word "accuracy" don't belong in the same stadium, Max Hall isn't ready, and John Skelton is an unknown.
Skills: Locker has all the skills to be an NFL quarterback, but his decision-making has gotten him in trouble. That can be coached up, though.
What Changed From Last Time: The Cardinals are in free-fall, and a quarterback is their top priority now, not Akeem Ayers.
4. Minnesota Vikings, Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
29 of 32
Why Mallett Goes Here: Even if Brett Favre wanted to play another year, the Vikings won't want him, and if Tarvaris Jackson were the future, they wouldn't have begged Favre to come back this year.
Skills: Mallett is 6'6", and a natural leader on the field. Mallett seems like the real deal and should have a long NFL career.
What Changed From Last Time: Nothing. The Vikings have to get a franchise quarterback.
3. Cincinnati Bengals, Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
30 of 32
Why Bowers Goes Here: While the Bengals have all kinds of emerging problems at quarterback, they're not taking one in the first round. Bowers gives the Bengals the best player available and really adds another dimension to their pass rush.
Skills: Bowers is tall, fast and agile. He can get around blockers and make plays happen.
What Changed From Last Time: Bowers is a better prospect than Adrian Clayborn, so the Bengals go with the better pick.
2. Carolina Panthers, Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
31 of 32
Why Peterson Goes Here: Carolina is in the middle of completely rebuilding their defense, not taking Peterson would be stupid.
Skills: Peterson is a shutdown corner. He's as good as they come.
What Changed From Last Time: Peterson is just a better pick than Robert Quinn here.
1. Buffalo Bills, Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
32 of 32
Why Luck Goes Here: The Bills need a franchise quarterback, and Luck is this year's Sam Bradford.
Skills: Bradford has all the intangibles plus the physical skills to be a great quarterback in the NFL.
What Changed From Last Time: Nothing. Until proven otherwise, this is the No. 1 pick.
.jpg?w=480 "Rams Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Texans Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Kyler Rocking No. 1 ☝️")
.jpg?w=600 "Rap Shuts Down Rodgers Rumor 🤫")
.jpg?w=600 "Vid of Bills' New Stadium 👀")
.png?w=600 "2027 NFL Mock Draft 🔮")