2011 NFL Mock Draft: My Very Early Look

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This is the time of the season where NFL teams are either focused on getting to the playoffs or looking forward to next year's draft class.

Making a mock draft is generally a hit or miss thing to do because so many things can happen between now and April, but it's always fun to make a mock draft after seeing writers on other websites make picks that teams never need.

I took a look at all of the team's schedules and tried to guess how many wins or losses they would have so I could make a order for my mock draft.

Sorry if some of these records disappoint some fans, but I was taking a realistic look at everyone's schedules.

1. The Carolina Panthers(2-14) Select...

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A.J. Green.

The Panthers are going nowhere fast this season and have had some embarrassing losses this season.

Clausen will struggle this year and with the first pick Green is the only answer; he could be the next Calvin/Andre Johnson.

2. The Buffalo Bills(4-12) Select...

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Andrew Luck.

The Bills have been a joke this season and Donte Whitner said in a interview that teams were actually laughing at them on the field. I think Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good QB and can play in this league, but the Bills will most likely go with the best signal caller available (though I don't think QB is the problem with the Bills).

If the Bills are serious about drafting a new QB look for them to try to use Fitzpatrick as a trading chip in the draft to accumulate another pick. If the Bills don't trade him, Fitzpatrick could be a reliable backup.

This pick hinges on whether or not Luck even enters the draft. He is, after all, only a sophomore.

3. The Minnesota Vikings(4-12) Select...

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Patrick Peterson.

I know the Vikings need a QB very badly, but the Vikings can go after a QB in the second round. Patrick Peterson is one of those rare talents that come along once in a great while and Antonie Winfield is not getting any younger. Peterson could also start as a rookie and take Percy Harvin's job as returner so Harvin can focus on offense.

If the Vikings do go QB in the first round with this high of a pick it has to be Jake Locker. Cam Newton would be a big reach here with his off the field issues(cheating scandals). Newton will most likely drop out of the first round and maybe into the second.

4, The Detroit Lions(4-12) Select...

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Gabe Carimi.

I don't think that Matt Stafford is fragile, it's just the Lion's offensive line that are not doing their job. Lions get a big physical tackle here that will hopefully get the job done.

5. The Cincinnati Bengals(5-11) Select...

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Jake Locker.

Carson Palmer's years are numbered in Cincy and the franchise needs a new signal caller.

Locker is a good sized QB at 6'3 and 230 pounds who can scramble if rushed out of the pocket. Cincy may keep Palmer for another season or two, but they get a signal caller of the future who will learn from a former pro bowl QB and not have to be thrown to the wolves right away.

6. The Arizona Cardinals(5-11) Select...

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Marcell Dareus.

The Cardinals are really struggling this year on both offense and defense, but the best thing to do with this pick would be to get a big guy to stop the run and rush the QB.

Dareus can stop the run and rush the QB so this pick would be ideal for the Cardinals. Calias Campbell is not a monster coming off the edge like he was in college so there is potential for Dareus to take his spot at starter.

7. The San Francisco 49ers(5-11) Select...

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Prince Amukamara.

The 49ers pick could go a number of ways: OLB, DE, DB, WR, QB, and RB. Prince is the best player on the board and the 49ers corners are nothing to brag about.

Nate Clements could be a very good veteran mentor for Prince to learn under.

8. The Cleveland Browns(5-11) Select...

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Julio Jones.

The Browns have been pretty solid on defense this year—at times—and the offense has been good as well.

The offense, particularly the passing game, needs another piece to the puzzle.

Jones is a big physical receiver who could be just what the browns need. I'm not sold on Jones' speed and will have to wait for the combine, but Jones will be a big red-zone threat.

9. The Houston Texans(6-10) Select...

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Ras-I Dowling.

The Texans' pass defense ranked dead last this season so enough said about this pick.

10. The Dallas Cowboys(6-10) Select...

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Anthony Castonzo.

The Cowboys' offensive line has been pretty bad this year and particularly Alex Barron.

This is the Cowboys' biggest concern and should be addressed with their first round pick.

11. The Denver Broncos(7-9) Select...

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Cameron Heyward.

The Broncos need help on the defensive line and Heyward can play both DE/DT. OLB and ILB is also a possibility with this pick.

12. The Sand Diego Chargers(7-9) Select...

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Jonathan Baldwin.

The Chargers are most likely selecting a WR in the first round and the only WR's left will be Baldwin or Floyd. Floyd has a history of being injured and may drop because of it. Baldwin will be a big time red-zone target.

13. The St. Louis Rams(7-9) Select...

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Michael Floyd.

The Rams need another weapon for Sam Bradford to throw to and Floyd has good hands that Bradford can rely on. The injury history will be a red flag, but the Rams are desperate for a play making WR.

14. The Washington Redskins(7-9) Select...

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Marvin Austin.

The Redskins will most likely get rid of Albert "Big Baby"(sorry Glenn Davis but it fits Haynesworth better) Haynesworth and even if they don't they will still need a DT.

Marvin Austin could  play defensive end as well because he is 6'3 and 310 pounds.

15. The Miami Dolphins(8-8) Select...

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Mark Ingram.

The running game has not been working for the Dolphins this season and they need a RB who can wear down a defense; Ingram can do just that. Ricky Williams will be turning 34 next season and I believe Ronnie Brown will be a free agent if the Dolphins choose to not resign him, so Ingram makes a lot of sense for the Dolphins.

16. The Jacksonville Jaguars(8-8) Select...

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Allen Bailey.

The Jaguars could use another defensive lineman even though they have selected defensive end for the majority of the decade. Allen Bailey is a beast off the edge and has some crazy athleticism (Bailey use to play linebacker).

17. The New England Patriots(THANK YOU SEYMOUR AND RAIDERS) Select...

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Mike Pouncey.

Stephen Neal turns 35 after this season and Neal has already stated this will be his last season as a pro; also, Mankins becomes a free agent after the season. The Patriots get a very physical guard who can also play center if need be. Pouncey will become the anchor of the line in the middle.

Pouncey is the best interior offensive lineman available and is a major concern because they could potentially lose both starting guards this season. It would be smart to pick up Pouncey first because there are more teams coming up that could really use a guard.

18. The Seattle Seahawks(8-8) Select...

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Ryan Mallet.

Physically imposing and standing at a whopping 6'7 and 240 pounds this QB could be special if put on the right team. Matt Hasselbeck is ancient and the Seahawks have some good weapons already, all the Seahawks need now is a young QB and some more protection for him.

19. The Kansas City Chiefs(9-7) Select...

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Ryan Kerrigan.

No WR's on the board right now worth this pick so KC should address another concern at OLB because of Mike Vrabel's age. Vrabel might have a season or two left in the tank.

20. The Chicago Bears(9-7) Select...

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Da'Quan Bowers.

The Bears get a big defensive end that can play opposite Julius Peppers.

Teams won't be able to double Peppers with Bowers on the other side.

21. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers(10-6) Select...

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Adrain Clayborn.

The Buccaneers get another defensive lineman to get a young talented group core together.

22. The Tennessee Titans(10-6) Select...

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Bruce Carter.

Stephen Tulloch has had a good year but the linebacking core could use another upgrade. Carter could be a good 4-3 LB at the next level.

23. The New York Giants(9-7) Select...

Greg Jones.

The Giants need a upgrade at MLB and Jones is a tackling machine.

24. The Baltimore Ravens(12-4) Select...

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Brandon Harris.

The Ravens could use another CB.

25. The Indianapolis Cotls(11-5) Select...

Nate Solder.

The Indianapolis Colts need to protect Peyton Manning better and the offensive line has been horrible.

Solder, who stands at 6'9" and weighs 315 pounds,should get the job done.

26. The New Orleans Saints(9-7) Select...

Daniel Thomas.

The Saints need a talented RB behind Pierre Thomas; Daniel Thomas could split carries with Pierre Thomas as well.

27. The Atlanta Falcons(12-4) Select...

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Kyle Rudolph.

Tony Gonzalez is not putting up the numbers he use to and the Falcons could use a much needed upgrade. What's more, Gonzalez is long in the tooth. Rudolph could play right away as a blocker because he stands at a massive 6'6 and 265 pounds.

Gonzalez would be a great mentor for Rudolph as well.

28. The Pittsburgh Steelers(11-5) Select...

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Janoris Jenkins.

The Steelers really need a corner because the secondary has lost too many games for the Steelers.

29. The Greenbay Packers(11-5) Select...

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Aaron Williams.

The Packers could use another corner because I think it's about time that Charles Woodson makes the switch to safety. If I am right the Packers will need another corner opposite Tramon Williams.

30. The New York Jets(13-3) Select...

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Joseph Barksdale.

The Jets get a replacement for Damien Woody and add another young offensive lineman to their already solid offensive line.

31. The New England Patriots(13-3) Select...

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Ryan Williams.

Kevin Faulk could be done after this season and the Patriots found a new 3rd down back in Danny Woodhead anyway.

"LawFirm" is a good RB, but the Patriots need another. If Marcus Lattimore from South Carolina enters the draft he will be this pick if he has not been picked already.

32. The Philadelphia Eagles(13-3) Select...

DeMarcus Love.

The Eagles get a big offensive lineman that will hopefully protect the QB's in Philly because Philly's offensive line is shaky.