2011 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck to Bills No. 1, Is Cam Newton Top 10?
The analysis has already begun and the rankings are developing for next year's NFL Draft.
It's still a ways off, but college football fans and NFL fans have a good idea who is already being considered possible lottery picks. Stanford's Andrew Luck, Ryan Mallett at Arkansas and Washington's Jake Locker are widely regarded as the top quarterbacks in the class. LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson is also expected to be a high pick.
How will it unfold?
Let's break down the first round, and look at where the teams will pick and who they'll get:
32. New England Patriots, Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
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Why Williams Is Special: The redshirt sophomore was one of the nation's top running backs coming out of high school, and showed why in 2009, rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Why Williams Goes Here: There's plenty of good running backs in this class, but the only one better than Williams is Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. These will be the first two off the board.
Why Williams Fits: New England has desperately needed a talented runner ever since they lost Corey Dillon.
31. New York Jets, Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
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Why Miller Is Special: He's battled an ankle injury this year, but when healthy, he's clearly dominant, as he showed last season with 21.5 tackles for a loss and 16.5 sacks.
Why Miller Goes Here: Some websites have him listed as the second best rush linebacker in the draft behind North Carolina's Robert Quinn. He could also give the Jets a boost in rushing the passer.
Why Miller Fits: He's great off the edge and could be a perfect fit in the team's 3-4 scheme.
30. Philadelphia Eagles, Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida
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Why Pouncey Is Special: He's a natural guard, but can also switch to center, and displays great strength and athleticism.
Why Pouncey Goes Here: The Eagles' future is bright with players like DeSean Jackson and Lesean McCoy. Take the best player on the board, and get another building block.
Why Pouncey Fits: No matter what team you are, you can never have enough depth on the line. Not flashy, but still just a sound, smart move for the Eagles.
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29. Green Bay, Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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Why Baldwin Is Special: He has 42 catches for 677 yards (16.1 avg.) this season and five touchdown. He's also been compared to former Panther Larry Fitzgerald.
Why Baldwin Goes Here: He could honestly go earlier to a team like Baltimore, but Green Bay also could benefit by adding a big play threat.
Why Baldwin Fits: Donald Driver is 35, and not getting younger. Why not give Aaron Rodgers another reliable option?
28. Atlanta Falcons, Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Why Sherrod Is Special: He's a great fit at left tackle and is a good pass protector with great range, footwork and lateral movement.
Why Sherrod Goes Here: Some mock drafts have him going a spot earlier, and he's ranked second among offensive tackles, trailing Boston College's Anthony Costanzo.
Why Sherrod Fits: Getting more protection for Matt Ryan isn't a bad thing, is it?
27. Pittsburgh Steelers, Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
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Why Paea Is Special: He has tremendous strength and is a great run stopper. As a junior, he had 8.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks.
Why Paea Goes Here: His height (6-foot-1) could drop him, and he has been knocked for being one dimensional and only being able to play in a 4-3 scheme.
Why Paea fits: The Steelers have been stockpiling and drafting for the future, and will add to an already talented defense.
26. Indianapolis Colts, Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Why Ingram Is Special: If you watched him at all during his Heisman trophy season in 2009, then you saw what a bruising, hard runner he is.
Why Ingram Goes Here: He is the top running back in the draft, but could be nabbed earlier by teams like the Patriots, who also need help at the position.
Why Ingram Fits: The Colts lost Joseph Addai to injury, and their ground game has been non-existant. Time to fix the problem.
25. New Orleans Saints, Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
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Why Carter is Special: He's exceptionally athletic, and could also be used as a kick blocker on special teams.
Why Carter Goes Here: New Orleans lost Scott Fujita to free agency in the offseason, and haven't been able to fill the hole.
Why Carter fits: He's the perfect player to put at outside linebacker in the Saints' 4-3 scheme.
24. Baltimore Ravens, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
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Why Floyd Is Special: He doesn't have great speed, but is a big physical receiver that's much like a Larry Fitzgerald.
Why Floyd Goes Here: He's got the talent, but it's just unrealistic to picture him going any higher.
Why Floyd Fits: Derrick Mason is getting old, and Floyd would be a great replacement.
23. New York Giants, Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU
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Why Barksdale Is Special: He's extremely athletic, is solid in pass protection and tremendous hand use.
Why Barksdale Goes Here: This could be a conservative estimate, since some drafts predict that Barksdale could rocket up the board and be the first left tackle taken.
Why Barksdale Fits: He's played both tackle spots, and could help the Giants replace Kareem McKenzie at right tackle.
22. Chicago Bears, Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College
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Why Costanzo Is Special: He's a four-year starter and could start immediately according to some experts.
Why Costanzo Goes Here: It's still unsure whether he could play left tackle, and he would need to gain additional weight.
Why Costanzo Fits: Protecting Jay Cutler has been an issue, and Costanzo could be a quick solution to this problem.
21. Tennessee Titans, Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
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Why Broyles Is Special: He's been a tremendous playmaker throughout his career at Oklahoma, and will leave with virtually every school receiving record.
Why Broyles Goes Here: A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Justin Blackmon are the stars at this position in the draft, but Broyles follows right behind them.
Why Broyles Fits: Tennessee needs a shot of adrenaline in its passing game and Randy Moss isn't the answer.
20. Tampa Bay, Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Why Williams Is Special: Texas has produced plenty of talented defensive backs that have gone on to the NFL, and Williams will definitely provide a team with a shutdown corner.
Why Williams Goes Here: The draft is stacked at cornerback, and this is right about where Williams should fall.
Why Williams Fits: Tampa has the other corner spot taken care of after drafting Aqib Talib. Get Williams, and you have a replacement once Ronde Barber calls it a career.
19. Miami Dolphins, Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Why Newton Is Special: If you've watched any college football at all this season, you should know.
Why Newton Goes Here: He may fall based on the controversy that's surrounded him, but on talent alone, you have to say he is first round material.
Why Newton Fits: Chad Henne hasn't exactly proved he's the future of the franchise, so it would be a brilliant move to take a shot at the Tigers' quarterback.
18. New England Patriots, Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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Why Bailey is Special: He's a freak who's got the size (6-4, 285), speed (4.65-40 yard dash) and athleticism. As a junior, he finished with 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks.
Why Bailey Goes Here: The draft has a lot of talented defensive ends, and Bailey is ranked around the third or fourth best.
Why Bailey Fits: The Patriots could finally find a replacement for Richard Seymour.
17. Seattle Seahawks, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Why Clayborn Is Special: The man has an engine, and could help with the pass rush and stopping the run.
Why Clayborn Goes Here: He could've been a first-rounder last year, and is considered one of this year's top senior prospects.
Why Clayborn Fits: Seattle has no long-term solution at the position, so this is a no-brainer.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars, Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Why Moore Is Special: He's got just the kind of talent to excel at the position. Last year, he had 10 interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Why Moore Goes Here: He is ranked on some lists as the second best safety in the draft, and could even slip to the second round.
Why Moore Fits: Jacksonville needs to find some way to stifle the passing attacks they face within their division. This would help.
15. Kansas City Chiefs, Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Why Kerrigan Is Special: He's quick off the ball and it's obvious to spot his competitiveness and the motor he runs on.
Why Kerrigan Goes Here: Some claim he's a bit overrated, so it's hard to tell just where he fits.
Why Kerrigan Fits: Mike Vrabel is getting older, and Kerrigan could be a great replacement, especially since both are the same size.
14. Houston Texans, Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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Why Jenkins Is Special: He's not the biggest player, but his skill would help him match up with some of the NFL's fastest receivers.
Why Jenkins Goes Here: He doesn't have quite the same athleticism as other corners in the draft, but has held his own in the SEC.
Why Jenkins Fits: The Texans are one of the worst teams in the NFL against the pass. This is a good step in the right direction.
13. Washington Redskins, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Why Blackmon Is Special: If you want a playmaker, that's what you'll get with Blackmon, whom many say is even better than his predecessor Dez Bryant.
Why Blackmon Goes Here: I suppose you could argue if he's better than A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but for now, he's stuck at third among receivers in this class.
Why Blackmon Fits: Right now, he would be a much better option for Donovan McNabb than Santana Moss or Anthony Armstrong.
12. San Diego Chargers, Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Why Ayers Is Special: He's got the ability to drop back in coverage, or play the run and can play both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes.
Why Ayers Goes Here: Some may question his ability as a pass rusher.
Why Ayers Fits: The Chargers technically haven't had anyone take over since they parted ways with Shawne Merriman. Maybe Ayers could be the guy.
11. St. Louis Rams, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Why Jones Is Special: He's started ever since his freshman year, and has proven to be one of the most dominant players in the game.
Why Jones Goes Here: For now, we'll leave him here. But expect him and A.J. Green to flip spots in many mock drafts.
Why Jones Fits: The Rams are building for the future, and this would be a perfect option for quarterback Sam Bradford.
10. Cleveland Browns, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Why Green Is Special: Like Jones, he played as a freshman, and like his Alabama counterpart, he's dominated ever since.
Why Green Goes Here: See previous comments about Jones.
Why Green Fits: Colt McCoy has Peyton Hillis in the backfield. Adding Green would give the Browns quite a trio for the future.
9. Denver Broncos, Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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Why Quinn Is Special: He has great size and is a great pass rusher who has drawn comparisons to former Tar Heel Julius Peppers.
Why Quinn Goes Here: Many mock drafts have him way higher, some have him right here. At this point, it's guesswork.
Why Quinn Fits: Denver needs a complete makeover on defense, and Quinn is the first piece.
8. Minnesota Vikings, Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Why Locker Is Special: He's got great athleticism, and is a great passer, and has continued to improve over his collegiate career.
Why Locker Goes Here: The debate will rage on between whether he or Ryan Mallett is the second best quarterback in the draft.
Why Locker Fits: Brett Favre said this is his last year. There's no question what Minnesota should do.
7. San Francisco 49ers, Nick Fairley, DT/DE, Auburn
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Why Fairley Is Special: He's got great size and speed, and has been perhaps one of the most dominant defensive players in the SEC.
Why Fairley Goes Here: With the other talent still out there, this is a good spot.
Why Fairley Fits: Eh, do you really think you can count on defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga as a long-term answer? Sopoaga has played in every game and has just 16 tackles.
6. Arizona Cardinals, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Why Mallett Is Special: His talent and ability have been obvious ever since he was one of the top high school recruits in the nation. He faced off against Jimmy Clausen in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and many coaches thought Mallett was more polished and had better pro potential.
Why Mallett Goes Here: You could perhaps make an argument that Cincinnati could nab him, but he definitely is one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft.
Why Mallett Fits: Because Arizona desperately needs to find their future quarterback.
5. Detroit Lions, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Why Amukamara Is Special: His size, speed and physical nature are everything you want in a legit shutdown corner.
Why Amukamara Goes Here: Keep an eye on whether he possibly slips past fellow cornerback Patrick Peterson. That will be an interesting development.
Why Amukamara Fits: Alphonso Smith or Chris Houston certainly haven't given the team much confidence at this position have they?
4. Dallas Cowboys, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Why Peterson Is Special: He is your prototypical shutdown corner who can also hit hard and could be used on special teams and possibly offense.
Why Peterson Goes Here: There's no way he falls out of the top five.
Why Peterson Fits: Terence Newman's best days seem to just be behind him.
3. Cincinnati Bengals, Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Why Bowers Is Special: Does 13.5 sacks on the season say enough?
Why Bowers Goes Here: Because this is where dominant pass rushers usually wind up every year around draft time.
Why Bowers Fits: Cincinnati has a multitude of problems to address. Might as well begin here.
2. Carolina Panthers, Marcel Dareus, DE, Alabama
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Why Dareus Is Special: He dominated in last year's national championship game, can stuff the run and is a great pass rusher who can play defensive tackle in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 3-4.
Why Dareus Goes Here: He's put up big numbers for one of the nation's top defenses and in the most physical conference in the country.
Why Dareus Fits: Carolina hasn't replaced Julius Peppers since he left for Chicago.
1. Buffalo Bills, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Why Luck is Special: He's a smart, talented quarterback who knows how to win, and led Stanford's resurgence.
Why Luck Goes Here: He is a little more polished than Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker, and should be the first quarterback off the board.
Why Luck Fits: Buffalo needs a ton, and can begin with a franchise quarterback.
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