2011 NFL Mock Draft: Is Andrew Luck A Gimme For Panthers At No. 1?
Andrew Luck finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, but many prognosticators don't expect the star signal-caller from Stanford to take a backseat to anyone come April's NFL Draft, in New York.
With top-shelf talents such as Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green and LSU corner back Patrick Peterson also in the mix, it's hardly slim pickings at the top.
Carolina (1-12) has its sights on making the indelible first selection. Will the Panthers ditch struggling rookie Jimmy Clausen in favor of Luck?
Gazing into the crystal ball:
32. Atlanta Falcons, Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Why Carimi Is Special: At 6-foot-6, 318 pounds, Carimi has all the physical measurables sought after. He helped pave the way for a Wisconsin backfield that featured a pair of running backs who totaled nearly 2,000 rush yards.
Why Carimi Goes Here: There are at least two better, quicker tackles who will be drafted earlier, but the Falcons couldn't go wrong with another bruiser up front to protect franchise quarterback Matt Ryan.
Why Carimi Fits: Atlanta is showing few weaknesses on either side of the football. Building depth at offensive tackle is a can't-miss decision.
31. New England Patriots, Jonthan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
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Why Baldwin Is Special: More than 2,300 career receiving yards and 16 touchdowns -- and in just three seasons -- make him one of the top proven receivers in the draft.
Why Baldwin Goes Here: After deciding to forgo his senior season at Pitt, the Patriots won't be able to pass up another receiver threat, especially a 6-foot-5, 230-pound target.
Why Baldwin Fits: Tom Brady will have New England fans forgetting all about Randy Moss.
30. New York Jets, Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
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Why Jordan Is Special: The 6-foot-4, 280-pound senior had 62 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
Why Jordan Goes Here: The Jets' strength is their defensive secondary. Jordan would provide viable speed off the edge as a rush end.
Why Jordan Fits: Offensively, the foundation is set for the Jets. Rex Ryan loves stockpiling defensive options to experiment with.
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29. New Orleans Saints, Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
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Why Beal Is Special: He's a combo linebacker with speed and power at 6-foot-3, 267 pounds. OU won another Big XII championship with Beal contributing 66 tackles and nine sacks.
Why Beal Goes Here: The Saints could use an influx of young talent at outside linebacker. He's a steal late in the first round.
Why Beal Fits: Solidifying defensive depth and developing a solid corps of linebackers should be top priority for New Orleans.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers, Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
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Why Rudolph Is Special: The 6-foot-6, 265-pound junior has 90 career receptions for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. He's got a big body at tight end, great hands and is another threat to catch passes when a defense doesn't expect it.
Why Rudolph Goes Here: Pittsburgh is set at its skill positions and virtually everywhere on defense. Great tight ends are few and far between.
Why Rudolph Fits: His modesty and hard work ethic would bode well in the blue collar city and under the direction of coach Mike Tomlin.
27. Baltimore Ravens, Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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Why Dowling Is Special: Eight interceptions and 159 career tackles make him a legitimate first-round talent.
Why Dowling Goes Here: Baltimore would like nothing more than to find a speedy cover corner to develop in its secondary.
Why Dowling Fits: He's always around the football and can create turnovers to get the ball back to Joe Flacco and Ray Rice.
26. Philadelphia Eagles, Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Why Moore Is Special: There just aren't many safeties quite like him. In three seasons with the Bruins, Moore accumulated 180 tackles and an eye-opening 14 interceptions.
Why Moore Goes Here: Michael Vick, LaSean McCoy, DaSean Jackson and Owen Schmitt make the Eagles' offense loaded for years to come. Moore would inject young talent in the Philadelphia secondary.
Why Moore Fits: Any questions about Philadelphia's pass defense could likely be answered with a ball-hawking safety.
25. Chicago Bears, Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU
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Why Barksdale Is Special: An All-SEC performer, doing so against the rugged West Division, he was an unmistakable presence on the Tiger's offensive line, listed at 6-foot-5, 318 pounds.
Why Barksdale Goes Here: Jay Cutler. If the Bears can find a wildcard receiver somewhere in the draft, coupled with help up front for their quarterback, the NFC North leaders should stay on track.
Why Barksdale Fits: Tackles who have been through four rigorous seasons in SEC immediately have an edge. There's a reason the SEC consistently produces the most NFL talent.
24. Green Bay Packers, Ryan Williams, Va. Tech
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Why Williams Is Special: In just two seasons, Williams racked up more than 2,100 rush yards and a staggering 30 touchdowns for the Hokies. Should he enter the 2011 draft, there's enough reason to believe he finds his way into the first round.
Why Williams Goes Here: If he stays in college for his junior season, Williams may improve his stock to a top 10 first rounder for 2012. But Williams was hampered with a hamstring injury for much of this season and it's probably not worth the risk.
Why Williams Fits: The Packers leading rusher, Brandon Jackson, had only 546 rush yards and three touchdowns. That is not enough complimentary production to supplement quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
23. New York Giants, Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
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Why Broyles Is Special: Three years at Oklahoma equated to more than 3,200 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns. Enough said.
Why Broyles Goes Here: The New York Giants rank sixth in rushing yards, second in pass defense and seventh in rush defense. Eli Manning has the G-Men averaging better than 240 pass yards a game. Why not give him another go to receiver?
Why Broyles Fits: He and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks could make the Giants' passing offense a two-headed monster.
22. St. Louis Rams, Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Why Sherrod Is Special: He's one of the top offensive tackles in the draft. Listed at 6-foot-5, 303 pounds, Sherrod earned all-SEC honors.
Why Sherrod Goes Here: A quality tackle at this point of the draft will be too hard to pass up.
Why Sherrod Fits: St. Louis has their quarterback of the future in Sam Bradford. They've also got a 1,000-yard rusher in Steven Jackson. If the Rams build up their line and find a receiver or two, it's hard to imagine what records Bradford will shatter.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars, Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Why Williams Is Special: Speed, ball skills and the ability to create turnovers put Williams among the top corner backs in the draft. For his career as a Longhorn, Williams made 89 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions.
Why Williams Goes Here: The type of receiver Jacksonville is looking for simply won't be available. The defensive secondary help will be.
Why Williams Fits: The Jaguars' pass defense is giving up nearly 260 yards a game, ranking among the bottom of the NFL. A talent injection there would be welcomed.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
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Why Nevis Is Special: He was a vital component of the LSU defense, which ranked among the best units in college football. Listed at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, Nevis had 140 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception for the Tigers.
Why Nevis Goes Here: Tampa Bay needs rush defense support immediately. The Bucs rank 27th in the NFL at stopping the run.
Why Nevis Fits: Based on needs, Tampa Bay couldn't go wrong with a battle-tested brute from the SEC.
19. Kansas City Chiefs, Rodney Hudson, OG, Florida State
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Why Hudson Is Special: Listed at 6-foot-2, 282 pounds, he was one of the best blockers in the ACC and could play either center or left guard in the NFL.
Why Hudson Goes Here: Versatile linemen are not run of the mill players. The Chiefs have the top rushing attack in the NFL, but quarterback Matt Cassel could use more protection to turn the offense into a true dual threat.
Why Hudson Fits: Running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones could be even more potent with another formidable blocker in front of them. Pass blocking would improve also, making Hudson a win-win selection.
18. Miami Dolphins, DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
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Why Murray Is Special: His four-year career at Oklahoma was remarkable. Murray rushed for nearly 3,600 yards and 49 touchdowns. Demonstrating his versatility, Murray also has 155 receptions for over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Why Murray Goes Here: How effective could a backfield featured with Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and DeMarco Murray be in Miami?
Why Murray Fits: He would be another offensive tool in the shed. Chad Henne has proven himself a capable drop back passer. Brown is a master in the Wildcat and Murray would be dangerous running and catching passes out of multiple offensive formations.
17. Indianapolis Colts, Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Why Bowers Is Special: The talented junior recorded 144 tackles, a forced fumbled and an interception for the Tigers. He may be the top defensive end in the draft.
Why Bowers Goes Here: Peyton Manning and an eventually healthy Joseph Addai will keep the Colts offense near the top of the NFL. The defense, particularly stopping the run, needs help.
Why Bowers Fits: Having Bowers to spell Dwight Freeney could be lethal. Or sticking him on the end opposite Freeney.
16. San Diego Chargers, Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Why Solder Is Special: Size matters. Solder is listed at 6-foot-8, 300 pounds and earned All-America honors.
Why Solder Goes Here: The Chargers don't need much help on defense. They're just fine at quarterback and produce enough rushing yards. Why not improve the surge up front?
Why Solder Fits: He's arguably the top offensive lineman in the draft. San Diego will nab him if he's still available.
15. Tennessee Titans, Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Why Locker Is Special: At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, he's got the body of a potential NFL star. Locker has proven his worth as a passer -- more than 7,500 yards and 53 touchdowns in his career -- and though he's not Vick quick, he hurt a defense with his feet.
Why Locker Goes Here: Tennessee needs a quarterback for the future.
Why Locker Fits: The Titans' offense is built around athleticism. Locker would be a fitting complement to running back Chris Johnson.
14. Houston Texans, Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Why Ayers Is Special: At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, Ayers is built like a rock. He can run and has great football instincts. In three years at UCLA, he made 177 tackles, six interceptions and forced two fumbles.
Why Ayers Goes Here: Houston desperately needs help in pass defense, where it ranks dead last in the NFL. Corner backs and safeties help, but Ayers can be a tremendous impact in stopping the air assault. If he's not yet drafted, Houston can't pass him up.
Why Ayers Fits: There may be no team with a glaring weakness more evident than Houston's defensive secondary. Ayers could develop into a fixture right in the middle of the defense.
13. Washington Redskins, Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Why Ingram Is Special: He is the best running back in the 2011 draft. Hands down. Ingram has size, speed, power and an outstanding work ethic. The former Heisman Trophy winner and all world running back is poised to be a Pro Bowl caliber tailback for years to come.
Why Ingram Goes Here: There are a handful of skill players more important than a running back who will be taken ahead of Ingram. Besides that, he's easily one of the top players in the entire draft.
Why Ingram Fits: He'd fit virtually anywhere, but the Redskins will not let a player of his pedigree slip by. With questions surrounding Clinton Portis' future with the team, Ingram is a no-brainer replacement.
12. New England Patriots, Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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Why Jenkins Is Special: Jenkins may have been the brightest spot for the dwindling Gators. As a senior, he recorded 43 tackles and three interceptions, one of which he returned 67 yards for a touchdown.
Why Jenkins Goes Here: New England would like nothing more than to find a speedy cover corner to develop in its porous secondary.
Why Jenkins Fits: The Patriots would get a seasoned defensive back from the SEC. He would fill an immediate need in pass defense.
11. Seattle Seahwaks, Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Why Castonzo Is Special: He is the best offensive tackle in the draft. At 6-foot-7, 295 pounds, Castonzo dominated the ACC and was the anchor of the Golden Eagles line.
Why Castonzo Goes Here: The Seahawks' paltry rushing offense -- and passing offense for the matter -- could only improve with a stalwart blocker like Castonzo.
Why Castonzo Fits: It's become resoundingly clear how valuable these types of offensive tackles are to a team. He'd impact any offense. Seattle can't go wrong here.
10. Cleveland Browns, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Why Mallett Is Special: To think there's a better quarterback than Mallett in this draft, well, it's scary. Mallett has a huge arm, incredible vision and a deep understanding of intricate passing offenses.
Why Mallett Goes Here: Colt McCoy and Jake Delhomme have done nothing to date to prove they're capable of orchestrating the Brown's offense better than Mallett could.
Why Mallett Fits: Moving the football through the air is the biggest area of concern in Cleveland. Mallett could change that.
9. Minnesota Vikings, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Why Amukamara Is Special: He's the second best corner back in the draft. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Cornhusker registered 154 tackles, five interceptions and three force fumbles over four seasons.
Why Amukamara Goes Here: The Viking's defensive secondary has been the most suspect part of the team this year, aside from the ongoing Brett Favre saga. Amukamara's potential addition at corner back would most likely pay immediate dividends in Minnesota.
Why Amukamara Fits: It's all about team needs. Running back Adrian Peterson is in his prime and the team's rush defense is stout. Pick up a shutdown corner and get back to playoff caliber football.
8. San Francisco 49ers, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Why Clayborn Is Special: At 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, he totaled 183 career tackles, 19 sacks and a forced fumble.
Why Clayborn Goes Here: The 49ers are building their offense around talented youth. Clayborn gives them the same, except on defense, where San Francisco could improve, especially in getting pressure against opposing quarterbacks.
Why Clayborn Fits: Fill needs and take the best player available. That's the whole point of the draft.
7. Denver Broncos, Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
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Why Dareus Is Special: The 6-foot-4, 306-pound junior put together a spectacular career at Alabama, where he amassed 63 tackles, 10 sacks and an interception. His stature on the end is very imposing, to say the least.
Why Dareus Goes Here: Denver has plenty of young weapons on offense, but ranks 31st in stopping the run. Enter Dareus.
Why Dareus Fits: Besides rush defense, Dareus can aid in stopping the pass, which is the other primary area the Broncos are looking to improve.
6. Dallas Cowboys, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Why Peterson Is Special: One hundred twenty-nine tackles and seven career interceptions are pretty special numbers. He was the star of the vaunted LSU defense.
Why Peterson Goes Here: Dallas really can't go wrong, especially with a player like Peterson. The Cowboys rank 27th in pass defense.
Why Peterson Fits: Quarterbacks won't throw his way and he's one of the most dangerous punt returners in college football.
5. Arizona Cardinals, Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Why Newton Is Special: There is nothing he can't do. He runs over and around everyone. He makes incredible plays happen that no one else can. No defense has been able to slow him and they've known what to expect. He won the Heisman Trophy by a landslide and lacks absolutely nothing as a football player.
Why Newton Goes Here: No matter how much Derek Anderson sounds off citing how hard he works and that team struggles are not funny, all the Arizona fans will be smiling as glowingly as Newton does when the Cardinals draft him.
Why Newton Fits: He's got the size, speed, arm strength and raw play making ability to impact any offense. And he will.
4. Buffalo Bills, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Why Blackmon Is Special: College football's No. 2-ranking receiver amassed 102 receptions for 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Why Blackmon Goes Here: After mulling early entry into the draft, the Bills won't be able to pass up an elite receiver threat, even though he's just a 20-year old sophomore.
Why Blackmon Fits: Buffalo needs a dynamic offensive weapon to breath life into their offense.
3. Cincinnati Bengals, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Why Jones Is Special: He was an integral piece of Alabama's return to the apex of college football. More than 2,600 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns make Jones, a junior, a sure-fire first round draft selection.
Why Jones Goes Here: If Cincinnati were to add Jones alongside receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, defense coordinators may be pulling their hair out trying to stop quarterback Carson Palmer from having a field day every time the offense takes the field.
Why Jones Fits: How much longer will Owens be effective? Jones would have a chance to be groomed by a pair of the games' finest pass catchers before he would become the primary option.
2. Detroit Lions, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Why Green Is Special: He's a big play threat. He can punish a defense and stretch the field. Green averaged more than 14 yards a catch as a senior and racked up more than 2,500 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns during his career at Georgia.
Why Green Goes Here: If quarterback wasn't a more important position than wide receiver, Green would be the top pick. He's here by default.
Why Green Fits: He's the perfect compliment to wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who is also young. The Lions would have a dynamic pair of receivers to build their offense around.
1. Carolina Panthers, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Why Luck Is Special: In three seasons with the Cardinal, Luck has been nothing short of sensational. He's got more than 5,600 pass yards and 41 touchdowns. Accuracy, strength, decision-making... Luck has all the assets desired by the NFL. He is the premier pro passing prospect in the draft and he can tuck the football and get up the field when necessary.
Why Luck Goes Here: He's a budding star quarterback that a franchise can be built around. If he elects to forgo his senior season, he'll be a shoe-in to hear his name announced first in April's draft.
Why Luck Fits: Carolina won't see current rookie Jimmy Clausen as the future face of the offense. He's thrown just one touchdown and the team has won only one game. Luck is a team guy that isn't afraid to deliver a hit when he's not shredding secondaries with pinpoint passing.
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