2011 NFL Mock Draft With Videos: A.J. Green, Georgia WR, No. 1 to Carolina?

Now that the college football season has finally concluded with No. 1 Auburn, led by Cam Newton and Nick Fairley, taking down No. 2 Oregon, led by LaMichael James, we are in full force heading to April’s NFL Draft.

Which players should your favorite team pick?

Who will succeed in the NFL?

Who will be a bust?

Here is the complete first-round mock draft following the BCS National Championship.

We’re going to switch it up a lot from last week’s first round mock draft, which was a bit more conservative. Now let’s see how things look if teams decide to venture outside of the box a bit more this time around.

1. Carolina Panthers: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

Head coach Ron Rivera needs to worry about upgrading his defense first and foremost. The offense will eventually come. Rivera drafts Bowers to increase the pass rush and create pressure from the defensive line to assist a good linebacking core led by Jon Beason.

2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, LSU CB

By the time of the draft, the Broncos will know whether or not veteran Champ Bailey will be back in their secondary. Even if Bailey returns, the Broncos need a ton of help on their defense. Having two great cornerbacks to bolster the unit will go a long way in the emerging AFC West.

3. Buffalo Bills: A.J. Green, Georgia WR

Last year, the Bills took running back C.J. Spiller. Although he had a rough season, we will look back at that draft and remember that he was one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the class.

The Bills continue to build their improved offense by giving Stevie Johnson a true threat on the opposite side, moving Lee Evans into the slot.

A.J. Green is the best offensive playmaker in this draft. He will give the Bills one of the scariest young offenses in the game.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Fairley, Auburn DT

The Bengals miss out on A.J. Green but land a steal at the No. 4 overall pick with defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who is an absolute beast of an interior lineman and has a non-stop motor that the Bengals will surely appreciate.

The Bengals are known for having a team made up of personalities and Fairley will fit right in with his mean streak.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Marcell Dareus, Alabama DL

Many people have the Cardinals taking a quarterback, but I still see them giving John Skelton and Max Hall a chance to develop. Ken Whisenhunt desperately needs his defense to play better. Although they have a lot of playmakers in the secondary and in the line backing unit, the defensive line needs help up front creating pressure to allow the playmakers behind them to work.

That’s where Dareus comes in.

6. Cleveland Browns: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB

Last year, the Browns drafted Joe Haden in efforts to improve the secondary.

The defensive unit played far better than most expected.

The Browns draft Prince Amukamara now so that they don’t have to worry about the cornerback position for the next decade barring free agency or injury.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

Head coach Jim Harbaugh begins structuring his vision at the beginning of the draft. The 49ers are in desperate need of finding their quarterback of the future after the failed Alex Smith experiment. Troy Smith is a career backup and spot starter at this point in his career.

The hype is in full effect for Blaine Gabbert, who many feel has all of the tools necessary to compete at a high level in the NFL.

8. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Mallett, Arkansas QB

The Titans are moving into a new era after deciding that Vince Young is not the franchise quarterback they envisioned in 2006. The Titans saw success with both Young and Kerry Collins in their offense, so the team could draft a more conservative quarterback like Ryan Mallett or more of a dual-threat like Cam Newton.

After the Vince Young era ended in disappointing fashion, Jeff Fisher goes with Mallett’s strong mallet.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Stephen Paea, Oregon St. DT

The Cowboys have the pieces for a Super Bowl run, but fail year after year as they can’t put everything together. In order to help DeMarcus Ware, Jason Garrett drafts a strong defensive tackle to help create better pressure up front. This will give the Cowboys’ potentially good secondary a bit more time.

10. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, Washington QB

Donovan McNabb was a terrible acquisition for the Redskins.

Rex Grossman was good to end the season, but is not Washington’s future.

Mike Shanahan drafts Jake Locker, the quarterback he will be able to mold from the very beginning as he sees fit.

11. Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, Miami CB

The Texans, each week, put out one of the very worst secondary units in recent memory. The Texans have so many weaknesses on defense due to injuries, but at the same time will have a lot of potential once they return. Still, the Texans secondary unit is dreadful and anybody will help them improve.

Perhaps you and I should try out…

12. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Newton, Auburn QB

The Vikings get the last pick of the quarterback litter, but it doesn’t mean they are left picking up the scraps. Cam Newton may very well be the steal in this draft with his dynamic dual-threat playmaking abilities.

Newton has all of the tools necessary to win in the NFL, and the Vikings should be thrilled to add him to an offense with Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice.

13. Detroit Lions: Robert Quinn, North Carolina DE

The Lions made immense strides last season. They ended the year on a four-game winning streak, which including them snapping their historic 26-game road losing streak.

The Lions drafted Ndamukong Suh last year, who is already the very best defensive tackle in the game.

In order to make sure he sees continued success, the Lions continue to build a dominant defensive line since the top two cornerbacks are off the board.

14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, Alabama WR

Rookie quarterback sensation Sam Bradford did a fantastic job for the St. Louis Rams as the team was one game shy of making the playoffs. Bradford displayed excellent poise and accuracy throughout the season despite a severely limited support cast other than running back Steven Jackson.

The Rams will provide Bradford with one of this year’s best offensive playmakers in Julio Jones, who will stretch the field his great speed and will catch anything Bradford puts in front of him with his solid hands.

15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB

Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are expected to be in different uniforms next season. That means the Dolphins are in search of their next workhorse running back.

Mark Ingram is the No. 1 option at running back right now and fits all of the Dolphins’ needs at the position. Ingram will succeed rushing behind Miami’s big, bruising offensive line.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DL

The Jaguars were surprisingly solid on offense throughout the season. Aside from Mike Sims-Walker, just about everyone was efficient and effective, most notably David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Jaguars must upgrade their defense in order to compete with the powerful AFC South offenses and their quarterbacks. The Jaguars start by continuing to bolster their defensive line with Ryan Kerrigan.

17. New England Patriots (via Oakland Raiders): Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DL

The Patriots are set on defense except for their defensive line. In order to account for the injuries they seem to suffer each season up front, New England lands a steal with Adrian Clayborn, who will be an excellent fit for Bill Belichick.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Heyward, Ohio St. DL

The Chargers, statistically, had one of the best defenses in the league. Although they could use another wide receiver, it may not be a pressing first-round necessity considering how well Philip Rivers did this season with a subpar supporting cast and Antonio Gates returning healthy next year.

The Chargers have great linebackers, but Cameron Heyward would continue to create holes for their pass rushers to have wide open lanes to opposing quarterbacks.

19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OL

The Giants need to begin thinking about the future of their aging offensive line. Gabe Carimi can be a potential franchise lineman and the Giants need to snag him up while they can to protect their investments on offense.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Von Miller, DL, Texas A&M

The “Young Bucs” suffered too many injuries late in the season. Although they continued to play well, they cannot afford to neglect their defense despite their vast improvement.

The offense is in fantastic hands with Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount. The only thing left is to continue building a strong defense to compete with the surging NFC South offenses.

Gerald McCoy was a great start last year and Von Miller will help the Buccaneers continue their success.

21. Kansas City Chiefs, Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh WR

The Chiefs were one of the best surprises this season, winning the AFC West out of nowhere. Todd Haley did a fantastic job coaching an inexperienced team and maximizing their talents.

The Chiefs will have Dexter McCluster back in the slot but still need another weapon opposite of Dwayne Bowe, who vaulted into the upper echelon of receivers this season.

Baldwin will be a welcomed addition to this offense opposite Bowe.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, Colorado OT

After this season, the Colts might consider drafting about three offensive lineman. The Colts suffered several injuries and caused Manning to get hit more often this year than perhaps ever before in the past decade.

Peyton Manning should welcome a lineman of Solder’s caliber with open arms.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Aaron Williams, Texas CB

The Eagles offense is set for years with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek. They might consider upgrading their offensive line, but that can be done later in the draft.

The Eagles need to focus on upgrading their defense, mainly their cornerbacks. Aaron Williams is one of the top corners in this draft class and would be a fantastic fit for these soaring birds.

24. New Orleans Saints: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin DL

After getting exploited by the Seattle Seahawks, the Saints are desperation mode to upgrade their defensive unit. J.J. Watt out of Wisconsin will inject much-needed life into the Saints’ defensive line.

The Saints have playmakers in their secondary, so it really comes down to the line or linebacking unit for the first round. Defensive line is safer with Watt.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Allen Bailey, Miami DL

The Seahawks made strides in Pete Carroll’s first season, winning the NFC West despite a losing record. However, this team has a ton of holes, most notably up front. In order to compete with the quality running backs in the division, the Seahawks need to keep fresh bodies up front.

Allen Bailey would be a great addition for the Seahawks in front of Lofa Tatupu and Aaron Curry.

26. Green Bay Packers: Akeem Ayers, UCLA LB

Akeem Ayers will be the final piece to the Green Bay Packers' extravagant linebacking puzzle. The Packers already have a fantastic duo with A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews.

Ayers will be the third linebacker and the Packers will be set for years and won’t have to worry about the core group.

27. Chicago Bears: Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OL

Although the Bears have a great core to work with, especially on defense, they have areas of need. They could use secondary help and definitely need another quality wide receiver for Jay Cutler.

The Bears most importantly need to upgrade their offensive line for both the rushing and passing attack. Matt Forte could use more running room and Jay Cutler needs to be protected better because he has taken a ton of hits this past season. He already suffered a concussion in Mike Martz’s all-or-nothing offense.

Since Martz sends everyone out there and has Cutler drop so far back, the offensive line needs to protect their signal-caller.

Anthony Castonzo would greatly bolster the Bears’ offensive line and would be an excellent pick for Chicago.

28. New York Jets: Cameron Jordan, California DE

Although the Jets have a great defense, they still have plenty of holes to fill, most notably on the defensive line. If the line can create more pressure up front, then Rex Ryan’s onslaught of blitzes will be even more effective.

Jordan will be a great fit for Rex Ryan’s defense and could very well be a steal in the late 20’s.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Ras-I Dowling, Virginia DB

Although the Ravens have a ferocious defense led by Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis, the secondary needs a face lift.

Ras-I Dowling will be able to start right away and be a playmaker for years to come, especially when supreme ballhawk Ed Reed retires.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, Florida OL

The Steelers have needed to upgrade their offensive line for years now.

With Ben Roethlisberger’s style of play, he constantly takes a beating, but defenders can often get past the Steelers’ offensive line.

It seems each year they suffer an injury to at least one lineman, so at the very least, the Steelers could use depth with a potential superstar lineman like Mike Pouncey.

31. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame TE

It remains to be seen if Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez will return to Atlanta for another season or opt to retire. If the Falcons win the Super Bowl, you better believe Gonzalez will go out on top.

The Falcons will need an immediate replacement for Gonzalez, and Rudolph is that man.

32. New England Patriots: Drake Nevis, LSU DT

The Patriots continue to build their defensive line to account for the string of injuries they seem to suffer each season. They already addressed the defensive end position and now will address their interior needs with Drake Nevis.

The Patriots could consider drafting a wide receiver or running back here, but that didn’t work out well when they took Chad Jackson and Laurence Maroney high, so defense is the way for Belichick to continue venturing.