2011 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Cam Newton End Up?

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The 2011 NFL Draft class isn't the greatest but it certainly has it's gems.  In the upcoming days to the draft declaration deadline, many players are making their decisions to enter the draft or stick around another year in college.

Andrew Luck was the surefire number one pick but he decided to return to Stanford for his senior year. That leaves us with a brand new number one pick.  Take a look and see how I think the 2011 NFL Draft will unravel, enjoy.

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn

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Fairley had a breakout season and it is a possibility that he can become the number one overall draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.  The Panthers were set to take Andrew Luck with their top pick, but with Luck returning to school they will have to address another need.

Fairley is a flexible player who can work wonders on any D-Line.  Despite his great talent, it is said that he tends to disappear on some plays.  The Panthers will most likely choose between Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers and AJ Green.

Any one of those players will fit the Panthers nicely and I won't be surprised to see them pick any one of those three players.  In the end, I think the Panthers will see that Fairley's upside is massive and they'll pick him.

A great performance in the BCS National Championship game makes Fairley the favorite to go off the board first.

2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

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Peterson is the best cornerback in the draft and the Broncos are in dire need of a cornerback like Peterson.  With Champ Bailey hitting the free agent market and the possibility of Perrish Cox heading to prison on a rape charge, the Broncos desperately need a cornerback.

Peterson is extremely athletic and is a great return man.  He has the potential to be a shutdown corner in the NFL, and I don't see the Broncos passing up on him.

3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Alabama

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I think the Bills will pass up on Da'Quan Bowers and go with more of a sure thing.  A trade down is even a possibility. 

Many teams question Da'Quan Bowers consistency and I think the Bills wouldn't want to take the risk on him.  Buffalo's pass rush can use some help and Dareus can definitely help that problem. 

4. Cincinatti Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

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Bowers is a ferocious defensive lineman with plenty of upside.  The Bengals are a team that will go out and get their guy no matter what.  They'll look past Bowers negatives and envision how good he can become.

The Bengals have had injury problems with their D-Line so it needs to be addressed.  Bowers would fit nicely with Carlos Dunlap and the Bengals could have themselves a great and young defensive line.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina

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The Cardinals have been keeping an eye on Quinn for some time.  Quinn could come to the team and make an immediate impact. 

I can't see the Cardinals taking a quarterback with this pick, so they'll address another need that Quinn would fill nicely.

6. Cleveland Browns: AJ Green, WR, Georgia

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Green manages to fall down to the number six pick and the Browns won't pass him up.  Green is an electric receiver with the skill set to be a stud in the NFL.

Cleveland lacks a big play maker in their receiving core and Green could change that in an instant.  Green would also be a great target for young Browns quarterback Colt McCoy.

This could turn out to be a steal for the Browns.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

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With Jim Harbaugh in as San Francisco's new head coach, he doesn't see any quarterbacks that fit his scheme.  Blaine Gabbert is the top-rated quarterback but he doesn't fit Harbaugh's scheme at all.

The 49ers can use a cornerback and Amukamara is the number two cornerback in the nation.  Despite being number two I think he is a number one in most other drafts.  Patrick Peterson is the best cornerback prospect to come into the NFL in a long time but Amukamara is right up there with him.

8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

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Gabbert's seen his stock sky rocket recently, and with the Titans cutting Vince Young, they are in need of a quarterback.  The Titans can opt to sign a quarterback and draft a defensive player but I see them taking Gabbert and solving their quarterback problem in the draft.

9. Dallas Cowboys: JJ Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin

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Watt is a strong presence on any defensive line and the Cowboys could use a little help.  If they don't trade down and pick an offensive tackle later in the draft, I can see them taking Watt and solidifying their defensive line.

10: Washington Redskins: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

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The Redskins quarterback situation is messy.  Cam Newton is the type of guy that Mike Shanahan would love to have.

Newton's size, strength and speed should be very appealing to Shanahan.  Shanahan can take Newton and use his strengths and make him a successful quarterback in the NFL.

This would be the best situation for the Heisman trophy winner. 

11. Houston Texans: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

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With Wade Phillips in as the Texans' new defensive coordinator, they make the switch to a situational 3-4 defense.  This change could result in more linebackers being on the field at once for the Texans.  Ayers is extremely versatile and he will add depth to the Texans linebacker unit.  Phillips can plug him in at OLB, ILB, or DE.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

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The Vikings clearly need a new quarterback and despite Mallett's stock dropping, I can see them taking him with their round one pick.  Mallett had a less than stellar Sugar Bowl Performance with some questionable play calls, but his receivers didn't help him that much either.

Mallett is a huge kid and I believe he will impress in the combine.  He could come into the Vikings organization and compete with Joe Webb for the starting quarterback job in 2011.

13. Detroit Lions: Gabe Carimi, OT/G, Wisconsin

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The Lions can also take a cornerback but I think they will address their offensive line.  Their young quarterback Matthew Stafford keeps getting injured and Carimi is a big body that can help protect him.  The Lions can also go with Nate Solder or a cornerback like Janoris Jenkins.

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

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The Rams will look to get Sam Bradford a play maker.  Julio Jones can be just that.  Jones is a fantastic wide receiver with elite talent.  If Jones is available when the Rams are picking, they will definitely pick him.

15. Miami Dolphins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

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Jake Locker's stock has dramatically dropped over the past year, but teams still see loads of potential in him.  If the Dolphins are looking to address their quarterback need in the draft, I can see them drafting Locker.  He can run the Wildcat and also the regular offense.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

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Kerrigan had a great season and watched his stock soar.  The Jaguars need to strengthen up their defensive line and Kerrigan would be a great pick.

17. New England Patriots (Oak), Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California

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The Patriots need help on their defensive line.  Jordan can definitely help them out.  The Patriots could also trade down.

18. San Diego Chargers: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

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Solder is a huge kid and the Chargers can use an upgrade on their offensive line.  Solders should have a great combine and that will boost his stock even more.  I think this can turn out to be a steal for the Chargers.

19. New York Giants: Antony Castonzo, OT, Boston

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The Giants offensive line was dismantled by injuries last year.  Castonzo is a great offensive tackle who can come in and make his presence felt immediately for the Giants.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

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There are some character concerns about Clayborn but I think the Bucs will concentrate on his pure skill.  Clayborn will complement Gerald McCoy nicely.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

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The Chiefs need to upgrade their pass rush and they will snag Von Miller with this pick.  Miller falls and the Chiefs get a huge steal with this pick.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

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The Colts offensive line is weak and with Peyton Manning getting older, the hard hits hurt even more.  Smith should be a great tackle and decrease Manning's worries about his blind side.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

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Sherrod (right) will help fix an Eagles offensive line that surrendered 52 sacks last season.  If Sherrod has a solid combine than he might end up higher in the draft.

24. New Orleans Saints: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

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The Saints don't have many places to upgrade but their defensive line can use a little help.  Paea could pair up with Sedrick Ellis and they'll make a great pair on the Saints' defensive front.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

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Harris is a talented young corner and the Seahawks will be looking to address their cornerback needs in the first round.  Their decision might be between Harris and Janoris Jenkins.

26. New York Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State

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Heyward had a shaky season but a great Sugar Bowl performance makes him a first round prospect.  The Jets can use help with their pass rush and they'll be hoping that Heyward doesn't follow in the steps of Ohio State defensive lineman Vernon Gholston.

27. Green Bay Packers: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

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This is a tough pick.  Ingram is my top-rated running back in the draft and he falls really far with the possibility of falling even farther.  The Packers are getting back a healthy Ryan Grant next season and James Starks is playing great, but for some reason I don't see the Packers passing up this opportunity.  It will be interesting to see where Ingram ends up.

28. Baltimore Ravens: Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami

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The Ravens don't have any huge needs but they can use another pass rusher.  Bailey would fit well into Baltimore's scheme.

29. Chicago Bears: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

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The Bears offensive line has greatly improved since their bye week, but they still need a lot of help.  Pouncey is big kid who will fit nicely into the Bears offensive line.  He could be a mainstay in their offensive line.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

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I think that the Steelers will trade and get Mike Pouncey bit of that doesn't happen and Pouncey is off the board, I can see them taking Baldwin.  They must have a lot of interest in him because he played in Pittsburgh and the Steelers could use a young wide receiver.

31. Atlanta Falcons: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

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John Abraham is getting old and the Falcons could use a young stud on their defensive line.  If Aldon Smith falls to the Falcons then they will most likely pick him.  He has a great first step and the sky is the limit for him.

32. New England Patriots: Justin Houston, OLB/DE, Georgia

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Houston is a versatile player and the Patriots could use help on the defensive side of the ball.  Belichick will use Houston's versatility to his advantage and make him fit well on the Patriots defense.