2011 NFL Mock Draft: Could Cam Newton Be Picked Before Nick Fairley?
Only four NFL fanbases have teams left in the playoffs to root for. Everyone will keep watching, but they'll be must more interested in April's NFL happenings.
NFL Draft talk is picking up momentum with players declaring early, others pledging to return to school and teams turning focus from 2010 to 2011.
Two Auburn stars are making plenty of noise. Quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley have surged up draft boards with their performances through the second half of the season.
Here's a mock first-round draft. Read on to find out whether Newton or Fairley will be drafted first.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
1 of 32
Pittsburgh doesn't have a whole lot of holes. The Steelers have the enviable position in the draft of only needing to continue bolstering the roster.
Houston slips into the first round with Pittsburgh looking to replace the aging James Harrison and James Farrior in the next few years. Houston is naturally an outside linebacker, but could be molded into an inside linebacker if needed.
31. Chicago Bears: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
2 of 32
Drake Nevis is an aggressive defensive tackle who has made a name for himself in the SEC. The Bears can add youth to a stout but aging defense with this pick.
Nevis could very well be gone at this point. But there are other defensive line prospects who should keep him available until late in the first round.
30. New York Jets: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
3 of 32
The Jets don't have a need for a tackle with D'Brickashaw Ferguson on the left side and rookie Vladimir Ducasse waiting in the wings on the right side behind Wayne Hunter.
But Derek Sherrod is a terrific prospect who the Jets will still grab to compete for right tackle. Hunter isn't the long-term answer, hence the Jets using a second-round pick on Ducasse last season.
But Ducasse hasn't proven himself to be an NFL talent yet, and New York may want options for the future.
.jpg?w=256 "Rams Eagles Football")
29. Green Bay Packers: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
4 of 32
After notching 11 sacks in 2009, Aldon Smith saw a lot more attention in 2010. His sacks were down to six this season.
But Smith is still an extremely athletic prospect that shows promise either as a defensive end or even linebacker. The Packers run both the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. Smith can find a place in both.
28. New England Patriots: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
5 of 32
Teams love to throw jump balls to their wide receivers and watch them jump over 5'9" corners who don't have a great chance to break up the play.
Good luck doing that against the 6'2" Jimmy Smith.
New England hit by picking Devin McCourty last season and would be served well by continuing to work on its secondary.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Allen Bailey, LB/DE, Miami (Fla.)
6 of 32
John Abraham is now 32 years old. The Falcons need to begin looking for their pass rush of the future.
Bailey is a hybrid type who can either rush the passer standing up as a linebacker or with a hand on the ground from a defensive end spot. He's fast and strong with spectacular athleticism.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
7 of 32
Yeah, the Ravens already have the best defensive tackle in football in Hatoli Ngata. But Baltimore can never have too many toys on defense.
Stephen Paea is disruptive force with the athleticism to play all along the defensive front. Just Sunday, the Ravens were using Paul Kruger, a defensive end, as nose tackle and had Ngata wandering along the front.
They find ways to get everyone involved despite how stacked the depth chart is.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
8 of 32
There are plenty of teams with quarterback questions and Seattle isn't one with the most pressing issues. Matt Hasselbeck convinced many that he still has some left in the tank with his postseason play, and Charlie Whitehurst looked good in limited action.
But Cam Newton is can't miss this late in the first round. Drafting him with two solid quarterbacks already on the roster gives Newton time to develop into a more seasoned pro.
24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Heyward, DL, Ohio State
9 of 32
Cameron Heyward may have been drafted higher if he had entered last season, but he returned to Ohio State for his senior season.
New Orleans would be lucky to nab him here. He's versatile, capable of playing defensive end and tackle. He is very strong and has great instincts.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
10 of 32
Mike Pouncey can play either center or guard. He struggled with snapping the football earlier this season, but got that ironed out and reminded everyone of his dominant ability.
Pouncey's brother, Maurkice, turned in a Pro Bowl season as a rookie for the the Pittsburgh Steelers. Much of the same production is expected of Mike.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Fla.)
11 of 32
The Indianapolis Colts had injury issues at wide receiver this season. They seem to have them almost every year with Anthony Gonzalez hardly ever on the field and Austin Collie struggling with concussions.
Hankerson has great hands and was a bright spot for a Hurricane team that didn't have many of them. He also had good size and could fit in nicely as a third or fourth option at wideout.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Adrain Clayborn, DE, Iowa
12 of 32
Adrian Clayborn entered the season near the top of everyone's draft boards but slid down the rankings as he dealt with double-teams all season long.
Clayborn is still a immense talent who scouts think will translate well to the NFL. He is a true defensive end with strength and speed.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyron Smith, OT, Southern Cal
13 of 32
Tyron Smith decided to jump ship at USC at declare early for the NFL Draft. His reward will be being picked in the first round. It made sense for Smith to go pro with USC's potential limited by NCAA sanctions and the NFL considering implementing a rookie pay scale in the near future.
Smith avoids both of those negative situations. The good news for Buccaneers is they can land a big, athletic tackle who has experience in a pro-style offense.
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
14 of 32
The New York Giants pride themselves on a balanced offense that starts with a strong running game. Colorado's Nate Solder is ready to step in and help an NFL team that wants to run and pass.
Although there aren't any elite offensive lineman prospects in the 2011 draft class, there are still plenty of great ones. Solder fits into that category.
18. San Diego Chargers: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
15 of 32
The San Diego Chargers could use more depth along the offensive line. This is especially true at offensive tackle.
Castonzo is many experts highest-rated tackle. His length and lateral movement make him a strong pass protector, but he can run block as well.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
16 of 32
The Patriots have a few areas of need, most notably finding a de facto answer at running back. But that might be a need only seen outside of Foxboro.
Akeem Ayers is a versatile player who can continue the youth movement on the Patriot defense and provide some help for Jerod Mayo backing up the defensive line.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
17 of 32
J.J. Watt has shown ability to rush the passer and stop the run in his time at Wisconsin. He had 20.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2010.
He'll provide an immediate boost to Jacksonville's defense. The Jags tried to help their defensive end production with Derrick Harvey, but that hasn't worked out as planned. They should try again with Watt.
15. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
18 of 32
Ryan Williams started the 2010 season with high expectations for Virginia Tech but got mixed results. His professional expectations haven't suffered.
Some scouts like Alabama's Mark Ingram as the headliner of a relatively weak running back class. But Williams has more speed. Miami could use a new running back with Ricky Williams getting older all the time and Ronnie Brown as a free agent.
14. St. Louis Rams: Cameron Jordan, DL, Cal
19 of 32
Cameron Jordan spent the 2010 season blowing up everybody's offenses. He can play defensive tackle or defensive end.
St. Louis has a young defense that is growing into strong unit. Adding Jordan helps. The Rams could use a wide receiver, but they'll miss out on the prospects worth getting this high.
13. Detroit Lions: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
20 of 32
Von Miller had 28 sacks in the last two years for the Aggies. Suffice it to say he's an explosive pass-rusher who could translate to the pros quickly.
The Lions have the defensive line figured out but still need work on their defense. Picking up Miller is a great choice to add lateral quickness to the linebacking crew.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
21 of 32
Adrian Peterson must be drooling over the possibility of running off-tackle behind Gabe Carimi. Wisconsin produced three 1,000-yard rushers this season.
Carimi helped keep Wisconsin's quarterbacks nearly as clean as any in the country. Wisconsin only allowed 12 sacks during the regular season.
11. Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (Fla.)
22 of 32
The Houston Texans need help in their pass defense after allowing the most passing yards in the NFL in 2010. They need to draft a corner to start making changes.
Brandon Harris is a great pick-up this late in the first round. Still, it may be worth it to the Texans to move up in the draft and try to get someone considered more of a lock-down prospect.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
23 of 32
The Washington Redskins best wide receiver, Santana Moss, is over 30 years old. The need an injection of talent immediately to bolster the offense and compete in the NFC East.
Julio Jones could have started for several NFL teams this season. He has everything: speed, strength and sound fundamentals. He is a steal anywhere outside of the top-five.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
24 of 32
New England's Vince Wilfork, Minnesota's Pat Williams and other defensive tackles have huge impacts on games without racking up stats. Having a disrupting and consumptive force on the inside can recreate a rush defense.
Marcell Dareus is just such a force. He has some character issues that any team is going to have to look past, but that shouldn't be too hard for the Cowboys when they consider his talent.
8. Tennessee Titans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
25 of 32
The Titans had the 29th-ranked pass defense in the NFL this season. Changes need to be made. A lot of the blame can be laid on an anemic offense that made the defense play too much, but that's an excuse with only so much weight.
Prince Amukamara is the type of player expected to have an impact on an NFL team similar to that of the Jets' Darrelle Revis or free agent and former Raider Nnamdi Asomugha.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
26 of 32
For all of the talk about Ryan Mallett's fizzling in the big games and not having the intangibles necessary to be an NFL quarterback, there is no arguing with Mallett's size, arm strength and mobility.
San Francisco swung and missed with Alex Smith and will look very closely at Mallett before making this pick. But Mallett and worked with quarterback guru Bobby Petrino and could transition better than many think.
6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, DE/LB, North Carolina
27 of 32
Robert Quinn has been out of football for a year thanks to his indiscretions involving NFL agents, but nobody has forgotten his skills. Quinn is a freak athletically. Fast, strong and with great lateral and vertical ability, he can play linebacker or defensive end.
The Browns missed a strong pass rush this season. Well, for a while now. Quinn could be the man to get that poor trend turned around.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
28 of 32
Blaine Gabbert was the happiest man in America the day Stanford's Andrew Luck announced he would not be entering the draft. He's rated as the top quarterback in the draft by many without Luck available.
Arizona needs a quarterback and could let Gabbert sit for a while to learn while Derek Anderson keeps his career afloat. Max Hall isn't the answer. Neither is John Skelton.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
29 of 32
The question is: Will A.J. Green still be available at No. 4 overall?
Some think he's worth a No. 1 pick. Wide receivers never are. It's not a position that can make enough of an impact. But Green still has teams considering it.
His hands are sensational. His strength, speed and route-running are as well. There really isn't a hole in Green's game. A four-game suspension for selling a bowl jersey is the only red flag. NFL teams won't look twice at that offense.
The Bengals could use a wide receiver with Terrell Owens on the free-agent market and Chad Ochocinco firmly beyond his best years.
3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
30 of 32
Nick Fairley's performance in the BCS National Championship game has draft gurus abuzz with the possibility of him going No. 1 overall.
Hold on a minute. Fairley is a tremendous talent who gets into the backfield with ease, but he's also only done this for one season. Other talents with limited game tape have flamed out.
This isn't to say that Fairley will. But a lack of game film combined with his believed penchant for taking plays off and Fairley fits nicely at No. 3 in this draft. Lucky Buffalo.
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
31 of 32
Patrick Peterson is arguably the best overall prospect in the draft this season. He's a lock-down corner that is also dynamite in the return game.
Denver was 25th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Peterson is the type of player who can help turn that around immediately.
Putting him opposite Champ Bailey would form one of the better corner duos in the NFL.
1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
32 of 32
Da'Quan Bowers is 6'4" and 280 pounds. He's fast, strong and dominated offensive lineman to the tune of 16 sacks this season.
Many NFL scouts have Bowers rated as the top prospect in the draft. Carolina may trade out of this pick since Andrew Luck is out of the draft. And Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy are a young and promising defensive end duo.
Bowers is still worth a top pick.
.jpg?w=480 "Rams Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Jets Patriots Football")
