2011 NFL Mock Draft: Every 1st Round Pick With Expert Analysis
Wow, things sure have changed in just a month.
Andrew Luck is staying at Stanford, and Justin Blackmon is returning for his senior year at Oklahoma State. Ryan Broyles is going to break more records and stay at Oklahoma, and LaMichael James is headed back to Oregon (Heisman Trophy favorite for 2011? Right now, I think so).
We got to see Nick Fairley and Cam Newton win it all for Auburn, and now, most draft projections have Fairley as the No.1 overall pick.
Some of you will say that's absurd and tell me it's A.J. Green from Georgia. You could make that argument, but I can tell you why Fairley's just as wise a pick too.
Time to break down the first round. Feel free to debate and discuss (let's try and keep it classy, please). Remember rule No. 1 I've mentioned before, too: This will change a lot.
Here's the first round in its entirety:
1. Carolina: DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
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Go back to when Tampa Bay drafted Warren Sapp. It was the building block of what became one of the NFL's most talented defenses, and Sapp became one of the league's best defensive tackles.
The lesson: Never, ever pass up a difference-making defensive tackle, and first-year coach Ron Rivera has a defensive background and has seen some great ones up close from his time at San Diego and when he played for Chicago.
Fairley, a Lombardi Award winner and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, finished the year with 60 total tackles (36 solo), a school-record 24 tackles for loss (106 yards), 11.5 sacks for 74 yards and 21 quarterback hurries.
2. Denver: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
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The Broncos have a variety of needs, from defensive tackle to cornerback, strong safety, right tackle and defensive end. First-year coach John Fox will likely be focusing on defense, and if Champ Bailey bolts, then this move would be a no-brainer.
Besides being charismatic and highly confident, Peterson would also give the Broncos a great weapon on special teams as well. In 13 games, he had 42 total tackles, four interceptions (for 134 yards), six pass breakups and 10 pass deflections. He also had one quarterback hurry and one blocked kick.
3. Buffalo: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
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I can hear all of you now saying the Bills will pick A.J. Green here, but that wouldn't make sense when you're getting torched by Mark Sanchez and Tom Brady.
Bowers has some of the freakiest numbers in the draft. He broke the school record of 12.5 sacks set by the late Gaines Adams in 2006. Bowers finished the year second on the team in tackles (63), and with team highs in tackles for loss (24), sacks (15.5) and quarterback pressures (17).
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4. Cincinnati: DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama
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There's definitely plenty of options here for the Bengals, who need to address defensive end, wide receiver, running back, inside linebacker and quarterback.
Dareus would be an immediate difference-maker and someone that could excel under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. In 11 games, he had 34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss (41 yards), 4.5 sacks (26 yards), four pass breakups, four pass deflections and 10 quarterback hurries.
5. Arizona: DE/OLB Robert Quinn, North Carolina
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If they don't draft a quarterback, don't be shocked if the Cardinals go with bulking up their defensive line.
Quinn (6'5", 270) was ruled permanently ineligible this year by the NCAA for violating rules relating to agent benefits received of $5,642. In 2009, Quinn was first in the ACC and 15th in the nation in tackles for loss (19) and second in the league in sacks (11).
6. Cleveland: WR A.J. Green, Georgia
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He is the top receiver in the draft, and probably one of the best playmakers along with Cam Newton. The Browns are building for the future, and Green would make their offense explosive alongside Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis.
Green finished the year with 57 catches for 848 yards (14.9 average) and nine touchdowns.
7. San Francisco: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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He almost rallied the Razorbacks to an incredible comeback but fell short against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. He still finished the year completing 266-of-411 passes (64.7 percent), with 12 interceptions for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns.
8. Tennessee: OG/C Mike Pouncey, Florida
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Tennessee should be able to pick up a quarterback in free agency and address a need at left guard by taking Pouncey. If they don't go with that, inside linebacker, center, defensive end and weakside linebacker could become priorities.
Pouncey's a natural guard, but can also switch to center and displays great strength and athleticism.
9. Dallas: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
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He will likely be the second cornerback taken after Patrick Peterson of LSU. In 14 games, Amukamara had 59 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and 13 pass breakups.
The Cowboys defense has some serious issues, and it begins in the secondary. This would be a good start, and new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan could use some other new additions as well.
10. Washington: QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
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Mike Shanahan needs a franchise quarterback, and if Gabbert is still here, expect him to be nabbed by the Skins. Gabbert completed 301-of-475 passes for 3,186 yards (63.4 percent), with nine interceptions and 16 touchdowns.
11. Houston: CB Brandon Harris, Miami
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Harris (5'11", 195) has all the tools to be a tremendous shutdown corner, as he showed during his junior year when he had 15 passes broken up and six tackles for loss.
Houston's defense needs some help, including an improved pass rush. It certainly won't hurt, though, to bulk up the secondary, especially in a division with some talented passers.
12. Minnesota: QB Jake Locker, Minnesota
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A good outing at the Senior Bowl could change this up a ton.
Locker had seven 200-yard games this year, including 310 yards passing in a 32-31 victory at USC. He finished the year completing 179 of 316 passes with nine interceptions for 2,209 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also had 101 carries for 302 yards and five touchdowns.
13. Detroit: CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
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The Lions are steadily building a strong team and now need to add a talented cornerback.
Dowling (6'2", 200) is considered probably the third-best player at the position in this draft. As a junior, he had 58 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses and eight passes broken up.
14. St. Louis: WR Julio Jones, Alabama
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Think Sam Bradford would love this?
Jones closed out his college career with 78 catches for 1,133 yards (14.5 average) and seven touchdowns. He had 221 yards against Tennessee and 199 in the Iron Bowl against Auburn
15. Miami: QB Cam Newton, Auburn
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If the Heisman Trophy winner is still around by this time, the Dolphins have to pounce on him.
In one year with the Tigers, he won the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Heisman Trophy and was named the Associated Press National Player of the Year. He also led Auburn to the BCS national championship, rushing for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns while passing for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns.
16. Jacksonville: FS Rahim Moore, UCLA
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Easily one of the top safeties in the nation. At 6'1'', 196 pounds, Moore was one of the Bruins' top tacklers this year with 77 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception and four pass breakups.
17. New England (from Oakland): RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
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The Patriots could use a big-play receiver, too, but this makes sense, especially when you consider Bill Belichick and his connection with Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, a former assistant of his at Cleveland. Belichick has drafted Saban's players before when he was at LSU.
The former Heisman Trophy winner still led the Crimson Tide this year in carries (158), rushing yards (875) and rushing touchdowns (13).
18. San Diego: OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
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He caused plenty of trouble for LSU in the Cotton Bowl. In 13 games, he had 68 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss (101 yards), 10.5 sacks (81 yards), an interception, six pass breakups, seven pass deflections, six quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.
19. New York Giants: RB DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
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Do you stick with the Brandon Jacobs-Ahmad Bradshaw tandem or inject a little life into the backfield and give the team another playmaker? I think this would be a great selection.
Murray could increase his stock with a good performance at the Senior Bowl. He finishes as Oklahoma's career leader in all-purpose yards (6,498) and holds records for career touchdowns (64) and career receiving yards (1,512) by a running back.
20. Tampa Bay: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
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The Bucs could address a variety of needs here from defensive end to inside linebacker, right tackle, left guard, strongside linebacker and center. But bulking up your pass rush certainly wouldn't hurt.
In 12 games, Kerrigan had 70 tackles (50 solo), with 26 tackles for loss (111 yards), 12.5 sacks for 73 yards, one pass breakup and one pass defensed.
21. Kansas City: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
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The playmaker has freakish size at 6'4'', 255 pounds and put up big numbers again with 68 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and four sacks (13 yards). If there's one weakness he does have, it's getting to the quarterback.
22. Indianapolis: OT Nate Solder, Colorado
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Solder (6'9", 315) would provide Peyton Manning with tremendous protection.
Check this out: Solder played 2,540 out of a possible 2,542 plays from his sophomore through senior years. In that span, there were a total of 1,400 pass plays called, and Solder allowed just five sacks over a three-year span.
He also had 21 pressures, meaning the other man he blocked influenced a pass play 26 times in those 1,400 plays.
23. Philadelphia: OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
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The Eagles certainly could improve their pass protection, and some of what you read out there says Carimi could step in and contribute immediately.
The 6'7'', 327-pound offensive tackle was a consensus All-American and Outland Trophy winner. Carimi, who started 13 games, was also named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.
24. New Orleans: DT Drake Nevis, LSU
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Former teammate Glenn Dorsey, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, predicted Nevis would be the next great defensive lineman to come out of LSU. He could be right: In 12 games, Nevis has 56 total tackles (30 solo), 13 tackles for loss, six sacks for 41 yards, four quarterback hurries and one interception.
The Saints showed just how many holes they have on defense, and Nevis could be a great addition.
25. Seattle: CB Aaron Williams, Texas
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If they don't go with a cornerback, Seattle could try to find a strong safety. Williams could be a great shutdown corner for the Seahawks and follows in a line of talented defensive backs that have come from Texas and gone on to the NFL.
26. Baltimore: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
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The Ravens need to make some minor changes to their defense, and Clayborn (6'3", 282) could be a great fit and give the team some depth and an additional pass rushing threat who can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4 at end.
27. Atlanta: DE Cameron Jordan, Cal
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Atlanta could certainly bulk up its defense.
At 6'4'', 283 pounds, Jordan's got perfect size, and he's put together a career that will have him high on many draft boards. This year, Jordan was fifth on the team with 62 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss (47 yards), 5.5 sacks (32 yards), four pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry.
28. New England: DE Allen Bailey, Miami
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He would give the Patriots a potential replacement for Richard Seymour. Bailey (6'4'', 285) was a two-time ACC player who started 27 games and finished his career with 103 total tackles this season and also had 12 sacks for a loss of 112 yards in his career.
29. Green Bay: CB Brandon Burton, Utah
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Burton is 6'1'' and right now could be a backup and eventual replacement for Charles Woodson once he retires.
30. New York Jets: DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
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The Sugar Bowl was a perfect ending for Heyward's season: In 12 games, he had 42 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (31 yards), 2.5 sacks (18 yards) and one interception for 80 yards.
Heyward wouldn't need to play immediately, but could grow and develop behind some veterans and be just the kind of player Rex Ryan loves.
31. Chicago: OT Anthony Costanzo, Boston College
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The four-year starter needs to bulk up, and it's unknown whether he could play left tackle, but he could help address the team's problems with protecting quarterback Jay Cutler.
32. Pittsburgh: OT Joseph Barksdale, LSU
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He's extremely athletic, is solid in pass protection and shows tremendous hand use. Barksdale has played both tackle spots, and could give an aging Steelers line some youth and depth.
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