2011 NFL Mock Draft: Senior Bowl Day Three Edition
With the 2011 NFL Draft only three months away, itโs never too early to speculate where the committed juniors and seniors will land on draft day.
As the Senior Bowl is well under way in Mobile, Ala., many athletes have seen their stock rise and fall, and as day three comes to a conclusion, itโs only fitting we take a look at new predictions of where the NFLโs youngest and brightest stars will land.ย ย
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyron Smith, OT, Jr., USC
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As the Steelers continue win football games, and assuming they win Super Bowl XLV, theyโll be picking in the No. 32 slot.
Despite a patchwork offensive line and the ankle injury sustained by Maurkice Pouncey in the NFC Championship game, the Steelers will look to add the athleticism of Tyron Smith to the O-line.
Pittsburghโs constructive program will allow Smith the time to sharpen his skills and bulk up to meet the demand of the NFL.
31. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Williams, CB, Jr., Texas
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Despite the great play from Tramon Williams and Sam Shields this postseason, corner back Aaron Williams will be a steal here, due to the fact that he had an outstanding year and the Packer system is a perfect fit.
Look for Williams to be a long-term insurance plan for 34-year-old Charles Woodsen as his career comes to close.ย
30. New York Jets: Christian Ponder, QB, Sr., Florida State
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Participating in the Senior Bowl can only help Christian Ponderโs stock go up as he has been hampered by a nagging elbow injury all year.
Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey said yesterday during Senior Bowl practice that his โarm problems are behind himโ and that he had the โbest deep ball of the groupโ.
An interesting pick for the Jets, but Ponder could pan out nicely as a solid back up for Mark Sanchez for years.
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29. Chicago Bears: Derrek Sherrod, OT, Sr., Mississippi State
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A smart kid with a great understanding for the game, senior Derrek Sherrod could bolster an average Chicago Bears offensive line.
He may not be expected to start when he first arrives, but give him the chance to develop and he has the potential to be a game-changer blocking for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.
28. New England Patriots: Justin Houston, OLB, Jr., Georgia
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Coach Bill Belichick knows what his team needs are and this year, itโs on the defensive side of the ball.
Taking another solid defender with their 28th overall selection, Belichick can continue to build a young defense with Justin Houston, a solid pass-rusher, who will team up with former 2010 pick Jermaine Cunningham.
27. Atlanta Ravens: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Sr., Miami
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A solid performance thus far at the Senior Bowl has put Leonard Hankersonโs name in talks for the first round.
He ran his routes very well, had the speed to break away from defenders and only dropped one pass all day.
Look for the Falcons to select Hankerson to team up with franchise receiver Roddy White to create an insane passing game in Atlanta.
26 Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Heyward, DE, Sr., Ohio State
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Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome knows exactly how to keep his defensive depth fresh with young faces added to the mix every year.
Newsome should be at it again, drafting Cameron Heyward out of Ohio State to fit into Baltimoreโs scheme and should contribute immediately.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Sr., Washington
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As his stock continues to dip, and his performance at Senior Bowl practices not helping, the Seahawks should select Washington quarterback Jack Locker with the No. 25 pick.
Though Head Coach Pete Carroll has made it clear that Matt Hasselbeck will be his quarterback in 2011, Locker is highly talented and a local prospect that could spell the end of Hasselbeckโs career if he begins to falter mid-season.
24. New Orleans Saints: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Jr., Illinois
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Taking pressure off Drew Brees is key.
The Saints won it all when they were able to run the ball consistently on offense and take the pressure off their QB, so look for them to bolster their running game by drafting Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure.
Leshoure is a large, physically gifted runner who will add a different type of depth to the Saints backfield.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Harris, CB, Jr., Miami
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Despite the need for an improved offensive line, the Eagles and Andy Reid also need to improve defensively as well, particularly in the secondary.
Miamiโs Brandon Harris is an excellent pick here that has the talent to start opposite Asante Samuel as a rook in the league.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Jason Pinkston, OT, Sr., Pittsburgh
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As Coloradoโs OT Nate Solder shows that he may not be ready for the next step by getting dominated at Senior Bowl practice, another offensive tackle may have stepped into his place.
Jason Pinkston ,an offensive lineman from Pittsburgh, has been seen talking to many teams as he practices for the North squad and is among the most impressive in camp.
Look for Pinkston to dominate and surprise as draft day draws near.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Gabe Carimi, OT, Sr., Wisconsin
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Like Pinkston, Gabe Carimi is at the Senior Bowl showing he has the tools to succeed at the next level.
Carimi fits Chiefโs GM Scott Pioliโs mold as the best run-blocker available and has much upside as a pass protector.
Look for Carimi to crack the starting lineup as a rookie.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Sr., Iowa
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An obvious need for the surprising Bucs defense is at the defense end position and the best available option for them is Iowa senior Adrian Clayborn.
For the NFCโs next up and coming team, the depth at defensive end is scarce and look for Clayborn to shore up a position the Bucs are in need of.
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Sr., Boston College
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With Tim Coughlinโs BC connections out in full force, look for the Giants to groom a better long-term replacement for left tackle David Diehl by drafting Anthony Costonzo.
An impressive performance during Senior Bowl practice has a lot of teams calling Castonzoโs number, but ultimately look for Castonzo to remain in the northeast.
18. San Diego Chargers: Christian Ballard, DE, Sr., Iowa
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Fitting nicely in San Diegoโs 3-4 defense, Christian Ballard has impressed scouts during his drills at the Senior Bowl.
Ballard was notable on his own, winning battles and making the tackle all day long, so look for his battle mentality to help him crack the Top 20.
17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DE, Sr., California
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Combining a great showing at the Senior Bowl and then at the NFL Combine, Cameron Jordan should only see his draft stock rise to the No. 17 pick by the New England Patriots.
Coach Belichick will continue to create a young defense, and in drafting Jordan he will receive a five-tool athlete who can play the edge or inside with the same type of dominance he was known for at Cal.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Sr., Purdue
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Finally showing off his talent after a dismal first few workouts at the Senior Bowl, Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan not only won his battles one-on-one against Nate Solder, but was also a standout during 11-on-11โs.
Fitting nicely in GM Gene Smithโs defensive strategy, we could see Kerrigan one day starting at end for the Jags.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Jr., Alabama
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Miami needs to address the one game that helped make a name for them: the running game.
With the potential departure of both running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, the Dolphins will add underrated back Mark Ingram to once again be the dominate force in the back field.ย
Next move: O-Line and QB. Both important if the Dolphins want to see Ingram succeed.
14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith, DE, So., Missouri
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A local product with some serious upside, Aldon Smith will make strides under Steve Spagnuoloโs defense, which is based on pressure.
Chris Long as made some serious advancements under Coach Spagnuolo so thereโs no doubt that he can do the same with Smith, who is in need of a lot of polish at the defensive end position.
13. Detroit Lions: Akeem Ayers, OLB, Jr., UCLA
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As Detroit continues to rebuild and sort through their downfalls, the Lions need to concentrate on building a better back seven, starting with linebacker Akeem Ayers out of UCLA.
The junior standout is a very versatile player that cannot only cover a receiver well, but can also rush the passer if the play calls for it.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Newton, QB, Jr., Auburn
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Cam Newton has โall the upside you want,โ according to Mel Kiper, Jr. and with the Viks QB situation as is, it's that upside theyโre hoping to control by selecting Newton.
Sure, theyโre going to be other quarterbacks the Vikings will consider, but none will be such a strong fit like Cam Newton who will work out well in Leslie Frazierโs offense, if Frazier lets Newton be Newton.
Simply too talented to bypass, Newton will be gearing up next year in the purple and gold starting at QB.
11. Houston Texans: Stephen Paea, DT, Sr., Oregon State
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Because of his unusual strength as a tackle, look for Stephen Paea to start in Wade Phillips 3-4 defense that relies on a highly physical front seven.
Paeaโs unique prospect status will make him ideal for the nose guard position in Phillips new system heโs bringing to Houston.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Jr., Alabama
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It would be better for the โSkins to draft a quarterback with the 10th pick, but with traditional QB Blaine Gabbert off the board, it makes more sense for Mike Shannahan to draft a top wideout in Julio Jones.
Jones has shown he is the best wide receiver on the big board playing at Alabama and has the agility that will translate well in the NFL. He is a natural athlete with great balance and body control who can make an immediate impact on any team.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Von Miller, LB, Sr., Texas A&M
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The 2010 Butkus Award winner has stepped up enough at Senior Bowl practice to crack the top 10 where he should remain.
Von Miller will add speed to the Cowboys defense that looked slow at points last season.
Picture this. Youโre an offensive lineman playing against the Dallas Cowboys trying to protect your QB from both Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. Yea, scary.
8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jr., Missouri
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Originally, it was thought that the Titans would pick Cam Newton at No. 8, but then consider the idea that Tennessee wouldnโt want to deal with another QB with character concerns after just parting ways with Vince Young.
Gabbert has nice value here, though it doesnโt look too promising that Jeff Fisher will be around long enough for Gabbert to completely develop.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB, Jr., LSU
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Peterson, who is a big, physical cover man will be a great asset to a 49ers defense that has been lackadaisical at times.
Look for him to spell under performing receiver Ted Ginn from his return duties because thatโs where Patrick Peterson can show he really has talent.
Overall, a much needed pick up for the 49ers defense.
6. Cleveland Browns: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Jr., Clemson
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In addition to acquiring new talent to protect franchise quarterback Colt McCoy, the Browns will be looking to switch to a new 4-3 personnel as they transition to a new defensive coordinator.
DaโQuan Bowers is a traditional 4-3 end that will be a huge asset to the Browns defense. In the long-term, Bowers is that type of cornerstone defender every team searches for and few can find.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Prince Amukamara, CB, Sr., Nebraska
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As his performance at the Senior Bowl improves, so too does his draft stock, which is as high as it can be.
Prince Amukamaraโs elite talent and top notch intangibles will be features any team can drool over, so it will be smart for the Cardinals to gobble him up as early as they can.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Jr., Georgia
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Despite Julio Jones still being on the board when the Bengals pick, they shouldnโt hesitate to pick junior A.J. Green out of Georgia.
Hopefully, Carson Palmer will have some extra motivation to play with a new pack of passing corps surrounding him, lead by Green who can be an immediate catalyst for winning football.
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT, Jr., Alabama
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Under new Assistant Head Coach Dave Wannstedt, the Bills will be dedicated to a defense showcasing a 3-4 and 4-3 look, something that Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus should fit nicely into.
Dareus is as unruly force that will eventually be an every-down type defender whose career will flourish at the next level.
2. Denver Broncos: Robert Quinn, DE, Jr., North Carolina
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With John Fox manning the Broncosโ ship, we can expect them to shift back to the 4-3 on the defensive end, something that will bode well for North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn.
Having missed the entire 2010 season, Quinn is the most underrated player of the draft, but donโt expect this to hinder Denverโs decision to take him with their second overall pick.
His first step is what separates him from the pack. He uses his lightning first step to break away from the opposition to the outside and then uses his "grown man" strength to work the inside.
Quinnโs athleticism alone could deem him worthy of a top selection.
1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Jr., Auburn
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Proving to be the best talent on the big board with his unstoppable performance at the Tostitos National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks, the big man Nick Fairley will get his deserving number one selection.
Head Coach Ron Rivera will look to toughen up his defense and thereโs no better way to start than by adding the boisterous Fairley into the mix.
If Fairley can get his character and attitude in check, his talent can take him places many defensive tackles can only dream of.ย
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