2011 Senior Bowl: Complete First-Round Mock Draft
With the Senior Bowl, Pro Bowl, and Super Bowl XLV upon us, we can now officially say that 30 out of the 32 teams in the NFL are now focusing all of their attention on the NFL Draft.
April 28 will be a day to remember for a lot of young men, but for these next 32 players it will be even sweeter, as I predict these 32 names will be called in the first round of this year's NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley
1 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/300 lbs
Position: DE/DT
School: Auburn
Class: Juniorย
Why: Everyone knows that if Andrew Luck would have entered the draft that he would undoubtedly have been the first pick. That being said, after his performance in the National Championship game, Fairley has become the hot choice for the No. 1 pick.
With the loss of Julius Peppers, the Panthers line only totaled 31 sacks, so their D-line can use an upgrade; a defensive beast like Nick Fairley could help increase that number.
2. Denver Broncos: Da'Quan Bowers
2 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ4โ/280 lbs
Position: DE
School: Clemson
Class: Juniorย
Why: Speaking of sacks, Denver finished dead last in the NFL last year with a grand total of 23. Adding a talent like Bowers and getting back Elvis Dumervil would help to enhance that number.
This pick ultimately depend on the first overall pick by the Panthers. If the Panthers take Fairley, the Broncos will take Bowers; if itโs the other way around, I donโt think the Denver can pass on Fairley
Remember, new head coach John Fox did select Julius Peppers No. 2 overall when he was in Carolina, so you can almost bank on him taking an athletic defensive end with this pick.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson
3 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ1โ/211 lbs
Position: CB
School: LSU
Class: Juniorย
Why: While the Bills donโt absolutely need a corner, they could use an upgrade.
Peterson is a special talent that doesn't come around very often. He is a tall rangy corner who possesses great footwork while also bringing a physical presence.
Paterson is the best player available at No. 3 and he could instantly enhance the play-making abilities in Buffalo's secondary.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green
4 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ4โ/205 lbs
Position: WR
School: Georgia
Class: Juniorย
Why: With T.O. and the artist formerly know as Ochocinco leaving Cincinnati, Carson Palmer is going to need someone to throw the ball to.
Green is not only worthy of a top 5 pick, he probably the most highly touted receiver prospect since Randy Moss. The Bengals would be crazy if he they did not select Green with the fourth overall pick.ย
5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn
5 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/260 lbs
Position: DE
School: North Carolina
Class: Juniorย
Why: Arizona could select a QB at this position, but I believe that Coach Whisenhunt will go with upgrading his defense first. Also, I can see Arizona picking up a veteran QB like Donovan McNabb via free agency.
Although he did not play at all his senior year, Quinn is an extremely versatile defensive player whose great combination of speed and power projects him to a solid linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He would fill a huge need for the Cardinals. ย
6. Cleveland Browns: Marcell Dareus
6 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3โ/295 lbs
Position: DE/DT
School: Alabama
Class: Juniorย
Why: Cleveland should try to move up and grab A.J. Green before the Bengals get their paws on him, but if not, then Dareus is a nice pick at no. 6.
The Browns will be moving to a 4-3 scheme next year, and Dareus could help man the middle with Shaun Rodgers. Not only can Dareus play defensive end, but he also possesses the size to play as an interior defensive lineman in the NFL.ย
7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert
7 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/240 lbs
Position: QB
School: Missouri
Class: Juniorย
Why: With a new regime in San Francisco as Jim Harbaugh takes over as Coach. This will be a big first major decision for Harbaugh as he will either be taking a new signal-caller or staying with Troy Smith.
Personally, I believe the 49ers need a new quarterback. Blaine Gabbert is the supposed best of the bunch, so why not take him with this pick?
8. Tennessee Titans: Aldon Smith
8 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/260 lbs
Position: DE/OLB
School: Missouri
Class: RS Soph
Why: With the top QB prospect off the board, I donโt believe that the Titans want to try another QB experiment so theyโll probably try and pick-up a veteran during the off-season.
With DE Jason Babin set to test free agency, the Titans will need help replacing his 13-sack void. Aldon Smith is a very good pass rusher and player all around.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara
9 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ1โ/205 lbs
Position: CB
School: Nebraska
Class: Seniorย
Why: In a division with a big-play receiver like DeSean Jackson, Dallas needs to take a serious look at Amukamara. He has the ability to be a shut down corner and he also has the ability to help against top receivers.
Amukamara has NFL-ready sizeย and speed that places him as a top 10 prospect. Also, Patrick Peterson may be the best cornerback prospect, but Amukamara is not far behind.ย
10. Washington Redskins: Cam Newton
10 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5ยฝโ/250 lbs
Position: QB
School: Auburn
Class: Juniorย
Why: Everyone knows how much Washington needs a QB. I believe that Cam Newton will be a very successful quarterback in the NFL, and donโt be surprised to see Newtonโs name called at No. 10 or No. 12 to the Vikings.
11. Houston Texans: Von Miller
11 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3โ/240 lbs
Position: DE/OLB
School: Texas A&M
Class: Seniorย
Why: With new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips expect to see some changes in Houstonโs defense.
Miller would be a tremendous addition to the LB corps (which already has DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing).
Not only is he athletic enough to be a DE, but he also has the skills to be able to drop back as a LB.ย
12. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker
12 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3โ/226 lbs
Position: QB
School: Washington
Class: Seniorย
Why: Itโs almost a lock that Minnesota will take a QB with this pick. Locker was once thought to be not only the top QB prospect, but also the top prospect overall.ย
13. Detroit Lions: Akeem Ayers
13 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ4โ/250 lbs
Position: OLB
School: UCLA
Class: Juniorย
Why: Julian Peterson was informed of his release recently, so the Lions needs to find a replacement, and who better than the linebacker from UCLA? Ayers has the ability to play as an OLB or as a rush defensive end.ย
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones
14 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ4โ/211 lbs
Position: WR
School: Alabama
Class: Juniorย
Why: This is simple; St. Louis needs to find Sam Bradford another play-maker. Jones is a big wide receiver who would be a great new toy for Bradford to use in the red zone and even as a deep threat.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram
15 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 5โ10โ/215 lbs
Position: RB
School: Alabama
Class: Juniorย
Why: The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner would help to give the Dolphins some young legs in the backfield. While Ingram is sliding in most mock drafts, I honestly think heโs a steal outside of the top 10.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan
16 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ4โ/259 lbs
Position: DE
School: Purdue
Class: Seniorย
Why: Kerrigan was one of the top defensive players in the country this year. He had a magnificent senior year as he led the nation with 26 TFL while also getting 12.5 sacks.
Jacksonville needs players who can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jacksonville racked up only three sacks in their final five games last season.
17. New England Patriots: J.J. Watt
17 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5ยฝโ/280 lbs
Position: DE/DT
School: Wisconsin
Class: RS Juniorย
Why: This is simple, New England needs to address a glaring weakness in their defense and thatโs their pass rush. A defensive lineman like J.J. Watt would definitely help.ย
18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Heyward
18 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/288 lbs
Position: DE/DT
School: Ohio State
Class: Seniorย
Why: Coming off an unbelievable Sugar Bowl performance, Heyward has slid in mock drafts after his recent elbow surgery. Heyward should be fine for Ohio Stateโs Pro Day. This is where the defensive lineman will be able to truly show off his top 10 skills.
19. New York Giants: Stephen Paea
19 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ1โ/304 lbs
Position: DT
School: Oregon State
Class: Seniorย
Why: 2010 was a bit of a disappointing season for Paea, but the Giants need to get that defense back to the dominance form that it once was. Giants also need a future left tackle and could select Troy Smith, OT from USC.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn
20 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3โ/282 lbs
Position: DE/DT
School: Iowa
Class: Senior
Why: ย Although Clayborn has some red flags and character questions, Tampa Bay is in desperate need for an outside pass-rusher to complement last season's solid first-round pick, Gerald McCoy.ย And Clayborn is a top-10 talent.ย
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston
21 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3โ/260 lbs
Position: DE/OLB
School: Georgia
Class: Juniorย
Why: The Chiefs havenโt had a solid pass-rusher since they lost Jared Allen. Houston really opened up some eyes with 19.5 TFL and 11 sacks as a junior.ย
22. Indianapolis Colts: Tyron Smith
22 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/291 lbs
Position: OT
School: USC
Class: Junior
Why: The Colts are beginning to become a little long in the tooth on the offensive-line, so with the No. 22 pick they need to choose the best available O-linemen on the board. If the Giants donโt snag Smith up with the No. 19 pick, then he will not slip pass the Colts.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi
23 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ7โ/315 lbs
Position: OT
School: Wisconsin
Class: Seniorย
Why: Vick took a decent o-line and turn them into a great one by the big play he was able to make with his arm and his legs. Nonetheless, Vick struggled when teams started to test that mediocre Eagles offensive line, so an upgrade is needed to help protect him.
24. New Orleans Saints: Derek Sherrod
24 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ5โ/303 lbs
Position: OT
School: Mississippi State
Class: Senior
Why: Sherrod, with great size and strength, would be a nice addition to help protect Drew Brees.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallett
25 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ7โ/238 lbs
Position: QB
School: Arkansas
Class: Juniorย
Why: Under Head Coach Pete Carroll and Matt Hasselbeckโs tutelage, Mallett can fine-tune his skills and become a very good quarterback at the next level.ย
26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris
26 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 5โ11โ/195 lbs
Position: CB
School: Miami
Class: Juniorย
Why: A tremendous athletic corner who could help Ed Reed and the secondary crew wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Nate Solder
27 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ8โ/300 lbs
Position: OT
School: Colorado
Class: Senior
Why: An extremely well versed o-lineman who could help protect Matt Ryanโs next year and throughout his future.
28. New England Patriots: Mikel Leshoure
28 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ0โ/227 lbs
Position: RB
School: Illinois
Class: Junior
Why: While the Patriots donโt absolutely need to take a running back, I feel that with so many early picks in this yearโs draft, the Patriots could make even more deals/trades. Some have Leshoure over Alabamaโs Mark Ingram, because of his versatility.
But, even if they do draft Leshoure and keep him, it definitely wouldn't hurt to have him, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Danny Woodhead.ย
29. Chicago Bears: Benjamin Ijalana
29 of 32Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3ยฝโ/317 lbs
Position: OT
School: Villanova
Class: Seniorย
Why: Selecting Ijalana would help insure Jay Cutler that they are out to protect him and the ailing knee. Also the fact reminds that Chicago needs to add to their dismal o-line.
30. New York Jets: Drake Nevis
30 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ0ยฝโ/289 lbs
Position: DT
School: LSU
Class: Seniorย
Why: If the Jets lose Shaun Ellis to free agency, they will need to find a viable replacement.
31. Green Bay Packers: Corey Liuget
31 of 32Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ3โ/300 lbs
Position: DT
School: Illinois
Class: Juniorย
Why: Cullen Jenkins is a free agent, and if the Packers lose him then a defensive end will be a need.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey
32 of 32
Bio:
Ht/Wt: 6โ4โ/313 lbs
Position: C/G
School: Florida
Class: Seniorย
Why: Steelers left tackle Max Starks is coming off neck surgery, right tackle Willie Colon is a free agent in March, and Flozell Adams turns 36 this summer.
There's also a void at the right guard spot, which aย winner like Pouncey can step right in and fill.
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