2011 NFL Mock Draft: How Many Underclassmen Go in the First Round?
What better time to make a 2011 NFL Mock Draft then right after the Super Bowl? All the picks are now in place and it's time to see how many underclassmen go in the first round.
It's a curiously deep defensive draft this year. Many great young players on the defensive side.
There's talks of Auburn's Nick Fairley being number one, then there is talks of Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers.
Let's take a look at this year's NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
1 of 32
Bowers is a great prospect coming out this year. Ron Rivera is the new head sheriff in Carolina and, a defensive minded guy.
He will likely bring in someone to help anchor his defense and Bowers fits in perfectly. The fans of the Panthers will remember Julius Peppers, but thanks to Bowers he will likely make Peppers a distant memory.
Rivera has a lot of work to do with this defense and drafting this defensive end is key.
Needs: DE, OLB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 275 lbs
2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2 of 32
Great fit here for the Broncos. They possibly lose Champ Bailey this offseason and this is a great pick for the team.
Peterson can return kicks and play great shutdown defense. Regardless if Bailey re-signs, he is still old and taking a look at the rest of the Broncos defensive backs, they need help.
John Fox will look to install a new tight defense. Peterson is a great corner and, in the event they do re-sign Bailey, they have two great corners on their defense.
Passers beware.
Needs: DE, CB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'1 feet
Weight: 222 lbs
3. Buffalo Bills- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
3 of 32
Fairley is a tough spot to call. He could go in the top three picks of this year's draft..
He is a dominating defensive tackle and was a force to be reckoned with Auburn, especially in the National Championship.
He would help anchor the Buffalo Bills defense and would a great building block for them on their defense.
Needs: DL, OL
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5 feet
Weight: 298 lbs
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4. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
4 of 32
A.J. Green would fit in perfectly in Cincinnati.
Carson Palmer won't be leaving town yet. The Bengals front office should look to appease their quarterback this offseason.
Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens look like they could be on their way out, opening the door even wider for the former Georgia wide receiver.
Green is an explosive receiver and could end up being a deadly wide out in the NFL and could help rejuvenate Carson Palmer just a tad bit.
Needs: WR, DL
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 205 lbs
5. Arizona Cardinals- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
5 of 32
Wow where to begin.
I wouldn't be shocked here if Arizona takes Blaine Gabbert if they don't end up landing Larry Fitzgerald's number option for their new quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Their defense is in need of a serious revamp and hasn't been all that spectacular.
Quinn is a pretty versatile player being able to play as a down lineman or a linebacker. He would make a great fit in Arizona.
Needs: QB, DE
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5 feet
Weight: 270 lbs
6. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
6 of 32
It's all about the defense so far. It's a great start to any rebuilding team. After all, defense does win championships.
The Browns could really use a force like Marcell up the middle. They're switching to a 3-4 defense and they could use this change of face up front.
I could see them taking A.J. Green if he does in fact fall this far in the draft, they could jump back or they could make a little reach here and pick Alabama's Julio Jones at wide receiver.
The Browns could use the help to help facilitate Colt McCoy's progression as a quarterback if he is in fact the future at the quarterback position.
Needs: WR, DL
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 306 lbs
7. San Francisco- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
7 of 32
For the sake of the 49ers franchise, let's hope Gabbert doesn't turn into an Alex Smith.
Gabbert has busted out onto the scene as this year's top quarterback. He is fighting for the title with Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, but I'm just not sold on Newton being this high of a pick.
He was a top prospect coming out of high school and was already being groomed as the next big quarterback heading to Missouri.
Gabbert has been riding so much hype and he's still a mystery to most average NFL fans.
Like I said before, let's just hope the pressure doesn't melt him down.
Needs: QB, CB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5 feet
Weight: 235 lbs
8. Tennessee Titans- Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
8 of 32
This could be a great pick-up for the Titans. Von Miller is a great linebacker who really has great explosive speed.
No matter what defense they play in next season, Miller is seriously a nice pick for them.
He has a lot of talent and could go higher then number eight. He would be a great building block for the Titans.
Another pick here could be Auburn's Cam Newton. Although my gut feeling says they learned their lesson from the last quarterback who was big and riding the hype into the draft, they could realistically pull the trigger and have him back-up Kerry Collins and learn the pro-style offense in while he waits.
Needs: QB, OLB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'3 feet
Weight: 243 lbs
9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
9 of 32
Honestly the hardest name to spell in this draft.
I don't know if Dallas will hang onto this pick, but here they should pick Prince.
The Dallas cornerbacks were atrocious last season. I'm a Packers fan and my god when they came to Green Bay, they were being picked on.
The Cowboys have an excellent squad to build with come next season. Jason Garrett has a good enough offense and his defense should be his major concern.
A defensive lineman (Someone to replace Igor Olshansky perhaps?) could also be in the thought process, along with a safety, but with Prince falling to them I don't think they pass up on this. Either that or they trade down.
Needs: DB, DL
Class: Senior
Height: 6'1 feet
Weight: 205 lbs
10. Washington Redskins- Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
10 of 32
Hey his former Cal teammate, Tyson Alualu did it.
Cameron Jordan has an excellent great athletic build that will help him succeed in the NFL. He's got gigantic hands and an extremely long wing span. He has great athleticism kind of making me think of last year's pick for the New York Giants, Jason Pierre-Paul.
He has tremendous upside and actually has some NFL blood in him. His father, Steve Jordan, played tight end in the NFL for 13 seasons, racking up six Pro Bowl appearances .
He's very capable of moving inside to play defensive tackle.
I don't think McNabb is leaving town anytime soon and, Cam Newton also makes sense at this position seeing as they took a leap of faith with another Auburn quarterback (Jason Campbell) who was big.
Another pick here because of the departure of Santana Moss now, Julio Jones could go this high. It wouldn't shock me if he in fact did land here either.
Needs: DE, WR
Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 283 lbs
11. Houston Texans- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
11 of 32
J.J. Watt would definitely help bring up the Texans defense opposite Mario Williams.
With Wade Phillips coming to town it's time to for a switch to the 3-4 defensive scheme.
Watt would be an excellent pick-up here for the Texans or they could reach, and by reach I mean really reach, and grab Miami's Brandon Harris if they're feeling that desperate to help bolster their secondary.
Needs: DB, DE
Class: Junior
Height: 6'6 feet
Weight: 292 lbs
12. Minnesota Vikings- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
12 of 32
Here it is, the pick everyone has been waiting for. The Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton.
He rides a lot of hype coming into the draft and could likely end up here. With Brett Favre gone, Tavaris Jackson obviously not the answer and Joe Webb is definitely not a long-term answer, Newton could fall right into their laps.
He has a great athletic build and frame to help him escape would-be tacklers, kind of like Big Ben.
They need help in the secondary, but it's still a pretty long reach to grab the next cornerback and safety.
Needs: DB, QB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'6 feet
Weight: 250 lbs
13. Detroit Lions- Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
13 of 32
The Lions had a very good season last year by their standards. 6-10 is definitely a start for a team that was 0-16 a couple of years ago.
Ayers is a great prospect, very versatile. He could play either defensive end or linebacker which is a great pick-up for the defensive mind of head coach Jim Schwartz.
Ayers is explosive and could help out a young, up-coming defense the Lions have.
Needs: LB, OL
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 255 lbs
14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
14 of 32
No brainer here.
If Julio Jones is available, the Rams should pounce on him.
Jones would be a great addition to Rookie of the Year, quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford needs the help. They could also go defensive back, but the opportunity to get a wide receiver like Jones, is one-time chance that the Rams shouldn't let pass them by.
They are a playoff contender just because of their division, and they could win it with just a little more firepower on their offense.
Just think, Bradford did well with a relatively bunch of unknown, no-name wide receivers this season. Think of what he could do with one serious threat.
Needs: WR, CB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 220 lbs
15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
15 of 32
Mark Ingram should be definitely looked at here.
Ronnie Brown could be gone and Ricky Williams isn't a solid answer either.
Mark Ingram is a need for the Dolphins. They are in need of a running back.
Ingram is a great big back that could help grind out the yards and convert short yardage situations.
They bring back Ronnie Brown they have a solid tandem at running back.
Needs: RB, DL
Class: Junior
Height: 5'10 feet
Weight: 215 lbs
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
16 of 32
Paea is a great fit here with Tyson Alualu.
Paea would be great just based off his ability to plug up the middle of the field and stuff ball-carriers.
The Jags need some serious help in their front seven not only their defensive line. Paea is a great pick here and a lucky fall.
The Jags run defense needs Paea badly, he has great strength.
Needs: DL, LB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'1
Weight: 311 lbs
17. New England Patriots- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
17 of 32
What better way to spend the pick they get for trading defensive end Richard Seymour to Oakland then spending it on a defensive end.
He's very athletic and has explosive speed, something the Patriots run defense could definitely use.
The Patriots defense was very lackluster last season and could use an upgrade at multiple positions, but Clayborn is available and is a good prospect to take a look at and steal in the draft.
Needs: DL, CB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 285 lbs
18. San Diego Chargers- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
18 of 32
Ryan Kerrigan is a great combination player. He could play both in a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense.
Kerrigan is a dominant player and the Chargers could use his versatility on defense.
They need another strong presence especially since they have lost former defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.
Kerrigan is a step in the right direction for this defense.
Needs: CB, DE
Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 263 lbs
19. New York Giants- Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
19 of 32
The Giants could use a offensive lineman. They don't really need one right away, but the future is up in the air.
Adding Sherrod is a big addition and relief for the Giants offensive line.
Sherrod would be able to use his big frame to help protect Eli Manning and help give him more time in the pocket. He has pretty good athleticism and is a great blocker.
Needs: DT, OT
Class: Senior
Height: 6'6 feet
Weight: 305 lbs
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
20 of 32
Cameron Heyward would be a good pick up here for a rush defense that was ranked 28th in the league last season.
He's a very versatile player being able to work in a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense, so he could help no matter what the scheme really.
Heyward has a great frame for the defensive line. He would be a great addition to Gerald McCoy on their defensive line.
Needs: LB, DE
Class: Senior
Height: 6'5 feet
Weight: 288 lbs
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (FL)
21 of 32
Kansas City could use some help in their 17th ranked pass defense.
Brandon Flower and Brandon Carr could use the help, so why not add one more Brandon to their secondary?
Harris is a good speed back and has good size. He's a great cornerback and can cover really well.
He's got some big shoes to fill though following in the footsteps of numerous good Miami defensive backs.
Needs: CB, OL
Class: Junior
Height: 5'11 feet
Weight: 195 lbs
22. Indianapolis Colts- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
22 of 32
He has great size and is a pretty good blocker. Indianapolis could go any way on the offensive line with this pick.
Florida guard Mike Pouncey, USC tackle Tyron Smith or Boston College tackle Anthony Castonzo.
Solder is gigantic and could reinvigorate the Colts offensive line. He's extremely quick and very athletic on the line. Not to mention, he has a great wingspan.
Needs: CB, OL
Class: Senior
Height: 6'9 feet
Weight: 315 lbs
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
23 of 32
The Eagles really need someone to protect Michael Vick.
They showed that all season long and that has to be their number one priority heading into the draft.
Castonzo gives them great size and ability to help bolster the offensive line.
Needs: OL, CB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'7
Weight: 295 lbs
24. New Orleans Saints- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
24 of 32
New Orleans could use some serious help in their secondary.
Aaron Williams gives the Saints secondary that much needed boost to help them compete on defense.
They could also go for someone along the defensive line, but the cornerback position is a serious and glaring need for the Saints.
What Williams would bring to the table would help the Saints compete next season.
Needs: CB, DL
Class: Junior
Height: 6'1
Weight: 195 lbs
25. Seattle Seahawks- Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
25 of 32
Here's my big pick, going out on a huge limb here.
Kaepernick would have to switch from the pistol offense to the pros and would have time to learn behind aging veteran Matt Hasselbeck.
Colin is a great quarterback and was heating up during the Senior Bowl week. He has great mobility and is a pretty good passer. He can extend plays and break out of the pocket. If they do select him, they have time to help build him up.
They could really go any way at the quarterback position at this pick. Washington's Jake Locker and Arkansas' Ryan Mallet could be picked here as well.
Needs: QB, DB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'6 feet
Weight: 225 lbs
26. Baltimore Ravens- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
26 of 32
With Sergio Kindle's iffy future, Houston is a good fit here.
He's a good linebacker and has the potential and size to be great. He's a great fit for the 3-4 defensive scheme the Ravens run.
The Ravens could easily reach here and grab a cornerback like Janoris Jenkins at this position as well if they feel they can rely on Sergio Kindle.
Needs: CB, OLB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3 feet
Weight: 258 lbs
27. Atlanta Falcons- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
27 of 32
Smith is a good pick here to help beef up the Atlanta offensive line.
He would help keep pressure of their growing, elite quarterback Matt Ryan. He's got some size and is a pretty good blocker.
Atlanta could also grab a defensive lineman here to play opposite of John Abraham.
Needs: DE, OT
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5 feet
Weight: 280 lbs
28. New England Patriots- Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
28 of 32
It might be a reach but the Patriots could use the help for BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead.
Leshoure is a good back coming out of Illinois and could help gain some serious yardage for the team in a cycle role with Green-Ellis and Woodhead.
Patriots could also grab the previously mentioned Janoris Jenkins from Florida to help beef up their cornerback slot.
Needs: DL, CB
Class: Junior
Height: 6'0 feet
Weight: 230 lbs
29. Chicago Bears- Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
29 of 32
The Bears could use some serious help along the offensive line.
They led the NFL in sacks allowed last season with 60. They just need someone to help protect quarterback Jay Cutler.
Selecting Pouncey here helps significantly. He has great upside for the future and is a great blocker.
His brother, Maurkice, is the starting center for Pittsburgh. He has this in his blood and should be able to produce in the NFL.
Needs: G, CB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 feet
Weight: 310 lbs
30. New York Jets- Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
30 of 32
Smith is a perfect fit for the Jets 3-4 scheme.
Smith can do it all, he can play linebacker and he can play defensive end.
The Jets need some help along the defensive line especially with Kris Jenkins who has been anything but healthy the last couple years.
Aldon is a good blitzer and will help cause havoc along the line.
Shaun Ellis should command a pretty penny this offseason, all the more reason to draft Smith.
Needs: DL, OLB
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6'5 feet
Weight: 250 lbs
31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Marcus Cannon, G, TCU
31 of 32
Marcus Cannon would be a solid pickup for the defending AFC champs.
Their offensive line could use a little more help and, by adding Cannon, they're adding a pretty good blocker.
Cannon is one of the top guards entering the draft and rightfully so.
He's helped anchor a great TCU offensive line.
Needs: OL, CB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'6 feet
Weight: 350 lbs
32. Green Bay Packers- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
32 of 32
I am very proud to say this, the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers go in needing to add a little depth.
Smith is a great get because they could breed him into a top cornerback while Charles Woodson is still playing.
Not only that, in case of injury like last night, Smith would add depth.
The Packers could go one of two ways. They could draft some help along the offensive line (Chad Clifton isn't getting any younger) or they could add some depth on the defensive side of the ball. Whether it be linebacker or cornerback, the Packers could use a little depth.
Needs: OL, OLB
Class: Senior
Height: 6'2 feet
Weight: 205 lbs
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