2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Rose, Who Fell After NFL Combine Performances

1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers could go a number of ways here, but since they have so many needs along this team, they have to go with the best player available.

As a diehard Carolina fan, I am having a hard time coming to terms with who I want to be chosen, and who will be chosen at the first pick. 

My personal choice is Cam Newton, but at this point it seems like Carolina will realistically choose Bowers, who will bring back what this team lost in Julius Peppers last season.Previous Pick: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

 2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

While John Fox is high on defensive linemen, and Denver could easily go Nick Fairley here, I think they will go with what some say is the top prospect in this draft. 

Previous Pick: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

 3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Buffalo has expressed a lot of interest in quarterback Cam Newton, but that was until his teammate Nick Fairley fell into their laps. He will help a team that was one of the league's worst in run defense.

Previous Pick: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama

 4. Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn 

Starting quarterback Carson Palmer is serious about wanting to be traded or released from Cincy. With all the problems this team has, they need to have insurance for Palmer if he follows through with this.

Newton may not be the best quarterback you've ever seen, but he will at least fill seats by becoming an "entertainer and icon." Is it just me, or are he and the Cincinnati Bengals made for each other?

Previous Pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

 5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Arizona may not be up for taking the risk of selecting another "franchise" quarterback in the first round again, but seeing how badly they struggled at quarterback last season, they can't pass on him.

Previous Pick: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

 6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

The biggest steal so far, everyone in the Cleveland Browns' organization has to be as happy as anyone could be because Green is the best receiver we've seen coming out of college in years. He will help young Colt McCoy develop and drastically improve this offense that has struggled for many years.

Previous Pick: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

 7. San Francisco 49ers: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

Miller has been the most rising prospect in the past few weeks and only improved his stock after having arguably the best performance out of anyone at the combine. Miller will team up with star linebacker Patrick Willis to make a dangerous defense.

Previous Pick: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

 8. Tennessee Titans: Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama

The biggest drop in the draft so far, Tennessee will finally bring back an elite defensive lineman since the loss of Albert Haynesworth.

Previous Pick: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

 9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Dallas couldn't be any more pleased with this pick, as they never would have guessed Amukamara would fall right into their lap this late. At one time, Amukamara was talked to be the first overall pick, so he will fill their biggest hole at defensive back.

Previous Pick: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

 10. Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC

The only reason Quinn fell this far was because of his suspension that led him to miss the whole 2010 season, but it would be a huge steal for Washington. If Quinn hadn't been suspended, he could easily have been the top selection in this draft.

Previous Pick: Robert Quinn, DE, UNC

 11. Houston Texans: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado 

A bit of a reach here, but the Texans are very desperate for a cornerback. Smith has a lot of potential, so this may not seem like a reach for long.

For his size (6'2", 205lbs), it is crazy for him to post a 4.46 40-time. Smith is a hard-hitter and is rising up draft boards.

Previous Pick: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

 12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

Although the Vikings are a team with a lot of big names, they struggled last season behind Brett Favre at quarterback.

With the top quarterbacks off the board, they could go a number of ways here. Defensive end Ray Edwards isn't expected to return, and they will need a replacement for him.

Previous Pick: Cam Newton, QB, Minnesota Vikings

 13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

The Lions are another team very close to making the playoffs. With a solid offensive line to protect injury-prone Matt Stafford, this could be the final piece to their puzzle.

Previous Pick: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

 14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

The rebuilding Rams got their franchise quarterback last year and can now land a star receiver to complete the offense.

With star running back Steven Jackson, rising star Sam Bradford and Julio Jones, this team could easily bring the NFC West title home.

Previous Pick: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

 15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama 

With the team unsure if they will re-sign running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, Ingram would instantly upgrade this offense. Brown can't seem to stay healthy or consistent, and Williams isn't getting any younger.

Previous Pick: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

Jacksonville has been looking for a premier pass-rusher for quite some time. They signed Aaron Kampman from Green Bay, but he hasn't looked any better than average, as he has been dealing with injuries as well.

Smith is one of the best pass-rushers in the draft and will hopefully upgrade this defensive line.

Previous Pick: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

 17. New England Patriots: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin 

The Patriots, as always, own many early picks. They have a few holes they could fill, including defensive end, running back, receiver and the offensive/defensive line.

Here, I think defensive end J.J. Watt could be the best option, as he would add depth to this defensive line that can't seem to stay healthy and isn't getting any younger.

Previous Pick: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

 18. San Diego Chargers: Martez Wilson, ILB, Illinois

Wilson helped his draft stock a lot after a great combine performance and fits perfectly with a San Diego team that needs help everywhere. 

Previous Pick: Corey Liuget, DL, Illinois

 19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

The Giants are one of the more inconsistent teams in the NFL. But, if they could keep all of their players healthy, this team could easily be one of the better squads in the league.

With the players on their offensive line starting to crack the downside of their careers, adding a younger player to this line would improve it a lot.

Previous Pick: Derek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State

 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Tampa Bay hasn't had a dominant defensive line since the days of Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice. Clayborn was once talked about being the first overall pick and could make a big impact on this up-and-coming team.

Previous Pick: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

 21. Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor 

Taylor is an interesting prospect; while some believe he could be chosen higher, others believe he will go lower. He fits in perfectly with this defense and will bring his strength to another up-and-coming team.

Previous Pick: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

 22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castanzo, OT, Boston College. 

It's time for the Indianapolis Colts to start thinking about the future. 

Peyton Manning and the rest of the Colts' team are starting to get older, and they haven't changed much in recent years. Picking Castanzo makes sense here, since he not only brings youth to this offensive line, but he also protects the aging Manning and his soon-to-be big contract.

Previous Pick: Anthony Castanzo, OT, Boston College

 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

Ayers' draft stock dipped a little bit after struggling at the combine, and he could find himself out of the first round. But Philadelphia finds themselves in a tough situation with not having their top needs on the board, so I think Ayers is the best player available to fit their needs.

Previous Pick: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA

 24. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue 

The Saints recently signed defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, so adding a player like Kerrigan will greatly improve this defensive line. 

Previous Pick: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

 25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Locker surprisingly looked good at the combine, and I think he deserves to be a first round pick.

If he hadn't stayed in college this season, he would have been a top-three pick last spring. In my opinion, if a player were at that level just one year ago, with the right coaching staff and weapons surrounding him, he can return to that elite status again.

Previous Pick: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

 26. Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland 

Some people are calling him the next Darrius Heyward-Bey; I'm not buying it. Smith has blazing speed and will make a great combination with Anquan Boldin lined up on the other side. 

Previous Pick: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

 27. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame 

Future Hall-of-Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez is contemplating retirement, and with the kind of improvement we saw in quarterback Matt Ryan when they added him, they can't afford to lose an elite tight end.

Previous Pick: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

 28. New England Patriots: Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

The Patriots have long been one of the best offensive teams in the league, but they haven't had an elite running back in years. BenJarvis Green-Ellis put up great stats, but isn't an every-down back. LeShoure and Green-Ellis could combine to make a great 2-back system.

Previous Pick: Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

 29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

Chicago got a taste of how important an offensive line is when quarterback Jay Cutler went down with a game-ending injury in the NFC Championship game, which led to their third-string quarterback playing the rest of the game (although, he played surprisingly well).

Sherrod impressed at the Senior Bowl and should be ready to start on the offensive line.

Previous Pick: Tryon Smith, OT, USC

 30. New York Jets: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

It had only been a little more than a week after the Packers won the Super Bowl, and head coach Rex Ryan was already picking the Jets to win the Super Bowl next season.

I admit, this team is close, but they still have some things missing—that's a whole other issue though.

Bringing in an outside linebacker like Houston gives them a good linebacker on the outside, something they need an upgrade at. Calvin Pace has shown potential, but is still a bust since being a first round pick by Arizona. Bryan Thomas is only mediocre, and Jason Taylor was recently released.

Previous Pick: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida 

The Steelers don't have many holes they need to fill, but you can never have enough offensive linemen. It worked when they chose one of the Pouncey brothers, so why not try it again?

Previous Pick: Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida

 32. Green Bay: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

This only boosts an already great defense by giving them an even better pass rush.

Cameron Heyward is the most inconsistent player in this draft, but when he is at his best, he is the top 3-4 defensive end in the class. His size (6'6", 288 lbs) is hard to not find attractive, and he will perform well at the next level.

Previous Pick: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State