NFL Mock Draft 2011: Defensive Concerns Leave Denver Broncos Pick Hard to Guess

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DT Need Trumps All Other Needs In 2011 NFL Mock Draft

Kiper: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

McShay: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Banks: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

Kirwan: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Rang: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

My take: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

Obviously this pick depends on what the Carolina Panthers do with that first overall choice. So, apart from the apparent obvious nature of them choosing a defender, it's difficult to have a take on what they'll do.

As I stated in an earlier post, I think Miller is a worthy candidate for this spot or any of the top 10 choices, but I just can't see a team spending a high draft choice on a clear-cut linebacker, no matter how talented he is.

That leaves a defensive lineman as the most likely option....although it wouldn't be inconceivable that they surprise us with a Patrick Peterson choice.

Bowers and Fairley would help the club improve on their abysmal pass rush (lowest sack total in the NFL) but I think John Fox will make the conservative choice and go for a hole-plugger like Dareus.

As Rang noted, "Denver finished 31st in the NFL in run defense last year and recently released former starters Justin Bannan and Jamal Williams. Dareus is the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in this class and among the safer picks. Barring a trade down, he should be a no-brainer here."

**For More Draft Coverage, Check Out Our 2011 NFL Draft Page**
1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE 2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT 3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT 4. Cincinnati Bengals: Patrick Peterson, CB	17. New England Patiriots: Mike Pouncey, OG 18. San Diego Chagers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE 19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Jordan,DE
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB 6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR 7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE 8. Tennessee Titans: Tyron Smith, OT	21. Kansans City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, OLB 22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castonzo, OT 23. Philadelphia Eagles: J.J. Watt, DE 24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Heyward, DE
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB 10. Washington Redskins: Cam Newton, QB 11. Houston Texans: Von Miller, OLB 12. Minnesota Vikings: Jimmy Smith, CB	25. Seattle Seahawks: Stephen Paea, DT 26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris, CB 27. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston, OLB 28. New England Patriots: Adrian Clayborn, DE
13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT 14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR 15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram Jr., RB 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB	29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT 30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE 31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB 32. Green Bay Packers: Jabaal Sheard, DE