2011 NFL Draft 32-Team Mock: Is Tyron Smith Still Dallas Cowboys' Target?

Check out versions 1.0 and 2.0 of my mock drafts to see how things have changed, as well as my updated 2011 draft notes. Click on highlighted player names below for full scouting reports and player highlights.

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

All signs are pointing to Cam, and it would be a pretty big shock if he is not the No. 1 overall pick at this point.

Last Mock: Same

2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

The latest rumor out of Denver is that the team covets Patrick Peterson over Dareus, but I don’t buy it. Dareus has been linked to the Broncos for a while now, so this last-minute information is probably smoke.

Last Mock: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU 

3.  Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, OLB, Texas AM

Blaine Gabbert is theoretically an option, but it appears more likely the Bills will select either Von Miller or Cam Newton. With Newton off the board, the Bills go with the draft’s best edge-rusher (according to others, not me) and will probably be in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes next year.

Last Mock: Same

4.  Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

I really think this pick will come down to either Green or Patrick Peterson. The Bengals have good cornerbacks, but don’t forget they might lose Jonathan Joseph to free agency. The team will definitely be without T.O. and Chad Ochocinco, however, so I’m going receiver.

Last Mock: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

5.  Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

A lot of local reporters are claiming the Cards will pass on a quarterback, but why would they? I think they are bluffing, as just a few weeks ago it was rumored they have Gabbert rated ahead of Newton.

Last Mock: Same

6. Cleveland Browns: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

A lot of people believe the Cowboys will trade up to this pick if Peterson drops, but the Browns reportedly have a two-man wish list containing A.J. Green and PP. I don’t think they will want to move back if Peterson drops into their laps.

Last Mock: Nick Fairley, DT/DE, Auburn

7.  San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC

I have been mocking Quinn to San Fran all year. They will take Peterson if he falls, but that is unlikely. Another player to watch is Prince Amukamara, who I am hearing is a legitimate option.

Last Mock: Same

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Even with concerns about his work ethic, Fairley’s talent is too great to pass on for too long. He fits the Titans’ system well.

Last Mock: DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson

9.  Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

I am going to post more on Cowboys draft rumors either later today or tomorrow. There are a lot of different scenarios that could play out, and I think trading down is the most likely. I am not projecting trades here though, and if the ‘Boys stay in their draft slot, I think Smith will be their guy.

Last Mock: Same

10.  Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

The Redskins reportedly want a quarterback or wide receiver. Keep your eyes open for Jake Locker here, but Jones is by far the surer bet.

Last Mock: Same

11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Amukamara or Missouri’s Aldon Smith will almost certainly be the pick.

Last Mock: Same

12. Minnesota Vikings: DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson

I have heard both Minnesota and Detroit will take Bowers if he falls to them. Bowers’ injury concerns could very well cause last-minute changes of heart, but I’ll stick with Bowers getting selected in this area.

Last Mock: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

13. Detroit Lions: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

Expect the Lions to select Amukamara if he is on the board. If not, it appears it will come down to either Bowers, Smith or an offensive tackle.  The initial reports said the latter was most likely, so Anthony Castonzo could be the guy.

Last Mock: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

This is early for Liuget, but I have heard two sources who used to be in the organization say Liuget is the favorite here. Also look out for Ryan Kerrigan (and of course a trade up for Julio Jones).

Last Mock: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

15.  Miami Dolphins: JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin

This is the first pick where I have really no clue which direction the team will go. I am backing off the idea of the ‘Phins selecting Mark Ingram, and Watt seems like a good fit in Miami.

Last Mock: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

A quarterback is possible here, but I think the Jags want to address their pass rush in the first round, then take a look at quarterbacks in round two.

Last Mock: Same

17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DT/DE, Cal

The Pats have interest in Mike Pouncey, so they could take him here if they think he won’t make it to their 28th overall selection. The same goes for Mark Ingram.  It is also possible that they trade up for either Robert Quinn or Julio Jones.

Last Mock: Same

18. San Diego Chargers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT/DE, Temple

The Chargers are almost certain to take either a five-technique or an edge-rusher. With Jordan and Watt off the board, Wilkerson makes the most sense.

Last Mock: JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin

19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

The Giants are also interested in Ben Ijalana, Mark Ingram and Akeem Ayers, but Castonzo represents great value at pick No. 19.

Last Mock:  Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

20. Tampa Bay Bucs: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia

I think the Bucs are the landing spot for DaQuan Bowers if he drops past Detroit. If not, Houston’s first step and upside should be enough to justify his selection here.

Last Mock: Same

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

I really like the chances of this pick happening. Taylor should still be on the board, and the Chiefs desperately need an upgrade at the nose. Also watch out for an offensive lineman, particularly a versatile one like Ijalana.

Last Mock: Same

22. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

I don’t think Sherrod is the top offensive tackle left, but he fits well in Indy. The Colts reportedly met with Sherrod at the Combine, so there’s some interest.

Last Mock: Same

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

I’m convinced Smith’s talent will be too much to drop him out of the first round. He is incredibly gifted in press coverage, which will fit perfectly in Philly.

Last Mock: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia

24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Heyward, DT, Ohio State

I think the Saints would prefer Wilkerson or Liuget here, but Heyward isn’t far behind. Cornerback is a bit of a sleeper too, but I think Jimmy Smith is the only guy that would pique their interest. It seems too early for Brandon Harris.

Last Mock: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

25. Seattle Seahawks: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

Ponder ahead of Locker? Let me make it clear that I think a team will trade back up into the first round for Locker, resulting in four quarterbacks getting selected in the first 32 picks. Predicting which team will move up and where is impossible, though. As far as Seattle goes, they reportedly “hate” Locker.

Last Mock: Same

26. Baltimore Ravens: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona

Of all the names I keep hearing for Baltimore (Sherrod, Houston, Wilkerson, Liuget, Heyward and Reed), only Reed is left. This might be a reach, so even though Baltimore wants a front seven player, don’t rule out Ijalana.

Last Mock: Ben Ijalana, OT/OG, Villanova

27. Atlanta Falcons: Akeem Ayers, ILB/OLB, UCLA

The Falcons will probably choose between Kyle Rudolph and Ayers. Ayers is a far superior player, in my opinion.

Last Mock: Same

28. New England Patriots: Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida

If the Pats don’t move out of this pick, I think they will be looking at Pouncey and Ingram. The quality of mid-round running backs makes me think they will hold off on selecting one early and instead opt for the interior lineman.

Last Mock: Same

29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Because teams view Carimi as “only” a right tackle, he will probably drop a bit come draft day. I think that’s unwarranted. Carimi is probably the most NFL-ready of all the offensive tackles, and while he may not possess the incredible upside of someone like Tyron Smith, selecting a “sure thing” in the first-round is never a bad idea.

Last Mock: Same

30. New York Jets: Marvin Austin, DT, UNC

Austin’s presence in the first round is new, and I haven’t seen him mocked to the Jets yet. The Jets supposedly like Reed, Taylor and Ayers, but all three of those players are off the board. I really think Austin has a great shot to get selected in the first round.

Last Mock: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Will Pittsburgh view Williams as a cornerback? If so, he should be their guy.

Last Mock: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

32. Green Bay Packers: Ben Ijalana, OT/OG, Villanova

The Packers are looking for an edge-rusher to play opposite Clay Matthews, but there isn’t great value at this point. Ijalana fills another need, and his versatility will be useful in Green Bay.

Last Mock: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple