2011 NFL Mock Draft Round One: Who Will Go Number 1?
It hasn't been too long of a break from my last mock draft, but I felt the need to update some picks after this great weekend of football.
Like last time, the order of picks will be based on current record.
Enjoy the picks!
1. Buffalo Bills- Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford
Still winless; still completely horrendous. My pick doesn't change from last time, which should be a surprise to absolutely no one.
Andrew Luck has been compared to Peyton Manning in the past, so the Bills will have little debate on who they will take with the first pick.
2. Carolina Panthers- A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia
This pick will not change for the time being as well. Despite signing Devin Thomas off waivers, Carolina will still need a wide receiver next year.
A.J. Green is without a doubt the best wide receiver in the class. The Panthers' offense will continue to improve.
3. San Francisco 49ers- Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington
After another horrible performance this season, I have officially decided that the Alex Smith era will come to an end after this season.
Jake Locker might not be the best fit for the system, but he will be the new face of the franchise for years to come.
4. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus, Defensive Lineman, Alabama
Cleveland's defense continues to struggle, which is definitely not a good sign. They should focus on revamping their front seven in the offseason.
Marcell Dareus could be a great fit at defensive end in the Cleveland's 3-4 defensive scheme.
5. Detroit Lions- Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU
Although they didn't allow Sam Bradford to rip them apart through the air, Detroit's secondary is still very lackluster.
Patrick Peterson is definitely the best defensive back in the 2011 draft class. He will be a day one starter for the Lions.
6. Dallas Cowboys- DeAndre McDaniel, Safety, Clemson
This pick will stay the same until Allan Ball improves. Thus far, Ball has been a serious disappointment to the Cowboys organization.
It's highly unlikely McDaniel will go this early, but stranger things have happened. Nonetheless, expect Dallas to be out of the top 10 come April.
7. Minnesota Vikings- Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas
With the top two quarterbacks off the board, Minnesota will go with their third option, Ryan Mallett.
Brett Favre is undoubtedly in his last season in the NFL, which will leave the Vikings with a huge hole at quarterback. I fully anticipate Minnesota going for a gun-slinger with their first-rounder.
8. St. Louis Rams- Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
It might not fill the biggest need on paper, but if you look at the Rams' corners you will know why I'm going with a cornerback here.
Prince Amukamara is a stud that could easily turn around St. Louis' poor secondary play. They currently rank 22nd in the league against the pass.
9. New England Patriots- Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
I do believe that in order for the Patriots to get back on top that they must draft a running back that will be consistent on the field.
Mark Ingram, last years Heisman trophy winner, will be a huge boost to New England's stellar offense.
10. Denver Broncos- Allen Bailey, Defensive Lineman, Miami
It will be tough for the Broncos to pass on Robert Quinn or Adrian Clayborn, but Allen Bailey would be the better choice for Denver.
Currently ranking 25th against the run, Denver needs to find some help for their front-seven. Allen Bailey would be that guy to help.
11. Cincinnati Bengals- Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College
The Bengals defense could use a lot of help, but their offensive line is also struggling. It's a toss-up as to where they will go for help.
Anthony Castonzo would be a reach in the top 15, but the Bengals will have to do so in order to find a quality lineman early.
12. San Diego Chargers- Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
I don't foresee Vincent Jackson ever playing another snap with the Chargers, which will leave a big need for San Diego.
Julio Jones is a stud of a wide receiver that will make Philip Rivers that much better than what he already is.
13. Seattle Seahawks- Brandon Harris, Cornerback, Miami
The Seahawks currently are second-to-last against the pass this season. Do I really have to go any further as to why they should take a cornerback?
Brandon Harris would be a minor reach here, but he could end up being the stud cornerback of the draft.
14. Miami Dolphins- Ryan Williams, Running Back, Virginia Tech
Like I stated in my latest mock draft, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are both slated to be free agents after this season.
Ryan Williams could end up replacing one of these two. If one goes, I predict it will be Ricky.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars- Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa
Although I doubt he falls this far, Clayborn will in this mock draft. With that said, Clayborn is the best defensive end will be the top defensive end in next years draft.
Jacksonville's defense needs to improve. Derrick Harvey's time in Jacksonville is over.
16. Arizona Cardinals- Robert Quinn, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
Yes, I am aware he's ineligible to play for the rest of the season, but Quinn will still be in the front half of the 2011 draft.
With Joey Porter getting up there in age, Arizona will need to find a replacement. Quinn could be a huge steal for the Cardinals.
17. Tennessee Titans- Travis Lewis, Outside Linebacker, Oklahoma
I still feel as though the Titans' linebacking core is one of the worst in the league today. They could use some serious improvement on defense.
Travis Lewis is a phenomenal player that would make Tennessee's defense even more intimidating, if they are considered that any longer.
18. Philadelphia Eagles- Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, Florida
The Eagles have been surprisingly good against the pass this year, which is odd considering who plays opposite of Asante Samuel.
Although they're eighth against the pass, Philadelphia needs to find another great cornerback to play across from Samuel.
19. New York Giants- Bruce Carter, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
Bruce Carter, now the face of the Tar Heels' defense, would be a great fit for the New York Giants' defense.
New York's defense has been excellent at times this year, but their linebackers are less than stellar.
20. Washington Redskins- Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh
The steal of the draft, Jonathan Baldwin is a 6'5" wide receiver that would be a huge target for Donovan McNabb to throw to next year.
The Redskins can't continue to go with Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong as their two best receivers.
21. New Orleans Saints- Greg Jones, Outside Linebacker, Michigan State
Although missing out on Bruce Carter will hurt, New Orleans will get a very talented outside linebacker in Greg Jones.
Scott Shanle has not been impressive at all this year, which could spell the end of his tenure with the Saints.
22. Houston Texans- Jurrell Casey, Defensive Tackle, USC
One of the few things missing from the Texans is a solid defensive tackle. Aside from drafting Earl Mitchell in the third round, Houston has done little to change that.
Jurrell Casey could be the answer to a few of Houston's problems.
23. Indianapolis Colts- Mike Pouncey, Guard, Florida
This pick will stay the same because it fills one of the Colts' few needs. Mike Pouncey is easily the best guard in the 2011 draft.
Indianapolis often goes offense, and I don't see any reason as to why that trend should come to an end.
24. Green Bay Packers- Cameron Heyward, Defensive Lineman, Ohio State
It may not fill the biggest need for Green Bay, but they often go with the best player available when they pick.
Cameron Heyward wouldn't start right away, but he could become a phenom in his second or third year in the league.
25. Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue
Tampa Bay is off to a surprising start, but they are still lacking serious talent at some positions on both sides of the ball.
Ryan Kerrigan is a great defensive end that would fit in nicely with Gerald McCoy and Brian Price on the line.
26. Kansas City Chiefs- Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame
After watching Dwayne Bowe drop two passes on Sunday, it became clear that the Chiefs need to draft a wide receiver early.
Michael Floyd is an excellent wideout that could sneak into the top 20 picks, but I don't believe it will happen.
27. New England Patriots- Von Miller, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M
New England is improving on defense every week, but they are missing a strong rush-linebacker that can get to the quarterback.
Von Miller's stock is currently in the second round, but I do believe New England will take a chance on him late in the first.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Ras-I Dowling, Defensive Back, Virgina
The Steelers will be a serious threat this year, but I fully believe that they can and will be torched through the passing game by a team like the Chargers.
Ras-I Dowling can play at both safety and cornerback, which will be an added bonus for Pittsburgh.
29. Chicago Bears- Joseph Barksdale, Offensive Tackle, LSU
After giving up nearly a dozen sacks to the Giants, Chicago needs an offensive tackle more than ever before.
Chris Williams can rarely stay healthy, thus making it evident that the Bears will have to go offensive line in the first round.
30. Baltimore Ravens- Akeem Ayers, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, UCLA
The Ravens have already made inquiries about Greg Jones from Michigan State, so it's clear that outside linebacker is a focus.
Akeem Ayers is a very talented hybrid linebacker that would fit in wonderfully with Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.
31. Atlanta Falcons- DaQuan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
Consider Jamaal Anderson done in Atlanta. The Falcons will likely trade or release him sometime in the offseason.
DaQuan Bowers could very well end up being the pick if Anderson is released. He should be a starter from day one.
32. New York Jets- Nick Fairley, Defensive Lineman, Auburn
If they don't draft an outside linebacker, the Jets will likely take a 3-4 defensive end with their first pick.
Fairley could go ten picks before this, so it would be considered a steal for the Jets. It angers me to know how a great defense will just get better.
Follow me on Twitter!
http://twitter.com/TannerThoms

.jpg)







