2011 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting the Top 10 Overall Picks

The NFL season may be relatively young, but the college football season is quickly headed towards the end and that means NFL scouts are starting to piece together their draft boards for the 2011 NFL Draft.

There is a lot of talent in this year's draft, and the top 10 teams should each come out with future franchise players.

Just who exactly might those players be though?

Here is what the top 10 picks in the 2011 NFL Draft should look like when April rolls around.

No. 10 Cincinnati Bengals

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gets off a pass as Allen Bailey #57 of the Miami Hurricanes applies pressure at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Image

With the No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select...

Allen Bailey, DE, Miami University (FL)

It's hard to diagnose the problems that the Cincinnati Bengals are having without looking directly at Carson Palmer.

Unfortunately, from where they will be in the draft, the Bengals will not be in a position to change their quarterback situation.

With that in mind, it is probably best that they take a look at Allen Bailey, a phenomenal athlete who could really help them with edge rushing at the defensive end position.

Bailey has, so far, amassed 14 sacks in four years, and looks to be holding a pattern of continual improvement.

But look past the numbers. Bailey is very fast for a defensive end and has a real knack for getting to the quarterback. He would be an excellent pickup for the Bengals.

No. 9 St. Louis Rams

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 10: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball after a reception during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

With the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select...

A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

While the Rams could use an upgrade on the offensive line, their biggest need has to be a wide receiver. While they do have Donnie Avery, they could really benefit from a player with the raw athleticism and talent that A.J. Green has.

Green is a physical freak and is helping lead a fairly good Georgia offense right now.

With Sam Bradford entering his second year, the Rams are going to want to provide the sophomore quarterback with more targets than Donnie Avery and Danny Amendola. A.J. Green would be the perfect fit.

No. 8 Arizona Cardinals

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

With the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select...

Marcus Cannon, OG, Texas Christian University

The Cardinals need a quarterback more than anything right now, but packaging up to grab Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett or (should he declare) Andrew Luck might cost them more than they are willing to give up.

Their next most important need, then, is a guard to replace Alan Faneca, who will not be with the Cardinals much longer.

Marcus Cannon is a monster of a man and would really boost the physicality of the Cardinals offensive line. If he can round out the unit, Max Hall and/or Derek Anderson may have the protection that they need to succeed, and the running game could get the blocking it needs to be very good.

I could also see the Cardinals making a play for a linebacker like Von Miller.

No. 7 New England Patriots *From Oakland Raiders*

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 18: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases after the ballcarrier against the Ohio Bobcats at Ohio Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots select...

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State University

The Patriots need a pass rusher so badly that they could very well jump on Von Miller or Mark Herzlich with this pick as well.

That having been said though, this seems like the biggest possibility, whether or not Bill Belichick decides to trade down or not.

The Patriots drafted an inside and an outside linebacker last year, which doesn't prevent them from getting one this year, but it certainly hinders the effort.

While the Patriots appear to be doing alright on the defensive end front, both Ty and Gerrard Warren are aging, and bringing in a solid player who could work into the rotation and possibly earn the starting spot, could really help the Patriots.

Again though, it would not surprise me if Belichick traded down and ended up taking Von Miller or Mark Herzlich before attempting to go for a defensive end.

No. 6 Dallas Cowboys

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Deunta Williams #27 of the North Carolina Tar Heels carries the ball as Montel Harris #2 of the Boston College Eagles tries to make the stop on November 21, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Tar

With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...

Deunta Williams, S, University of North Carolina

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

I know that there will be legions of Dallas Cowboys fans and sympathizers getting on me about this one, but believe it or not, Dallas has a good chance of ending up right here if they don't get things turned around.

In any case, Deunta Williams seems like the smart play for them. He's a solid safety, and the Cowboys could really use a free safety to help round out their defensive backfield.

I could also see them taking Prince Amukamara to work behind and eventually replace, Terrence Newman.

No. 5 Detroit Lions

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers runs for a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Ima

With the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select...

Patrick Peterson, CB, Louisiana State University

Patrick Peterson is one of those players who everyone loves to watch, whether or not he plays for your team, because he is almost guaranteed to make at least one great play.

Patrick Peterson has speed, agility and unparalleled game sense and intelligence. To me, he is the next Charles Woodson.

If that is true, then what better team is there for him to end up on than the Detroit Lions?

The Lions are slowly but surely putting together the talent necessary for them to be a very good team, and Peterson would really help them put together a killer defense.

With Ndamukong Suh up front and Louis Delmas backing him up in the defensive backfield, Peterson should really help make the Lions pass defense competitive.

Detroit could use an offensive lineman, especially a left tackle and a defensive end, but this draft seems deep enough to where they could pick up great talent in the rest of the draft.

No. 4 San Francisco 49ers

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drops back to throw a pass during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select...

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

Let's be honest here for a second: the Alex Smith era in San Francisco is officially over. I know the season hasn't come to an end yet, but I don't need to watch a full 16-game season to know that Alex Smith will never cut it long term for the 49ers.

Enter Ryan Mallett. While he has had his struggles at Arkansas at times this year, he is still one of the best quarterbacks in college football right now, and he has star potential.

While he should ideally sit for a year or two before being handed the reins, he may have to take over the starting role immediately, which will likely cause some stumbles early in his career.

In any case, the 49ers need a player that they can base their struggling offense around and Mallett could easily be that guy.

Also, should Andrew Luck decide to declare for the draft this year, Jake Locker could very well fall down to San Francisco, in which case the choice would clearly have to be Locker.

No. 3 Cleveland Browns

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes rushes the quarterback against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Streeter L

With the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Adrian Clayborn has a bright future ahead of him in the NFL. He has excellent vision, speed and strength, and pursues the ball sideline to sideline very well. He is a very dangerous weapon.

He would also fit in relatively quickly in Cleveland. He would have to gain a few pounds to properly fit the role of 3-4 defensive end, but the value of having a player like Clayborn on the defense cannot be ignored by the Browns' higher ups.

As of now, the entire defensive line of the Cleveland Browns is responsible for one sack and one interception. They are ranked 23rd in the league in rush defense.

Clayborn could really help turn around this rebuilding defense.

*As a side note, I did wrestle with the possibility of Andrew Luck declaring and subsequently being drafted by the Browns, but considering the chance they took on Colt McCoy, it seems likely that they will give McCoy a good chance before they decide to chase a new quarterback.

No. 2 Carolina Panthers

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EUGENE, OR - DECEMBER 03: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks rushes with the ball past tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on December 3, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select...

Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

Stephen Paea is a physical freak—a player who can best be compared to Baltimore Ravens defensive stud Haloti Ngata.

Paea is one of the strongest players in college football and couples that with a decent range of motion. If teams do not properly account for him, they will undoubtedly have trouble.

As for the Carolina Panthers, they need Paea badly. While their need at quarterback is pressing, the defensive line lacks a true playmaker, and it is costing them in both their ability to cover the run and their ability to get after the quarterback. A player like Stephen Paea could force the double team and allow others to take advantage of single blocks on the edge.

I would also understand the Carolina Panthers drafting Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama) should he decide to declare. Dareus is the leader of a killer defensive line in Alabama and has real star potential.

No. 1 Buffalo Bills

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LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies throws a pass against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select...

Jake Locker, QB, University of Washington

While Jake Locker has stumbled at times this season, he still has everything he needs to be a successful NFL quarterback. Just look at his college numbers:

• 6,805 passing yards
• 49 touchdowns
• 30 interceptions (15 of which came during his freshman season)

And remember, these stats came mostly from years when the team around Locker was not that good.

As for the Buffalo Bills, they have a lot of needs as a team, but none are more important than the gaping hole at quarterback.

Last year they neglected to use a pick on a quarterback, which means that they must have their eye on someone this year. Locker would be the perfect fit for them and would make an immediate impact on the team.

*As a side note: If Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford) were to declare this year, which seems unlikely, the Bills would likely go for him instead. Luck is just too good.

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