2011 NFL Mock Draft: Can Andrew Luck Save the Buffalo Bills?

1 Carolina: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Notes: With young players at quarterback and defensive end, Carolina goes for the best available player and the best cornerback we've seen in college for a long time.

2 Buffalo: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Notes: Buffalo is in the unique position of having a need at virtually every position. Lucky for them (terrible pun), Andrew Luck is here for the taking. Luck will give Buffalo the starting quarterback they need.

3 San Francisco: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Notes: With Luck off the board, the 49ers go with the best player available and fill a need at defensive end in their 3-4 scheme. Heyward could also slide inside to tackle in a 4-3.

4 Detroit: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Notes: The Lions have many needs, despite being a much improved team. Adding a No. 2 receiver is tempting, but grabbing a lock down corner is a pick they cannot pass on. In most years Amukamara would be the most talked about player.

5 Cleveland: AJ Green, WR, Georgia
Notes: Cleveland has done a nice job building through the draft, but they still lack talent at key positions. With Colt McCoy poised to become the long-term starter, Mike Holmgren decides to build around him with a great redzone target.

6 Dallas: Marcel Dareus, DE, Alabama
Notes: Dallas is far too talented to be picking this high, but they've flat out stunk this year. Dareus is a versatile defender, able to play any position in a 3-4 or 4-3 front.

7 San Diego: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Notes: San Diego is as talented as Dallas, but injuries and holdouts have plagued their season. Assuming Vincent Jackson eventually signs, San Diego can sit tight and draft the best player available. Defensive end is a need for them in their 3-4, which is what Clayborn is an ideal fit for.

8 New England (f/OAK): Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Notes: The Patriots traded Richard Seymour for this pick two years ago in a move that is looking smarter every week. At No. 8 New England can grab a true difference maker in Ayers, one of college football's best pass rushers.

9 Denver: Robert Quinn, OLB, UNC
Notes: Not to be outdone by his old boss, Josh McDaniels grabs the next best pass rusher in this draft with North Carolina's Robert Quinn. A defensive end in college, Quinn has the athleticism and tools to transition to outside 'backer.

10 Minnesota: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Notes: Locker is a no-brainer pick for the Vikings, a team that must start preparing for life after Brett Favre sooner rather than later.

11 Cincinnati: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Notes: Cincinnati has two of the biggest names (and egos) in the league at receiver, but their production has not matched the hype. Pairing Jones with Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham would give the Bengals offense three young stars in the passing game.

12 St. Louis: Bruce Carter, OLB, UNC
Notes: Carter, an undersized playmaker from North Carolina, reminds us of Derrick Brooks in so many ways. Here's hoping he can have the same impact in St. Louis that Brooks had to an underachieving Tampa Bay franchise.

13 Green Bay: Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
Notes: Clay Matthews looks like a long-time Pro Bowler at one outside linebacker position. Opposite him the Packers need to add youth, speed and depth. Beal will give Green Bay an athlete with great instincts and some ability in coverage to compliment the pass rushing of Matthews.

14 Jacksonville: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Notes: David Garrard is on the way out in Jacksonville, and head coach Jack Del Rio may be following him. Ryan Mallett will usher in the next era of Jaguar football.

15 Washington: Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
Notes: LaRon Landry looks like a new player since moving to strong safety, but for the Redskins defense to be complete they must make improvements at free safety. Enter Moore, a punishing tackler and playmaker.

16 Kansas City: Derek Sherrod, OT, Miss. State
Notes: Kansas City has to be considered one of the biggest surprises of 2010 so far. Matt Cassel is showing flashes of being the answer at quarterback, but his offensive line continues to be an issue. Sherrod has the size and strength to shore up the right side opposite Branden Albert to form a top tackle duo.

17 Arizona: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Notes: A hot name among scouts, Jenkins is seeing his stock soar. His playmaking style will be the perfect compliment to the aggressive Cardinals front seven.

18 Tampa Bay: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Notes: Josh Freeman has proven doubters (myself included) wrong. Now Tampa Bay must build around him, starting with the offensive line.

19 Seattle: Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami (FL)
Notes: A top 10 talent before underclassmen are added, Bailey can play end or tackle in a four-man front. His versatility will make him a value at pick No. 19.

20 Miami: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Notes: Our No. 10 overall player, Ingram falls here due to a lack of need at running back. Miami will be happy to have him. Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are in contract years, and their age and health respectively could force them out of town.

21 New Orleans: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Notes: A phenomenal athlete with elite speed, Bowers gives New Orleans another scary pass rusher. Bowers has the talent to play end, tackle or outside linebacker. He's a scary athlete.

22 Chicago: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
Notes: Tommie Harris may not be with the Bears for long after the season ends. Paea is a high-motor player with great potential who could come in and take over at the 3 Tech spot.

23 Atlanta: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Notes: Atlanta struck gold with free agent pick up Dunta Robinson. They are hoping to find his partner in crime with Dowling, a physical corner with excellent man-to-man skills.

24 New York Giants: DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Notes: The Giants running game has been a consistent inconsistency during 2010. Adding a go-to back in Murray will give Eli Manning and his stable of receivers room to work.

25 Baltimore: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Notes: Anquan Boldin is among the best in the game, but opposite him Baltimore needs help. Floyd is a high-flying redzone threat that will remind Boldin of his former teammate in Arizona: Larry Fitzgerald.

26 Indianapolis: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Notes: The Colts and GM Bill Polian have swung and missed in drafting linemen as of late. Smith is the next in a line of offensive linemen brought in to protect the aging Peyton Manning. Quick, agile and full of promise, Smith could pay off big.

27 Tennessee: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Notes: The Titans need speed and youth at linebacker. Enter Miller, one of college football's scariest defenders. His bruising style of play will fit in great on a team of "tough guys."

28 Houston: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
Notes: Houston must replace Dunta Robinson, and quickly. Brown is a great athlete who hasn't put it all together yet on the field. The Longhorns have a rich history of cornerbacks in the NFL. Houston is hoping Brown is the next in line.

29 Pittsburgh: DeMarcus Love, OT/OG, Arkansas
Notes: After grabbing a center in the first round last season, Pittsburgh moves their focus down the line. Love has the talent to play guard or tackle, but may be best suited for left guard duty in the NFL.

30 New England: Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU
Notes: A slight reach, but isn't that what we said about Logan Mankins? Reynolds is a technician at offensive tackle, a smart player who doesn't make mistakes or give up big plays. Tom Brady will love this guy.

31 Philadelphia: DeAndre McDaniel, SS, Clemson
Notes: Quintin Mikell's contract is up after the season, and we've heard doubts about his being re-signed. Philly has a long list of free agents to renew, which makes grabbing McDaniel here very tempting, and smart.

32 New York Jets: Marvin Austin, DT, UNC
Notes: A potential No. 1 overall player before losing his college eligibility for taking money from an agent, Austin will see a Dez Bryant-like slide on draft day. The Jets are getting a steal here.