2011 NFL Mock Draft: Has Ryan Mallett Passed Jake Locker on Big Board?
The 2011 NFL Draft may be several months away, but now that the NFL season is two-thirds over, we're not only getting a better idea of which teams will land in which spots, but we're also getting a better idea of which college players will be able to make the leap to the pros.
Players such as Ryan Mallett are rising on the big board, while others such as Jake Locker have been falling out of the top 10, maybe even the first round on some people's boards.
Now that the college season is wrapping up with only championship and bowl games left to be played, those that have made a statement have seen their draft stock rise, which helps doubly so for those who can fill a major need on a team's roster.
The draft order is based mainly on current record, with some modifications based on schedules for the final few games of the season.
1. Carolina Panthers: DT Marcel Dareus, Alabama
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I'm 100 percent convinced that the Panthers will have the first pick.
I'm much less convinced that they'll throw Jimmy Clausen to the curb that quickly; if they're that worried about an inexperienced quarterback, they're more likely to pick up a solid free agent this offseason, so Andrew Luck falls here.
I almost had the Panthers taking A.J. Green, but Marcus LaFell has been decent from what we've seen, and they may choose to let him stay alongside Steve Smith.
If you look at the Panthers' history, if they feel they can build a defense around a great lineman, they'll take that lineman. It worked with Julius Peppers, and Dareus could very well fit that mold with his playmaking ability.
2. Buffalo Bills: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
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I have always been a big fan of Ryan Fitzpatrick. I feel he's a solid quarterback who knows how to work with what he has in the league.
That being said, I can't see both Carolina and Buffalo passing on a franchise quarterback, and Buffalo will be the one that picks up Luck.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
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There's no question that the Bengals take Luck if he falls to them. That being said, I doubt he will.
Instead, the Bengals will be looking to improve a defensive line that's, well, forgettable. He's the best player on the board that fits with Cincinnati, and the pairing works. All teams need dominant pass rushers like Bowers.
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4. Detroit Lions: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
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Both the Lions and the Cowboys could badly use a cornerback. With the hard luck Detroit's had this year, they'll be picking earlier and as a result will get the premier corner in Peterson. Another guy who's a difference maker and will probably be starting on day one.
5. Arizona Cardinals: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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I don't think that Mallett is a top 10 talent just yet, mainly due to the many great defenders in the draft, but teams always reach on quarterbacks, especially when you have a situation as bad as the Cardinals'. They're going to take the best QB left on the board, which will be Mallett, and hope not to strike out again.
6. Dallas Cowboys: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
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As stated earlier, the Cowboys could definitely use help in the secondary, and Prince Amukamara fits perfectly. He's ready to play in the NFL and would be a great fit on the Cowboys.
7. Denver Broncos: DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
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A lot of mock drafts have Nick Fairley going to the Broncos. I like the move, but as they already have Jamal Williams in their 3-4 scheme, they're more likely to take a defensive end rather than a middle man.
This is where Robert Quinn comes in. He's been great for North Carolina, and while he has some character issues, the Broncos will look past those.
8. Minnesota Vikings: QB Jake Locker, Washington
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Everyone and their mom has Jake Locker going to the Vikings. Whether or not Brett Favre comes back, they'll draft him. As much as Locker's stock has dropped, it's an inherently great fit just from the weapons the offense has.
9. Cleveland Browns: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
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Everyone has the Browns selecting A.J. Green. The problem with the receivers is that they're all young guys that we're not seeing develop. Throwing in yet another rookie is not going to help.
The defensive line is what Mike Holmgren and co. know they need to tackle, and they will. Adrian Clayborn is a great fit for this defense, and while Quinn may be a better fit, he's already gone on this board.
10. San Francisco 49ers: OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State
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This is likely a bit of a stretch. However, the offensive line is far two inconsistent for the 49ers. Any group that allows 11 sacks in two games is cause for concern.
As a result, they will select the best offensive lineman for the draft based on who can best help Frank Gore, as well as Troy Smith. It'll be between three players, but in the end they'll go with Sherrod for his experience in helping with rushing attacks.
11. Washington Redskins: WR A.J. Green, Georgia
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The Redskins are most pleased. They're not sure how A.J. Green slipped this far because he's definitely a top 10 talent. Santana Moss is starting to show his age, and they have no one else who looks like he'll step up. If they're going to revitalize the passing game, Green is a huge pickup.
12. Seattle Seahawks: DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
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The Seahawks need help in the pass rushing department, so they will take the best player available for that with their pick. That player is Nick Fairley, who has been key in getting the No. 1 ranking for Auburn.
13. Tennessee Titans: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
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I don't think the Titans expected to pick this early when the season began, but nonetheless they really have to look everything over.
The top three quarterbacks are gone, so they won't be selecting one, and Julio Jones doesn't seem to be too good of a fit here. As a result they will try to shore up their linebacker position with Ayers to give Stephen Tulloch some help.
14. New England Patriots (from Oakland): DE Allen Bailey, Miami FL
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The Patriots will consider drafting Mark Ingram here but decide that it's a stretch and hope that he falls down to their second pick. If he doesn't, oh well. For this pick they'll pick the best lineman left for them and will go with Allen Bailey.
15. Houston Texans: CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida
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The Texans have had problems against the pass this season and will be looking to find a good secondary player to fill the void. The top two are taken, but Janoris Jenkins is still on the big board and fits in perfectly.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
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Wisconsin produces great offensive linemen, and the Jaguars are going to do what they can to keep Maurice Jones-Drew and David Garrard from getting pummeled by defensive lines. Eugene Monroe hasn't been overly great, so they'll try again.
17. St. Louis Rams: WR Julio Jones, Alabama
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Not everyone has the Rams this high on the draft board, but everyone has them taking Jones. There's a good reason for this: The trio of Sam Bradford, Steven Jackson and Jones could be a very good force in the NFC for years to come.
18. Miami Dolphins: QB Cameron Newton, Auburn
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When a team has both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, they're not going to take Mark Ingram, despite what most drafts are saying. Yes, the two are entering free agency, but at least one will be re-signed.
When a team has Chad Henne and Chad Pennington, well, there's a different story. Newton's stock continues to skyrocket, and Miami hasn't had a playmaking quarterback since Dan Marino; they'll jump at the opportunity to grab him.
19. San Diego Chargers: OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
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The Chargers need to find someone to take over the defense now that Shawne Merriman's gone. Do they pick a defensive lineman like Stephen Paea or Ryan Kerrigan, or do they try another linebacker and pick Von Miller? They'll likely go with the latter, but if the other two are still there, they are possibilities.
20. Kansas City Chiefs: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
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The Chiefs aren't happy with the Chargers, as Von Miller fits perfectly with them. Instead of getting him, they end up selecting Ryan Kerrigan, who will help shore up the D-line, but more importantly could be a viable replacement for Mike Vrabel, who's nearing the end of his career.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
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Probably the toughest selection of the first round, as the Bucs don't have anyone left they can pick for need, and the best players play positions they don't need. In the end, they'll just pick the best player left. Yes, they have Gerald McCoy, but put both of them in the front and that's a very good D-line.
22. Chicago Bears: OT Anthony Constanzo, Boston College
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This is an easy one. The Bears have a bad O-line, and Constanzo is the best one left at this point. The Bears better be careful not to win too many games the rest of the year or he could be off the board too.
23. New York Giants: OT DeMarcus Love, Arkansas
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The Giants have been riddled with injuries, yet they still have talent. They don't want any injuries to Eli Manning yet, so they'll bolster the offensive line with this pick.
24. Indianapolis Colts, G Mike Pouncey, Florida
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The Colts will go down to the wire deciding between bolstering their line with Mike Pouncey or helping build up the safety position with Rahim Moore. They end up going with the former.
25. Green Bay Packers: CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
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Another easy one. The Packers secondary is getting old, and Charles Woodson will probably be on the way to retirement. As a result, they will be picking up the best cornerback left, which will be Dowling.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
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Pittsburgh will definitely be bolstering their defensive line through the draft. Luckily for them, this year is very deep in that area, so they have their pick of a couple different ones. They end up going with Heyward, the ace of a good defensive Buckeyes team.
27. New Orleans Saints: OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina
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Simple one. The Saints are feeling the hurt from losing Scott Fujita, so they'll pick the best linebacker available to fill the hole. That person ends up being Bruce Carter.
28. Baltimore Ravens: WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
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The Ravens' D, while getting old, is still solid, as is the O-line. Really, their main weakness is at the wideout position. Joe Flacco needs some better targets, and Pittsburgh has a good track record on receivers, so they'll pick up Baldwin.
29. Philadelphia Eagles: S Rahim Moore, UCLA
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The Eagles are surprised that Moore's still on the board, and any move that bolsters their defense is a good thing. Add in Moore with Asante Samuel and Nate Allen, and you have a very dangerous secondary.
30. New York Jets: DT Cameron Jordan, Cal
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The Jets were hoping to land Cameron Heyward, but since he was claimed, they'll go after the second Cameron. He's a very good fit for yet another team's D-line. Yes, they have Kris Jenkins, but Jordan's at worst an insurance policy and at best a player who can fit right in.
31. Atlanta Falcons: CB Brandon Burton, Utah
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The Falcons will consider taking Michael Floyd here, but since Roddy White has been as good as he has, they won't worry about the position. Instead, they pick the possible sleeper of the draft, Brandon Burton. Pair him with Dunta Robinson and watch the two take off.
32. New England Patriots: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
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Is Mark Ingram really going to fall that far? Maybe not. Surely someone would take a chance on him, right?
In either case, New England is not complaining. Everything worked out perfectly, as they perhaps acquire the steal of the draft in Ingram. Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis may be good, but them as complements to Ingram as a feature back is far better.
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