2011 NFL Mock Draft: Is Andrew Luck Really a First Pick Lock?
2010 NFL Mock Draft is primed and ready for your consumption. The college season is fast approaching its end. Likewise, the big picture in the NFL is starting to take shape as well.
Here is a look into the future for you NFL football fans. Where will your team fall on the draft board and who will they choose to take with their coveted first pick? The wait is almost too much to bear. That may be why I am doing a mock draft at the beginning of December.
So before I put up the Holiday decoration, I take a long hard look at the NFL draft board. Here is what I see.
1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
1 of 32
Some may find that the Carolina Panthers would be better served drafting Andrew Luck. The Panthers already have a young QB in Jimmy Clausen. The pitiful Panthers cannot afford to waste two picks on one position two years in a row.
The Panthers will ty to shore up their defensive deficiencies the best way they can. They will take the best defender in the draft. Da'Quan Bowers would finally give Carolina some legitimacy on that side of the ball.
2. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2 of 32
The Bengals are pitiful this year. One reason has been the sub par play of Carson Palmer. The man is not getting any younger. While Luck may not be the immediate answer to turn the Bengals around, he will be a great addition to the future.
Palmer would be a great tutor for the young quarterback. In a couple of season's the Bengals would have a tall, statuesque QB with great running ability. It would be hard to pass up on John Elway the sequel.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
3 of 32
So the Bills would miss out on Andrew Luck. They shouldn't be thinking about him anyway. Ryan Fitzpatrick is all the offense this young team needs. What is utterly necessary is defense. The Bills are atrocious on the side of the ball.
With Peterson on the team, the opposition would have to think twice about throwing to that side of the field. That is significantly better than they have it now. Teams are comfortable going anywhere on the field against the Bills.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
4 of 32
The Lions are in dire need of defense as well. They have gone a long way in shoring up their line but need to work on the porous secondary. Missing out on Patrick Peterson will not be that bad considering you have the very stout Prince Amukamara to take his place.
Prince is now a two-time Big-12 defensive player of the year. The Lions would be closer to becoming a balanced team with this pass stopper. He is an electric talent that would go well with the young roster.
5. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
5 of 32
Marcell Dareus solves two issues facing the Broncos. They can't stop the run or the pass. Dareus is a great talent lining up inside or outside.
He would be a force to stop the run as well as add extra pressure to the quarterback. As it is, the Broncos are allowing teams to do whatever they please with them. They need a hard-nosed defender like Dareus. He would bring a little mean back to the defensive line.
6. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
6 of 32
Regardless if the Cowboys are back to playing inspired ball or not, Dallas is still awfully suspicious on defense.
Robert Quinn would give the Cowboys something they have been missing all season, someone who could tackle. There have been countless highlights of receivers and backs running right by a defender. Quinn knows how to find the ball and wrap up it's carrier. This is a great fit.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
7 of 32
It is so hard to pick for Arizona. It's like a starving college student told to go to the store and pick out one item that he will need to sustain him. It's nearly impossible.
The Cardinals could use depth at the receiving corps but would still run into a huge issue. They have no one to throw them the ball. Jake Locker would be the best available choice if Luck is indeed gone. He has done more with the mediocre Washington team than Ryan Mallet has done with the star studded Razorbacks.
I take Locker and feel very good about doing so.
8. Cleveland Browns: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
8 of 32
The Browns could use a solid receiver for Colt McCoy to throw to, but that is not their biggest deficiency. The Browns would do well to draft defensive end star Adrian Clayborn.
As long as Clayborn stays healthy and remains fit, he should be explosive enough at the combine for the Browns to fawn all over him. At his best, Clayborn gives you a strong, quick footed option at the line.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
9 of 32
The joy of picking in the top ten also means that you have suffered the tragedy of finishing at the bottom of the rest of the NFL.
I really think the 49ers could use a quarterback here. I don't think they drafted the right fit yet. But it would be ridiculous for them to continually do so. There is also a notion that the 49ers may be warming to the idea of Troy Smith as their QB.
Their secondary would be the next fence to mend then. Jenkins has a great way of finding the right place to be at the right time. With him nestled in the 49ers defense, those scores might be a little closer. They might even be able to take the NFC West next year. Not like that should be an unattainable task any year.
10. Minnesota Vikings: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
10 of 32
The Vikings could use some help on defense but what they really desire is an answer to their eternal question. Who is our quarterback?
This has to be the final season for Brett Favre. While he may flip his decision weekly. The fact is that the Vikings, or anyone for the matter, would not want him back. There is also the working knowledge that Tavaris Jackson, for one reason or another, is the team pariah. Not one coach would feel comfortable putting him out there.
The Vikings need a solid back up for Tavaris if and when things go wrong next year.
11. Oakland Raiders (pick To New England): A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
11 of 32
The Patriots take the first round pick from the Raiders. They may just luck out if this indeed happens to be a defensive players draft.
The Pats are slim at the receiver position and Wes Welker is not getting any younger. AJ Green may have had some dealing with an agent. I believe he learned his lesson with the four game suspension he was dealt. Either way, the Patriots would be comfortable taking him.
Not only is he the best receiver out there, Bill Belichick will iron him out.
12. Tennessee Titans: Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
12 of 32
This may be desperation time. The Titans need help on the defensive line but they are absolutely at a loss at the quarterback position.
It is more clear that Vince Young may soon be gone from the team. If that is the case you are left with an elderly Kerry Collins or a young and fearful Rusty Smith to run your team.
Nick Foles would be the best available at this time. If any of the other QB's don't slip to them, it's Foles or a trade. His reliability and completion rate would be very much appreciated in Tennessee.
13. Houston Texans: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
13 of 32
The Texans are in dire straights for play makers in their secondary. But the fact that they may not resign their safety has me worried.
With Bernard Pollard leaving due to free agency, the Titans are in desperate need of a safety. There in no one better in the draft than Rahim Moore. A wide receiver in high school, Moore has the hands and quickness to make it in the NFL.
14. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
14 of 32
Perhaps Donovan McNabb's issue is not his age or diminished skills. I think he just has cardboard cut outs to throw to. There is nary a star in the bunch. Julio Jones would ignite the Redskins offense.
If McNabb does return, he would have a future Pro Bowl receiver to throw to in Julio Jones.
15. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
15 of 32
For a brief period this year, Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett ruled the place. Like I said, it was a very brief period. Then the horrid offensive line did what weak lines do, they tire. Now the Seahawks have no run game to speak of.
The Seahawks would do well to shore up their holes on the line. Then maybe, just maybe, the running backs can find some holes of their own.
16. St. Louis Rams: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
16 of 32
The Rams seem to be working things out on offense. At the beginning of the year I was certain they would have to address their wide receivers. But it seems that the young ones they already have are coming along nicely with Sam Bradford.
What the Rams need post haste is a defensive play maker. Stephen Paea would complement Chris Long and add depth to the defense. Next season the Rams just might be able to stop some teams from scoring.
Anything is possible.
17. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
17 of 32
It is abundantly clear that Peyton Manning needs some help with his line. Charlie Johnson can't protect the man all on his own.
Gabe Carimi would shore up that hole. Then maybe Peyton Manning would have time again to pass to his receivers instead of getting rocked into throwing interceptions.
18. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
18 of 32
Miami could lose one or both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams this off season. They are both tendered for free agency. The move is simple then, you take Mark Ingram.
Ingram would be a welcome addition to the wildcat. It would be a god send if the Dolphins can nab him this late.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
19 of 32
The Jaguars secondary has been beset by injuries this year. The Jaguars may also lose their safety and middle linebacker to free agency. It is a wonder at all that the Jaguars are playing as well as they are.
No one thought David Garrard was the real deal until very recently. That being said, the Jags can use their pick on the ever important defensive end position. Allen Bailey gets to leave the mess in Miami and make some real noise on an extremely mediocre NFL team.
I can hear his screams of joy from here.
20. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
20 of 32
The Chargers could lose up to four key starters on their defense to free agency. The best defensive end on my draft chart is Ryan Kerrigan.
The brute would cancel out any holes the Charger might have on that end. Ever quick to the ball, Kerrigan has 21 career sacks.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
21 of 32
The Buccaneers will most likely lose their OLB Quincy Black next season. They would get a solid replacement in Akeem Ayers.
Ayers would go well with the Tampa Bay motif of young explosive talent. Ayers is known for his ability to turn an interception into a pick six. The fans would love him instantly.
22. New York Giants: Nick Fairly, DT, Auburn
22 of 32
The Giants might be scary next year. They return a very balanced team. The only drop off to free agency may come in the defensive tackle position. If thing shake out the way I have them, the Giants would be getting one of the better football talents in the draft.
Getting Nick Fairly at #22 is an amazing value and the steal of the draft.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
23 of 32
The Chiefs are a surprising team to be drafting this high. They have fairly pronounced deficiencies on defense as well as at the tight end position.
Their only sparkle this year has come from the running game as well as with the arm of Matt Cassell. The two items struggle when the line collapses which has sadly done on a number of occasions this year. Nat Solder would beef up the line and continue the Chiefs offensive success next season.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
24 of 32
The Eagles priority going forward should be to take care of Michael Vick. The Eagles may lose OG Nick Cole in the off season. Even if he were to stay, the line must be solidified.
Trust me, Vick will be that much more dazzling with Derrek Sherrod blocking for him.
25. Green Bay Packers: Demarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
25 of 32
The Packers should stop doing so well every year. They seem to be missing out on the best OT on the market. It's not that Demarcus Love is a slouch, because he is one of the best in the nation.
It's just that perennially the Packers are want of a stronger line. This will absolutely have to be the position that the draft. Love will be sent in to protect Rodger from getting killed. That is one thing the current line is not doing.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, OT, Florida
26 of 32
The Pittsburgh Steelers as you may well know, do not have that many holes. The strong will be looking to get just a bit stronger here.
The one item they could use a boost at is the offensive line. The Steelers already have his twin brother Maurkice on the team. Why not get a little brotherly love going.
27. Chicago Bears: Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU
27 of 32
The Bears better get an offensive lineman before Cutler goes out with a career ending injury. At times during the season, the Bears looked to invite anyone that wanted in to come and sack their quarterback. This is by far their most important hole to patch up.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
28 of 32
The Ravens are still solid on defense but may be getting a bit long in the teeth. They would do well to add depth to their already stellar squad.
Aaron Williams was made to play for the Ravens. He is a diabolical heavy hitter that doesn't mind getting a little dirty. He would go perfect with a defensive minded team like Baltimore.
29. New Orleans Saints: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
29 of 32
Drake Nevis won't even have to move out of state.
The Saints have been fairly good on defense this year. The one aspect that could use help is the run stoppage. Drake Nevis would do wonders to help that out.
30. New England Patriots: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
30 of 32
The Patriots will have already picked their star wide receiver earlier in the draft. Why not get a defensive juggernaut. The Pats get huge value in their second first round pick in Von Miller.
He will be entering an already young secondary and may have to play behind whomever they get from free agency. But really, is there any other team you would rather play for?
31. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
31 of 32
The Falcons are a nicely balanced team that will only get better as they get older. That is except of course for the tight end position.
I am waiting for Tony Gonzalez to have his final season. Even if next year is not it, it still may not be with the Falcons.
32. New York Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE, OSU
32 of 32
What do you get for the team that has everything? The Jets may be on top of the world now but next season is a whole other matter.
The Jets have a plethora of defensive players leaving to free agency, including DE Shaun Ellis. The Jets would do well to take the best defender on the market at the time. Imposing menace Cameron Heyward would be it.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
