2011 NFL Mock Draft: Ideal First-Round Pick for Every NFL Team
As the NFL regular season begins to wrap up and playoff teams start to face each other, other teams will be looking at next year.
In April, the 2011 NFL Draft will take place, which for some franchises will be a big day that they'll be waiting for.
Even those who are perennial playoff teams and don't need college players as badly will be looking forward to the draft, as every team has at least one hole that it can fix with a solid pick.
Some teams have more holes than others and need to decide on the one that needs the most fixing. For some it's the quarterback spot, for others it's the linemen and for others it's the secondary.
The following NFL Mock Draft is not based necessarily on who they will pick based on where they land in the draft, but rather the player that would be the best fit given a team's needs, even if it's not likely they will land them. Because the ideal candidates will be looked at, several players may show up multiple times, as many teams could use them.
Carolina Panthers
1 of 32
Where to begin on the Panthers' needs? Many want them to draft a quarterback, as they do need a franchise one, which Jimmy Clausen is most likely not.
Most of their front seven needs an overhaul though, and with a very deep draft of young linemen, this is a better path to go.
Andrew Luck is an easy pick to make because he's a quarterback, but for need they should be selecting a lineman.
Selection: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Buffalo Bills
2 of 32
Ryan Fitzpatrick is a solid guy to put on the field and do enough to keep your team in the hunt. He's not a franchise quarterback, though, which the Bills desperately need. This is an easy choice.
Selection: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Detroit Lions
3 of 32
Unlike the first two teams, the Lions do have their franchise quarterback, for now at least, in Matt Stafford. Their offense as a unit seems fine, and having Calvin Johnson does wonders.
Their secondary, on the other hand, could probably be completely scrapped with no harm done, so of course they'll take the best defensive back on the board.
Selection: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 32
The Bengals need help in many places on both sides of the ball. The offense is not what we thought it was, and the defense has been a problem as well.
They need to build up at least one of the linemen positions with their pick, and since it's deep on defense this year, they'll go with that, though a lot of it depends on which free agents (Cedric Benson, Johnathan Joseph, etc.) leave.
Selection: Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn
Arizona Cardinals
5 of 32
Derek Anderson and Max Hall: Needless to say, the Cardinals need a franchise quarterback. The actual selection here will likely be Ryan Mallett, but if Luck somehow slipped to them, that would work very well.
Selection: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Dallas Cowboys
6 of 32
Most draft boards have the Cowboys selecting Prince Amukamara. This certainly isn't a bad pick, but is it the best player for them? Terence Newman can still play, so this isn't an emergency.
The problem seems to lie with the offensive line. Tony Romo was getting pummeled too often, and the running game stalled for them this year.
Selection: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi St.
Denver Broncos
7 of 32
The Broncos need plenty of help on the defensive end in general. Their best guys, Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins, etc. are getting long in the tooth.
Selecting Amukamara would make sense if he fell this far, but in reality Fairley is an ideal choice. If he's already off the board, then Marcel Dareus could work.
Selection: Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn
Minnesota Vikings
8 of 32
The team needs a QB in 2011. They don't need a QB they can slowly build up over a few years; they need one that's ready now.
Luck's that guy, but they won't trade up to get him. They'll select one of the quarterbacks still up, whether it's Jake Locker or Cam Newton.
Mallett's the ideal selection for them since he's closest to NFL-ready, and it's too bad the Bills and Cards need quarterbacks even more.
Selection: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
San Francisco 49ers
9 of 32
The 49ers have a lot of needs, but none that are emergencies. A lot is dependent on what players they lose via free agency (Manny Lawson, Nate Clements).
As a result, they will be selecting the best player on the board, so long as it fits in with one of their many needs. Marcel Dareus, Prince Amukamara, A.J. Green and Robert Quinn are all possibilities, and the 49ers will pick whoever's free.
Selection: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Cleveland Browns
10 of 32
This one is more difficult. Do they pick a rookie wide receiver when they have plenty of those already? It's a possibility since there have been chemistry issues with each quarterback and the wideouts.
Do they pick a linebacker to refill that position? The best one is still on the board, but they're more likely to wait until Round 2 for that.
Either an offensive tackle counterpart to Joe Thomas or a defensive lineman who can hold down the fort is the best fit, with the added bonus of being able to move to OLB if needed. Robert Quinn fits here perfectly, though A.J. Green is just as likely to be selected.
Seattle Seahawks
11 of 32
A Jake Locker selection to replace Matt Hasselbeck could work here, but they don't need a QB now, so no need to try that yet. The Seahawks are another team with many needs, mainly on both sides of the line.
The O-line needs help a bit more, but with how deep the draft is on defense, they'll look to pick up someone there. They'll be eying Dareus and Quinn and could very well make a trade to move up a few spots if someone is particularly appealing.
Selection: Marcel Dareus, DE, Alabama
New England Patriots (from Oakland)
12 of 32
Despite their sudden winning ways, the Raiders have a lot of holes to fill. However, that's irrelevant as the Patriots have their first-round pick. They badly need running backs and linebackers, as well as offensive linemen.
Are they more likely to risk Ingram falling or the few O-line candidates in the first? It's more likely Ingram would be gone.
Selection: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Washington Redskins
13 of 32
The Redskins have a lot of holes on the offensive end, and as a result they'll pick the best player that's available. On most draft boards that's Julio Jones; in this case it's A.J. Green.
Selection: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Tennessee Titans
14 of 32
Their selection depends heavily on which person leaves next year, Vince Young or Jeff Fisher. If Fisher leaves, they'll look to bolster their front seven, most likely their linebacking corps. Von Miller or Akeem Ayers fits well in that regard.
More realistically, Young will probably be the one to see the door, and as a result they will probably select a quarterback. If Newton's still on the board, as strange as it sounds, they could pick him—all the talent of Vince Young with none of the issues.
It's unlikely, but it would be a need, as Kerry Collins can only play so many more years.
Selection: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Houston Texans
15 of 32
While the linebacking corps should be okay next year with Brian Cushing and DeMeco Ryans, the rest of the defense, particularly the secondary, needs help badly.
There's enough of a need that trading up to get Amukamara would not be the worst idea. Most boards have Janoris Jenkins going to them, and it's obvious why: He's a solid cornerback, the best one left on the board that fills a serious need.
Selection: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Jacksonville Jaguars
16 of 32
Like the 49ers, the Jaguars have a lot of needs, but none are necessarily emergencies. They can't go wrong with the mentality of "pick the best defender left," which will most likely be sack machine Ryan Kerrigan.
Selection: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Miami Dolphins
17 of 32
Will the team that had Mark Ingram, Sr. a few years try to draft Mark Ingram, Jr? If Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams don't come back, then of course they need a running back, and Ingram could be a day one starter there.
They could very well trade with the Pats if they make it look like they'll pick him up.
Selection: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Kansas City Chiefs
18 of 32
Another team whose selection depends a lot on free agency; they could have holes nearly everywhere. The worst ones will be at the O-line and linebacker positions. They'll take the best of either on the board, which will likely be Akeem Ayers.
Selection: Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
19 of 32
Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, Ayers fits perfectly here as well. If Ayers isn't on the board here, most likely they'll pick one of the many linemen in the draft, probably Adrian Clayborn if he's still there. The entire front seven is still looking for a leader, one they haven't had since Derrick Brooks.
Selection: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
New York Giants
20 of 32
The Giants are one of the few teams with no real gaping holes. Their issue is simply making sure they play cohesively. The best way to keep a team together is to bring in offensive lineman; that shouldn't cause any trouble.
Selection: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
St. Louis Rams
21 of 32
The Rams have a lot of holes, but thankfully the quarterback position is now locked in. They could go for a playmaking wide receiver (Julio Jones), a dynamic linebacker (Von Miller) or a guard.
The guard can wait until a later round, and if Jones is still up, they'll definitely go after him. A great target for Bradford helps big time, even though they should bolster their defense this year while they have a chance with this draft.
Realistically, I think they go with whoever's the best wideout, though I still think a Von Miller-type player is a better selection here.
Selection: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Chicago Bears
22 of 32
Simply put, they have way too many holes on the offensive line. They'll pick either Sherrod, Carimi or Castonzo, whoever remains on the board. They could use a playmaking wide receiver, yes, but he'll never see the ball if the O-line can't stop the pass rush.
Selection: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Indianapolis Colts
23 of 32
The Colts, like the Bears, also need O-line help. They also seem to be a great fit for Derek Sherrod and could always trade up if he suddenly becomes the easy No. 1 choice for a tackle.
Selection: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
Baltimore Ravens
24 of 32
Many have Baltimore picking a wideout and cutting ties with Donte' Stallworth and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Joe Flacco does need players to throw it to, and who better to pair Anquan Boldin with than a Pitt alum, Jonathan Baldwin?
That being said, I think getting a hard-nosed defensive back would be a better use of the pick, as he can both perform and learn from Ed Reed.
Selection: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (FL)
San Diego Chargers
25 of 32
Another team that has several decent holes but nothing too large, the Chargers mainly need someone in the front seven to make some plays.
They could also take Baldwin if the Ravens don't, but they will most likely be looking at Clayborn, who seems to keep falling down draft boards and could end up a steal for the Chargers.
Selection: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Green Bay Packers
26 of 32
The packers have a few holes, but many are due to injuries and age. They'll fix the latter in a quest to replace Charles Woodson with the best remaining corner on the board.
Selection: Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
Philadelphia Eagles
27 of 32
The Eagles have holes on the offensive line and at defensive back. They'll pick the best of either, since there should be a first-round talent left in one or the other, if only one. A better fit would be to fix up the O-line.
Selection: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Pittsburgh Steelers
28 of 32
Guard Mike Pouncey fits into Pittsburgh, and the offensive line is their main hole right now. That combined with everyone having him going to Pittsburgh makes this an easy fit.
Selection: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
New Orleans Saints
29 of 32
The front seven includes Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma, but the other five could definitely be improved. They'll simply pick the best remaining guy there, ideally a DE/OLB combo.
Selection: Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
New York Jets
30 of 32
Von Miller fits very well here as well, as the Jets also need front seven help. Seems like a lot do, so this draft works out perfectly. Unlike the others, they should pick a player who can double as a DT in case something happens to Kris Jenkins again.
Selection: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Atlanta Falcons
31 of 32
If they're going to pick a spot to tune up, it would be the secondary. They could pick WR Michael Floyd to go along with Roddy White, but the defense could use the pick more. There could be a cornerback or two ripe for picking, whether it's Burton, Aaron Williams or others.
Selection: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
New England Patriots
32 of 32
With their second pick, now that they were smart not to let the Dolphins take Ingram, the Pats need offensive line help. Unfortunately, the big three are taken, and they won't reach for another, so instead they should fix their D-line with a player who can offer help.
A DE who can double at linebacker would be a better selection, but it would be a shock if Ayers or Miller fell this far.
Selection: Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami (FL)
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