2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Five QBs Go in the First Round?
2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Five QBs Go in the First Round?
Sadly, the college football season is coming to a close. However, that means draft season is right around the corner.
With a ton of talented signal callers in college football right now, will we see teams targeting young quarterbacks in the first round? Or are other positions going to win out?
Did we leave anyone out of the first round? Let us know.
32. Atlanta Falcons, Aaron Williams, CB Texas
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Why Williams is Special: Williams has what it takes to be a shut down corner. He has been one of the few bright spots in a bad year for Texas.
Why Williams Goes Here: In a deep draft for cornerbacks, Williams is a great value with the last pick in the first round.
Why Williams Fits: Atlanta has a big need for a good corner and Williams would step in and start from day one opposite Dunta Robinson.
31. New England Patriots, Jon Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
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Why Baldwin is Special: Jon Baldwin is more than just his numbers, which are great in their own right. His size makes him a threat to catch anything thrown his way. He can be a little streaky, but poor quarterback play at Pitt this year has lead to that.
Why Baldwin Goes Here: With quite a few teams targeting wide receivers in this draft, don't be surprised to see Baldwin go earlier, or he could go lower depending on how he does in pre-draft workouts.
Why Baldwin Fits: New England traded away their big play threat in Randy Moss, and they have a need for a big body at receiver.
30. New York Jets, Bruce Carter, OLB North Carolina
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Why Carter is Special: Bruce Carter is a prototypical outside linebacker who has enough speed to stay with tight ends in pass coverage or to rush the passer off the edge.
Why Carter Goes Here: Outside linebacker isn't a great position of depth in this draft, so for the Jets to get an outside backer, they may need to reach a little bit.
Why Carter Fits: Carter could end up being the understudy to Bart Scott in the Jets' defensive scheme, or he could take over for Jason Taylor when he decides to hang it up.
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29. Green Bay Packers, Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
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Why Heyward is Special: Cameron Heyward could play either a defensive end position in a 3-4 or he could shift inside in a 4-3.
Why Heyward Goes Here: Depending on which team thinks he would be a fit in their defensive scheme, he could go here or he could go earlier.
Why Heyward Fits: The Packers have a need for depth on the defensive side of the ball, especially on the line. Heyward would be a great fit as a 3-4 end for them.
28. Baltimore Ravens, Rahim Moore, S UCLA
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Why Moore is Special: Rahim Moore is a ballhawk, pure and simple. Any deep ball has as good a chance of being caught by Moore as any offensive player. That mentality led to Moore leading the NCAA with 10 interceptions last year as a sophomore.
Why Moore Goes Here: Safety is a shallow position in this draft, compared to last year. Expect Moore to be the first safety taken, whoever decides to take him. That is, if he forgoes his senior year at UCLA.
Why Moore Fits: Rahim Moore models his game after Ed Reed. With Reed's career winding down, Moore would be a perfect fit to take over for the Hall of Famer when he decides to hang it up.
27. New Orleans Saints, Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State
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Why Paea is Special: A true 4-3 defensive end that can rush the passer or stop the run, Paea has a great motor and strength.
Why Paea Goes Here: Defensive tackle is a very deep position in this draft and Paea is somewhat limited by being a better fit for a 4-3 than a 3-4.
Why Paea Fits: The Saints have had troubles on defense for a few years now. Adding Paea to the mix makes the defensive line immediately better and has a trickle down effect to the entire defense.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Pouncey, OG Florida
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Why Pouncey is Special: Mike Pouncey is the best offensive guard in this draft, hands down. He has been a long time starter at Florida and has great strength and athleticism on the line.
Why Pouncey Goes Here: As the best guard in the draft, he will end up somewhere in the first round.
Why Pouncey Fits: Last year in the draft, the Steelers took another Florida offensive linemen, Mike's brother Maurkice, whom Pittsburgh loved enough to make him their starting center as a rookie.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
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Why Clayborn is Special: Adrian Clayborn is the definition of motor. The guy just never takes a play off.
Why Clayborn Goes Here: Whether he came out this year or last, he was going to be a first round pick. He probably drops a little bit because this draft has so many quality defensive linemen.
Why Clayborn Fits: Tampa Bay is an up and coming team in need of a few pieces, and a defensive end with a high motor is one of those needs.
24. Chicago Bears, Nate Solder, OT Colorado
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Why Solder is Special: Nate Solder is a mammoth of a human being. At 6-foot-9 and 313 pounds, he is a true tackle that would improve any team.
Why Solder Goes Here: Solder will be one guy to make a leap in this draft after people watch his workouts. He is also one of the very few good tackles in this draft.
Why Solder Fits: Need an example of why the Bears need a tackle? Rewatch the first half of their game against the Giants.
23. Kansas City Chiefs, Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
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Why Castonzo is Special: Anthony Castonzo is an elite tackle with the size, strength, and smarts to be a difference maker on any team.
Why Castonzo Goes Here: With plenty of teams needing tackles but few tackles being worthy of first round picks, Castonzo will be a hot commodity.
Why Castonzo Fits: The Chiefs are another young team making a leap this year, and adding an elite offensive lineman would be the smart move for this team and Castonzo would be an ideal fit.
22. Philadelphia Eagles, Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
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Why Sherrod is Special: Derek Sherrod is a full blown left tackle. He is athletic for his size and has great footwork.
Why Sherrod Goes Here: Sherrod is one of the few first round level tackles, and the Eagles need some help on the line.
Why Sherrod Fits: Sherrod going to the Eagles would help the team to really build. The Eagles have had a problem in short yardage on offense the past few years, and Sherrod would help that.
21. New York Giants, Drake Nevis, DT LSU
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Why Nevis is Special: Nevis is a defensive tackle that can help stop the run or rush the passer. He plays with great leverage and strength.
Why Nevis Goes Here: Nevis is another elite defensive lineman in a draft full of them, but his explosiveness keeps him in the first round.
Why Nevis Fits: Shocker, the Giants taking a defensive linemen. However, Nevis is a big enough body to help more with the run and he will occupy blockers and help the other defensive athletes get to opposing quarterbacks.
20. San Diego Chargers, Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State
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Why Blackmon is Special: Blackmon has been a breakout star this year at Oklahoma State. So far this season, Blackmon has over 100 catches, over 1600 yards receiving, and 18 touchdowns.
Why Blackmon Goes Here: The fact that he isn't Julio Jones or A.J. Green are the only reasons why he goes this low.
Why Blackmon Fits: The Chargers are in need of receivers. So far, Philip Rivers has been throwing to a bunch of no names this season. Adding Blackmon would be a great move.
19. Miami Dolphins, Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
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Why Ingram is Special: The former Heisman winner is ideally built for the running back position. He has a low center of gravity, runs tough, and is a threat to break a long run at any time.
Why Ingram Goes Here: Ingram is the only elite running back in this draft and is likely the only back that will go in the first round. He will go to the team that needs a running back more than anyone else.
Why Ingram Fits: The Dolphins have had some need at running back considering Ricky Williams' age and Ronnie Brown's struggles. Ingram would be a great addition to the Wildcat too, because he has run it at Alabama.
18. Indianapolis Colts, Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
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Why Carimi is Special: Gabe Carimi is another mountain of a person. At 6-foot-7, 327 pounds, he is an ideal left tackle. He also comes from Wisconsin, who has historically produced great linemen.
Why Carimi Goes Here: Carimi is a great offensive tackle on one of the best offensive lines in the country. He will go in the first round and could end up being the top tackle picked.
Why Carimi Fits: If the Colts take Carimi, he will not only quickly become Peyton Manning's best friend, but he will also extend Manning's career for a number of years. He also will help in the running game, and that has been the Colts' big problem this season.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars, Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
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Why Kerrigan is Special: Kerrigan has a great first step rushing the passer, but he is probably at his best against the run.
Why Kerrigan Goes Here: Kerrigan will be a first round pick and will likely go in the top 15, but if he drops out of the top 15, he won't drop past Jacksonville.
Why Kerrigan Fits: The Jags have been in desperate need of a defensive end. Kerrigan fills a hole for the Jags and will help the team a lot.
16. St. Louis Rams, Janoris Jenkins, CB Florida
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Why Jenkins is Special: Janoris Jenkins is the latest in a long line of good defensive backs to come out of Florida. He has the speed to be a shut down corner and the size to go up against bigger receivers.
Why Jenkins Goes Here: Jenkins has legitimate first round talent, but what the Rams really need is a wide receiver. If there is no receiver here, I expect the Rams to address the secondary.
Why Jenkins Fits: Jenkins would be a welcomed addition to the Rams' defensive backfield.
15. Seattle Seahawks, Cam Newton, QB Auburn
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Why Newton is Special: Cam Newton is the most exciting player in college football right now. He will likely be the Heisman winner and could win a National Championship.
Why Newton Goes Here: If Tim Tebow is a first round pick, Newton will be a top 20 pick. He has a better arm and is faster than Tebow.
Why Newton Fits: Cam Newton has struggled with eligibility issues this year at Auburn, so he seems like the perfect fit for a Pete Carroll coached team, right?
14. New England Patriots, Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
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Why Miller is Special: Von Miller is a great outside linebacker who has speed off the edge to get to the quarterback, as well as enough smarts to play in really any defensive scheme.
Why Miller Goes Here: Miller is one of the few outside linebackers who warrant a first round draft pick. He goes to a team in the first round who needs an outside backer.
Why Miller Fits: The Pats get this pick from the Raiders and use it on a real position of need.
13. Washington Redskins, Brandon Harris, CB Miami
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Why Harris is Special: Brandon Harris is a great combination of size and smarts that makes him a future star at corner at the next level.
Why Harris Goes Here: The Redskins have a lot of needs, many of them on the offensive side of the ball. With no real fit available, the Redskins have to address another need.
Why Harris Fits: The Redskins have a good secondary, but adding Harris would make them great.
12. Houston Texans, Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
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Why Fairley is Special: Fairley is an elite defensive tackle that is a good enough pass rusher to shift outside in a 3-4 scheme.
Why Fairley Goes Here: Fairley could go in the top 10 depending on how things shake out, but he could also drop depending on his work outs. He has had a breakout year, but that could scare people who are afraid he is a one season wonder.
Why Fairley Fits: Houston has the start of a dominant defensive line. Fairley would be a great piece for them that would help Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.
11. Tennessee Titans, Julio Jones, WR Alabama
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Why Jones is Special: His size and speed make him an elite receiver immediately in the NFL, much as it did when he was a freshman in college.
Why Jones Goes Here: Jones is a surefire first round pick and could go in the top 10 depending on a few factors. If he drops out of the top 10, it won't be very far.
Why Jones Fits: Tennessee has the worst group of receivers in the NFL aside from maybe St. Louis. The addition of Jones would help solve that problem.
10. San Francisco 49ers, Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
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Why Ayers is Special: Watching Ayers for one game will make anyone open their eyes. He has great speed in pass coverage and pass rushing. He is also strong enough to put his hand on the ground and play defensive end.
Why Ayers Goes Here: Ayers is a freakish athlete and is undoubtedly the best outside linebacker in the draft. He could go as high as top five but I doubt he drops out of the top 10.
Why Ayers Fits: The 49ers adding an outside linebacker like Ayers would be a great addition to a talented defense.
9. Minnesota Vikings, Jake Locker, QB Washington
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Why Locker is Special: Jake Locker has always been considered an elite quarterback, even when his team has been terrible. Locker has great mobility, but has a really fantastic arm.
Why Locker Goes Here: Locker is too good a talent to drop out of the first round and way too good a talent to drop out of the top 10.
Why Locker Fits: This one seems like a no brainer. The Vikings are in need of a long term option at quarterback and I don't think that is Tavaris Jackson.
8. Cleveland Browns, A.J. Green, WR Georgia
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Why Green is Special: As you can see from the picture, A.J. Green attacks the ball in the air. He is a fantastic athlete and will be an elite NFL receiver.
Why Green Goes Here: He will be the top wide receiver taken off the board.
Why Green Fits: Green would be a great weapon for the young Browns offense.
7. Arizona Cardinals, Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
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Why Mallett is Special: Ryan Mallett has a big arm and he can really sling the ball all over the field. He also seems to have the gunslinger mentality like Philip Rivers or Brett Favre.
Why Mallett Goes Here: Mallett is probably the second best quarterback in the draft and will be taken very high by a team that needs a signal caller.
Why Mallett Fits: If anyone saw Derek Anderson's press conference after Monday Night Football, it seems like Anderson's time is short in Arizona. Mallett is a better fit for Arizona and Larry Fitzgerald.
6. Denver Broncos, Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
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Why Quinn is Special: Robert Quinn is a great pass rushing defensive end with size to play in any scheme.
Why Quinn Goes Here: For teams that need help on the defensive line, Quinn would be a welcomed addition and with many of those teams drafting in the top 10, it seems like the place he will be drafted.
Why Quinn Fits: The Broncos have had difficulty rushing the passer this year and Quinn helps with that.
5. Dallas Cowboys, Marcell Dareus, DE/DT Alabama
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Why Dareus is Special: Marcell Dareus is one of the elite players in this draft. He has the ability to rush the passer or defend the run from either the end or tackle position.
Why Dareus Goes Here: Dareus will not drop out of the top five. He just won't.
Why Dareus Fits: The Cowboys are not that far off, but being able to add a player like Dareus will make them that much more dangerous.
4. Buffalo Bills, Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
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Why Amukamara is Special: Amukamara is already a shut down corner. No college quarterback has challenged the gifted corner all season.
Why Amukamara Goes Here: Amukamara is too great a player to go much farther than this. He could even jump fellow corner Patrick Peterson.
Why Amukamara Fits: Buffalo has had the tendency to get behind early and fight back behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. If they brought in someone like Amukamara, that would go a ways to solving that problem.
3. Detroit Lions, Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
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Why Peterson is Special: Patrick Peterson has a size and speed combiniation rarely seen in a cornerback. He also is a gifted kick returner and could help that area for a team that has lots of holes.
Why Peterson Goes Here: Peterson is too good an athlete to get passed by Amukamara, meaning he will be the top drafted corner in the craft.
Why Peterson Fits: The Lions finally have smart people in their organization who are looking to add talent. Peterson has that and can fill multiple holes.
2. Cincinnati Bengals, Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
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Why Luck is Special: Luck is the closest thing in college football to an NFL quarterback. He has turned Stanford into a BCS caliber team without a lot of talent.
Why Luck Goes Here: The only thing keeping Luck from being the top overall pick is the fact that the Panthers already drafted a quarterback last year.
Why Luck Fits: Carson Palmer's days as starting quarterback are over. The Bengals went from a being a playoff team to one of the worst teams in the NFL in one year and much of that is due to Palmer's turnovers.
1. Carolina Panthers, Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
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Why Bowers is Special: Not many college players can get 15.5 sacks in a career. Bowers has done that this year alone. He is the most complete defensive player in college this year.
Why Bowers Goes Here: Again, he is the most complete defensive player in college this year. He can have the impact of a Mario Williams for any team, but anyone picking in the top pick overall that needs defense would be smart to look at Bowers.
Why Bowers Fits: The only reason Bowers is picked by the Panthers instead of Andrew Luck is that the Panthers picked Jimmy Clausen. Yes it is a stupid move passing on Luck, but Bowers is a great addition to a terrible team.
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