2011 NFL Mock Draft: Which Top 5 Team Will Fall In Love With Cam Newton?
The 2011 NFL Mock Draft hysteria kicks into a higher gear now that the regular season has ended for college football and the top of the draft order is starting to look clearer.
For the last few months, it has been assumed the Bills would take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick, but now Cam Newton is in the mix and the Bills probably will not end up with the No. 1 overall pick with the way they're playing and the way the Panthers and Bengals are losing.
This is an especially strong quarterback class, and there are a lot of teams who need quarterbacks this upcoming season, so it looks like things are going to work out well for both the teams and the quarterbacks who enter the draft.
This mock draft is a big shakeup from my last one a few weeks ago, so expect a lot of changes.
32. Atlanta Falcons, Jeremy Beal, OLB Oklahoma
1 of 32
Why Beal Goes Here: The Falcons could use someone younger and faster on the outside of the line who could double as a defensive end if needed.
What Beal's Role Will Be: Beal is big and fast, and the Falcons will use him to shut down the run and to rush the passer.
Pick Change: Yes. Derek Sherrod no longer is on the board at this point, and Beal becomes the best player available who fits a need.
31. New England Patriots, Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pitt
2 of 32
Why Baldwin Goes Here: The Patriots offense needs another good wide receiver for Tom Brady to throw to. With the departure of Randy Moss, Wes Welker is the only real downfield threat to worry about.
What Baldwin's Role Will Be: In his rookie season, Baldwin's role will be to shift some of the coverage away from Welker.
Pick Change: Yes. Offensive Tackle DeMarcus Love is off the board.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Pouncey, G Florida
3 of 32
Why Pouncey Goes Here: The Steelers offensive line still is very bad, and Civil War Veteran Flozell Adams isn't getting any younger or healthier.
What Pouncey's Role Will Be: Rejoin his brother on the offensive line and keep Ben Roethlisberger upright.
Pick Change: No. The only way Pouncey doesn't go here is if another team takes him just to spite the Steelers.
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29. Philadelphia Eagles, DeMarcus Love, OT Arkansas
4 of 32
Why Love Goes Here: While Michael Vick is a mobile quarterback, he's had to scramble and use his famous rushing talents far too much this season. While Vick hasn't taken the pounding other quarterbacks have, that could change very fast if the Eagles don't upgrade that line.
What Love's Role Will Be: Protect Michael Vick at all costs.
Pick Change: Yes. Bruce Carter and a defensive-line pick become less important as you evaluate how the team performs. The Eagles will address the defense with their next pick.
28. New York Jets, Cameron Jordan, DE California
5 of 32
Why Jordan Goes Here: The Jets need help on their defensive line in the form of younger, faster guys.
What Jordan's Role Will Be: In a division that features Tom Brady, a probable young star quarterback in Miami next year and in Buffalo, the Jets are going to want a young, hungry pass rusher.
Pick Change: Yes. the Jets will be less concerned with a high-round offensive pick and will bolster their defense in the first round.
27. New Orleans Saints, Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
6 of 32
Why Heyward Goes Here: The Saints don't have a lot of quarterback sacks this year and are in need of a pass rusher. Heyward fills that bill.
What Heyward's Role Will Be: Give the Saints a more respectable pass rush.
Pick Change: Yes. The Saints pick the better of the two Camerons, as Cameron Heyward still is available.
26. New York Giants, Nate Solder, OT Colorado
7 of 32
Why Solder Goes Here: The Giants currently have little depth on the left side of their line. Nate Solder remedies that situation.
What Solder's Role Will Be: Helping add depth and keep Eli Manning's uniform clean.
Pick Change: Yes. Gabe Carimi is off the board now.
25. Green Bay Packers, Aaron Williams, CB Texas
8 of 32
Why Williams Goes Here: The Packers secondary is going to need some upgrades and some youth this offseason.
What Williams' Role Will Be: Provide the Packers with good pass protection on both sides of the field.
Pick Change: Yes. The emergence of Brandon Jackson gives the Packers options at running back if Ryan Grant isn't the same player next year.
24. Baltimore Ravens, Janoris Jenkins, CB Florida
9 of 32
Why Jenkins Goes Here: The Ravens are going to have serious questions at cornerback at the end of the season, and the draft is one place to answer those questions.
What Jenkins' Role Will Be: Add youth and speed to the corner position.
Pick Change: Yes. With Jenkins still available, the Ravens take the best player on the board that fits their needs.
23. Kansas City Chiefs, Drake Nevis, DT LSU
10 of 32
Why Nevis Goes Here: The Chiefs offense and running game is working fine, so they'll go defense with their first pick, and Nevis could develop into a fine pass rusher.
What Nevis' Role Will Be: Nevis will be a backup who emerges as a starter by midseason.
Pick Change: Yes. Akeem Ayers is off the board.
22. Chicago Bears, Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
11 of 32
Why Carimi Goes Here: The Bears offensive line gives up far too many sacks for the front office not to address the situation in the draft.
What Carimi's Role Will Be: Carimi will solidify the left side of the line for years to come.
Pick Change: Yes. Anthony Castonzo is off the board.
21. Indianapolis Colts, Anthony Costanzo, OT Boston College
12 of 32
Why Castonzo Goes Here: Now that the Colts front office realizes shipping your best offensive lineman away because of one bad game is a bad thing, they'll have to start rebuilding the line.
What Castonzo's Role Will Be: Stop the bleeding, give Peyton Manning time to throw again.
Pick Change: Yes. By moving up in the draft, Castonzo now still is on the board for the Colts to take.
20. San Diego Chargers, Von Miller
13 of 32
Why Miller Goes Here: The Chargers have no true replacement for Shawne Merriman, so Miller will be an attempt to fill that void.
What Miller's Role Will Be: Keep the Chargers defense at an elite level since there's nothing he can do about the special teams.
Pick Change: Yes. After watching the last few weeks, the Chargers need to improve their pass rush, so Jonathan Baldwin stays on the board for Bill Belichick to grab later.
19. St. Louis Rams, Julio Jones, WR
14 of 32
Why Jones Goes Here: The Rams spent the money to get a No. 1 quarterback; now they have to give him a No. 1 receiver.
What Jones' Role Will Be: Catch passes, make big plays, help put the Rams on the playoff map for years to come.
Pick Change: No. This is a good pick that fills a need.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
15 of 32
Why Ayers Goes Here: The Bucs had no pass rush against the Falcons last week, and they're not going to go far in the NFC South against the Falcons and Saints if they can't get to the quarterback.
What Ayers Role Will Be: Improve the pass rush, shut down running lanes.
Pick Change: Yes. Janoris Jenkins is still available, but the line needs to apply pressure.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars, Allen Bailey, DE Miami
16 of 32
Why Bailey Goes Here: In a division that has Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub behind center, you need a really good defensive end who can rush the passer and drop back into short coverage.
What Bailey's Role Will Be: Shut down the outside running lanes and put pressure on the quarterback.
Pick Change: Yes. Bailey is rated higher than Ryan Kerrigan, so the Bucs go with the better guy.
16. Miami Dolphins, Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
17 of 32
Why Ingram Goes Here: No matter what, the Dolphins backfield needs to get younger, and you don't pass up a prospect like Ingram.
What Ingram's Role Will Be: Ingram probably will be the starting running back as the season opens whether the Dolphins keep Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams. Youth and speed will win out.
Pick Change: No. The Dolphins either will trade for a quarterback, or draft one in the second round.
15. New England Patriots, Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa (Pick Trade Via Oakland)
18 of 32
Why Clayborn Goes Here: The current season is the first year of Bill Belichick's rebuild on defense, Clayborn continues that rebuild.
What Clayborn's Role Will Be: Destroy Mark Sanchez, Peyton Manning, and anyone else who gets in Belichick's way.
Pick Change: Yes. Clayborn is a better prospect than Drake Nevis.
14. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
19 of 32
Why Paea Goes Here: The Texans defense needs a complete overhaul, and Paea is the best prospect on the board at this point.
What Paea's Role Will Be: Paea will be Run Blocker No. 1 on the Texans line.
Pick Change: Yes. The middle of the Texans' line needs more work, so Allen Bailey stays on the board for the Jaguars to grab.
13. Tennessee Titans, Jake Locker, QB Washington
20 of 32
Why Locker Goes Here: Vince Young is done, one way or the other, and the Titans aren't going into next year with Kerry Collins and Rusty Smith.
What Locker's Role Will Be: Locker will bring more maturity and better decision-making to the quarterback position in Tennessee.
Pick Change: Yes. The last few weeks have shown the Titans now need a quarterback. The defense can wait until the second round.
12. Washington Redskins, Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
21 of 32
Why Quinn Goes Here: While the Redskins do have questions at the quarterback position, they'll wait until at least the second round before they address that position.
What Quinn's Role Will Be: Mike Shanahan has to rebuild the defense completely, Quinn is a major step in the right direction.
Pick Change: Yes. The Redskins won't be in the Top 10, so they'll lose out on A.J. Green
11. Seattle Seahawks, Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
22 of 32
Why Sherrod Goes Here: What part of the Seahawks doesn't need upgraded? .
What Sherrod's Role Will Be: Matt Hasselbeck is getting beaten up, rushed, and generally not having a lot of time. Sherrod will change that.
Pick Change: Yes. Moving this far up the draft boards changes your priority, and a talent like Sherrod is now is available.
10. Cleveland Browns, A.J. Green, WR Georgia
23 of 32
Why Green Goes Here: The Browns don't seem to have anybody who can be a downfield threat, and Colt McCoy looks like the real thing. So the Browns have to give him somebody to throw to.
What Green's Role Will Be: Stretch the field for the defense, catch long balls and give Peyton Hillis a chance.
Pick Change: Yes. Nick Fairley is off the board, and the Browns can't pass up Green if he's available.
9. Minnesota Vikings, Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
24 of 32
Why Mallett Goes Here: If Tarvaris Jackson were the future for Minnesota, they wouldn't have brought Favre back this year.
What Mallett's Role Will Be: Be the guy Favre wasn't this year and Jackson just can't seem to be.
Pick Change: No. Mallett is the guy I think the Vikings will focus on.
8. Dallas Cowboys, Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
25 of 32
Why Fairley Goes Here: The Cowboys defense is beginning to age, and some youth is needed on the line.
What Fairley's Role Will Be: Fairley can immediately be a good run blocker, and he's talented enough to fit into whatever defensive scheme the team puts on the field next year.
Pick Change: Yes. Marcell Dareus is off the board now.
7. San Francisco 49ers, Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
26 of 32
Why Amukamara Goes Here: The 49ers need a quarterback and a running back at this point, but they'll go for neither in the first round.
What Amukamara's Role Will Be: The 49ers need help in the secondary, and Amukamara will be the kind of help the 49ers are looking for
Pick Change: Yes. Amukamara fits a bigger need than Robert Quinn's position, and he won't be as expensive to sign as a quarterback or running back.
6. Denver Broncos, Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
27 of 32
Why Dareus Goes Here: With a new regime in Denver, it's difficult to predict what will happen, but Dareus is a great talent, and no matter who the new coach of the Broncos ends up being, the Broncos defense needs help.
What Dareus' Role Will Be: Stop the bleeding.
Pick Change: Yes. Moving up the way the Broncos have in the last few weeks means more and better talent available.
5. Buffalo Bills, Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
28 of 32
Why Kerrigan Goes Here: The Bills need a good pass rusher, and Kerrigan is a good pass rusher. Were you expecting someone else? More on that in a moment .
What Kerrigan's Role Will Be: In a division with Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez, the Bills need a good pass rusher to keep pace.
Pick Change: Yes. Ryan Fitzpatrick is doing well enough that I find it doubtful the Bills will draft a quarterback in the first round now. Owner Ralph Wilson is cheap, and this is the kind of decision a cheap owner will make. Not saying I agree with it, I'm saying this is what I think he will do.
I'm aware Wilson already has scouted Andrew Luck personally, but unless Fitzpatrick collapses down the stretch here, Wilson will hold off until the second round to draft a quarterback, especially if the Bills win enough games to fall out of the Andrew Luck race.
If Luck isn't on the board when the Bills come up, he waits until the second round to take a quarterback.
Call me crazy.
4. Detroit Lions, Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
29 of 32
Why Peterson Goes Here: The Lions don't have a star draft pick in their secondary. With Stafford's injury and the subsequent losses, the Lions now have a chance to change that.
What Sherrod's Role Will Be: Be a shutdown corner for the Lions.
Pick Change: Yes. The Lions move back into the Top 5 and get the best cornerback in the draft.
3. Arizona Cardinals, Cam Newton, QB Auburn
30 of 32
Why Newton Goes Here: If Ken Whisenhunt was dumb enough to make Derek Anderson his starting quarterback this year, he's crazy enough to take a chance on Cam Newton.
What Newton's Role Will Be: Move the offense, something Anderson and Max Hall failed to do this year.
Pick Change: Yes. The Cardinals may still have a shot at Jake Locker, but now that it's almost certain Newton will declare, they jump all over him.
2. Cincinnati Bengals, Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
31 of 32
Why Bowers Goes Here: Like Ralph Wilson, Mike Brown is too cheap to want to take a first-round quarterback right now, especially with Carson Palmer failing the way he is. Bowers is cheaper to sign.
What Bowers' Role Will Be: The Bengals defense is putting pressure on no one, and Bowers can change that.
Pick Change: No. Bowers makes sense for the Bengals if they decide to not go for a quarterback in the first round.
1. Carolina Panthers, Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
32 of 32
Why Luck Goes Here: Jimmy Clausen fell to the second round for a reason, and now it looks like he didn't fall far enough. The new regime in Carolina will start from scratch.
What Luck's Role Will Be: Give the Panthers the kind of turnaround on offense Matthew Stafford gave Detroit and Sam Bradford gave St. Louis.
Pick Change: Yes. There no longer is any question the Panthers will go after another quarterback next year. Patrick Peterson is still a great pick, but the Panthers will go in a different direction.
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