2011 NFL Mock Draft: Can Anyone Knock Andrew Luck out of the Top Spot?
It's that time of year, when the horrible teams of the NFL start looking ahead to next year, trying to find a glimmer of hope in a dismal, dark season.
Thankfully for these NFL teams, they don't even have to hire an NFL scout.
I'm gonna do a 2011 NFL Mock Draft for them, free of charge.
I'll count from No. 1 to No. 32, detailing the who's, why's and "whoas!" in the process.
These predictions, of course, are based on NFL teams' apparent weaknesses. There might even be some picks that are meant to simply strengthen the strengths.
So hold on to your helmets fans and scouts alike, let's count down the 2011 NFL Draft, shall we?
Note: The teams selecting in each spot are based on the projected final standings.
32. Atlanta Falcons, Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
1 of 32
Brandon Harris is probably the third cornerback on most teams' lists.
The Falcons will see him fall right into their laps, and their defense will improve as a result.
Not bad, considering they have an offense that can explode on people now.
31. New York Jets, Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
2 of 32
Von Miller is a force flying off the corners.
He hasn't been able to show it as much this season with the Aggies, as he has battled injuries, but the fact that he still had 59 tackles and 10 sacks in an off year shows you what this kid has.
He's a good fit in the Jets' 3-4 defense, and this team always wants for defense.
30. New England Patriots, J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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J.J. Watt has amassed 59 tackles and seven sacks this year and has helped lead a strong Wisconsin defense.
I think the Patriots are going to go with a lineman here, one of their weak spots, and Watt is a solid choice.
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29. Philadelphia Eagles, Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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The Eagles are going to want to build their offensive line as they already have some big skill positions filled with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin leading the charge.
I don't see Vick going anywhere next season, as I expect a franchise tag to be placed on him by the Eagles.
They are going to want to keep him healthy as he has undoubtedly proven he can be the No. 1 QB for this team.
Tyron Smith, the offensive tackle out of USC, is regarded as a strong choice, and solidifying that line will only make the Eagles scarier next season.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers, Drake Nevis, DE, LSU
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Drake Nevis would be a good fit for a Steelers team that lacks great pressure from the defensive line but makes up for it with a strong linebacking core.
Nevis has had a very good year for the No. 10 Tigers this year, with 56 tackles and six sacks.
He would strengthen the pressure on the line.
27. Baltimore Ravens, Stefan Wisniewski, C, Penn State
6 of 32
The Baltimore Ravens have become a much better passing team overall this year, in part due to Anquan Boldin's play. They could improve their passing game, going with someone like receiver Michael Floyd of Notre Dame, or they could bolster their running game and get protection for QB Joe Flacco with one move.
I see them doing the latter, selecting impressive center Stefan Wisniewski and sticking with Derrick Mason for now.
26. Green Bay, Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
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Despite a lackluster performance from the Golden Bears this season, defensive end Cameron Jordan has been anything but lackluster, with 51 tackles and six sacks on the year.
He will help bolster an already strong defense in Green Bay and set the Packers up for another elite run like this year.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will share Cal stories with him.
25. New Orleans Saints, Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
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Bruce Carter is extremely athletic, and the Saints could use some help at the LB spot.
I could see the Saints making this a defense-based draft this year.
They have the offense. Their defense just needs to play at a higher level. If they can evolve into a defense like Green Bay's they could be unstoppable.
24. Indianapolis Colts, Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
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Stephen Paea has been a solid player for the Oregon State Beavers this season, with 45 tackles and six sacks, including three sacks in his last four games.
The Colts can always use some defense to accompany their offense (although Peyton Manning's play hasn't exactly been encouraging, I don't see him just fading away).
Alabama RB Mark Ingram would be nice for a rushing attack that hasn't been helping Manning this year, but I don't see him falling this low.
23. Chicago Bears, Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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The Chicago Bears could use some help on the offensive line, as Jay Cutler has been sacked more times than anyone in the league.
Add that to the fact that Cutler hasn't exactly been immune to interceptions, and the Bears should undoubtedly go with a lineman this draft.
Colorado's Nate Solder fits the bill, after being named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2010.
Cutler will be looking at his watch, he'll have so much more time in the pocket.
22. Seattle Seahawks, Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
11 of 32
The Seahawks need some big-time pressure from the defensive line, as their pass defense has been suffering badly.
Enter Allen Bailey, an explosive defensive end from the Miami Hurricanes with 44 tackles and seven sacks on the year.
The Seahawks need a game-changer, and he could be just that.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Adrian Clayborn could be a significant pass-rusher and run-stopper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs have started to come alive offensively, and a stronger defensive influence on the game could get them over the proverbial hump into elite territory.
Clayborn is a great bet to help do this.
20. Tennessee Titans, Ryan Broyles, WR, Olahoma
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The Tennessee Titans could always use some more weapons for Vince Young, who was an improved quarterback this year despite his exile by coach Jeff Fisher.
Behind Julio Jones, A.J. Green and Justin Blackmon, you have Ryan Broyles.
Not a bad consolation prize. He had over 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns this year for the Sooners.
19. Miami Dolphins, Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Is there really any doubt what position the Dolphins desperately need to fill this offseason?
Cameron Newton would be an immediate upgrade over Chad Henne or Tyler Thigpen, and the Dolphins should be able to grab him with the No. 19 selection.
He may be the steal of the draft if the leading Heisman candidate does in the NFL what he did this season.
18. New York Giants, Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College
15 of 32
Costanzo? Costanza? Can't-stand-ya?
It doesn't matter how you pronounce it, Anthony Costanzo is a top offensive lineman in this year's draft.
He would be a good replacement for Giants right tackle Kareem McKenzie and a solid addition to an already free-flowing rushing and passing game.
17. New England Patriots, Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
16 of 32
Nothing like a top defensive end falling in your lap.
I see Heyward dropping to No. 17 based on other teams' needs, and he will be a steal for the Patriots here, who will pick two defensive ends in the first round.
Heyward had 42 tackles and three sacks this year and led a strong defensive team in the Buckeyes.
Tom Brady plus a better defense? Be afraid, be very afraid.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars, Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Safety Rahim Moore will be a fine addition to a Jaguars team that still needs help stopping the pass.
Moore should fill in nicely here. He only had one interception this season, which is why he is projected to drop in the draft in some mock drafts, but he clearly has the talent for the NFL, as evidenced by his 10 interceptions last year.
15. Washington Redskins, Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
18 of 32
Clinton Portis is a walking injury, and although upstart Ryan Torain has shown some good things in place of him, I don't see how the Redskins can dismiss Ingram here.
He could be the new star running back for this team and help a struggling Donovan McNabb if he adjusts well to the pro level.
A healthy competition between Torain and Ingram will only make this team stronger.
14. Kansas City Chiefs, Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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The Chiefs are a team on the rise, and they certainly don't want to be slowed down by an older player in Mike Vrabel.
Plugging in a youthful defensive talent to spark the team is exactly what they need to get to the next level.
Some pundits project Kerrigan lower, but it's hard to ignore 13 sacks. He should be a good NFL player and help this team rise in the power rankings.
13. Houston Texans, Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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This is the most obvious need out of any team out there. The Texans are awful against the pass, and it continually lets down a pretty solid offense in Houston.
The Texans would like to grab Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara, but they won't drop this far, and the Texans will be happy with a beast on the edge.
The Texans will still need to add a cornerback later in the draft, but Quinn will be the best player on the board at this spot.
If he can continue to develop, he could pay off big-time for the Texans.
12. San Diego Chargers, Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
21 of 32
Well, a couple UCLA players are going to be mighty rich when this is all through.
Shawne Merriman's departure did indeed leave a hole on this team, but the rest of the defense has been able to patch it up for the most part (if you, of course, forget about what happened against Oakland in Week 13).
Ayers would be a solid replacement and a nice player to help get this defense back to where it once was—a defensive force.
11. St. Louis Rams, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
22 of 32
The St. Louis Rams made the right pick in QB Sam Bradford in last year's draft.
Now they need to find someone for him to throw the ball to.
Julio Jones will be taken at this point in my mind, but Justin Blackmon is definitely a suitable alternative. I think he will be a star in the NFL. He had over 1,600 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns this season.
He's a force and a great complement to Bradford.
10. Cleveland Browns, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
23 of 32
The Cleveland Browns really have no one for QB Jake Delhomme to throw the ball to, and they've overachieved this season despite not having a go-to receiver.
Jones, coupled with a new breakout star in running back Peyton Hillis, will open the door for Cleveland to start scoring more points.
9. Denver Broncos, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
24 of 32
The Broncos could either go with a cornerback here or a defensive lineman.
I'm going to say they'll go with cornerback Prince Amukamara, who will be the best defensive player on the board at this point.
The Broncos need a full-scale makeover on defense, so this will be one of the pieces to the puzzle that is the Broncos defense.
This would be a big-time selection for the Broncos, as Prince is considered the second-best cornerback in most mock drafts.
8. Minnesota Vikings, Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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The Minnesota Vikings desperately need a decent quarterback.
If anything it won't make it seem like they're so, well, desperate for Brett Favre.
So they'll take the best option on the board, and that will be QB Jake Locker of the Washington Huskies.
The Vikings will be grateful.
7. Dallas Cowboys, Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
26 of 32
Patrick Peterson will be off the board, so the Cowboys will take the best player on the board.
That will be star defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who has been a part of a historic run for the Tigers this year.
He's been overshadowed by Cameron Newton, but he won't be overshadowed come draft day.
He could be a scary player for the Cowboys.
6. San Francisco 49ers, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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The San Francisco 49ers will fall one spot short of grabbing their dream QB, Ryan Mallett, so they will pick the best offensive weapon on the board in A.J. Green.
Imagine a trio of Michael Crabtree, A.J. Green and Vernon Davis.
That's enough to scare any defense in the league.
5. Arizona Cardinals, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Division foes the Arizona Cardinals will snatch Mallett away from the San Francisco 49ers, leaving a bad taste in the Niners' collective mouths.
The Cardinals are in more need of a QB than the Niners, and that's saying a lot.
Derek Anderson will never be heard from again.
4. Buffalo Bills, Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Defensive tackle Marcel Dareus will patch up the Buffalo Bills defense real nice.
Well, at least part of the defensive line.
The Bills are in desperate need of a defensive makeover, and this is a good start.
3. Detroit Lion, DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson
30 of 32
Da'Quan Bowers is a beast. Plain and simple.
The Detroit Lions are going to enjoy selecting a player who can instantly add a presence to the defensive line.
After that, they will have to replace the rest of their defense.
2. Cincinnati Bengals, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Cornerback Patrick Peterson will add a possible shutdown corner to the Bengals. Which is exactly what they need.
Especially with their offense struggling this year and not being able to outscore opponents, Peterson will come and be mighty handy in the 2011 season.
I can't wait to see how this guy develops in the NFL.
1. Carolina Panthers, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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This is a no-brainer here.
Andrew Luck is looking like one of the best college prospects to come into the NFL in years, and the Panthers are desperate for a leader and a player who can single-handily lift them up from the depths.
Luck could take much the same path as Bradford did this year.
The Panthers are going to be thrilled.
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