NFL Mock Draft 2011: BCS Bowl Foes Cam Newton and LaMichael James in the Top 15?
The 2011 NFL Draft is over four months away, but as the BCS National Championship game approaches, prospects are running out of time to make an impression on scouts.
Draft-hopefuls will have to prove their worth in the bowl games, and if they don't they'll lose out on millions of dollars.
Heisman-favorites Cam Newton and LaMichael James are stealing the spotlight today, and while they weren;t considered great NFL prospects early on in their careers, things are looking up for the Auburn and Oregon stars.
Here's my first NFL Mock draft, using the draft order that would be used if the season ended today, after Week 13.
32. Atlanta Falcons: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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The Falcons lead the NFL with 10 wins, but their one weakness is pass defense, where they're ranked 26th, giving up 246.3 yards per game.
They could use a cornerback to add to their mediocre group headlined by Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes.
Enter Dowling: a big, physical corner with 8 career picks.
31. New England Patriots: Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
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Kyle Arrington just isn't good enough to start opposite of rookie standout Devin McCourty.
The Pats need a big upgrade to their 31st-ranked pass defense, which gives up over 275 yards per game.
Burton is rising, and could end up here if he performs well at the combine.
30. Chicago Bears, Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Jay Cutler gets sacked like it's his job--partially due to his penchant to holding onto the ball too long--but his offensive line doesn't help much, either.
He could use a solid right tackle from the best offensive line in the nation.
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29. New Orleans Saints: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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New Orleans is 18th in the league in sacks, the one weakness to their No. 3-ranked pass-defense.
They could use Watt, who has seven sacks this season in a breakout season for the Badgers. He'd also be a big boost to their mediocre run defense.
28. New York Jets: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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The Jets have really struggled getting to the passer, and that's a problem for a Rex Ryan-coached defense.
Houston would be an ideal pick as a 3-4 pass-rusher.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
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This one just make sense.
The Steelers need O-line help desperately, and they'd get the best out of Pouncey by pairing him with his brother Maurkice.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
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The Ravens whiffed on T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Donte Stallworth as viable No. 2 receivers to succeed Derrick Mason, but they'll get a chance to swing again in the draft.
Floyd's stock has dropped a bit, but he's one of the nation's best pass-catchers.
25. Green Bay Packers: Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
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Regardless of if Ryan Grant returns to form next year, the Packers desperately need a home-run hitter in their backfield.
Consider Rodgers Barry Bonds.
Then again, this all hinges on him leaving early. And teams not underrating him due to his size, two things that aren't all that likely.
But it'd be the perfect pick for the Pack.
24. Kansas City Chiefs: Jon Baldwin, WR
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Imagine Baldwin's 6'5" 225 lbs. frame lining up opposite of Dwayne Bowe.
You think Matt Cassel is playing well now? Just wait until he gets a legitimate No. 2 wideout.
The Chiefs would be downright scary on offense, especially when you factor in Jamaal Charles.
23. New York Giants: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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The Giants would love to add the 6'6" 305 lbs. Bulldogs senior to help keep Eli Manning upright.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Demarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
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A more polished pass-blocker than run-blocker; Love is perfect for Andy Reid's offense.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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The Jaguars 27th-ranked secondary desperately needs a cornerback.
Jenkins--an Urban Meyer product--will cure what ails them.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Clayborn has had an off-year, but that's what happens when everyone knows how good you are.
He should be a good fit as a 4-3 end, helping shore up the Bucs 26th-ranked run defense and getting to the passer.
19. Indianapolis Colts: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
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The Colts desperately need a run-stuffer, and the incredibly strong Paea would be perfect for them.
18. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Ingram would be the perfect successor to Ronnie Brown, who will likely be let go as a free agent after this season.
He brings what a Brown brought to the table at the beginning of his career (pre-injuries). And if you don't recall, Brown was a stud.
17. New England Patriots (Via Oakland Raiders): Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Pat Chung just isn't cutting it in coverage.
Moore--who had 10 picks last season--should shore up the Pats weak pass-D.
16. San Diego Chargers: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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Miller is a sack artist who could become the Shawne Merriman of old.
Even if he's half that; this is a good pick for the Chargers.
15. Seattle Seahawks: LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
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Forget "Beast Mode," bring in James, the presumed Heisman runner-up.
14. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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The Rams need to give Sam Bradford some help, and if they get a chance to take the NCAA's most productive receiver, they shouldn't hesitate.
Fortunately for them, his DUI issues should give teams enough reason for concern for him to fall into their laps.
Blackmon has gone over 100 yards and scored a touchdown in every game he's played this season.
13. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Jones is a freak of nature and he'd be perfect to help Colt McCoy develop, as well as take some pressure off of Peyton Hillis and the ground game.
12. Houston Texans: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Bowers is a beast.
Pair him with Mario Williams, and the Texans d-line could go from subpar to scary overnight.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Mallett's cannon arm with the Vikings talented receiving crew would be a match made in heaven.
Now only if old-man Favre would call it quits...
10. Tennessee Titans: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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The Titans need a little of everything, and the pass-rushing Ayers would be a huge boost to the Tennessee defense.
9. Washington Redskins: A.J. Green
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The Redskins need a wide receiver, and A.J. Green is a monster.
He's no Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly.
8. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara
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The second-best corner on the board, Amukamara is a great consolation prize.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Anthony Costanzo
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The Niners need to put their QB of the future--whoever that may be--in a situation where he can succeed.
6. Arizona Cardinals: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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The Cardinals should shore up the o-line in the first round, then target a QB in round 2.
5. Denver Broncos: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Fairly is a disruptive force at DT, and would make a Suh-like impact for the Broncos.
4. Buffalo Bills: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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People seem reluctant to put Newton near the top of the draft, but remember: Vince Young was picked third overall.
Cam is a better prospect than VY (that's easy to say now, though).
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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It's time to let Carson Palmer go.
The Bengals are a mess, and they should start their rebuilding off on the right foot by picking the most-polished quarterback on the board.
2. Detroit Lions: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Peterson is the most athletic cornerback in the draft, and he'd do wonders for an improving Lions defense.
1. Carolina Panthers: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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The Panthers would be hard-pressed to pass up Luck here, but their front-seven is a mess and they need to give Jimmy Clausen a chance.
Dareus is a much safer pick.
Comments
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Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud.
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