2011 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck Goes First, but Where Do Mallett and Newton Go?
A 2011 NFL Mock Draft. That's right. Why not? After all, it's never too early to start assigning the right players to all the teams who need them.
And besides, April really isn't all that far away, and we have a pretty good idea of which players could go where now that college football's regular season is over. We know that Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck is probably the cream of the crop, and the Washington quarterback isn't as good as we all thought he was.
Defensively, LSU's Patrick Peterson is one of several outstanding corners, and Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley helped his stock drastically with his 2010 season.
With that in mind, here's how the first round might unfold.
32. New England Patriots, Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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Why Dowling is Great: He's big for a corner, standing tall at 6'2." And he's got long arms, not unlike a Nnamdi Asomugha.
Why Dowling Goes Here: His stock has fallen in recent weeks, and he's no longer a mid-first round pick.
Why Dowling Fits: The Patriots' secondary is already young, but they're not quite as talented as they could be. Dowling will help that.
31. Atlanta Falcons, Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
2 of 32
Why Rudolph is Great: He's everything you look for in a tight end. He's big, he can block, he can catch, and he can run.
Why Rudolph Goes Here: He's the only tight end who's worth taking in the first round, and getting him with the penultimate pick would be too good to pass up.
Why Rudolph Fits: Tony Gonzalez isn't going to be around forever. But Matt Ryan is. Get him a new, fresher tight end.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Why Williams is Great: At 6'1" and 192 pounds, he's got good size for a cornerback. He's also shown he can be a beast on special teams.
Why Williams Goes Here: All the other great cornerback prospects will be off the board, but getting Williams this late will be a steal.
Why Williams Fits: The Steelers have had their issues defending the pass at times this year, and Troy Polamalu could use some help in the secondary.
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29. Philadelphia Eagles, Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Why Sherrod is Great: He's one of the most experienced tackles in the SEC, which basically makes him one of the best tackles in the country.
Why Sherrod Goes Here: At 6'5" and 300 pounds, he's not as big as some of the offensive lineman in the draft. But he still won't fall out of the first round.
Why Sherrod Fits: Because he'll be there for the taking, and their going to need more bodies to protect what is likely to be a significant investment in Michael Vick.
28. New York Jets, Cameron Jordan, DE, California
5 of 32
Why Jordan is Great: Jordan is a natural enemy for pocket passers. At 6'4" and 283 pounds, he'd fit right in with just about any defensive scheme.
Why Jordan Goes Here: He's not as heavily lauded as some of the other defensive ends in this year's class, but has the potential to be an under-the-radar difference maker.
Why Jordan Fits: The Jets' defensive line isn't great, and it needs to be given the division they play in.
27. New Orleans Saints, Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
6 of 32
Why Beal is Great: Beal has good size and quickness for an outside linebacker, and has tested his worth against some of the toughest offenses in college football while at Oklahoma.
Why Beal Goes Here: Beal has seen his stock shoot up recently, and he will be a first rounder one way or another.
Why Beal Fits: The Saints have needed an outside linebacker after losing Scott Fujita.
26. New York Giants, Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
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Why Carter is Great: He's been the anchor of a North Carolina defense that saw many of its numbers get suspended before the season started.
Why Carter Goes Here: He was projected to be much higher a few months ago, but his stock has slipped. Nevertheless, he still has the tools to be a late first round pick.
Why Carter Fits: The Giants could use an heir apparent for Keith Bulluck.
25. Green Bay Packers, Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Why Solder is Great: At 6'9" and 315 pounds, he's gigantic. Thus, he's hard to move. Thus, he's a great guy to have on the line.
Why Solder Goes Here: He probably should go earlier given his size and reputation, but will fall here because of other teams gobbling up skill players.
Why Solder Fits: The Packers really don't need much, but having another guy to protect Aaron Rodgers is never a bad idea.
24. Baltimore Ravens, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
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Why Floyd is Great: He led the Irish in yards, receptions, and touchdown grabs. And all of that came from less than spectacular quarterbacks.
Why Floyd Goes Here: Floyd is a late first round guy, and will go to the first team that needs him.
Why Floyd Fits: The Ravens are going to need another wide receiver with Derrick Mason getting older.
23. Kansas City Chiefs, Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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Why Heyward is Great: He's the son of Craig Heyward, and is a beast of a man at 6'5" and 285 pounds. He could probably play anywhere on any defensive line.
Why Heyward Goes Here: Of all the great defensive lineman in this year's draft, but he's not as speedy as the others, and thus is not as great of a natural pass rusher.
Why Heyward Fits: The Chiefs have yet to find a really good replacement for Jared Allen.
22. Chicago Bears, Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Why Carimi is Great: He might be the best offensive lineman on the best offensive line in the country.
Why Carimi Goes Here: His stock has soared in recent weeks, and he is projected as a mid-first round pick in the eyes of many.
Why Carimi Fits: Have you seen the Bears' offensive line? They need help.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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Why Bailey is Great: He's a great pass rusher with incredible size and limitless potential.
Why Heyward Goes Here: He's good, but there are other more polished defensive ends that will be taken before him.
Why Heyward Fits: The Bucs desperately need a true pass rusher on their defensive line.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars, Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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Why Jenkins is Special: He's just a junior, and he's a little undersized, but he has managed to make a name for himself in a very tough SEC.
Why Jenkins Goes Here: He's near the top 10 on some big boards, so getting him this late could be a steal depending on who you ask.
Why Jenkins Fits: The Jags play in a division that has some pretty dangerous passing attacks and some pretty dangerous receivers. He can only help.
19. Indianapolis Colts, Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Why Ingram is Special: A guy his size should not be as fast and as strong as he is. He also has something called a Heisman Trophy to his credit.
Why Ingram Goes Here: It's not a very strong class for running backs, and Ingram is projected as a late first round pick. But he'll go earlier if he fills a need.
Why Ingram Fits: Joseph Addai is officially injury prone, and the Colts need depth at running back anyway. Ingram can also help the passing game out of the backfield.
18. San Diego Chargers, Von Miller, LB, Texas AM
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Why Miller is Special: Miller broke out big time as a full-time starter in 2009, and continued to improve in 2010. He's a very good pass rusher, and has just the right kind of size and speed for the job in the NFL.
Why Miller Goes Here: He's projected as a late first rounder, but will go in the middle because he fills a need.
Why Miller Fits: A pass rushing linebacker? Kind of sounds like a replacement for Shawne Merriman.
17. Miami Dolphins, Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Why Castonzo is Special: He's 6'7" and made a name for himself protecting Matt Ryan. He only clocks in at around 310 pounds, but pundits say he's added weight.
Why Castonzo Goes Here: He's the top offensive lineman in this year's draft, and getting him with the 17th pick is a steal.
Why Castonzo Fits: The Dolphins don't have a dire need for lineman, but they'd be fools to pass him up.
16. St. Louis Rams, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Why Blackmon is Special: He had at least 100 yards receiving in every game he played in 2010, and led the country with 18 touchdown catches.
Why Blackmon Goes Here: He's not as highly lauded as some other wide receivers. But he is definitely a first rounder, and will go to the first team that needs him.
Why Blackmon Fits: Sam Bradford needs a star receiver to throw to.
15. New England Patriots, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Why Clayborn is Special: He's a great pass rusher with the kind of size (6'4" and 285) that will make him a priority for opposing offensive lines.
Why Clayborn Goes Here: There are a couple other defensive ends that will go before him, but that won't lessen his value in the eyes of any mid-round team that has a shot at him.
Why Clayborn Fits: The Pats could use a disruptive defensive end, something they haven't had since Richard Seymour.
14. Houston Texans, Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Why Moore is Special: He led the country in interceptions in 2010, and has the size and speed you look for in a safety. He can also play corner.
Why Moore Goes Here: He's the best safety prospect in the draft, and will be taken by the first team that needs him.
Why Moore Fits: The Texans' secondary is terrible, and a player like Moore can help fix it in a number of ways.
13. Tennessee Titans, Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
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Why Newton is Special: He's big, he's strong, he's got a big arm, he can run, and he's probably going to win a Heisman trophy.
Why Newton Goes Here: Somebody's going to take a chance on him, but it won't happen until after the first 10 picks have been made.
Why Newton Fits: Vince Young is probably going to be on his way out. The Titans will replace him with the most Vince Young-like player available.
12. Seattle Seahawks, Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Why Ayers is Special: He's got size, he's got speed, he's versatile, and the Pac-10 fears him.
Why Ayers Goes Here: It's not the strongest class for linebackers, but Ayers is the best anybody's going to find in 2010.
Why Ayers Fits: The Seahawks have some good young linebackers, but Ayers will be too much to pass up.
11. Washington Redskins, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Why Jones is Special: He stands at 6'4" and 220 pounds, and he has a tendency to make brilliant catches. He's a dominant presence, and could become a star with the right quarterback.
Why He Goes Here: He won't be the first wide receiver to go, but he will be the next.
Why Jones Fits: If the Redskins are committed to McNabb, they need to get him somebody to throw to. Santana Moss is not the answer.
10. Cleveland Browns, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Why Green is Special: He ended the year tied for first in the SEC with nine touchdown catches, and he missed four games. The end zone is his second home. He's also 6'4" and more than 210 pounds. Beast mode.
Why Green Goes Here: He's the best receiver in the draft.
Why Green Fits: The Browns need a big play receiver. They will find one in Green.
9. Minnesota Vikings, Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Why Locker is Special: He's got a good arm and he's very mobile, and he has the requisite size for an NFL quarterback. He regressed slightly in 2010 due partially to injuries, but is still a great talent.
Why Locker Goes Here: He would have been the number one overall pick if the draft had been held in September, but he's not going to fall past a team that needs a promising quarterback.
Why Locker Fits: Tarvaris Jackson is not Minnesota's future. They need to find a player who can be just that.
8. Dallas Cowboys, Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
25 of 32
Why Quinn is Special: He's one of the best pass rushers to enter the draft since fellow Tar Heel Julius Peppers. At 6'5" and 268 pounds, he's pretty hard to block.
Why Quinn Goes Here: He's within the top five on most big boards, so getting him with the eighth pick should be considered a bargain.
Why Quinn Fits: Dallas doesn't have the most anemic pass rush, but their defensive line hasn't really gotten into the action. Quinn will change that.
7. San Francisco 49ers, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Why Amukamara is Special: Five interceptions in 2009. None in 2010. In other words, quarterbacks didn't try their luck. He's the centerpiece of a very good Nebraska defense.
Why Amukamara Goes Here: He's the second best cornerback in the draft, and he won't drop out of the top 10.
Why Amukamara Fits: The Niners really need a quarterback, but they won't take one with Amukamara still available. He'll help a secondary that has had its issues in 2010.
6. Denver Broncos, Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Why Fairley is Special: He more or less came out of nowhere to become the most disruptive defensive lineman in the SEC. He also plays with incredible passion, and definitely uses the chip on his shoulder.
Why Fairley Goes Here: He won't be the first defensive tackle off the board, but he will certainly be the next.
Why Fairley Fits: The Broncos can't stop the run or rush the pass, and Fairley will help them do both.
5. Arizona Cardinals, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Why Mallett is Special: He led the SEC in both passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2010, which is considerable given some of the defenses he had to negotiate.
Why Mallett Goes Here: He's one of the top quarterbacks, it's going to be very surprising if he drops out of the top 10.
Why Mallett Fits: Have you seen the Cardinals play? Yeah, they need a quarterback, and they don't have the time to work with a project player.
4. Detroit Lions, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Why Peterson is Special: I for one was convinced when I saw him shut down Julio Jones. He's big and fast, and he's also great on special teams.
Why He Goes Here: There are several good corners in this year's draft class, and Peterson is the best. He will be the first secondary player off the board.
Why Peterson Fits: The Lions need a shutdown corner. Tom Brady could tell you all about that.
3. Cincinnati Bengals, Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Why Bowers is Special: He's 6'4" and 280 pounds, and the ACC fears him.
Why Bowers Goes Here: He's the best pure pass rusher in this year's draft class. Hands down.
Why Bowers Fits: The Bengals are dead last in the league in sacks at this point with a mere 14. They need Bowers.
2. Buffalo Bills, Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Why Dareus Is Special: At 6'3" and over 300 pounds, he's big. But he's also fast, and the consensus is that he could fit in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. He can rush the pass and stuff the run. What more could you ask for?
Why Dareus Goes Here: He's arguably the best defensive lineman in the draft who comes from a great defense at Alabama.
Why Dareus Fits: The Bills have several pressing needs, but chief among these is their rush defense. It's been the worst in the league in 2010, and Dareus is the kind of player who could help immediately.
1. Carolina Panthers, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Why Luck is Special: Under the guidance of former quarterback Jim Harbough, Luck passed for better than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2010. He's a smart quarterback with a strong and accurate arm, and he has the necessary size for a successful NFL quarterback.
Why Luck Goes Here: He's the best quarterback of the 2011 draft class.
Why Luck Fits: Quarterback is Carolina's most desperate need, and they can build around Luck.
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