2011 NFL Mock Draft: Do Panthers Pick Andrew Luck or Cameron Newton at No. 1?
The 2011 NFL Draft will be compelling for two huge reasons.
One of them has nothing to do with the players. With all the talk of a possible lockout looming, is it possible that the players drafted could miss the entire year? The other key question: Now that he's won the Heisman, how high will Auburn quarterback Cam Newton go?
Research and look at the players available, and most NFL experts have a consensus about who is first round material. You'll also find some players who are making late surges and inching themselves into first round consideration.
One other fun position to watch as the draft nears is wide receiver. It is a fun debate to determine who will go first between Alabama's Julio Jones, Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State and A.J. Green at Georgia.
One thing that is a sure bet: Expect Carolina to have the best chance at that No.1 pick.
Time to get on with it. Here's a look at how the first round should unfold:
32. New England Patriots: DE Allen Bailey, Miami
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Why Bailey is Special: What's not to like about a player with his size (6'4", 285), speed (4.65 40-yard dash) and athleticism? As a junior, he finished with 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks.
Why Bailey Goes Here: The draft has a lot of talented defensive ends, and it will be interesting to see if Bailey goes before or after Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward.
Why Bailey Fits: The Patriots could finally find a replacement for Richard Seymour.
31. Atlanta Falcons: WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
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Why Broyles Is Special: He's been a tremendous playmaker throughout his career at Oklahoma, and will leave with virtually every school receiving record.
Why Broyles Goes Here: A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Justin Blackmon are the stars at this position in the draft, but Broyles follows right behind them.
Why Broyles Fits: The Dallas Cowboys showed that it certainly doesn't hurt to add a young playmaker to an already talented offense when they chose Dez Bryant last year. Atlanta follows the formula this time.
30. New York Jets: DT Drake Nevis, LSU
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Why Nevis Is Special: Former teammate Glenn Dorsey, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, predicted Nevis would be the next great defensive lineman to come out of LSU. He could be right: In 12 games, he has 56 total tackles (30 solo), 13 tackles for loss, six sacks for 41 yards, four quarterback hurries and one interception.
Why Nevis Goes Here: He's had a spectacular season, and many are saying he's one of those players who is making his way into the first round.
Why Nevis Fits: He's the perfect kind of player to succeed in Rex Ryan's system.
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29. New Orleans Saints: DE/OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
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Why Miller Is Special: He's battled an ankle injury this year, but when healthy, he's clearly dominant, as he showed last season with 21.5 tackles for a loss and 16.5 sacks.
Why Miller Goes Here: Some websites have him listed as the second best rush linebacker in the draft behind North Carolina's Robert Quinn.
Why Miller Fits: He's great off the edge and the Saints could certainly use a talented player to help bolster their pass rush.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
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Why Thomas is Special: He's the nation's ninth leading rusher, with 276 carries for 1,495 yards (5.4 average) and 16 touchdowns. He has seven games with over 100 yards rushing, including two 200-yard games. He had a career-high 269 yards rushing in the team's season finale at UNT.
Why Thomas Goes Here: After Mark Ingram, you have to expect Thomas will be the likely next best running back available.
Why Thomas Fits: The Steelers don't have huge holes, and he could form a great duo in the backfield with Rashard Mendenhall.
27. Green Bay Packers: CB Brandon Burton, Utah
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Why Burton is Special: At 6'1", he's got great size, and what you'd cover in a corner.
Why Burton Goes Here: This draft will be stacked at the cornerback positions, but Burton is among the top listed.
Why Burton Fits: Charles Woodson isn't getting any younger. How about you go ahead and grab his future replacement?
26. Philadelphia Eagles: OG/C Mike Pouncey, Florida
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Why Pouncey Is Special: He's a natural guard, but can also switch to center, and displays great strength and athleticism.
Why Pouncey Goes Here: The Eagles' future is bright with players like DeSean Jackson and Lesean McCoy. Take the best player on the board, and get another building block.
Why Pouncey Fits: No matter what team you are, you can never have enough depth on the line. Not flashy, but still just a sound, smart move for the Eagles.
25. Baltimore Ravens: CB Aaron Williams, Texas
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Why Williams Is Special: Texas has produced plenty of talented defensive backs that have gone on to the NFL, and Williams will definitely provide a team with a shutdown corner.
Why Williams Goes Here: The draft is stacked at cornerback, and this is right about where Williams should fall.
Why Williams Fits: His style and aggressive nature makes him a perfect fit for Baltimore's defense.
24. Chicago Bears: OT Anthony Costanzo, Boston College
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Why Costanzo Is Special: He's a four-year starter and could start immediately according to some experts.
Why Costanzo Goes Here: It's still unsure whether he could play left tackle, and he would need to gain
additional weight.
Why Costanzo Fits: Protecting Jay Cutler has been an issue, and Costanzo could be a quick solution to this problem.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
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Why Ayers Is Special: He's got the ability to drop back in coverage, or play the run and can play both the 4-3 and 3-4 schemes.
Why Ayers Goes Here: Some may question his ability as a pass rusher.
Why Ayers Fits: Teams can always add depth and gain more talent. Such is the case for Kansas City on defense.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida
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Why Jenkins Is Special: He's not the biggest player, but his skill would help him match up with some of the NFL's fastest receivers.
Why Jenkins Goes Here: He doesn't have quite the same athleticism as other corners in the draft, but has held his own in the SEC.
Why Jenkins Fits: The Jaguars go against plenty of talented passers in the AFC South, and adding a tough corner could certainly be a plus.
21. St. Louis Rams: WR A.J. Green, Georgia
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Why Green Is Special: Like Julio Jones, he played as a freshman, and like his Alabama counterpart, he's dominated ever since.
Why Green Goes Here: The debate will continue about whether he's better than Jones or Justin Blackmon. For now, we'll say Green is No.3
Why Green Fits: Sam Bradford needs a long-term target. Here's the answer.
20. New York Giants: OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
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Why Lewis Is Special: Oklahoma has produced tons of great defensive players during Bob Stoops' tenure, and Lewis is just the latest.
Why Lewis Goes Here: It's about linemen and quarterbacks, but Lewis is among the top linebacker prospects available.
Why Lewis Fits: Take the best player on the board. That strategy certainly can't hurt if you do your homework.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
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Why Clayborn Is Special: The man has an engine, and could help with the pass rush and stopping the run.
Why Clayborn Goes Here: He could've been a first-rounder last year, and is considered one of this year's top senior prospects.
Why Clayborn Fits: Tampa is building for the future, and Clayborn would be great paired with Gerald McCoy on the Bucs' line.
18. Miami Dolphins: OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State
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Why Sherrod Is Special: He's a great fit at left tackle and is a good pass protector with great range, footwork and lateral movement.
Why Sherrod Goes Here: Some mock drafts have him going a spot earlier, and he's ranked second among offensive tackles, trailing Boston College's Anthony Costanzo.
Why Sherrod Fits: If Jake Locker hasn't plummeted, go ahead and grab some protection for Chad Henne.
17. Indianapolis Colts: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
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Why Ingram Is Special: If you watched him at all during his Heisman trophy season in 2009, then you saw what a bruising, hard runner he is.
Why Ingram Goes Here: He is the top running back in the draft, but could be nabbed earlier by teams like the Patriots, who also need help at the position.
Why Ingram Fits: The Colts lost Joseph Addai to injury, and their ground game has been non-existant. Time to fix the problem.
16. Seattle Seahawks: DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
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Why Heyward Is Special: In 12 games, he has 42 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (31 yards), 2.5 sacks (18 yards) and one interception for 80 yards.
Why Heyward Goes Here: It will be interesting to see if he moves up, depending on his pro day and if he attends the combine.
Why Heyward Fits: The Seahawks have countless holes to fill. Why not grab a franchise player for your defensive line?
15. New England Patriots: OT Joseph Barksdale, LSU
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Why Barksdale Is Special: He's extremely athletic, is solid in pass protection and tremendous hand use.
Why Barksdale Goes Here: Some drafts predict that Barksdale could rocket up the board and be the first left tackle taken.
Why Barksdale Fits: He's played both tackle spots, and the Patriots certainly aren't afraid of taking LSU players, as recent drafts have shown. Keep in mind, too, that those linemen have been around for a while, and will eventually need to be replaced.
14. San Diego Chargers: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
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Why Kerrigan Is Special: He's quick off the ball and it's obvious to spot his competitiveness and the motor he runs on.
Why Kerrigan Goes Here: Some claim he's a bit overrated, so it's hard to tell just where he fits.
Why Kerrigan Fits: Has San Diego really found a decent pass rusher since they got rid of Shawne Merriman?
13. Cleveland Browns: WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State
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Why Blackmon Is Special: If you want a playmaker, that's what you'll get with Blackmon, whom many say is even better than his predecessor Dez Bryant.
Why Blackmon Goes Here: I suppose you could argue if he's better than A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but for now, he's stuck at second among receivers in this class.
Why Blackmon Fits: The Browns have Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis, and now add Blackmon as the next piece of the future on offense.
12. Minnesota Vikings: QB Jake Locker, Washington
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Why Locker Is Special: He's got great athleticism, and is a great passer, and has continued to improve over his collegiate career.
Why Locker Goes Here: The debate will rage on between whether he or Ryan Mallett is the second best quarterback in the draft. Some say he's slipping because of accuracy issues this year.
Why Locker Fits: Brett Favre said this is his last year. There's no question what Minnesota should do.
11. Houston Texans: DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
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Why Paea Is Special: He has tremendous strength and is a great run stopper. As a junior, he had 8.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks.
Why Paea Goes Here: His height (6'1") could drop him, and he has been knocked for being one dimensional and only being able to play in a 4-3 scheme.
Why Paea fits: Watched the Texans? There's all sorts of needs on defense. Let's just start here.
10. Washington Redskins: WR Julio Jones, Alabama
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Why Jones Is Special: He's started ever since his freshman year, and has proven to be one of the most dominant players in the game.
Why Jones Goes Here: For now, we'll leave him here. But expect him and A.J. Green to flip spots in many mock drafts.
Why Jones Fits: Right now, he would be a much better option for Donovan McNabb than Santana Moss or Anthony Armstrong.
9. Tennessee Titans: DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
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Why Quinn Is Special: He has great size and is a great pass rusher who has drawn comparisons to former Tar Heel Julius Peppers.
Why Quinn Goes Here: Many mock drafts have him way higher, some have him right here. At this point, it's guesswork.
Why Quinn Fits: Tennessee may make a run at a quarterback, but for now, you can't go wrong with picking a talented player of Quinn's caliber.
8. Dallas Cowboys: DE Marcel Dareus, Alabama
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Why Dareus Is Special: He dominated in last year's national championship game, can stuff the run and is a great pass rusher who can play defensive tackle in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 3-4.
Why Dareus Goes Here: He's put up big numbers for one of the nation's top defenses and in the most physical conference in the country.
Why Dareus Fits: The Cowboys need to bolster plenty of spots, including the offensive line and secondary.
7. San Francisco 49ers: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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Why Mallett Is Special: His talent and ability have been obvious ever since he was one of the top high school recruits in the nation. He faced off against Jimmy Clausen in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and many coaches thought Mallett was more polished and had better pro potential.
Why Mallett Goes Here: You could perhaps make an argument that Cincinnati could nab him, but he definitely is one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft.
Why Mallett Fits: Because the 49ers desperately needs to find their future quarterback.
6. Denver Broncos: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
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Why Amukamara Is Special: His size, speed and physical nature are everything you want in a legit shutdown corner.
Why Amukamara Goes Here: Keep an eye on whether he possibly slips past fellow cornerback Patrick Peterson. That will be an interesting development.
Why Amukamara Fits: Denver's defense is simply awful. Time to start over, and rebuild.
5. Arizona Cardinals: QB Cam Newton, Auburn
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Why Newton Is Special: If you've watched any college football at all this season, you should know.
Why Newton Goes Here: He may fall based on the controversy that's surrounded him, but on talent alone, you have to say he is first round material.
Why Newton Fits: Noticed their quarterback situation lately? If Arizona doesn't jump at this, they're crazy.
4. Buffalo Bills: DT/DE Nick Fairley, Auburn
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Why Fairley Is Special: He's got great size and speed, and has been perhaps one of the most dominant defensive players in the SEC.
Why Fairley Goes Here: With the other talent still out there, this is a good spot.
Why Fairley Fits: Buffalo needs a building block for the future. This is a tremendous piece.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
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Why Bowers Is Special: Does 15.5 sacks on the season say enough?
Why Bowers Goes Here: Because this is where dominant pass rushers usually wind up every year around draft time.
Why Bowers Fits: Cincinnati has a multitude of problems to address. Might as well begin here.
2. Detroit Lions: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
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Why Peterson Is Special: He is your prototypical shutdown corner who can also hit hard and could be used on special teams and possibly offense.
Why Peterson Goes Here: There's no way he falls out of the top five.
Why Peterson Fits: Because Detroit needs a shutdown corner.
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford
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Why Luck is Special: He's a smart, talented quarterback who knows how to win, and led Stanford's resurgence.
Why Luck Goes Here: He is a little more polished than Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker, and should be the first quarterback off the board.
Why Luck Fits: Does anyone truly think Jimmy Clausen is the answer?
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