2011 NFL Mock Draft: Does Your Favorite Team Have A Shot At Andrew Luck?
If and when he comes out, it is widely expected Stanford Cardinal redshirt sophomore quarterback, Andrew Luck will hear his name called 1st in April's 2011 NFL Draft.
A franchise altering type talent, Luck is almost too good to be true. Finishing 2nd in the Heisman Trophy voting, Luck is the top NFL Draft prospect in the country.
Does your favorite NFL team have its sights set on Luck? Who else will hear their name called in the 1st round?
Let's take a look...
#32 New England Patriots: Mike Pouncey, OG Florida
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Why Pouncey is special: Pouncey may be the most athletic interior offensive lineman to enter the draft in recent years. He can play center and both guard spots, and even tackle in a pinch. His brother has enjoyed success in his rookie campaign with the Steelers, and Pouncey will look to continue in the family business.
Why he goes here: Florida endured a disappointing season, and there were some early exchange problems between Pouncey and new quarterback John Brantley. Nonetheless, Pouncey is a great talent.
Why he fits: Pats OG Stephen Neal was lost for the season due to a shoulder injury, and Pro Bowl OG Logan Mankins held out and is at odds with the organization. Belichick has shown no emotion when parting with players (Moss, Seymour, Branch 1.0) so he may look to go young inside his offensive line to protect Tom Brady.
#31 Atlanta Falcons: Rahim Moore, Free Safety, UCLA
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Why Moore is special: Moore led the country in interceptions in 2009, with 10. He has tremendous coverage instincts and ball skills and shows to be a play maker on the back end.
Why Moore goes here: Moore hasn't duplicated his interception numbers from last season, but teams have been weary to challenge him.
Why he fits: The Falcons couldn't afford to pass up on a play making safety. Atlanta plays with lead most of the time, which means teams are usually throwing on their defense. What better to get than a safety with a knack for interceptions and turnovers?
#30 New York Jets: Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
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Why Beal is special: Beal can play with his hand in the dirt or standing up, and still get to the QB off the edge. He has 11 sacks and 19 TFL's in 2009, and has played very well this season. with 7.5 sacks and 16 TFL's.
Why Beal goes here: Beal has earned his right to go in the first round, proving that 2009 was not a one-year fluke.
Why he fits: Calvin Pace missed the first six games of this season for the Jets and is not getting any younger. Vernon Gholston, enough said. Beal could stand up and rush AFC East QB's for two downs then put in his hand down and rush on third down in sub packages for Rex Ryan.
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#29 New Orleans Saints: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
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Why Crick is special: At 6-6, Crick has a long frame and good motor. He can skinny thru double teams and wreak havoc along the front line.
Why he goes here: Crick played along side N'Damakong Suh last year and took advantage of all the single one on one match ups Suh gave him. Also Crick is a bit light in the fanny and may slide due to his lack of girth to hold up against NFL offensive linemen.
Why he fits: The Saints stick to the mantra: best player on the board at the time of their selection.
#28 Pittsburgh Steelers, Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
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Why Floyd is special: Floyd has the size, hands, toughness, and play making ability to make an impact. At 6-3, 227 pounds, Floyd is a gifted receiver played well for the Irish during a trying season.
Why he goes here: Floyd missed most of his sophomore season with a broken leg. There also questions about his deep speed.
Why he fits: Floyd is tough, big, and works hard. He sounds like a Steeler. Hines Ward is getting longer in the tooth and The Steelers need to start grooming his replacement to pair with Mike Wallace.
#27 Green Bay Packers, Rodney Hudson, OC, Florida State
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Why Hudson is special: Hudson has good footwork, agility, and work ethic. He has frame that will allow him to add weight and strength as goes on. He can also play center and guard.
Why he goes here: Hudson is undersized and gives up some weight to NFL defensive linemen. He will need add some girth at the next level.
Why he fits: Aaron Rodgers is the franchise and future of the Green Bay Packers. They must continue stocking talent and depth in their offensive line to protect him.
#26 Philadelphia Eagles, Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
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Why Casey is special: Casey has a cranked up motor, quickness off the ball, and speed to chase from the backside. He's quicker than most opposing offensive linemen and plays with solid leverage.
Why he goes here: Casey is a bit short at about 6feet tall, but is a solid talent and was productive for USC in a rebuilding year.
Why he fits: Broderick Bunkley has not lived up to his billing. Casey provides depth on the Eagle's defensive line and another linemen who can play the run and pass.
#25 Baltimore Ravens, Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh
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Why Romeus is special: At 6-6 and 270 pounds, Romeus has the size and speed to be a productive pro. He can play the run in the strongside and rush the passer from anywhere on the field. He's been productive anytime he's been on the field on for Pitt.
Why he goes here: Romeus has battled a back injury this season and his stock has dropped a bit.
Why he fits: Sergio Kindle was drafted in the 2nd round by Ravens in 2009 and suffered a career threatneing head injury before camp. While his future is uncertain, Romeus fits the bill of players he Ravens draft in the 1st round, a versatile senior who has been productive in his college career. He also provides insurance for Kindle as another front line defender for the future.
#24 Chicago Bears: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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Why Baldwin is special: At 6-6, Baldwin has the size, leaping ability, and ball skills to pluck and win all jump situations in the redzone. He has a long frame and good hands.He reminds many of a young Plaxico Burress, minus the gun.
Why he goes here: Baldwin is not the fastest receiver, but he has deceptive speed. Out of high school, many teams wanted Baldwin to move to tight end, and he flatly refused, opting for Pitt, who promised him a shot at receiver. He also reminds many of Mike Williams, minus the food.
Why he fits: Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are solid options for Jay Cutler, but they lack size and redzone jump ability. Baldwin adds size to the Bear's receiving corps and a viable redzone threat.
#23 Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Why Kerrigan is special: Kerrigan is another hybrid DE/LB that fits the trendy 3-4 defense. He plays with a relentless motor and always hustles to make play after play. He's at his best against the run.
Why he goes here: Kerrigan lacks tape of him in pass coverage and is a bit of a straightline athlete.
Why he fits: Romeo Crennel is from the Belichick tree. They want versatile defenders to deploy all over the field to use in a variety of ways. Once he gets coached up on how to play in coverage, the Chiefs will have another defender to rush Phillip Rivers of the Chargers and play the Darren McFadden of the Raiders in the run game.
#22 Jacksonville Jaguars: Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
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Why Carter is special: Instincts. Un-coachable instincts. Combine this with great size and speed and you have Carter, defensive play maker and game changer.
Why he goes here: Carter was one of the players suspended in the Tar Heel academic scandal. There will be some questions about his character.
Why he fits: The Jaguars get to add a defensive impact player and young defender who fits what Jack Del Rio wants on his football team.
#21 New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Why Solder is special: 6-9 315 pounds and very quick off the ball for his size. Solder has been timed as low as 4.8 in 40, and shows solid athleticism, he can play left and right tackle in the NFL.
Why he goes here: Solder lacks pad level and his height makes him lose leverage in the run game.
Why he fits: The Giants value productivity and would like to add depth and talent the their offensive front. Back up left tackle Shawn Andrews has been lost with a back injury, and starter Davie Diehl has fought nagging injuries all year. Solder gives the G-Men depth among the offensive line.
#20 St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Why Jones is special: Jones has size, speed, hands, and playmaking ability to be a complete No.1 receiver in the NFL. He also has the strength to break tackles and make plays after the catch. He has played on a big stage at Alabama, which should prepare him for the pressures of the NFL.
Why he goes here: Since their high school days, Jones and Georgia receiver AJ Green have always been the center of debate on which one is better. Green has made a few more plays in college than Jones, Nonetheless, it's still close to tell.
Why he fits: Sam Bradford needs help and more dynamic weapons in the passing game at his disposal. Jones gives the Rams a young receiver to parallel in development of their franchise signal caller.
#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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Why Jenkins is special: Jenkins has the instincts, man coverage ability, change of direction, and ball skills to be a top NFL corner.
Why he goes here: Jenkins lacks strength to go up against some of the bigger NFL receivers such as Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Andre Johnson.
Why he fits: Jenkins could pair up with Aqib Talib to give the Bucs a pair of young corners for the future. They could be at an advantage, as they both will learn from future Hall of Famer, Ronde Barber.
#18 Miami Dolphins: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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Why Bailey is special: Bailey can play the strong side in a 4-3 at defensive end, rush the passer, and be effective versus the run. He also has the size to play effectively inside in a 3-4, and then kick back outside in passing situations.
Why he goes here: Bailey didn't exactly set the world on fire this year Miami, but is still a very good caliber player.
Why he fits: The Dolphins like big players and Bailey is a big defensive end whom they can move around.
#17 Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherod, OT, Miss St.
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Why Sherrod is special: Holding your own against SEC defensive ends will warrant yourself attention in itself. Excelling against those defensive ends will warrants 1st round consideration.
Why he goes here: There looks to be a run on offensive tackes in the 1st frame of the draft next April, especially in the middle of the round. Sherrod will hear his name called around this time.
Why he fits: The Colts need to upgrade their offensive line. They have no running game, and have "protection problems" against athletic 3-4 defenses Peyton Manning has been quoted saying. They missed on Tony Ugoh, but will will study Sherrod hard so that won't happen again.
#16 Seattle Seahawks: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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Why Dowling is special: Big cornerbacks are a premium in the NFL, and at 6-2, 200 pounds, Dowling fits the mold. Dowling excels in coverage and his size allows him to matchup with big receivers with ease. His size, speed, and cover ability remind many of former Raven, Chris McAlister.
Why he goes here: Dowling sufferend a knee injury and it has limited his playing time this season.
Why he fits: With his size, Pete Carrol will look to throw Dowling on rival NFC West receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Crabtree to combat their size and strength for the Seahawks and their 12th man crowd.
#15 New England Patriots (from Oakland): Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
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Why Ayers is special: a great athlete with size and speed, Ayers can play defensive end and outside linebacker in a 3-4. He could also play the Sam linebacker in the 4-3.
Why he goes here: Ayers will have to shed the tweener label.
Why he fits: Belichick has re-tooled his defense with young, versatile players. Ayers will be no different.
#14 San Diego Chargers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Why Fairley is special: Fairley has the size, quickness, and strength to transition to a 3-4 defensive end. He has been a terror in the SEC for years and his motor is top notch.
Why he goes here: The Chargers will take the best player on the board, Fairley, and add to their defensive front.
Why he fits: Fairley, 6-5, and nearly 300 pounds has great size for a 3-4 end, and the Chargers, unlike traditional 3-4 defenses, actually use their ends to be play makers. Fairley will be a seamless fit.
#13 Cleveland Browns: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Why Ingram is special: The 2009 Heisman winner is a strong, powerful runner, with great quickness, vision, and balance. He reminds people of a faster Emmitt Smith. His speed is much better than given credit for.
Why he goes here: The mantra says running backs can be found in later rounds. While this may be true, the later round runners do not possess the talented attributes of Mark Ingram.
Why he fits: Peyton Hillis has made a name for himself in the NFL this season as a starting running back. The NFL is a 2-back league and a combo of the Hillis and Ingram could run the Browns to victories during those cold Cleveland Novembers and Decembers.
#12 Minnesota Vikings: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Why Bowers is special: Finally putting it all together this year Bowers combine physical gifts of explosion, strength, speed, quickness, and athletic ability with passion, a motor, and drive. He has all the gifts of a complete defensive end.
Why he goes here: There are 3-4 elite defensive ends that will go early in the draft. Bowers is one of them.
Why he fits: Bowers gives the Vikes another pass rusher, to go along with Jared Allen and Ray Edwards. They also have another young pass rusher in Everson Griffen, and Bowers will give this unit talent and depth.
#11 Houston Texans: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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Why Heyward is special: Heyward has the size and strength to be a strongside end in the NFL. 6-5, and 290 pounds, Heyward can just overwhelm blockers with his strength, and has a solid 1st step.
Why he goes here: The top 10 fluctuates up until the draft, and Heyward is top 10 tier talent. Team needs and quarterbacks have him go here.
Why he fits: The last time the Texans drafted a defensive end in the 1st round worked out well, and Heyward gives Houston another big defensive end to go along with Mario Williams. Besides, you can never have too many pass rushers to get after #18 in Indy.
#10 Washington Redskins: Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
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Why Mallet is special: 6-7, 240 pounds, cannon arm, moxy, and a good leader. Mallet shredded the loaded SEC for 2 years as a starter at Arkansas.
Why he goes here: Luck and Locker have been the top 2 prospects all year, but Mallet has made noise in his won right.
Why he fits: Mike Shanahan supposedly gave Donovan McNabb $70 million, but come to find out, his contract wasn't nearly that much, and the Redskins can get out of the deal after a year. It's no secret Shanahan wanted Sam Bradford last year, and this year gets a young QB to build around for he and young Kyle Shanahan's future in Washington.
#9 Tennessee Titans: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Why Clayborn is special: Surprising strength, combined with a quick first step, Clayborn is a supreme athlete off the edge. He can chase and pursue anyone down from the back side, he also has an ability to finish when he's near the QB.
Why he goes here: Clayborn is another one of the elite defensive ends in the draft.
Why he fits: The Titans get another edge rusher to get a push from their front four. Jeff Fisher always puts toughness and defense first, and Clayborn fits the notion and gives the Titans another athletic player to come off the edge.
#8 Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Why Castonzo is special: Good size, frame, and technique. Castonzo could play either tackle spot and plays well in the run game and passing game. He has added weight this season and it has served him well.
Why he goes here: Castonzo is billed as the top linemen prospect in the draft.
Why he fits: Castonzo adds depth and beefs up the Cowboys front line. He could be a near future replacement for left tackle Doug Free, or right tackle Marc Colombo.
#7 San Francisco 49ers: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Why Locker is special: He possesses all the physical tools, athleticism and talent to be a top flight NFL QB. Locker has arm strength, size, speed, and work ethic and passion to be great. The sky is the limit for his ceiling.
Why he goes here: Locker's stock has fallen for 2 reasons. First, he didn't show as big a jump in his development in his 2nd year under Steve Sarkisian. Second, Andrew Luck.
Why he fits: The 49ers likely will have anew staff, which means they will have no attachment to Alex Smith. Smith has looked ok in stretches, but the new regime will look for a fresh start.
#6 Denver Broncos: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Why Amukamara is special: At 6-1, 205 pounds, he has the size and strength to eliminate receivers out of the game. He can jam in man coverage and change direction fluidly in zone. He's a complete corner who brings toughness and helps in run support.
Why he goes here: He's an elite player at an important position.
Why he fits: Champ Bailey is not getting any younger, and Denver botched the Alphonso Smith pick. Amukamara is a future lock down corner who'll immediately sync himself to Champ Bailey hip to learn from the future Hall of Famer.
#5 Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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Why Quinn is special: Size, speed, and strength to do what he wants on the field. Could add some weight and not lose any quickness. Great first step, pass rushing ability, and solid versus the run. Quinn is the top defensive end prospect in this draft.
Why he goes here: Missed a year due to violation of NCAA rules while at UNC. Some character concerns and questions.
Why he fits: Arizona employs a multiple base scheme, going back and forth between a 3-4 and 4-3. Quinn can stand up and rush off the edge in a 3-4, is athletic enough to drop into coverage, and can also expose an offense with his hand down in a 4-3.
#4 Buffalo Bills: AJ Green, WR, Georgia
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Why Green is special: A smooth athlete who makes everything look easy, Green is future No.1 receiver in the NFL. He has supreme athletic ability, hands, ball skills, route running, concentration, leaping ability, explosiveness, and speed.
Why he goes here: He's the top receiver in the draft.
Why he fits: Buffalo thinks it may have a hidden gem in Ryan Fitzpatrick, and they are intrigued at what he could do with Green, Steve Johnson, and CJ Spiller at his disposal.
#3 Cincinnati Bengals: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Why Dareus is special: 6-3, 306 pounds of greatness. Dareus can do it all, including knock out Colt McCoy from the National Championship game. Powerful, Dareus has great size, quickness, explosion off the ball, strength, and is a bonafide difference maker.
Why he goes here: The Lions have tough choice to make, pair Dareus up with N'Damakong Suh or take the need in Patrick Peterson...hmmm
Why he fits: The Bengals and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer plug him inside at defensive tackle in their 4-3 scheme and let him loose in the AFC North.
#2 Detroit Lions: Patrick Peterson,CB, LSU
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Why he's special: Peterson reminds scouts of Charles Woodson. He can man up, jam, play off-man, change direction with ease in zone, come up and hit in run support, and also return kicks and punts. He's also 6-1, weighs nearly 220 pounds.
Why he goes here: The Lions take Peterson and get value and need, rather than take Dareus.
Why he fits: The Lions need a cornerback. Jim Schwartz is building a good defense in Mo-Town and Peterson will be cornerstone with Suh.
#1 Carolina Panthers: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Why Luck is special: Luck has it all. Size, arm strength, mobility, toughness, accuracy, touch, ball handling, running ability, smarts, leadership, and work ethic. Luck is special. Period.
Why he goes here: QB's almost always go first in the draft and Luck is the top field general in this class.
Why he fits: Carolina needs to start over. John Fox will probably be let go and Jimmy Clausen has not proved anything to steer the Panthers away from Luck. Carolina also needs a franchise player to put fans in the seats since Julius Peppers departed for the Bears. Luck will have the Carolina region buzzing with excitement and give them hope for the future.
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