2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who's Your Team Going To Take In The First Round?
The NFL Draft is impossible to predict. But it sure is fun to speculate over, for months, or years even, if your name is Mel Kiper. The draft is the poor man's playoffs and Super Bowl. Fans whose teams have a bad record suddenly have a revitalized interest in football because there is that hope you will get the next great franchise player with your first pick, or a sleeper in those later rounds.
The draft instills hope in the hopeless, and that's what this slideshow will do. Make you hopeful, possibly hateful, but probably hopeful. So before anybody from East Carolina runs a 4.1 at the combine, let me speculate as to who your team will take, and let's just hope it isn't some boring offensive lineman you've never heard of again.
So let's see who goes where, because it is never too early for a mock draft.
32. New England Patriots: Jeremy Beal, OLB/DE, Oklahoma
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Beal is big, strong and can move. At 6-3, 261 lbs, he could play OLB or put his hand in the dirt in the Patriots 3-4 scheme. Everyone seems to thrive in New England (except Randy Moss), so this would be a great place for a rookie to play pressure-free a la Brandon Spikes (before his suspension for using a banned substance).
The Patriots were looking to fill this void in the draft last year, but never got around to it. Beal is known for his smarts and work ethic, which is something the Patriots certainly appreciate. This would be a perfect fit if Beal is still around.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
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The Falcons could take a few different positions with their first overall pick, but I would say they will go for Notre Dame's tight end, Kyle Rudolph. At 6-6, 265 lbs, Rudolph should have no problem adjusting to the NFL. Tony Gonzalez told reporters that he is "50-50" on retiring this year, and there is not a better tight end in the country to take the place of the future Hall of Famer.
Rudolph (28 receptions, 328 yards, 3 TD) has great hands and was used as a major threat through the air in the six games he played in this season. But he has played in just 15 games the past two seasons due to injuries (shoulder, hamstring). Despite the minor injuries, Rudolph would be a great pick for the Falcons, especially if Gonzalez retires.
30. New York Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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The Jets need to revitalize the defensive line with an aged Jason Taylor and Trevor Pryce going down with yet another knee injury earlier this season. Cameron Heyward is the best solution. Heyward (6-5, 288 lbs) has the size to play inside and is athletic enough cause some havoc on the outside.
He would fit that Jets defensive style and allow some of those linebackers to roam and make plays in Rex Ryan's defense. A lack of production from a former Buckeye, Vernon Ghoulston, makes this pick look even more imminent.
Heyward will not blow you away with athleticism, but is fundamentally sound and teams will have to account for him. A good pick for the Jets scheme.
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29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rodney Hudson, OG, Florida State
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Ben Roethlisberger certainly doesn't help his offensive line by holding the ball for eight seconds every pass play, but the line could use a little revamping. The Steelers made a great pick last year with center Maurkice Pouncey, and should do the same again this year with their interior offensive line. And Rodney Hudson is the perfect pick.
Hudson (6-2, 285 lbs), projected by many as the best guard in the draft, was an AP All-American this year and is simply a strong, hard-nosed guard. He is quick and agile, and has filled in at every position of the offensive line at Florida State. FSU's notoriously hard-nosed offensive line coach Rick Trickett gushes when talking about Hudson, and the film shows why.
He would be perfect next to Pouncey on the Steelers offensive line.
28. Baltimore Ravens: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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Janoris Jenkins is the epitome of a cover-corner. He is aggressive, takes risks and never takes a play off. Perfect for the Baltimore Ravens. Jenkins has matched up with some big time SEC receivers over the past couple years at Florida and made teams pay last season when they were afraid to throw to last year's No. 7 overall pick, Joe Haden's side of the field.
Jenkins has good size (5-11, 188 lbs) and great speed and quickness. Great fit for the Ravens who are desperately in need of a cornerback. Jenkins has 43 tackles, and three interceptions on the year, including one for a touchdown.
27. New Orleans Saints: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
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Justin Houston is a freak pass rusher, and his 10 sacks this year certainly justify that statement. He is just a half sack behind Auburn's Nick Fairley as far as SEC sack leaders go. But Houston is special. At 6-3, 260 lbs, he was born to play in a 3-4 scheme. He is athletic enough to stand up, and big enough to get down as an end.
Houston is just a junior, but it is fair to assume he would be a first-round pick and a great pickup for the Saints, who have a glaring weakness on their weak side. He needs to develop a little bit more, but the upside is tremendous for this Bulldog.
26. New York Giants: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
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The defensive tackle-producing machine that is LSU has produced yet another first-rounder. Drake Nevis is a big man that has a nice burst and can get some penetration. As we know, the Giants have a have a great pass rush from two stud defensive ends, so Nevis should be able to add to the already great defensive line.
Nevis is just under 6-1 and 289 lbs. He is a bit undersized, but should be able to gain weight. Another plus with Nevis is that he is a little more polished than many of the other underclassmen. He is a senior who waited his turn, and it looks like that patience could payoff in the form of a first-round draft selection to a good team he can learn and develop from.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Start the Mark Colombo comparisons now. This is a can't miss pick for the Eagles who have one goal as a franchise: Protect Michael Vick. That is it. That's all they have to do, and Anthony Castonzo gives them a behemoth of a man to do that.
He measures in at 6-7, 298 lbs and is a proven run blocker and cold weather player. Very safe, very smart pick for the Eagles.
24. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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The Bears need offensive linemen worse than anybody in the league, and Gabe Carimi is a good one. Carimi has great size, quickness and the tenacity it takes to run block. He is the best offensive lineman on one of the best pro-style running teams in the country.
Measuring in at 6-7, 315 lbs, he should be a great pickup for the Bears to protect Jay Cutler.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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Dwayne Bowe needs help. That's the bottom line for this team. It is tough not to take a linebacker here and I went back and forth on it, but Jonathan Baldwin is a beast. Calvin Johnson-like size (6-5, 230 lbs) with great speed and a bad quarterback throwing to him this year.
I think he is a steal in this year's talent-rich receiver class. He should be able to produce immediately opposite Bowe and give Matt Cassel a legitimate second target to throw to.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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I'm still saying look out for the Jags to trade for Tim Tebow, but that's just me. At this point though, I think Jacksonville will take Allen Bailey from Miami. Bailey has lacked the production many expected, but he is an absolute freak at 6-4, 285 lbs.
Bailey is a defensive end, but has the size to move inside and the explosion (39 inch vertical) to get around a tackle. He is an extremely versatile player due to his great speed (4.65). The Jaguars need help in a few different areas defensively, and Bailey is a great answer.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Akeem Ayers is a 6-4, 255 lb ballhawk that NFL scouts have to be salivating over. The guy has the size, ability and motor to make every play that a OLB in either a 4-3 or 3-4 would have to make. That combination of size, speed and game film is too good to pass up. He is a can't-miss prospect who could add weight if needed.
20. Green Bay Packers: Von Miller, OLB/DE, TAMU
13 of 32Von Miller is getting the dream job of any 3-4 pass rusher. He will get to play opposite Clay Matthews as a blitzing OLB in Green Bay's 3-4 scheme. It is a job in which you are set up to succeed, and Miller has proven he can get to the quarterback. He led the nation in sacks as a junior last year and has 9.5 this year. This All-American would be perfect at Lambeau.
19. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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The Chargers could use some help on the defensive side of the football and Ryan Kerrigan would bring a hard-nosed Midwest toughness with him to the West Coast. The scouting report on Kerrigan (6-4, 259 lbs) is that he is just a pure football player, who just gets it done. He will not blow you away with with size or speed, but he has a motor and never quits.
The Chargers defense could use some toughness and Kerrigan would bring that. Good pick. Not pretty, but a good pick.
18. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
15 of 32Nate Solder's size is more than ideal at 6-9, 315 lbs, he would be one of the tallest players in the NFL. Perfect to not let those defensive ends into his chest or around him to Peyton Manning. Solder was on a bad team at Colorado, but was on all the watch lists to start the year.
Good athleticism on the former tight end and should be a great pick for the Colts whose offensive line isn't getting any younger.
17. Miami Dolphins: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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The Dolphins brought the Wildcat formation to the NFL again, and drafted Pat White to run it two years ago. That didn't go so well. Cam Newton is the man to do it. He will be able to utilize his incredible arm and legs in Miami. It also helps to have a mobile quarterback when you have a below-average offensive line with the exception of Jake Long.
Chad Henne is bad, Chad Pennington is old and probably getting hurt right now. So if Cam Newton is still around, this is a no-brainer.
16. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Justin Blackmon is an absolute beast, and with the success of Sam Bradford it is time to get him a big-time receiver. Blackmon is it. He is strong, fast and has incredible ball skills. He can go up and get it or simply out-run a smaller defensive back.
Get Bradford some weapons and the Rams could be the "Greatest Show on Turf" again.
15. Seattle Seahwaks: Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California
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Cameron Jordan will look to remain on the West Coast, but head north to Seattle where they could use a powerful defensive end like him. Jordan (6-4, 280 lbs) is strong and has a vast amount of moves at his disposal. Yet another senior who benefited from staying all four years. He is strong and polished, would fit great in any defensive scheme and could play a few different roles on the defensive line.
Jordan would be a safe but good pick for the Seahawks.
14. New England Patriots: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Aaron Williams is a big-bodied, speedy corner who can man up and rough up some guys at line of scrimmage, but have the hips and speed to retreat. He would be a great pick for the Patriots at this point, and would likely contribute immediately.
Williams is a junior, but I wouldn't look for him to stick around in Austin. The NFL is banging down this kid's door, I'm sure.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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We have all heard about how great Jake Locker is for quite some time. But the kid is on a horrible team at Washington. The Vikings proved last night how badly they need a quarterback, and with Brett Favre retiring (maybe), all signs point to Tarvaris Jackson. Locker has ideal size (6-3, 230 lbs) and arm strength, but needs to prove he's a winner. If you're the Vikings you got to take him, because he'll be the best available at the ultimate position of need.
12. Houston Texans: Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn
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This might even be too low for Nick Fairley. If the Texans can get Fairley at No. 12, it would be a miracle. Fairley, a hard-nose pass rusher and flat-out beast against the run leads the SEC in sacks (10.5). Fairley (6-5, 298 lbs) has a motor and is good with his hands. He has done almost as much for Auburn's defense as Cam Newton has done for their offense.
Plus, the Texans' pass defense is horrific. They need help and Fairley would be able to contribute immediately.
11. Washington Redskins: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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From the moment A.J. Green played his first game at Georgia, everyone knew he was a first-rounder. He is 6-4, 210 lbs and runs a legit 4.38. The only reason he isn't getting a coveted spot in the top 10 is because he happened to be in one of the best receiver draft classes in quite some time.
Green has the ability to get off the line and beat corners in a multitude of ways, and having played in a pro style offense at Georgia, his abilities should translate well to the NFL.
10. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Julio Jones and A.J. Green are similar in many ways, but Jones didn't get as many looks as Green in college which leaves some room for "Oh, what could've been..." I say this because Jones wasn't thrown to as often because he had two of the best running backs in the country on his team, including a Heisman winner, running the ball. And he was double covered based on what he did his freshman season in the SEC.
Julio Jones is freakishly like Randy Moss (6-4, 210), when Randy Moss played hard sometimes. The upside is huge and I think the Browns will take the bait.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Prince Amukamara is getting the royal treatment from Big 12 quarterbacks this year, and is simply not being thrown near, although he leads his team with seven pass breakups. With a good frame and speed, Amukamara should be a great corner in the NFL. He is tough and will come up and hit you. He's a cant-miss corner. If Mike Singletary (a defensive-minded coach) is still the coach, Amukamara has everything he likes in his defenders: size, speed and toughness.
8. Tennessee Titans: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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Robert Quinn is an over-sized, freakishly good athlete. He is 6-5, 268 lbs and extremely agile. He is a Julius Peppers type, and had great production his sophomore year on the field with 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He was runner-up for ACC Defensive Player of the Year, but had to sit out this year due to the infractions at UNC.
Sitting out shouldn't hurt his draft status though. He is the best available at his position, and the Titans would be foolish to pass on him. Perfect NFL defensive end, and the film to back it up.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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This is a lock. Matt Leinart didn't work out, so this is it. Ryan Mallett is coming out of a pro-style offense at Arkansas and has perfect size at 6-6 and an absolute rocket for an arm. Strongest arm in the class, with nice accuracy to go with it. He could push for the top overall pick based on how he works out, but right now I think he's a Cardinal.
6. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Patrick Peterson was one of the most electric players in the country this year, and he was on defense. He got the royal treatment from quarterbacks as well, and shut down his side of the field. He is a can't-miss prospect at corner, but he can help in the return game too. Having a 4.3 time certainly helps, and he has every bit of that.
He stands 6-1, 192 lbs and is the kind of corner you make in Madden. Great pick.
5. Denver Broncos: Marcel Dareus, DE, Alabama
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Marcel Dareus is what Denver defensive coordinators have been dreaming about since switching to a 3-4 scheme. Dareus is a playmaker for one of the best defenses in the country and would be a great fit, and fill a position of need for the Broncos. If they keep the 3-4 scheme, Marcel Dareus is their man.
Pop in a tape of last year's National Championship. Dareus took home MVP honors. Game changer born to play in this system.
4. Detroit Lions: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Adrian Clayborn was a three-year starter for a very good college defense at Iowa. he finished his junior year with 20 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 70 tackles. Impressive. I think it is that kind of production against talented Big 10 offensive linemen that will seal his fate as a top pick. He is 6-4, 285 lbs, a little smaller than the other defensive ends, but nobody has the film he has.
He would compliment Ndamukong Suh on the outside. Who wouldn't though, right?
3. Buffalo Bills: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon St.
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The Buffalo Bills have a vast amount of ways they can go with what is sure to be a top pick. But based on what would make the least sense, and be very safe, I think they'll go with Stephen Paea. Paea is on a bad team, but is a great player. Paea finished last season with 8.5 tackles for loss and finished the season with 43 tackles. Not bad for a guy who played football one year in high school.
He is 6-1, 304 lbs. A complete load to handle, but will certainly need some polish. A safe pick.
2. Cincinnatti Bengals: DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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This guy is downright scary. He will give the Bengals size and athleticism at the defensive end position. At 6-4, 280 lbs he is ideally built for the NFL. But it is his quickness off the line that leaves offensive linemen frozen. He is enormous and slippery. Teams game plan around him, yet he is still disruptive. He will test like an absolute freak as well, which will insure his selection in the top two.
Cincy can use some help on the defensive side of the football and Bowers could be a future Pro Bowler.
1. Carolina Panthers: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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The safest pick in the draft goes to the Carolina Panthers. I think the thing that sets Andrew Luck apart from the other quarterbacks, is that the guy just wins. He is smart, strong, great size (6-4, 235 lbs) and can make every single throw. He played in a pro-style offense and with everyone watching how well Sam Bradford is playing, I think it just confirms Luck as the best player in this draft at a position the Carolina Panthers need.
No-brainer. Best player in the draft.
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