2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will the Panthers Really Skip a QB at No. 1?
Aside from what happens in the playoffs, the 2011 Draft order is starting to fall into place.
Will the Carolina Panthers give up on Jimmy Clausen and take Andrew Luck? Or will they give the Notre Dame alumni some real talent to throw to?
Is Carson Palmer on his way out of Cincinnati? How about the situation at quarterback Minnesota is dealing with right now?
All that will be answered in this 2011 NFL Mock Draft...NOW!
1. Carolina Panthers
1 of 32
Athlete: Andrew Luck
School: Stanford
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 235
Position: Quarterback
The Panthers already made the mistake of drafting a quarterback late in the draft and expecting great things out of him. Carolina should draft Luck No. 1 overall based on what has happened with Sam Bradford and the positive things he has already done with St. Louis. It's just not realistic that they could pass on a quarterback with the strength, size and athletic ability that Luck has. Count on it.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
2 of 32
Athlete: Patrick Peterson
School: Louisiana State
Ht.: 6-1
Wt.: 222
Position: Cornerback
Peterson is the most skilled defensive player to come out of the 2011 class. A great cover corner, he practically shut down Georgia's A.J. Green and Alabama's Julio Jones this year. The Bengals secondary got torched all year long resulting in a terrible season. Peterson would be an instant starter and impact player for the Bengals.
3. Denver Broncos
3 of 32
Athlete: A.J Green
School: Georgia
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 212
Position: Wide Receiver
Simply put, the kid is a freak. He's racked up 771 yards and pulled down nine touchdowns for the Bulldogs this season. Has great hands, size, speed and agility. Thanks to Josh McDaniels, the Denver offense has lost its firepower and A.J. Green is the perfect guy to give the Broncos the spark they need.
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4. Arizona Cardinals
4 of 32
Athlete: Ryan Mallett
School: Arkansas
Ht.: 6-6
Wt.: 238
Position: Quarterback
The Cardinals were completely lost this season after losing Kurt Warner and giving up on Matt Leinart. Despite losing Anquan Boldin last off-season, there are still offensive weapons in Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. Mallett can put the ball in places where Fitzgerald can go up and get it. Look for Mallett to be in Arizona next spring.
5. Detroit Lions
5 of 32
Athlete: Prince Amukamara
School: Nebraska
Ht.: 6'1
Wt.: 205
Position: Defensive Back
That'll be a fun name to chant. Detroit saw the positive effect of drafting a defensive player with Ndamukong Suh (another fun name) and it needs to build on it. Why not draft his old teammate? Amukamara is a converted running back, so he has great hands to go along with his covering ability. He is a very physical corner who can help the Lions continue to improve.
6. Buffalo Bills
6 of 32
Athlete: Da'Qwan Bowers
School: Clemson
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 280
Position: Defensive Tackle
An absolute beast on the defensive line, Bowers is a certain Top 10 pick. The Bills looked as if they would draft a quarterback based on early season results, but Ryan Fitzpatrick has been playing better lately. The Bills really need someone like Bowers who can jam up the line and wreak havoc on quarterbacks and running backs.
7. Washington Redskins
7 of 32
Athlete: Jake Locker
School: Washington
Ht.: 6-3
Wt.: 230
Position: Quarterback
Why not? Shanahan has already showed that he doesn't want McNabb to be the future of the Washington Redskins. It will all depend on what happens with McNabb's contract, but the Redskins need a QB and Rex Grossman isn't going to cut it down the road. Locker is an NFL-caliber quarterback and Washington needs a fresh face under center.
8. San Francisco 49ers
8 of 32
Athlete: Marcell Dareus
School: Alabama
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 306
Position: Defensive Tackle
While the San Francisco offense is still in the works, there is a good chance they will draft another defensive stud if Mike Singletary is the head coach next season. Marcell Dareus from Alabama is one of the best defensive tackles on the board and can play defensive end as well. The 49ers will be looking for help on the defensive front and Dareus can be that guy.
9. Houston Texans
9 of 32
Athlete: Janoris Jenkins
School: Florida
Ht.: 5-11
Wt.: 188
Position: Cornerback
The Texans secondary is by far the worst in the league and it needs help fast. What Janoris Jenkins lacks in size he makes up for in speed. He has lockdown cover ability and can handle most wide receivers without safety help. Jenkins is a great fit for the struggling Texans secondary.
10. Minnesota Vikings
10 of 32
Athlete: Cam Newton
School: Auburn
Ht.: 6-6
Wt.: 250
Position: Quarterback
Without question Newton is one of the premier quarterbacks in the draft. Newton is a threat on the ground and through the air. Minnesota passed on drafting a quarterback last season and I think it's safe to say Tavaris Jackson isn't the future of the franchise. If Newton falls into the lap of the Vikings, expect them to take him. He will have great wide receivers in Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice to work with. Newton can help the Vikings become a contender again in the NFC North.
11. Cleveland Browns
11 of 32
Athlete: Julio Jones
School: Alabama
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 220
Position: Wide Receiver
Even if Eric Mangini isn't the coach of the Browns next season, it seems as if they are going to stick with Colt McCoy. That said, he needs a big target to throw to. Julio Jones has great size and strength to help McCoy in the passing game. If Jones ends up in Cleveland, expect an instant impact on the offensive side of the ball.
12. Tennessee Titans
12 of 32
Athlete: Nick Fairley
School: Auburn
Ht.: 6-5
Wt.: 298
Position: Defensive Tackle
Fairley is another monster inside and the Tennessee defense needs some pressure up front. The Titans' first round will depend on what happens with Vince Young, but assuming he stays in Tennessee, the organization should look at stacking up its defense. If Fairley is still available at No. 12, look for the Titans to snag him.
13. Dallas Cowboys
13 of 32
Athlete: Anthony Castonzo
School: Boston College
Ht.: 6-7
Wt.: 308
Position: Offensive Tackle
The Cowboys offensive line was ineffective as they started off the season 1-7. This probably made Jerry Jones regret not re-signing Flozell Adams. Dallas picked up Dez Bryant last year when everyone thought an offensive lineman was in store, so look for the Cowboys to grab the 6-7, 308-pound Castonzo.
14. Seattle Seahawks
14 of 32
Athlete: Stephen Paea
School: Oregon State
Ht.: 6-1
Wt.: 311
Position: Defensive Tackle
The Seahawks give up 120 rushing yards per game and need a strong presence on the inside. The Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year can provide just that. Paea is smaller in size but brings a fierce tenacity in his ability to get in the backfield.
15. New England Patriots (from Oakland)
15 of 32
Athlete: Adrian Clayborn
School: Iowa
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 285
Position: Defensive End
New England needs some more impact players on the line and a defensive end with the strength of Clayborn could be a great fit. During his senior season, Clayborn tallied 52 tackles including seven tackles for loss. The Patriots need an impact player who can stop the run.
16. Miami Dolphins
16 of 32
Athlete: Rodney Hudson
School: Florida State
Ht.: 6-2
Wt.: 282
Position: Offensive Guard
The Dolphins are in need of an offensive guard as the line has been struggling this year. Hudson was named first team All-ACC for three straight seasons and is probably the best guard in the 2011 class. Miami shouldn't pass on Hudson if he is still on the board.
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
17 of 32
Athlete: Akeem Ayers
School: UCLA
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 225
Position: Outside Linebacker
The Bucs surprised everyone this season and have been steadily improving. Tampa Bay needs to fill a few holes on defense, especially in the linebacker position. Akeem Ayers has quick feet and can track down ball carriers. Also, Ayers is a great pass rusher and can push quarterbacks out of the pocket.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars
18 of 32
Athlete: Rahim Moore
School: UCLA
Ht.: 6-1
Wt.: 196
Position: Safety
The Jaguars still need to develop their defense in the secondary if they want continue to be a threat in the AFC South. Rahim Moore is one of the best defensive backs in the draft and can be a good fit for Jacksonville. Moore racked up 77 tackles this season and has 14 career interceptions.
19. San Diego Chargers
19 of 32
Athlete: Von Miller
School: Texas A&M
Ht.: 6-3
Wt.: 243
Position: Outside Linebacker
San Diego could use a good linebacker as the defense has shown some holes this year. Von Miller has great speed and quickness and should fit right into the Chargers defense. The Aggie received All-Big 12 honors last season and should repeat this season.
20. Green Pay Packers
20 of 32
Athlete: Mark Ingram
School: Alabama
Ht.: 5-10
Wt.: 215
Position: Running Back
With Ryan Grant going down in the first week of the season, the Packers struggled to find an effective replacement. Seeing as Grant is injury prone, a smart move would be to draft a running back for the future. Ingram is fast, strong and already NFL material.
21. St. Louis Rams
21 of 32
Athlete: Ryan Broyles
School: Oklahoma
Ht.: 5-11
Wt.: 183
Position: Wide Receiver
Ryan Broyles would be the most logical wide receiver for the Rams to draft. He has great athletic ability, speed, strength and above all, has already played with Sam Bradford. The Rams are concerned with surrounding Bradford with the right players and Broyles is the right guy for the job.
22. Kansas City Chiefs
22 of 32
Athlete: DeAndre Brown
School: Southern Mississippi
Ht.: 6-6
Wt.: 239
Position: Wide Receiver
DeAndre Brown is an absolute beast. The Chiefs are getting some good production out of Matt Cassel, but he needs another target to take the pressure off Dwayne Bowe. If Cassel had another huge receiver alongside Bowe, the Chiefs offense could be dynamic.
23. Indianapolis Colts
23 of 32
Athlete: Gabe Carimi
School: Wisconsin
Ht.: 6-7
Wt.: 327
Position: Offensive Tackle
The Colts have been banged up all season and it wouldn't hurt to get some young talent on the offensive line. When it comes to the Colts offense, protecting Peyton Manning is the first priority. Carimi is big and athletic enough to step in whenever he is needed.
24. New York Giants
24 of 32
Athlete: DeMarcus Love
School: Arkansas
Ht.: 6-5
Wt.: 215
Position: Offensive Tackle
The Giants have a veteran offensive line but don't be surprised if it breaks down in the next couple of seasons. Eli Manning has proven his ability to find the open man if given time, so a smart move would be to pick up DeMarcus Love. Love was selected First Team All-SEC and is a major reason Ryan Mallett has been so productive.
25. New Orleans Saints
25 of 32
Athlete: Ryan Kerrigan
School: Purdue
Ht.: 6-4
Wt.: 263
Position: Defensive End
The Saints could use a good pass rusher and Ryan Kerrigan out of Purdue has that ability. The Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year has 26 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles during his senior campaign. Kerrigan is already NFL-ready and could be scooped up by a needy New Orleans Saints.
26. Chicago Bears
26 of 32
Athlete: Nate Solder
School: Colorado
Ht.: 6-9
Wt.: 315
Position: Offensive Tackle
Nate Solder is one of the biggest offensive lineman in the draft and has speed as well as agility. He runs the 40 in 4.88 seconds, which is amazing considering his size. If he falls this far, Chicago shouldn't hesitate to grab him.
27. New York Jets
27 of 32
Athlete: Drake Nevis
School: Louisiana State
Ht.: 6-2
Wt.: 289
Position: Defensive Tackle
Nevis led the Tigers with 16 tackles for loss and tied for sacks with six. He's quick off the ball and takes advantage of slower offensive lineman. Nevis gets in the backfield before the offense knows what hit them.
28. Baltimore Ravens
28 of 32
Athlete: Aaron Williams
School: Texas
Ht.: 6-1
Wt.: 192
Position: Cornerback
Baltimore has been known for its defense for the past decade, but some of those players are getting older. Look for the Ravens to grab a CB with the 28th pick as Williams is one of the fastest corners in the draft. He is a little on the skinny side, but nothing a few months in the weight room can't handle.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
29 of 32
Athlete: Orlando Franklin
School: Miami (FL)
Ht.: 6-7
Wt.: 315
Position: Offensive Tackle
Orlando Franklin could be the perfect fit for the Steelers as they need a young offensive lineman. Franklin is big up front and can handle quick defensive lineman. Big Ben could use a little more protection as he is frequently pushed out of the pocket.
30. Atlanta Falcons
30 of 32
Athlete: Kyle Rudolph
School: Notre Dame
Ht.: 6-6
Wt.: 265
Position: Tight End
Rudolph has a huge frame and is as athletic as they come. Tony Gonzalez is still effective, but he may be at the end of his playing days depending on how well the Falcons do in the postseason. Either way, the tutoring from Gonzalez for even one year will enable Rudolph to fill Tony G's shoes.
31. Philadelphia Eagles
31 of 32
Athlete: Curtis Brown
School: Texas
Ht.: 6-0
Wt.: 185
Position: Cornerback
Brown has excellent speed and quickness. The Philly offense is stacked at the skill positions so the Eagles need to load up on talented secondary players. Injuries are more common on the defensive side of the ball and age will play a factor in the coming years. Look for the Eagles to snag Brown at the end of the first round.
32. New England Patriots
32 of 32
Athlete: Jeremy Beal
School: Oklahoma
Ht.: 6-3
Wt.: 267
Position: Outside Linebacker
The Patriots seem to be set on offense and Tom Brady has surrounded himself with targets from the 2010 Draft. Jeremy Beal is a beefy outside linebacker with incredible athletic ability. The Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the year leads the Big 12 in tackles and is second in sacks. If Beal falls this far in the draft, expect the Patriots to scoop him up.
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