2011 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions For Each First-Round Pick
The 2011 NFL Draft should be one of the weirdest. With a lockout sure to be looming at that point, the lucky young men who get called to the stage will be wondering when their NFL career will officially start. Though there might not be football next September, that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate on how teams are going to draft. Every team has needs and the draft has become a prime place to address them. So let’s take a look at some strong predictions for the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
32.Atlanta Falcons – Joseph Barksdale, OT LSU
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Barksdale has amazing potential and it would be shocking if he didn’t sneak into the first round. He shouldn't go higher because there are more proven commodities out there, but expect the Falcons to snatch him up before he falls to the second round.
31.New England Patriots – Derrick Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
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The Patriots are capable of trading both their first round picks and stockpiling third round selections. If they do stay they’ll look for insurance on the offensive line. Now that they have found a running game, they'll need to work on opening up holes.
30.Chicago Bears – Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
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The Bears have been dying for a dynamic receiver. Now that they have a big-time quarterback they have to force the issue. Even though they desperately need help on the offensive line, they’ll settle for getting this Notre Dame standout.
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29.Baltimore Ravens – Allen Bailey, DE Miami
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The Ravens aging defense needs help. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are both nearing the end. The Ravens can't rebuild all in one draft, Bailey has first round talent and the Ravens will recognize that.
28.New Orleans Saints – Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
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The Saints have more than enough offensive weapons. They’ll be looking for speed and strength on the defensive side. Ayers can rush the passer and cover a lot of ground. He’ll be a good fit for the Saints.
27.New York Jets – Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
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The Jets will get the steal of the draft if Quinn falls this low. With Jason Taylor about ready to retire, Quinn will give them the stability they need on the defensive line.
26.Pittsburgh Steelers – Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State
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Even though the Steelers needs some serious help on the offensive line, they’ll opt instead for a great defensive tackle. The Steelers believe in addressing need, but they know they can find help on the o-line in later rounds.
25.Philadelphia Eagles – Brandon Harris, CB Miami
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The Eagles only have one weakness, and that's their secondary. They have been torched on more than one occasion. Look for Andy Reid to draft Harris to help a less than stellar secondary.
24. New York Giants –Mike Pouncey, OC Florida
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With Shaun O’Hara in his 11th year, and coming off a year where he wasn’t healthy, it's time for the Giants to look to the future. They can draft Pouncey and bring him up slowly while O'Hara winds down.
23.Kansas City Chiefs – Cameron Jordan, DE California
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The Chiefs have now entered Patriots mode. They won’t be looking for flash, they want substance. Jordan can be a difference maker on the edge. The Chiefs will see that.
22.Green Bay Packers – Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
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The Packers were hurt by injuries this year. A healthy Packers team has few weaknesses. Look for the Packers to add to what is already an impressive defense.
21.San Diego Chargers – Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech
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The Chargers need a dynamic presence in the backfield. While it has been great watching Rivers throw 40 times a game, San Diego knows you win a Super Bowl on the ground. Look for Williams, the second best back in his class, to go here.
20.Jacksonville Jaguars – Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State
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There isn’t much you can say about Blackmon except that he will provide a real target for David Garrard. The Jaguars best receiver is MJD and that just won’t cut it. Expect Blackmon to be the pick here.
19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
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The Buccaneers need big time help on their defensive line. This Iowa defensive end grades out well on most of the scouting reports. Look for the Bucs to draft him if he’s still around.
18.Indianapolis Colts – Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
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Everybody runs on the Colts. They are ranked 28th in yards allowed on the ground. They’ll take Von Miller because he can help stop the run and he’s quick enough to drop back into coverage.
17.Miami Dolphins – Tyron Smith, OT USC
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The Dolphins might need a quarterback. They could use help in the backfield too. Either way, there won’t be anything in that spot the Dolphins will waste a pick on. They’ll take Smith at the 16 spot and hope he can open up more holes for the running game.
16.Patriots(from Oakland) –Janoris Jenkins, CB Florida
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Look for the Patriots to trade out of this spot. However, if they decide to keep the pick look for them to add to their young defense. They need help in their secondary, and Jenkins grades high and should do well in the Patriots system.
15.St. Louis Rams – Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
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It would be a little shocking to see this talent fall out of the top 10, but there aren’t a lot of teams that will need him. Chris Long isn’t working out so well in St. Louis, and with this team on the cusp they will need to get themselves a presence on the D-line. They could really use a wide receiver, but there shouldn’t be anyone available worth taking at 14.
14.Seattle Seahawks – Cam Newton, QB Auburn
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This is where Seattle gets crafty. Newton will still be riding high off a storybook season. Pete Carroll knows that Hasselbeck only has a season or two left. Since spread quarterbacks take time to develop (look at Michael Vick and Vince Young) it’s likely they draft Newton knowing they’ll have a little time to groom him.
13.Tennessee Titans – Nate Solder, OT Colorado
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The Titans don’t have a glaring weakness. With Jeff Fisher on his way out its likely the Titans will play it safe and draft for offensive line help. With Chris Johnson being the main cog to the offense and Vince Young often needing extra protection to make decisions, Solder seems to make sense.
12.Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
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Favre is done. Tavaris Jackson is a great number two to have. They need a solid young quarterback to lead an already talented cast. Mallett won’t be the Vikings first choice, but Luck and Locker will be off the board, so Mallett will make the most sense.
11.Washington Redskins – Julio Jones, WR Alabama
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Whether McNabb was too fat this season, or too lazy, the fact remains when he was on the field he had no one to throw the ball to. Their receiving core was Chris Cooley and a collection of underachievers. The Redskins needs a wide receiver in the worst way. Jones, at 6’4" has the size they like and Shanahan is a sucker for a skill position player.
10.Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
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The Texans have the right pieces to compete on offense, but far too often their secondary gets shredded. Even the inept offense of the Washington Redskins managed to torch them. They will address their secondary by taking Amukamara and hoping he’s the shut-down corner they need.
9.Dallas Cowboys – Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
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Jerry Jones doesn’t need a running back. What he really needs is defensive help. But defense doesn’t sell tickets and Jones will see the Heisman trophy back still available, and he’ll take a run at him. He’ll show everyone why he hasn’t won a ring since Jimmy Johnson left.
8.San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
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Mike Singletary will stay on for another year. The 49ers brass will do some searching and find there aren’t a lot of people clamoring to coach a team without a quarterback. With the three big QB’s off the board the 49ers will turn their attention to their defense. They need a corner back in the worst way. They’ll take Peterson and hope for a QB in the second or third rounds.
7.Cleveland Browns – A.J Green, WR Georgia
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The Browns have a need at the receiver spot. There isn’t anyone on the team that poses a real threat down the field. A.J Green is the only sure bet in the wide-out category. The Browns will draft him and have a real offensive weapon for Colt McCoy.
6.Detroit Lions – Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
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The Lions need two things: a quarterback that can stay healthy and a way to run the ball. The Lions know they are just one offensive lineman away from being a real contender. Look for Castonzo to go when the Lions do.
5.Buffalo Bills –Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
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The Bills would have a much better record if they could stop anyone. They have work to do on both their front line and their secondary. Look for them to take care of the line first. They have given up over 158 yards per game on the ground. They need a big man on the line and Dareus will be that guy for them.
4.Arizona Cardinals – Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
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Head coach Ken Wisenhunt knows he won’t survive another season with the quarterback play he got this year. He’ll look to grab a quarterback and Gabbert will be the best QB left.
3.Cincinnati Bengals – Jack Locker, QB Washington State
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You want a prediction? How about this: Marvin Lewis gets canned (finally) and their new head coach figures out that the problem in Cincinnati is Carson Palmer (and has been for a while). Locker could come in and back up Palmer for year. He’ll learn the art of throwing for pick sixes and take over once they think he’s ready.
2.Denver Broncos – Da’quan Bowers, DE Clemson
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No team has given up more points than the Denver Broncos this season. Rather than draft another skill position, they will be looking to overhaul the defensive line. Bowers is quick, and he’s strong. They’ll be hoping that with Dumervil back in action and Bowers on the line, they might actually stop somebody.
1.Carolina Panthers- Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
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There is no bold prediction here. It’s the only sure bet in the draft. Unless Luck gets into a heap of legal trouble, or his arm falls off at the combine, the Carolina Panthers will be taking him with the first pick. Jimmy Clausen is already saying goodbye to his job in Carolina.
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