2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who's Your Team Targeting In the First Round?
The 2011 NFL draft is only four months away as the 2010 NFL season winds down.
Roughly half the league still has playoff aspirations in their sights while the other half is already thinking about the future.
What's your teams biggest need? What player are you hoping to snag?
Let's take a look at a 2011 mock draft and let the debate begin.
32. New England Patriots- Allen Bailey
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The Pats will have the luxury of two first round picks and expect them to draft some help on the defensive line with their late pick.
Ty Warren will return next year, but the Patriots still need help. Allen Bailey is one of the top players available.
The 6'4 285 pound lineman can stuff the run and is athletic enough to pressure the quarterback.
He was named First Team All-ACC at defensive tackle by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association in '09.
31. Atlanta Falcons- Kyle Rudolph
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Tony Gonzalez is a Hall of Famer. But he has told reporters this season that he's "50-50" on retiring after the 2010 campaign.
If he says goodbye, the Falcons will really need help at tight end.
Kyle Rudolph was able to collect 28 catches for 328 yards and three touchdowns through six games before having season ending hamstring surgery.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder is agile and a great pass-catcher who could line up wide as a receiver in certain sets.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers- Gabe Carimi
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The glaring weakness for the Steelers the past two seasons has been on the offensive line. The inability to keep a clean pocket for Big Ben has been a huge issue, one that needs to be addressed early on in the '11 draft.
Carmi has been extremely consistent for the BCS bound Wisconsin Badgers. The senior has started 48 games in his career, including the last 32 in a row.
He is he anchor of a offensive line that allowed a mere 12 sacks in 12 games and featured the 12th best rushing attack in college football.
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29. Philadelphia Eagles- Mike Pouncey
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Another team with a big hole at on the offensive line. They've surrendered 37 sacks this year, including three in the rematch against the Giants.
Drafting Mike Pouncey would really benefit both Mike Vick and LeSean McCoy.
He can play multiple positions along the offensive line. Standing at 6’4” and 310 pounds Pouncey is the new prototype for NFL centers—beefy, muscular, and athletic.
28. Baltimore Ravens- Aaron Williams
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The Ravens will need to make a few additions to their secondary in 2011.
Only two players will be under contract: Lardarius Webb and Domonique Foxworth. Foxworth had ACL surgery this season so the position must be addressed early and often for the Ravens.
Aaron Williams has above average size for the position and possesses top-end speed, he may be one of the fastest players in the game right now. He's very smart and has shown exceptionally leadership at Texas.
He posses all the skills needed to be an excellent man-to-man corner.
27. New York Jets- Cameron Heyward
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The Jets have a rapidly aging defensive line and need to infuse some young energy into it. If they want to consistently beat the Pats, the Jets are going to need to bring more heat onto Tom Brady.
Cameron Heyward is a punishing DT that is extremely quick to the ball. He acquired 42 tackles and three sacks for the Buckeyes this season.
He can use a quick first step and explosive burst to push back guards/tackles on their heels.
26. Chicago Bears- Anthony Castonzo
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Jay Cutler has taken a beating this season and the line has taken the majority of the blame.
Drafting offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo could be a huge step in solidifying the Bears offensive line.
He does an excellent job at shifting his feet and staying in front of pass rushers. He uses his long arms to engage defenders and knock them off balance. Castonzo has been starting on the Boston College offensive line since his freshman season.
The experience factor is huge for a team that needs an OT to play right away.
25. New Orleans Saints- Adrian Clayborn
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The Saints need to increase their pass rush in order to create the massive amounts of turnovers the defense produced in 2009. Upgrading the talent level along the defensive line is definitely going to be a priority.
Adrian Clayborn has the ability to play as a defensive tackle or as an end that can put pressure on the opponents QB. His versatility should be enticing enough for a first round selection. The only reason he drops this far is due to a few minor character issues that teams seem to over-react to in the past few seasons.
24. New York Giants- Travis Lewis
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The Giants could use an athletic linebacker that can stop the run and defend in pass coverage.
At this point Travis Lewis is the best player on the board who makes sense for the Giants.
The 6'2, 240 pound outside linebacker has been a All Big 12 performer the past three seasons.
The junior might decide to stay in college for his senior season, but will be a first round pick if he goes.
23. Kansas City Chiefs- Jonathan Baldwin
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Kansas City has got to get another formidable receiver to lineup across from Dwayne Bowe. Already possessed with an elite running game, the passing game needs to keep pace.
Jonathan Baldwin has struggled this year due to QB issues, but he's still a physical freak at 6-5, 230. His ability to out jump DB's in the end zone would be a great addition for KC. Baldwin also excels at finding the opening in a defensive zone and settles nicely in those openings.
If he is still on the board, the Chiefs would jump at the opportunity to grab him.
22. Indianapolis Colts- Derek Sherrod
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Protecting Peyton Manning is vital for any sort of success for the Colts. Having a reliable tackle to protect Manning's blind side is vital. Left tackle Charlie Johnson will be a free agent in March 2011. He's a solid player, but he's not the elite blind-side protector Manning needs.
Derek Sherrod, with his durability and footwork, has the potential to protect Manning for the rest of Peyton's storied career.
21. St. Louis- Justin Blackmon
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Who would have guessed that the Rams would have a pick this late into the first round?
The team has exceeded expectations in Sam Bradford's rookie season. But the Rams have been decimated by injuries at the wide receiver position.
Giving Bradford a go to target would really push the offense to the next level, and reduce the load on not only Bradford, but Steven Jackson as well.
Justin Blackmon can be a extremely dangerous threat for the Rams. He had 102 catches, 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He scored a TD in EVERY game. This is a can't miss talent.
20. Green Bay Packers- Von Miller
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Clay Matthews has been incredible on one side for Green Bay, but they could still use more help on the other side. Von Miller has the athletic ability to reach the level of Matthews.
The 2010 Butkus award winner, and 2009 first-team All-American, Miller was the Big 12 sack leader for the second straight year with 9.5 sacks in 2010.
He is the most complete linebacker in the draft and a steal at No. 20.
A pass rush that features Miller and Matthews would make it a lot easier for the rest of the defense to do their job.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ryan Kerrigan
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Ryan Kerrigan can provide consistent pressure off the edges and would be a great complement to '09 third overall pick Gerald McCoy.
Kerrigan has 210 career tackles at Purdue to go along with 13 sacks. The potential for Kerrigan is very intriguing. He had a four-sack game against Michigan and was able to record 10 or more tackles in three games this past season.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars- Cameron Jordan
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The Jags defensive line has been solid but they can't pass up on Cameron Jordan.
Jordan is a disciplined defensive end comes off the ball low and shows excellent strength at the point of attack.
He takes the proper angles and continues to improve his technique. Jordan is a safe pick to be a NFL player for years to come.
17. San Diego Chargers- Akeem Ayers
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The Chargers need a quality receiver but with Jones off the board, the Chargers decide to go with the sure thing.
Akeem Ayers has been a beast in the PAC-10 and is versatile enough to play any position on the D-Line. He is very quick and is excellent at chasing down the ball carrier. He is very focused and always around the football. Rarely do you find Ayers out of position.
There is so much talent and potential in Akeem, the Chargers will not be able to pass him up.
16. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram
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After disappointing seasons from Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, the running game will look very different for the Dolphins in 2011.
Mark Ingram had an almost perfect '09 season that culminated in a championship and Heisman. This year his team didn't live up to expectations, but Ingram still produced despite a nagging knee injury.
He was able to collect 816 yards and 11 TDs despite missing the first two games of the season.
Ingram would be a great fit in the Dolphins power running attack.
15. New England Patriots- Brandon Harris
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Most teams in the Pats position would snag Ingram to help bolster a below average running game. But not the Patriots. Look for New England to select a defense player and the U's Brandon Harris would fit in nicely.
The Patriots secondary has been a work in progress all season and adding a talent like Harris would really benefit the entire defense.
Harris has excellent speed and quickness with outstanding vision. He shows a good burst and can turn with the receivers.
14. Tennessee Titans- Stephen Paea
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The Titans have lost a plethora of stud defensive lineman to free agency over the past three seasons. They now need to reload and if Albert Haynesworth doesn't whine and moan his way out of Washington and back to the Titans, expect Tennessee to grab a tackle.
Stephen Paea won the 2010 Morris Award for the top defensive lineman in the PAC-10 after also winning the award in '09. He recorded 45 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and six sacks this season.
13. Seattle Seahawks- Jake Locker
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The Seahawks are in desperate need of acquiring a franchise QB. Matt Hasselbeck is just not cutting it.
Jake Locker should have entered the draft after his junior season as many experts declared him the top talent in the draft.
After a miserable 2010 where both Locker and his team struggled mightily, the Washington QB has dropped down the "big board."
However, this is the perfect spot for Locker. He gets to stay in his hometown where fans already follow him, and he gets to learn under Hasselbeck for a year before taking over as the starter.
12. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus
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The 2010 Browns have been bloodied by any team that can run the ball. They rank near the bottom in every statistic involving stopping the run.
Enter Alabama's Marcell Dareus.
A hard worker on and off the field and well-respected by teammates and coaches. At 6'2 and 300 pounds, he is the prototypical size for a defensive tackle in the NFL.
He is a top 10 talent that will drop due to off the field issues.
In September, the NCAA declared him ineligible for the first two games of the year after he accepted about $2,000 while on a trip to Miami.
11. Minnesota Vikings- Cam Newton
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So let's assume that Brett Favre will finally decide to retire for good. That means the Vikings will have to place a QB on the top of their wish list.
Minnesota would prefer Mallett, but with Ryan of the board the Vikings go for the next best talent.
Cam Newton has been to most talked about college football player in 2010—for better or for worse. But his stats really jump off the page: 2,589 passing yards and 28 TDs in 13 games for Auburn.
His ability to run the ball (1409 yards in '10) will really intrigue the Vikings and should be enough to select him with the 11th overall pick.
Imagine a offense that features Newton playing with Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin.
That would be one explosive team.
10. Houston Texans- Nick Fairley
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Back-to-back Auburn picks are a distinct possibility, as the Texans will be looking to bolster their defensive line.
Houston could really use help in their awful secondary but will be missing out on the top two corners and drafting one at the 10 spot would be a reach.
Nick Fairley has been unstoppable over the last quarter of the college season.
He physically dominated the Alabama's offensive line on Thanksgiving weekend. His stock has rising by the week and he could go even higher if he plays well in the BCS National Championship game.
9. Washington Redskins- Juilo Jones
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The Redskins offense is a mess and one of the core problems is the lack of a top tier wide receiver. Santana Moss is a solid receiver but the Redskins need a bonafide No. 1.
Julio Jones would give the 'Skins a huge target that is capable of making plenty of plays.The top recruit coming out of high school, Jones has been a stud since Day 1 at 'Bama.
His downfall is the inconsistency with his hands, but he's an special talent otherwise. He was great in the Auburn game, and has lifted his stock after a slow start. Playing hurt has shown teams that he is a tough cookie.
Jones could be a stud in a anemic offense.
8.Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara
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The Cowboys secondary has giving up 319 passing yards a game. Rex Grossman lit them up in his first start in two years. Clearly this is a huge issue on one of the NFL's most disappointing teams in '10.
Drafting a player in the secondary should be the top priority for Jerry Jones and Co.
Prince Amukamara has been a shutdown corner for Nebraska. He has excellent ball skills and has shut down some of the best players in the Big-12 this season.
After Patrick Peterson, this is he best CB in the draft.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Ryan Mallett
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The 49ers need to admit they made a huge mistake with QB Alex Smith and move on. They would love to draft Andrew Luck, but they will certainly settle for the next best option.
Ryan Mallett has the size of an NFL quarterback and a cannon for an arm.
Mallett has had a great season for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He has sustained incredible accuracy (66.5 percent) and averaged a shade under 10 yards per pass attempt against the toughest conference in the nation in the SEC.
Mallett could really open up the 49ers offense and Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis can reap the benefits.
6. Buffalo Bills- Robert Quinn
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The Bills have a ton of holes to fill and should go for the best available talent. If Robert Quinn is available at the sixth pick the Bills should grab him.
Quinn would give them a difference maker off the edge, and help improve things on the defensive side of the ball. Quinn, who projects well as a 3-4 rush linebacker, would fill a huge need for the Bills.
It certainly is a risky pick as Quinn was ruled ineligible for the entire 2010 season after receiving payment from an agent. But he did record 11 sacks as a junior and has the potential to be one of the top sack leaders in the league.
On the plus side, Quinn was projected as the top pick going into the season and his body has had a whole year of rest for next season. A pick that could be a huge bust or a franchise changer for the Bills.
5. Detroit Lions- Janoris Jenkins
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The biggest stretch of the first round will go to the Lions.
While playing at Florida he has also got big game experience playing in the Tim Tebow era. Jenkins has excellent balance on his feet, which allows him to get in and out of his breaks in a timely fashion.
But drafting him this high may be a mistake.
He needs to work on using his body to position himself much better in jump ball situations. This could be a huge problem in the red-zone where NFL offenses throw the fade route to the corner of the end zone.
Another knock on Jenkins is his over aggressiveness that results in giving up the big play.
4. Arizona Cardinals- DaQuan Bowers
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The Cardinals could use a QB, but if DaQuan Bowers on the top they must select him with the No. 4 pick.
After underachieving for a couple of seasons at Clemson, Bowers has been the best player in the country at sacking the QB in 2010.
The 6-4, 275 pound athletic end has 24 tackles for loss and 15 sacks this year.
He is a huge play-maker off the edge and could solidify the Cardinals front four for the next 10 years. Bowers is ready to contribute in the NFL right now.
3. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green
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The Bengals need a lot of players to be able to contend next year, so expect them to grab the top talent avaliable.
It's become pretty obvious that both Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco won't be back with in 2011, so drafting A.J. Green from Georgia.
He is the best play-maker available in the draft, and his ability as a go to weapon and will open up the rest of the offense.
He missed the first four games of the season yet was still able to haul in nine touchdowns and 771 yards.
The best receiver in the draft will go to the team that will be in desperate need of one.
2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson
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The Broncos defense is one of the three worst units in all of football. Drastic changes need to be made. Champ Bailey is a going to be a free agent and it's highly unlikely he would spend the twilight years of his career with the re-building Broncos.
Patrick Peterson is a special sort of talent that doesn't come around very often. He is extremely athletic and has the ability to cover any size receiver in the NFL.
Peterson has the ability to not only start in the NFL right away, but to make an immediate impact.
He is a shut down corner that a defense can really build around.
1. Carolina Panthers- Andrew Luck
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The Panthers will have a new coach in 2011 and the new regime is going to want to start over. Jimmy Claussen has proven to be mediocre at best and Andrew Luck could be the best QB prospect in years.
Luck, whom placed second in the Heisman voting, had an incredible '10 season. He racked up 3.051 passing yards and 28 TDs. He has excellent throwing mechanics and has a unique ability to scan the field and not stare down his intended target. Luck is the prototypical NFL QB with all signs pointing to him excelling on Sunday's.
He is the can't miss pick of the draft and the Panthers can't afford to let him get passed them.
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