2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Cam Newton Be Atop the Arms Race?
As Week 16 gets under way, the playoff picture should be a lot clearer after today.
I already watched my San Francisco 49ers get beat up by the St. Louis Rams; well, there's always next year.
My apologies go out to Miami Dolphins fans. I had predicted they would be able to land Cameron Newton in the draft, but that's before I saw the Niners get wrecked in St. Louis. I originally had them beating the Rams and Cardinals to make the playoffs and drop in the draft, but with them back on top of the draft that just adds another team desperate for a decent starting quarterback.
Anyway, enjoy this mock draft with a warm cup of cocoa.
Those fans who are connected at the hip with a horrible local NFL team are surely already looking forward to the start of 2011.
32. New England Patriots, J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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J.J. Watt has amassed 59 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception this year and has helped lead a strong Wisconsin defense.
I think the Patriots are going to go with a lineman here, one of their weak spots, and Watt is a solid choice.
31. Atlanta Falcons, Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
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The one glaring weakness of the Atlanta Falcons is their pass defense. Everything else is looking mighty impressive.
Luckily for them, Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins will fall to them at No. 31 in a disappointing season for the Gators.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers, Drake Nevis, DE, LSU
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Drake Nevis would be a good fit for a Steelers team that lacks great pressure from the defensive line but makes up for it with a strong linebacking core.
Nevis has had a very good year for the No. 10 Tigers this year, with 56 tackles and six sacks.
He would strengthen the pressure on the line.
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29. Philadelphia Eagles, Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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The Eagles are going to want to build their offensive line as they already have some big skill positions filled with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin leading the charge.
I don't see Vick going anywhere next season, as I expect a franchise tag to be placed on him by the Eagles.
They are going to want to keep him healthy as he has undoubtedly proven he can be the No. 1 QB for this team.
Tyron Smith, the offensive tackle out of USC, is regarded as a strong choice, and solidifying that line will only make the Eagles scarier next season.
28. Baltimore Ravens, Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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Brandon Harris is considered the third-best cornerback on most teams' lists.
The Ravens haven't been as vaunted a defensive force as in prior years, and they will most likely be losing some corners whose contracts run out after this year. Luckily for the Ravens, they will see Harris fall right into their laps, and their defense can catch up to their explosive offense (wow, when's the last time anyone said that).
27. New York Jets, Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
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The New York Jets could always use some more weapons for Mark Sanchez.
Despite some shaky play this season, he's had some impressive games as well, and I see coach Rex Ryan sticking with his guy next year.
Broyles could fill in for Braylon Edwards if the Jets decide to let him go.
26. Chicago Bears, Stefan Wisniewski, OT, Penn State
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The Bears are in desperate need of protection for QB Jay Cutler, and I don't see Colorado's Nate Solder dropping to them.
That leaves impressive center Stefan Wisniewski, and I don't think the Bears will hesitate to bear-hug him.
25. New Orleans Saints, Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
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Bruce Carter is extremely athletic, and the Saints could use some help at the LB spot.
I could see the Saints making this a defense-based draft this year.
They have the offense. Their defense just needs to play at a higher level. If they can evolve into a defense like Green Bay's they could be unstoppable; sort of like the Atlanta Falcons.
24. New York Giants, Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Colorado's Nate Solder, the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2010, would be a good replacement for Giants right tackle Kareem McKenzie and a solid addition to an already free-flowing rushing and passing game.
I guess he could help SOLDER the load (shoulder).
23. Kansas City Chiefs, Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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Mike Vrabel is getting older and the Chiefs have shown their offense is on the rise. Get a little younger and more explosive on the D-line and they are primed to be contenders for a while.
Enter Allen Bailey, an explosive defensive end from the Miami Hurricanes with 44 tackles and seven sacks on the year.
22. Indianapolis Colts, Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
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With two solid defensive ends in Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney, the Colts could strengthen their defense with some help in the middle.
That's where Paea comes into play, who has been a solid player for the Oregon State Beavers this season, with 45 tackles and six sacks, including three sacks in his last four games.
21. St. Louis Rams, Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College
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Costanzo? Costanza? Can't-stand-ya?
It doesn't matter how you pronounce it, Boston College's Anthony Costanzo is a top offensive lineman in this year's draft.
With a young budding star in QB Sam Bradford, giving him some more time in the pocket will only makes NFC West foes (woes?) worry their little heads off even more.
20. Green Bay Packers, Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Aaron Rodgers is going to jump for joy when Mark Ingram falls to No. 20, based on other teams' needs.
Brandon Jackson has been decent for the Packers this season, but certainly not a star.
The Packers will groom Ingram to be their star and take some pressure off Rodgers.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Adrian Clayborn could be a significant pass-rusher and run-stopper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs have started to come alive offensively, and a stronger defensive influence on the game could get them over the proverbial hump into elite territory.
Clayborn is a great bet to help do this.
Plus, his hair is awesome.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars, Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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With safety Rahim Moore out of the picture, I see Cameron Heyward dropping into the Jaguars' lap based on other teams' needs and could be the steal of the draft.
Heyward had 42 tackles, three sacks, and an interception this year and led a strong defensive team in the Buckeyes.
This will help the Jacksonville offense.
17. San Diego Chargers, Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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The loss of Shawne Merriman has hurt the Chargers in the linebacking department, but taking the best defensive player on the board in safety Rahim More should help out here. The Chargers still need help stopping the pass.
Moore should fill in nicely here. He only had one interception this season, which is why he is projected to drop in the draft in some mock drafts, but he clearly has the talent for the NFL, as evidenced by his 10 interceptions last year.
16. Miami Dolphins, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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Once again, apologies Dolphins fans, for making it appear in my previous article that the Dolphins would have a chance at Cam Newton.
But receiver Justin Blackmon is definitely a suitable alternative. I think he will be a star in the NFL. He had over 1,600 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns this season.
A trade for Kevin Kolb and the drafting of Blackmon could be just the ticket.
15. New England Patriots, Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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I don't know why the Pats wouldn't go all defense here.
Their offense is scary and getting scarier.
Some pundits project Kerrigan lower, but it's hard to ignore 13 sacks. He should be a good NFL player and help this team continue its dynasty.
14. Tennessee Titans, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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With all the top QBs off the board, the Titans will probably try to make a trade for a QB in the offseason.
Or Vince Young and coach Jeff Fisher could work things out, but I don't see that happening.
Adding an elite talent in Julio Jones should help whoever is next under the helm for this team though.
13. Cleveland Browns, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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The Cleveland Browns, who will want to help out Colt "The Real McCoy", will help him out just wonderfully when A.J. Green falls all the way to No. 13 based on other teams' needs.
A movie starring Kim Basinger and Val Kilmer will commemorate the pairing (a rehash of the 1993 "Real McCoy").
12. Houston Texans, Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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The Texans are in desperate need of some defense, and Ayers-the best defensive player on the board at this point- should develop the defense quite nicely.
If the defense can ramp up in the next couple of years with an offense like the Texans have, than the team could have a chance of getting into the playoffs.
11. San Francisco 49ers, Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
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Does anyone actually think Terrelle Pryor will go back to Ohio State after being suspended for nearly half a season by the NCAA?
Ya, right, and the 49ers are a good football team.
Although the Niners would probably like to land Cam Newton or Ryan Mallett, it won't be in the CARDS (that's a reference to Arizona).
They will take the next best thing and hope he doesn't turn out to be Troy Smith, a dual-threat who isn't a threat.
10. Seattle Seahawks, Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
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I think Heisman winner Cam Newton has done enough to sky-rocket up the charts.
The Seahawks, despite a bad defense, really need a QB and it will be hard to pass up on Newton.
Matt Hasselbeck is on his last legs and backup Charlie Whitehurst is not the answer.
9. Minnesota Vikings, Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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The Minnesota Vikings desperately need a decent quarterback.
If anything it won't make it seem like they're so, well, desperate for Brett Favre. I also don't think they're comfortable with backup Tarvaris Jackson as their starter.
So they'll take the best option on the board, and that will be QB Jake Locker of the Washington Huskies.
The Vikings will be grateful.
8. Washington Redskins, Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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Call me crazy, but I see coach Mike Shanahan giving the starting gig to Rex Grossman to start 2011.
I certainly don't think he'll stick with Donovan McNabb.
Young running back Ryan Torain has shown some skills this year and I see the Redskins letting him develop as Clinton Porris becomes more injury-prone each and every year.
Shoring up an awful pass defense with some pressure will have the Redskins reaching for Quinn inside the Top 10.
7. Dallas Cowboys, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Generally considered the second-best corner in the 2011 NFL Draft, Prince should be the obvious choice here for the Cowboys.
They have looked a lot better as a whole under coach Jason Garrett this season, but it's evident the pass defense needs a lot of work. Prince will be a God-send for the Cowboys.
6. Arizona Cardinals, Ryan Mallett, QB,
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I expect the Arizona Cardinals to address a critical need for them in a critical position: the quarterback.
They will draft Arkansas superstar Ryan Mallett and Derek Anderson, Max Hall, and John Skelton will never be heard from again.
And don't try to tell me Skelton is the answer for the Cardinals. Take away that 74-yard TD against Dallas and he had a poor performance.
5. Buffalo Bills, Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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With another defensive tackle off the board, the Bills will go with Nick Fairley and be mighty pleased in what he can do for their horrid defense.
The Bills have a few pieces to add to their defense, but this will be a big first piece to the puzzle.
4. Detroit Lions, Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama
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The Lions will nab Marcel Dareus before Buffalo can get its greedy little hoofs on him.
The Lions, like the Bills, need big-time help on defense.
A big-time talent like Dareus seems like a good fit.
With Dareus, the Lions can continue their ascending ways lately.
3. Cincinnati Bengals, DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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With the top cornerback in the draft off the board, the Bengals will go with the next best thing: defensive end DaQuan Bowers.
This team is a mess from top to bottom, but they've got to think about adding a defensive star to the squad before they do anything else.
2. Denver Broncos, Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Hey, don't feel so bad Broncos fans.
I like Tim Tebow and you just landed yourself the No. 1 corner in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Peterson has the skills to develop into a shutdown corner in the NFL.
1. Carolina Panthers, Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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C'mon, let's not kid ourselves.
The Panthers aren't going to do anything else but draft Andrew Luck.
Although Matt Moore hasn't had much time to develop, the Panthers certainly can't afford to sit around and wait.
Andrew Luck, generally considered the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft, could turn into 2011's Sam Bradford.
Consider the Panthers LUCKy to nab him to rebuild their franchise.
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