NFL Mock Draft 2011: Andrew Luck Stays at Stanford, Cam Newton Goes No. 1?
NFL Mock Draft 2011
With college football bowl season kicking off, all eyes are beginning to focus on Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay and the hysteria that accompanies the months leading up to the NFL Draft.
Mock Drafts often plagiarize each other, with everyone getting caught up in media-driven hype.
But the fact is, things will change. For one, Stanford quarterback—and presumed No.1 overall pick—Andrew Luck has maintained that he won't enter the draft. But that doesn't stop pundits from putting him at the top of their draft boards.
Luck is a good student who wants to graduate, is in a great situation at Stanford and, with all of the uncertainty regarding a lockout, who's to say he's going to stay in school?
So working under the assumption that Luck stays in Palo Alto, who will be the first quarterback off the board?
Auburn's Cam Newton? Arkansas' Ryan Mallett? Washington's Jake Locker?
And what about Missouri's Blaine Gabbert? Did you see him carve up Iowa in the Insight Bowl (minus the picks)?
Here's my 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
1 of 32
I didn't like Jimmy Clausen at Notre Dame, and I don't like him in Carolina.
It's tough to speculate who Carolina will pick given their uncertain coaching situation, but they really need a quarterback.
I know Newton might face a steep learning curve in the NFL, but the Panthers aren't exactly in win-now mode.
They should go with the ultimate upside-pick here.
2. Denver Broncos: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
2 of 32
Two picks, two Tigers off the board.
Fairley has been the most dominant defensive tackle in college football this season.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
3 of 32
The perfect cure for the Bengals’ pass-rushing woes.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Buffalo Bills: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
4 of 32
With Ryan Fitzpatrick’s inspired play, there’s no need to reach for a quarterback.
Quinn might be the best athlete in the draft.
They’ll just have to make sure he checks out in the interview process.
5. San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
5 of 32
This pick depends on who the 49ers' next coach is.
But it’s a safe bet to assume whoever it is would like Mallett, a 6’7” physical specimen with a cannon arm.
6. Houston Texans: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6 of 32
Who would’ve thought the Texans would be just outside the top five?
This is a blessing in disguise, as they can select the top cornerback on the board.
7. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
7 of 32
The next-best cornerback on the board and a pretty good consolation prize.
8. Dallas Cowboys: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
8 of 32
The Cowboys would be smart to trade down—their biggest need is OT, but there aren’t any elite prospects this year—but if they stay at No. 8, they should pick this 6’9”, 313 lbs. freak.
9. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
9 of 32
The Browns would be thrilled to see the best receiver in the draft drop to No. 9.
This is a no-brainer.
10. Arizona Cardinals: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
10 of 32
You could certainly argue for a quarterback here, but with Newton and Mallett gone, nobody else is worth a top-10 pick.
The Cardinals should opt to shore up their front seven.
11. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
11 of 32
With Donovan McNabb almost assuredly out the door, Mike Shanahan might fall in love with Jake Locker, who has Cutler-esque tools and then some.
12. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
12 of 32
Bud Adams loves Vince Young and I think he’ll give him another shot, whether it’s the right move or not.
The Titans will opt to infuse some youth into their pass-rush.
13. Seattle Seahawks: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
13 of 32
How can Pete Carroll pass up a quarterback with the options he has?
Gabbert—despite his two picks—showed he’s a first-round talent by carving up Iowa last night.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
14 of 32
The Williamses are getting old, and Paea would be a great successor.
15. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
15 of 32
The Rams need to do whatever it takes to get Sam Bradford some weapons.
Adding the most productive receiver in college football would be a nice start.
16. New England Patriots (from The Raiders): Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
16 of 32
Knowing the Patriots, they’ll trade down.
But if not, Jenkins would be a solid grab to play opposite of Devin McCourty.
17. Miami Dolphins: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
17 of 32
The Dolphins could use a running back, but they should wait to address that need.
Getting Carimi would help the running game without overspending on a tailback.
18. San Diego Chargers: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
18 of 32
The Chargers were the biggest waste of talent in the NFL this year.
Miller will be a good fit as a pass-rusher.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
19 of 32
Freak athlete who isn't afraid to play while injured.
He improved his consistency by leaps and bound this year.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
20 of 32
Perfect fit for the Bucs, who need someone who can get to the quarterback.
21. New York Giants: Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
21 of 32
The Giants could use his skills at outside linebacker.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
22 of 32
The Colts need some help at defensive tackle and Nevis is the best available.
23. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
23 of 32
Insurance for Aaron Rodgers. They need to make sure his second concussion was his last.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Sherrod, OT, Missisisippi State
24 of 32
See Packers, Green Bay. The Eagles need to protect their new franchise savior, Michael Vick.
25. New York Jets: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
25 of 32
Clayborn would be the perfect successor to Shaun Ellis and would help invigorate the Jets’ stagnant pass-rush.
26. Kansas City Chiefs: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
26 of 32
Most scouts don’t have Floyd in the first round, but his decreased production was mostly due to a new offense and rotating quarterbacks.
He’s a first-round talent.
27. Pittsburgh : Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
27 of 32
Brothers reunited.
28. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
28 of 32
Scouts give mixed reviews of Heyward, but he’s too good to drop out of the first round.
29. Chicago Bears: Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU
29 of 32
This could be a bit of a reach, but the Bears need help on the offensive line.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
30 of 32
The heir-apparent to Ed Reed, just not nearly as good. But who is?
31. Atlanta Falcons: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
31 of 32
Brent Grimes is a great story and Dunta Robinson is still there, but the Falcons need help against the pass.
They're ranked 23rd in pass defense.
32. New England Patriots: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
32 of 32
The last of a really strong first-round defensive end class.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
