NFL Mock Draft: Cam Newton, A.J. Green and the Entire First Round With Trades

Will the Carolina Panthers take Andrew Luck?  Where will Cam Newton land?  Any clue to what deals the New England Patriots will try to pull off?

These questions and more will be answered in this 2011 NFL Mock Draft.

After Sunday is over, 20 teams will be focused on the off season.  Even if your team is in the playoffs, the draft is part of the blueprint to win "back-to-back Super Bowls."

Here it is, the entire first round with trades:

With The 1st Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Carolina Panthers Select...

Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

Carolina's franchise quarterback of the future is currently an unknown.  

Luck needs to be the Panthers pick here because of that.  It doesn't matter if you think Jimmy Clausen deserves another chance or not.

Their new coach is going to come in and want "his guy."

I'll point to a situation like San Diego had a few years back.  They had Drew Brees, got Philip Rivers, Brees turned out to be good after all, and all of a sudden they had two starting caliber quarterbacks and great trade bait.

With The 2nd Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Denver Broncos Select...

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU

Champ Bailey is done in Denver.  Even with Bailey though, their secondary was horrible.

Peterson isn't just one of the best cornerback prospects in the past decade; he's an elite returner as well.

He likely would be able to step in for the aging Bailey without the defense taking a step back while at the same time providing a spark in the return game.

With The 3rd Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Buffalo Bills Select...

Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn

He's the number one double team destroyer in the nation.  Fairley would provide a much needed force to a bad Bills line. 

Imagine this kid's attitude combined with Shawne Merriman's next year.  That combo would add some swagger to a team that hasn't won anything in years.

Chan Gailey announced that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the Bills starter in 2011.  Expect Buffalo to draft a quarterback in the second or third round. 

With The 4th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Cincinnati Bengals Select...

Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

He was once called the best defensive end prospect since Reggie White and Bruce Smith.

Carlos Dunlap has emerged, but the Bengals need an end opposite of him.  Antwan Odom has battled injuries his entire career and can't be relied on anymore.

A.J. Green could be looked at here, but it's not a done deal that Chad Ochocinco is headed out of Cincinnati just yet.

With The 5th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Arizona Cardinals Select...

Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska

The only reason why this pick isn't a quarterback is because I expect the Cardinals to be the front runner to trade for Kevin Kolb.

Prince Amukamara is pretty much equal to Patrick Peterson as a cornerback prospect, one of the best cornerback prospects in years.

He would combine with Dominique Rogers-Cromartie to make one of the league's top corner duos for years and years to come.

With The 6th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The San Francisco 49ers Select...

Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas

San Francisco's new head coach will want his guy at quarterback, not Alex or Troy Smith.

That quarterback will most likely be Ryan Mallett.  Mallett has the best arm out of all the quarterbacks in this draft class.

He has a height other quarterbacks envy at 6'7".  He'll need a really good offensive line in front of him because he's as immobile as they come, but he should be able to hold up weighing 240 pounds.

There Has Been a Trade...

The Dallas Cowboys swap first round picks with the Washington Redskins.

With The 7th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Washington Redskins Select...

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

With the two top cornerbacks gone, the Cowboys best bet from here is to trade down for an offensive tackle.

They find a willing trade partner in the Redskins.  With A.J. Green still on the board, Daniel Snyder can't resist making a move.

Green is being labeled as the best wide receiver prospect since Randy Moss, other than Calvin Johnson.  

39 year old Joey Galloway started four games for the Redskins last year: are you kidding me?

With The 8th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Houston Texans Select...

Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

Gary Kubiak's dream comes true, if he's still around of course.

The Texans have had a need for a defensive tackle for years and they get a great one in Marcell Dareus.  Dareus can run a 4.9 40 yard dash at over 300 pounds.

Put Dareus next to names like Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing and their front seven sounds impressive.

Now all the Texans have to do is get a new outside linebacker, free safety, strong safety and cornerback and they're all good.

With The 9th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Detroit Lions Select...

Robert Quinn, Defensive End, North Carolina

The Lions get a major steal here in Robert Quinn.  Yeah, it's not a huge need, but he's too talented to pass up at this point in the draft.

If Quinn avoided suspension and actually played this season, he could arguably be the top prospect in the entire draft.

Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting up there at 32 years old.  In Jim Schwartz's never-blitz defense, you need four great pass rushers to be successful.  

With Ndamukong Suh and Robert Quinn, the Lions would have a top rush for the next decade.

With The 10th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Cleveland Browns Select...

Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama

How excited would Colt McCoy be on a scale of 1 to 10?  His best wide receiver right now is Mohamed Massaquoi. 

Jones is an insanely talented receiver who is just as good at burning secondary's as making plays after the catch.  His only downside is inconsistent hands.

Who does that sound like?  Braylon Edwards?  Sorry, Cleveland fans, I just had to.

With The 11th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Seattle Seahawks Select...

Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

When Seattle drafts a quarterback in the first round, whoever it is he will sit behind Matt Hasselbeck for one year.  

If that quarterback isn't going to get thrown into the fire and will have a year to develop, why not select the player with the highest ceiling?  That player would be Cam Newton.

At 6'6", 250 pounds, he's the best running quarterback in the draft by far, and at the same time possessing a cannon arm, Newton practically has no ceiling.

Of course, there's risk involved with scrambling quarterbacks, but there's just as much involved with pocket passers.

With The 12th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Tennessee Titans Select...

Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle, Oregon State

The Titans have no powerful presence on their interior defensive line.  All their defensive tackles are converted defensive ends, or at least have experience at the position.

They need a true force that can take on double teams and not get pushed back five yards, a force to finally replace Albert Haynesworth.

Paea is a monster and one of, if not the very strongest player in college football.

With The 13th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Dallas Cowboys Select...

Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado

The Cowboys swapped picks with the Redskins to select Nate Solder.

Solder is being seen by many as the top offensive tackle prospect.  He's 6'8", 315 pounds and can run a 4.9 forty yard dash.

He's a great athlete and obviously has a ton of potential, but he's raw.  I honestly think he's overrated, but much of the time potential can outweigh everything else on draft day.

With The 14th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Minnesota Vikings Select...

Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington

The Vikings need to go quarterback in round one, unless their new coach or Leslie Frazier falls in love with Joe Webb, unlikely.

Locker would've been the first overall pick last year had he declared, but he's fallen after very inconsistent play in 2010.  Much of that poor play has to do with playing on an offense with not much talent around him.

Locker has a higher ceiling than Andrew Luck and Ryan Mallett because of his superior athletic ability.  If he gets put into a good situation like Minnesota, he'll have a chance to really shine.

Let's just say he's never had a chance to get the ball to talents like Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin before.

There Has Been a Trade...

The New England Patriots swap first round picks with the New York Giants.

With The 15th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The New York Giants Select...

Mark Ingram, Halfback, Alabama

The Patriots are going to trade down or out of the first round at least once in the upcoming draft.

The Giants jump right in front of the Dolphins who were just about to select Mark Ingram.  Brandon Jacobs is as good as gone after another disappointing season.

Ahmad Bradshaw had the season of his career, but he's injury prone.  It's not like the Giants don't like multiple backs to rotate anyway.  Remember earth, wind, and fire?

Ingram is the best running back in the draft and no one comes close.

Many expect them to take an outside linebacker, but they could easily find a starting caliber backer in the second round like a Greg Jones from Michigan State.

With The 16th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Miami Dolphins Select...

Von Miller, Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M

Miller has been compared to Elvis Dumervil because of their similarities in small stature, but great speed.

The Dolphins need a dangerous pass rusher opposite of Cameron Wake.  Miller, the best speed rusher in the draft, would take the Dolphins defense to a whole new level.

No Ingram, no problem, at least until they have to play offense.

With The 17th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Jacksonville Jaguars Select...

Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue

Kerrigan is a high motor end whose stock has skyrocketed this season after outstanding play.

He recorded 25 sacks in his last two seasons and was a semi-finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award this year.

The Jaguars really need a defensive end after Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves both turned out to be busts, and Aaron Kampman tore his ACL.

Expect them to draft another defensive end like Oklahoma's Jeremy Beal in the second because the Jaguars always double-dip.

With The 18th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The San Diego Chargers Select...

Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa

Clayborn has been inconsistent in 2010 and he has character concerns.  Many see him as a top 10 talent so he's a risk/reward type pick for the Chargers.

They need a defensive end, and they're talented enough to take the risk.

San Diego's biggest hole is at head coach, after that, they don't have too much left to improve.

With The 19th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The New England Patriots...

Akeem Ayers, Outside Linebacker, UCLA

This is the pick the Patriots got in their trade earlier with the Giants.

Bill Belichick loves versatile athletes (see: Mike Vrabel, Troy Brown).

Ayers is Mr. Versatile.  He can play defensive end in a 4-3 and outside linebacker in a 4-3 and in a 3-4.

He would provide a much needed pass rush to the Patriots that have one of the worst pass defenses in the league.  They haven't had a notable pass rusher ever since Adalius Thomas left.

With The 20th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select...

Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

Jordan's stock has been on the rise as of late.

He has great size at 6'4", 285 pounds.  He can play every position on the defensive line besides nose tackle.

The Buccaneers need help at defensive end badly.  Their starters right now are Tim Crowder and a 31 year old Stylez G. White: not good.

With The 21st Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The St. Louis Rams Select...

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma alumni Sam Bradford may not be thrilled about the Rams drafting someone from Oklahoma State, but that's the only thing he wouldn't be happy with regarding this selection.

The Rams starting wide outs right now are Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson, two Philadelphia Eagles rejects.

Justin Blackmon led the NCAA in pretty much every receiving statistic this season.

He would instantly become Bradford's go-to-guy.

With The 22nd Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Indianapolis Colts Select...

Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College

The Colts have actually given up the least amount of sacks in the league this season and are second best in quarterback hits allowed, but someone has to take the blame for Peyton Manning's interceptions other than Peyton himself.

The draft isn't top heavy with tackles, but there is plenty of talent to choose from at the back of the first round.

Castonzo would be expected to start right away on a struggling offensive line.

With The 23rd Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Green Bay Packers Select...

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, Florida

Charles Woodson is 34 years old.  It's about time to find his replacement.

Jenkins is a great value at this point in the draft.

He's known for his instincts and great ball skills, two traits that aren't bad to have at the cornerback position.

With The 24th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Kansas City Chiefs Select...

Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh

The Chiefs need an upgrade at wide receiver opposite of Dwayne Bowe.  The touchdown machine will disappear as defenses start to double and triple team him.

They won't be able to key in on Bowe with Baldwin on the field.

He's a freak at 6'5", 225 pounds and can reportedly run a sub 4.4 forty yard dash while having a vertical leap of 42 inches.

An offense with the Thomas Jones-Jamal Charles combination with Bowe and Baldwin on the outside, plus Tony Moeaki at tight ends makes for an impressive offense.  Oh and how could I forget a developing Dexter McCluster?

With The 25th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Philadelphia Eagles Select...

Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas

As Ellis Hobbs' replacement, Dimitri Patterson started out playing great making Eagles fans believe he would continue to start for them next season.

The last two games, Patterson has been exposed, badly.  After he was benched against rookie Joe Webb and the Vikings, the Eagles need for a cornerback has become even more obvious.

Aaron Williams is a playmaker that would fit right in with Asante Samuel on the other side.

With The 26th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The New York Jets Select...

J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin

The Jets starters at defensive end right now are 33 year old Shaun Ellis and Mike DeVito.  That's not good enough to be considered an elite defense.

Selecting a defensive end in the first round, arguably their biggest need, plus the return of Kris Jenkins would really improve their defensive line.

J.J. Watt has seven sacks and two forced fumbles this season.

With The 27th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The New Orleans Saints Select...

Drake Nevis, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Nevis falls in this mock because he can only play one position.  He's very talented and the Saints get a steal at this point in the draft.

He would form a great interior duo with Sedrick Ellis and improve a mediocre pass rush.

With The 28th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Baltimore Ravens Select...

Allen Bailey, Defensive End, Miami

He's 6'4", 290 pounds and runs a 4.65 forty yard dash with a 39 inch vertical.  Allen Bailey the Taylor Mays of defensive lineman.

The Ravens just found a monster physically worthy enough to lineup next to their own freak: Haloti Ngata.

I'm sure Ray Lewis and Ed Reed wouldn't mind another Cane on their defense.

With The 29th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Chicago Bears Select...

Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

Jay Cutler has been sacked more than any other quarterback in the NFL this season.  The Bears offensive line needs a major overhaul.

Carimi may be from Packer land, but he'd be more than welcome in Chicago by Cutler and Matt Forte.

He's a mammoth at 6'8", 320 pounds.

With The 30th Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Pittsburgh Steelers Select...

Mike Pouncey, Guard, Florida

For all those fans who don't want to draft Pouncey because you saw him fail at shotgun snapping this year, don't worry.  He'll be a guard in the pros, not a center.

A highly criticized Pittsburgh offensive line wouldn't look too bad next year with a starting five of Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Pouncey, and Willie Colon.

With The 31st Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The Atlanta Falcons Select...

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

In a stacked wide receiver class, Floyd falls to the lucky Atlanta Falcons and Matt Ryan.

The Falcons have needed a legit weapon across from Roddy White for a while.  Floyd more than fits the bill.

He's had some trouble with injuries, but when he's on the field, there aren't many receivers in college football that have been better.

With The 32nd Pick Of The 2011 NFL Draft, The New England Patriots Select...

Cameron Heyward, Defensive End, Ohio State

Look for the Patriots to trade either this draft pick or their pick at the top of the second round.

Here, the Patriots finally replace Richard Seymour and fill their need at defensive end.

Heyward's not nearly the talent Seymour was, but not many linemen are.  Heyward would've been a top 15 pick last year, but after inconsistent play, his stock has been shot.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter.