2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Moves Up If Andrew Luck Doesn't Declare?
Now that the 2010 NFL season has concluded, the draft order for 2011 has been set. The Carolina Panthers have been awarded the first overall pick, and the slew of 6-10 teams have been ranked, with the difference being a No. 7 pick and a pick near the middle of the draft.
While teams are now looking at different players figuring out who they should select, all eyes turn to Andrew Luck. It is certain that he would be the number one pick should he opt to leave college and declare for the draft.
What if he doesn't, though? The following is a first-round mock draft without Andrew Luck. Where would everyone fall now, and how big a boost would Cam Newton and Ryan Mallett get?
1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
1 of 32
The last time the Panthers picked this early, did they go with the best defensive end period, or the best one on the best team? They chose the former and got Julius Peppers, who was the key of the Panthers' D for many years. With Luck returning to school, this pick becomes easy. Bowers was a beast for Clemson and will help boost the Panthers' defense.
There's a small chance they pick A.J. Green to replace Steve Smith, but I don't see that happening, though Clausen does need a No. 1 target now.
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2 of 32
The best defensive athlete in the draft, Patrick Peterson can step in immediately and fill in for Champ Bailey, who seems to be on his way out. With Perrish Cox potentially facing prison time, Peterson can manage a suddenly thin cornerback group and can be a kick returner for the Broncos as well. The addition of any defender is an improvement for the Broncos.
3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
3 of 32
Fairley has been rocketing up draft boards of late, and the Bills could use a solid inside presence on the defensive end. Fairley could likely start on day one, though Kyle Williams had an okay year and could offer come competition.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
4 of 32
The Bengals will likely lose both Ochocinco and T.O. next year, so the wide receiver corps will be thin. Perhaps more importantly, I see the Bengals going the "best player on the board regardless" route, which would be Green, no question. He can fit in immediately and keep the offense moving while all the other problems are addressed.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
5 of 32
There's no question that Arizona picks a quarterback. The question is simply which one. Blaine Gabbert has been rocketing up draft boards for some reason, Cam Newton is a hot ticket, and Jake Locker fell from a like number one pick out of the first round. Ryan Mallett has fluctuated greatly on recent boards, but I think he'll go to Arizona in the end. If he loses to Ohio State, then it's much less likely he's a top five pick.
6. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
6 of 32
I actually don't think this is a good move by the Browns. Jones has inconsistent hands, which is the same problem Braylon Edwards had, and look how well that worked out. Nonetheless, Cleveland needs receiver help, so they'll go with him. I think Robert Quinn would be a much better selection here personally, or they could trade down.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
7 of 32
New year, new coach, new quarterback. This would be conditional on the new coach liking Newton, of course, but it works. There are already weapons there in Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore, and the addition of Newton could make this a great offense, even if the defense needs a lot of help yet.
8. Tennessee Titans: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
8 of 32
The Titans have been searching for a replacement for Albert Haynesworth and a complement to Jason Babin. It will come down to Dareus and Stephen Paea, and I expect them to go with the middle man out of Alabama.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
9 of 32
The Cowboys want physical players, and there's no question that Quinn is. Put him on the opposite end of DeMarcus Ware, and that creates major problems for the opposing offense. There's a small chance that they bring in an offensive lineman to help protect Tony Romo, but they'll likely wait until the second round for that.
10. Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
10 of 32
This pick is primarily just a gut feeling, but I know three things. First, they won't pick a quarterback. They'll try and work with Rex Grossman and see how that goes. Second, they'd love to select Julio Jones, but since he's been taken, a wideout won't happen. Third, they need someone on the defensive line badly now that Haynesworth will be gone.
J.J. Watt is an option, as is Adrian Clayborn, but I think they go with the machine from Purdue.
11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
11 of 32
Potentially the steal of the first round, as Amukamara will fall much further than he should. Any defensive player is an improvement for this abysmal defense, especially when you discount Mario Williams, who continues to play great football.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
12 of 32
I don't think Gabbert's a first-round talent personally, but everyone else seems to think so, including the Vikings. Whether Brett Favre truly stays retired or not, they need a quarterback who has franchise potential. Jake Locker had a bad year, so Gabbert's the only other option at this point.
13. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
13 of 32
Prince Amukamara's a perfect fit here, but alas, the Lions had to go and actually win some games in December. Instead, they'll take the next-best corner in Janoris Jenkins, who could certainly be a day one starter with a good summer.
14. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
14 of 32
The Rams badly need a wideout to combine with Sam Bradford. We saw how badly he needed one in the matchup against Seattle, when dropped passes likely cost them the division. Probably one of the most obvious picks, aside from the one coming up right after.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
15 of 32
Every realistic draft board in the past two months has Ingram going to the Dolphins no matter where they pick. It fits too perfectly.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
16 of 32
Harris's stock continues to rise as Jacksonville needs a corner to combine with Rashean Mathis. Stephen Paea is still on the board, but they just drafted Tyson Alualu, they're not going to pick another lineman. A wide receiver is a possible pick as well, but they'll wait until a later round for that.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
17 of 32
The Patriots have the opportunity to strength already fairly good positions here, and they'll do so on the defensive line. Adrian Clayborn has fluctuated greatly in draft circles but does have the potential to take over for Gerard Warren and has the ability to do well in New England.
18. San Diego Chargers: Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
18 of 32
The Chargers need a replacement for Shawne Merriman, and the options are between Von Miller and Akeem Ayers. They'll take the great pass rusher that is Miller and hope that the sparks actually stick around in San Diego this time.
19. New York Giants: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
19 of 32
There are a lot of possibilities for the Giants here. They could take cornerback Aaron Williams, linebacker Akeem Ayers, defensive tackle Stephen Paea, maybe even an offensive tackle since they're all still on the board. In the end, I think they'll go the athletic route and grab Ayers, who can spruce up the linebacker position.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
20 of 32
Most draft boards have Adrian Clayborn going here, and it makes sense; he's a good fit. Too bad he's already gone now. They need a guy who can sack the quarterback, but unfortunately, most of the good ones are gone. Cameron Jordan fits with that need, and it will work out in the end.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
21 of 32
For a playoff team, the Seahawks sure have a lot of issues to fix. I don't seem them taking Jake Locker, and most of the elite pass rushers are now gone. This leaves the offensive line hole, which they'll fill with who they think is best. It'll end up being Nate Solder, who's the highest tackle on most draft boards.
22. Kansas City Chiefs: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
22 of 32
The big man out of Oregon State would help solidify an already pretty good front seven. Allen Bailey is also a possibility if they don't think Glenn Dorsey or Tyson Jackson will cut it. I don't see them picking a wideout like others do.
23. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
23 of 32
The Colts could use some extra protection to help Peyton Manning out, and they have a few different options. In the end, they'll pick the 6'8" man out of Wisconsin, who interestingly enough, I don't see on other boards. Most prefer Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State, but Wisconsin's had good success with tackles in the NFL.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
24 of 32
Mike Pouncey is the best guard in the draft, and the Eagles badly need offensive line help. Drafting pretty much anyone on the line would be an improvement. Sherrod or Anthony Castonzo work well here also, but I think they'll take the star guard out of Florida. It doubly helps them since then he won't fall to the Steelers.
25. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
25 of 32
I could see them trading down here. Akeem Ayers is the best fit, but with him off the board, it's tough to say who they would pick. I'm going to take a risk here and pick one that I don't see anyone else selecting. It's tough to say how much Charles Woodson has left in the tank, so they'll be looking for a replacement for him. Williams is as good as they'll get in that regard.
26. New Orleans Saints: Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
26 of 32
Lewis's stock has risen quite a bit recently, and linebacker is one of the few areas the Saints can target. Lewis can take over and work alongside Jonathan Vilma and Scott Shanle, which would make for a pretty strong linebacker core.
27. Chicago Bears: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
27 of 32
Another team whose quarterback is getting drilled far too many times. The solution is to pick up an offensive lineman, and Castonzo is the best one left at this point. A wideout is a possibility as well, but with the big three gone, that's unlikely.
28. New York Jets: J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
28 of 32
The Jets need help most in the front three, which is getting old. Cameron Jordan is probably the best fit, but he's been taken, so the next choice is Allen Bailey. However, Watt's draft stock has been shooting up all year, and I expect that to continue. In the end, they'll look past the potentially better choice and take Watt.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami
29 of 32
The problem here for Baltimore is that their biggest need is cornerback, but all the good ones are off the board. They could reach for Jimmy Smith or Brandon Burton, but I don't see that happening. Instead, they'll take the best defensive player regardless, which is easily Bailey. Putting Bailey next to Ngata can make some things happen.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
30 of 32
Smith has suddenly jumped into the first round, and Pittsburgh could use some offensive line help. Their first choice would be Mike Pouncey, and they could always trade up to gt him if they feel they need to. They'll pick the best tackle on the board, which could either be Derek Sherrod or Tyron Smith.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
31 of 32
Tony Gonzalez may retire at season's end. If he does, this is a no brainer, as that hole can be plugged in immediately. Even if he doesn't, Rudolph is easily the best tight end in the draft and can be groomed to take over.
32. New England Patriots: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
32 of 32
Cameron Heyward is a tempting pick here, but would the Patriots really use two first-round picks on their front line? I doubt it. Instead, they'll go with a man whose stock has skyrocketed of late, Justin Houston. He would help provide a pass rush and certainly has the ability to hurt the opposing offense.
As for pick 33? Penn State guard Stefen Wisniewski seems likely, particularly if Logan Mankins leaves.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")