2011 NFL Mock Draft: Final Order Set, but Is Blaine Gabbert Going No. 1?
Blaine Gabbert, quarterback out of Missouri, declared for the 2011 NFL Draft on Monday.
Teams that have openly talked about Gabbert have said he is currently their second-rated quarterback behind Andrew Luck. Adding Gabbert to the first round will bump down a lot of players, mainly quarterbacks.
That may be bad from a draft prospect's point of view, but for your team, it's great news. Will a great player fall to your team because of the Gabbert effect?
Find out in this 2011 NFL first round Mock Draft:
1. Carolina Panthers: Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford)
1 of 32
Analysis:
The Panthers' dream situation here would be to have Jim Harbaugh pulling the trigger for this selection. Luck lived up to the hype in the Orange Bowl on Monday night, throwing for 287 yards and four touchdowns.
Comparison: Aaron Rodgers
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)
2 of 32
Analysis:
Peterson is arguably the best cornerback prospect to come around in the past decade. He is a shutdown cornerback and a return ace that has don't-kick-him-the-ball type ability.
Comparison: Champ Bailey
3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley (DE, Auburn)
3 of 32
Analysis:
Fairley has been the most dominant defensive player in college football this season. He would bring a much-needed swagger to a Bills team that is used to losing.
Comparison: Albert Haynesworth
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers (DE, Clemson)
4 of 32
Analysis:
Coming out of high school, he was called the best defensive end since Reggie White and Bruce Smith. Bowers will help the Bengals fulfill their defensive potential.
Comparison: Michael Strahan
5. Arizona Cardinals: Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska)
5 of 32
Analysis:
Amukamara is a can't-miss prospect at the cornerback position. Without a coaching change, the Cardinals will attack the quarterback position outside of the draft.
Comparison: Charles Woodson
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green (WR, Georgia)
6 of 32
Analysis:
The Browns' dream has come true: They're in position to draft A.J. Green. Green has been called the best wide receiver to enter the draft since Randy Moss, besides Calvin Johnson.
Comparison: Larry Fitzgerald
7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)
7 of 32
Analysis:
Gabbert is a 6'5", 235-pound pocket passer with loads of potential. Out with Alex Smith, and in with Gabbert for the 49ers.
Comparison: Philip Rivers
8. Tennessee Titans: Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)
8 of 32
Analysis:
The Titans got lucky losing in the final week and are now in position to select Dareus. He'll finally fill the void that was left by Albert Haynesworth.
Comparison: Ty Warren
9. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Quinn (DE, UNC)
9 of 32
Analysis:
Quinn could arguably be the top prospect had he not been suspended this season. The Cowboys don't fill a huge need, but the best-player-available approach here gives the Cowboys an unblockable pass rushing duo in DeMarcus Ware and Quinn.
Comparison: Mario Williams
10. Washington Redskins: Ryan Mallett (QB, Arkansas)
10 of 32
Analysis:
The Redskins plan on taking a quarterback in the second, but Mallett is too good to pass up at this point. Mike Shanahan obviously doesn't think Donovan McNabb is the answer, but neither is Rex Grossman.
Comparison: Joe Flacco
11. Houston Texans: Stephen Paea (DT, Oregon St.)
11 of 32
Analysis:
Paea is one of the strongest players, if not the very strongest player in all of college football. He would form a nice duo for the Texans with the athletic Amobi Okoye and fill a huge need.
Comparison: Tyson Aluala
12. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)
12 of 32
Analysis:
The Vikings have to take a quarterback here—sorry, Joe Webb. Cam Newton may have a similar skill set as the quarterbacks they already have, but he's the far superior quarterback.
Comparison: Vince Young
13. Detroit Lions: Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue)
13 of 32
Analysis:
The Lions select the best available player as usual, and with this pick will cement their defensive line for years to come. Kerrigan could serve as a situational pass rusher until Kyle Vanden Bosch needs to be replaced.
Comparison: Brandon Graham
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones (WR, Alabama)
14 of 32
Analysis:
The Rams lost to the Seahawks because Sam Bradford had no one to throw to. Jones is one of the nation's most dangerous weapons that is equally effective as a deep threat and after the catch.
Comparison: Terrell Owens
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram (HB, Alabama)
15 of 32
Analysis:
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will both become free agents this offseason. Ingram is an improvement over both of them as he's the best running back in the draft, bar none.
Comparison: Maurice Jones-Drew
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn (DE, Iowa)
16 of 32
Analysis:
He was once considered a top-10 pick, but has fallen because of character concerns and inconsistent play. The Jaguars need help at defensive end badly.
Comparison: Justin Smith
17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan (DE, California)
17 of 32
Analysis:
Jordan's stock has sky-rocketed this season. He fills the hole left by the Richard Seymour trade with the pick from the Richard Seymour trade.
Comparison: Will Smith
18. San Diego Chargers: Von Miller (OLB, Texas A&M)
18 of 32
Analysis:
Von Miller is the best speed rusher in the draft. The Chargers need a pass rusher after the departure of Shawne Merriman and the bust of Larry English.
Comparison: Elvis Dumervil
19. New York Giants: Travis Lewis (OLB, Oklahoma)
19 of 32
Analysis:
Lewis is an elite linebacker prospect that will fall because 4-3 outside linebackers just aren't a coveted position. The Giants need to replace an old and ineffective Keith Bulluck.
Comparison: Lance Briggs
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akeem Ayers (DE, UCLA)
20 of 32
Analysis:
The most versatile player in the draft can practically fill a need for any team. The Buccaneers need a major upgrade at defensive end; Ayers can play defensive end.
Comparison: Adalius Thomas
21. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker (QB, Washington)
21 of 32
Analysis:
Locker is the biggest victim of Blaine Gabbert entering the draft. He falls to his hometown team in a perfect situation where he'll get to sit the bench for a year and learn the system.
Comparison: Jay Cutler
22. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma St.)
22 of 32
Analysis:
Blackmon pretty much led the nation in every receiving category there is this year. A duo of Dwayne Bowe and Blackmon would be one of the league's best soon enough.
Comparison: Greg Jennings
23. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder (OT, Colorado)
23 of 32
Analysis:
The athletic Nate Solder is the No. 1 tackle on most analysts' boards. The Colts need to upgrade their offensive line to protect a struggling Peyton Manning.
Comparison: Trent Williams
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Janoris Jenkins (CB, Florida)
24 of 32
Analysis:
Dimitri Patterson shouldn't be starting in the NFL. The Eagles need to find a cornerback to improve a secondary that was taken advantage of by Minnesota rookie Joe Webb.
Comparison: Asante Samuel
25. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Williams (CB, Texas)
25 of 32
Analysis:
Charles Woodson's time is almost up. Aaron Williams is the big type of corner the Packers like.
Comparison: Quentin Jammer
26. New Orleans Saints: Drake Nevis (DT, LSU)
26 of 32
Analysis:
Nevis has played lights-out this season. He would drastically improve a mediocre Saints pass rush.
Comparison: Sedrick Ellis
27. New York Jets: J.J. Watt (DE, Wisconsin)
27 of 32
Analysis:
The Jets need an upgrade at defensive end. J.J. Watt has the perfect frame for a 3-4 end at 6'6", 290 pounds.
Comparison: Patrick Kerney
28. Baltimore Ravens: Allen Bailey (DE, Miami)
28 of 32
Analysis:
Bailey is the biggest physical freak in the entire draft. He would add even more explosiveness to an elite Ravens defense needing a defensive end.
Comparison: Kevin Williams
29. Chicago Bears: Derrick Sherrod (OT, Mississippi St.)
29 of 32
Analysis:
The Bears surrendered more sacks this season than any other team. Sherrod is arguably the most pro-ready tackle and would be an instant upgrade.
Comparison: D'Brickashaw Ferguson
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey (G, Florida)
30 of 32
Analysis:
Pouncey is the best interior offensive line prospect in the draft this year. He would easily start right away for the Steelers at right guard next to his brother, Maurkice.
Comparison: Davin Jospeh
31. Atlanta Falcons: Jonathan Baldwin (WR, Pittsburgh)
31 of 32
Analysis:
Jonathan Baldwin is yet another extremely talented wideout in this draft class. The Falcons need someone dangerous across from Roddy White so defenses can't double-team him.
Comparison: Vincent Jackson
32. New England Patriots: Justin Houston (OLB, Georgia)
32 of 32
Analysis:
The Patriots could easily get three starters out of this draft if they go DE-OLB-CB with their first three picks. Houston has 10 sacks this year and is one of the top 3-4 outside linebacker prospects.
Comparison: Lamar Woodley
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.
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