NFL Mock Draft 2011: Andrew Luck to The Carolina Panthers, Who Is Number Two?

Despite Andrew Luck's refusal to discuss his possible NFL plans after last night's huge victory over Virginia Tech, it's widely assumed that he'll be taking his talents to the next level.

Carolina Panthers

Andrew Luck, Stanford

This has been the Luck sweepstakes for quite some time now, and Carolina looked like they tanked on purpose toward the end to ensure that he'd be the QB of the future.

Denver Broncos

CB Patrick Peterson, LSU

Peterson is the type of elite talent that only comes around once in a blue moon. With veteran corner Champ Bailey on his way out with a new coaching regime on the way in, this one makes perfect sense.

Buffalo Bills

DT Nick Fairley, Auburn

This is the pick that the team should make, given the gaping hole on the line, but QB Cam Newton could be too appealing to pass up here.

Cincinnati Bengals

WR A.J. Green, Georgia

T.O. won't be back, Chad Ochocinco seems 50/50 to return at best and the Bengals are in need of a young, elite wide receiver to replenish the talent pool.

Arizona Cardinals

Robert Quinn, DE/OLB North Carolina

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the Cards to go with a quarterback here given the fact that they drafted two just last season, so look for the versatile Quinn to fit in perfectly with an improving defensive unit.

Cleveland Browns

CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska

Joe Haden did not look all that promising in his rookie season and Amukamara would immediately improve a very young secondary.

San Francisco 49ers

QB Cam Newton, Auburn

This is the perfect fit for Newton as the 49ers can finally have a legitimate franchise player at the position.

Tennessee Titans

DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State

One thing has been clear about the Titans since Albert Haynesworth left: The need for defensive tackle looms rather large.

Dallas Cowboys

DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama

A pairing of Dareus and Ware along the defensive front would be a very scary sight for opposing offenses.

Washington Redskins

WR Julio Jones, Alabama

Back to back picks for the Crimson Tide, as Jones will be the number one receiver for whomever is under center for the Redskins in 2011.

Houston Texans

DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson

This is the dream scenario for the Texans, as defense is obviously the team's number one priority.

Minnesota Vikings

QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

This one might be a shocker to some, but it shouldn't be. If the Vikings think that they can win with Joe Webb taking the snaps, it's going to be another long season in 2011.

Detroit Lions

DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue

The defensive line went from atrocious to astute with the drafting of Suh, and Kerrigan should provide a similar boost to the linebacking core.

St. Louis Rams

DE Cameron Jordan, Cal

Coach Steve Spagnuolo is a defense first coach and after narrowly missing the playoffs this season, and giving up 16 points to Charlie Whitehurst in the final game, the defensive unit will once again be priority number one.

Miami Dolphins

RB Mark Ingram, Alabama

With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both looking likely to depart via free agency, Ingram is the perfect pick to take over as the feature back.

Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Despite Mallett's stock sliding as the regular season progressed, this is the perfect landing spot for him.

New England Patriots via Oakland Raiders

WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma

The Patriots will almost undoubtedly trade down from this pick as they seem to do in every draft, but drafting Blackmon would give Tom Brady a serious weapon on the outside to pair with Hernandez and Gronkowski for a long, long time.

San Diego Chargers

G Mike Pouncey, Florida

Maurice Pouncey's little brother has nothing little about him. The Chargers can solidify the offensive line and create some more running room for Ryan Mathews with the young guard.

New York Giants

LB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

The additions to the linebacking core have not worked out as hoped and Clint Sintim hasn't thrived in a featured role.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida

The Buccaneers have an extremely promising future in this league, and adding Jenkins to eventually take over for Ronde Barber would only strengthen that outlook.

Seattle Seahawks

QB Jake Locker, Washington

Come on, this one is a match made in heaven.

Kansas City Chiefs

DE/OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M

This is about taking the best player left on the board, and the Chiefs could certainly use some help on defense despite the success they've enjoyed this year.

Indianapolis Colts

OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State

The Colts need to improve their pass protection very, very soon.

Philadelphia Eagles

DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa

The Eagles clearly don't mind taking a chance on a player with character issues and Clayborn was once considered a top ten talent.

Green Bay Packers

DE/OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA

They need to find a complement to Clay Matthews.

New Orleans Saints

DE/DT JJ Watt, Wisconsin

Watt and an emerging Sedrick Ellis on the same defensive line would be a very solid 1-2 punch for an extremely long time.

Chicago Bears

DE/DT Allen Bailey, Miami

The defensive line has improved with Julius Peppers, but it's still not fully restored to its former elite level.

New York Jets

DT Drake Nevis, LSU

The Jets are going to need a defensive tackle to take Kris Jenkins' place and with Jenkins tearing his ACL in back-to-back seasons, they better do it now.

Baltimore Ravens

DE/OLB Justin Houston, Georgia

Sergio Kindle didn't play a snap in 2010 and Houston may be ready long before he is.

Pittsburgh Steelers

OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College

Flozell Adams isn't going to last forever.

Atlanta Falcons

TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame

Tony Gonzalez was already on the retirement fence entering the season, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see him hang up the spikes after a very prolific career.

New England Patriots

OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin

There's a lot of uncertainty along the Pats' offensive line and Carimi would give them a young, versatile talent that Bill Belichick loves utilizing.