2011 NFL Mock Draft: Top 20 Picks Set, Complete 1st Round Projections

The 2010 NFL regular season is over and 20 teams already are thinking about the future.

Will my coach be around? Will that player demand to get traded? Will they re-sign that free agent?

But most importantly...Who will my team draft in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft? With the top 20 draft positions already locked in place, let's take a look at a 2011 NFL mock draft:

1. Carolina Panthers- Andrew Luck (Stanford)

After watching his performance in the Orange Bowl (18/23, 287 yards, four TDs and one INT), it is safe to say he is hands down the best draft prospect in college football. His combination of physical skill and smarts  will make him a franchise QB in the NFL. He is only a redshirt sophomore, but he would be crazy to stay at Stanford for another season.  

2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson (LSU)

The Broncos are going to lose Champ Bailey to free agency and Perrish Cox could be headed to prison for a few years in the wake of recent rape allegations. The Broncos need help at corner in a big way and Peterson has a chance to be the next Bailey. He is extremely athletic and has the ability to cover any size receiver in the NFL.

3. Buffalo Bills- Nick Farley (Auburn)

The Bills need a ton of help on the D-line and the DT Farley would immediately plug the middle of the line to stop the run. He was on fire the last month or so of the season and playing well in the BCS Championship game will bump him up to the Bills.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- DaQuan Bowers (Clemson)

The Bengals had disappointing seasons from every veteran player on their D-Line. Carlos Dunlap broke the team's rookie record with 9.5 sacks, but they need more help. Bowers has been the most productive pass-rusher in 2010. The 6-4, 275 pound athletic end had 24 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in the regular season.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Ryan Mallett (Arkansas)

If there is one team that could desperately use a QB, its the Cards. Mallett is the next best available option after Luck. He has a cannon for an arm and has improved every single year he has been in college. This pick would also make Larry Fitzgerald more inclined to stay in Arizona.

6. Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green (Georgia)

The Browns defense proved to be much improved in 2010. They found their QB in Colt McCoy and got a great season out of running back Peyton Hillis. But the play-making receivers still aren't there and the offense suffered because of it. Green is the most explosive player in the draft and he has the kind of break-away speed the Browns need.

7. San Francisco 49ers-  Robert Quinn (UNC)

Quinn missed all of 2010 due to eligibility issues, but that shouldn't scare the 49ers away from this supreme talent. He had 11 sacks as a junior and has the potential to be one of the top sack leaders in the NFL.

8. Tennessee Titans- Prince Amukamara (Nebraska)

The Titans secondary is getting old. Prince Amukamara has been a shutdown corner for Nebraska. He has excellent ball skills and has contained some of the best player in the Big-12 this year. After Patrick Peterson, this is he best CB in the draft.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Janoris Jenkins (Florida)

The Cowboys corners were one of the main culprits of their disappointing 2010 season. Jenkins has excellent balance on his feet, which allows him to get in and out of his breaks in a timely fashion. He is used to big-time games having played in a championship and has proven himself against the elite of the SEC.

10. Wasington Redskins- Juilo Jones (Alabama)

The 'Skins are very thin at the wide receiver position. Jones is a huge target that also has blazing fast speed. He will be a stud receiver in this league for at least the next decade. Line him up across from Santana Moss and enjoy the show.

11. Houston Texans- Marcell Dareus (Alabama)

Defensive help is needed all across the board for the Texans. If one of the top corners still isn't on the board, they will go with the best avaliable talent. Marcell Dareus is the top player on the board who would help improve Houston's defense right away.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Cam Newton (Auburn)

Joe Webb did not show enough for the Vikings to feel comfortable giving him the starting position in 2011. Cam Newton has been to most talk of college football in 2010—for better or for worse. But his stats jump off the page: 2,589 passing yards and 28 TDs in 13 games for Auburn. His ability to run the ball (1409 yards in '10) will really intrigue the Vikings and should be enough to select him.

13. Detroit Lions- Brandon Harris (Miami)

The Lions are on the right track, but could use some more help in the defensive secondary. Harris has excellent speed and quickness with outstanding vision. He shows a good burst and can turn with receivers at ease.

14. St. Louis Rams- Stephen Paea (Oregon St.)

They need a receiver in the worst way (See Sunday vs. Seattle) but with Green and Jones gone, they will have to address the issue in later rounds. Stephen Paea retained the 2010 Morris Award for the top defensive lineman in the PAC-10 after winning the award in '09. He recorded 45 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and six sacks this season.

15. Miami Dolphins- Jake Locker (Washington)

Chad Henne just isn't cutting it and the 'Fins must find a replacement. After a miserable 2010 where both Locker and his team struggled mightily, the Washington QB has dropped down the "big board." But if you watched the Holiday Bowl against Nebraska you can tell he has the skill and intangibles to make it in the NFL.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Akeem Ayers (UCLA)

Akeem Ayers has been a stud in the PAC-10 and is versatile enough to play any position on the D-Line. He is very quick and is excellent at chasing down the ball carrier. He is extremely focused and always around the football.

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland)- Mark Ingram (Alabama)

The Pats have used a plethora of no name backs this season and have had plenty of success. But I suspects this trend will come crashing to a halt in the playoffs. Drafting Ingram will give the Pats a solid foundation at the position for the foreseeable future.

18. San Diego Chargers- Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma St.)

It appears as if Vincent Jackson is as good as gone in San Diego, meaning they will need a lot of help at the reciever position. Blackmon had 102 catches, 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He scored a TD in EVERY game this season. This would be a great pick for the 'Bolts.

19. New York Giants- Von Miller (Texas A&M)

There are a few great D-Line prospects on the board, but the Giants' bigger issue is at linebacker. The 2010 Butkus award winner, and 2009 first-team All-American, Miller was the Big 12 sack leader for the second straight year with 9.5 sacks in 2010.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue)

Kerrigan had a whopping 210 career tackles at Purdue to go along with 13 sacks. The potential for Kerrigan is very sky high. He had a four-sack game against Michigan and recorded 10 or more tackles in three games in 2010.

21. Seattle Seahawks- Cameron Jordan (Cal)

Jordan is a disciplined defensive end that shows excellent strength at the point of attack. He takes the proper angles and continues to improve his technique. Jordan is a safe pick that Pete Carroll can feel comfortable selecting.

22. Kansas City Chiefs- Johnathan Baldwin (Pitt)

Getting a 6'5, 230 pound receiver with the ability to out jump any corner is a steal at 22. Complement him with Dwayne Bowe and you have a match made in heaven in Kansas City.

23. Indianapolis Colts- Derek Sherrod (Miss St.)

The Colts can never have enough depth on the offensive line. Derek Sherrod, with his durability and footwork, has the potential to protect Manning for the rest of Peyton's career.

24. Philadelphia Eagles- Mike Pouncey (Florida)

The Eagles biggest weakness lies on the O-Line and grabbing a versatile OL like Pouncey would do wonders for Mike Vick and Co. Pouncey could also play in the same state as his brother Maurkice, who plays for the Steelers.

25. Green Bay Packers- Travis Lewis (Oklahoma)

The 6'2, 240 pound outside linebacker has been a All Big 12 performer the past three seasons. The junior might decide to stay in college for his senior season, but will be a first round pick if he goes.

26. New Orleans Saints- Adrian Clayton (Iowa)

Adrian Clayborn has the ability to play as a defensive tackle or as an end that can put pressure on the opponents' QB. The Saints need to improve their pass rush to get back to creating more turnovers for the defense.

27. Chicago Bears- Anthony Costanzo (Boston College)

The Bears offensive line is miserable and by far the weakest position on the team. Drafting offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo will help solidify the Bears offensive line. He is great at shifting his feet and staying in front of pass rushers.

28. New York Jets- Cameron Heyward (Ohio St.)

Heyward is a physical DT that is extremely quick to the ball. He had 42 tackles and three sacks for the Buckeyes this season, but was the main reason his team played so well against the run. He can bring some youthfulness to an aging Jets D-Line.

29. Baltimore Ravens- Aaron Williams (Texas)

The Ravens will only have two signed corners going into the off-season and could use a lot of help. Williams has decent size for the position and is extremely fast. This should be a no-brainer for the Ravens.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers- Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin)

The Steelers have struggled to protect their QBs all season and have little depth across the offensive line. Carimi, who played well at the end of the year after a slow start, is a great fit for Pittsburgh's blocking scheme.

31. Atlanta Falcons- Allen Bailey (Miami)

Bailey is an above average pass rusher that should help take some of the pressure off John Abraham. The Falcons are playing very well this season but could use a linebacker that can get to the QB.

32. New England Patriots- Justin Houston (Georgia)

Not a whole lot of needs for the Patriots but Houston could upgrade the linebacker position right away. He recorded 11 sacks for the Bulldogs in 2010.