2011 NFL Mock Draft: Complete 1st and 2nd Round Pick Predictions
With the bowl season winding down, fans will begin looking towards the NFL playoffs.
As they watch those playoffs, they'll find themselves wondering which college players would help their favorite team out the most.
That's where I come in. During the offseason, there will be a million and one 2011 NFL Mock Drafts. Here, I'll try to be the one with the most accurate projections, but no one can predict for certain how the 2011 NFL Draft will shape up.
With complete coverage of the first and second rounds, feel free to agree with picks you like and tell me why you don't like certain picks.
From Andrew Luck to Torrey Smith, here are my projections for the first and second rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers
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First Round (No. 1 Overall): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Panthers have the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, but they don't pick again until the third round.
That means they need to make sure they get the No. 1 pick right.
Luck would be the best bet, as the Panthers desperately need a quarterback. Luck is the most NFL-ready quarterback prospect in the country.
I expect him to declare for the draft and for the Panthers to make him the first pick.
Second Round: Traded pick to New England Patriots
2. Denver Broncos
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First Round (No. 2 Overall): Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
The Broncos need to revamp their secondary.
Their play was unacceptable this season even with Champ Bailey at one cornerback position. But, Bailey is a free agent and is unlikely to return to Denver.
That means Peterson, the best corner in the draft, is the smartest pick for the Broncos. As an added bonus, Peterson can also return punts.
Second Round (No. 34 Overall): Greg Jones, OLB, Michigan State
In addition to the secondary, the entire defense needs revamped in Denver. Jones will give the Broncos an excellent playmaker from the linebacker position.
Second Round (No. 47 Overall from Miami): Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
The Broncos need a running back to serve as a backup to Knowshon Moreno. Thomas will do just that.
3. Buffalo Bills
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First Round (No. 3 Overall): Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
The Bills run defense is a mess. Fairley would provide instant improvement to the defensive line.
He's a great defensive tackle in that he can stop the run and pressure the quarterback.
They need more playmakers on defense, but Fairley is a great start.
Second Round (No. 35 Overall): Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The Bills finally get a potential franchise quarterback in Locker.
He had a tough year at Washington, but the Bills don't need him to play right away. He can sit behind Ryan Fitzpatrick for a year or two and learn the NFL game before he needs to take the reins.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals
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First Round (No. 4 Overall): Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
The Bengals pass rush was simply awful this season.
The team has a solid pair of corners in Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall, but even the best corners can't defend receivers for 10 seconds.
Bowers will be a good start towards getting more pressure on the QB, but they'll still probably need to bring in a free agent.
Second Round (No. 36 Overall): Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
The Bengals aren't likely to resign Terrell Owens, and Chad Ochocinco's option probably won't be picked up.
That will leave the team with a couple openings at wide receiver.
Pettis is an NFL ready receiver who could help Carson Palmer get his career back on track.
5. Arizona Cardinals
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First Round (No. 5 Overall): Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
The Cardinals will bring in Gabbert to give John Skelton some competition for the starting job this offseason.
Gabbert might have the tools to get the ball to Larry Fitzgerald more next year. Gabbert worked with Danario Alexander in 2009 and had Michael Egnew and T.J. Moe this season, so he's used to working with star receivers.
Second Round (No. 37 Overall): Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
Bailey's strength is stopping the run, something the Cardinals need to do better on defense.
But, he can also pressure the passer at times, so the dual-threat end will fit in nicely in Arizona's scheme.
6. Cleveland Browns
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First Round (No. 6 Overall): A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The Browns need more talent at the wide receiver position.
Green is the best wide receiver available in this year's draft, so it makes sense for the Browns to draft him.
He'll give Colt McCoy a go-to guy next season, helping his development as a quarterback.
Second Round (No. 38 Overall): Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
The Browns also need help in the secondary.
Moore is a potential first round talent, but he'll probably slip into the second round.
7. San Francisco 49ers
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First Round (No. 7 Overall): Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Despite his last pass being an interception in the Sugar Bowl, Mallett will still be a pretty high draft pick in this year's draft.
He'll be better than any quarterback the 49ers currently have on their roster by far.
His arm strength enables him to make any throw on the football field.
Second Round (No. 39 Overall): Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia Tech
After addressing their biggest need at QB, the 49ers will need to address their secondary problems.
Dowling will be the best cornerback left on the board and would be a steal with the 39th overall pick.
8. Tennessee Titans
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First Round (No. 8 Overall): Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
Since the Titans lost Albert Haynesworth, their defense just hasn't been the same.
Dareus would provide them with a tough, versatile DT/DE who can stop the run.
He can make the rest of the Tennessee defensive line better.
Second Round (No. 40 Overall): Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
The Titans will probably take a quarterback in the second round in case Vince Young is inconsistent again in 2011.
Though Titans' owner Bud Adams has a serious man-crush on Young, he needs to wake up and realize VY is not the answer.
Drafting Ponder would give them a viable backup plan.
9. Dallas Cowboys
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First Round (No. 9 Overall): Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
The Cowboys biggest weakness is in the secondary.
Terence Newman is slowing down and Mike Jenkins is coming off a horrible season, so cornerback is an area they must address.
Amukamara is the best pure corner in this draft. Patrick Peterson has the most big play potential, but Amukamara will be the most consistent.
Second Round (No. 41 Overall): Tyron Smith, OT, USC
The Cowboys also need some new offensive linemen.
Tony Romo and Jon Kitna were both injured this year because the O-Line couldn't keep the defense from getting to the QB.
10. Washington Redskins
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First Round (No. 10 Overall): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
The Redskins have a bunch of small, fast receivers but no big targets for a quarterback to throw to.
Jones fits that description. He'll give whoever the QB is in Washington next year a big, solid target to throw to.
Second Round (No. 42 Overall): Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech
Look for the Redskins to address their QB need in the second round.
WIth his performance in the Orange Bowl, Taylor's stock has probably risen a bit.
I expect Mike Shannahan to draft Taylor based on his potential as a dual-threat QB.
11. Houston Texans
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First Round (No. 11 Overall): Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Jenkins will be the best secondary player left in the draft, and the Texans desperately need secondary help.
They allowed an embarrassing amount of passing yards in 2010.
While Jenkins won't solve all their problems, he will make them a little more respectable.
Second Round (No. 43 Overall): Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Liuget anchored the Illinois defensive line this year and played a big part in the Illini's win over the Baylor Bears in this year's Texas Bowl.
The Texans need some help with their defensive line and Liuget will be a great talent in the second round.
12. Minnesota Vikings
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First Round (No. 12 Overall): Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
The Vikings will be in need of a QB this offseason.
Newton fits the mold of a quarterback that had a decent career in the purple and gold, Dante Culpepper.
That might be enough to entice Minnesota to take Newton with the 12th pick.
Second Round (No. 44 Overall): Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The Vikings pass rush took a major step back this season.
They need to get another solid defensive end to line up across from Jared Allen.
Kerrigan is one of the best ends in this draft, so he should fit in well in Minnesota.
13. Detroit Lions
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First Round (No. 13 Overall): Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (FL)
The Lions just need to upgrade their defense a bit and they'll be a playoff contender in the NFC North.
Their first area of concern is in the secondary.
The Lions couldn't hold a lead this season because they couldn't stop their opponents from passing. Harris will help them in that regard.
Second Round (No. 45 Overall): Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
The second area of concern in Detroit is the linebacking corps.
Getting a solid backer like Houston in the second round would greatly improve the Detroit defense.
14. St. Louis Rams
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First Round (No. 14 Overall): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Rams need a big play wide receiver to pair with young QB Sam Bradford.
If Blackmon can make a guy like Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden look like an all-star, imagine what he can do with Bradford.
Expect an immediate impact from Blackmon.
Second Round (No. 46 Overall): Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma
Lewis will help make the Rams' pass rush even more formidable.
The Rams had a solid defense this season, but they can always improve. Lewis will help them do just that.
15. Miami Dolphins
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First Round (No. 15 Overall): Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
The Dolphins need to draft a new running back. Ricky Williams is slowing down and Ronnie Brown has been inconsistent lately.
Ingram would be a valuable third running back in 2011 and ready to step into a split-carry situation in 2012.
Second Round: Traded pick to Denver Broncos
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
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First Round (No. 16 Overall): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
The Jaguars seemingly always have a need for wide receivers.
This year, they'll try to fill that need with Floyd, a very solid receiver for the Fighting Irish.
Second Round (No. 48 Overall): Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
It never hurts to have plenty of blockers for Maurice Jones-Drew.
17. Oakland Raiders
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First Round: Traded pick to New England Patriots
Second Round (No. 49 Overall): Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
Beal will help back up the Raiders defensive line that has been playing well lately.
The linebackers need help, and Beal is the best candidate in the second round.
18. San Diego Chargers
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First Round (No. 18 Overall): Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Quinn would be an ideal OLB in the Chargers 3-4 scheme.
He can pressure the passer as well as anyone in this draft and will help make the Chargers' excellent defense even better.
Second Round (No. 50 Overall): Kelvin Sheppard, OLB, LSU
Sheppard is a guy who the Chargers can team up with Quinn in certain packages or use them interchangeably in other packages.
19. New York Giants
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First Round (No. 19 Overall): Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Outside linebacker is one of the deepest positions in this year's draft, and the Giants will reap the benefits of Ayers falling to No. 19.
It never hurts to have too much depth at LB/DL, and the Giants know that all too well, as they have suffered through several injuries in recent years.
Second Round (No. 51 Overall): DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
It's about time the Giants start drafting replacements for their aging offensive line. Love will be a huge bargain if he falls to the second round.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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First Round (No. 20 Overall): Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Heyward is one of the most complete defensive lineman in this year's draft.
He can step in and solidify the Bucs defensive line, something the young team needs in order to be serious playoff contenders.
Second Round (No. 52 Overall): Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
As the Bucs let their young offense continue to gel, they need to add more key pieces to their defense.
Carter will be one of those key pieces.
21. Seattle Seahawks
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First Round (No. 21 Overall): Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The Seahawks need some major upgrades in their secondary and Smith will be the best available defensive back this late in the first round.
He'll help the Seahawks stay competitive in the NFC West in 2011.
Second Round (No. 53 Overall): Ryan Williams, RB, VIrginia Tech
Trading for Marshawn Lynch didn't solve the Seahawks' problems running the football.
Maybe teaming him up with Williams will help them both be productive next season.
22. Kansas City Chiefs
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First Round (No. 22 Overall): Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
The Chiefs don't have much depth behind Dwayne Bowe at WR.
Baldwin will give them a young wide out that can learn under Bowe and QB Matt Cassel.
Retooling their offense will make the Chiefs even more dangerous in 2011.
Second Round (No. 54 Overall): Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
The Chiefs' current center, Casey Wiegmann, is getting pretty old.
Therefore, the Chiefs should draft this promising young center and let him learn how to play center from one of the best in the business for a year or two.
23. Indianapolis Colts
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First Round (No. 23 Overall): Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Peyton Manning has been hit too many times this season.
If the Colts want to keep him healthy as he continues to age, they'll need to upgrade their offensive line.
Castonzo is the best bet to immediately impact the team.
Second Round (No. 55 Overall): Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
The Colts need some interior linemen to stop the run, as Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are purely pass rushers at the ends.
Nevis is a stout defender who would make the ends even better.
24. Philadelphia Eagles
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First Round (No. 24 Overall): Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
The Eagles have had several injuries along the offensive line this season, so getting some more bodies in there makes sense.
Sherrod has the talent to eventually take over the tackle position and be a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
Second Round (No. 56 Overall): Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
Michael Vick doesn't seem to enjoy throwing to current tight end Brent Celek.
So, the Eagles should bring in Rudolph and see if he can be more productive from the TE position.
25. Green Bay Packers
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First Round (No. 25 Overall): Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
The Packers made a good first round pick last year when they took Bryan Bulaga for their offensive line.
This year, they need to take another offensive lineman to keep rebuilding the line.
Carimi is a beast of a tackle and might be the perfect guy to protect Aaron Rodgers' blind side for years to come.
Second Round (No. 57 Overall): Orlando Franklin, OG, Miami (FL)
Keep retooling that offensive line.
26. New Orleans Saints
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First Round (No. 26 Overall): Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The Saints need to get better at pressuring the quarterback, as they have taken a huge step back from 2009.
Clayborn is one of the best pure DEs in this draft class and will fit in nicely with Gregg Williams' defense.
Second Round (No. 58 Overall): Robert Sands, S, West Virginia
Darren Sharper is getting pretty old, so it's time for the Saints to start finding a replacement for him.
Sands is a ball-hawking safety who could benefit from playing with Sharper for a year.
27. Chicago Bears
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First Round (No. 27 Overall): Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Jay Cutler is hit too many times.
That's due in part to the aging Bears' offensive line.
Solder would inject some youth in that unit.
Second Round (No. 59 Overall): Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina
Time to find a solid backup in case Brian Urlacher can't finish a whole season in 2011.
28. New York Jets
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First Round (No. 28 Overall): Cameron Jordan, DE, California
The Jets love taking defensive players in the early rounds of the draft, and the defensive line needs an upgrade.
Jordan will give them depth and talent at the end position.
Second Round (No. 60 Overall): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hightower will give the Jets a versatile linebacker to use in the rotation.
29. Baltimore Ravens
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First Round (No. 29 Overall): Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
The secondary has been a weak spot for the Ravens for a couple years now.
Williams is a tough corner who would help stop receivers and take some pressure off of Ed Reed.
Second Round (No. 61 Overall): Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma
The revamping of the secondary continues with the selection of a safety from Oklahoma.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
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First Round (No. 30 Overall): Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
The Steelers took Pouncey's brother last year in the first round.
This year, they seem a virtual lock to take the other Pouncey.
They certainly need him to help solidify an offensive line that was riddled with injuries this season.
Second Round (No. 62 Overall): Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
The Steelers secondary struggles outside of Ike Taylor.
Burton will help solidify their corner position.
31. Atlanta Falcons
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First Round (No. 31 Overall): Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
The Falcons' defensive tackles have been disappointing this season.
Paea will help solidify one of the Falcons' only weak spots.
Second Round (No. 63 Overall): Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
The Falcons could use a third wide receiver behind Michael Jenkins and Roddy White.
Broyles is good enough that he will eventually surpass Jenkins on the Falcons' depth chart.
32. New England Patriots
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First Round (No. 17 Overall from Oakland): J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
The Pats need a solid defensive end and Watt fits that bill.
His motor will fit right in with the rest of the Patriots defense.
First Round (No. 32 Overall): Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Miller can line up with any of the Pats' linebackers and solidify the middle of the New England defense.
Second Round (No. 33 Overall from Carolina): Marcus Cannon, OG, TCU
The Patriots don't have a lot of depth along the offensive line, especially if Matt Light leaves during free agency.
Drafting Cannon will give the Patriots depth at the interior line positions.
Second Round (No. 64 Overall): Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
The Pats don't need much help on offense, but adding depth at wide receiver certainly wouldn't hurt them.
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