2011 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck and The Entire First Round Projections
The 2010 NFL season has concluded and we are getting ready for the postseason.
While the NFL playoffs are about to begin, college football has only six bowl games remaining which means it is almost time to get ready for the 2011 NFL Draft.
This year's draft is stocked with talent on the offensive and defensive side of the football.
There are talented quarterbacks coming out such as Stanford's Andrew Luck and Auburn's Cameron Newton.
There are also major impact players on defense entering the draft like LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson and Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers.
Here are projections of the entire first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)
1 of 32
Needs: QB, WR
Pick: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
Granted, the Carolina Panthers did select Jimmy Clausen in the 2010 draft, but they have a chance at selecting a great quarterback in Stanford's Andrew Luck.
Luck is the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft class and the Panthers need someone to turn their franchise around.
After an impressive game in the Orange Bowl where he threw four touchdowns, Luck is all but guaranteed to be selected No. 1 overall.
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)
2 of 32
Needs: DT, CB, DE
Pick: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
With the Denver Broncos having a few needs heading into the 2011 draft, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley should be the pick.
Fairley would instantly improve a Bronco defensive line that was 31st against the run during the season.
The 6'5, 298-pound Fairley's ability to get after the quarterback is also key for the Broncos in making this selection, as he recorded 11 sacks in 2010
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)
3 of 32
Needs: QB, WR, OLB
Pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
The Buffalo Bills have many needs and maybe they should select a quarterback, but they may be convinced that Ryan Fitzpatrick is their guy.
After wide receiver Steve Johnson's breakout year, the Bills would love to line somebody up across from him and who better than Georgia's A.J. Green?
The 6'4, 212-pound receiver would be perfect for the Bills with the No. 3 pick.
Green caught eight passes for 77 yards during a loss in the Liberty Bowl.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
4 of 32
Needs: DE, WR, RB, QB
Pick: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
With the the departure of Terrell Owens and with Chad OchoCinco possibly following him, A.J. Green would have been a great pick here.
With Green likely to be off the board, Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers will be the pick.
Bowers will be a great pick for the Bengals who will line up opposite of Carlos Dunlap, who recorded 9.5 sacks during his rookie season.
The Bengals can have a dominant pass rush for years to come.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
5 of 32
Needs: QB, CB, DT, OT
Pick: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
The Cardinals have quite a few needs but Patrick Peterson is just too good to pass up.
Peterson has amazing athleticism and would be perfect to line up across Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Peterson would give the Cardinals great playmaking ability on defense and would also be a part of a great cornerback tandem.
The Cardinals may also select a quarterback here.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)
6 of 32
Needs: WR, DE, OLB
Pick: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
The Browns could go with a wide receiver here, but they still might want to give their young wide receivers a chance.
Due to that, I think the pick will be North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn.
Quinn was ineligible to play in 2010, but he did record 11 sacks in 2009 and his raw talent will make him a first-round pick.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
7 of 32
Needs: QB, DE, CB, DT
Pick: Ryan Mallett
The Alex Smith experiment has not worked out in San Francisco and it is time for the 49ers to draft another quarterback.
If Mallett is available, he will be the guy for the Niners.
The 6'6" Mallett has a big arm and can be the perfect quarterback to get the ball downfield to Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)
8 of 32
Needs: DT, CB, QB
Pick: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
The Titans have a few needs but Nebraska's Prince Amukamara would pair up well with Cortland Finnegan.
The Titans have issues with Vince Young and can go with a quarterback at No. 8, but if Jeff Fisher is out in Tennessee, the Titans may hold on to Young and look at another position in the draft.
Amukamara would be a good fit.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
9 of 32
Needs: DE, S, LB
Pick: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Ryan recorded 33 sacks in four seasons at Purdue, and 25 in his last two seasons.
The Cowboys have a sack machine in DeMarcus Ware, but Kerrigan would improve the Dallas defensive line.
Kerrigan had a monster year in 2010, including a game where he had four sacks in a loss to Michigan.
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)
10 of 32
Needs: QB, CB, WR
Pick: Blaine Gabbert, WB, Missouri
Gabbert declared for the draft, and I have him being selected at No. 10 by the Redskins, who need a quarterback.
With McNabb leaving, Rex Grossman is not the answer and Gabbert can fill that need.
Many have Gabbert ranked as the second-best quarterback behind Andrew Luck, but I have Gabbert as the third quarterback taken in this draft.
11. Houston Texans (6-10)
11 of 32
Needs: DT, CB, S
Pick: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
The Texans had one of the worst defenses in the league in 2010 and Dareus can instantly make an impact.
Dareus has the ability to get to the quarterback and can also help stop the run.
He would make a great fit for the Texans if he is still available at No. 11.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
12 of 32
Needs: QB, CB, LB, S
Pick: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Locker's stock has definitely dropped in recent weeks, but his leadership and natural ability will allow him to be the fourth quarterback taken in the first round.
There are many franchises in need of a quarterback, and Locker will be available for them to select.
The Vikings do not have that franchise quarterback and Locker will be available at No. 12.
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)
13 of 32
Needs: CB, S, LB, OL
Pick: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
ESPN's Todd McShay is very high on Miller and rightfully so, because of his amazing natural abilities.
Miller recorded 27 sacks in his last two seasons with Texas A&M and has also improved in coverage.
The Lions need a playmaker on defense and Miller can provide that for them.
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
14 of 32
Needs: WR, TE, DT, LB
Pick: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
The Rams are rebuilding and they need some weapons for quarterback Sam Bradford.
Bradford did not have much to work with in his rookie season, and Jones would provide him with a great wide receiver.
Jones caught over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010 and would be a great fit for the Rams with the No. 14 pick.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
15 of 32
Needs: RB, QB, S
Pick: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Ingram will be the first back taken in the draft, even though he did not put up the same numbers as in 2009 during his Heisman Trophy year, missing two games.
Ingram had 875 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2010, scoring 30 combined touchdowns in his last two seasons.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are not the answers in Miami, so Ingram will be the pick here.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
16 of 32
Needs: WR, CB, DE
Pick: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The Jacksonville Jaguars really struggled this season on defense especially against the pass.
Their lack of a pass rush allowed teams to pass all over them but Clayborn can help improve their pass rush immediately.
The 6'4", 285-pound Clayborn is difficult to block, so he would be tough against opposing offensive lines for the Jaguars.
17. New England Patriots (14-2) (via Oakland Raiders)
17 of 32
Needs: DE, RB, WR, LB
Pick: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
The Patriots traded Richard Seymour to the Raiders for a first-round pick before the 2009 season, and now they will finally get their pick.
The Patriots should chose Cameron Heyward from Ohio State because he would make a great fit.
Heyward can play both inside and on the end just like Seymour did for them.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)
18 of 32
Needs: DE, S, WR, OL
Pick: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Solder is ranked by many as the best offensive lineman in the draft and this would be a great pick for the Chargers at No. 18.
Philip Rivers was sacked 33 times this season and drafting Solder would bring that number down.
With a young promising running back in Ryan Mathews, the Chargers can use some help on the offensive line.
19. New York Giants (10-6)
19 of 32
Needs: OL, DT, RB
Pick: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi
The offensive line has been an anchor for the Giants in recent years, but they are getting up there in age.
Drafting Sherrod would provide some youth, as he can be a great offensive lineman for the Giants for years to come.
Both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay are high on Sherrod and he would be a smart pick at No. 19 for the Giants.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)
20 of 32
Needs: LB, DE, WR
Pick: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Ayers has the ability to open eyes at workouts and is a great athlete.
His size makes him versatile because he plays linebacker but can also spend some time on the line.
The 6'4", 255-pound Ayers would be a great fit for the Buccaneers, who are in need of a linebacker.
21. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
21 of 32
Needs: QB, RB, S, LB
Pick: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
With the aging Matt Hasselbeck and the unproven Charlie Whitehurst, Newton should be the pick at No. 21 if he is still available.
Newton has the playmaking abilities that the Seahawks lacked all season, scoring 49 total touchdowns while winning the Heisman Trophy.
Newton will compete in the BCS National Championship against Oregon and his stock could rise if he plays well on the big stage.
22. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
22 of 32
Needs: DT, LB, WR
Pick: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
The Chiefs have a few needs, but drafting a receiver to compliment Dwayne Bowe could be the right move to make.
Blackmon had an amazing year with over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns for Oklahoma State and can be exactly what the Chiefs need.
With teams likely to double-team Bowe next season, drafting Blackmon would give opposing defenses two playmaking wide receivers to worry about.
23. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
23 of 32
Needs: RB, DT, OL
Pick: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
The Colts have everything covered on the ends of their defensive line with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, but it is inside that needs some help.
Stephen Paea can help the Colts' defensive line by stopping the run and he can also get after the quarterback.
Paea recorded six sacks during the 2010 season, so he will also be a factor in the pass rush.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
24 of 32
Needs: CB, LB, OL
Pick: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
The Eagles could use a defensive back and Jenkins would be a great pick.
Perhaps somewhat underrated, Jenkins has put up solid numbers during his three seasons with the Gators.
Jenkins has intercepted eight passes and returned one for a touchdown in 2010.
25. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
25 of 32
Needs: RB, CB, OL
Pick: Gabe Carimi, OT, Washington
Aaron Rodgers has gotten sacked plenty of times over the past two seasons and drafting Carimi would improve the Packers' line.
Carimi is the best available tackle and will protect Aaron Rodgers in 2011, while also helping improve Green Bay's running game.
26. New Orleans Saints (11-5)
26 of 32
Needs: DE, DT, S
Pick: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
The Saints can use some help stopping the run and Austin would be a good pick at No. 26.
Austin has the ability to clog up the run and put pressure on the quarterback. That is something the Saints can use in 2011.
27. Chicago Bears (11-5)
27 of 32
Needs: OL, LB, DT
Pick: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Offensive tackle is a primary need for the Bears and Castonzo would fill that hole immediately.
Castonzo has great footwork and would be a great fit for the Bears.
Castonzo's abilities could earn him a starting job right away, protecting Jay Cutler who got beat up this season.
28. New York Jets (11-5)
28 of 32
Needs: DE, S, OL
Pick: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
The Jets' pass rush was an issue during the season and Bailey can help solve that problem.
Bailey recorded seven sacks in 2010, and will need to use his pass rushing abilities in the NFL.
With Vernon Gholston yet to record a sack in his three-year career, the Jets will make sure that they will not pick the wrong defensive end again.
29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
29 of 32
Needs: OL, CB, WR
Pick: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Offensive tackle is a need for the Ravens and Smith has the most upside.
He might take a little time because he needs to build up, but his upside can get him drafted in the first round.
Ozzie Newsome has always drafted well for the Ravens and he will make the right pick here.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
30 of 32
Needs: OL, DE, CB, DT
Pick: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
One of the Steelers' needs is at the defensive back position.
Harris can come in and fill that need immediately.
It is possible that Harris may fall into the second round, but he definitely has first round talent and I would not be surprised if the Steelers took him at No. 30.
31. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
31 of 32
Needs: LB, CB, OL, S
Pick: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
This might come as a surprise, but I think the Falcons can use another wide receiver alongside Roddy White.
White had a monster year and will draw a lot of double teams next season, so Baldwin would take away some of those double teams.
Baldwin caught over 800 yards and five touchdowns in 2010.
32. New England Patriots (14-2)
32 of 32
Needs: DE, RB, WR, LB
Pick: Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
The Patriots' defense was vulnerable this season, and drafting Houston would improve that young defense.
Houston can get after the quarterback and can drop back in coverage, recording 10 sacks this season.
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