2011 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck Staying at Stanford, Carolina Panthers Pick...
Andrew Luck staying at Stanford throws a wrench into the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers are in a tough position now at the No. 1 slot—wanting to pick a franchise quarterback as Jimmy Clausen is their best current option—but no one seems worthy of that pick.
Auburn Tigers quarterback Cam Newton could be the answer, as could Missouri Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert, or Arkansas Razorbacks signal-caller Ryan Mallett.
And Washington Huskies head man Jake Locker was considered a possibility for last year's No. 1 overall selection, so who knows?
Here is my updated 2011 NFL Mock Draft, with a complete pick-by-pick projection of the first round.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB Auburn
1 of 32
Newton doesn't have the polish of Luck, but he has the upside.
Don't overthink "value" here; Newton could be a star.
2. Denver Broncos: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
2 of 32
The best defensive prospect in the draft.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
3 of 32
The Bills were solid against the pass this year, but much of that was due to teams' willingness to run all over them.
Peterson would be a huge upgrade to their secondary. They can address the run defense in Round 2.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
4 of 32
Time to cut ties with Carson Palmer.
And Gabbert's stock is rising quickly.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
5 of 32
Not as good as Suh, but not that far off.
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
6 of 32
The best receiver in the draft. A no-brainer.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
7 of 32
Their biggest need is quarterback, so if they like Mallett enough, he has to be the pick here.
8. Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker, QB, Washington Huskies
8 of 32
Another QB in the top 10?
All of these teams are desperate and can't afford to miss out on one of the top guys.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
9 of 32
The best player left on the board, and one who fills a big Cowboys need.
10. Washington Redskins, Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
10 of 32
Not as overwhelming physically as Julio Jones, but much more so statistically.
11. Houston Texans: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
11 of 32
A bit of a risk, but an explosive talent to pair with Mario Williams.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
12 of 32
Meet one of the successors to the Williams Wall.
13. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
13 of 32
Their late-season surge will cause them to miss out on the top two corners in the draft.
But Jenkins is a solid consolation prize.
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
14 of 32
The Rams need to give Sam Bradford some help.
Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
15 of 32
The best running back in the draft, and Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams look to be gone.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
16 of 32
A huge upgrade to the Jags' linebacking corps.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders): Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
17 of 32
One of the most underrated players in the draft. He'd be yet another Patriots steal.
18. San Diego Chargers: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
18 of 32
The Chargers could use his pass-rushing chops.
19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
19 of 32
Led college football's most dominant rushing attack.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
20 of 32
An absolute freak at 6'9", 315 pounds.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
21 of 32
The best offensive lineman left on the board.
22. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
22 of 32
Michael Floyd is probably a better NFL prospect, but Broyles is a better complement to Dwayne Bowe.
23. Indianapolis Colts: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
23 of 32
Paea would immediately upgrade the Colts run defense, and help out their already-stellar pass rush.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississipi State
24 of 32
Insurance for Michael Vick.
25. Green Bay Packers: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
25 of 32
If he declares, Leshoure will shoot up draft boards.
26. New Orleans Saints: Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU
26 of 32
The best remaining offensive lineman.
27. Chicago Bears: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
27 of 32
The Bears really need help on the offensive line.
28. New York Jets: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
28 of 32
An immediate upgrade to the aging, and likely departing, Shaun Ellis.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
29 of 32
The Ravens need help at cornerback.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rodney Hudson, G, Florida State
30 of 32
If Pouncey doesn't fall to the Steelers, they shouldn't hesitate to pick Hudson.
31. Atlanta Falcons: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
31 of 32
He'd immediately step in and help improve the Falcons 22nd-ranked secondary.
32. New England Patriots: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
32 of 32
The Patriots' safeties have struggled in coverage all year.
Moore is just a year removed from a 10 interception season.
Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud
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