2011 NFL Mock Draft: Can Cam Newton Move Into the Top 10?

How things can change in a day. Just yesterday, it was expected that Standford's Andrew Luck would forgo his remaining two years of college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft and then be picked No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers, use his 10s of millions of guaranteed dollars to live lavishing while raising the Panthers from purgatory.

That is no longer the case. Luck has decided to return to Stanford, eliciting what was surely a less-than-pleasant reaction from Carolina owner Jerry Richardson.

Richardson and other NFL owners are now scrambling for Plan B in the quarterback department. Some QBs' stock is rising like mercury in a thermometer in Glendale, Ariz. Speaking of Glendale...

One quarterback sure to benefit from Luck's decision is Auburn's Cam Newton. However, the draft is probably far from Newton's mind right now, you know, with the BCS National Championship to play on Monday in Glendale. How high Newton and others will rise will be an interesting trend to keep watch of.

Here's how the draft will shake out now that Luck is hitting the books for another year.

1. Carolina Panthers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

There is a good chance Carolina trades out of this spot. They can either move down and still get a good quarterback or fully invest in Jimmy Clausen. If they stay at No. 1, Bowers is a can't-miss talent.

2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

There isn't a more complete defensive back in the country. He's the type of cornerstone defense are built around. Sprinkle in explosiveness in the return game and the B

roncos--and the rest of the league, they hope--can't pass on Paterson.

3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Twenty-one tackles for loss. That right there is what makes Fairley so valuable. He can rush the passer, disrupt the run and has spent the season manhandling college kids. He's ready for the big boys.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

The question is whether or not the organization is committed to Carson Palmer long term. He showed flashes of his old self down the stretch. They won't look for a replacement for him yet. A.J. Green can help bring Palmer back to elite status.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Gabbert is suddenly the biggest name in draft talks. With Luck not available and several teams looking for a new quarterback, Gabbert could stand to make a bunch of money. Arizona is the first team that can't ignore its need for a quarterback.

6. Cleveland Browns: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Watt has declared himself eligible and that was news all NFL teams wanted to hear. Watt proved himself to not only be one of the premier run defenders in the nation (21 tackles for loss) but also developed into a pass-rusher.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

There is concern about Mallett's mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure. But NFL coaches and GMs look the other way on that most of the time when they see the physical skill set of someone like Mallett. If nothing else, he looks the part of NFL quarterback.

8. Tennessee Titans: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Bud Adams cut ties with Vince Young. It might be because he likes Cam Newton better. Newton is extraordinarily talented, but will need refining. He's the type of player that a coach can fall in love with and end up drafting even higher than this. Much higher.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Miller has 27 sacks the past two seasons for the Aggies. He looks like the perfect protege to DeMarcus Ware. Miller is an instant boost to whoever drafts him. 

10. Washington Redskins, Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, Cal

Jordan is extremely versatile, able to play all along the defensive line. Depending on what happens with Albert Haynesworth, the Redskins could be in great need of youthful talent on the D-line.

11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Getting Amukamara here would be an absolute steal. It's argued constantly whether he or Paterson is the best CB in the draft. Houston's pass defense was laughable this season. Well, laughable to everyone not associated with the Texans.

12. Minnesota Vikings, Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

There's a reason Wisconsin had three 1,000-yard rushers this season: a beastly offensive line led by Carimi. Adrian Peterson wouldn't mind running off tackle behind this guy. Wisconsin only allowed 12 regular season sacks. Again, Carimi had something to do with it.  

13. Detroit Lions: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

Detroit is a bit of a sleeping giant building around a young defense. The defensive line is in place. Boosting the secondary is the next step.

14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

Sam Bradford needs better receivers, period. Danny Amendola is a nice player but probably shouldn't be leading an NFL franchise in receptions. Jones is a Pro Bowler waiting to happen with size, strength, speed and sure hands.

15. Miami Dolphins, Ryan Williams, RB, Miami

Ricky Williams is running out of time. Ronnie Brown hasn't proven very successful outside of catching teams off guard with the Wildcat. Williams is a legitimate running back with major upside. He knows what he's doing by declaring for the draft.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars, Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina

Quinn got a little too excited about his pro potential, accepting improper benefits from agents, thus being ruled ineligible for 2010. He's still a top prospect with elite athleticism.

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

The idea of Dareus still being available this late is absurd. He's right behind Nick Fairley as far as defensive tackle prospects. Getting him at 17 is just the type of thing that has made the Patriots the best franchise in football the past decade.

18. San Diego Chargers: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

San Diego is overcoming its tackle play to be successful. With Castonzo holding down one of the spots, it won't be settling anymore. Some project him going in the top-five.

19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Usually there is an offensive tackle being discussed as top-three pick. Not this season. The class is still good at the top, and Solder might be the best of the bunch.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Tampa Bay is a franchise rising behind its offense. Clayborn, whose stock has dropped some this season, is the type of player needed to get the defense on par.

21. Seattle Seahawks: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

Seattle needs help on the offensive line and Sherrod is the right guy here. Mississippi State produced the nation's 16th best rushing offense this season.

22. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Kansas City isn't really in need of a wide receiver right now, but Blackmon is too good to pass up at this spot in the draft. Other teams' needs will drop Blackmon and a healthy Chiefs team would be more than happy to comfort him with a pick.

23. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida

The Colts could very well trade up to get a receiver to offset what could be the loss of Austin Colley. Pouncey is a versatile player with similar talents to brother Maurkice, who is a Pro Bowler as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

24: Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

The NFC East is home to plenty of talented wide receivers. The Eagles hope to make it home to at least one more talented cover man.

25. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward DT/DE, Ohio State

Heyward was already highly touted before he went crazy in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas, getting 1.5 sacks and batting down multiple passes. He's a versatile player with super strength.

26. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

Kerrigan has 32 sacks over the past three seasons. New Orleans has lacked great pass-rushing production out of its defensive ends. Sometimes these things just write themselves.

27. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Devin Hester experiment has been mostly positive, but Floyd was made to be an NFL receiver. He does all the little things--route-running, looking the ball in--really well and has speed as well.

28. New York Jets: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

He's disruptive, he's nasty and he's athletic. In other words, he's the type of defensive player that Rex Ryan dreams about.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami (Fla.)

Bailey could end up as a hybrid linebacker/defensive end because of his athleticism. He's essentially the next Terrell Suggs.

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State

Pittsburgh has had some issues on the offensive line this season that could be sorted out with the right draft pick. Wisniewski has the power and agility to help out.

31. Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Fla.)

Roddy White needs some help. Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas are solid, but a better No. 3 receiver is in order. Matt Ryan wouldn't mind tossing it to the explosive Hankerson.

32. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

For all the good that BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead have accomplished, acquiring a powerful back like Ingram would still be a good move for the Patriots.