2011 NFL Mock Draft: First Round Projections With Video and No Andrew Luck

Now that Andrew Luck has decided to finish his degree in architectural design at Stanford and return to the Cardinal in 2011, the draft has been shaken up. 

Whether or not it was the right decision for Luck remains to be seen, but you can bet that other players coming out are just licking their chops at the opportunity to move up on the boards. 

A.J. Green, Ryan Mallett, Blaine Gabbert and more are just some of those players. 

The consensus No. 1 pick is out, so let's mock it up again!

1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)

A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

Analysis: With Andrew Luck returning to Stanford to finish his degree, the Carolina Panthers will probably try to trade their way out of this pick.

If they can't, they'll select A.J. Green. 

The wide receiver from Georgia is the best all-around receiver in the draft, by a good margin. He's fast, big, physical and has great hands.

Plus, Carolina needs someone to help out Jimmy Clausen and Steve Smith on offense. 

2. Denver Broncos (4-12)

Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn

Analysis: The entire Denver Broncos defense was pretty awful during the 2010 season. 

While the primary need may be cornerback (both Champ Bailey and Perrish Cox look to be headed away from the Mile High City for various reasons), cornerbacks aren't generally drafted this high. 

So with that in mind, the Broncos will select Nick Fairley, the incredibly tough and strong defensive tackle from Auburn. 

3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)

Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri

Analysis: Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the answer at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. In a draft riddled with quarterback talent, the Bills must select one with this pick. 

The NFL is trending more and more towards a quarterback year and the Bills can't afford to be left behind. 

Blaine Gabbert is the best quarterback in the draft now that Andrew Luck has dropped out. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)

Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

Analysis: With 25 tackles for losses and 15 sacks, Da'Quan Bowers can immediately help jump start the Bengals porous defense. 

Defensive end is the primary need for the Bengals in this draft so Bowers is the perfect fit. He'll get to work immediately in his attempt to stop Colt McCoy, Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco. 

5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU

Analysis: Right now, there isn't much to like about the Cardinals. There are holes on every part of the depth chart. 

Arizona could take a quarterback, a lineman, a linebacker or a cornerback and no one would complain. 

However, they'll select the last position on the list by picking Patrick Peterson. The cornerback from LSU also doubles as a return threat and is too talented to let slip away. 

6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)

Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Analysis: The Browns can claim a surprisingly good defense, a great young running back and a franchise quarterback in the making. 

Now it's time to grab a wide receiver that can help out Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis. Cleveland lacks any playmakers in the passing game besides Josh Cribbs. 

Blackmon, who put up better stats than anyone in college football during 2010, would fit this role perfectly. 

7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas

Analysis: For Arkansas, the best thing about Ryan Mallett is that he's a quarterback without the last name "Smith."

Mallett has the size to play quarterback in the NFL and a rocket arm. Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis would love to have him join them in San Francisco. 

8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)

Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

Analysis: Replacing Albert Haynesworth has been an unsuccessful project for the Titans thus far. This young man from Alabama could put an end to their suffering.

Marcell Dareus will be the best defensive player left at this point in the 2011 NFL Draft and the Titans will pounce. 

Dareus underachieved slightly this season, but there's no way he slips past the Titans. 

9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)

Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska

Analysis: I feel like every time I turned on a Dallas Cowboys game this season, I watched one of their cornerbacks get burned by an opposing wide receiver. 

You know who would change that? Prince Amukamara, Nebraska's best cornerback. 

Drafting Amukamara would be the first successful move for Jason Garrett in his new capacity as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. 

10. Washington Redskins (6-10)

Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

Analysis: Now that Washington has driven Donovan McNabb away (at least, it seems like that's sure to happen), they need to realize that Rex Grossman is in no way deserving of a starting job in the NFL. 

Drafting Cam Newton would add unbelievable potential to their team and finally make people excited about Redskins football. 

11. Houston Texans (6-10)

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, Florida

Analysis: The Houston Texans had an historically atrocious pass defense. If you combine the stats from all opposing quarterbacks throughout the season, the resulting amalgamation would've won the MVP unanimously. 

To help change that, the Texans should take Janoris Jenkins, the talented Florida cornerback. He's a true shutdown corner that would help immensely. 

12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)

Robert Quinn, Defensive End, North Carolina

Analysis: The Minnesota defense is aging and going away in free agency. To counter that and add some much-needed pass rush help, the Vikings should take the talented defensive end from North Carolina. 

Paired with Jared Allen, Quinn would do some amazing things in the NFL. In a division with Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler, it's important to be able to get to the quarterback. 

13. Detroit Lions (6-10)

Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A&M

Analysis: Cornerback is a desperate need for the Lions, but with Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara and Janoris Jenkins all taken, they'll either need to draft a different position or trade away the pick. There is no other cornerback worth taking this high. 

Another need is outside linebacker, and this year's Dick Butkus Award winner, Von Miller, would fill that need. Miller can do it all from the linebacker, and would be an immediate contender for defensive rookie of the year. 

14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Analysis: The St. Louis Rams desperately need to provide Sam Bradford with a big-name wide receiver. 

Pairing Michael Floyd with the league's top young quarterback would build an incredible core for the Rams to work with for the next few years. 

15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama

Analysis: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will both be on different teams next year as they'll leave Miami via free agency. Obviously, the Dolphins will need to replace them. 

Anytime you can score a Heisman winner with the 15th pick, you do it. Mark Ingram won the Heisman his sophomore year and backed up well with a productive, albeit injury-riddled, junior year. 

Now he'll get a chance to prove himself in the NFL. 

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue

Analysis: Aaron Kampman will still be hobbled with an ACL injury and Derrick Harvey never panned out, so it's back to the defensive end pool for the Jaguars. 

Ryan Kerrigan led the nation in tackles for losses in 2010. He has an unstoppable engine and works harder than any player I've seen in quite some time. 

Pairing him with Tyson Alualu will give the Jaguars a very good defensive line. 

17. New England Patriots: From Oakland (8-8)

Akeem Ayers, Linebacker, UCLA

Analysis: The New England Patriots' young defense still needs some improvement at the linebacker position. There's a reason that Jerod Mayo is making every single tackle. As good as he is, he has to make up for some other players and is padding his stats to help the team. 

Akeem Ayers would be able to provide him with much-needed help on the outside. The UCLA linebacker is absolutely one of the best at his position. 

18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)

Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

Analysis: The top priority in the draft for the San Diego Chargers is going to be to upgrade their defense by drafting a defensive end. 

Many starters up front are going to be free agents so replacing them will be vital. 

Cameron Jordan, the defensive end from California, has proven to be quite adept at bringing down ball carriers, including the quarterback, in the backfield. The Chargers would love for him to fall to them. 

19. New York Giants (10-6)

Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado

Analysis: Maybe if the New York Giants improved their offensive line, they'd prevent Eli Manning from having to rush his throws. And maybe if that happened, he wouldn't lead the league (in a bad way) in interceptions thrown. 

Nate Solder would be a man up for the job. The offensive tackle from Colorado is the best offensive lineman available in this draft class. 

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa

Analysis: Adrian Clayborn started out 2010 ranked much higher than this, but because of both a lack of production at times and some character issues, he's slipped down the board. 

Tampa Bay needs another pass-rushing threat to pair with Gerald McCoy, and Clayborn could fill that role perfectly. One thing he does not lack is talent. 

21. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington

Analysis: For a full breakdown of why this pick is perfect, read the following article:

"NFL Draft 2011: Jake Locker Should Hope To Fall to the Seattle Seahawks" 

22. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)

Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle, Arizona

Analysis: With much of the defense expected to leave in free agency, the Chiefs are going to need to draft a player they can build around on the defensive line. 

Stephen Paea is an incredibly talented defensive tackle from Arizona and would be a great choice. 

He's 310 pounds and recorded 11 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles in 2010. He's a complete player at defensive tackle. 

23. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State

Analysis: Peyton Manning is going to throw a fit if the Colts brass doesn't draft an offensive lineman. He had to make almost every throw off his back foot while trying to escape the pressure that was immediately in his face after the snap. 

Derek Sherrod could help change that. He's an incredibly big and talented offensive lineman that could make an immediate impact. 

24. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Mike Pouncey, Offensive Tackle, Florida

Analysis: The Eagles have allowed 43 sacks this year. They need an offensive lineman. 

Mike Pouncey is the best one left. 

Can I move on now?

25. Green Bay Packers (10-6)

Justin Houston, Linebacker, Georgia

Analysis: The Green Bay Packers' two biggest needs in the 2011 offseason are defensive end and outside linebacker. 

Justin Houston can fill both of those spots. 

The Georgia linebacker recorded 19.5 tackles for losses and 11 sacks on the year.

26. New Orleans Saints (11-5)

Drake Nevis, Defensive Tackle, LSU

Analysis: One of the few picks that wasn't somehow affected by the Andrew Luck news, Drake Nevis should still go to New Orleans. 

If the Saints are going to improve any area, it should be this one. 

Drake Nevis would be the best player available at this point, and should be able to easily help out the run defense. 

The lineman recorded 30 tackles for LSU this year, 13 of which were for losses. He also recorded six sacks and forced three fumbles.

27. Chicago Bears (11-5)

Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

Analysis: The Bears' primary need right now is their offensive line. They allow Jay Cutler to be sacked way too often, and don't do the greatest job blocking for Matt Forte. 

If they added a lineman, Cutler may even make less mistakes, although that's quite unlikely. 

Gabe Carimi, the massive offensive lineman from Wisconsin, is incredibly talented and powerful. He needs to work on his technique, but has the potential to be a Pro Bowler. 

28. New York Jets (11-5)

Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Analysis: Thanks to the wonders of free agency, no one is sure exactly what the wide receiver depth chart is going to look like for the Jets next season. 

Drafting Julio Jones would be a good idea though, as it will probably be fairly depleted. 

Alabama's star wide receiver has caught 75 passes for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Mark Sanchez would love to throw the ball to him. 

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh

Analysis: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Derrick Mason and Donte Stallworth aren't getting any younger. The three wide receivers are 36, 33 and 30 respectively. 

It's time to inject some youth into the receiving corps. 

Jonathan Baldwin, although relatively unknown, is tremendously talented and would do exactly that. 

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College

Analysis: The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line is going to be in trouble after this season. Max Starks had neck surgery, Willie Colon will be a free agent and Flozell Adams is getting up there in age.

Someone is going to have to protect Ben Roethlisberger so he doesn't break his nose again. 

Anthony Castonzo, the big offensive lineman from Boston College, should be that guy. 

31. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)

Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Notre Dame

Analysis: Another pick that hasn't changed is the one in the 31st spot. Here's what I wrote last time, because the analysis is no different:

If the Falcons win the Super Bowl, as they very well could, with home-field advantage throughout the NFC portion of the playoffs, Tony Gonzalez will most likely retire on top.

If not, there's still a chance that the All-Pro tight end could call it quits after a long, productive career. 

Gonzalez has said that there's a 50/50 chance that he returns. 

If he does choose to retire, he would leave a gaping hole in the Falcons offense. No player is better equipped to fill that hole than Kyle Rudolph. 

The tight end from Notre Dame has caught 28 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns this season in six games. 

32. New England Patriots (14-2)

Ryan Williams, Running Back, Virginia Tech

Analysis: Ryan Williams could become the most talented running back in New England since Corey Dillon. 

Sure, BenJarvus Green-Ellis just rushed for 1,000 yards and possesses an incredible nickname, The Law Firm, but he isn't really all that talented. 

Williams is.