Revised 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Andrew Luck Avoids the Carolina Panthers
Andrew Luck, the obvious #1 draft pick, avoids the horrible team that is Carolina.
My team the Seahawks are in the playoffs with below .500 record and they beat the defending champs.
There may not be an NFL season next year.
Maybe this whole 2012 stuff is wrong and the world ends in 2011.
On the clock the Carolina Panthers......
Pick 1 Carolina
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I don't see how the Panthers can pass on their most glaring weakness which is their D-Line. I know a play maker on the offensive side is greatly needed but living in North Carolina and having to suffer through watching this horrible team play they need to upgrade the D-Line first.
Nick Fairley is the top D-Lineman in the draft after his play in the BCS Championship Game.
A lot of pressure will be place on this young man but he has a lot of upside after only recently becoming a force on defense. Hopefully for the Panthers sake he will mature and stop committing unnecessary penalties.
On the clock Denver Broncos.....
Pick 2 Denver
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This pick is between two players Da'Quan Bowers and Patrick Peterson. The Broncos need more help along the defensive front especially if they decide to switch to a 4-3 from a 3-4. Peterson is probably the better prospect but only if Champ Bailey doesn't re sign. Bowers gets the nod over Peterson though as Carolina passes on him.
The fate of the franchise is in the hands of it's best player, John Elway, so no one knows what direction he will go.
On the clock the Buffalo Bills....
Pick 3 Buffalo
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The Bills will probably trade down to pick up extra picks because they have a lot of holes to fill.
If not they should take Patrick Peterson. Most think they will draft Cam Newton but they won't be impressed with his Combine results. Another option is Robert Quinn (North Carolina) or Marcell Dareus (Alabama) two physical defensive line men another weakness of the Bills.
Best player available. Best player drafted by a team with to many holes to fill. Hopefully for Bills fans they trade down.
On the clock the Cincinnati Bengals....
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Pick 4 Cincinnati
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Yet another team struggling to decide who to draft.
Cincinnati will probably draft A.J. Green or a QB but it will be the wrong choice. How is a play maker going to help you win games if you can't stop anyone on defense. Robert Quinn isn't the answer but he is a piece to the puzzle.
On the clock the Arizona Cardinals...
Pick 5 Arizona
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Will Arizona draft Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett, or Blaine Gabbert?
Depends on how they view each prospect. Mallett is more of a polished ready prospect who will appease the requests of Fitzgerald finally giving him a QB that can stretch the field and make the big throws missing since Kurt Warner. Newton is another truly interesting prospect for them with his mobility but I believe his Combine results will hurt his draft stock if not after the BCS Championship Game he may have become the #1 QB in the draft.
I think overall though Mallett's arm secures him the top spot at QB.
On the clock the Cleveland Browns...
Pick 6 Cleveland
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Justin Blackmon or AJ Green? Which character issues will hurt more?
Blackmon loses out in this one due to only having been a full time starter for only one season. AJ Green becomes the first WR off the board and could create a run of WR with only two other legitimate 1st rounders.
On the clock the San Francisco 49ers....
Pick 7 San Francisco
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The new face of the San Francisco 49ers is Cam Newton.
Newton's intangibles will make him more appealing to new coach Jim Harbaugh. Blaine Gabbert is another QB that will be in the running for the 49ers but he is not consistent and not experienced enough to take with the 7th pick. Newton's performance in the BCS Championship Game helped his draft stock as he showed off his arm instead of his legs and really became a true NFL QB.
The 49ers may surprise everyone and draft a DT in this spot instead as the QB's on the roster have the talent to compete in a decent offensive scheme.
On the clock the Tennessee Titans...
Pick 8 Tennessee
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Tennessee has no choice but to draft a QB unless Jake Locker helps out his draft stock in the Combine or Senior Bowl they over look Gabbert's inconsistency and lack of experience.
Current QB Kerry Collins is a good back up but not a starter and Rusty Smith is not even a decent back up. Vince Young is out of Tennessee and Gabbert gives them the chance to compete while having a QB of the future.
On the clock the Dallas Cowboys...
Pick 9 Dallas
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No one knows what Jerry Jones is going to do but Marcell Dareus would be an amazing steal at #8 as some people have him listed as the #4 prospect in the draft. Dareus should fit well into the Cowboys defensive sets and will make an impact right away.
J.J. Watt or an Offensive Tackle could also be picked here but the value of this pick is to high for either of those choices.
On the clock the Washington Redskins...
Pick 10 Washington
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A QB is more likely but I don't see it happening as the Redskins will probably sign a free agent one instead.
J.J. Watt brings tenacity and heart to a D-Line that lacks motivation and skill.
Another possibility is Von Miller or Ryan Kerrigan.
On the clock the Houston Texans...
Pick 11 Houston
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With the Texans switching to a 3-4 they will need another OLB and a DT to make a smooth transition and the best available OLB is Von Miller.
Von Miller will give the Texans possibly the best young core of LB's in the league. Other possibilities are a CB or DT.
On the clock the Minnesota Vikings...
Pick 12 Minnesota
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The Vikings will not draft a QB in the first round. Joe Webb will start next year and if they bring in Josh McDaniels he will develop him into a solid starter.
That being said the biggest weakness on this team is either the secondary or the O-Line.
CB Prince Amukamara is the second best corner in this draft but may be a better pro than Peterson. This pick will help take pressure off the D-Line to make plays to hide the weakness in the secondary.
On the clock the Detroit Lions...
Pick 13 Detroit
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Detroit needs to protect is franchise QB Matt Stafford better if they expect to have a winning season and Sherrod is the highest rated OT in this draft.
CB may be a bigger immediate need but the Lions need to go for the wise choice of OT.
On the clock the St. Louis Rams...
Pick 14 St Louis
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Sam Bradford finally gets a WR that is capable of making big plays.
Once again another big name prospect is returning to school. St. Louis wanted Justin Blackmon but now Julio Jones becomes the pick. Not that St. Louis cares Jones is more than capable of becoming a #1 WR in the NFL. If for some unknown reason AJ Green is available at this spot don't expect him to slide any farther.
On the clock the Miami Dolphins...
Pick 15 Miami
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After an inconsistent senior season Jake Locker fell from possible #1 pick to a middle round pick. However this will benefit the Dolphins who get a QB with unlimited potential and most experience.
The Dolphins could also draft RB Mark Ingram as the current RB are struggling to re gain past performances.
On the clock the Jacksonville Jaguars...
Pick 16 Jacksonville
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The Jaguars must decide if they want to upgrade their secondary or their pass rush. Current DE's are not living up to their hype so Adrian Clayborn fits in nicely.
Safety Rahim Moore or CB Janoris Jenkins make this an interesting choice.
On the Clock the New England Patriots...
Pick 17 New England
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Ryan Kerrigan gives the Patriots a solid pass rusher and the kind of hard worker that fits the Patriot mold.
Aldon Smith is another possible selection.
On the clock the San Diego Chargers...
Pick 18 San Diego
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Aldon Smith is a young prospect with tremendous upside while being one of the top pass rushers in the draft. He could come in and play either DE or OLB.
Other options are WR Julio Jones or DE Cameron Heyward.
On the clock the New York Giants...
Pick 19 New York
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No doubt about it the New York Giants will draft a OT and Castonzo is the best available player at the position. Castonzo could be the top OT in the draft and he had a great showing against Da'Quan Bowers.
The only possible option is to take a LB but that would be a huge reach at this position in the draft.
On the clock the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
Pick 20 Tampa Bay
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Tampa Bay secured the future of their team with a huge draft last year and this year will be no different.
Cameron Heyward gives the Bucs a player who will take pressure off last years #2 pick Gerald McCoy freeing him up on the inside. Heyward's huge game against Arkansas in the bowl game raises his stock to the middle of the 1st round.
Other choices are LB or S.
On the clock the Kansas City Chiefs...
Pick 21 Kansas City
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The Kansas City Chiefs draft WR Jonathan Baldwin to play opposite Dwayne Bowe which will stretch the defense allowing the run game to truly be able to dominate games. Kansas City is the unlucky team in the 1st round who needs a WR as AJ Green is already gone Julio Jones is gone and Justin Blackmon decided to return to school.
Look for the Chiefs to strongly consider an O-Lineman and a LB.
On the clock the Indianapolis Colts...
Pick 22 Indianapolis
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After getting torched by RB this year the Colts finally address the interior of their DL by drafting DT Stephen Paea.
Other choices are OT or RB.
On the clock the Philadelphia Eagles
Pick 26 Green Bay
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The Packers truly struggled at running the ball this year. If Ryan Grant stayed healthy then maybe we would have seen Aaron Rodgers have an even better year if possible. The Packers could have been the best team in the NFL with a solid RB which is why they go out on a limb and select Mark Ingram to help bolster their backfield. Ryan Grant may be a good RB but for how many more years with Ingram learning from him and sharing the carries both should excel and catapult the Packers to a Super Bowl
Other options for this selection are OT, CB or OLB.
On the clock the New York Jets...
Pick 24 New Orleans
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After watching Marshawn Lynch get over 100 yds against the Saints on Saturday it is hard to find any reason why the Saints shouldn't draft a DT.
The best available DT is Corey Liuget due to his run stopping abilities and his ability to rush the passer.
Other choices are DE or OLB.
The next picks will be based on the current record of remaining playoff teams
On the clock the Seattle Seahawks...
Pick 25 Seattle
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The Seahawks have the most holes out of every playoff team to fill. Most "experts" believe the Seahawks will draft a QB RB or D-Lineman however after watching the Saints game those areas are solid for now. Being a Seahawks fan this is a hard decision but one that makes the most sense for the future of the team.
Gabe Carimi is a LT in college but by moving him to RT the Seahawks will begin to create a O-Line to be reckoned with. Carimi at RT and Russel Okung at LT give the team bookend tackles for years to come.
On the clock the Green Bay Packers...
Pick 23 Philadelphia
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Philadelphia needs to upgrade it's aging and inconsistent secondary and be able to compete with the receivers in its division.
Janoris Jenkins and Brandon Harris will compete to be the 3rd CB taken in the draft. Jenkins could even compete to be the 2nd best CB in the draft depending on how he does at the Combine. Jenkins is more of an all around good CB than Harris while also being good at bump and run coverage which is why he gets the edge over Harris.
And then go figure Jenkins returns to Florida. The Eagles decide that Harris is now the #3 CB and draft him.
Other option is to draft an OT to help protect the QB and create better running lanes.
On the clock the New Orleans Saints....
Pick 27 New York
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The Jets have a lot of weaknesses and most of them are going to show up next year as the defense is aging. Possible selections are DE, DT, OLB, and O-Line.
Akeem Ayers provides the Jets with a pass rushing OLB who in some situations could line up as a DE.
Chicago has a worse record but they play Seattle so both can not get eliminated in the current games which is why
On the clock the Baltimore Ravens...
Pick 28 Baltimore
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The Ravens may for the first time in many years be looking to make improvements at their SS and ILB positions. It is doubtful that they will select either of those positions this high in the draft instead opting to draft an insurance policy for Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. The selection of OT Nate Solder only boosts an impressive O-Line.
Other options are DT and CB.
On the clock the Chicago Bears...
Pick 29 Chicago
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It is hard to make a case for the Bears not drafting someone for their O-Line but it is possible as a Mike Martz offense relies heavily on WR's which they don't have. With all that said Cutler can not make plays while picking himself up off the ground.
OT DeMarcus Love may not be the best prospect in the draft but he is the best T available as he played G and both T positions in college.
The Bears may also select a G, WR, or C (if Olin Kreutz leaves in free agency).
On the clock the Pittsburgh Steelers...
Pick 30 Pittsburgh
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Steelers fans would probably love to see another Pouncey along the interior of the O-Line but that is a reach at this point in the draft and with all the big OT prospects already off the board the Steeleres look to bolster their aging DE position.
DE Cameron Jordan is a consistent player who would flourish in the Steelers defense as he wouldn't garner double teams and could develop with the current starters in place.
Other options are a upgrade at OT, OG, and CB.
On the clock the Atlanta Falcons...
Pick 31 Atlanta
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OLB Bruce Carter is a reach in the first round but only because of an injury suffered late in 2010. Carter was seen as one of top OLB prospects in this draft and a very steady play maker for North Carolina. Atlanta is weak at the OLB position and his ability to rush the passer and drop back in coverage make this a great fit. Atlanta is lucky to get such a great player at this spot as long as he heals quickly from his injury. If Carter is not healthy enough to get in a good workout look for Atlanta to select DE/OLB Jeremy Beal a similar player except limited in coverage
Other potential picks are OG, OT, and DE.
On the clock, again, the New England Patriots...
Pick 32 New England
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The Patriots have another pick in the 1st round and they have the first pick in the 2nd round. This pick will probably be traded so that Belichick can stockpile more picks. If it is kept the Patriots will likely fill the biggest hole they have had for the past 4-5 yrs drafting a RB who will has the chance to be an All-Pro.
RB Mikel LeShoure is well rounded prospect who can run inside or outside and match the receptions necessary to succeed in the Patriot offense. A solid pick for the Patriots that will result in defenses finally having to respect their rushing attack.
Center and Guard are also a possible choices here.
The Luck Of The Draw
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Round 1 is finished and with Andrew Luck out of the picture it totally changed the landscape of the draft. A lot of players benefited from Luck returning to school causing their draft stock to rise. The true losers in this draft are the Carolina Panthers who still need something to bolster their offense.
Teams make choices that don't make sense and trades that seem ridiculous but that is why the NFL is so loved.
Here's to hoping that the NFL plays next year.
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