2011 NFL Mock Draft: How Andrew Luck's Decision Changes the Landscape of Things
by Charlie Peters
The NFL playoffs are underway, which means one thing: time to start wasting our hours predicting the NFL Draft. The idea of creating a mock draft before the playoffs even conclude is as ridiculous as Mel Kiper's draft-day helmet hair. But hey, you Googled NFL mock draft in early January, and here is Flockaball's take. For now, we'll skip the playoff teams until the entire first round order is set after the Super Bowl.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14): A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. And sometimes, it's better to be a Stanford Cardinal than a Carolina Panther.
Now that the Andrew Luck is back in school, Carolina needs to look elsewhere. Jimmy Clausen is terrible, but guaranteeing a ton of money to a quarterback (like Mizzou's Blaine Gabbert) that Carolina isn't sure they wanted in the first place isn't a good strategy. Besides, do you think that the Panthers are just a franchise quarterback away from being a contender? Neither do I.
Move on and grab a wideout to complement Steve Smith. Green is supremely talented and is the best of a weak skill position class. Plus, if they suck enough in 2011, they can take Luck then (or just kidnap him in Palo Alto).
2. Denver Broncos (4-12): Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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For years, Denver has been at the forefront of acquiring defensive linemen retreads to fit their needs, so I don't see them spending big money on a guy to fill that position like dirty boy Nick Fairley. But a cornerback makes sense. Champ Bailey isn't long for the gridiron, and Perrish Cox may be penalized jailed 15 yards three years for illegal use of hands rape. Many want Patrick Peterson, but Amukamara is ready to play in the AFC West right now. Plus, Bailey and Cox remain in the mix for 2011; what opposing quarterback is going to throw deep knowing the defensive backfield has a Perrish, Champ and Prince?
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12): Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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I see a lot of mocks with Buffalo taking a corner or defensive tackle. While the defense isn't great in Buffablow, the Bills need offensive players like Snooki needs underwear (seriously, how many times are we going to see her do the reverse butt/snatch flash thing when she bends over? The size of the pixelated box is confusing my HDTV). Is Gabbert a legitimate top-three pick? Who knows. Did I just hear about this guy 18 minutes ago? Yes sir. But Todd McShay and Mel Kiper like to argue about him, so he must be important.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
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While they should probably take a parole officer, the Bengals also need help at wideout following the expected defections of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. Blackmon is explosive; the sophomore wideout caught nine passes for 117 yards (including a 71-yard touchdown catch, with just a vapor trail following behind). The Cowboy's star will rise as we approach the combine.
And as for Fairley, Cincy should pass, because they've had enough headaches lately.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
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Is Mallett worthy of being the fifth pick? I'm not entirely sure. But when you're the Arizona Cardinals and your options are this, this and most famously this, the 6'7" Mallett looks pretty good. Here's how you know you don't already have the franchise quarterback on your roster: when you search for his name on YouTube, the top seven hits are from a tantrum during a press conference. They need a quarterback, and Mallett will do.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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The Browns may have their quarterback in Colt McCoy and the running back in bruising Peyton Hillis. The Browns need help on the defensive side of the ball, and it starts up front. Teams like the Ravens and Steelers love to pound AFC North opponents inside. Fairley should help solidify the middle for Cleveland for years to come. The Dawg Pound will love this rough-and-tumble grinder.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10): Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Disclaimer: I am not a Jake Locker guy. But many people are, and the thought is that his body and arm projects to being successful in the NFL. I see him as a slim JaMarcus Russell, incapable of the touch that most throws require in the NFL . After all, he completed 20 percent and 31.3 percent of his passes against Nebraska and went just 7-of-14 against Stanford. Locker couldn't handle the two best teams on his schedule (he didn't play against Oregon), so how will he handle the NFL? Good thing for him that the Pac-10 is better than the NFC West.
All that being said, what do I know? Locker could flourish in San Francisco with Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore. A lot of NFL minds want Locker, and I think the 49ers will bite.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10): Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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The Titans have a lot of needs. But they should select the LSU star, and not just to keep him away from Tennessee. Teaming Peterson with Cortland Finnegan gives the Titans the best defensive backfield in the AFC South, which is important considering Tennessee has to deal with aerial attacks from Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub four times each season. Cam Newton is also an option here, considering that Rusty Smith (if that's even his real name) is the only quarterback on the depth chart at the moment.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10): Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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While Dallas wants offensive line help to keep Tony Romo upright (though Romo probably prefers time on his back with his new bride), there isn't a tackle worth taking here. Dallas gets a chance to shore up a porous defensive line with Dareus, who has already declared for the draft.
10. Washington Redskins (6-10): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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There is a growing quarterback problem in the nation's capital, as Donovan McNabb looks like he'll be cut only a few months after signing a $78 million extension. But head coach Mike Shanahan won't want Newton. The play is to get a game-breaking wideout here, so the 'Skins will take Alabama's Jones, breaking Sam Bradford's tender heart.
11. Houston Texans (6-10): Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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The Texans really need a defensive back. But there isn't one worthy of the 11th selection. Aside from trading down to the 20's to select Florida's Janoris Jenkins, Houston can take a defensive player to help with the pass rush. With Mario Williams on one side and Bowers on the other, the Texans can hope opposing quarterbacks won't have time to look downfield. Opposing tackles will be unhappy to see Da'Quan in the league, but none moreso than D'Brickashaw Ferguson, because the Jets LT now has competition for the coveted "Most Ridiculous First Name" title in the NFL.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10): Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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The Vikings have had their troubles with controversial quarterbacks, but Newton is a special talent. Leslie Frazier's to-do list starts with finding a way to utilize Newton's abilities, followed by finding a real man's name. The Vikings won't need to worry about their quarterback discreetly sexting then denying it was him; Newton writes his name on his technology (even the stolen stuff!).
13. Detroit Lions (6-10): Robert Quinn, LB, North Carolina
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The Lions had themselves a good year (for them). The skill positions are set, leaving Detroit in a good position to snag a difference-maker on defense. Despite a down year, Quinn could be a steal at 13. In several mock drafts before the year started, Quinn was a top-five pick. If anyone can maximize the potential of a headcase, it's Lions coach Jim Schwartz. The defensive guru turned malcontent Albert Haynesworth into a beast in Tennessee.
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9): Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Poor Sam Bradford. The young quarterback needs a wideout, but the good ones are taken. Thus, it's time to give him as many weapons on offense as possible. The selection of Mark Ingram doesn't mean the end is near for warrior Steven Jackson. Ingram will give them another bruiser and help Bradford. The Rams may look for a wideout on the free agent market but will avoid the Owens/Ochocinco types.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9): Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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Miami needs help in several areas, but the selection of Heyward might finally ease the loss of Jason Taylor. Combined with linebackers Karlos Dansby and Pro Bowler Cameron Wake, the Dolphins can generate a solid defensive unit that will keep them close in a tough AFC East division.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Flockaball originally had Janoris Jenkins of Florida slotted to go here, but the junior announced Monday morning that he would return for his senior season.
Instead, the Jags will reach a bit and grab another ball-hawking defensive back, UCLA safety Rahim Moore. Along with Akeem Ayers, Moore anchored the UCLA defense. Some see him as undersized, but Moore has one of the best football minds in the college game. He can quickly identify packages and knows where he needs to be at all times; look no further than his NCAA-leading 10 interceptions in 2009.
17. New England Patriots (From Oakland 8-8): Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A & M
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The Patriots defense is slow at the linebacker spot. The defensive backfield is finally rounding into shape, with young stars Brandon Meriwether and the development of corner Devin McCourty. The linebacking corps, however, has been a patchwork unit. Bill Belichick would love nothing more than to draft a talented outside linebacker to fill the spot for years to come.
Scary thought: if the Raiders had their typical season of late, the Patriots would have a top-five pick for dealing Richard Seymour over a year ago.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7): Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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The Chargers could use another body to keep Phil Rivers standing and provide room for young tailback Ryan Mathews. Sherrod should fit in with San Diego, especially with changes anticipated on the offensive line.
19. New York Giants (10-6): Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
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The Giants really missed Antonio Pierce, who retired a year ago to take a desk job at ESPN. Ayers is a mature player that endured some tough times at UCLA while playing in a large media market. That should help him adapt to the New York scene.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6): Anthony Castanzo, OT, Boston College
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Josh Freeman is the future. They need to protect him the best they can, and the Bucccaneers current offensive line needs upgrading. Costanzo is coming out of Boston College, which has produced excellent linemen in the past (Damien Woody Pete Kendall, Dan Koppen, Tom Nalen, Chris Snee, Ron Stone and fierce pulling guard Doug Flutie). Tampa Bay is building for a bright future, and Costanzo will help protect that vision.
In Conclusion
21 of 21Thanks for checking it out. This is quite possibly the second-sexiest mock draft on the market; for the winner, please refer to href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/563484-2011-nfl-mock-draft-hot-chick-edition">Bleacher Report's Mock Draft: Hot Chick Edition.
Kelly Brook at No. 8 overall is the best value pick in the draft.
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