2011 NFL Mock Draft: First and Second Round Predictions
The 2011 Mock Draft that you are used to seeing just got a face lift. Besides Andrew Luck, a bunch of other high profile prospects have decided to return to college as well.
We've got two full rounds for you, and with no new collective bargaining agreement, it's difficult to say if there will be a free agency period before the draft that will completely shake up the draft again like it did last year.
The first 24 slots are based on the official NFL Draft order and the last eight are based on my current feelings of how the NFL playoffs will finish sorting themselves out.
Until a player officially says he's not going into this year's draft, we're considering them fair game as long as they're eligible. The announcements have been coming fast and furious this week, so it's possible there could be a few guys on here that take themselves off the board right after you read this.
The mock draft commissioner is coming to the podium with the first pick.
1. Carolina Panthers, A.J. Green, WR Georgia
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Why Green Goes Here: With Andrew Luck out of the picture, the Panthers probably decide to give Jimmy Clausen one more year to develop. If they're going to do that, he needs someone with talent to throw to. Enter A.J. Green.
What Green's Role Will Be: Give Clausen a nice big target to throw to, especially since Clausen has happy feet in the pocket and tends to make bad decisions under pressure.
Pick Change: Yes. Andrew Luck is going back to college.
2. Denver Broncos, Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
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Why Peteron Goes Here: The Broncos apparently are going to give Tim Tebow a try, so the focus turns to defense where Champ Bailey is talking about leaving and Perrish Cox may be going to jail for a very long time.
What Peterson's Role Will Be: Pick up where Champ Bailey left off.
Pick Change: No.
3. Buffalo Bills, Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
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Why Fairley Goes Here: Andrew Luck is gone and the Bills decide to take the best player available that fits their needs.
What Fairley's Role Will Be: Fairley can immediately be a good run stopper and he's talented enough to fit into whatever defensive scheme the team puts on the field next year.
Pick Change: No.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals, Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
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Why Bowers Goes Here: The Bengals need to generate a better pass rush, and Bowers will go a long way towards doing that.
What Bowers' Role Will Be: Bowers can step in and give the Bengals some more speed and make their defense a lot better immediately.
Pick Change: Yes, former pick A.J. Green is off the board with Andrew Luck going back to school. Outside of wide receiver, defensive end is their biggest need.
5. Arizona Cardinals, Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
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Why Quinn Goes Here: The Cardinals defense was awful, and Quinn presents them with a great opportunity to begin rebuilding that offense.
What Quinn's Role Will Be: Quinn will be expected to step in and be a starter immediately. Not sure how much the year off will affect his development, but anything is better than what the Cardinals had in 2010.
Pick Change: Yes. Putting Cam Newton here just doesn't make sense anymore. Newton had some serious flaws exposed in the BCS Title game, and it probably dropped his stock. The Cardinals will rely on labor peace and free agency to get a veteran signal caller and then hope one of their two young quarterbacks develop.
6. Cleveland Browns, Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
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Why Amukamara Goes Here: The Browns have Joe Haden from last year's draft, but they still need another corner. With A.J. Green, Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers gone, the Browns either trade down or go with Amukamara.
What Amukamra Role Will Be: Give the otherwise incredibly bad Cleveland secondary a much-needed boost to go along with the great play of Joe Haden and T.J. Ward.
Pick Change: Yes, Bowers now is in Cincinnati.
7. San Francisco 49ers, Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
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Why Gabbert Goes Here: New coach, new quarterback. Plus, both Smiths probably are gone. Alex Smith doesn't want to come back and Troy Smith probably will just get moved.
What Gabbert's Role Will Be: Bring consistency to the quarterback position.
Pick Change: No.
8. Tennessee Titans, Jake Locker, QB Washington
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Why Locker Goes Here: The Titans need a new quarterback, but without free agency, the draft becomes their best option. This pick will change if a new CBA is reached prior to the draft.
What Locker's Role Will Be: Give Head Coach Jeff Fisher a quarterback who isn't an emotional wreck.
Pick Change: Yes. With Vince Young officially gone, the Titans have to get a quarterback from somewhere.
9. Dallas Cowboys, Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
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Why Dareus Goes Here: The Cowboys probably trade down at this point with both Peterson and Amukamara off the board, but since we're not predicting trade-downs, Dareus is the best guy on the board at this point.
What Dareus' Role Will Be: If the Cowboys do take him, he gives them a lot of options on their defensive line and adds real depth to what already is a pretty good unit.
Pick Change: Yes. Amukamara is in Cleveland now.
10. Washington Redskins, Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
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Why Miller Goes Here: The Redskins have a quarterback issue, but I just don't see any quarterback Mike Shanahan would take in the first round, so he'll bolster his defense with Von Miller.
What Miller's Role Will Be: Miller will fit into Shanahan's scheme well and give the Redskins a better pass rush.
Pick Change: Yes. Quinn is off the board now.
11. Houston Texans, Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State
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Why Paea Goes Here: The Texans defense needs a complete overhaul, and Paea is the best prospect on the board at this point.
What Paea's Role Will Be: Paea will be run blocker No. 1 on the Texans line.
Pick Change: No.
12. Minnesota Vikings, Cam Newton, QB Auburn
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Why Newton Goes Here: Let me be the first to say that if Newton falls out of the first round, it wouldn't surprise me. He showcased a few flaws in the BCS title game, but the Vikings have a big enough need that they'll probably draft him here as a developmental project and maybe see if they can get at least a few starts out of Tarvaris Jackson before Newton takes over midseason.
What Newton's Role Will Be: The Face of the Franchise.
Pick Change: Yes. Ryan Mallett probably does fall out of the first round at this point.
13. Detroit Lions, J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin
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Why Watt Goes Here: The Lions could use some help on the pass rush, and Watt is a fast-rising prospect in that area.
What Watt's Role Will Be: Watt will be a very good addition to a line that already includes Ndamukong Suh.
Pick Change: Yes. Janoris Jenkins is staying in school.
14. St. Louis Rams, Julio Jones, WR Alabama
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Why Jones Goes Here: The Rams spent the money to get a No. 1 quarterback; now they have to give him a No. 1 receiver.
What Jones' Role Will Be: Catch passes, make big plays, help put the Rams on the playoff map for years to come.
Pick Change: No. This is a good pick that fills a need.
15. Miami Dolphins, Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
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Why Ingram Goes Here: No matter what, the Dolphins backfield needs to get younger, and you don't pass up a prospect like Ingram.
What Ingram's Role Will Be: Ingram probably will be the starting running back as the season opens as Miami decides whether to keep Ronnie Brown or not. Youth and speed will win out.
Pick Change: No. The Dolphins either will trade for a quarterback or draft one later. Ricky Williams already has said he's not coming back.
16 Jacksonville Jaguars, Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
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Why Kerrigan Goes Here: In a division that has Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub behind center, you need a really good defensive end who can rush the passer and drop back into short coverage.
What Kerrigan's Role Will Be: Shut down the outside running lanes and put pressure on the quarterback.
Pick Change: No.
17. New England Patriots, Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa (Via Oakland)
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Why Clayborn Goes Here: Bill Belichick is a master talent evaluator and his defense needs some upgrades for pass rushing schemes. Clayborn is built to rush the passer.
What Clayborn's Role Will Be: Destroy Mark Sanchez, Peyton Manning and anyone else who gets in Belichick's way.
Pick Change: No. Although I wonder if Vegas is laying odds on Belichick trading down here.
18. San Diego Chargers, Aldon Smith, DE Missouri
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Why Smith Goes Here: The Chargers need to re-tool for the 2011 season, not rebuild, and Aldon Smith gives them a little more of an edge in their pass rushing schemes..
What Smith's Role Will Be: Help get the Chargers back to the playoffs by keeping opposing quarterbacks on the run.
Pick Change: Yes. Von Miller has shot up the draft board and is long gone by now.
19. New York Giants, Nate Solder, OT Colorado
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Why Solder Goes Here: The Giants currently have little depth on the left side of their line. Nate Solder remedies that situation.
What Solder's Role Will Be: Helping add depth and keep Eli Manning's uniform clean.
Pick Change: No.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA
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Why Ayers Goes Here: The Bucs had no pass rush against the Falcons last month, and they're not going to go far in the NFC South against the Falcons and Saints if they can't get to the quarterback.
What Ayers Role Will Be: Improve the pass rush, shut down running lanes.
Pick Change: No.
21. Kansas City Chiefs, Drake Nevis, DT LSU
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Why Nevis Goes Here: The Chiefs' offense and running game is working fine, especially with Matt Cassel improving every week, so they'll go defense with their first pick, and Nevis could develop into a fine pass rusher.
What Nevis' Role Will Be: Nevis will be a backup who emerges as a starter by midseason.
Pick Change: No.
22. Indianapolis Colts, Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
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Why Castonzo Goes Here: While Colts owner Bob Irsay won't address the team's biggest need, a new head coach, the second biggest need is the offensive line.
What Castonzo's Role Will Be: Stop the bleeding, give Peyton Manning time to throw again.
Pick Change: No.
23. Philadelphia Eagles, DeMarcus Love, OT Arkansas
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Why Love Goes Here: While Michael Vick is a mobile quarterback, he's had to scramble and use his famous rushing talents far too much this season. While Vick hasn't taken the pounding other quarterbacks have, that could change very fast if the Eagles don't upgrade that line.
What Love's Role Will Be: Protect Michael Vick at all costs.
Pick Change: No.
24. New Orleans Saints, Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
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Why Heyward Goes Here: The Saints don't have a lot of quarterback sacks this year and are in need of a pass rusher. As evidenced by the Seahawks game, they also need someone a lot faster to catch a running back coming out of the backfield. Heyward fills that bill.
What Heyward's Role Will Be: Give the Saints a more respectable pass rush.
Pick Change: No.
25. Seattle Seahawks, Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
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Why Sherrod Goes Here: Despite their playoff showing, the Seahawks still have a ton of needs this offseason. If they're going to keep Matt Hasselbeck one more year, they need to protect him.
What Sherrod's Role Will Be: He needs to keep Hasselbeck's jersey clean, and open holes for Marshawn Lynch to run through.
Pick Change: No.
26. New York Jets, Cameron Jordan, DE California
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Why Jordan Goes Here: The Jets need help on their defensive line in the form of younger, faster guys.
What Jordan's Role Will Be: In a division that features Tom Brady, a probable young star quarterback in Miami next year and in Buffalo, the Jets are going to want a young, hungry pass rusher.
Pick Change: No.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Pouncey, OG Florida
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Why Pouncey Goes Here: The Steelers offensive line still is very bad, and the Steelers have to keep focusing their efforts on fixing it.
What Pouncey's Role Will Be: Rejoin his brother on the offensive line and keep Ben Roethlisberger upright.
Pick Change: No. The only way Pouncey doesn't go here is if another team takes him just to spite the Steelers. In which case, expect the Steelers to try and trade up for this guy. They don't want to risk losing him.
28. Atlanta Falcons, Jeremy Beal, OLB Oklahoma
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Why Beal Goes Here: The Falcons could use someone younger and faster on the outside of the line who could double as a defensive end if needed.
What Beal's Role Will Be: Beal is big and fast, and the Falcons will use him to shut down the run and to rush the passer.
Pick Change: No.
29. Baltimore Ravens, Stefan Wisniewski, C Penn State
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Why Wisniewski Goes Here: Ravens center Mark Birk is 34 years old. It's time to find a replacement.
What Wisniewski's Role Will Be: Wisniewski will be in a learning role his rookie year, but he'll have to be the anchor for that line for the next 10-12 years.
Pick Change: No.
30. Chicago Bears, Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
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Why Carimi Goes Here: The Bears offensive line gives up far too many sacks for the front office not to address the situation in the draft.
What Carimi's Role Will Be: Carimi will solidify the left side of the line for years to come.
Pick Change: No.
31. Green Bay Packers, Brandon Harris, CB Miami
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Why Harris Goes Here: The Packers secondary is going to need some upgrades and some youth this offseason.
What Harris' Role Will Be: Provide the Packers with good pass protection on both sides of the field.
Pick Change: Yes. Brandon Harris officially declared on Jan. 4, so that bumps him ahead of Aaron Williams on the draft board.
32. New England Patriots, Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pitt
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Why Baldwin Goes Here: The Patriots offense needs another good wide receiver for Tom Brady to throw to. Deion Branch just isn't going to last forever. Bill Belichick isn't the kind of coach to just sit back and hope this offense keeps playing like this next year without making changes.
What Baldwin's Role Will Be: In his rookie season, Baldwin's role will be to shift some of the coverage away from Wes Welker.
Pick Change: No.
Round Two: Picks 33-35
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33. New England Patriots: Tyron Smith, OT USC: The Patriots get this pick via the Panthers and focus on the offensive line.
34. Denver Broncos: Corey Liuget, DT Illinois: The Broncos continue the rebuild of their defense with this pick.
35. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas: The Bills select their future franchise quarterback and hope Ryan Fitzpatrick has another few good years while he develops. Mallett falls victim to the big drop this year.
Round Two: Picks 36-38
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36. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech: The Bengals may not have Cedric Benson next year, and even if they do, they need a more dynamic running attack to take pressure off of Carson Palmer.
37. Arizona Cardinals: Ben Ijalana, OT VIllanova: The Cardinals address a need on their offensive line with this pick.
38. Cleveland Browns: Casey Matthews, LB Oregon: The Browns passed up his brother, Clay Matthews III, in the 2009 draft. They can not make the same mistake again.
Round Two: Picks 39-41
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39. San Francisco 49ers: Ras-I-Dowling, CB Virginia: The 49ers need to improve their secondary, and Dowling is the best guy on the board.
40. Tennessee Titans: Allen Bailey, DE Miami: The Titans bring some more youth and speed to their pass rush.
41. Dallas Cowboys: Rahim Moore, S UCLA: The Cowboys continue to build their secondary, and Rahim Moore is the best player available.
Round Two: Picks 42-44
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42. Washington Redskins: Pat Devlin, QB Delaware; The Redskins aren't keeping Donovan McNabb, and they certainly can't think Rex Grossman is the quarterback of the future. They get their future franchise quarterback here.
43. Houston Texans: Justin Houston, OLB Georgia: The Texans offense is fine, the rebuilding of the defense is where the top picks need to go.
44. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph, TE Notre Dame: Visanthe Shiancoe will be 31 next season, and Rudolph is one of the best players on the board at this point.
Round Two: Picks 45-47
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45. Detroit Lions: Kenny State, S Maryland: The Lions go for more in the secondary.
46. Denver Broncos (via Miami): Daniel Thomas, Kansas State: The Broncos running game needs somebody other than Knowshon Moreno after this past season. Moreno couldn't stay healthy and wasn't consistent. Splitting the carries may be the answer.
47. St. Louis Rams: Travis Lewis, OLB Oklahoma: The Rams turn to defense and fill a need with Lewis bolstering their defensive line.
Round Two: Picks 48-50
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48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Torrey Smith, WR Maryland: The Jaguars could use some fresh talent at wide receiver, so they take the best on the board at this point.
49. Oakland Raiders: Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina: With the Raiders out of any kind of quarterback hunt in the draft, the Raiders make a nasty defense even nastier with their first pick.
50. San Diego Chargers: Aaron Williams, CB Texas; The Chargers take the best player on the board.
Round Two: Picks 51-53
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51. New York Giants: Bruce Carter, OLB North Carolina: The Giants need some young talent on their defensive line after witnessing what happened the last few weeks.
52. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kelvin Sheppard, OLB LSU: The Buccaneers miss out on Carter and take Sheppard instead.
53. Kansas City Chiefs: Rodney Hudson, C Florida State: Casey Wiegmann is 37 years old, it's time to move on.
Round Two: Picks 54-56
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54. Indianapolis Colts: Marvin Austin, DT North Carolina: The Colts need some new talent on the defensive line as well, taking the best player available.
55. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Burton, CB Utah: The Eagles secondary is giving up too many big plays, so Burton goes here.
56. New Orleans Saints: Mikel LeShoure, RB Illinois: The Saints need more talent in the backfield as Reggie Bush can't stay healthy.
Round Two: Picks 57-59
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57. Seattle Seahawks: Pernell McPhee, DE Mississippi State: The Seahawks look to generate a real pass rush with this pick.
58. New York Jets: Quinton Carter, S Oklahoma: The Jets' Jim Leonhard went down with an injury, and this may be a good way to add depth here next season.
59. Pittsburgh Steelers: Clint Boling, OG Georgia: The Steelers only have one real offensive lineman, so yeah, you spend the first two picks upgrading your offensive line.
Round Two: Picks 60-62
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60. Atlanta Falcons: Mark Herzlich OLB Boston College; The Falcons add some depth to their line.
61. Baltimore Ravens: Robert Sands, S West Virginia: Ed Reed will turn 33 when the season begins next year. It's time to find and groom a replacement.
62. Chicago Bears: Marcus Cannon, OG TCU: Once again, Jay Cutler eats dirt a lot. The Bears spend their two top picks changing that, the defense can wait.
Round Two: Last Two Picks
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63. Green Bay Packers: Orlando Franklin, OG Miami: The Packers take an offensive lineman here with a look at adding depth.
64: New England Patriots: Dont'a Hightower: Bill Belichick probably will like the way this guy looks and add him to the mix. Whatever happens, Hightower will be successful no matter what.
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