2011 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Will Cam Newton Still Be a Tiger?
The NFL Draft is one of the best ways to rebuild a franchise.
It is also the best way to doom a franchise.
There are busts like Ryan Leaf, Ki-Jana Carter, Akili Smith, Jamarcus Russel, and Lawrence Phillips.
There are the guys who live up to potential like Peyton Manning, Jake Long, Bruce Smith, and Troy Aikman.
Then there are the guys that nobody expected like Tom Brady, Zach Thomas, Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, and Dick 'The Night Train' Lane.
Let's see who makes the right moves in building a dynasty.
1. Carolina Panthers- Von Miller Hybrid LB Texas A&M
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A bit of a surprising pick, but it still makes sense.
Miller is projected to be a Top 5 pick at the moment, so him going Number 1 overall isn't that much of a shocker.
Miller has everything that Ron Rivera would want in a defensive player. Miller has nice size, good speed, great instincts and nice strength. His versatility is a great plus also.
Miller played, and excelled, at both 4-3 End, and 3-4 Outside Linebacker. I wouldn't doubt Miller's ability to play 4-3 OLB, he has good enough coverage skills.
2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson CB LSU
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In 3 years, Peterson will be better than Darrell Revis. Yeah I said it.
Peterson is a shut down corner and has the greatest physical skills I have ever seen from a cornerback this decade. At 6'1 222, Peterson has the size to dominate the NFL's top receivers. With great speed and strength Peterson can stop any play.
With 7 interceptions for 1 TD in his 3 year career Peterson has had production as a corner. But what makes him such an intriguing prospect isn't his size and stats, it's his return ability. Peterson was a great returner at LSU and will give the Bronocs a future at corner with Champ Bailey aging. He also gives them a premier returner.
3. Buffalo Bills- Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson
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Buffalo is a team that is so close to breaking into the Top teams in the NFL. With Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, the Bills won 4 games and became a team that was competitive. CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson give them a good running game and WR Stevie Johnson and Lee Evans give them a good receiving corps. The offensive line could be better, but there is no one worth taking at this point.
The defense is a different story. 2 years ago with Perry Ferwell as defensive coordinator, the Bills had a Top 10 defense. This year, not so much. Jarius Byrd dropped off the map and the rest of the defensive backs did the same. Paul Poslunzy gives them a good linebacker, but the rest of the defense is weak. The DBs need to get back to where they were in 09 and the D-line needs to be re-built, that's where Da'Quan Bowers comes in at.
At 6'4 280, Bowers has good size and great speed. His ability to move around blockers and get to the quarterback is what makes him so good. He is the closest thing you will find to Julius Peppers right now. Peppers built the Panthers defense and Bowers can re-build the Bills. With 16 sacks in 2010, Bowers can play, and will be an immediate force for the Tigers.
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4. Cincinatti Bengals- Nick Fairley DT Auburn
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Fairley is a behometh defensive tackle. At 6'5 300 lbs, Fairley has the size to play big in the NFL. He showed the ability to shed blockers and get to the quarterback. His speed against stopping the run was also impressive.
As far as talent goes, Fairley has it all, brute strength and good speed for someone his size. What drops him from being the Number 1 overall pick, is a multiple of factors.
The first is that he was a one-hit wonder. He only had one good season at Auburn, yes it was a great season, but still only year doesn't go well.
His character also brings him down. Fairley played cheap and laid dirty hits on players throughout the season.(Dee Aaron Murray hit) Also, he was lazy before coaches chewed him out for celebrating plays in which he played no role in.
Fairley is still a good prospect and has the potential to do something great.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
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Gabbert is the most balanced quarterback in this draft with Andrew Luck returning to Stanford.
Gabbert has good size at 6'5 235. He has good mobility, a nice arm, and good decision making. Gabbert has had no real injuries while at Missouri and was highly prolific. He's Chase Daniel, but much much taller.
Gabbert has all the tools and character of being a franchise quarterback. Draft experts are comparing his talents to those of Peyton Manning when he came out of college. Not saying that Gabbert will be a Peyton Manning, but he has the tools of him.
The Cardinals played horrible this year without an actual quarterback. Even with the great supporting cast, Derek Anderson couldn't win. Max Hall showed promise, but was injuried, John Skelton was a great prospect, but never got the chance. Nonetheless a legit quarterback needs to be in the desert for wins to start happening.
6. Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green WR Georgia
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Green is the greatest WR prospect to come out of college since Calvin Johnson 4 years ago. And there's good reason why.
Green has great hands, great speed, good strength and physical play, and good vertical ability. Green has it all.
His production at Georgia was good, but not great. Green never broke 1000 yards receiving in a season. He had 900 in his freshmen year with Matt Stafford, 800 after Stafford left, and 800 this year. He would have had 1000 yards and about 12 touchdowns, but the NCAA suspended him for 4 games because he sold his bowl game jersey, hardly a major character flaw.
The Browns get a huge steal with this pick. One of the top players, and a somebody that they actually need. Now Colt McCoy has actual receivers to throw to.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Robert Quinn Hybrid LB North Carolina
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The 49ers dissapointed many in 2010. New Head Coach Jim Harbuagh will address the teams need in the draft.
The 49ers lack an elite pass rushed to put pressure on the quarterback.
Robert Quinn is one of the Top Pass Rushers in this years draft class and would have been the Number 1 overall pick if he hadn't have missed the season due to NCAA violations.
8. Tennessee Titans- Marcell Dareus DL Alabama
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Dareus is an absolute freak of a lineman. He is 6'4 300 lbs. and has great speed and strength to dominate at DE or DT.
Dareus was a great pass rusher and run stopper at Alabama is should be off the board in the first 10 picks because of his versatility.
Tennesse has been falling since they lost their best members on the defense since 2008. Dareus should step in and fix that very quickly.
A quarterback would be nice, but none of them are safe for this pick and a good one will be avaiable in the later rounds.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska
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Roy Williams stay in Dallas did not turn out the way Jerry Jones had hoped.
Right now the Cowboys are lacking in the secondary. The rest of their team is solid with a good offensive line, Pro-Bowl quarterback in Tony Romo, strong running game, deep receiving corp and good D-line and linebackers. No secondary though. They are gonna have to fix that to compete in the NFC North.
Amukamara has all of the makings of a shut down NFL corner. He has great speed, size, and strength. Amukamara's greatest asset though is his experience and technique. Amukamara has been playing since he was a freshmen.
If Amukamara had Peterson's big play ability, he would have been the number 1 cornerback in this years draft.
10. Washington Redskins- Cam Newton QB Auburn
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Donovan McNabb did not turn out the way Redskin fans had hoped. McNabb is likley to be released from his contract extension, or traded away. Rex Grossman is not the clear-cut answer either. That leaves a hole at the quarterback position.
Newton is one of the top prospects in this draft. He has big play ability, great mobility, hard to bring down, nice speed, a huge arm, and a huge frame. At 6'6 250lbs. a quarterback of Newton's size is rarley ever seen.
If Newton can show that he can take snaps from under center and that he understands the Pro-Style offense, he could go Number 1 overall. Mike Shanahan should take Newton while he still can.
11. Houston Texans- Aldon Smith Hybrid Linebacker Missouri
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With Wade Phillips bring his 3-4 defensive scheme to Dallas, the Texans will want to find a rush outside linebacker to put even more pressure on AFC South quarterbacks.
Smith has great speed and tenacity for a rush linebacker. He comes in hot and uses his strength and speed to get around the blockers and sack the quarterback.
At 6'5 260, Smith has the size and athleticism to give Wade Phillips a Demarcus Ware in Houston.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas
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The Favre era is over in Minnesota. The Vikings are going to be in desperate need for a quarterback come draft day.
Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb are not the answers in Minnesota. Jackson is too inconsitent and injury prone, and Webb is not an NFL quarterback, nor the pocket passer that Leslie Frazier wants.
Ryan Mallett is the pocket passer in this years draft. At 6'7 238, Mallett has more than enough size for an NFL quarterback. Mallett also has the arm to make throws an NFL quarterback make, and then some.
Mallett will give Frazier his pocket passer, and will be able to develop with a strong running game.
13. Detroit Lions- Nate Solder OT Colorado
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Two years, two shoulder injuries for franchise quarterback Mathew Stafford. The Lions have got to protect their quarterback or they will never be able to win a season.
Most lions fans would have liked to have seen Akeem Ayers here, but with the pass-rushers of Julius Peppers, Clay Matthews, and Jared Allen on your schedule twice a year, you have got to get someone to block those guys.
That is what Solder can do.
At 6'9, yeah that's right 6'9, and 315lbs., Solder has the size and strength to hold pass rushers at bay. With great footwork and speed, Solder is the number 1 offensive lineman in this years draft class. The Lions need to take him so Stafford can play a whole season.
14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones WR Alabama
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With the Rams top receivers being out for the year last year, they had to turn to their late round pick guys. And those guys played pretty good for having a rookie quarterback and being, you know, late round guys.
The Rams need a number 1 receiver however. Julio Jones is the number 2 receiver in this years draft class. At 6'4 225lbs., Jones is a physical wide receiver that isn't afraid to go up and make a play.
Add 4.4 speed to that and you have a great wide receiver on your hands.
15. Miami Dolphins- Mike Pouncey OG Florida
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The Dolphins new-look offensive line didn't produce this year. The only bright spot was Jake Long, who made his 3rd straight Pro-Bowl in as many years.
Pouncey's twin brother, Maurkice, played great with the Steelers and made it to the Pro-Bowl and started every game. His success should help Mike's draft status go sky-rocketing.
With great strength and speed, Pouncey would give the Dolphins the interior lineman that they lack. And with Brian Daboll's run-heavy offense, the Dolphins are going to need an interior lineman.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Akeem Ayers Hybrid LB UCLA
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The Jaguars made huge improvements this year and just barley missed out on the playoffs. Tyson Alualu has a bright future, and Aaron Kampan gives them stability at defensive end.
They need a force at linebacker and secondary.
That's where Akeem Ayers comes in. Ayers has nice pass rushing skills, great run stop, great coverage and nice tenacity, speed, and strength.
And the thing that will make Ayers an even better prospect is his versatility. Ayers can play 4-3 End, 3-4 OLB, 4-3 OLB, and 4-3 ILB.
17. New England Patriots(From Oakland Raiders)- Ryan Kerrigan Hybrid LB Purdue
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The Patriots need a number 1 pass-rusher. The leader for the Patriots last year in sacks was Mike Wright at 5.5 sacks. They need someone who can can get 10+ sacks a season.
Ryan Kerrigan impressed during the Senior Bowl practices and his draft stock is continuley rising.
Kerrigan has a motor and great pass-rush skills. He sheds off blockers and gets around them to get a sack on the quarterback.
18. San Diego Chargers- Cameron Jordan DE California
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The Chargers defense is slowly falling apart. Yes they finished in the Top 5 in the league last year, but they are losing coordinator Ron Rivera. Look what happened to the Broncos after they lost Mike Nolan.
Shaun Phillips is still going to be big for the Chargers, but San Diego needs to get a defensive-lineman to hold the offensive line down while the outside linebackers get to the quarterback.
Cameron Jordan continues to impress scouts and right now, the Sky is the Limit for him.
Jordan has great strength and size at 6'4" 297. Jordan is a great run stopper but still excels at getting to the quarterback.
19. New York Giants- Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois
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Ahmad Bradshaw is a free agent after this season and Brandon Jacobs is on the tail end of his career.
Leshoure is in my mind the number 1 running back in this years draft. Leshoure has great size at 6'0" and 230lbs. Leshoure is a power back that bounces off of defenders and keeps going, but don't think that he can't run in between tacklers. Leshoure still has great elusivness and about 4.4 speed. Put on the ability to catch passes, and you have yourself one heck of a prospect.
20. Tampa Bay Bucaneers- Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
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The Bucs made huge strides in 2010. The offense is pretty much set with Freeman, Blount, Benn, Winslow, and Williams. The defense still needs some work though.
Gerald McCoy is going to be big next season, and Brian Price right next to him makes the Bucs set at defensive tackle. If they can resign Barrett Rudd, they are set at linebacker. The secondary is fine for the moment with Cody Grimm and Ronde Barber.
But the Bucs need a pass rusher to put pressure on Drew Brees and Matt Ryan.
Clayborn has great size and strength to play defensive end in the NFL. His pass rush skills are what sets him apart though. Clayborn fights through lineman to get into the backfield and make a play.
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College
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The Chiefs also made huge strides in 2010. Their defense is set for the time being. The same goes for their offensive skill positions. The Chiefs need to buffer up their offensive line though after giving up 37 sacks in 2010.
Castonzo is a future NFL Left Tackle that excels in pass blocking. The Chiefs need him protecting Matt Cassell if they want continued success out of him in 2011.
22. Indianapolis Colts- Rahim Moore S UCLA
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The Colts struggled in 2010 due mainly to injuries and inconsitent play by Peyton Manning. The Colts are set on the offense. That is pretty much a given though. Their secondary needs some extreme work.
Bob Sanders can no longer play in the league. He gets injuried way to much. Cornerback is also a weak position for the Colts, but they could fill both with one player.
Rahim Moore is a safety. He has great coverage skills and strength to bring down receivers. He has the size for safety, but could also end up playing cornerback for the Colts if Sanders can get healthy. With 13 interceptions in 3 years, Moore has the production to be a standout in the NFL.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- J.J Watt DE Wisconsin
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The Eagles went out and got Brandon Graham in last years draft. Graham only played in 13 games this year before tearing his ACL.
The Eagles draft Watt to give them more force on the defensive line. Watt was the Lott Award Winner in 2010 and brings great strength to the table for the Eagles.
Watt is one of the more well-rounded prospects in this years draft and has the versatility to play DE or DT.
24. New Orleans Saints- Mark Ingram RB Alabama
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Reggie Bush just did not turn out the way Saints fans had hoped. Bush was inconsitent and battled injuries throughout his career. Pierre Thomas spent most of the year injuried and Chris Ivory is not a clear cut answer for the Saints this year.
Ingram has great potential in the NFL. Ingram could have been the top back in this years class if not for injuries and a drop in production in 2010.
Ingram still has great strength, good speed for a power back, and excellent receivng ability.
Ingram gives Brees another receving target, and the Saints a franchise running back.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Allen Bailey DL Miami
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The Seahawks lacked a pass-rush on their defensive line. The Seahawks lack pretty much any defensive line.
Allen Bailey can fix that up, right away. Bailey has great size at 6'4 285 and can play either DE or DT. That versatility makes him such a great prospect.
Bailey posses the ability to break into the backfield and make a huge play.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Brandon Harris CB Miami
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Ed Reed can't be the only defensive back for the Ravens. While Reed is very good, he can't do the job all on his own.
Brandon Harris will be selected by the Ravens to give them a better secondary to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Harris is a shut down corner with great speed, nice strength, and impressive vertical ability.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin
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The Falcons don't have a whole lot of needs in this years draft.
A spot that could use some work is their offensive-line. Adding Gabe Carimi would be a huge upgrade and would give them huge strength at either guard or tackle.
Carimi is not an NFL Left Tackle which is what makes him a late first-round pick, but he projects as a great Right Tackle and has great run block skills.
28. New England Patriots- Jon Baldwin WR Pittsburgh
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Wes Welker still gives the Patriots a great slot receiver, but his knee injury back in '09 took a few years off of his NFL life. Deion Branch is also at the tail end of his career.
The Patriots take Jon Baldwin to give them their number 1 receiver for years to come.
Baldwin is 6'5 225 lbs. has 4'4 speed, and great hands. He is one of the top receiver prospects in this years draft, and could have been a Top 15 pick, if not for the down year that Pitt had this year.
29. Chicago Bears- Stefen Wisniewski OG Penn State
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The Bears have to find an interior offensive lineman if they play in the NFC North. The Packers have BJ Raji, the Vikings have Williams Wall, and the Lions have Ndamukong Suh.
Wisiniewski is a very smart football that works extremley hard. With nice feet and leverage, Wisniewski understands the comittment to being a profesional football player and will end up being a great upgrade for the Bears.
30. New York Jets- Leonard Hankerson WR Miami
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The Jets are most likley about to lose their top two receivers in Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. both players have also run into trouble with the law on multiple occasions.
Leonard Hankerson is one of the underrated receivers in this years class. Hankerson has reliable hands, nice speed, and great adjustments on the ball. That's great for a quarterback like Mark Sanchez.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State
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The Steelers still have one of the worst offensive-lines in the NFL today. The Steelers gave up 43 sacks, good for 25th in the league.
The Steelers O-line is getting better though. Pro-Bowl Center Maurkice Pouncey is going to get better, and Doug Legursky played well in place of the injuried Poucney. Legursky should be moved to one to one of the guard spots.
But with Willie Colon becoming a free agent, a left tackle is needed. That's where Derek Sherrod comes into play. Sherrod played briantlly at Mississippi State and has great footwork and strength. Sherrod could be the missing link for the Steelers.
32. Green Bay Packers- Jimmy Smith CB Colorado
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The defending Super Bowl champions will close out the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by taking Jimmy Smith out of Colorado.
Charles Woodson is going to be entering his 14th season and is most likley going to be done in a couple year., which means the Packers will have to draft his replacement.
Smith stands tall for a cornerback at 6'2 and uses his 4.4 speed to keep up with the games best receivers. With his vertical ability and natrual instincts, Smith is going to be big for the Packers and will help them keep their elite secondary for years to come.
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