2011 NFL Mock Draft: Video Highlights for the Entire 1st Round

2011 NFL Mock Drafts are all the craze this time of year. 

Twenty-eight of the 32 NFL teams remaining are down in the dumps after either losing in or missing out on the postseason, so all they have to look forward to is next season. 

And since free agency is much trickier to predict, when it comes to how teams plan on addressing their needs, we'll try our hand at the draft.

Many of the first-round talents out there had signature moments at their respective schools. So let's take a look at some of those and guess where they'll land in the first round of the 2011 draft. 

No. 1: Nick Fairley, DT, Carolina Panthers

Mean Joe Greene was long considered a "dirty player," so the Panthers won't be deterred by the claims that Fairley is a cheap-shot artist. 

Fairely was as much a reason why Auburn won the national championship as Cam Newton and without him, Oregon scores way more than 19 points in Glendale. 

The Panthers are starting from scratch, but Ron Rivera will love putting a player like Fairley in the middle of the defense and building around him—much like he did in Chicago when he had Tommie Harris.

No. 2: Patrick Peterson, CB, Denver Broncos

Peterson's abilities as a punt returner will help out the Denver offense that is certainly going to be a work in progress with Tim Tebow is at the helm and Knowshon Moreno struggling to stay healthy again. 

But John Fox will drool over a corner like Peterson who will step right in and make a huge impact. 

If Champ Bailey leaves they have a great replacement, but if Bailey stays, Peterson will have a great mentor. 

No. 3: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Buffalo Bills

The Bills run defense was the worse in the NFL this season. And their pass rush wasn't much better, racking up 27 sacks, tied for third worst in the NFL. 

Clayborn is a unique player who does a fine job in both the pass rush and the run game, and he has a knack for creating turnovers. 

Playing in the Big Ten will enhance his draft status as well: He did a great job against Gabe Carimi the past two years. 

No. 4: A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals will almost definitely be without Terrell Owens in 2011 and there is a chance his television co-host Chad Ochocinco won't be back, either. The reports are that his option was picked up, but he doesn't seem too excited about returning.

If that is the case, in order to keep Carson Palmer from declining even further, he'll need a better first option than Jordan Shipley.

Green is probably the most talented receiver in the draft and will have a Dez Bryant-like rookie year. 

No. 5: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Obviously, Mallett benefited greatly from Andrew Luck's decision to stay in Palo Alto, but he is a worthy top-five selection.

He is big, he was a winner at Arkansas, and against top defenses like LSU and Ohio State, he had great games. 

Mallett is the type of player who will impress everyone at the combine and/or the private workouts and distinguish himself as the premier quarterback. 

No. 6: Julio Jones, WR, Cleveland Browns

Adding another young wide receiver isn't a great way to continue Colt McCoy's growth as a quarterback, but a player with Jones' skill set can bail him out of trouble every now and then. 

Jones obviously wasn't the focal point of the Tide offense in Tuscaloosa, but he is a fantastic player and everyone knows it. 

Pat Shurmur was brought in to fix an anemic passing game (29th in the NFL)—that won't happen with Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi as the two starting wideouts. 

No. 7: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh's first issue to address will be the 49ers offense, but he might be able to fix many of those problems from within. And don't discount the possibility that the club pulls a veteran out of the free agency market or via trade. 

And while the linebackers for San Francisco were very good in 2010, adding a player like Bowers to the front three would make that unit incredible. 

Bowers is a hot prospect right now and many even have him going inside the top three, and just because he falls to seventh doesn't mean he isn't an incredible talent. 

No. 8: Drake Nevis, DT, Tennessee Titans

If the Titans can re-sign Jason Babin, adding a top-notch interior lineman would give the Titans one of the more formidable front fours in the NFL. 

Nevis is not only a major force in the passing game, but he can help out the Titans where they need it most: defending the run. Arian Foster (143 yards in Week 12) and Maurice Jones-Drew (186 yards in Week 13) each ripped apart that defense, as did a few other backs in 2010.

A quarterback might be an option, but the specter of taking Vince Young at a similar spot just a few years back will hang over the franchise on draft day. 

No. 9: Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas' run defense wasn't bad in 2010, finishing 12th in yards per game. But they still could use help along the defensive line. And if a player like Dareus is available, they won't pass on him.

Dareus played in so many big games at Alabama that he should fit right in at the NFL level.

And with a player like DeMarcus Ware to his right or left, Dareus will become a factor in the pass rush. 

No. 10: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Washington Redskins

The Redskins definitely need a quarterback and while most fans in Washington prefer it be the thrilling Cam Newton or a player with great credentials like Ryan Mallett, Mike Shanahan would be fine with having a player like Gabbert (Mallett won't be available here).

He is big and quick for his size and has great touch on the ball. He probably needs refinement at the pro level, but Shanahan can certainly mold him and there might not be tremendous pressure to play right away considering he is a junior and Rex Grossman had a decent finish to 2010. 

No. 11: Prince Amukamara, CB, Houston Texans

Patrick Peterson will probably end up as the top defensive back taken; the SEC is just put on such a high pedestal by everyone.

But Amukamara might end up being the best corner taken in this draft. He is big and reacts so quickly to the ball. 

Most important: He is a very sure tackler, which NFL coaches love. 

No. 12: Cam Newton, QB, Minnesota Vikings

On the turf of the Metrodome (assuming it's fixed by next fall), Newton would do major damage to opponents with his feet, especially since Adrian Peterson would be in the backfield with him.

But it's his ability to throw the ball and stand in the pocket under pressure that will make him an intriguing quarterback choice. The Vikings are just one season removed from having an incredible offensive season, and with Peterson, Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe, they can have another one once Newton is ready to play.

No one thought Sam Bradford would be able to transition to the NFL so early after his shoulder injury. There's no reason why (in the right offense) Newton cannot be ready to play by the middle of next season. 

No. 13: Brandon Harris, CB, Detroit Lions

People outside of Michigan probably don't realize that the Lions finished the season with a four-game winning streak. And if Matthew Stafford manages to stay healthy next season, they could be a surprise Wild Card team.

To do that, however, they will have to make some improvements on defense. They'd like to have Ndamukongh Suh's former Cornhusker teammate, Prince Amukamara, but he just won't be available.

Harris is a tremendous athlete and will wow scouts at the combine. The junior will be a great help in a division with Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler and two fine wide receivers in Minnesota. 

No. 14: Rodney Hudson, G, St. Louis Rams

A young, top-notch wide receiver isn't what Sam Bradford necessarily needs—he needs veterans out there helping him mature, and with Mark Clayton back and possibly Terrell Owens coming to town, the Rams can afford to address other needs. (The two top wideouts will already be long gone by this pick.)

The Rams had some protection issues in 2010, allowing 34 sacks. Hudson is a great interior lineman, and by far the best in this year's draft. 

If Steve Spagnuolo thinks he can mold a better secondary out of later picks, they can get away with drafting a lineman in Round 1. 

No. 15: Mark Ingram, RB, Miami Dolphins

Miami had two high first-round picks in their backfield in 2010: Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. But neither produced very much and might be elsewhere in 2011. 

That history isn't enough to make Jeff Ireland and Tony Sporano pass on the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner.

Even though injuries slowed him down last this year, Ingram has a tremendous upside and he took less of a beating in 2010 with Trent Richardson shouldering part of the load. 

No. 16: Robert Quinn, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars

Quinn is a top-10 talent, but missing an entire season because of an off-the-field issue will probably cost him a spot inside the top 10: If the whole "character" issue isn't the reason, the year less of game film will be. 

Jacksonville had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL (28th) and that was largely the result of an anemic pass rush. They collected just 26 sacks, tied for second worst in the NFL.

Jack Del Rio has other issues to address, but Quinn is a steal at this spot. 

No. 17: Cameron Jordan, DE, New England Patriots (From Oakland)

Jordan has great pass-rush moves and would flourish under the tutelage of Bill Belichick. 

The Patriots didn't record a single sack in the loss to the Jets, and not surprisingly Mark Sanchez had a fantastic day. They finished the season as one of the worst teams against the pass, partly because they couldn't get enough pressure on the opposing quarterback. 

No. 18: Stephen Paea, DT, San Diego Chargers

Paea is still a fairly raw talent but with NFL coaching he can turn into a dominant defensive tackle. You already know about his ridiculous strength, knocking out 44 reps of 225 at the bench.

Ron Rivera leaving the Chargers for Carolina will hurt San Diego and could lead to decline in a unit that surprised everyone by finishing fourth in yards per game on the ground and first in yards per game through the air. 

Paea should be able to amp up the pass rush and will definitely be a concern for the opponent's center. 

No. 19: Derek Sherrod, OT, New York Giants

The Giants offense could be headed for some serious changes if Ahmad Bradshaw and Steve Smith leave via free agency. But Eli Manning remains the centerpiece of that team, no matter what the tabloids say.

Part of his problem with turnovers in 2010 was protection-related, getting rid of the ball before he wanted to or passes being batted up in the air. 

And while they might have a problem at the center-guard spot since Rich Seubert did a great job filling in for Shaun O'Hara, Keith McKenzie might be the one who they look to replace. 

No. 20: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs defense exceeded expectations in 2010, finishing seventh in the NFL in pass defense. But the secondary was the strength of that unit and the defensive line didn't contribute as much pressure as they would have liked. 

Kerrigan can get pressure up front and open things up more for their linebackers to put pressure on the edges.

No. 21: Von Miller, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs

If Miller can fit into the Chiefs' scheme as an outside backer, he will make a major impact on a unit that was already very good in 2010.

Mike Vrabel will be 36 before the start of next season and there is a chance the Chiefs lose Tamba Hali as a free agent. 

Miller won the Butkus Award and has played in both a 4-3 and a 3-4, so he is versatile enough to succeed wherever Romeo Crennel puts him. 

No. 22: Deunta Williams, S, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are probably going to have to get used to the fact that Bob Sanders might never return to the form he showed as a Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.

Williams can provide a real spark in the pass game and is a tremendous athlete. He's big (6'2") and will be a tremendous help in the run game. With six games against Maurice Jones-Drew, Arian Foster and Chris Johnson, the Colts defense could use that extra support. 

No. 23: Tyron Smith, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

The fact that Smith comes out of USC and would be a replacement for another Trojan tackle, Winston Justice, won't discourage the Eagles from this selection.

Spending too much in the free-agent market might be impossible for the Eagles if they commit a lot of money to Michael Vick, so a rookie salary could be cheaper.

Either way, they are going to have to upgrade the line: Justice was actually benched in the middle of the playoff loss to Green Bay, in favor of King Dunlap. 

No. 24: Rahim Moore, S, New Orleans Saints

Darren Sharper missed half the season and will be 36 next year, while Roman Harper is a free agent (and had an awful game in the playoff loss to Seattle). 

Gregg Williams might want the club to improve their secondary through the draft with a player like Moore, who is great at picking off passes and is very physical, as the clip shows. 

No. 25: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Seattle Seahawks

When the Seahawks lost tight end John Carlson, it was another major blow to the Seahawks offense. 

Chris Baker missed the playoff game and Chris Morrah was suffering from turf toe and dropped a key pass, so they could ill-afford Carlson's loss.

Still, none of them were tearing up the NFL, combining for only 49 catches and two touchdowns. 

If Rudolph is back to full strength by April, he is clearly the top tight end prospect in the draft. 

No. 26: Aaron Brown, CB, Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore's safeties are excellent: Ed Reed is Ed Reed and Dawan Landry had a fine season as well...although it was a contract year and he could bolt as a free agent.

But the Ravens corners weren't exactly stellar—how else do you explain Antonio Brown making that 58-yard catch in the playoff loss.

Chris Carr, Josh Wilson and Lardarius Webb are not bad, but they could use a potential shutdown corner. 

No. 27: Allen Bailey, DE/LB, Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan struggled mightily during their postseason loss, but the Falcons' disappointing end to the 2010 season was mainly at the hands of Aaron Rodgers, who threw only five incompletions (36 attempts) all evening. 

John Abraham is a fine pass rusher, but he is going to be 33 next May and the rest of the front seven didn't put enough pressure on the opposing quarterback. 

Bailey can fill a void on the outside as a hybrid end-linebacker and make a good Falcons defense great. 

No. 28: Anthony Castonzo, OT, New England Patriots

The Patriots won't have to look far for a replacement if Matt Light leaves via free agency. 

Castonzo had his share of problems at Boston College (check out how Robert Quinn beats him to the outside with pure speed) but he is still strong and extremely athletic.

No. 29: Cameron Heyward, DE, Green Bay Packers

Cullen Jenkins could leave town via free agency this offseason and they would need to replace his pass rushing prowess in order to keep Clay Matthews as free as he was in 2010.

Heyward was huge on the big stage for the Buckeyes, showcasing his talents in the Rose Bowl last year against the Ducks and especially this year in the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas. 

He faced some extremely talented offensive lineman during his four-year run in Columbus, and that will be very intriguing to any team. Green Bay would be lucky if he fell this far. 

No. 30: Ras-I Dowling, CB, New York Jets

The Jets will probably lose Antonio Cromartie to free agency and although they will probably try to go after a free agent like Nnamdi Asomugha, it might be cheaper for them in the long run to draft a corner in the later part of the first round.

Dowling has been lost in the shuffle as Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson climb to the top of the big boards, but he is huge at 6'2" and will be very physical at the next level. 

No. 31: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Chicago Bears

The Bears offensive line is certainly an issue. But they can fill that spot in the second round and/or via free agency: There are several good veteran lineman out there who would make a more immediate impact.

Instead, a wide receiver might be the choice for them. Jay Cutler was hot and cold this year, partly because there wasn't a go-to receiver he could rely on every week. Greg Olsen had a nice year, but with Cutler's arm, he needs someone on the edges to get downfield. And Johnny Knox might be too small to be that guy. 

Baldwin is huge at 6'5", 225 pounds. Sure, a Julio Jones or A.J. Green is a better choice, but the Bears have no hopes of them falling to this spot. 

No. 32: Gabe Carimi, OT, Pittsburgh Steelers

This year's Outland Trophy winner, Carimi would fill a major hole on the Steelers offensive line.

Willie Colon is a free agent this year and might leave; even though he missed the entire season someone will probably overpay for him. Flozell Adams was basically a band-aid and Trai Essex has never been able to work his way into a permanent position. 

Carimi has great footwork and almost every week played against a top-notch defensive end in the Big Ten: Cameron Heyward at Ohio State, Adrian Clayborn at Iowa and Ryan Kerrigan at Purdue. 

He probably learned something playing against J.J. Watt in practice as well.