2011 NFL Mock Draft First Round Predictions: A Receiver to the NY Jets?
After a busy last few weeks, players have made their decisions on whether or not they are going to the NFL next season.
Andrew Luck surprised us by staying at Stanford. Blaine Gabbert surprised us by declaring for the draft.
Cam Newton and Nick Fairley contributed to Auburn's national championship victory before deciding to go pro.
So how will the draft shake out now?
1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley
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With no stud quarterback in the draft, the Panthers will instead look to improve their defense.
Fairley accumulated an amazing 11 sacks and 55 tackles throughout the season before having an amazing BCS National Championship Game.
The only negative is his perceived dirty play, something he only accentuated by slamming LaMichael James' face into the grass for the ESPN cameras.
However, that shouldn't bother the Panthers, who need help everywhere.
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson
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The Broncos need a solid quarterback and they can't go wrong by taking Peterson or even Prince Amukamara.
Peterson had four interceptions and 36 tackles in 2010. His incredible speed would also make him an asset in the return game.
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus
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Dareus will give the Bills a guy who will help shore up their awful rush defense.
He fits as a perfect defensive end in the Bills' 3-4 scheme. In 2010, Dareus had 34 tackles, 11 of which went for loss. He also recorded 4.5 sacks.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green
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Terrell Owens is on his way out, but that's OK.
The Bengals replace him by drafting A.J. Green. Green had 57 receptions for 848 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010 despite missing the first four games of the season due to suspension.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert
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The Cardinals have a tough decision here.
They need a quarterback, but Robert Quinn is awfully appealing.
Instead of taking Quinn, they take Gabbert, who is arguably the best quarterback in the draft.
6. Cleveland Browns: Da'Quan Bowers
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With Eric Mangini gone the Browns are likely going to the 4-3 defense.
Bowers would fit perfectly and give the Browns an amazing pass rusher who had 16 sacks and 24 tackles for loss for Clemson in 2010.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn
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If the 49ers stay in the 3-4 they will likely take Quinn, who had 11 sacks in 2009 before missing the 2010 season, to be an outside linebacker.
If they go to a 4-3 they will likely have to roll the dice on Ryan Mallett.
8. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Mallet
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Many mocks have Vince Young, er, I mean Cam Newton going to the Titans.
Newton is the same type of player as Young, from his athleticism down to the potential for character issues.
Tennessee needs a quarterback so they will take the risk on Mallett.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Ryan Kerrigan
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The Cowboys need a defensive end.
Kerrigan had an incredible 12.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss in 2010. The Cowboys would love to have him.
10. Washington Redskins: Cam Newton
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The Redskins need a quarterback now that the Donovan McNabb project is over.
Newton is the best quarterback available and they take the risk on him.
11. Houston Texans: Von Miller
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Von Miller isn't perfect for the Texans, but he will do.
The Texans are converting to a 3-4 under Wade Phillips and could use Miller as an outside linebacker off the edge.
In his last two seasons he has recorded 27 sacks.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Clayborn
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Adrian Clayborn didn't have nearly as productive of a 2010 as he did in 2009.
However, he is still extremely talented and the Vikings need a defensive end badly.
13. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara
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The Lions secondary is awful.
Amukamara would give the Lions a shutdown corner to improve their weak defense.
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones
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Sam Bradford needs a strong, physical receiver to throw to.
In 2010, Jones caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns, and would give Bradford the threat he needs.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram
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Every 2011 mock draft ever has Ingram going here.
I agree. The Dolphins need a running back or quarterback and Ingram is the best one available at this position. A Heisman winner would be welcomed in Miami.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Harris
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The Jacksonville Jaguars get pretty unlucky as there are no great players available at the positions they need.
Harris would be a pick that would improve their weak secondary, but I really expect the Jaguars to try and trade up for an impact defensive end.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Akeem Ayers
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Of the few positions the Patriots need, outside linebacker is one of them.
In Ayers' senior campaign, he had four sacks and two interceptions. He has great athleticism and is great in pass coverage.
18. San Diego Chargers: Aldon Smith
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The new Shawne Merriman? Maybe.
He had 17 sacks as an outside linebacker in his two years at Missouri before declaring for the draft.
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo
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The New York Giants need help on their offensive line badly.
Castonzo is a 6'7", 306-pound tackle out of Boston College who would help immediately.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Jordan
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Despite going 10-6 last season, the Bucs' leader in sacks recorded just 4.5 sacks.
Jordan, a defensive end out of Calfornia, could lead the Bucs in sacks his rookie season.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyron Smith
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The Chiefs also need help on their offensive line to get protection for Jamaal Charles and Matt Cassel.
Tyron Smith is one of college football's best talents but needs some work to be truly ready. Since the Chiefs were a playoff team they can afford him some time to perfect his skills.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder
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The Colts need either an offensive tackle or a defensive tackle.
Since the Colts are an offensive team, they take Solder out of Colorado.
At 6'9'' and 313 pounds, Solder projects to be a left tackle.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi
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Three offensive tackles in a row? Why not?
After allowing 43 sacks this year, the Eagles could use Carimi.
Carimi was an offensive tackle on a Wisconsin offense that was one of the best in college football last season. A plus is that he could fill in anywhere on a line.
His strength is blocking in the run game, which would be crucial in the Eagles' fast-paced offense.
24. New Orleans Saints: Drake Nevis
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The Saints need a lot of help on defense, as their exit against the Seahawks proved.
Drake Nevis, a defensive tackle out of LSU, could be a stepping stone to solving that problem.
In his senior year, Nevis recorded six sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker
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Locker's draft stock was hurt by poor performances against good defenses.
However, the Seahawks need a replacement for Matt Hasselbeck eventually. Locker could learn under him and feel comfortable remaining in the state of Washington.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Justin Houston
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The Ravens need to add some youth to their linebacker corps.
Houston, an outside linebacker out of Georgia, recorded 56 tackles and 10 sacks in 2010.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Aaron Williams
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The Falcons got burned through the air by Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
Williams, a cornerback out of Texas, would provide some much-needed help in pass coverage.
28. New England Patriots: Mike Pouncey
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If the Patriots don't return Logan Mankins, they will need a guard.
Pouncey, out of Florida, is the best available interior lineman available.
29. Green Bay Packers: DeMarco Murray
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OK, so this isn't likely because of how many running backs the Packers have, but it could be a smart idea.
Between the injuries at running back and lack of a star, Murray out of Oklahoma could be appealing as a hard-nosed runner who is also effective in the passing game.
30. New York Jets: Jonathan Baldwin
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Jonathan Baldwin is a massive wide receiver out of Pittsburgh.
The Jets likely won't be able to retain Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Brad Smith, who are all contract players. Getting a wide receiver through the draft would be helpful and Baldwin would be a perfect replacement for Edwards.
31. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod
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The Bears need lots of help on their offensive line despite playing for the NFC championship next week.
Sherrod would give them a big offensive tackle who played a tough SEC schedule at Mississippi State.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: J.J Watt
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Defensive end isn't an immediate need for the Steelers, but it will be as Aaron Smith continues to get older.
Watt, out of Wisconsin, would be a great replacement. In 2010 he had seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
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