2011 NFL Draft: 10 Bold Predictions for the First Round of the NFL Draft

Millions of mock NFL Drafts surface each spring, all proclaiming superiority over the others. But the truth is that no one is going to get it right.

Usually somebody is going to drop out of the first round unexpectedly, somebody else is going to get taken higher than expected and a team is going to make a trade to desperately climb the draft ladder.

Remember when Brady Quinn went from top-five pick to barely staying in the first round?

Or when consensus No. 1 overall Reggie Bush was bypassed for Mario Williams?

There's always something that shakes things up.

Here are some surprises that could change the draft landscape this season.

No Offensive Lineman Will Be Taken in the First 10 Picks

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Tyron Smith #70 of the USC Trojans stretches before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

It seems to be a competition each draft among which three positions which will be taken. Will it be a quarterback, defensive lineman or an offensive tackle?

Well, it's not going to be an offensive tackle.

There won't be an offensive lineman taken at all in the top 10 of the NFL draft. There has been an offensive lineman taken in the first five picks each of the past five seasons.

In 2005, Jammal Brown was taken by New Orleans 13th overall out of Oklahoma. This year, it might take that long before Southern California's Tyron Smith or another offensive lineman is taken.

Nick Fairley Won't Be The First Defensive Lineman Taken

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their Tostitos BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen

There's plenty of bromance being laid upon Nick Fairley by football fans and analysts after he made his undeniable mark on the BCS National Championship game. Fairley's stock rose exponentially throughout the second half of the season.

Despite predictions of Fairley going first overall, he won't even be the first defensive lineman taken. Between now and the draft, scouts will come to realization about Fairley's penchants to take plays off and play dirty. This will cause him to fall out of the top five as he should.

This is especially true considering Da'Quan Bowers and Marcus Dareus are available.

Leonard Hankerson Will Be Drafted in the Top 25

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Leonard Hankerson #85 of the Miami Hurricanes runs after a catch during a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

A week ago Miami (Fla.) wide receiver Leonard Hankerson was hardly considered a first round talent.

Then Notre Dame's Michael Floyd announced he was returning to school. Before Floyd, so did Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon. Both were sure fire first round picks.

With those players gone from teams big boards, they'll have to fill their wide receiver needs another way. Hankerson will convince a team in the top-25 that he's worth picking there at the NFL Combine.

Only Three Quarterbacks Will Be Taken in the First Round

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers looks on as an official runs past during their game against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glen

There is some serious uncertainty on at least 10 NFL teams this season. From Carolina to Washington to Cincinnati, teams have questions to ask about what direction they want to go with their quarterbacks.

Despite that heightened need for quarterbacks, there will be only three quarterbacks taken in the first round. Andy Reid won't get to keep both Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb. Vince Young will land somewhere.

There won't be four teams desperate enough for a quarterback to take one in the first round, especially since Stanford's Andrew Luck is heading back to school. This could be bad news for Jake Locker or even Cam Newton.

Mark Ingram Won't Be the First Running Back Taken

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mark Ingram is a terrific talent that will likely have a enviable professional career, but he's not going to be the first running back taken in the draft this season.

In a relatively weak running back draft class, Ingram is right near the top. However, Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams will be the first running back taken. He's a little faster than Ingram and a little shiftier.

Ingram has more power, but Williams goes first.

Carolina Works a Deal To Move Out of the Top Spot

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

Carolina had indicated that it wanted to take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick despite taking Jimmy Clausen in the second round last season. Then Luck returned to Stanford.

Now, Carolina has a decision to make. Pick at the top? Trade down?

They're going to trade out of the top spot. Maybe this happens before draft day. No matter when it goes down, Carolina still wants a quarterback.

They'll find their quarterback somewhere in the late first round.

New England Moves Up in the First Round

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Imag

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have prided themselves for making big names instead of signing or drafting them.

But the Pats need to address some concerns to make sure they get back to a Super Bowl soon.

Are BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead the answer at running back?

Can the Pats fix their 25th-ranked defense with draft picks?

Can they get a corner to flank Devin McCourty?

New England sits at pick 17 (from Oakland) and somewhere in the late 20's of the draft right now.

They'll make a move to get higher in the draft to claim an instant impact player like Da'Quan Bowers or Prince Amukamara.

ESPN Will Set a New Record For Analysts Used

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 2: Alex Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is presented with the trophy by Barry Sanders as announcer Trey Wingo looks on after Smith defeated Mark Clayton of the Baltimore Ravens to win the EA Sports Madden Bowl, on February

Trey Wingo, who anchored ESPN's draft coverage last season, will have his head spinning if he gets the nod again this season.

He'll be volleying air time among Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen, and more. Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Ron Jaworski, and more will have their say.

When all is said and done after the three day broadcast, ESPN will get viewpoints of 10 or more so-called analysts and experts.

Al Davis Moves Raiders Into First Round, Drafts Someone Everyone Says Not To

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ALAMEDA, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a press conference to announce the firing of head coach Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders at thier training facility on Septemer 30, 2008 in Alameda, California. (Photo by Jed Jac

Do you really think Al Davis can just sit back and watch 31 other teams draft in the first round after trading away the Radiers' first-round pick?

Not likely.

Once he gets Oakland back into the first round, he'll go against all of the scouting, and draft someone based on his own inebriation with their talent. It won't matter that they have character issues or bad technique. If they can run fast and jump high, he's Al Davis' pick.

Mel Kiper and Todd McShay Finally Get Into a Fist Fight

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NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Mel Kiper, Chris Mortensen and Keyshawn Johnson broadcast for ESPN during the 2007 NFL Draft on April 28, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

ESPN wisely keeps Todd McShay and Mel Kiper reporting via satellite most of the time. But during the NFL Draft, they spend a lot of time sitting behind the same desk.

McShay and Kiper don't agree with each other too often. Conversations between the two have softened in recent years, but they aren't exactly docile.

This draft, they finally throw down.

Maybe Kiper makes a crack about McShay's somewhat lonely affection for Missouri's Blaine Gabbert.

Maybe McShay goes after Kiper's hair.

Here's hoping we finally get the battle we've wanted for some time now.