2011 NFL Mock Draft: Complete 1st Round Predictions
As a fan of a team whose season came to an end way back in November, the draft is the next best thing to playoff glory for some fans right now. The Carolina Panthers hold the number one pick in the draft and the Cowboys sit at number nine. Since Andrew Luck has decided to take his talents back to Stanford it’s a pretty sure bet that a defensive player will be chosen first. Well, unless Jake Locker has a Senior Bowl that makes you forget about his play this past season.
So many teams have so many needs and we all wait to see how our favorite teams will address those needs…or blunder them for that matter.
So with that, Carolina you’re on the clock!
Carolina Panthers – DT Nick Fairley, Auburn:
1 of 32
I know that a lot of draft pundits have Da’Quan Bowers going first because he reminds you of a certain former Carolina Panthers player. But Fairley can gobble up bodies, son, bodies! He’s big, mean, nasty, and a little dirty. He can play any position on that line, and I just have to believe that the Panthers will want that type of game changer on defense.
Denver Broncos –DE Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson
2 of 32
Pair this cat with a mean pass rusher like Evlis Dumervil and you’ve just upgraded the defense for the Broncos. Champ Bailey may be gone, but a ferocious pass rush can do wonders for an offense as well, just ask the Ravens Super Bowl team
Buffalo Bills – OLB Robert Quinn, North Carolina
3 of 32
The Bills have a lot of needs starting with the quarterback position. But do you choose Locker, Newton, or Mallett this high? I sure wouldn’t. With rumors flying that Aaron Maybin is on way out in Buffalo, why not draft a hybrid defensive player who could be the face of your defense? Oh yeah, he can play pretty well too.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Cincinnati Bengals – WR A.J. Green, Georgia
4 of 32No more Terrell Owens, and maybe no more Ocho either, so the Bengals have to get a guy in there for Palmer to throw the ball too if they want to improve to, say, 5-11. Green is a heck of a talent, and just thinking of that catch he made against Colorado gives me chills.
Arizona Cardinals – QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
5 of 32
The Cardinals have the weapons on offense, that’s obvious. They just don’t have a quarterback to lead them. Anderson obviously won’t work, Leinart was a bust, and the rest of them were just as bad. Gabbert will need some grooming but the Cardinals aren’t that far away from being a playoff team again, just look at their division.
Cleveland Browns – WR Julio Jones, Alabama
6 of 32
This is a bit of a reach because I don’t believe that Jones will go this high. But the Browns have to get a playmaker for Colt McCoy. If Green falls in Cleveland’s lap, I’m sure they’ll snag him, but if not, then Julio should pack his bags for the dog pound.
San Francisco 49ers – CB Patrick Peterson, LSU:
7 of 32
Where do we start with San Fran? I’m not sure if Harbaugh would pull the trigger on Jake Locker here, but Peterson is quite possibly the best defensive back in the draft. San Fran can use help on the defensive side of the ball, and with his ball hawking skills, he can help that defense become a little more stingy.
Tennessee Titans – DT Stephen Paea, OSU
8 of 32
Face it, Tennessee missed Haynesworth presence in the middle. Paea is 310 pounds and had seven sacks this past season. Yes, the Titans can use a quarterback, but they can also use help on defense. They didn’t lose ten games for nothing.
Dallas Cowboys – CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
9 of 32
This is my third or fourth mock and I’ll pick Prince everytime for the Cowboys. I think he’s a better corner than Peterson, and with Terrance Newman breaking down like an old Buick, he would be perfect to pair along with the still raw Mike Jenkins.
Washington Redskins – QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
10 of 32
I think with the way Shanahan treated McNabb in Washington, its safe to say that organization is in great shape. Mallett won’t be the answer, but it’s at least a start for a team in need of a good rebuilding effort.
Houston Texans – DE/OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
11 of 32
Bum’s son is the new defensive coordinator in Houston, so maybe they won’t be as predictable as the Cowboys defense in his last year as head coach, boom! With a shift to the 3-4 Miller should do well in Wade’s defensive scheme
Minnesota Vikings – QB Jake Locker, Washington
12 of 32
Locker's is a big guy with nice speed, just sucks for him that he played poorly his last year in Washington. Still, Minnesota needs a quarterback, and I’m not sure if Big Les is sold on Joe Webb to lead his team. Locker will either be a big bust or have a big payoff.
Detroit Lions – DE Aldon Smith, Missouri
13 of 32
The Lions have the type of pick this year that will make or break their team. They are trending upward, and this year and next year’s picks will show what type of team Detroit really has. Aldon Smith is a quick defensive end who had 4.5 sacks after missing some time due to injury. Detroit’s defense is the face of that team, and adding Smith will only make them nastier.
St. Louis Rams – WR Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
14 of 32
With what Sam Bradford was able to do with the Rams core of wide receivers this past year, just think of what he could do with a guy like Jonathan Baldwin? He’s 6’5” and 230 pound and represents a huge target for Bradford. Maybe even an NFC West title.
Miami Dolphins – QB Cam Newton, Auburn
15 of 32
I still say that Newton needs more time to develop in college, but this may be the best time for him to come out. Miami is in need of a quarterback as the Chad Henne project didn’t work out. I’m not sold on Newton, but who can argue with 2,500 plus passing yards and almost 50 touchdowns?
Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
16 of 32
The Jags need a new head coach, and they won’t do much better than their 2010 record without a new one. Drafting Kerrigan means that the Jags want to get better on defense to bring pressure on Peyton Manning. Have fun Jags fans.
New England Patriots – DT Cameron Jordan, California
17 of 32
Bart Scott said the Patriots defense can’t stop a nose bleed, and if you can’t stop Mark Sanchez, then you can’t stop much I guess. The mad scientist will want to get better on defense, and drafting Jordan will bring a bigger presence in the middle with Ty Warren.
San Diego Chargers – OT Nate Solder, Colorado
18 of 32
San Diego also needs a new coach, but I guess that’s for another slideshow. Solder can try and anchor that line, and with Matthews and Tolbert running behind him, maybe San Diego can finally live up to its potential.
New York Giants – OT Tyrone Smith, USC
19 of 32
The Giants need help on the offensive side of the ball, and that may come in the form of Eli Manning reducing his turnovers. But Smith will be the one to protect Mannings blind side and maybe, just maybe, that will help ‘ol "can’t get right" Manning and his interception to touchdown ratio.
Tampa Bay Bay Buccaneers – DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
20 of 32
This is one of the most intriguing picks to me because Tampa Bay is such an interesting team. Freeman is a bona fide superstar, and Mike Williams seems to be a great wide receiver. The defense isn’t that far behind the offense, and adding Clayborn with McCoy should make for a deadly combination in the Bay.
Kansas City Chiefs – DE/OLB Justin Houston, Georgia
21 of 32
Houston had 11 sacks this past season, and the Chiefs could use a pass rusher. The Chiefs shocked everybody by making the playoffs this past season, and if that defense improves, then the AFC West better look out.
Indianapolis Colts – OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi
22 of 32
The Colts had so many injuries in 2010 that I kind of wish they had a do over. But the line has been shaky for a little while now, and adding Sherrod may bring some needed stability to Manning’s team.
Philadelphia Eagles – OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
23 of 32
Vick and Kolb were victims of the Eagles poor offensive line, and adding Carimi may not help them win the Super Bowl, but it’s a start.
New Orleans Saints – DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
24 of 32
Ellis could use some help, and Heyward may just be the guy to bring it. He’s durable, playing in every single game of his four year OSU career, He can play in or out, and I believe he’ll shine down in New Orleans.
Seattle Seahawks – CB Brandon Harris, Miami
25 of 32
Seattle needs help just about everywhere, but a start is in the secondary. Harris is talented enough to make an immediate impact, but he’ll need time to develop. Either way, he’s an upgrade for Seattle.
Baltimore Ravens – DE/DT Allen Bailey, Miami
26 of 32
Miami hasn’t been a contender in college football for a few years now, but that doesn’t mean they don’t churn out first round picks like a factory still. The Ravens have to get younger on defense if they have any hope of contending for the next few years. Bailey represents youth and the bloodline of the “U.”
Atlanta Falcons – TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
27 of 32
The Falcons were slightly better than good in 2010, but not great. Tony Gonzalez may retire, but he isn’t sure, and Atlanta can’t wait around forever. Rudolph would be a nice fit for Matty Ice in Atlanta and Smith’s offensive scheme.
New England Patriots – C/G Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State
28 of 32
Wisniewski seems like the type of player that would fit well in New England. They need help on offense, but keeping Brady upright should be priority number one.
Green Bay Packers – OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
29 of 32
Rodgers needs help on that line, son, and if Green Bay wants to keep him healthy, they have to draft a player to bolster than line. Castonzo would do well in Green Bay and he still may be available if they drop the last pick of the draft.
New York Jets – RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
30 of 32
This one is a reach because I don’t believe New York will go in this direction. But with LT getting old, and Greene only showing up in the playoffs, the J-E-T-S need a guy who can carry the load in NY.
Chicago Bears – C/G Mike Pouncey, Florida
31 of 32
Cutler needs help on that line, and the Bears will still have options even if they don’t choose Pouncey. Still, if Cutler doesn’t get more help then I’m not sure if he’ll make it for a full year next season.
32.Pittsburgh Steelers – OT, DeMarcus Love, Arkansas
32 of 32
Another line that’s in flux. Pitt needs help and Love’s size should fit well. Big Ben holds on the ball to long but he still needs help.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")