Mel Kiper 2011 Mock Draft: Is Draft Guru's First Mock Genius or a Joke?
The season of debates, analysis, and projections has officially begun as Mel Kiper Jr. released his 1.0 mock draft this week.
Kiper is widely regarded as the premier guru in scouting and talent evaluation of prospective NFL players.
While others such as Todd McShay have emerged as reliable experts, nobody compares to Kiper.
This is only the first of many mock drafts...but screw it, let’s attempt to breakdown whether each pick is “genius” or a “joke”.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers- Tyron Smith OT
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Smith has sky rocketed up the draft boards of late because of his incredible athelticism. He may not be huge at 290 lbs—but there is no way Smith will be around at No. 32.
It is likely that the Steelers look for help in the offensive-line with this pick though.
Joke
31. Chicago Bears- Aaron Williams CB
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The Bears secondary is getting old and they could use a guy with the burst of Williams. He has great speed and will be able to create multiple turnovers at the pro level.
This pick sounds about right for Williams.
Genius
30. New York Jets- Muhammad Wilkerson DT
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He is a huge DT at 6-4 and 306 pounds.
He fits the Jets' 3-4 scheme and can also play DE.
Wilkerson has a great knack for finding the ball and would fit in perfectly for the Jets.
Genius
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29. Green Bay Packers- Christian Ballard DE
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This is waaaaay to early for Ballard. He has decent size and speed but there are going to be far better prospects avaliable with this pick.
Joke
28. New England- Mikel Leshoure RB
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It's impossible to predict what the Pats do with their picks. There's a great chance they trade down.
If they keep it, I think the Pats will go with a pick to improve their defense.
This is also about 10 slots too high for Leshoure.
Joke
27. Atlanta Falcons- Torrey Smith WR
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The Falcons need a receiver to complement Roddy White and Smith is an excellent choice.
He has tremendous down-field speed and isn't afraid to make the catch in traffic. He also posses the ability to be a factor in the punt return game and could help the Falcons get over the hump right away.
Genius
26. Baltimore Ravens- Brandon Harris CB
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Harris has the size at 5-11, 195 lbs to be an effective corner in the NFL. Harris also has excellent speed and quickness with outstanding vision. He shows a good burst and can turn with the receivers on a dime.
The Ravens have a glaring need at the position and would be extremely lucky if he fell this far—too bad he will be long gone by then.
Joke
25. Seattle Seahawks- Ryan Mallett QB
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This guy might be the hardest player to figure out in the whole draft. His physical attributes are worthy of a top 10 selection but he just seems to be missing something that most successful QBs have.
His Sugar Bowl performance didn't really help, and now the combine will be a huge event for him.
He could bounce around these mock draft's quite a bit in the coming weeks, but the Seahawks need a QB, so Kiper is right for now.
Genius
24. New Orleans Saints- Justin Houston DE
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Houston might end up being a linebacker, but the Saints would use him as the pass rusher they desperately need.
He will be the kind of guy that uses his long arms and superior quickness to evade O-lineman in route to the QB.
So there is no doubt he is a good prospect, but a first round selection?
That's a bit high. He projects more as a early second round pick.
Joke
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Gabe Carimi OT
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He has performed well against other highly regarded prospects and has proven to be an outstanding run-blocker.
He is he anchor of a offensive line that allowed a mere 12 sacks in 12 games and featured the 12th best rushing attack in college football.
The Eagles need help at this position and the pick makes a lot of sense.
Genius
22. Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Castonzo OT
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He does a great job of shifting his feet and staying in front of pass rushers. He uses his long arms to engage defenders and knock them off balance.
Castonzo has been starting on the Boston College offensive-line since his freshman season. The experience factor is huge for a team that needs an OT to play right away.
This fills a need for the Colts as they get more protection for the aging Peyton Manning.
Genius
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Stephen Paea, DT
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He has a wide variety of opinions floating around him.
Paea could go as high as 10 or as low as 40. He is strong, like—might win a bench press competition at the combine"—strong, and can be extremely physical.
Stephen Paea won the 2010 Morris Award for the top defensive lineman in the PAC-10 after also winning the award in '09. He recorded 45 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and six sacks this season.
I belief he will blow away scouts at the combine with his strength and sway a team to pick him in the top 15.
Joke
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ryan Kerrigan DE
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Kerrigan has 210 career tackles at Purdue to go along with 13 sacks.
The potential for Kerrigan is very intriguing. He had a four-sack game against Michigan and was able to record 10 or more tackles in three games this past season.
He would look pretty good next to last year's third overall pick Gerald McCoy.
This spot sounds about right for both parites.
Genius
19. New York Giants- Mike Pouncey G/C
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Pouncey can play multiple positions along the offensive-line. Standing at 6’4” and 310 pounds Pouncey is the new prototype for NFL centers—beefy, muscular, and athletic.
His older brother had a great season with the Steelers and all signs point to Mike being a great pro as well.
The Giants could use OL help and this is a match made in heaven.
Genius
18. San Diego Chargers- Cameron Jordan DE
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Jordan is a disciplined defensive end who comes off the ball low and shows excellent strength at the point of attack.
He takes the proper angles and continues to improve his technique. Jordan is a safe pick to be a NFL player for years to come.
His dad was a six-time Pro Bowl tight end, and Cameron is one of the most athletic players at his position thanks in part to good genes.
Odds are he wont fall to the Chargers.
Joke
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland)- J.J. Watt DE
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The 6'6 Watt excels at penetrating the backfield for tackles.
He has a full repertoire of moves but has sub-par speed and stamina.
He is more likely to be a late first or early second round pick.
Joke
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Adrian Clayborn DE
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Clayborn has the ability to play as a defensive tackle to clog the interior or as an end that can put pressure on the opponents QB.
His versatility should be enticing enough for a first round selection. This is pretty high for a guy with a few red flags in his past, but the Jags could use the depth at this position and would likely grab Clayborn if he was available at this pick.
Genius
15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram RB
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After disappointing seasons from Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, the running game will look very different for the Dolphins in 2011.
Ingram had an almost perfect '09 season that led him to a championship and Heisman. In '10, his team didn't live up to expectations—but Ingram still produced despite a nagging knee injury.
He was able to collect 816 yards and 11 TDs even after missing the first two games of the season.
Ingram would be a great fit in the Dolphins power running attack.
Genius
14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones WR
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Jones would give the Rams a huge target that is capable of making plenty of plays in Josh McDaniels new offense. A top recruit coming out of high school, Jones has been a star for along time now.
His downfall is the inconsistency with his hands, but a can't miss talent otherwise. He is explosive, strong and able to play with nagging injuries.
This would be a perfect fit...too bad Jones will be donning another teams draft cap by the time pick 14 rolls around.
Joke
13. Detroit Lions- Akeem Ayers OLB
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This is a pick where the Lions go for the best available talent and Ayers would fit that description.
He is a superb athlete with the ability to play any of the linebacker positions. He has great close-out speed and can hunt down even the fastest running back.
This seems about right for both sides.
Genius
12. Minnesota Vikings- Nate Solder OT
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Solder is a huge piece of man and has the body to be a successful tackle for the next 10 plus years.
The Vikings are lacking in this area of the field and could really use a guy like Solder.
Kiper has him as the top ranked tackle and he could easily be drafted before No. 12. There are multiple teams in the top 11 that desperately need OL help and Solder should be off the board by the time the Vikes pick.
Joke
11. Houston Texans- Aldon Smith OLB
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There's no doubt about it...the Texans will use their first pick on a defender.
Smith has great size and a huge wing-span.
He can instantly make the Texans pass rush better and could even start from day one.
Genius
10. Washington Redskins- Cam Newton QB
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Whaaaat?
No way Newton goes this high. He has questionable passing mechanics and footwork, as well as a bevy of character issues.
America fell in love with Newton this college football season, but expect the combine to expose the flaws in Newton's game.
He may be a first round pick—but certainly not No. 10.
Joke
9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara CB
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The Cowboys secondary gave up well over 300 yards a game through the air.
Rex Grossman lit them up in his first start in two years. This is a huge issue on one of the NFL's most disappointing teams in '10.
Drafting a player in the secondary should be the top priority for Jerry Jones and Co.
Amukamara was outstanding this season for Nebraska. He posses stand-out ball skills and has shut down some of the best players in the Big-12 this season.
After Patrick Peterson, he is the best CB in the draft.
Genius
8. Tennessee Titans- Von Miller OLB
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The 2010 Butkus award winner, and 2009 first-team All-American, Miller was the Big 12 sack leader for the second straight year with 9.5 sacks in 2010.
He is a great tackler and will surely be successful at the pro level.
Only one problem...Miller is not a good fit for the Titans.
This team must go with an offensive player with their first pick and Miller wont fill that need.
Joke
7. San Francisco 49ers- Robert Quinn DE
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Quinn would give them a difference maker off the edge, and help improve things on the defensive side of the ball. Quinn, who projects well as a 3-4 rush linebacker, would fill a huge need for the 49ers.
It certainly is a risky pick as Quinn was ruled ineligible for the entire 2010 season after receiving payment from an agent. But he had 11 sacks as a sophomore and has the potential to be one of the top sack leaders in the league same day.
Quinn has the most to gain/lose in the upcoming combine. His status is completely up in the air, but a good showing will land him at this spot.
Genius
6. Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green WR
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He is the best play-maker available in the draft, and his ability as a go to weapon and will open up the rest of the offense.
He missed the first four games of the season and still hauled in nine touchdowns and 771 yards.
The best receiver in the draft will go to the team that will be in desperate need of one. He is the complete package and would be a great fit in Cleveland, a team that has zero explosive play-makers.
Genius
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert QB
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Out of nowhere Gabbert has become the hot QB prospect and boy could the Cardinals use a new QB.
He played in a spread offense that allowed him to put up gaudy numbers. The intelligence level is there as is his arm strength and accuracy.
Here is another guy that will be under a heavy microscope during the combine.
But a top 5 pick for a guy that was really unheralded in college? I don't see it—even for a Arizona team that desperately needs a QB.
Joke
4. Cincinnati Bengals- Da'Quan Bowers DE
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The Bengals need a defender that has the ability to record double digit sacks.
This is the guy that can do it.
The 6-4, 275 pound, athletic end had 24 tackles for loss and 15 sacks this year.
He is a huge playmaker off the edge and could solidify the Bengals front four. He is the best DE prospect in the draft.
Genius
3. Buffalo Bills- Marcell Dareus DE
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A hard worker on and off the field, he is well-respected by teammates and coaches. At 6'2 and 300 lbs, he is the prototypical size for a defensive tackle in the NFL.
He is a top 10 talent...but No. 3??
The Bills biggest need is at offensive-line and they might be a prime candidate to trade down.
It is very doubtful that the Bills would take Dareus this high.
Joke
2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson CB
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The Broncos defense gave up the most points in the NFL in 2010.
Drastic changes need to be made. Champ Bailey is a going to be a free agent and it's highly unlikely he would spend the twilight years of his career with the rebuilding Broncos.
Patrick Peterson is a coveted talent that doesn't come around often. He is incredibly athletic and can cover any size receiver in the NFL.
Peterson has the ability to not only start in the NFL right away, but to make an immediate impact.
He is a shut down corner that a defense can really build around.
Genius
1. Carolina Panthers- Nick Fairley DT
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Can Fairley pull off the daily double of winning a BCS National Title and be the first overall pick?
Oh yeah.
Fairley was unstoppable over the last quarter of the college season.
He physically dominated Alabama's offensive line on Thanksgiving weekend. His stock was rising by the week and it has peaked after his inspired performance against Oregon.
He has all the tools and has shown up on the biggest of stages...this is an easy one.
Genius
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