NFL Mock Draft 2011: Complete First Round Projections and Analysis

With talk of the NFL Draft rising swiftly, now seems like the perfect time to dissect and adhere to every teams' draft needs heading into the offseason.

However, Mock Drafts can be somewhat misleading—giving teams and fans alike uneducated judgment as to where their respective team stands heading into April.

As we take a look at the potential talent on the horizon for this year's NFL Draft, we must be extremely careful in deciding who fits where the best.

So, without further ado, here's my take on the first round of this year's draft.

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

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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

Positional needs: QB, DE, LB

Best fit: Auburn's defensive beast was second to none this season and with Andrew Luck headed back for his senior year at Stanford, Carolina might as well upgrade their defensive line.

Yielding a total of 31 sacks on opposing quarterbacks this season, the Panthers are in dire need of a physical presence up front like that of Fairley.

2. Denver Broncos: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Positional needs: LB, DE, WR

Best fit: Should newly hired head coach John Fox go with Tim Tebow as Denver's quarterback of the future, now is the perfect time to draft a big-time receiver in A.J. Green.

With WR Brandon Lloyd bursting onto the scene last season for the Broncos, an addition of the draft's best available wideout in Green would be yet another target for Tebow in the passing game.

3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs through the defense of the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the

Positional needs: LB, CB, QB, SS

Best fit: Buffalo has virtually no defense whatsoever, making either Peterson or Nick Fairley a must-take type of pick early in the first round.

Peterson was LSU's defensive leader last season and could be that "franchise" player Buffalo has been looking for.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Positional needs: DE, WR, LB, CB

Best fit: Finishing at nearly the bottom of the league in sacks, the Bengals need a difference maker.  Desperately.

Bowers has been a stud throughout his career at Clemson, and can be that difference maker in Cincinnati if given the opportunity.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 19: Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after a sack with teammate Marvin Austin #9 against the East Carolina Pirates at Kenan Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by St

Positional needs: QB, DE, LB

Best fit: With the sorry pass rush that is the Arizona defensive line, drafting Quinn would become a great upgrade for Ken Wisenhunt's defensive squad.

With great speed on the edge, complemented by a powering technique, Quinn is a premier defensive end capable of making the leap to the NFL.

6. Cleveland Browns: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Positional needs: DT, WR, RB

Best fit: Joining forces with a steadily improving Cleveland defense would suit Darius well.  And with the Browns now moving into a primarily 4-3 defensive scheme, Darius will have his chances.

With this selection, Cleveland takes yet another leap towards prominence.

7. San Fransisco 49ers: Prince Akukamara, CB, Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - SEPTEMBER 25: Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Alfonzo Dennard #15 celebrates with teammate cornerback Prince Amukamara #21during second half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska

Positional needs: CB, LB, QB

Best fit: The best cornerback available in this year's draft, Amukamara has the prototypical speed and NFL-ready size to become an immediate difference for any team.

With the hire of Jim Harbaugh, some say San Fran should take either a Blaine Gabbert or a Ryan Mallet with their first round pick.

But, as I see it, the 49ers need a major overhaul defensively—especially at the cornerback position.

8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

Positional needs: QB, LB, OT

Best fit: With Vince Young out, Jeff Fisher and the Titans are in desperate need of a signal caller that can make an immediate difference from the get-go.  Gabbert is the guy for the job.

Besides—how much longer can Tennessee fall back on the leadership of Kerry Collins? 

9. Dallas Cowboys: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive tackle Cameron Jordan #97 of the California Golden Bears during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Bear

Positional needs: DE, G, LB

Best fit: Drawing major praise from scouts around the league, Jordan would be a great addition to an already talented Dallas defensive line.

Should the Cowboys take Jordan, he would overtake Igor Olshansky's current position at the right end.

If taken, Cameron would become an instant force for the Cowboys defensively.

10. Washington Redskins: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers runs down field against John Boyett #20 of the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

Positional needs: QB, RB, WR

Best fit: After voicing their distasteful opinion on Donovan McNabb, Mike Shannahan and the Redskins are in need of a difference maker at the quarterback position—and I'm guessing Rex Grossman isn't up to snuff.

Taking Cam Newton with the 10th pick in the draft would give Washington the "franchise-shifting" players they are so clearly in need of.

With an obvious knack for making the "big play," why not take Newton?

11. Houston Texans: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

Positional needs: LB, OT, SS

Best fit: A dismal 2010 defensive effort by Houston calls for a major draft overhaul—and what place better to start than at the linebacker position?

Von Miller is an excellent choice for the Texans.

With Brian Cushing and other prominent defensive stars already in place, this is the be-all end-all automatic pick for Houston.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Positional needs: QB, G, LB

Best fit: Okay, so his 2010 campaign could've been better—but let's be real.  Locker is one of the top quarterbacks on the board in this year's draft, and we all know it.

With Brett Favre (hopefully) on his way out of Minnesota for good, the Vikings are in need of some leadership.

Taking Locker brings that to the table.

13. Detroit Lions: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Linebacker Akeem Ayers #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Positional needs: LB, OT, WR

Best fit: Ayers is a talented linebacker capable of playing multiple positions in any scheme.  And with many pieces to the puzzle already in place for Detroit's defense, Ayers could become another key stud to join the likes of Ndomukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a long reception against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Positional needs: WR, DT, SS

Best fit: Sam Bradford showed us all how much potential is in store for St. Louis—even with a laughable group of wide receivers.

Taking Jones is the smartest move for the Rams moving forward.

15. Miami Dolphins: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Positional needs: OT, DT, WR

Best fit: One of the best pure offensive linemen coming out of Wisconsin since Joe Thomas, Carimi has all the assets necessary to make a difference up front for Chad Henne.

Standing at 6'7'', 327 pounds, Carimi has all the physical attributes NFL teams crave so much.

Selecting Carimi with their first round pick won't be a wasted one—that much is certain.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Dan LeFevour #13 of the Central Michigan Chippewas is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #94 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 20, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

Positional needs: DE, WR, LB

Best fit: Kerrigan had an amazing senior campaign and has moved into top 10 consideration.  With great strength and prototypical speed, Kerrigan could potentially be the difference between an successful 2011 campaign, or a disappointing one.

Adding Kerrigan to the mix with Aaron Kampman and Jeremy Mincey only furthers Jacksonville's hopes for an AFC South title in 2011.

17. New England Patriots: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Positional needs: DE, CB, WR

Best fit: New England is in serious need for some pass rush—so why not start things off with the draft's first big surprise?

Wisconsin's J.J. Watt would be an excellent fit to the Patriots' defensive line—and with already attaining Vince Wilfork, the two could become a great duo for Bill Belichick's defense.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Heyward, DT, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases down ballcarrier Keith Carlos #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Positional needs: DT, WR, G

Best fit: Heyward was a force in Big Ten backfields all season long in 2010, and will do the same once he makes his leap to the NFL.

With an already explosive defense, San Diego would be foolish not to take Heyward.

19. New York Giants: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

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)

Positional needs: OT, G, DT

Best fit: It's apparent that Eli Manning can't handle the pressure on his own, so New York finds themselves in a pretty simple situation with their first round pick: draft an offensive lineman with NFL-caliber talent from the get-go.

Smith was one of the most impressively stout lineman in the Pac-10 last season, and should have a great chance at getting drafted in the middle to late first round.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

David Purdy/Getty Images

IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: Defensive linemen Adrian Clayborn #94 and Karly Klug #95 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate a quarterback sack against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of play at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in

Positional needs: DE, WR, CB

Best fit: Clayborn stakes his claim as one of the most explosive and physical defensive linemen in all of college football last season, ripping his way through even the most massive of Big Ten offensive lines.

Tampa Bay is on their way to returning to the defensive glory days of a few years ago, and Clayborn would be an enormous upgrade for Raheem Morris' defensive squad.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Justin Houston #42 of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks quarterback Tevin Washington #13 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Positional needs: LB, DT, WR

Best fit: One of the most complete linebackers in the country, Houston recorded 10 sacks last season—while managing 19 sacks in his three seasons at Georgia.

Selecting Houston could put Kansas City back on the map in terms of stout NFL defenses.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

Positional needs: OT, TE, WR

Best fit: With a deteriorating and quickly aging offensive line, Indy must take the best available offensive lineman off the board.  Sherrod, with a great frame and size, would be a superb fit for protecting Peyton Manning in the years to come.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Positional needs: OT, DT, LB

Best fit: Michael Vick can't escape the pocket forever.

Taking Solder with their first round pick would be best suited for Philadelphia's entire offensive line, and will protect Vick in the long run.

24. New Orleans Saints: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

Positional needs: DT, SS, CB

Best fit:  Another one of the top defensive linemen available, Paea was a force for several years at Oregon State.  Although his 2010 season was a bit of a letdown, Paea's skill set and capabilities are second to none.

Besides, I think we can all agree New Orleans is in desperate need of an upgrade on the defensive line.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Positional needs: QB, RB, ILB

Best fit: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett has all the necessary tools to become a difference maker at the next level.

And with Matt Hasselbeck nearing the end of his road with the Seahawks, now is the perfect time to pull the trigger on a franchise quarterback like that of Mallett.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami

Doug Benc/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Defensive lineman Allen Bailey #57 and linebacker Colin McCarthy #44 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrate after scoring a safety against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Land Shark Stadium on September 17, 2009 in Fort

Positional needs: DE, OT, SS

Best fit: The vaunted Ravens defense of old has become a bit frail, so why not start off with taking a solid defensive lineman like that of Bailey?

With 19 sacks in three years as a starter in Miami, Bailey is an extremely hard worker worthy of taking in the first round.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

Positional needs: OT, WR, G

Best fit: What better way to use a first-round pick than to protect Matt Ryan for the future?

Both Ryan and Castonzo played at Boston College, so the chemistry is there.  And with Castonzo being one of the best linemen available in the first round, this is a must for the Falcons.

28. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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)

Positional needs: RB, WR, SS

Best fit: The 2009 Heisman winner had a relatively down 2010 season, however his capabilities are second to none when compared to his fellow SEC tailbacks.

Adding Ingram gives New England the featured running back they've been searching for.

29. Green Bay Packers: Corey Liuget, DE, Illinois

Positional needs: OT, DE

Best fit: Probably the best defensive linemen coming out of the Big Ten, Liuget is a solid choice for Mike McCarthy and the Packers.

With uncertainty about current defensive end Eric Walden's abilities and skill set, Liuget solves all of Green Bay's problems on the defensive line.

Great size, strength and drive are only the beginning of what Liuget has to offer.

30. New York Jets: Muhammed Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple

Positional needs: OT, WR

Best fit: A splendid pick for Rex Ryan and the ever-improving Jets defense, Wilkerson would become just another addition to a young, talented group on the rise.  And in playing New England twice each season, it sure would be nice to get some more pressure on Tom Brady as much as possible.

31. Chicago Bears: Benjamin Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova

Positional needs: OT, G, WR

Best fit:  What better way to start off the draft than ensuring more protection for Jay Cutler heading into 2011?

Ijalana was a force on the offensive line for Villanova in 2010—and with great strength and agility, he could become Chicago's next great offensive lineman.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

Positional needs: G, FB, WR

Best fit: With left tackle Max Starks coming off a neck injury and right tackle Willie Colon due to become a free agent in the offseason, Pittsburgh needs to secure their offensive line in this year's draft, starting with the guard position.

Pouncey has been a winner since stepping foot onto Florida's campus and in protecting Tim Tebow for multiple seasons, Pouncey was one of the Gators' best offensive linemen.

He'll do the same for Big Ben and company in Pittsburgh.