2011 NFL Mock Draft: Senior Bowl Day 5 Edition
Only the lucky fans of two NFL teams are experiencing the luxury of having their thoughts supplanted squarely in the NFL present. The remaining 30, however, have at least one eye turned towards the future. That means one thing: The NFL Mock Draft Season is in full swing.
While the college season may be over, there is still ample time for a prospect to enhance their value. They could have a dominant Senior Bowl performance or knock scouts dead at the combine, and there is also a seemingly infinite amount of time for them to destroy their value with a poor showing at the combine and/or making the news for all the wrong reasons.
Other than those exceptions, players have already etched their places in the upcoming draft. Let's mock it up!
No. 1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Why the Panthers Need a DT: The Panthers defense fell apart in 2010. They were unable to stop the run or get to the passer, and that is one deadly combo.
Why Fairley Makes Sense: Fairley's stock went on a meteoric rise in 2010. He is the prototypical run stuffing DT that teams covet. What will push him up this high is that he can also get to the QB. As he displayed in the BCS National Championship Game, Fairley can dominate a game.
No. 2. Denver Broncos: Da'Quan Bowers, OLB/DE, Clemson
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Why The Broncos Need A Pass Rusher: As long as the Broncos draft a defensive player, they will be drafting towards need. They can't go wrong going defense.
Why Bowers Makes Sense: Bowers is a freak. He has an amazing combination of size and quickness. He is very stout against the run and he can hold the edge. It is his elite pass rushing skills that are going to make catapult him to the top of the draft though.
No. 3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Why The Bills Need A CB: The Bills weren't horrible at DB last year. Drayton Florence and Terrence McGee were a decent tandem. This will be a move of taking the best player on the board.
Why Peterson Makes Sense: Peterson has all the tools. He is widely regarded as the best CB in the draft. He will also bring with him an electrifying return game. He has great size and speed and should be a shutdown corner for years to come.
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No. 4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Why the Bengals Need a WR: The Bengals are unlikely to sign on the T.Ocho show for another year in what figures to be a rebuilding year. They need to get younger across the board and will likely look for the best player available.
Why Green Makes Sense: Green has everything you look for in a WR. He has the size at 6'4" and 200 pounds, 4.4 speed and hands. He should be a No. 1 WR in for years to come, and his talent and upside will be too much for the Bengals to pass on.
No. 5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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Why the Cardinals Need a QB: The Cardinals and their fans have suffered through some of the worst quarterbacking in recent memory. Due to injuries and ineffectiveness, the position has been a revolving door.
Why Gabbert Makes Sense: Gabbert has shot to the top of most QB draft boards. He has a great arm, solid mechanics and good accuracy.
No. 6. Cleveland Browns: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Why the Browns Need a DT: Cleveland was 26th in rushing yards allowed per game last year. The Browns need to improve themselves in the trenches.
Why Dareus Makes Sense: Dareus struggled with consistency, but he also showed the ability to take over a game. He could be an in a 3-4 or a DT in a 4-3. The Browns ran a 3-4 last year, but may switch to the 4-3 in 2011.
No. 7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, DB, Nebraska
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Why the 49ers Need a CB: The 49ers were shredded by opposing WRs all year. They will either look to limit that by adding a pass rusher or a shut-down corner.
Why Amukumara Makes Sense: Amukamara has the size, 6'1" and 205 pounds, speed and instincts to play on day one. He has shown the ball skills to be one of the elite corners in the NFL.
No. 8. Tennessee Titans: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
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Why the Titans Need a OLB: It remains to be seen what defensive system the Titans will be running in 2011. No matter what system it is, they are going to need to get increased pass rush on the QB.
Why Miller Makes Sense: Miller is the 2010 Big Ten sacks leader. He has been a consistent pass rusher his entire career. He has the size and the speed to carry this talent to the next level.
No. 9. Dallas Cowboys: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
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Why the Cowboys Need a DE: The Cowboys have an aging and eroding D-line. They have not put consistent pressure on opposing QBs, and they have not been able to stop the run. A fatal double whammy, they will look to rectify.
Why Smith Makes Sense: Smith has the look and potential to be a perfect fit in a 3-4 as an end. He will instantly upgrade the Cowboys' rush defense, while getting to the QB on occasion.
No. 10. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Why the Redskins Need a QB: Here's a news flash for you: I don't think Donovan McNabb will be back with the Redskins. It also seems unlikely that any franchise is going to think that Rex Grossman is their future. Hence the Redskins need for a QB.
Why Locker Makes Sense: Locker finished the season strong, and he will receive another boost when he gets to show off his athleticism and attitude at the combine. Shanahan will see glimpses of John Elway in Locker.
No. 11. Houston Texans: Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina
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Why Houston Needs an OLB: The Texans were horrible on pass defense. A big part of the problem was a lack of pass rush. They are switching to a 3-4 defense, and they need the OLBs to do it.
Why Quinn Makes Sense: Quinn is an excellent athlete. He can rush the passer and is solid against the run. If Quinn falls lasts this long, the Texans will be doing cartwheels.
No. 12. Minnesota Vikings: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Why the Vikings Need a QB: Because they weren't begging Brett Favre to play two years in a row, and because they thought Tarvaris Jackson was the answer.
Why Newton Makes Sense: Newton is going to amaze at the combines. The guy has freakish size, strength and speed. He comes to the NFL from a spread offense and he will be a project. This is the definition of a high risk/reward pick.
No. 13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Why the Lions Need a OL: They have to keep Matt Stafford healthy and get their run game going.
Why Solder Makes Sense: All-American Nate Solder is a pro-ready prospect. He has great size and matches it with better footwork. He would be able to play RT or LT in the NFL.
No. 14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Why the Rams Need a WR: The Rams lack a true No. 1 WR for their franchise QB, Sam Bradford. They need to grab a playmaker on the outside who can grow with their young QB.
Why Jones Makes Sense: At 6'4", 210 lbs, Julio Jones has the size to go over DBs. With a clocked 40-time of 4.42, he has the speed to run past them. The guy has all of the physical tools to be a dominant WR in the NFL.
No. 15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Why the Dolphins Need a RB: The Dolphins are built to run the football. Both of their RBs are going to be free agents, and both are getting up there in years.
Why Ingram Makes Sense: Ingram has the kind of straight-ahead running style the Dolphins love. If they pick up Ingram, they will be able to lose either Williams or Brown and not miss a beat.
No. 16. Jacksonville Jaguars: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Why the Jaguars Need a DE: The Jaguars struggled to put pressure on opposing QBs. They are happy with their young DTs, and they will look for an end to put outside of them.
Why Watt Makes Sense: Watt is the complete package. He can rush the passer and stop the run. Watt will make the Patriots' young defense younger and instantly improve it in the process.
No. 17. New England Patriots: Cameron Heyward, DE, OSU
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Why the Patriots Need a DE: The Patriots aren't getting to the QB as often as they like. They already have a young defense, but look for them to go after a pass rusher with their first pick.
Why Heyward Makes Sense: Heyward had an outstanding Sugar Bowl after a disappointing 2010 season. He has the speed and size—now he just needs to perform at the combine.
No. 18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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Why the Chargers Need a DE: Two of the Chargers' DEs contracts have expired. They are unlikely to re-sign both of them, and this is a great draft for a D-lineman.
Why Jordan Makes Sense: Jordan has the size and strength it will take to excel as a DE in a 3-4 NFL system. He is 6'4" and 285 pounds. He can hold his ground on the runs and provide some pass rush.
No. 19. New York Giants: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Why the Giants Need an OT: The Giants' inconsistency on offense stems from their offensive line. David Diehl is slowing down, and William Beatty did not look like a starting NFL LT.
Why Sherrod Makes Sense: Sherrod is an excellent athlete at the LT position. He is a little light at 6'6" and 300 lbs, but he makes up for it with technique and footwork, and he has plenty of room to add some beef to his frame.
No. 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Why the Bucs Need a DE: Tampa is set up the middle on their defensive front. They spent their first two picks on DT in 2010. They will look to add firepower there and take the pressure and attention away from their DTs.
Why Clayborn Makes Sense: He can rush the passer and stop the run. At 6'4" and 285 lbs., he has great size to hold the edge against the run and enough explosiveness to be a solid pass rusher.
No. 21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
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Why the Chiefs Need an OLB: The Chiefs relied almost solely on Tamba Hali to provide their pass rush in 2010, which makes their 3-4 too predictable.
Why Houston Makes Sense: Houston has a great combination of power and quickness. In 2010, he lived in the opposition's backfields as he tallied 19.5 tackles for loss.
No. 22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Costanzo, T, Boston College
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Why the Colts Need a OT: The Colts need help on their defensive front, but they also could use some help at RT. Their run game struggled in 2010 and more importantly, when Peyton Manning has time, the Colts are unbeatable.
Why Castanzo Makes Sense: Costanzo is a four-year starter. He has the footwork and strength to play both the LT and RT positions. He is a solid run blocker and a capable pass blocker. He would likely be an instant upgrade.
No. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi, OT/G, Wisconsin
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Why the Eagles Need an Offensive Lineman: While the Eagles are one of the better rushing teams in the league, they are one of the worst pass blocking. Their QBs took a beating in 2010.
Why Carimi Makes Sense: Carimi is a big mauling tackle who may be moved to guard in the NFL. While his pass blocking technique has been questioned, he has the work ethic to improve. At 6'8" and 320 pounds, he certainly has the size.
No. 24. New Orleans Saints: Jurrell Casey, DT, Southern California
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Why the Saints Need a DT: The defensive line is thin for the New Orleans Saints. They will look to bolster it in all positions. They will go for the best defensive lineman available
Why Casey Makes Sense: Casey hasn't been as productive this season as scouts had hoped, but he is facing constant double teams. Casey remains a physical beast, and he will make a difference on any NFL defensive line.
No. 25. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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Why the Seahawks Need a CB: The Seahawks pass defense struggled all season. Kelly Jennings' contract is expiring, and he is not a starting caliber CB to begin with.
Why Harris Makes Sense: The Texans will be ecstatic if Harris lasts until they pick. He has all the tools to be a shut-down corner in the NFL. He has great ball skills and speed. He should be able to play man-to-man or zone.
No. 26. Baltimore Ravens: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Why the Ravens Need a DB: The Ravens defense lacks the corners on the outside that can shut down a WR and allow the rest of the defense to get after the QB and stuff the running game.
Why Williams Makes Sense: Williams has the size at 6'1" to compete with the bigger receivers. He has been clocked at 4.44 in the 40. He has all the physical tools, but his inconsistency and the quality of CBs ahead of him will keep him out of the first half of the first round.
No. 27. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
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Why the Falcons Need a TE: Tony Gonzalez is old—that's why. He has mentioned during the year that this could be his final season. Even if he does come back, the Falcons can lighten his load and train his heir apparent.
Why Rudolph Makes Sense: Rudolph is widely regarded as the best TE prospect in the draft. He is 6'6", 260 lbs and runs a 4.6 40. The guy has all the physical tools, and he put them together to have a productive college career.
No. 28. New England Patriots: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pitt
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Why the Patriots Need a WR: The Patriots offense lacks size and speed at the WR position. They have great route-running WRs and TEs with solid hands, but they lack that guy to take two players with him down the field.
Why Baldwin Makes Sense: Baldwin has struggled a bit this year, but that is easily attributable to the struggles of the QB position at Pittsburgh. Baldwin is 6'5" and has good hands. He has a less-than-blazing 4.5 40 time, but his size is enough to make him a deep threat.
No. 29. Chicago Bears: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Why the Bears Need an OT: It is amazing the Bears have made it to the Championship game with their putrid offensive line. They will take the best tackle remaining.
Why Smith Makes Sense: Smith has good quickness and footwork. He is a little light for the NFL, but he has plenty of room to add bulk on his 6'5" frame.
No. 30. New York Jets: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Why the Jets Need a OLB: Rex Ryan loves his defense, and he will look to bolster it in the draft. The Jets have been outstanding against the run, but they struggled to generate a consistent pass rush.
Why Ayers Makes Sense: Ayers is an excellent athlete. He has not displayed good, but not quite elite, pass rushing skills. He has also has great all-around game and is solid in coverage.
No. 31. Green Bay Packers: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
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Why the Packers Need a DT: The Packers are likely to lose some D-linemen via free agency this offseason. Lucky for the Packers, this draft is rich with quality defensive lineman.
Why Taylor Makes Sense: At 6'4" and 350 lbs, Taylor has the body and strength to be the run stuffing DT. As long as Taylor proves to the Saints he is committed to staying in football shape, he will be a quality pick.
No. 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida
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Why the Steelers Need a Guard: Ben Roethlisberger is excellent outside of the pocket, but the Steelers would prefer that he didn't have to display that talent quite as often. Even more importantly, the Steelers want to run the football, and they have been unable to do so consistently due to their subpar offensive line.
Why Pouncey Makes Sense: Mike is the twin brother of Maurkice, who is currently the Steelers center. Maurkice is enjoying a fantastic rookie season and has added great stability to their line. Mike brings similar skills, and it is safe to assume he will have chemistry with the Steelers center.
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