2011 NFL Mock Draft: How Many Quarterbacks Will Be Selected in the First Round?
Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett. These are your 2010 top quarterback prospects.
NFL teams are no fools. They can look at the Steelers and the Packers and see that you can't get anywhere without great quarterback play. Even the teams the Steelers and the Packers ousted to get to Dallas, the Bears and the Jets, had suspect quarterback play.
So the real question is how high will these four men go? Who's desperate and who thinks one of these guys is the guy to lead them for the next decade? And how will that effect the other men scheduled to go off in the first round?
Here is a look at the first round and where I think the quarterbacks will be taken.
1. Carolina Panthers – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
1 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
There is no doubt that the Panthers have an issue at quarterback. Clausen doesn't appear to be the guy for the job.
Had Andrew Luck declared for the draft there is no question he'd be going first, but since he'll be in Stanford, Fairley should go here.
He's the most imposing defensive player in the draft and the Panthers will allow defensive-minded head coach Ron Rivera to coach him up and be an anchor on their line.
2. Denver Broncos – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Peterson is the best corner in this draft and the Broncos are in need of a lock-down cornerback.
The Broncos ranked 25th in the NFL in pass defense. While their front line and linebacking corps is solid, their secondary needs some serious improvement. Peterson should make an impact immediately.
3. Buffalo Bills – Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
3 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Bills need help on the defensive line. They were last in the league in rushing yards against. They need an end who can get off the blocks to attack the run, and still have the ability to rush the passer. Bowers will be a nice fit in their system.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
4 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
If Carson Palmer wanted to stay it would make sense for the Bengals to just draft Marcell Dareus, but Palmer wants out and this is the perfect opportunity for the Bengals to part ways with a quarterback who just isn't getting the job done.
Gabbert has great size and ability and should find himself competing for a starting job right off the bat.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
5 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
If you are the Cardinals and the Bengals do take Gabbert, you would think about just quitting—but you're not going to do that. So, you do the next best thing: draft a guy who can help your poor defensive line and hope you can trade for Donovan McNabb or Vince Young.
The Cardinals had big problems on the defensive side of the ball, ranking near the bottom in almost every category. Dareus is the most talented guy who can address those issues.
6. Cleveland Browns – A.J Green, WR, Georgia
6 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Browns might be happy with Colt McCoy, so they will look to give him a play-maker on offense to help their 29th ranked passing game.
There isn't a receiver on the board that is as dynamic as Green and the Browns know they really need him.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
7 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The 49ers will draft Quinn because they need a guy to help against the pass rush. Quinn has a big upside and is rested after sitting out his senior season.
While the 49ers know they need a quarterback, they also know there might not be one that fits their West Coast system that they can justify taking that high.
Quinn is a dedicated player willing to get better. Sounds like a good fit for a team with the same mentality.
8. Tennessee Titans – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
8 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
If they are really trading Vince Young, then they will need to replace him. If the Titans do stay in-house for their coach, then drafting Newton will make sense. They could run a similar offense and Newton is a quarterback with a skill set similar to Vince Young.
Newton could be the best way for the Titans to purge themselves of Vince Young without missing a beat.
9. Dallas Cowboys – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
9 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Since at this point Von Miller will still be on the table, there will be the temptation to take him anyway. But let's face it, the Cowboys have a pretty good linebacking unit. Where they need help is in their pass coverage game. Amukamara knows how to get to the ball and can start in Week 1.
The Cowboys will flirt with Miller, but they'll pass for Prince.
10. Washington Redskins – Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
10 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
If Newton is off the board, then the Redskins are really in a bind. They won't want Mallett or Locker this high. They might have to play nice with McNabb and keep him around.
What they will do is address the glaring need on offense for a solid and durable running back.
Ingram will go a little higher than he probably should, but the Redskins averaged 91 yards a game on the ground last year. That has to change and Ingram is the best chance.
11. Houston Texans – Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
11 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
It's no secret that the Texans are looking for another linebacker to help them, and Von Miller is hands down the best linebacker in the draft. He can get amazing pressure on the quarterback and can help in pass coverage. The Texans will think they won the lottery to get him.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
12 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Speaking of the lottery—Solder is the best tackle in the draft. If you saw what happened to Favre last year, then you know that the Minnesota line needs some serious work. If Solder is still on the board, then he's gone at 12.
13. Detroit Lions – Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
13 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Lions will have done a good job in the last few years of addressing issues, something they didn't do under Matt Millen's reign. Now they need a defensive upgrade. They need a cornerback and an outside linebacker.
Aldon Smith is a freak physically. He will certainly move to the ball and give a boost at a position that is in need of a pick-me-up.
14. St. Louis Rams – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
14 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
It's not certain that Jones will be a top tier wide receiver, but the Rams are in need of some answers at that position. Jones will be the best wide-out left, and the Rams can take a significant step forward if he pans out at all.
15. Miami Dolphins – Jake Locker, QB, Washington
15 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
There are a lot of people who feel Locker won't go until the second round, but at this point the Dolphins won't have Ingram on the board and they won't have another pick until the third round. If they don't get a quarterback at this point, they likely won't see one down the road.
Locker still has great physical skills and good intangibles. He will go here as the most stunning first round pick.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
16 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Jacksonville needs help in a number of areas, but they already had a big draft last year for their defensive line.
Now they will look to add one of the best talents left on the board. Ayers is a smart and versatile athlete who will give the Jags a much-needed boost defensively.
17. New England Patriots (via Oakland) – J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
17 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Belichick is never impressed by size and speed, although Watt has a great combination of both. What gets Belichick geeked is a smart player and Watt is every bit as smart as any defensive end in the draft.
He'll be a major asset against the run—Belichick has to like that.
18. San Diego Chargers – Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
18 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
He's still on the board at this point and he's a good fit in San Diego.
He can help them get pressure off the edge. He will need some help against the run, but he has good instincts and should take well to coaching. San Diego needs help defensively and Clayborn is a very good player.
19. New York Giants – Mike Pouncey, C, New York Giants
19 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Giants need extra protection on their offensive line and Pouncey brings the best combination of size and speed. He can play the center or guard position and is an equally effective run and pass blocker.
They won't find anyone close to his talent level at the position and his brother has done wonders for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
20 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Of the guys left in the draft there is no one who is better at getting to the quarterback than Kerrigan.
For a team like the Bucs that really needs a guy who can get to the quarterback, they can't afford to say no. Kerrigan is not just strong, but his motor is endless.
He goes hard until the whistle blows and that's the kind of energy that a young team like the Bucs needs.
21. Kansas City Chiefs – Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
21 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Chiefs played great defense last year and they could run the ball really well. However, even with Matt Cassell, they couldn't seem to get a consistent passing game.
Bowe is a good receiver, but he's not a deep threat. Smith could be the deep threat and really improve the passing game.
22. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
22 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Colts don't think Joseph Addai is the problem with their running game. The reality is they don't have the horses up on the offensive line.
Anthony Castonzo is an imposing tackle and one that will come at a value this late in the first round.
The Colts need to protect Manning and run the ball if they want to get another Super Bowl ring. Castonzo is a step in the right direction.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
23 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
If the Eagles are going to make Michael Vick their quarterback of the future, they know he needs all the protection he can get.
Getting a player like Carimi is their best bet to provide Vick the protection that he needs. While he is better against the run, he can contribute against the pass and should be able to start for the Eagles this season.
24. New Orleans Saints – Cameron Jordan, DE, California
24 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Saints need a guy who can get to the quarterback all by himself—Jordan is that guy. He can play in either the 3-4 or the 4-3 and should help the Saints in his first season.
He needs some improvement on his technique but with some development he could be a major part of the defensive line for years.
25. Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
25 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Seahawks need a guy they can count on for the long haul. While Mallett has some technique issues, he's also one of the best physical talents at his position. Even if the Seahawks were to try and get Carson Palmer, he's not their long-term solution.
With a season or two with no pressure and some coaching and Mallett could be the quarterback of the future for the Seahawks..
26. Baltimore Ravens – Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
26 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Ravens are pretty set on both sides of the ball. What they lack is a cornerback that can be physical and can be a ball-hawk for them. Harris is not only effective as a cover corner, but he'll be ready to help in the run game immediately.
The Ravens won't be itching for anything, so Harris makes the most sense at this spot.
27. Atlanta Falcons – Justin Houston, LB/DE, Georgia
27 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Atlanta is a pretty well put-together team. They don't need much, so that's why Justin Houston is the best player for them in this spot. He could end up playing the linebacker or the defensive end position. That gives Atlanta at lot of options on the defensive side of the ball.
28. New England Patriots – Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
28 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Patriots will be happy with their defense at this point. What they will want to do is add that extra back to the offensive side. Leshoure is a great fit for the Patriots and would be a steal at this point of the draft.
The Patriots have two picks in the second round as well so there is no one they will feel pressed to take, but Leshoure will make them feel pressed not to pass him up.
29. Chicago Bears – Tyron Smith, OT, USC
29 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Bears would be out of their minds not to address the offensive line in the draft if someone like Smith is available. He's a great athlete and has great footwork.
They need big time help to keep Cutler healthy. Smith should be able to develop into the left tackle that the Bears thought Chris Williams would be.
30. New York Jets – Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
30 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Moore is the kind of player teams, especially ones like the Jets, love. He's smart and plays with great instincts. There is no doubt that he can come in and make an impact early. There is more than enough room for another smart player in the Jets' already fierce secondary.
31. Green Bay Packers – Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
31 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
Some consider him to be a better prospect than Clayborn, but Clayborn won't even be on the board by that time. Ballard is ideal for the 3-4 system that Dom Capers runs and could provide instant help to an already stout defense.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Muhammed Wilkerson, DT, Temple
32 of 32
Why He Goes Here:
The Steelers really need offensive line help, but there won't be any good value at the position. Wilkerson will give them the best talent for the last pick and he can help them in their 3-4 scheme. It's also possible that the Steelers trade this pick.
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