NFL Mock Draft Version 3.0
The Senior Bowl is finished and we have a little bit clearer picture of how things might start to shake out in the 2011 NFL Draft. We saw some good performances that helped the stock of several players who will be entering the NFL Draft while some players did end up hurting themselves after Senior Bowl Week finished up.
So which teams needs have changed? What players have moved up, what players have moved down and which players have dropped out of the first round?
Let’s take a look as we look at the third mock draft for the 2011 NFL Draft coming up this April.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)-Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
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The Panthers have a defensive minded head coach now and will probably want to go the defensive route when they make their choice in this draft. Nick Fairley is being described by many as the best defensive player in the draft and the Panthers could use him to help improve their ailing defense.
Last Mock: A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)-Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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Bowers is the most talented defensive players in the 2011 NFL Draft and right now looks like he’s the draft’s top pass rusher. The Broncos could use someone like him to help bolster a defense that could barely stop anyone last season and help make it a much more improved unit.
Last Mock: Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)-A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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Green slides down a couple of spots in this mock draft but would be a good value here at number three. Green could end up replacing Lee Evans and can end up being their number one wide receiver in a very short amount of time.
Last Mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)-Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
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There are several different scenarios that the Bengals could follow especially if they end up trading some of their more popular players (such as wide receiver Chad Johnson and/or quarterback Carson Palmer) but the safest pick for them right now is Dareus and his ability to help improve the interior of their defensive line.
Last Mock: Robert Quinn-DE-North Carolina
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)-Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
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The Cardinals should be thinking about getting a quarterback here and nothing else and Gabbert, who has been rated as the best quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft would be the wise choice for this team. Look for them to take Gabbert (if they don’t make any other quarterback moves this offseason) and improve that position.
Last Mock: No Change
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)-Robert Quinn-DE-North Carolina
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Defensive help is a must for this team and if they want to improve so look for them to take a shot at the best defensive lineman available with their first pick in the draft. Quinn may come with some baggage but he’s a great talent and one that could really help the Browns out immediately.
Last Mock: Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)-Jake Locker-QB-Washington
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Quarterback help will be on the minds of the 49ers organization and if Gabbert is gone as predicted then they should take Locker here and start building for the future. New head coach Jim Harbaugh should be able to mold Locker into the kind of quarterback that can get the 49ers back on a winning track. If they don’t take Locker then they might take a shot at Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett here.
Last Mock: Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)-Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
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The Titans haven’t had the kind of power on their defensive line that they had when Albert Haynesworth was there so they need an upgrade in the middle of that line. Paea’s stock is rising up the charts and could be a good fit for the Titans.
Last Mock: Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)-Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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The Cowboys could go several different ways in the first round but one thing is for sure and that’s that they need help at the cornerback position. If Peterson is around at this point in the draft then the Cowboys should make an effort to get him and help out their pass defense. If he’s not Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara could be another option at this point.
Last Mock: Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)-Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
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You can bet that the Redskins are going to want to grab a quarterback in the draft and if the 2010 Heisman winner is around head coach Mike Shanahan is going to want to take him and start developing the Redskins quarterback of the future. There are a lot of questions surrounding his ability to adapt to the pro game but he’s too good for the Redskins to pass up here with the tenth pick in the first round.
Last Mock: Jake Locker-QB-Washington
11. Houston Texans (6-10)-Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
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The Texans need to continue to work on their pass defense and their secondary could use the most help so bringing in a guy like Amukamara could be a good move for Houston. With his ability to cover and keep receivers from catching passes he could help their pass defense improve and could be one of a few final pieces that can help get them into the playoffs.
Last Mock: Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)-Ryan Mallett-QB-Arkansas
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The Vikings are another team that is in the market for a new quarterback and if they don’t get someone during the offseason (a veteran) before the draft then they will go after the beat quarterback available at number 12 in the first round. In this mock draft, that player would be Mallett.
Last Mock: No Change
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)-Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
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The Lions could look for an offensive lineman at this point in the draft or could even take a good cornerback if there is one available. For the value right here, the Lions may want to build on their defense and add a game changing linebacker like Miller here at number 13 would be a wise move for this up and coming franchise.
Last Mock: Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)-Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
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This pick is a no-brainer as the Rams need all of the help at wide receiver they can get and if Jones is available here you can bet that they will take him. Imagine what quarterback Sam Bradford can do with a good wide receiver to throw the ball too. It would definitely make them a much better team and much more competitive.
Last Mock: No Change
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)-Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
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The Dolphins need some help at the running back position and former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram would be an ideal fit in Miami. He could help improve their running game and allow them to be much more flexible on offense.
Last Mock: No Change
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)-Aldon Smith-DE/OLB-Missouri
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The Jaguars pass rush has struggled and it’s time for an upgrade there. Smith would be the ideal fit for this defense and could bump out to play linebacker as well which is a plus. His ability to play against the run is a plus and he would give the Jaguars defense a big boost.
Last Mock: J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders) (8-8)-Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
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The Patriots defense needs someone that can rush the passer (much better than they are currently capable of doing). If you have been following Kerrigan’s career at Purdue, you will know that he was one of the most productive pass rushers in the Big Ten. He would also be a nice fit in New England.
Last Mock: No Change
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)-Cameron Jordan-DT/DE
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California-The Chargers have needs in a few different areas but could really use a pass rusher that can play the run as well. The nice thing about Jordan is that he can move inside or stay outside if needed and San Diego could use that kind of flexibility out of a player like Jordan. If he is there, they should take him and give themselves and upgrade on defense.
Last Mock: Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
19. New York Giants (10-6)-Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
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The Giants offensive line needs some new blood so you can bet that they will be looking for some help there in the 2011 NFL Draft. Solder would help fill a position of need and give them some help at a position that hurt them last season helping to provide quarterback Eli Manning some extra protection and a chance to make fewer mistakes.
Last Mock: Anthony Costonzo-OT-Boston College
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)-J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
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Pass rush problems helped lead the Bucs to a few losses last season so grabbing someone that can rush the passer is something that they have to do early in the draft. Watt is one of the top rushers in the draft this season and would be a good fit in Tampa.
Last Mock: Akeem Ayers-LB-UCLA
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)-Akeem Ayers-LB-UCLA
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The Chiefs need to keep working on the defensive side of the ball in the draft so look for them to draft a good linebacker when they make their pick at number 21 in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. If Ayers is still available he could be a good fit at linebacker in their defense.
Last Mock: Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)-Tyron Smith-OT-USC
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The Colts are a team that needs to start rebuilding its offensive line and they can start at the offensive tackle position. For the value at number 22, Smith would be a great choice and a fine addition to their offensive line.
Last Mock: No Change
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)-Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
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Providing some added protection for quarterback Michael Vick as well as help out in the running game. Sherrod is a road grader type offensive tackle that has the skill to make an impact on offense for any team right away. The Eagles would do well by taking an offensive tackle and if Sherrod is there when they make their pick at number 23, they should take a look at him.
Last Mock: Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5)-Cameron Heyward-DE/OLB-Ohio State
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Difficulty rushing the passer really hurt the Saints defense in 2010 so they will look for pass rushing help early on in the 2011 NFL Draft. Heyward had a strong career at Ohio State and his skills and abilities will transfer over well to the NFL.
Last Mock: Cameron Jordan-DT-California
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)-Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (Fl)
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The Seahawks could use help in several areas but this would be a good place to take a guy like Harris and shore up their secondary. The Seahawks were burned by the passing game on several occasions last season and having a solid cornerback would help. Harris could be that guy for Seattle and help them get back to respectability in the secondary.
Last Mock: Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)-Aaron Williams-CB-Texas
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The Ravens struggled in the secondary last season and are going to have to take care of the cornerback position early in the draft. Williams has started out looking very good prior to the combine and with a strong showing in Indianapolis he could easily be worthy of a pick here at number 26.
Last Mock: Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (Fl)
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)-Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
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Atlanta could look at getting a couple different positions filled with this pick but if Carimi is available here they should grab him and give their offensive line a boost. Imagine what quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner can do with a solid offensive line. It would help make this team much better.
Last Mock: Kyle Rudolph-TE-Notre Dame
28. New England Patriots (14-2)-Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
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The Patriots can shore up their offensive line by taking Pouncey at this point in the draft. Pouncey is a solid prospect and the kind of player that head coach Bill Belichick would want on his team. Don’t be surprised if New England tries to draft him.
Last Mock: Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
29. Chicago Bears (11-5)-Anthony Costonzo-OT-Boston College
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Costonzo’s stock may have dropped a little bit after struggling a bit in the Senior Bowl but if he can pick things back up and show his value over the next few weeks he could still be a first round prospect. The Bears problems on the offensive line are well known so getting some help early would be a step in the right direction.
Last Mock: Mike Pouncey-OG/C-Florida
30. New York Jets (11-5)-Allen Bailey-DT-Miami-(Fl)
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The Jets are going to want to find some help for the middle of their defensive line and at this point in the draft, Bailey could be just the guy that they are looking for. Not only is he tough against the run but he can also put pressure on the quarterback which would be a huge benefit to the Jets. Rex Ryan would love having Bailey on the team.
Last Mock: No Change
31. Green Bay Packers (10-6)-Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
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The Packers could either use a defensive end or an outside linebacker (to take some of the pressure off of Clay Matthews) so look for them to try to get one or the other with their pick towards the top of the 2011 NFL Draft. If Clayborn lasts this long, Green Bay should take a look at drafting him and making their solid defense even better.
Last Mock: Cameron Heyward-DE/DT-Ohio State
32. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)-Stefen Wisniewski-G/C-Penn State
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The Steelers will be looking for some help for their offensive line and if he can prove he’s worthy of a late first round selection then Wisniewski could make the Steelers happy. We saw what happened with the injuries the Steelers suffered along their offensive line this season some depth is certainly needed.
Last Mock: Rodney Hudson-OG/C-Florida State
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