2011 NFL Mock Draft: How Many Defensive Ends Will Be Selected in the Top 10?
With the NFL season nearly over, it's time to start looking ahead to next season (assuming of course there is a next season) with an early look at the 2011 NFL Draft.
This is going to be an interesting draft because without a new labor deal, none of these players will actually be able to sign with the team that drafts them. Usually the team with the first pick will begin negotiations with a number of players before draft day, but they won't be able to this year.
You wonder if that will have any bearing on how things shake out.
If there is going to be a theme or a trend for the 2011 Draft, it's going to be that defense rules the roost. There could be as many as 20 defensive players taken in the first round alone. One position that is loaded with talent in this draft is defensive end, of which there could be 10 taken in the first round.
If your favorite team is in need of a speed rusher off the end, this would be the draft to fill that hole. The top defensive end available is Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers. He is a top-five talent for sure, and some analysts have him projected to be the top pick to Carolina.
Don't fret if your team isn't able to get Bowers, as there are a number of highly talented players on both sides of the ball in this year's draft class.
Who will your team go after? What player(s) are slipping?
Here is an early look at the 2011 NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers Select Auburn DT Nick Fairley
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Nick Fairley established himself as the best player in the 2011 NFL Draft class with his brilliant performance against Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game. Until someone steps up to take the top spot away, it belongs to him.
Carolina needs a lot of help, especially on the defensive line. Building a defensive line from the inside out is the best way to go about it: Just ask the Lions about that.
2. Denver Broncos Select LSU CB Patrick Peterson
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The Broncos could go any number of ways with this pick, but given Champ Bailey’s unrest with the franchise, and no real replacement on the roster, Patrick Peterson is the pick.
He’s the best cover corner in this draft class, and he has the most upside of any corner. He will be great the minute he steps on the field.
3. Buffalo Bills Select Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers
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Da’Quan Bowers has the talent to be the top overall pick. He is a force off the edge in the pass rush, and is very good against the run. He has the talent to be a Dwight Freeney-type player on the defensive edge.
The Bills need a lot of help, and they could go with Georgia WR A.J. Green, but Bowers' talent will be too much to pass up here. Plus, when you play Tom Brady twice a year, you want someone who can get after him.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals Select Georgia WR A.J. Green
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When you are described as the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson, there’s no way that you fall out of the top five. A.J. Green is a big, physical receiver, and he will make the loss of T.O. much easier for the Bengals to bear.
The Bengals are a mess, but perhaps drafting someone with the talent of Green will get Carson Palmer to back off his trade demands.
5. Arizona Cardinals Select Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert
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Arizona is in desperate need of an upgrade at quarterback. The team went from an offensive force—with Kurt Warner under center—to one of the most inept offenses in football with Derek Anderson.
Gabbert has some question marks, but what prospect doesn’t? He has the physical tools and pocket presence to be at least a solid NFL quarterback.
6. Cleveland Browns Select Alabama DT Marcell Dareus
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The Browns, despite their 5-11 record, aren’t that far away from contending. They need to find some stability at quarterback, but they have a lot of nice pieces in place.
They will add another big piece on the defensive line with Marcell Dareus. The Browns play in a division with RB’s Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall. They have to get better up front if they want to contend.
7. San Francisco 49ers Select North Carolina DE Robert Quinn
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Robert Quinn has question marks about his character after getting suspended for the entire 2010 season for alleged NCAA violations, but by all accounts the whole thing was a misunderstanding and his stock will not be impacted.
He’s got great physical skills, but will have to prove that he is still in football shape.
San Francisco doesn’t have a proven pass rusher, and in that division all they need is one more playmaker. Quinn can get pressure on the quarterback, and give the 49ers their first legitimate pass-rusher since Andre Carter in the mid-2000’s.
8. Tennessee Titans Select Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara
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The Titans need a new quarterback, but there isn’t one available at this spot so they have to “settle” for the second-best cover cornerback in the draft.
Amukamara has all the skills that No. 2 pick Patrick Peterson has, but not quite the ceiling that he does. That’s not a knock, either—Amukamara will be a great cornerback for a long time.
9. Dallas Cowboys Select Colorado CB Jimmy Smith
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The Cowboys defense was the biggest reason that they didn’t contend in 2010. They couldn’t create pressure on the quarterback, and on the rare occasions that they did, their secondary let them down.
One of the fastest-rising prospects in this draft is Colorado CB Jimmy Smith. He is a fast, physical corner, and could play immediately in this secondary. He isn’t as polished as Peterson or Amukamara, but he has almost the same upside that they do.
10. Washington Redskins Select Washington QB Jake Locker
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Washington needs a quarterback to lead them into the future. Their aren’t a lot of good options in this year’s class, but coach Mike Shanahan knows how to groom quarterbacks. He has worked with John Elway, and made Jake Plummer into a Pro Bowl quarterback.
Locker has as much talent as any quarterback in college football. The problem has been his inconsistent play, and the fact his play never really improved in four years of college. He is a project, but one that Shanahan will be more than happy to take on.
11. Houston Texans Select Texas A&M LB Von Miller
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Houston really needs to address their secondary, but with the top three off the board and no one worth being taken here, they will go with the next best option: a pass rushing linebacker.
Miller is a relentless pass-rushing linebacker, and with the pressure he gets on the quarterback, the secondary won’t have to be great to be effective. If the Texans are desperate enough to take a cornerback they could make a deal to move up and get their man.
12. Minnesota Vikings Select Illinois DT Corey Liuget
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For years one of the biggest strengths of the Vikings defense was their defensive line. Led by guys like Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and Jared Allen, the Vikings defense was feared by everyone.
This year they finally looked old—especially Pat Williams. They need to rebuild their defensive line, and Corey Liuget is the best pick for them. He will give them the youth on the defensive line that they were missing this year, and be an immediate upgrade.
13. Detroit Lions Select UCLA LB Akeem Ayers
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The Lions are going to be the surprise team in football next season. They won six games in 2010, and they did that without Matthew Stafford for most of the season.
They found a great defensive anchor in Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh. They still need a couple more guys to solidify their defense, but they are making positive strides. Ayers will give them a speed rusher off the edge.
It’s taken them a long time, but the Lions are finally ready to make some noise in the NFC North.
14. St Louis Rams Select Alabama WR Julio Jones
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St Louis found their quarterback in Sam Bradford, who threw for over 3,500 yards in his rookie season. They went from one win in 2009 to seven wins and one victory away from the NFC West championship.
Bradford was able to do all that without having any kind of playmakers at wide receiver. The Rams will rectify that by taking Julio Jones with their first selection in this draft. He has terrific size and underrated speed.
With a good workout he could move into the top 10.
15. Miami Dolphins Select Alabama RB Mark Ingram
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Miami will need to rebuild its running back group with the impending free agencies of both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. That won’t upset the Dolphins too much because both guys have their issues and aren’t the most effective backs in the league.
Ingram doesn’t have the momentum coming out of school this year that he would have had last year, but he is still the best back in the draft. He is short, but he has great strength and tremendous speed.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars Select Missouri DE Aldon Smith
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The Jaguars need to build their defensive line. They finished 31st in the league in sacks, and that inability to get pressure from their defensive front four was their ultimate undoing in 2010.
Smith is a fast-rising defensive end prospect from Missouri. He will bring an intensity to that struggling Jaguars defensive line right away.
17. New England Patriots Select Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn
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The Patriots overachieved in 2010, winning 14 games and having the best record in football. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for them, but instead they reloaded. They fell short in the playoffs, but the future is very bright in New England.
One area that they could get stronger in is the defensive line. Vince Wilfork is great, but after that there are serious question marks. Clayborn can get pressure on the quarterback and make the Patriots defense even better in 2011.
18. San Diego Chargers Select California DE Cameron Jordan
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The Chargers haven’t had a consistent pass rusher off the edge since Shawne Merriman was completely healthy in 2008. The defense is already great, but now they can become truly elite by getting a consistent pass rush.
Jordan is not only a good pass rusher, but fits into the 3-4 defensive scheme that the Chargers run. He can also help out against the run, making him even more valuable coming off the end.
19. New York Giants Select Colorado OT Nate Solder
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The Giants don’t have any pressing needs, though they could stand to get someone to play in the middle on the defensive line. They are a strong team that seems to get in their own way at the end of the year.
They could use some help on the offensive line to protect Eli Manning. Solder is the best offensive lineman in this draft. He is effective in both run and pass protection, so he will not be overwhelmed by any facet of the game as a professional.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson
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Tampa Bay was the biggest surprise in all of football in 2010. They were expected to compete with the likes of St Louis and Detroit for worst team in football. Instead, they won 10 games and missed the playoffs by one game. The future is very bright for this team.
They need another guy on the defensive line who can provide consistent production as a pass rusher. Gerald McCoy has great skills at defensive tackle, but he needs another high-ceiling talent alongside him to really shine. Wilkerson can be that guy.
He is a bit big to be a defensive end, but with great instincts he is able to get around opponents and attack the quarterback.
21. Kansas City Chiefs Select Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt
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The Chiefs had a strong year, winning the AFC West in 2010. Their weaknesses were exploited against the Ravens in the playoffs. They have to find another option at receiver to go along with Dwayne Bowe, and get more consistency on the defensive line.
Tamba Hali needs a running mate up front, and pairing him up with Watt could make a dynamic duo. With more experience and a couple more playmakers, this team could be dangerous.
22. Indianapolis Colts Select Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi
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The Colts are going to give Peyton Manning all the money in the free world to stay in Indianapolis. They will do whatever they have to in order to protect that investment, and that will mean drafting a lineman to keep him upright.
Usually the Colts like smaller guys who can run on their turf, but given how dire their offensive line needs are they will take the best one available. Carimi is a big, hulking player who will make Manning feel much safer when he drops back to pass.
23. Philadelphia Eagles Select Boston College OT Anthony Castonzo
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The Eagles will be investing $20 million into Michael Vick in 2011 and, like the Colts with Peyton Manning, will be doing everything necessary to keep him safe for the season.
Castonzo isn’t the most polished lineman in the draft, but he is big and is very effective as a pass protector.
The Eagles need a lot of help on the line going into next season.
24. New Orleans Saints Select UCLA S Rahim Moore
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The Saints got exposed against Seattle in the Wild Card playoff game. They have never had the best secondary, but they made plays when they had to.
That is—until everything came crashing down on them.
Moore is a great ball-hawking safety, which fits into the Saints' style of play. He will be the best safety on the team his first day on the field.
25. Seattle Seahawks Select Auburn QB Cam Newton
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Despite the Seahawks wanting to resign Matt Hasselbeck, they need to find their future leader. Pete Carroll knows it, and he will convince the front office of that as we get deeper into the draft process.
Newton offers perhaps the most upside of any quarterback in the draft, but he probably has more questions than any of the top level quarterbacks, too. He is a great athlete, but needs to prove he can play in a pro-style offense.
26. Baltimore Ravens Select Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan
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The Ravens could use a deep threat at wide receiver and could look at someone like Torrey Smith from Maryland. But they know that their bread is buttered on defense, and that will be the route they go with their first pick.
Kerrigan is a relentless worker, and will make the Ravens very happy with heart, effort and dedication to the game.
27. Atlanta Falcons Select Miami CB Brandon Harris
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Atlanta won 13 games despite having one of the worst secondaries in football. They were able to mask their defensive inefficiencies in the regular season, but got exposed against Green Bay in the playoffs.
While Harris isn’t as polished as the top three corners in this draft, he does offer an upgrade for the Falcons right away.
As long as they don’t throw him to the wolves too early, he can develop into—at the very least—an average cover corner.
28. New England Patriots Select Georgia LB Justin Houston
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New England continues to focus on defense in this draft. They will take one of the first-round sleepers with their second pick.
Bill Belichick loves to stockpile young defensive players, and he will love what he gets in Houston. He can come off the edge as a 3-4 pass-rusher.
29. Chicago Bears Select Maryland WR Torrey Smith
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Chicago won 11 games this season, and the NFC North, but they are far from a great team. They need to get consistency at the quarterback position. They need offensive line help, and secondary help.
With that said, the Bears will try and get Jay Cutler a real deep threat at receiver to open up their vanilla offense. Smith is a smaller receiver, but he has great speed and can separate from corners.
One area of concern is his hands. He has had his fair share of struggles holding onto the ball.
30. New York Jets Select Kentucky WR Randall Cobb
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The Jets got so close to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year, but it was not meant to be. They enter the 2011 season with the possibility of replacing their entire receiving core.
Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards are due to become free agents, and at least one of them will not be back.
Cobb played various positions in college, but he seems best suited to play receiver in the NFL. He isn’t the biggest guy in the world at 5'11", but he has tremendous speed and great instincts to create separation.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers Select Florida G/C Mike Pouncey
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The Steelers need help on the offensive line. They lost their best lineman in the AFC Championship Game, and that really threw off their game plan in the Super Bowl.
They drafted Maurkice Pouncey last year, and he turned into a Pro Bowl player right away.
This year they will take his brother Mike, and solidify their unit up front—making Ben Roethlisberger’s life much easier.
32. Green Bay Packers Select Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward
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The Packers are very good—as evidenced by that Lombardi Trophy they just won—and more importantly, they are very young.
Their defense in particular is stacked with great young talent.
One area that is a little bit of a weakness for them is at defensive end. All their pressure defensively comes primarily from B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews or a corner blitz.
Heyward’s stock has fallen a bit, but his production in college could push him into the first-round mix.
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