NFL Draft Order 2011: All 32 Slotted Picks

With the Green Bay Packers defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25, on Sunday in Super Bowl XLV, the final 2011 NFL Draft order is now set in stone.

Here is a look at the draft order for the 2011 NFL Draft and who I see going where in the first round:

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

The Panthers need a sure thing, and Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley is as sure a thing as it comes, dominating this season with 12 sacks and a BCS Championship.

2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

The Broncos had a highly suspect defense this year, not including top corner Champ Bailey. But Bailey will likely be gone this offseason. The Broncos need a top corner more than ever.

3. Buffalo Bills: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

The Bills will likely go with the best available defensive player here, a team that couldn't get to the QB or stop the run in 2010. Bowers could be a beast at the NFL level.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Alabama

Marcell Dareus is a top talent, probably more so than cornerback Prince Amukamara of Nebraska. Bengals might need helped at corner with top corner Johnathan Joseph possibly gone to free agency, but Dareus is projected to be the better player overall.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Gabbert isn't necessarily a sure thing, but he's probably as sure a thing as there is in this year's draft class. The Cardinals can't afford to not take a chance at QB. Who they have at the moment is nowhere need who they need at the position.

6. Cleveland Browns, A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

The Browns are probably one of the more desperate teams in the NFL when it comes to finding a legit wide receiver. A.J. Green could make all their dreams come true. He's an elite talent.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Veteran cornerback Nate Clements has clearly declined, and No. 2 corner Shawntae Spencer is clearly not a No. 1 DB. Enter "The Prince," who could solve this problem in a split second.

8. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

The Titans are one of those teams desperate for a QB. Mallett could possibly be the QB to be their answer. But he's far from a sure thing.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Quinn has drawn comparisons to Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers. For a team that desperately needs to improve its pass rushing, what more could you ask for?

10. Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

The Redskins had 29 sacks this year. Kerrigan had 13 at Purdue. Could go with QB here, but Kerrigan has too much potential.

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

An elite-level collegiate linebacker to pair with the ferocious Mario Williams? Sound like a win to me. The Texans have plenty of offense, it's time to go all defense.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

The Vikings are up there with the Cardinals and Titans in terms of being desperate for a QB. The Heisman winner could be a good gamble. Or they could convince Brett Favre to come out of retirement...NOT.

13. Detroit Lions: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

Ayers could be a star in the NFL. The Lions need a star on defense. With an improving squad, Ayers would be a great start to the 2011 offseason.

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

If J.J. falls into the Rams' paws (hooves?), expect rookie QB Sam Bradford to yell somewhere out there, wherever he may be at the moment. The Rams need a big-time receiver, and Jones could certainly become one in the NFL.

15. Miami Dolphins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Jake Locker was the No. 1 ranked QB coming into this season. What happened? Well, he kinda choked. But that doesn't stop NFL scouts from looking at his intangibles and form in the pocket. The Dolphins won't look twice, given they have Chad Henne, Tyler Thigpen and Chad Pennington on their depth chart.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

The Jags had 26 sacks in 2010. J.J. Watt had seven for Wisconsin against tough competition. The Jags would be wise to take him here.

17. New England Patriots: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

The Patriots, not being able to swipe Watt, will take Clayborn instead. Pressuring the QB is the Pats' No. 1 need, beyond improving their self-confidence after losing to the rival New York Jets in the divisional round of the playoffs.

18. San Diego Chargers: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami

The Chargers could use some outside pass rushing, to say the least. Bailey had 44 tackles and seven sacks for Miami. His explosion to the ball backs these stats up.

19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

With the Giants needing help at the left tackle spot in place of William Beatty, the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year would probably be a good choice. Now QB Eli Manning won't be BEATTY-eyed when the pass rush swarms him.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

The Bucs had 26 sacks the entire 2010 season, third-worst in the league. Heyward is considered a top talent and pass rusher in the draft. Hooray!

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Jordan, DT, Cal

Could there actually be three Camerons drafted in the first round this year? Likely so. The Chiefs, a young rising team, could use some pass rushing with 32 sacks this year. Enter a player in Cameron Jordan that has risen up the draft board. Bingo.

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

At times, Colts QB Peyton Manning looked bug-eyed facing a blitz this season. That's hard for any defense to do. But with a patchy Colts O-line, it certainly showed in 2010. Sherrod is a top offensive lineman in the draft. Watch Manning jump into his arms when he's selected.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College

Costanzo has been surpassed by a couple offensive lineman on the draft board, but he's still a top big body to stuff pass rushers. The Eagles O-line gave up 50 sacks this season...with Michael Vick making would-be tacklers look foolish. Yep, that signifies an upgrade.

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

Oregon State's Stephen Paea had 11 sacks this season and could be a difference-maker at the NFL level. The Saints don't need offensive help, but they need help getting to the opposing QB.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

The Seahawks need a top QB, but they won't find one here. Instead, they'll patch up their secondary which was exposed countless times this season. Harris could become a dependable pro.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Gabe Carimi was a critical part of the Badgers' rushing attack this year. The Ravens gave up 40 sacks during the regular season in 2010.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

If the Falcons don't land a tight end in free agency, they could go with Kyle Rudolph, undoubtedly the top tight end in terms of talent in this year's draft. Tony Gonzalez has been a star for years, but you can't fight age.

28. New England Patriots: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia

Georgia did have another star besides A.J. Green this year. His name was Justin Houston, and he can play defensive end or linebacker—both positions the Patriots would like to fill. Houston has skyrocketed up the draft board since the beginning of the season. Eleven sacks can do that for you. Could be another steal by the Patriots organization.

29. Chicago Bears: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Tyron Smith could become a dependable offensive lineman. He's so athletic you get the feeling he could do anything with some seasoning. The Bears gave up a league-worst 56 sacks this season. And people questioned QB Jay Cutler's toughness...

30. New York Jets: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

L.T. is getting older, and although Shonn Greene has evolved as a running back, it couldn't hurt to develop another as L.T. gets closer to retirement.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

This would be the Steelers' dream scenario, Pouncey being the brother of Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey. He's also a very good guard. But he possibly could be picked before No. 31. He's gained attention throughout the league.

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

Liuget is another player that has skyrocketed up the draft board and could be picked earlier. But I could see him landing in Green Bay. With free-agent DE Cullen Jenkins possibly departing, Liuget could be the next contributor on defense for the Super Bowl champions Packers.