NFL Mock Draft 2011: With The Draft Order Set, Where Will Cam Newton Head?
The Super Bowl is behind us and the draft order is finally set. While the draft gains popularity every year, the importance spikes with the looming lockout. No collective bargaining agreement renewal by March means free agency will not take place as scheduled.
For the second year in a row, the draft will be in prime time. Let's take a look at how the first round could shake out.
1: Carolina Panthers (2-14)
1 of 32
Nick Fairley DT (Auburn)
The Carolina Panthers made it clear that they wanted Andrew Luck. While they may not see Jimmy Clausen as the quarterback of the future, the absence of Luck in this draft class will likely mean they will hold off on bringing in a quarterback through the draft.
Nick Fairley was a dominant force at defensive tackle on a national championship team. Ron Rivera is a defensive coach, and will likely fall in love with Fairley's relentless style of play. He has the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage in both the 3-4 and 4-3. The Panthers have a lot of holes, but snagging a dominant defensive lineman would be a great start to rebuilding the roster.
2: Denver Broncos (4-12)
2 of 32
Da'Quan Bowers DE (Clemson)
Josh McDaniels decimated the Broncos' roster. Under a brand new coaching regime, the Broncos will look to rebuild their roster through the draft. Grabbing a dominant defensive force like Bowers makes the Broncos exponentially more threatening.
Bowers could easily be the most-talented player in the entire draft. He is a complete defensive end, as he can dominate in both run defense and has a knack for getting to the quarterback. On the opposite side of sack-master Elvis Dumervil, Bowers has a chance to be an impact player from day one.
3: Buffalo Bills (4-12)
3 of 32
Patrick Peterson CB (LSU)
Cornerbacks rarely go this early, but Patrick Peterson is too strong of a talent to pass on for the Buffalo Bills. Peterson is big for a corner at 6'1," 211 pounds. He can run the gauntlet of routes backwards and could be the next elite lockdown corner in the league.
Peterson brings a physicality that teams are likely to fall in love with. The last impact corner the Bills had was Nate Clements. While Clements was a Pro Bowl talent for Buffalo, he was not nearly the caliber player Peterson has the potential to be. The Bills have multiple needs, but very few that would justify a No. 3 overall selection.
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4: Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)
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A.J. Green WR (Georgia)
The Bengals are likely to see a serious void at wide receiver after this offseason shakes out. Terrell Owens is out and Chad Ochocinco will likely follow right behind him. Carson Palmer has demanded a trade, but Cincinnati will likely seek out a veteran quarterback should the relationship with Palmer be severed.
Green is a big, physical wide receiver with solid speed. He is the prototypical target and will be instrumental in the transition away from Palmer, should one occur. Cincinnati is likely to struggle again next season, but failing to bring in a viable target at wide receiver could spell disaster.
5: Arizona Cardinals (5-11)
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Blaine Gabbert QB (Missouri)
The Arizona Cardinals had the worst quarterback situation in the entire league last season. It has gotten so out of control, the Cardinals sought the advice of Larry Fitzgerald in regards to the signal-caller situation going forward.
This is certainly a reach. Blaine Gabbert does not warrant a top-five pick. That being said, need often takes precedence over talent. It's time to bring in a new quarterback to groom. Perhaps if Ken Whisenhunt brings in the quarterback of the future, he won't show blatant disdain for him as he did with Matt Leinart.
6: Cleveland Browns (5-11)
6 of 32
Von Miller OLB (Texas A&M)
The Browns need to shore up their front seven and Von Miller is athletic enough to adjust to either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. He is one of those hybrid outside linebacker types who gains momentum heading into the draft. He is expected to dominate at the combine, which will bode well for him on draft day.
His upside and tangible production make him desirable. There are those who don't think the sixth-overall pick may be too early for Miller here, but his impact off the edge is too appealing to pass up for Cleveland, a team who desperately needs to see an increase of production in that area.
7: San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
7 of 32
Prince Amukamara CB (Nebraska)
The San Francisco 49ers have serious quarterback issues. That being said, they probably aren't ready to kickoff the Jim Harbaugh coaching regime by settling on another franchise quarterback. Harbaugh is a subject matter expert, and if he doesn't see something special in any of the quarterbacks coming in, the team is likely to fill another need.
Nate Clements' contract needs to be restructured. Failing to get a deal done will likely result in his departure from the team, leaving an even more glaring hole at cornerback. Prince Amukamara can run with just about anyone in the league. The 49ers need a guy who makes quarterbacks think twice before throwing at him. Corner has been a liability in San Francisco, making Amukamara a great value here.
8: Tennessee Titans (6-10)
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Cam Newton QB (Auburn)
Vince Young didn't work out in Tennessee, but Cam Newton would be a great fit for the Titans. His dual- threat potential would make the Titans a dangerous offense for years to come. The backfield of Newton and Chris Johnson would be incredibly dangerous.
A young core of talented young superstars would give the Titans something to build around offensively. They could stand to add another receiver, but quarterback becomes the most pressing need with Young's departure. Newton has a better arm, but his competitiveness and mobility would give the Titans what they believed they were getting from Young at one point.
9: Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
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Nate Solder OT (Colorado)
The Cowboys have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL. Tony Romo has a stable of backs behind him and plenty of weapons to throw to. The problem was that Romo was unable to finish the season. By bringing in an offensive tackle, the Cowboys allow themselves to take advantage of all of the weapons on their roster.
Nate Solder is an ex-tight end and has great feet for a big man. At 6'8," Solder leads a relatively weak offensive tackle group. Nobody stands out as an elite bookend tackle, but Solder has all of the tools to become one in the future. If Prince Amukamara or Patrick Peterson slip to this spot, look for the Cowboys to go corner.
10: Washington Redskins (6-10)
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Marcell Dareus DT (Alabama)
The Redskins paid a fortune for Albert Haynesworth, but failed to strike gold. The Redskins are in need of some stability up front to complete their impressive front seven. Marcell Dareus is very attractive to teams who run a 3-4 scheme, but he could easily find a place in a 4-3 set.
At 6'3" 303 pounds, Dareus brings with him the ability to command the line of scrimmage. Not only is he stout against the run, he has a habit of making his presence felt in the backfield. Dareus may not make it to the Redskins at No. 10 due to his experience in playing in a pro-style 3-4 defense, but if he does the Redskins shouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
11: Houston Texans (6-10)
11 of 32
Robert Quinn DE (North Carolina)
Robert Quinn hasn't seen the field since the 2009 season due to a suspension, but he remains one of the most talented players in the draft. The thought of Mario Williams playing opposite of a guy like Quinn is terrifying.
The addition of Quinn would make the Texans one of the most feared defensive fronts in the entire league. Quinn is a steal here and could jump into the starting lineup immediately. The Texans certainly have bigger needs, but Quinn is too talented to skip over to fill a bigger need—such as cornerback—with a lesser player.
12: Minnesota Vikings (6-10)
12 of 32
Ryan Mallett QB (Arkansas)
If you could build a quarterback in a lab, he would look something like Ryan Mallett. At 6'7," Mallett has prototypical size. He has a huge arm and great throwing motion. His mobility is a concern and the interview process will be crucial for him.
Mallett is likely to go before Jake Locker, who is plummeting down draft boards. Minnesota isn't going to go into next season with Joe Webb as their quarterback. They could pick up a veteran and have Mallett learn behind a guy like Kyle Orton or Marc Bulger, but bringing in a young quarterback with so much upside could be too appealing to pass up for the Vikings.
13: Detroit Lions (6-10)
13 of 32
Tyron Smith OT (USC)
One more injury-riddled season out of Matthew Stafford and the Lions are going to have to start looking at quarterbacks again. While they need to make sure they don't give up on him too soon, as the Chargers did with Drew Brees, Stafford's shoulder could be beyond repair at this point.
In order to protect whoever is under center, the Lions need to get a true left tackle to protect the quarterback of the future's blindside. The Lions don't have a left tackle being groomed at this point, so bringing in a guy like Smith could an easy decision to make. The Lions have a lot of talent on offense. Protecting it is of the utmost importance.
14: St Louis Rams (7-9)
14 of 32
Julio Jones WR (Alabama)
This could be the easiest projection of the draft. The Rams have a solid offensive line, an elite running back, an up-and-coming superstar quarterback and virtually nobody to throw the ball to. The Rams have a number of guys who could be the number-two or number-three option, but no big-time player.
Sam Bradford could turn a solid prospect like Julio Jones into a Pro Bowler. Jones is a big, physical receiver with great hands. The Rams need to surround Bradford with the tools to be great. Acquiring Jones gives him a viable option to further improve his remarkable start to his career.
15: Miami Dolphins (7-9)
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Jake Locker QB (Washington)
At this time last year, many people expected Jake Locker to be the first pick off the board. Locker needs to convince teams that the struggles Washington saw had more to do with the lack of talent surrounding him and less to do with his poor play.
Locker's stock may have regressed, but he brings immediate improvement to the quarterback situation in Miami. The Dolphins will likely bring in a veteran quarterback to appease Brandon Marshall and co., which would mean Locker wouldn't have to be thrown into the fire. The Dolphins have an elite left tackle, a solid running game and a great talent at receiver. They don't need a superstar at quarterback to make their offense work.
16: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
16 of 32
Adrian Clayborn DE (Iowa)
Take away Aaron Kampman and the Jaguars don't have anyone who can get to the quarterback. Kampman very well could be taken away given the state of his recurring ACL injuries, which creates a sense of urgency in the quest to acquire a dominant defensive end.
Adrian Clayborn brings power and solidity to the run game. He is aggressive enough to create problems in the backfield and disciplined enough to force everything back into the middle. Clayborn is never going to be Mario Williams, but he could certainly earn a starting spot for the Jaguars.
17: New England Patriots 14-2
17 of 32
Cameron Jordan DE (California)
If I were a GM, I would never do business with the Patriots. Bill Belichick comes away with the better end of every one of his personnel deals. This is the first of many picks Belichick acquired for this year's draft. The Patriots are hard to read because at first glance it looks like they have a number of holes. Even so, they continue to dominate on an annual basis.
One area the Patriots could stand to address is defensive end. Cameron Jordan could jump into a five technique and dominate at the pro level. He has the size and speed of say...a Richard Seymour. He isn't flashy, but Jordan plays every single down and is extremely disciplined. He is a perfect fit for the Patriots.
18: San Diego Chargers (9-7)
18 of 32
Akeem Ayers OLB (UCLA)
The San Diego Chargers will likely see heavy regression defensively. They were the number-one defense in the NFL this season, in large part due to the mind of Ron Rivera. With his departure, the Chargers will need to reload.
Adding Akeem Ayers to go opposite of Shaun Phillips gives the Chargers an athletic guy who can get to the quarterback. He isn't a liability in coverage, but he is at his best when he is attacking the backfield. If the Chargers are able to properly utilize Ayers, he could develop into a double-digit sack guy.
19: New York Giants (10-6)
19 of 32
Gabe Carimi OT (Wisconsin)
The Giants have four linemen over the age of 30. While they have talent along the offensive line, they should expect the injury bug to come out more and more as the core of the offensive line is aging rapidly. It's time to start working in new faces to the offensive line. They don't need to scrap the entire offensive line and start over, but it's time to start grooming the next wave of linemen.
That being said, Gabe Carimi is a great fit in the Giants' offense. He is a run-blocking machine, though he is not a liability in the pass game. Wisconsin features a team that prides themselves on smash mouth football. Tom Coughlin could fall in love with Carimi's physicality in the rush attack.
20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)
20 of 32
Ryan Kerrigan DE (Purdue)
The Bucs decided to build their defensive line from the inside-out. The inside looks solid, but Stylez White at defensive end is probably the weakest spot on the entire defense. The Bucs overachieved this season, which may have hurt them inevitably. In a draft class that features dominant defensive linemen early on, the talent is a far cry from guys like Da'Quan Bowers at the top of the draft.
Ryan Kerrigan isn't going to dazzle anyone at the combine, but scouts have to remind themselves of how productive he is on the field. Kerrigan is a football player. He registered 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2009 alone. The addition of Kerrigan would give Tampa Bay a young defensive line who could become the new standard for 4-3 d-lines in the league, as the Giants have been for the past five years or so.
21: Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
21 of 32
Mike Pouncey C (Florida)
Casey Weigmann is 37 years old. The Chiefs have the best rush attack in the NFL and a solid passing attack once the run game opened up. They need to restock the offensive line to maintain their effectiveness on the ground game.
Mike Pouncey joining Maurkice Pouncey in Pittsburgh would be a fairytale ending, but his brother's production makes Mike Pouncey even more appealing. He is a plug-and-play center/guard. His athleticism would allow him to pull and get out in front of the Chiefs' running backs. He is also physical enough to be an inline blocker, making him a hot commodity in this draft. The Chiefs may not even see him at No. 21.
22: Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
22 of 32
Anthony Castonzo OT (Boston College)
The Colts need to start preparing for the post-Manning era. At this point, the group of guys that made their Super Bowl victory possible is aging rapidly. Manning still appears to have a few more years left in the tank, but it is up to the Colts to soften the blow by building a team that can be successful sans one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
Anthony Castonzo can learn on the job while Manning remains on the roster. Teams don't generally attack Manning, which makes the learning curve a bit easier for Castonzo. The Colts have found offensive line talent in later rounds, but bringing in a talent like Castonzo could make Manning even more effective as he finishes up his career.
23: Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
23 of 32
J.J. Watt DE (Wisconsin)
Trent Cole has emerged as a force at defensive end for the Eagles. They have glaring holes on their defense at safety and middle linebacker, but they could also use an every-down defensive end to play opposite Cole.
J.J. Watt could fit the bill. He is athletic and versatile enough to fit into any scheme. The Eagles need to shore up along the front seven. Their offense is going to keep them in ball games, but their defense has to be able to hold their own when the offense isn't clicking. Watt can be the every-down end they so desperately need.
24: New Orleans Saints (11-5)
24 of 32
Corey Liuget DT (Illinois)
The Saints have to shore up their run defense. Sedrick Ellis is solid, but complementing him with a guy like Corey Liuget would make the Saints stout in the middle. Liuget solidifies the front seven and frees up Jonathan Vilma to make plays without worrying about interior linemen coming free.
The Saints obviously have a fantastic offense, but their defensive struggles this season accounted for the major setback they saw after winning the Super Bowl. 11 wins is nothing to be ashamed of, but they need to address the trenches to get back to where they need to be.
25: Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
25 of 32
Stephen Paea DT (Oregon State)
The Seahawks were the first team in NFL history to advance to the playoffs with a losing record. Somehow, they made it out of the first round. The good news is that Pete Carroll looks like he could enjoy a solid reign as head coach. The bad news is that the Seahawks have a ton of holes and are drafting at No. 25.
Stephen Paea is one of the biggest enigmas of the draft. He commands the line of scrimmage and shows dominance at times, but falls short of his potential at other times. He doesn't take downs off, but still appears out of sorts at times. Even so, his strength will be on display at the combine. Seattle needs to gain bulk in the middle and Paea would certainly accomplish that.
26: Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
26 of 32
Brandon Harris CB (Miami)
The Ravens have a phenomenal defense in spite of their inconsistent play at cornerback. Throughout the season, the Ravens seemed outmatched in pass defense. The Ravens have two first ballot Hall of Famers in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, an All-Pro nose tackle in Haloti Ngata and one of the best defensive ends in the NFL in Terrell Suggs.
By bringing in Brandon Harris, the Ravens become an even more dominant defense. Their current corners are a liability. Harris is solid in coverage, but will also put his nose down and make a tackle when duty calls. Such an attitude is a necessity in John Harbaugh's current system.
27: Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
27 of 32
Jonathan Baldwin WR (Pitt)
The Falcons might have an elite wide receiver in Roddy White, but they need someone to play opposite him. White is a talented possession receiver and while they would ideally put a big-time deep threat on the other side, White would see coverage soften with a guy like Jonathan Baldwin on the other side.
Baldwin is nearly 6'5." While he is a big, sure-handed receiver, his long strides allow him to get down the field in a hurry. Baldwin gives the Falcons more big-play potential and takes some of the heat off of White. Teams would struggle to account for Michael Turner, White, Baldwin and Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons could put forth the most complete offense in the league with the addition of Baldwin.
28: New England Patriots (14-2)
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Mark Ingram RB (Alabama)
Well well well, the Patriots make another appearance in Round 1. BenJarvus Green-Ellis had a surprisingly successful season and while his overachieving play is encouraging, it makes you wonder what the Patriots could do with a premier back coming out of the backfield.
Mark Ingram is a great value here. A former Heisman Trophy winner, Ingram is a hard-nosed downhill SEC running back. His hard working, no-nonsense attitude would allow him to mesh well with New England. Being able to secure the number-one running back in the draft this late is an opportunity that they can't pass up.
29: Chicago Bears (11-5)
29 of 32
Orlando Franklin G (Miami)
The Chicago Bears put forth the worst offensive line in football for the first half of the season. Having nowhere to go but up, they gained continuity in the second half of the season and ceased the o-line shuffle. Even so, the Chicago offensive line leaves something to be desired.
Rather than reach for an undersized tackle whose knock is pass protection, the Bears would be better off grabbing the best interior lineman on the board. Orlando Franklin is a huge guard, capable of helping the run game or the pass game. Franklin could come in and start right away, bringing Chicago one step closer to having a presentable offensive line.
30: New York Jets (11-5)
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Cameron Heyward DE (Ohio State)
It's odd that a Rex Ryan defense is not getting to the quarterback more often. They are still in the top 10 this season, but the Jets don't have a guy on their team with over six sacks. The Jets need a guy who can flat out dominate off the edge like Jason Taylor used to.
Cameron Heyward could be such a player. Heyward could be a great tool in the Rex Ryan defense. He is versatile enough to provide Ryan with a number of ways to utilize him. Heyward might not be a double-digit sack guy right away, but he could develop into a playmaker in a hurry.
31: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
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Jason Pinkston OT (Pitt)
The Steelers saw problems in protection all season. They had to dig way into the barrel to pull out lackluster tackles even in the postseason. The Steelers have a smash mouth identity. Usually a solid offensive line is conducive to smash mouth football, but aside from Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers lack star power up front.
Jason Pinkston is in Pittsburgh's backyard. He may be undersized, but he may be able to compensate for his physical shortcomings with a surplus of athletic ability. Being only 6'3," some may believe he doesn't warrant a Round 1 pick. That being said, the Steelers are likely to catch the back end of an already sparse tackle class. He may not be the left tackle of the future, but he certainly can find a spot somewhere.
32: Green Bay Packers (10-6)
32 of 32
Aldon Smith DE (Missouri)
Not only did the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl, they did it with a battered and beaten squad. The battle through adversity speaks to their character and depth on their roster. Ted Thomson has done an excellent job of assembling talent on both sides of the ball.
The Packers may need to replace Cullen Jenkins. By grabbing Aldon Smith, they would at least be able to bring in an eventual starter. Defensive end is a weak spot in the Packers defense. When the injured Packers return from injury, they will be able to help the newcomer ease into the lineup. Smith would be a solid addition to the Dom Capers defense.
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