2011 NFL Mock Draft: Defense Dominates the Top Ten Picks

1.) Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

While most may look at Cam Newton as the hero of this season's BCS Championship Game, defensive tackle Nick Fairley was just as vital to Auburn's victory. From the beginning of the game, Fairley impacted nearly every play on defense and manhandled the undersized Oregon offensive line.

How does he translate into the NFL? Fairley is very explosive off the line and uses his longer than average reach and quick hands to secure the gaps and stop the run. At 6'5'' 298, he is also an above average pass rusher for his size. While he may not be the strongest of the defensive line prospects, his quickness will make up for any inconsistencies in that department.

For Carolina, Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers and Patrick Peterson of LSU are also possibilities, but drafting Fairley will give them a disruptive force in the front seven that they have been looking for since Julius Peppers' departure.

2.) Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

As Denver corner Champ Bailey reaches the twilight of his career, the Broncos will soon need to fill the gaping hole left by the perennial Pro Bowler. Add in the fact that the starter opposite Bailey, Perrish Cox, has had past legal issues, it makes sense for the Broncos to select Patrick Peterson of LSU with the second overall pick.

Peterson is a versatile player than can return kicks in addition to his corner duties. What makes Peterson so special is his athleticism at the corner position, which often times results in spectacular plays. Although teams do not want their corners having to tackle in the open field very often, Peterson is a fantastic open field tackler. Add in his quickness and closing speed, and John Elway should be foaming at the mouth to grab him.

At 6'1, he is big enough to play at the next level, and although he is not considered as polished as Nebraska's Prince Amukamara, Peterson's incredible athleticism should put him at second overall.

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

Bills fans know the pain the draft can bring to their franchise.  Names like Maybin, Lynch, McCargo and Losman still give Buffalo fans chills. However, General Manager Buddy Nix began to turn around the team's first round draft fortunes by selecting C.J. Spiller last year. Expect Nix to make a similar decision and draft the best player on the board when the Bills are on the clock, Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers.

Bowers is a perfect fit for the Bills at #3 because of his run stopping prowess, an area where the team ranked dead last in 2010. Buffalo gave up an average of almost 170 rushing yards per game, by far the worst in the league. Bowers is widely considered the most NFL ready defensive end, and his strength and length will give the team a dominant presence on the line.

At 6'4'' 275, Bowers has the size and strength the Bills have been lacking on defense, and that makes him the no-brainer choice for the team at third overall.

4.) Cincinnati Bengals: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

While the Bengals will most likely need a new WR or even QB depending on what happens with Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer respectively, Cincinnati fans know nothing Mike Brown does is logical. Even if the team manages to massage Palmer's ego and send Johnson packing, don't look for A.J. Green to be the pick here.

The Bengals currently have a up and comer on the defensive line in Carlos Dunlap, and pairing him with Quinn would give the team a solid presence at the end positions. Although Quinn missed last season due to NCAA violations, he is still high on many teams' boards and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Bengals take him.

Quinn's explosiveness can lead to Bowers comparisons, but his inconsistencies off the ball and struggles with contain will make him fall below Bowers on the big board and to Cincinnati with the fourth pick.

5.) Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M

Even though the Cardinals are still searching for a franchise quarterback to fill the hole created by Kurt Warner's retirement a year ago, look for Arizona to add the versatile Miller to their defense.

Miller, the draft's best linebacker prospect, will fit in the 3-4 defense of Arizona perfectly. At 6'3'' 235, he will most likely need to bulk up if he plans to continue playing a hybrid position. His coverage skills need development, but the scouts have anointed him as the consensus best linebacker.

Arizona will be able to fix its quarterback problem (at least short term) through trade or free agency. reaching for Blaine Gabbert here would only set back the Cardinals.

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

The Cleveland Browns, like Buffalo, have a penchant for screwing up the draft and setting themselves back years at a time. William Green, anyone? However, with Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert at the helm, the team should be able to build on the picks of Joe Haden and Alex Mack in 2011.

The Browns should get the steal of the top ten in Georgia receiver A.J. Green. Considered by some the best receiver prospect since Randy Moss, Green will instantly upgrade a horrendous Cleveland passing attack. At 6'4'', Green should be able to combine leverage and 4.4 speed to give the Browns their first legitimate receiver since trading Braylon Edwards. Unlike Edwards, Green's hands are not of concern to whoever drafts him. He catches everything thrown his way and can absorb hits.

If Green does in fact fall past Cincinnati, he will not fall any farther past Cleveland at six.

7.) San Francisco 49ers: Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Alabama

The year of the defensive lineman continues at #7 with Marcell Dareus going to San Fran. some expect coach Jim Harbaugh to want Blaine Gabbert with the seventh pick, but choosing Dareus will beef up the 49ers' front seven.

Dareus is strong off the ball, which allows him to settle in against the run or hunt the passer down. His speed is comparable to Nick Fairley, but inconsistencies in pursuit will stop him from jumping higher than seventh.

Although he had been suspended at Alabama for receiving inappropriate benefits, Dareus has moved away from the incident and become a better player. This makes him a good fit for San Francisco at number seven.

8.) Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Finally a quarterback comes off the board to Tennessee. With the departures of Vince Young and Jeff Fisher, the Titans are attempting to start fresh and Blaine Gabbert fits that mold. Andrew Luck, he is not, but Gabbert showed flashes at Missouri of a future NFL starter.

At Missouri, Gabbert showed the short game accuracy that will be vital in the running-based offense Mike Munchak is sure to install. He also showed the ability to stretch corners and safeties downfield, which will keep defenses in check when the Titans go run heavy.

Gabbert may not be the best quarterback in college football, but he has the skill set to succeed in the NFL. Tennessee would be wise to pick him at eight.

9.) Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Jerry Jones will be chomping at the bit if Prince Amukamara of Nebraska is available when the Cowboys go on the clock. Expect minimal time to go off the clock before this pick is made.This is as close to a no difficulty mock draft pick as they come.

Amukamara is a prototypical cover corner that has the physicality to dominate the league. His size and aggressiveness will make him an intimidating addition to the Cowboys' defense that will need its share of aggressive player under new coordinator Rob Ryan. He is also widely considered the most NFL ready cover player in the draft.

Dallas would love to pair another strong corner alongside Terence Newman, and Amukamara is the player they crave. He will give Dallas a presence to frustrate quarterbacks for years to come.

10.) Washington Redskins: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

Speaking of Mike Brown and incompetent management, Dan Snyder and the Skins' are on the board at #10. Anyone in Washington will tell you that the Donovan McNabb experiment was a disaster at best, with McNabb and Mike Shanahan butting heads in public and behind closed doors.

With the tenth pick, expect Snyder to find a young, strong armed quarterback his coach can develop in Cameron Newton of Auburn. Newton has the arm strength to compete at the next level, but what concerns most people is his ability to recognize coverages. At Auburn, he was never really forced to decide between multiple receivers because he was able to run the ball at will. He will not be able to do so as freely at the next level.

Although there are huge questions about Newton, he has all the potential in the world. That should tempt the Redskins to take him at #10, even if he has to sit behind McNabb if he stays.

(Scouting credit goes to CBS Sports and Scout.com)