2011 NFL Mock Draft: Is Cam Newton a Legitimate Option at No. 1?
Auburn's Cam Newton held a workout for media only on Thursday in San Diego, Calif., to show off his abilities one month after winning a national championship.
Newton's worth as a college quarterback is undoubted. He was the most dominant force in college football in 2010 on his way to winning a Heisman Trophy.
But there are questions about his game transitioning successfully to the NFL. Many of those questions received initial answers with his performance in San Diego. Several media members lauded Newton with praise after his exhibition.
So now is there a legitimate possibility that he is the first quarterback taken in the draft? Furthermore, could he be the No. 1 overall pick?
Here is a mock draft for the 2011 NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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The knock on Nick Fairley is that he takes some plays off. Criticism even surfaced after the national championship—in which he was dominant—that he did the same.
But he is a force ready to impact an NFL defense. He's equally effective against the run and rushing the passer.
Fairley will have his chance to prove himself at the NFL scouting combine. With a great workout and a spectacular highlight reel, Fairley should go No. 1.
It helps that Carolina has needs just about everywhere but, in particular, at defensive tackle.
2. Denver Broncos: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Many scouts believe Da'Quan Bowers and his prototypical frame to be the best overall prospect in the draft. He's an explosive player who still has plenty of room to grow. Bowers benefits from his superior athleticism.
In the NFL, he can fine-tune his technique and become an elite defensive end. Denver's pass rush could use some help, as it produced a league-low 23 sacks in 2010.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Patrick Peterson is a value pick at third overall. He's a cornerback who deterred quarterbacks from throwing his way most of the season. Even so, he intercepted a career-high four interceptions.
Peterson is also dynamic in the return game. He's got elite speed and tackles well. Peterson is just the type of player that Buffalo can continue building its defense around.
The offense doesn't look completely inept, and the defense should follow suit with players like Peterson.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Did you see ESPN's Trent Dilfer gush loads of bromance all over Cam Newton's media workout? It was a little over the top after the guy threw some balls with no pass rush or defense to read.
However, Newton's stock seems to rise incessantly. Everything he does is impressive. His size fits the bill for an NFL quarterback. He has adequate arm strength and has undeniable mobility.
Newton used his workout to show that he can work from under center. If he can do so in more advanced drills, it wouldn't be crazy to see Newton go to the first team looking for a quarterback.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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Blaine Gabbert is the general consensus as the best overall quarterback right now. Arizona will be happy to take him as the second quarterback in the draft. They still may end up with the best.
He's the most NFL-ready. Gabbert has the size, arm strength and mobility that teams look for in a quarterback. Physically, he's perfect. He'll need to learn the pro game and the ability to play from under center.
Arizona needs to do something. Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton are not going to take this team back to the playoffs.
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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A.J. Green is the best offensive player available in the draft. Unfortunately for him—and his bank account—quarterbacks carry a heavier premium.
The Browns will be more than happy to swoop him up and put him opposite fellow Bulldog Mohamed Massaquoi.
Green's speed isn't elite, but it is NFL-worthy. Combine that with precise route-running and Stickum hands, and Green is ready to make plays on Sundays.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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As good as Von Miller is moving laterally to make tackles and as good as he is in coverage, he's even better rushing the passer. He does that as well as anyone did in college football the past two seasons.
Miller relies on speed to get the job done. Putting on some muscle weight will help him in the NFL.
San Francisco will be disappointed to miss out on getting Blaine Gabbert—and maybe Cam Newton—but won't stretch for Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker.
8. Tennessee Titans: Robert Quinn, DE/LB, North Carolina
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Defensive end Jason Babin is a free agent. If Tennessee is unable to sign him back, it will need some help along the defensive line.
Quinn can play defensive end but could also be made into a hybrid player at linebacker. He has a great motor with supreme athleticism.
Quinn will astound in workouts and will be ready to produce in the pros.
9. Dallas Cowboys: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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J.J. Watt is a strong pass rusher with the strength to hold up as a run defender. His versatility allows him to be utilized in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
Dallas is looking for help up front in its 3-4. Watt is exactly the player the Cowboys need.
He can provide a pass rush from the inside of the 3-4 to help out DeMarcus Ware charging from the outside linebacker spot.
10. Washington Redskins: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Marcell Dareus is a fantastic pass-rusher who still plays the run well. If stuck in a 4-3 defense, he would stay at defensive tackle. But in a 3-4, he could be moved to defensive end.
Dareus can help offset the potential loss of Albert Haynesworth. His versatility lends himself well all along the defensive line in a 3-4.
11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Houston can thank the Cincinnati Bengals for picking Cam Newton so high and throwing the rest of the draft into a free-for-all.
Prince Amukamara is expected to go much higher than 11th overall, but one surprise pick shuffles the rest of the first round.
Amukamara isn't far behind LSU's Patrick Peterson. He might be a bit more physical than Peterson. He's extremely athletic and has tremendous ball skills.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, Cal
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Cameron Jordan proved his versatility by taking successful reps at defensive end and defensive tackle in the Senior Bowl.
Jordan is better against the run than he is rushing the passer, prompting many teams to look at moving him to defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme. His experience in college was as a defensive end in a 3-4.
Minnesota defensive end Ray Edwards is a free agent, and the Vikings will look to replace him here.
13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Keeping quarterback Matthew Stafford healthy and on the field should be priority No. 1 for Detroit in the first round. Detroit was a quarterback away in 2010 from a few more wins.
Nate Solder is long and physical, although he could stand to pack on a few pounds. He is the future at left tackle for a team that is nearing serious competitiveness in the NFC North.
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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St. Louis needs to address its need at wide receiver if it wants to help Sam Bradford. Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola aren't the answer.
Julio Jones has spectacular strength and solid speed. He is raw in terms of route-running and has suspect hands.
But his big-play ability is what the Rams are lacking. Jones is ready to contribute right away.
He's improved in all of his weak areas, and NFL coaches should help him continue his progression.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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With Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown entering free agency, Miami can't afford not to address the hole at running back. Even if they re-sign one of those two, the Dolphins need to look for depth.
Mark Ingram is the best prospect in a shallow running back class in 2011. Just because the class is shallow doesn't diminish Ingram's value. He's strong, has great vision and is deceivingly fast.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri
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Aldon Smith doesn't appear to be ready to contribute heavily in the NFL right away. But he has all the tools that lead scouts to see him as a star down the road.
Smith has a pro frame that he just needs to grow into.
It's about potential with Smith. With a couple of seasons of development, he could become a premier edge rusher.
17. New England (from Oakland): Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Adrian Clayborn saw his numbers suffer in 2010. That's what happens when you blow a league up: everybody pays extra attention to you.
Clayborn has NFL size and strength and uses it to beat up on offensive linemen. It's clear, however, that he needs to develop more and stronger pass rush moves.
New England would love the opportunity to develop Clayborn into a starter.
18. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Relentless. That's the best word to describe Ryan Kerrigan. He works and works until he's crashing in on a quarterback or chasing down a ball carrier from behind.
He led the nation with 26 tackles for loss in 2010 despite seeing tons of double teams. Kerrigan is ready to go in the NFL.
Some scouts are thinking of him as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. The Chargers would be better served keeping him on the defensive line.
19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Gabe Carimi is a beast. He helped Wisconsin produce three 1,000-yard rushers at left tackle. But he's also a great pass blocker.
Some experts have other tackles rated ahead of Carimi, but he's the right pick here for New York, a physical rushing team.
The Giants play offense with a run-first mentality. That's the best-case scenario for Carimi. His length and footwork help him in pass protection.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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The Buccaneers pick the best available player at this point in the draft. Sometimes it's that simple. Akeem Ayers could have very well been gone this late, so when he falls into Tampa's lap, they pick him up.
Ayers gets sideline to sideline and can help out in the pass rush department as well. He may not be exactly what Tampa Bay needs, but he's too talented to pass up.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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Jimmy Smith is a big corner at 6'2" with strength and smooth movements. He is tough in coverage with the ability to support the run defense.
He's ready to contribute in the NFL now. Kansas City can slot him at the nickel position and even let him compete for a starting role.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Tyron Smith uses athleticism and quick feet to stay in front of him man. However, he could use bulk to turn into an NFL tackle.
Honestly, he needs work. Indianapolis could use depth at tackle to continue keeping Peyton Manning on the field. Smith can develop into a terrific tackle if allotted time to do so.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Anthony Castonzo is best in pass-blocking situations. But his run blocking isn't far behind and will only improve with NFL coaching.
This is due to less-than-spectacular lower body strength. Castonzo has great footwork but needs to add muscle to his frame to contribute early.
24. New Orleans Saints: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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Justin Houston gives any team an instant boost as a pass rusher. That is a need for New Orleans, which only managed 33 sacks in 2010.
New Orleans would be better served picking a true defensive end here, there isn't one left worth picking here.
Houston will need coaching to develop into a more polished linebacker. But his pure athleticism provides him with tremendous potential.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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This is the perfect pick for the Seattle Seahawks. They don't need a quarterback right away. Hence, they can afford to pick Jake Locker and let him develop behind Matt Hasselbeck and/or Charlie Whitehurst.
Locker has tremendous upside thanks to his athleticism and arm strength. But no one is confusing him for Aaron Rodgers at this point in his career. He needs time to develop.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
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Baltimore needs to upgrade the speed of its wide receiving corps. While Boise State's Titus Young or Kentucky's Randall Cobb are also viable options here, Maryland's Torrey Smith provides the most speed.
But don't mistake Smith for just being a burner with limited skills otherwise. He has solid technique and good size.
With other players solidified in starting roles for the Ravens, Smith can take up third or fourth on the depth chart.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida
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Atlanta will hope that Mike Pouncey can perform as well and as early as his brother Maurkice did for Pittsburgh this season. Maurkice earned All-Pro honors as a rookie center.
Mike can play center or guard, which is good news for a Falcons team in need of help on the interior offensive line.
28. New England Patriots: Dan Watkins, G/T, Baylor
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Dan Watkins played tackle in college but scouts see him on the interior offensive line in the pros.
New England already addressed defense earlier in the first round by picking Adrian Clayborn. It would do well to add depth by picking Watkins here.
New England doesn't have a great need to address at this point. Will they move out of the first round?
29. Chicago Bears: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
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Muhammad Wilkerson is labeled a defensive tackle. But at 6'5" with solid athleticism, defensive end isn't an unrealistic destination for Wilkerson in the NFL.
Chicago needs to add youth to its defense. Wilkerson can provide depth right away and, with some grooming, can become a starter for years to come.
30. New York Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
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Cameron Heyward shows up for the big moments. In both the 2010 Rose Bowl and the 2011 Sugar Bowl, Heyward boosted his draft stock.
He's physical, has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and is more instinctive than players just entering the draft.
The knock is that he is already pretty polished. Teams wonder how much upside there is to Heyward.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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The Pittsburgh Steelers need depth along its offensive line. That was apparent in 2010, as injuries created struggles for the unit at times.
Derek Sherrod is very long and moves well for a man of his size. It will require patience as he develops into a pro player. He's got the tools and just needs to develop.
32. Green Bay Packers: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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Green Bay could end up with a big gap at the five-technique of its 3-4 defense if free agent Cullen Jenkins leaves.
Corey Liuget is a defensive tackle at heart, but his quickness and leverage could lend him to a defensive end role in the 3-4.
He's got balance and power. Green Bay should address depth on the defensive line.
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