2011 NFL Mock Draft: A Counter to Todd McShay's Latest Mock Draft
2011 NFL mock draft talks are heating up now that we're past the Super Bowl, and with Todd McShay releasing his latest mock draft, we're going through each pick and breaking down where we matchup and where we disagree.
We have the whole first round inside and if you agree or disagree, make sure to leave it in the comments.
Who do you want your team to take and who do you think will go No. 1 overall? I'm sure there will be plenty of debate until draft day so have at it.
No. 1: Carolina Panthers — Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
1 of 32
Nick Fairley took over the National Championship game and could be the best prospect in the draft.
The Carolina Panthers were hoping that Andrew Luck would be there, but that's just not happening. There is no point in trading out of the pick and now it's a matter of where to go with the pick. Fairley is a game-changer and could anchor that defense.
Todd McShay has Carolina taking Da'Quan Bowers and that would be a huge mistake for the Panthers, even if there are comparisons to Julius Peppers.
No. 2: Denver Broncos — Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
2 of 32
Da'Quan Bowers has drawn comparisons to Julius Peppers, and that's high praise.
Bowers is an athletic freak, but I think he's a guy who can be a workout warrior but won't necessarily translate to the next level. There's a high risk of bust when it comes to Bowers, so if I'm the Broncos, I'm taking a look at all of the possibilities.
Todd McShay has Nick Fairley going here. and he's clearly very high on Bowers, with the former Clemson player going to Carolina in his mock.
No. 3: Buffalo Bills — Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
3 of 32
While Todd McShay has Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller going to Buffalo with the third pick, I like Patrick Peterson at this spot.
Peterson is arguably the best cornerback in the draft and Miller would be a slight reach at this point. The former LSU player is going to be a stud in the NFL and is one of the sure-fire players in the draft. Buffalo would be foolish to pass on him.
There's always a chance Prince Amukamara could slide into this slot, though.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
No. 4: Cincinnati Bengals — A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
4 of 32
Finally, Todd McShay and I agree on a draft pick.
The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need a wideout with Terrell Owens becoming a free agent and Chad Ochocinco looking like he's on his way out as well. A.J. Green is the best wideout in the draft by far and has all of the tools to be top player in the NFL.
Green will make an impact from day one.
No. 5: Arizona Cardinals — Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
5 of 32
Von Miller is shooting up the draft board, so much so that Todd McShay has him going third overall to Buffalo.
Miller is becoming more and more valuable, but I think he makes a lot more sense with the fifth pick to the Arizona Cardinals. It would fill a need and would give Arizona a young anchor on the defense. The linebacker was underappreciated before but is starting to break out.
McShay has the Cardinals taking Blaine Gabbert with this pick.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns — Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
6 of 32
After missing on the first couple of selections, Todd McShay and I agree again as we both see the Cleveland Browns taking Marcell Dareus.
Dareus is a stud lineman out of Alabama who can really anchor a defensive line and shut down opposing offenses. His stock would be higher, but he battled through some injuries last year, dropping him out of the top five.
The Browns would get a steal with this pick.
No. 7: San Francisco 49ers — Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
7 of 32
Well it was fun while it lasted, but Todd McShay and I could not come to a meeting of the minds on this selection.
Here I'd like to see the 49ers go with Prince Amukamara, the star cornerback out of Nebraska. Amukamara is a total beast on the secondary and is drawing comparisons to Nnamdi Asomugha as we get closer to the draft.
McShay has San Francisco taking Patrick Peterson here.
No. 8: Tennessee Titans — Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8 of 32
Let's face it, the Tennessee Titans need a quarterback.
Blaine Gabbert has emerged as the leader of the pack when it comes to the quarterbacks and the Titans would have to take him at this point. Todd McShay has Prince Amukamara going to the Titans, but he's off the board in this mock and this pick would fill a need.
Hopefully, Gabbert would pan out better than Vince Young.
No. 9: Dallas Cowboys — Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
9 of 32
The Dallas Cowboys need to work on that defense, and with that in mind, Ryan Kerrigan would be a great fit with the ninth pick.
Kerrigan is an athletic guy and would blend right into the defense and make a great contribution from the start. Todd McShay has Wisconsin's J.J. Watt shooting up the draft board and being selected by Dallas at this spot.
I'm not sure Watt's stock will rise that high.
No. 10: Washington Redskins — Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
10 of 32
After Cam Newton's workout this week, he's gone right back up the draft board.
I'm not sure teams should put a lot of stock in it, but if any team would, it's the Washington Redskins. Todd McShay and I agree on this pick, and Newton has a lot of upside but is a very raw prospect coming out of Auburn.
Washington would have to be patient with him; his maturation as a quarterback is going to take a while.
No. 11: Houston Texans — Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
11 of 32
Aldon Smith is a guy who could make a big splash at the next level.
Smith isn't the most technically sound player, but he's got a lot of physical skills and talent to utilize on the field. He's going to need some time to mature into a great lineman, but all of the tools are there to make plays in the NFL.
Todd McShay has Houston taking cornerback Jimmy Smith out of Colorado.
No. 12: Minnesota Vikings — Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
12 of 32
Robert Quinn is a guy who will fall down the draft board and end up being a steal.
Quinn was a beast at North Carolina, but was suspended for the entire year by the NCAA for violations that cost him his eligibility. He dominated opposing offensive lines with the Tar Heels, and he'll make those plays at the pro level.
It will be interesting to see how far he slides down. Todd McShay also has Quinn going to the Vikings.
No. 13: Detroit Lions — Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
13 of 32
Matthew Stafford hasn't been able to stay on the field, and a lot of that has to do with his offensive line.
A franchise quarterback needs a franchise tackle protecting him and Nate Solder out of Colorado is that guy. Solder has shot up the draft board, and while Akeem Ayers is an option at this point in the draft, it looks like Solder should be the guy.
Todd McShay also has Solder going to the Lions.
No. 14: St. Louis Rams — Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
14 of 32
Sam Bradford needs someone to throw to.
The St. Louis Rams had a great turnaround with Bradford at the helm and now he needs a high-profile target. Julio Jones out of Alabama would be a great selection. Jones is a playmaker and the Rams could use more of those.
Todd McShay also has Jones going to the Rams and to be honest—it's a pretty obvious pick.
No. 15: Miami Dolphins — Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
15 of 32
The Miami Dolphins could really use a running back. Here's where the former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram comes into play.
Ingram is the best running back in the draft and this would be a perfect time to take him. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams aren't the future at the position, and Ingram can develop into a franchise back.
Ingram goes to the Dolphins in Todd McShay's mock draft as well.
No. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars — J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
16 of 32
J.J. Watt could be a beast in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars need a defensive end and Watt is a guy who is getting more and more attention from pro scouts. Jacksonville has had solid defenses in the past and Watt could be a guy who helps anchor the defensive line for years.
Watt could end up being one of the bigger steals in the draft.
No. 17: New England Patriots (Via Oakland) — Cameron Jordan, DE, California
17 of 32
The New England Patriots are in a great position to make a run at another championship.
This is the first of two picks for the Patriots, and New England is going to look to keep building that defense. It will start with Cameron Jordan out of California.
Jordan is a very talented defensive end that can get after the quarterback and cause major problems for an offense.
Jordan also goes to the Patriots in Todd McShay's mock draft.
No. 18: San Diego Chargers — Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
18 of 32
The San Diego Chargers need to reload on defense and starting on the line would be a wise choice.
That's where Adrian Clayborn comes in. He's a playmaker on the defensive line and would give San Diego a spark on defense that wasn't there last year. The Chargers could really use a player of his talents and they'll go with the best defensive end on the board.
Todd McShay has San Diego taking Aldon Smith out of Missouri.
No. 19: New York Giants — Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
19 of 32
This is a bit of a tumble for Akeem Ayers, but for the defensive-minded New York Giants, Ayers could be a great fit.
Ayers is a talented player that can really disrupt the opposing offense and was a lot higher on mock drafts before some players' stocks started to rise, bumping the former UCLA player down the draft board. The Giants would get a great talent with this pick.
Todd McShay has the Giants taking Tyron Smith with this pick.
No. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
20 of 32
Todd McShay has Ryan Kerrigan going at this pick, but I have Kerrigan off the board, so it's Justin Houston who slides into this spot.
Houston is a talented outside linebacker that can play defensive end and really attack the opposing line. He has a great skill set and will fit right in with that young Tampa Bay defense that grew so much last season.
It would certainly be an interesting selection.
No. 21: Kansas City Chiefs — Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
21 of 32
While Dwayne Bowe is the main guy in Kansas City, the Chiefs need a guy who can take some pressure off of him in the passing game.
With the running game being dominant and Matt Cassel coming into his own in Kansas City, it's time to beef up the offense. That's where Jonathan Baldwin comes into play for the Chiefs. Baldwin can make plays and keep the defense honest.
Akeem Ayers went to the Chiefs in Todd McShay's mock, but I have him going to the Giants.
No. 22: Indianapolis Colts — Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
22 of 32
Peyton Manning needs some depth on that offensive line in front of him.
The Indianapolis Colts had a lot of injuries to that unit last year, and they had plenty of struggles. Getting a guy like Anthony Castonzo, who could come in and add some youth to a unit that isn't getting any younger, would be a great move.
In Todd McShay's mock draft, he also has the Colts taking Castonzo.
No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles — Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
23 of 32
The one thing Wisconsin does is push you around on the offensive line.
Gabe Carimi was one of those giant men that do the dirty work up front, and he's going to be a great selection for a team, possibly the Philadelphia Eagles. Todd McShay also has the big man going to the Eagles, who really need to rebuild the offensive line.
Philly can't let Michael Vick get hit the way he did last year.
No. 24: New Orleans Saints — Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
24 of 32
Todd McShay has Cameron Jordan going to the Saints at this point in the draft.
However, with Jordan off the board, I have the Saints going with another Cameron: Cameron Heyward of Ohio State. Heyward dominated Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and stole the show by chasing Ryan Mallett all over the field.
He's a good player, he'll need some work at the next level but has the tools and fundamentals to be a great pro.
No. 25: Seattle Seahawks — Jake Locker, QB, Washington
25 of 32
Remember when Jake Locker was the top prospect in the draft?
Locker plummeted down the draft board and now is in a position where the Seattle Seahawks can take him. The quarterback as a lot of work to do and will need to improve on a lot of things at the next level.
He has a lot of upside, and Todd McShay also has Locker going off the board here.
No. 26: Baltimore Ravens — Titus Young, WR, Boise State
26 of 32
Titus Young may not have a top-college pedigree, but he's been a beast at Boise State.
Young impressed a lot of people at the Senior Bowl and could find himself rising up a lot of draft boards. Baltimore could use a speed threat at the wide receiver position but could also go for a cornerback in the draft.
I see Young going here, but Todd McShay has Kentucky wideout Randall Cobb going off the board here.
No. 27: Atlanta Falcons — Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
27 of 32
It wouldn't be the first round of a draft without a Miami Hurricane.
The Atlanta Falcons need a pass rusher and Allen Bailey would certainly qualify as a guy who can get after the passer. Bailey can come in and learn in a veteran environment and work his way into the system.
However, Todd McShay doesn't like Bailey here and went with Mike Pouncey out of Florida.
No. 28: New England Patriots — Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois
28 of 32
There's some debate on whether Mikel LeShoure is a first-round pick, but if there's any team that would take a chance, it's the New England Patriots.
The Patriots could use another running back and, with Mark Ingram off the board, LeShoure is the best option available. Todd McShay has the Patriots taking Dan Watkins out of Baylor to help bolster the offensive line.
Then again, you never really know with the Patriots. Who knows where they're going to go. Bill Belichick is a step ahead of the rest of us sometimes.
No. 29: Chicago Bears — Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
29 of 32
With how successful Maurkice Pouncey has been in Pittsburgh, you know that his brother, Mike, is going to get a good look from a bunch of teams.
Mike Pouncey is a solid lineman out of Florida who can be a difference maker, just like his brother. Chicago needs to protect Jay Cutler, who can't keep getting hit the way he has been during his tenure with the Bears.
Todd McShay doesn't have the Bears going with an offensive lineman, but with defensive tackle Corey Liuget.
No. 30: New York Jets — Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
30 of 32
We know how much the Jets love to focus on defense, and with Kris Jenkins' struggles to stay healthy, Phil Taylor would be a great option.
He had issues at Penn State and left the program and went to Baylor, where he got in shape and became a great player. The personal issues shouldn't scare New York,and he could really do damage in the middle for Rex Ryan.
Todd McShay also has Taylor going to the Jets, and he could be a massive steal this late in the draft.
No. 31: Pittsburgh Steelers — Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
31 of 32
It's no secret that Pittsburgh needs to improve its offensive line.
Ben Roethlisberger had issues all year long with protection and having time to make his reads. He constantly struggled to get the ball off in time this past season. Adding Benjamin Ijalana out of Villanova would be a great addition. It's not a marquee name or program, but he's a guy who can do the dirty work up front.
He's a guy who's made it into a lot of mocks and Todd McShay has him going to the Steelers as well.
No. 32: Green Bay Packers — Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
32 of 32
When you're the Super Bowl champions, sometimes it's a matter of the best player on the board.
However, the Packers could use some depth on the defensive line and that's where Muhammad Wilkerson would be a great addition. He's a guy who can get after the passer and really create havoc for opposing quarterbacks.
Wilkerson could be a real beast working on the line with B.J. Raji drawing a lot of the attention.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")