2011 NFL Draft Rumors: San Francisco 49ers & 10 Teams Who May Try To Move Up

The 2011 NFL Draft order is set, and we know that Carolina, Denver, Buffalo, Cincinnati and Arizona will have the first five picks.

Or do we?

Though it appears the draft order is firmly in place, there may be some wheelin' and dealin' that changes that.

The Arizona Cardinals are just one of a number of teams that could try to swing a trade to move up and snag that coveted player.

So let's take a look at 10 teams that might try to do some shuffling and shaking to jump up in the 2011 NFL Draft.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars

In 2010, the Jaguars were flat-out awful against the pass, ranking 28th in passing yards allowed, 28th in total yards allowed and 27th in points allowed.

It's certainly evident that Jacksonville needs to upgrade that area in the 2011 NFL Draft. 

That could be done by drafting a defensive end who puts a ton of pressure on the quarterback, but it might be a wiser choice to solve the team's pass defense problems by selecting a stud in the secondary—someone like Patrick Peterson or Prince Amukamara.

It's too early at pick No. 16 to draft any other CB, and the draft's top safety (UCLA's Rahim Moore) is a late first-round prospect. 

9. New Orleans Saints

With an offense that shouldn't miss a beat in 2011, New Orleans will be looking to upgrade the other side of the ball in the draft.

The team should literally stick with drafting defensive players, defensive players and more defensive players, especially along the defensive front seven.

But at pick No. 24, most of the supposed studs of the draft class will be gone, and the Saints need to draft a defensive tackle, end or linebacker who can step in and start right away.

How they'd go about trading up in the draft is certainly up in the air, but it might be necessary if they want to get a guy like Corey Liuget, Aldon Smith or Cameron Jordan.

8. Dallas Cowboys

I'd fully expect Dallas to go one of two ways with the No. 9 pick: defensive line or cornerback.

The problem is that the best three fits for the Cowboys—Marcell Dareus, Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson—are more than likely going to be off the board at this point.

So what does Dallas do? Do they draft the best available player or take a shot on someone with a ton of upside like Cameron Jordan?

Or do they move up a few spots to solve their secondary woes or draft Dareus as an upgrade to Igor Olshansky?

They might have to do the latter.

7. New England Patriots

Historically, the Patriots have been a team that moves down in the draft and stocks up on draft picks.

Want evidence? New England has three of the top 33 picks and four of the top 60 selections in this year's draft.

That means the Patriots have more ammunition than any other team to make some big-time moves come draft day.

Although New England doesn't desperately need help anywhere—except maybe on the defensive line—they can definitely move up if they fall in love with one of the top prospects in this year's draft class.

6. Houston Texans

If I had played cornerback for the Houston Texans this season, the production in the secondary probably wouldn't have dropped off all that much.

I mean, I understand that Houston's secondary consisted mainly of rookies and second-year players, but they got absolutely torched week in and week out.

And if they want to draft a franchise cornerback to prevent that from happening again next season, then there are two of them in this year's draft class: Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara.

While Amukamara's a top 10 lock, Peterson could go as high as No. 2. So unless the Texans decide to go in a different direction with the No. 11 overall pick, then it might be worth moving up.

Peterson and Amukamara are rare prospects, and they'll be gone by the time Houston's pick rolls around. 

5. Seattle Seahawks

Don't let the fact that the Seahawks are picking at No. 25 fool you—they still need help all over the place.

Seattle struggled mightily in multiple areas on both sides of the ball last season, and a surprising playoff win over New Orleans doesn't negate that.

Pete Carroll's team can use upgrades just about everywhere, from the defensive line to the offensive line to the secondary to quarterback to the wide receiver corps.

With the 25th pick, though, you have to wonder who's still gonna be available there. Maybe Seattle avoids that by moving up into the top 20 or even higher.

4. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco could go a number of different ways with the No. 7 overall pick, from Alabama's Marcell Dareus to Nebraska's Prince Amukamara.

But after the drafting of Alex Smith in 2005 set the franchise back about eight years or so, the 49ers could go quarterback here if they can't swing a trade for someone like Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb.

If they want Blaine Gabbert, though, they might need to move up a few spots.

Buffalo, Arizona and even Cincinnati (though unlikely) could be looking to draft the Missouri quarterback, and San Francisco may have to shuffle some draft picks to get their guy.

3. Cleveland Browns

There are two areas the Cleveland Browns clearly need to address in the upcoming draft: pass rush and wide receiver.

But with the No. 6 pick in the draft, it's far from a guarantee that either the draft's top pass rusher (Da'Quan Bowers) or No. 1 wideout (A.J. Green) will be on the board.

In fact, I'd be shocked to see them still sitting there when it's time for the Browns to select.

So if Cleveland has its heart set on choosing Green or Bowers, then it may take a little finagling on the part of team president Mike Holmgren. 

2. Minnesota Vikings

At No. 12, Minnesota finds itself in a tricky spot, behind a number of quarterback-needy teams, including Washington and Tennessee which are just a few spots ahead of them in the draft order.

Though the Vikings could go with a defensive end now that Ray Edwards' future with the team is unclear, you have to think that the team will consider drafting a quarterback.

Brett Favre is gone, Tarvaris Jackson is a free agent, and Joe Webb, while he's showed some promise, is inexperienced and may not be the long-term solution in Minnesota.

Sure, the Vikings have been linked to free agent QBs like Vince Young, but it's far from a guarantee he'll end up with the team.

The only sure way for Minnesota to end up with the quarterback of its choosing is to take a leap, both a literal one and one of faith. 

1. Washington Redskins

One week you'll hear how Blaine Gabbert is the consensus No. 1 quarterback, then the next you'll hear Mel Kiper talk up Cam Newton like he could be a top-three selection.

But which is it? No one will really know until draft day, although we can continue to speculate.

Still, with Donovan McNabb on his way out of Washington, it only makes sense that the Redskins will look long and hard at Gabbert, Newton and even Jake Locker.

The problem is that they might not be able to scoop up Gabbert or Newton with the No. 10 overall pick.

Several teams currently positioned ahead of Washington—like Buffalo, Arizona, San Francisco and Tennessee—could go with a quarterback, and the Redskins might have to jump ahead of them if they want to select Gabbert or Newton.