Mock Draft 5.0: The Scouting Combine Mock Draft
The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine has started and players are out in Indianapolis showing NFL teams their skills and making a case for getting drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft. The scouting combine is always an interesting event because you get to see the players that could shape your team’s future up close and personal. The event is watched by millions of fans and helps give us a better idea of where players stand as we head towards the NFL Draft.
So let’s take a look at where players stand now as we move through the scouting combine with my fifth mock draft of the NFL’s pre draft season.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)-Nick FairleyDT-Auburn
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There is almost no question that the Panthers are going to look for a defensive player in the first round (and with the first pick) in the 2011 NFL Draft and with that Fairley would be the best choice for them. Having a solid defensive tackle to work in the middle of their defensive line would work wonders for them and would be a good start in rebuilding.
Last Mock: No Change
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)-Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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Drafting by need would give the Broncos a shot at getting Peterson and they could use him especially if starter Champ Bailey goes away this offseason. Having a good corner in the secondary would go a long way to help improve the Broncos defense and give them a force in the secondary.
Last Mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)-Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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The Bills should be in a position to get Bowers and do something to help upgrade their pass rush so look for them to get the best pass rusher in the 2011 NFL Draft in Bowers at number three. Bowers is ready to start right away and could help their defense get much better almost immediately.
Last Mock: A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)-A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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The likelihood of both Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson being out after this season is good so the Bengals will be searching for some new talent at the wide receiver position. Green is the best receiver in the draft and should be there when they make their pick at number four in the first round.
Last Mock: Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)-Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
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Right now, Newton is starting to show the NFL that he just might be the best option at quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Cardinals need a quarterback worse than anything else heading into the draft and unless they sign a veteran before the draft they will probably grab one with their first pick in the draft this year.
Last Mock: Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)-Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
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The Browns will be working on their defense this offseason and perhaps getting a linebacker like Miller, one of the best (if not the best) in college football would be a step in the right direction for them. Miller could help boost a linebacking corps that could use the help and make the Browns defense better.
Last Mock: Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)-Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
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It’s possible that the 49ers may go for a quarterback with this pick but if Cam Newton is gone and they don’t show much interest in Blaine Gabbert then the 49ers could go after Amukamara and solidify their secondary. The quarterback position grabbed a lot of attention last season and people didn’t see that the 49ers struggled in the secondary. It’s time to fix their problems there and improve their defense.
Last Mock: No Change
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)-Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
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Tennessee is going to be in the market for a quarterback thanks to the imminent departure of Vince Young and they will probably look to take one in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. With Newton already gone in this mock draft the Titans will look to take the next best quarterback in Gabbert and develop him for the future.
Last Mock: Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)-Marcell Dareus-DT/DE-Alabama
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If none of the top cornerbacks are available here at number nine then the Cowboys need to get someone to help them out on their defensive line. Dareus is a top of the line defensive tackle that can play defensive end as well and could fit well in the Cowboys defensive system.
Last Mock: Cameron Jordan-DE/DT-Cal
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)-Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
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The problems that Quinn had in college may affect his stock in the draft but he’s going to be hard for teams to pass up and may end up going to the Redskins here at number ten. Quinn would have been considered the best defensive end in the draft had he not had his problems in college but he’s attractive enough that he may end up going early (in the top ten) to a team that needs a good defensive end.
Last Mock: Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
11. Houston Texans (6-10)-Aldon Smith-DE/OLB-Missouri
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It’s high time that the Texans concentrated on their defense and with the 11th pick in the first round they could enhance their linebacking corps (as well as their pass rushing capability) and Smith could be just the guy that they are looking for. Smith had a productive career at Missouri and could continue to be productive for the Texans.
Last Mock: No Change
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)-Jake Locker-QB-Washington
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If the Vikings feel that the quarterbacks that they currently have aren’t going to cut it in the near term then you can bet that they will try to find a quarterback in this year’s draft. If Locker is available the Vikings may decide to take a shot at him and try to develop him as their quarterback of the future. If they don’t then they may decide to add a defensive end or a defensive tackle here at number 12.
Last Mock: No Change
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)-Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (Fl)
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The Lions secondary needs a lot of attention in the draft this offseason and taking a cornerback in the first round would be an excellent idea. If Peterson or Amukamara were to slip down to number 13 then you can bet that Detroit would take one of those guys but if they aren’t then Harris would be their next best option.
Last Mock: No Change
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)-Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
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This is a very obvious choice for the Rams because they need a true number one wide receiver to give quarterback Sam Bradford someone to throw the ball to. Jones should be there when the Rams make their pick and he should have an instant positive impact on the team right away.
Last Mock: No Change
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)-Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
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Miami’s running game is the key to help them take the pressure off of the quarterback position so drafting a top of the line running back would be a step in the right direction for this team. Ingram is the best running back in the 2011 NFL Draft and is easily a first round pick.
Last Mock: No Change
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)-Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
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The Jaguars pass rush is in need of some help and because of that they will try to grab a good pass rusher at this stage in the draft. The 2011 NFL Draft is going to have several good pass rushers at the top (in the first round) so there shouldn’t be any reason why they won’t take one in the first round. Kerrigan would be a good option and could help them right away.
Last Mock: No Change
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders 8-8)
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J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin-With their first pick in the first round the Patriots can go for a defensive end here or they could look at solidifying their offensive line. For the value they should look at taking someone like Watt here with the 17th pick in first round and help get their defensive line fixed and ready to go for next season and for the future.
Last Mock: Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)-Cameron Jordan-DE-Cal
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The Chargers may have let Shawne Merriman go but they certainly miss him and need someone that can rush the passer like he was able to do while he was with the Chargers. With that, they need to take a look at some of the defensive ends and outside linebackers available in the draft and draft one to replace what they lost with Merriman and help out their pass rush. Jordan could be a nice fit with the Chargers and could help them get that pass rush back.
Last Mock: Cameron Heyward-DT/DE-Ohio State
19. New York Giants (10-6)-Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
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The Giants are going to be trying to do some work on their offensive line and offensive tackle would be a good place for them to start. Solder is rated by many to be the best offensive tackle in the draft and he may not be number one but he’s definitely in the top three at the position in the draft and would be an excellent fit in New York.
Last Mock: Tyron Smith-OT-USC
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)-Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
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With the middle of their defense secure thanks to last year’s acquisition of Gerald McCoy so now it’s time to work on the outside of their defensive line and grab a good pass rusher. Clayborn would be ideal here at number 20 and with his ability to step in and start right away, the Bucs couldn’t go wrong.
Last Mock: J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)-Phil Taylor-NT-Baylor
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A lot of you may be wondering who Taylor is and why the Chiefs should take him. The Chiefs need a guy that can be a difference maker in the middle of their defense. What they have had in the past couple of seasons just isn’t working for them so they need to get a nose tackle that can be a difference maker in the middle Taylor could be that guy and could really help out their defense.
Last Mock: Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)-Tyron Smith-OT-USC
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Indianapolis is going to have to do some work on their offensive line this offseason and a good place to start would be at offensive tackle. Smith is grading out to be one of the better one’s in the 2011 NFL Draft and could end up being a pretty nice fit in Indianapolis.
Last Mock: Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)-Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
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The run on offensive linemen continues with the Eagles taking Sherrod here at number 23. Sherrod may be one of the “quiet” offensive tackles in this draft but he’s definitely a first round talent and someone that the Eagles should look hard at him before the draft.
Last Mock: Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5)-Corey Liuget-DT/DE-Illinois
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The Saints defense struggled last season especially in the middle of that defensive line so getting some help there is a must and Liuget may just be the kind of guy that they are looking for. He’s got a little bit of development to undergo but its possible he could be good right out of the gate and help the Saints get to where they want to be on defense.
Last Mock: Robert Quinn-DT-North Carolina
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)-Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA
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If there is a cornerback here that’s worthy of the 25th pick in the first round of the draft then the Seahawks may go that route and fill a big need, perhaps the biggest need on the team. If there isn’t anyone like that available then it would be a great idea for them to take a linebacker and Ayers would be an excellent fit next to Aaron Curry and Lofa Tatupu.
Last Mock: Ryan Mallett-QB-Arkansas
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)-Cameron Heyward-DT/DE
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Ohio State-With Terrell Suggs being their only real pass rushing threat the Ravens need to find someone else to give opposing offenses problems and game plan against. Heyward may not be here when they make this pick but if he is they should take him and help improve that pass rush.
Last Mock: Akeem Ayers-DE/OLB-UCLA
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)-Titus Young-WR-Boise State
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The Falcons need another option to throw the ball to aside from Roddy White so grabbing a good wide receiver in the first round may be their best option. Young should start flying up everyone’s draft boards with some good workouts and could be a first round pick. Would this be someone that the Falcons are interested in?
Last Mock: Corey Liuget-DE/OLB-Illinois
28. New England Patriots (14-2)-Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
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With their need on the defensive line taken care of with their first pick they can now move ahead and take care of a need on the offensive line. This is a perfect place to take an offensive tackle because the guys that they will find in this part of draft are well worth the pick and could fit the Patriots offensive system very well.
Last Mock: Mikel Leshoure-RB-Illinois
29. Chicago Bears (11-5)-Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
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This would be the ideal pick for the Bears if Pouncey were to make it to them in the first round. They need both a guard and a center and if they can allow Pouncey to learn the guard position first and then work his way into center next season they could kill two birds with one stone and come out looking good.
Last Mock: Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
30. New York Jets (11-5)-Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple
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The interior of the Jets defensive line needs a little work and Wilkerson may be just the guy to help them get done what they need to get done. He’s well skilled and could be a real sleeper in the draft. Look for the Jets to show some interest in Wilkerson who would be ideal for them to take here towards the end of the first round.
Last Mock: Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)-Anthony Costonzo-OT-Boston College
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Problems on the offensive line in the playoffs hurt the Steelers in the playoffs and in the Super Bowl so they are going to want to get some help here especially at the offensive tackle position. Costonzo has struggled at times but with some good coaching and with being placed in a good system he could flourish.
Last Mock: No Change
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6)-Justin Houston-OLB-Georgia
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Green Bay will be looking for someone to help take the pressure off of Clay Matthews so look for the Packers to try to find someone to do just that with their final pick in the draft. Houston had a great season at Georgia last year and has a lot of room to grow. He could be a nice fit in Green Bay’s 3-4 defense.
Last Mock: Titus Young-WR-Boise State
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