2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will the Carolina Panthers Take Cam Newton at No. 1?
The Combine is over. That means the 2011 NFL Draft is just around the corner.
Cam Newton is perhaps the most polarizing figure in the draft. He's also the player with the biggest "boom-or-bust" potential.
Some teams don't like the way he handled the end of the BCS National Championship Game, when he ran a quarterback sneak instead of taking a knee like his coaches told him to do.
Other teams didn't like his comment that he wants to be "an entertainer and an icon", though Newton says that comment was taken out of context.
Then there's the part about how he wasn't very accurate during the throwing drills at the Combine. But I'm willing to chalk that up to working with receivers he wasn't familiar with.
Apparently, Ron Rivera, the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers, has met with Newton twice. So, there seems to be plenty of interest from the Panthers.
But do they like him enough to make him the first player selected in the 2011 NFL Draft?
Without any further ado, here is my take on how the first round of the draft will play out.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14): Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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The Panthers will decide that Newton has too much upside to pass up.
Everyone knows you need an elite quarterback in order to be successful in today's NFL. Jimmy Clausen just isn't going to get the job done in Carolina.
And, of all the quarterbacks in this year's draft, Newton has the biggest potential to be an elite NFL quarterback.
The way he can run and pass reminds me of Daunte Culpepper during his good seasons in Minnesota.
That'll be enough to convince the Panthers to take him first overall.
2. Denver Broncos (4-12): Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Peterson is a beast.
He's clearly the best cornerback in this year's draft and can contribute to the special teams by returning punts and kicks.
The Broncos would love to pair Peterson up with Champ Bailey, one of the best corners in NFL history.
Peterson couldn't ask for a better mentor.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12): Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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The Bills need help everywhere it seems.
But defensive line is a clear need for them, so they'll probably take the best defensive lineman on the board.
Nick Fairley is a beast in the middle.
He'll shore up the Bills interior defensive line and make sure teams don't run all over the place in Buffalo.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12): A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Chad Ochocinco might be out the door soon, and Carson Palmer has said he won't set foot in Paul Brown Stadium ever again.
So, the Bengals' offense is currently in a state of crisis.
The best plan for them is to grab Green, the best wide receiver in the draft, to try to convince Ochocinco to stay.
Then, they should hope they can grab a guy like Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett with their second round pick.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11): Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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The Cardinals don't seem very confident in their QB trio of John Skelton, Derek Anderson and Max Hall.
Despite the fact that Skelton and Hall were rookies in 2010, Arizona seems ready to move on.
Before Newton started stealing the spotlight, Gabbert was regarded as the top QB in the 2011 class.
So, with Gabbert available at No. 5, the Cardinals won't hesitate to pull the trigger.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11): Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama
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The Browns got rid of Shaun Rogers this offseason, so they definitely have a need on the defensive line.
Dareus is the perfect fit for them.
With the defense transitioning from 3-4 to 4-3 this season, Dareus will fit in perfectly as a 4-3 defensive tackle.
But he can also play some defensive end, making him even more valuable.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10): Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Bowers' knee injury appears more worrisome than he is letting on.
So don't be surprised if he slips to No. 7 in this draft.
But, if he's there at No. 7 and Newton and Gabbert are gone, the 49ers need to draft him.
Then, they can set their sights on Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett or even Christian Ponder in the second round.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10): Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
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Von Miller wowed scouts at the Combine, vaulting him into the top 10.
The Titans won't hesitate to draft him to shore up a defense that has been disappointing the last couple of seasons.
Miller's strength and athleticism will tempt the Titans to take him at No. 8.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10): Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Patrick Peterson is the best corner in this draft.
But, Amukamara is a very close second.
He'll be sitting there when the Cowboys pick at No. 9, and Dallas will make sure he's not sitting there anymore.
Amukamara will solidify their secondary, the worst unit on the team last season.
10. Washington Redskins (6-10): Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Jones really closed the gap between himself and A.J. Green.
Now Green only has a slight edge in scouts' minds.
The Redskins need some help on offense and in their secondary. With Gabbert, Newton, Green, Peterson and Amukamara off the board, Washington will jump at the chance to draft Jones.
Jones is a big, speedy receiver who can step in and make plays for the Redskins' offense immediately.
11. Houston Texans (6-10): Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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The Texans secondary was absolutely atrocious last season.
That makes it a top priority in this season's draft.
So it might be a bit of a stretch to take Smith at No. 11, but he won't be around in the second round.
If the Texans really want to commit to fixing their defense, they need to take Smith here.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10): Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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The Vikings took a major step back last season in terms of pressuring the quarterback.
That makes it a major area of concern this season.
Quinn provides excellent pass-rushing skills and would be a nice compliment to Jared Allen on the defensive line.
Then the Vikings need to address their QB situation in the second round.
13. Detroit Lions (6-10): J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Watt would really benefit from playing alongside Kyle Vanden Bosch in Detroit.
The Lions need some secondary help and some linebacker help as well, but with the top guys at those positions already off the board, settling for Watt isn't the worst thing in the world.
He'd give the Lions arguably the best defensive line in the NFC North and help them continue to improve.
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9): Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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The Rams' defense was very stout last year.
But at times, it seemed like they were missing a piece to the puzzle.
That piece is Liuget.
He can clog up the middle of the Rams' D for years to come.
Steve Spagnuolo will love him.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9): Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Ingram to the Dolphins appears to be a lock in this year's draft.
Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown didn't get the job done last season, so a fresh body wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
Williams doesn't have many years left as he nears the end of his career.
Ingram is the heir apparent to the position.
He'll most likely be taking his talents to South Beach.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): Aldon Smith, OLB/DE, Missouri
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Based on my expert opinion from having watched Smith perform at Missouri for the past couple years, I can say Smith is ready for the NFL.
The guy has all the size and speed scouts could ask for.
His ability to play 3-4 OLB or DE is a necessity for players like him in today's NFL.
He should fit in nicely in Jacksonville.
17. New England Patriots (14-2) (From Oakland): Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Clayborn had somewhat of a down year in 2010.
But that's mostly a reflection of the 2010 Iowa Hawkeyes in general.
Also, teams were double-teaming him constantly, freeing up his teammates to make plays.
The Patriots' scouting team will take note of Clayborn and draft him to add some pass-rushing skill to their defensive line.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7): Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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The Chargers had an excellent offense and an excellent defense last season.
It was special teams and stupid errors that kept them from the playoffs.
So, with no glaring area of need, they can work to improve their offensive line in the first round.
Nate Solder should still be available at No. 18.
He's a monster that would help any offensive line.
19. New York Giants (9-7): Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Ayers performed really well at the combine and improved his draft stock.
The Giants would be the perfect fit for him. They need some athleticism at the linebacker position.
Ayers can cover receivers and rush the passer, whatever the team needs him to do.
He'll be a solid contributor from day one.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6): Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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The Buccaneers haven't had much success rushing the passer in recent years.
They need someone to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable to help their young secondary out.
Kerrigan is a hard worker and a guy with the right attitude for a young defense.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Smith greatly improved his draft stock by bulking up before the Combine.
Now he looks like a guy who can handle blocking bigger defensive ends without being pushed around.
The Chiefs need to draft him, because Barry Richardson is not the answer at right tackle.
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6): Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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The Colts need to start rebuilding their offensive line.
Peyton Manning ended up on his back more last year than at any point in the last few years, and it definitely had a negative impact on his production.
Castonzo is a guy who can keep people away from Manning starting next year.
He'll step in and fill the offensive tackle hole that the Colts had trouble with last season.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6): Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Much like Peyton Manning, Michael Vick was hit too often last year.
A lot of that had to do with the fact that he likes to run out of the pocket a lot, but the offensive line did him no favors.
Adding Sherrod will be key to winning the NFC East again, because he'll be able to keep the Justin Tucks and DeMarcus Wares of the NFC East away from Vick.
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5): Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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Houston is a guy who would fit in well with a Gregg Williams defense.
He can get to the opposing QB (10 sacks in 2010) and make tackles (110 in 2010).
Those skills will translate well to the NFL, especially in a defense that likes to blitz as much as the Saints.
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9): Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
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I know the Steelers and their fans are hoping the other Pouncey twin falls to them at No. 31, but it's not going to happen.
The Seahawks need to shore up their interior line after addressing the tackle position in last year's draft with Russell Okung.
Pouncey can play either center or guard and is a guy who can fill the hole that has been evident in Seattle since Steve Hutchinson left for the Vikings.
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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The Ravens need some help at cornerback.
Aaron Williams would be the perfect fit for them late in the first round.
He's a talented corner who should fall to them at No. 26.
He'll benefit from having Ed Reed covering for some of his mistakes during his rookie season.
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3): Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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John Abraham isn't going to be around forever.
Beyond him, there's not much pass-rushing going on in Atlanta.
Jordan can fix that.
He can come in on passing downs and provide a nice complement to Abraham.
28. New England Patriots (14-2): Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
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Smith ran a great 40-yard dash time in the Combine, improving his stock.
He's just what the Patriots need in 2011.
He can come in and be the deep threat the team needs since they got rid of Randy Moss.
Tom Brady will love throwing to Smith.
29. Chicago Bears (11-5): Marcus Cannon, OG, TCU
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The Bears need help along their offensive line at nearly every spot but center.
This season, they'll use their first round pick to try to improve their interior line.
Cannon has been great for TCU the last few seasons.
He should take those skills to the next level and improve the Bears' protection of Jay Cutler.
30. New York Jets (11-5): Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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The Jets have Jim Leonhard at one safety position, but the other safety position could definitely be improved.
Moore would be a good fit at that spot.
He could contribute immediately but wouldn't have to be a star in his first couple seasons.
He would learn a lot just by being around all the stars in the Jets' secondary.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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Heyward would be the perfect defensive end for the Steelers' 3-4 defense.
He can rush the passer, but he's big and physical enough to hold his own in the run game.
Having Casey Hampton clogging up the middle will help Heyward's development.
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6): Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Carimi is a giant.
He just looks like he can manhandle anyone who comes within two yards of him.
That's exactly the skill set the Packers need at tackle.
Bryan Bulaga, last year's first round pick, fit in well at right tackle last season while Chad Clifton manned left tackle.
Carimi would be a great fit in Green Bay to replace Clifton if he gets hurt in 2011 or when he decides to retire.
If Carimi falls to the end of the first round, the Packers won't hesitate to draft the tackle from the in-state university.
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