2011 NFL Mock Draft: Comparing the Latest Mocks From Around the Web
It's getting close to the 2011 NFL Draft, and you know what that means: Mel Kiper and Todd McShay are at it again over at ESPN, with big brain and young brain chattering up a storm, everything from A to Z leading up to draft day.
We here at Bleacher Report have also been known to be chatterboxes, with mock drafts and player rankings aplenty.
In this slideshow, I'll compare my selections for the 2011 NFL Draft to those of Kiper, McShay, Sports Illustrated's Don Banks, CBSSports.com's Rob Rang and NFL.com's Pat Kirwan.
Can any of us compare to the great big brain of Mel Kiper?
Well, we can certainly give it a shot.
1. Carolina Panthers
1 of 32
Kiper: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
McShay: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Banks: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Kirwan: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Rang: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
My take: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Look, I know Auburn's Nick Fairley isn't a physical specimen. I know he came in underweight. I know he's technically as tall as he was listed at Auburn, but the fact of the matter is, he dominated this season for the Tigers, with 56 tackles and 12 sacks. He played against plenty of more athletic offensive lineman this season, and it didn't stop him from dominating. He also played his best against top opponents, something that really struck me.
2. Denver Broncos
2 of 32
Kiper: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
McShay: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Banks: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Kirwan: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Rang: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
My take: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Da'Quan Bowers ranks a notch below Fairley in my book. He was a monster last season, and if the Broncos miss out on Fairley, they'll go with Bowers.
3. Buffalo Bills
3 of 32
Kiper: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
McShay: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Banks: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Kirwan: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Rang: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
My take: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
Marcell Dareus basically outshined Nick Fairley in the combine this year, running a better 10-yard split in the 40 despite being 28 pounds heavier at 319. Not only was he heavier, he also was in great shape. Experts tend to be leaning toward a quarterback being selected by the Bills, but Blaine Gabbert would be a reach here in my opinion, and Dareus looks too good to pass up.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals
4 of 32
Kiper: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
McShay: Green, WR, Georgia
Banks: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Kirwan: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
Rang: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
My take: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
I find it hard to see the Bengals passing up top wideout A.J. Green here. Terrell Owens is likely gone, Chad Ochocinco is unhappy and maybe gone and quarterback Carson Palmer might hightail it out of there as well. They are going to need a star right away for the passing game.
5. Arizona Cardinals
5 of 32
Kiper: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
McShay: Blain Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Banks: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
Kirwan: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
Rang: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
My take: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
I'm still liking Blaine Gabbert over Cam Newton, despite his impressive performance in the combine. Newton has a chance of being a superstar, but he also has a better chance of being a flop in my opinion. Gabbert's the safer choice in my opinion, and the Cardinals need someone badly under center.
6. Cleveland Browns
6 of 32
Kiper: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
McShay: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
Banks: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
Kirwan: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Rang: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
My take: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Quinn was actually Banks' selection in his last mock, and I have him behind Dareus and ahead of Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt. He could be a monster from the edge.
7. San Francisco 49ers
7 of 32
Kiper: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
McShay: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
Banks: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Kirwan: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Rang: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
My take: Peterson, CB, LSU
If top corner Patrick Peterson falls to the 49ers at No. 7, I feel it would be a grave mistake for them to pass this guy up. He not only has drawn comparisons to Deion Sanders this season, he had a great combine. There's pretty much nothing this guy's done wrong this year. The 49ers have a chance to draft someone that could be a lockdown corner in the NFL.
8. Tennessee Titans
8 of 32
Kiper: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
McShay: Peterson, CB, LSU
Banks: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Kirwan: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
Rang: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
My take: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
The Titans could do a lot worse than Cameron Newton at No. 8, especially because QB is their primary need with Vince Young headed out of town. Newton's had a good combine, said all the right things and he is facing everybody's doubts head-on. I like his confidence and I feel he's the type of player that will learn to succeed in the NFL.
9. Dallas Cowboys
9 of 32
Kiper: Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
McShay: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Banks: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Kirwan: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Rang: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
My take: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
It's obvious the Cowboys need some drastic help on pass defense, and Prince Amukamara is a great way to build your defense back up. If it wasn't for Peterson, Amukamara would be the talk of the draft.
10. Washington Redskins
10 of 32
Kiper: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
McShay: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Banks: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
Kirwan: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Rang: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
My take: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Ryan Mallett may have had a contentious press conference during the combine, but lost in all of that is that he had a solid throwing session during the workouts. No idea why he couldn't participate in full at the combine, but the limited sample he did show was solid. The Redskins need a QB of the future badly, and they just may take a chance at No. 10.
11. Houston Texans
11 of 32
Kiper: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
McShay: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Banks: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Kirwan: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Rang: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
My take: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
With some top defensive ends already taken off the board, I could see the Texans pairing Miller up with star DE Mario Williams for an explosive one-two punch.
12. Minnesota Vikings
12 of 32
Kiper: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
McShay: Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Banks: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Kirwan: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Rang: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
My take: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
The Vikings could reach for Washington's Jake Locker here, especially after he had a solid combine, but I think they'll try to shore up their defensive line. J.J. Watt is a top defensive end in the draft, and I'd find it hard to see the Vikings passing him up at No. 12.
13. Detroit Lions
13 of 32
Kiper: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
McShay: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Banks: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Kirwan: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Rang: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
My take: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
It used to be that there was Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, and then a wide gap before you hit the third CB, Brandon Harris of Miami. But Jimmy Smith has emerged in the eyes of many after a successful combine and is gaining followers fast. I'm one of them, and I see the Lions bolstering their secondary.
14. St. Louis Rams
14 of 32
Kiper: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
McShay: Julio, Jones, WR, Alabama
Banks: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Kirwan: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Rang: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
My take: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Honestly, it's a steal if the Rams land Jones at No. 14. He was largely considered a smidgen below A.J. Green coming into the combine, and he had a better combine than Green. He has the makings of a star; it just so happens wide receiver is one of the Rams' top priorities.
15. Miami Dolphins
15 of 32
Kiper: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
McShay: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Banks: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Kirwan: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Rang: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
My take: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
I don't know how the Dolphins don't take Mark Ingram here if he's available. Unless Cam Newton drops to No. 15, the Dolphins would be wise to take the hands-down best running back in the draft in Ingram. Ronnie Brown is always injured, and Ricky Williams has said he doesn't want to return to the team. It's time to find their next star in the backfield.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
16 of 32
Kiper: Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
McShay: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Banks: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri
Kirwan: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Rang: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri
My take: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri
The Jaguars' primary need is rushing the passer and finding Smith at No. 16 will be a pleasant surprise. The kid is a serious threat and could even be selected earlier in the draft.
17. New England Patriots
17 of 32
Kiper: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
McShay: Jordan, DE, California
Banks: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Kirwan: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Rang: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
My take: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Cameron Jordan has risen in the last few weeks, and he would be a good fit for New England's 3-4 defensive scheme. The Patriots could also go linebacker here, perhaps UCLA's Akeem Ayers, but Jordan appears to be a lock the way he's jumped lately.
18. San Diego Chargers
18 of 32
Kiper: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
McShay: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
Banks: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Kirwan: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri
Rang: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
My take: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The San Diego Chargers need pass-rushing help first and foremost; they can worry about protecting QB Philip Rivers later in the draft. Kerrigan had a good combine workout, proving to be a top selection at DE.
19. New York Giants
19 of 32
Kiper: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
McShay: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Banks: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Kirwan: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Rang: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
My take: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Well, will you look at that, we're all picking Anthony Castonzo, and Kiper has Nate Solder going here. Most likely, we will all be wrong, and genius brain will be right. I personally have Solder going earlier; otherwise, I'd agree with genius brain.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20 of 32
Kiper: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
McShay: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Banks: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Kirwan: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Rang: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
My take: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
The Buccaneers need some outside pass-rushing help. With some of the top defensive ends taken, I could see the Bucs going with Ayers here. Ayers does have some question marks, as his combine 40 was unimpressive and he didn't appear as explosive as he did on the field, but there's a reason he was mocked near the top 10 before—he can play.
21. Kansas City Chiefs
21 of 32
Kiper: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
McShay: Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Banks: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
Kirwan: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
Rang: Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College
My take: Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
Like Cameron Jordan, Justin Houston has soared into the first round. With the Chiefs desperate for a pass-rushing difference maker on the outside, Houston could be a nice fit as the Chiefs work their way up the power rankings.
22. Indianapolis Colts
22 of 32
Kiper: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
McShay: Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Banks: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Kirwan: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Rang: Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
My take: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
I originally had doubts about Tyron Smith, who was pushed around a little bit by stronger pass rushers this season. But all those doubts were erased when he came into the the combine listed over 300 pounds and with the same athletic physique as before. Smith looks to be a rare combination of size and athleticism at the OT spot.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
23 of 32
Kiper: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
McShay: Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Banks: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Kirwan: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Rang: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
My take: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
It's obvious the Eagles need some serious help defending their favorite quarterback in the whole wide world, Michael Vick. The Eagles gave up 50 sacks in 2010, despite Vick dodging and weaving around would-be tacklers. Carimi's right below Smith on the O-line in my opinion.
24. New Orleans Saints
24 of 32
Kiper: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
McShay: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Banks: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
Kirwan: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Rang: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
My take: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
I think it's safe to say I largely agree with Don Banks of SI. Muhammad Wilkerson has stormed up draft boards after he started gaining recognition on a bad team in Temple. With Carimi off the board here, I don't have enough faith in Derrek Sherrod to place him above Wilkerson. I know the Saints need some protection, but Wilkerson is a far better difference maker in my opinion.
25. Seattle Seahawks
25 of 32
Kiper: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
McShay: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Banks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Kirwan: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
Rang: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
My take: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The way Locker has looked in the combine, he could be a steal here at No. 25. He's a safe bet at this spot for a team desperate for a new leader under center, and he's also a Washington native. If he falls to the Seahawks, I'd be really surprised if they don't nab him.
26. Baltimore Ravens
26 of 32
Kiper: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
McShay: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
Banks: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Kirwan: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Rang: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
My take: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
A lot of experts have the Ravens going defense here or wide receiver, but I don't see why you wouldn't try to shore up protection for QB Joe Flacco. Sherrod would help stabilize the line.
27. Atlanta Falcons
27 of 32
Kiper: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
McShay: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
Banks: Titus Young, WR, Boise State
Kirwan: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
Rang: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
My take: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Clayborn is a very solid prospect, and would be a steal if he dropped her. He would provide some help for an improving secondary by helping get to the QB quicker.
28. New England Patriots
28 of 32
Kiper: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
McShay: Dan Watkins, G, Baylor
Banks: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Kirwan: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
Rang: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
My take: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
The more I think about it, the more I think the Patriots might just go after Baldwin after all. At No. 28, he could be the steal of the draft. He has the athleticism and explosiveness to make an impact in the NFL, and the Patriots would like another weapon for Tom Brady.
29. Chicago Bears
29 of 32
Kiper: Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova
McShay: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Banks: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
Kirwan: Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
Rang: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
My take: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
This pick would probably infuriate the Steelers, who would love to pair Pouncey with his brother, Maurkice, on the offensive line. But the Bears would be wise not to pass up on Pouncey, especially after Jay Cutler was destroyed this year by opposing pass rushes.
30. New York Jets
30 of 32
Kiper: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
McShay: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
Banks: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Kirwan: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
My take: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
Rahim Moore has risen considerably lately in the eyes of experts, and he makes a lot of sense for a Jets team dependent on defense that needs help at the safety position. Moore could be a great steal and value pick for the Jets.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
31 of 32
Kiper: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
McShay: Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
Banks: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
Kirwan: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
Rang: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
My take: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
Aaron Williams is now ahead of Miami's Brandon Harris in some experts' cheat sheets now and he would be a welcome addition to a defense-heavy Steelers squad. One thing the Steelers would really like on the defense is a solid cover corner, and Williams could be that guy.
32. Green Bay Packers
32 of 32
Kiper: Justin Houston, OLB, Houston
McShay: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
Banks: Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova
Kirwan: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
Rang: Christian Ballard, DE/DT, Iowa
My take: Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova
Ben Ijalana has recently risen in the eyes of many after a solid combine and would be a good fit at the right tackle slot for the Packers. More offensive line support for Rodgers and the running game? Sounds scary to me.
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