2011 NFL Mock Draft: A Complete Pick-By-Pick Breakdown of the First Round
The NFL Combine is in the rear view mirror.
Regardless of what happens with the CBA talks, there will be a draft in April.
There were a lot of risers and fallers as a result of performances at this year's combine in Indianapolis, and there were a ton of prospects who altered their draft stock.
Which collegiate standout could your favorite team be targeting?
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB Auburn
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The Panthers have to be heartbroken that QB Andrew Luck decided to stay at Stanford.
While a lot of early mocks had the team going the defensive route with Newton's collegiate teammate DT Nick Fairley, his stock has plummeted since that time and he no longer appears to be a viable option.
Sure, there is a lot about Newton that might rub some people the wrong way, but this kid was built for the spotlight. As the Panthers' future franchise quarterback, he's going to have to be ready for that.
Newton has a boatload of talent, and although he's still got plenty to work on, he finally gives the Panthers a franchise face that they've been searching for since Jake Delhomme.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
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23 sacks from the entire defense last season is downright embarrassing.
A healthy Elvis Dumervil back in the lineup is sure to increase that number, but there's no denying that the Broncos need help in a big way on the front line.
He's risen ahead of Nick Fairley on the defensive tackle depth chart, and Dareus would provide a 320 pound body that will anchor the front four for seasons to come.
With the team making a transition to the 4-3 (presumably) under new coach John Fox, it makes no sense for them to pass up on the best player on the draft board.
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, DE/OLB Texas A&M
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Da'Quan Bowers & Patrick Peterson should be available when the Bills make their selection, but that's not going to stop the team from selecting Miller.
An absolute athletic beast as he showed at the combine, Miller can make an impact on the field from day one. For a team that recently spent first-round draft picks on Aaron Maybin and CJ Spiller, that is going to be imperative.
With a 37-inch vertical leap and a 4.46 40 time, Miller could very well rack up over 100 tackles for the defensively-challenged Bills and be a representative at the Pro Bowl in his inaugural season.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR Georgia
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This pick just fits perfectly.
With the Bengals looking unlikely to re-sign surprising standout Terrell Owens and Jordan Shipley a natural fit in the slot, Green would provide the team a long-term answer on the outside that Cincinnati desperately needs.
With great speed, incredible hands and plus route-running ability, he's a natural fit with the team and should provide prolific results from day one regardless of whether Carson Palmer is under center.
At 6'4", opposing corners are going to have an awfully tough time shutting him down.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
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Bowers' recovery isn't progressing as quickly as most would have hoped, and now it's rapidly affecting his draft stock.
A dominant pass rusher, teams will be eager to see how he looks when he's medically cleared to resume activities. Bowers was a trendy number one overall selection just a short time ago after Nick Fairley's stock began to fall, but that doesn't mean much.
The Clemson product will almost certainly go in the top five in the upcoming draft, but he's perhaps the biggest question mark of any of the top picks.
After the season that the Cardinals just suffered through, the team can't afford to swing and miss with this pick.
6. Cleveland Browns: Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
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Fairley is an ideal fit for a Brows team that just released Shaun Rogers.
While he has a few small weaknesses in pass coverage, Fairley masks them well with his dominance against the run. Those who watched Auburn take home the National Championship know exactly what I'm referencing.
He's a little light to be an ideal nose tackle hovering around 290 pounds. However, Fairley should be over to rise up over 300 without losing too much of his outstanding athleticism and slide right in as a starter on a re-building Browns defense that definitely needs all the help that they can get.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
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The 49ers desperately need a quarterback of the future, but to select Blaine Gabbert over Peterson would be a horrendous personnel decision for seasons to come.
Unquestionably the best corner in the draft, Peterson's athleticism is second to none. In fact, some are even calling him the best prospect since Charles Woodson, so you know this kid is the real deal.
After posting an impressive 4.32 40 time at the combine, scouts are salivating over what this guy could do for their team's secondary.
San Francisco would have a bright future with Peterson anchoring the secondary.
8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
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Gabbert has really bolstered his positional ranking since the collegiate season ended, and now he looks like a lock to go inside the top ten.
The Titans need a franchise quarterback after an ugly divorce with Vince Young. And frankly, a short-term stop-gap solution with another crusty veteran like Kerry Collins isn't going to sit well with the already uneasy fan base.
He has very good accuracy, size and may be the most NFL-ready QB prospect in the draft, but the reason he won't be the first at his position off the board is because his potential doesn't have nearly the ceiling of Newton's.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
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If Jerry Jones doesn't think that cornerback is a position of need, he may be more delusional than Al Davis.
The Cowboys were repeatedly torched downfield by their opponents time and time again last season, a trend that has been developing since 2009 season. Former first-rounder Mike Jenkins has been inconsistent throughout his entire career, and he may not be the anchor at the position that the coaching staff is looking for.
Amukamara immediately becomes the Cowboys' best corner and has a tremendous opportunity to become an impact player in his first season, and this should be a match made in heaven.
10. Washington Redskins: Juilo Jones, WR Alabama
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With Gabbert off the board, Jones immediately becomes the obvious selection for the Redskins.
A team that has relied on Santana Moss as its number one wideout for far too long, the 'Skins desperately need an upgrade and the coaching staff knows it. Enter Jones, an incredibly speedy wideout capable of stretching the defense, and immediately the receiving core is in much better shape than it was at any point in 2010.
There is a bit of uncertainty regarding the highly touted prospect given his recent surgery, but he should be just fine when training camp starts.
11. Houston Texans: JJ Watt, DE Wisconsin
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This is a dream scenario for the Texans.
While most of the emphasis was placed on Houston's pathetic excuse for a secondary last season, it's not like the rest of the defense was a whole of a lot better.
Watt can immediately come in and provide help to a Texans team that could desperately use him, as few defensive prospects are as game-ready as Watt appears to be. Regardless of what system he lands in, Watt has all the tools to thrive at the next level for several seasons to come.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
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The Vikings have been notorious for having a solid group of players anchoring the defensive line.
Quinn is going to be an integral part in producing the next generation of those players. A first-class athlete with an ideal skill set to be a defensive end, the North Carolina product can come in immediately and replace impending free agent Ray Edwards.
While he won't make the club completely forgot about the tumultuous offseason that has seen Everson Griffin embarrass the team thoroughly, Quinn should do quite well in Minny.
13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith, OT USC
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It's no secret that the Lions need help on the offensive line.
The team definitely improved last season, but with Jeff Backus nearing the end of the line and Gosder Cherilus recovering from knee surgery, neither one is a slam dunk for 2011.
In Smith, the Lions nab an insanely athletic offensive tackle who can immediately provide a large contribution toward protecting Matthew Stafford.
There are concerns about Smith's size, but he should have no problem filling out.
14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith, DE Missouri
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Smith has drawn comparisons to the Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul which fans can bet has head coach Steve Spagnuolo extremely intrigued.
There's going to be some developmental work involved with Smith, but who cares? If he stuck around for another year in school he would've definitely gone as a top 10 pick in 2012, but as it is he still finds himself inside the top 15.
If the Rams can coach him up and don't mind waiting to see results, they could have themselves one heck of a player for the long-term.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
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This one has seemed like a natural fit even before the combine.
With both Ronnie Brown set to test the free agent market and the Dolphins apparent desire not to retain him, Ingram can step in and be the featured power back that this offense sorely needs.
Ingram wasn't quite as productive this season as he was during his Heisman Trophy winning year, but that won't stop the Miami brass from making him the clear-cut selection.
A kid with this much talent shouldn't slip through the cracks past number 15.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
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Kerrigan is exactly the type of prospect that the Jaguars desperately needs.
Aaron Kampan is coming off of his second ACL tear in two seasons, and the team had just three sacks in their final five games.
While the Purdue product won't exactly re-energize the fan base, he would be a lot better for the team in the long-term than wasting a pick and reaching for someone like QB Ryan Mallett.
17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DE California
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As we all saw exemplified by the tandem of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, the skill players on offense that complement Tom Brady don't mean an awful lot.
However, the defense is a work in progress and can always use help. Cameron Jordan is a wildly athletic prospect who can come in and provide immediate dividends.
The uber prospect had a phenomenal combine and an unreal week at the Senior Bowl, and could very well be off the board by the time the Patriots make their selection.
18. San Diego Chargers: Nate Solder, OT Colorado
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One of the least-talked about prospects in the entire draft, Solder is exactly the type of player that the Chargers need anchoring the front line.
He's the ideal player to protect Philip Rivers, and there's no doubt that he needs protection. With an enormous 6'8" frame and no injury history, this kid could turn into a bona fide NFL starter in no time.
The Chargers could decide to go another route and gamble on a wide receiver, but protecting their investment in Rivers has to be priority numero uno.
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
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Castonzo would be an ideal fit on a Giants team led by Tom Coughlin.
Besides his obvious BC ties, Coughlin and the rest of the personnel department will be able to get a good, hard look at Castonzo in person several times before the draft.
William Beatty hasn't progressed into what the Giants may have hoped he'd become when they rolled the dice on him, and Castonzo may be a better long-term answer anyway.
With an aging offensive line, it's time to re-stock.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
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After they addressed the interior line last season, it's time to improve the rest of the defensive line.
A young team without a ton of holes, Clayborn can immediately provide help to an already rapidly improving defense. Additionally, his presence up front will create more opportunities for standout Gerald McCoy.
While he hasn't been talked about as much as some of the other draft prospects, Clayborn has all the potential in the world and should turn heads around the league before long.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
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Ayers is a player that many thought could go much higher than this, but his flame has apparently cooled since the combine.
What he does provide to the Chiefs is a long-term answer for an aging Mike Vrabel. He'll be able to learn a ton from the crafty veteran while also producing from the start.
He's a sound fit for KC's scheme as he has good hands and can drop into pass coverage, but he's still a little raw in other aspects of his game.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
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Carimi was projected to go inside the top 15 when some experts rolled out their first version of the draft, but a lot has changed since then.
Fortunately for the Colts, they get an absolute steal in the Wisconsin product. This kid loves to run block and that's exactly what the team needs.
Additionally, Carimi should be able to provide solid production in the protection of Peyton Manning, who seemed more mortal last season than he ever has previously.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
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Andy Reid is all about second chances.
While Jimmy Smith isn't exactly on the same level as Michael Vick was in terms of that, this is an ideal landing spot for the little-talked about Colorado corner.
The Eagles desperately need help across from Asante Samuel, and Smith can immediately start from day one.
A lot of personnel departments in the league are high on him, so don't be surprised if he gets nabbed earlier than this, but fans of the team everywhere should be celebrating if he falls to number 23.
24. New Orleans Saints: Corey Liuget, DT Illinois
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Liuget might not make a whole lot of sense this season since the team just brought in Shaun Rogers as a free agent, but when's the last time Rogers lasted through a full season unscathed?
Liuget is a big body that can fill the gap next to Sedrick Ellis in a heart beat. Additionally, he's a powerful player both against the rush and the pass which may appeal to the Saints, who seem to be rotating players on defense quite frequently.
While the team could gamble on another talent with a higher ceiling, Liuget is a safe long-term selection that appeals on several levels.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida
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Pouncey stayed in school for an extra season which may have affected his draft position, but it doesn't mean he's any less talented.
An incredibly gifted athlete both mentally and physically, Pouncey is poised to be a part of the Seahawks' offensive line for seasons to come. Next to Russell Okung, Seattle is building something special on the O-line.
When it's all said and done, he has the potential to be even better than twin Maurkice.
26: Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR Maryland
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This kid could be a serious weapon opposite of Anquan Boldin.
Smith will develop as a legitimate deep threat, and he's already got the speed to prove it.
While he might not be talked about as one of the most lethal weapons of the group, he's propelled himself up several draft boards among NFL teams and supplanted himself well ahead of Titus Young.
If he falls into the Ravens' lap, they'd be hard pressed not to take him.
27: Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston, DE Georgia
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This is a developmental pick, but it could pay off in a BIG way.
John Abraham isn't getting any younger, and the Falcons could definitely use help on the other side of the defensive line.
If the Falcons want to try him as a linebacker, Houston has the athletic versatility to do that as well. While hey may be a little raw for some teams, the Falcons are really good already and can afford to roll the dice.
28: New England Patriots: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT Temple
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Wilkerson would be able to provide a rather large insurance policy in the middle of the defense.
Similar to number Marcell Dareus, Wilkerson is rather athletic and gets good penetration from the inside.
He has the potential to go as a top pick in 2012 if he had stayed at school, but Wilkerson decided it was time to go professional despite the looming possibility of a lockout.
The Pats are all about value, and even though they love trading their picks, this kid has value written all over him.
29: Chicago Bears: Ben Ijalana, OT Villanova
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This kid is versatile and can provide depth to an offensive line that needs it.
Although the Bears did a better job protecting Jay Cutler, they still need rapid improvement in a big way.
Ijalana can play multiple positions and provides the youth and skill that the Bears need to re-build a line that has struggled for a long time, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them pull the trigger here.
30: New York Jets: Stephen Paea, NT Oregon State
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Oh no, not another combine freak.
Paea set the record with 49 reps of 225 lbs on the bench, a feat that is absolutely extraordinary when said out loud.
However, the last time the Jets fell in love with a combine king it was Vernon Gholston. Having said that, the team has a gaping hole at defensive tackle and Paea can step in and plug it right away.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Phil Taylor, NT Baylor
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Taylor be groomed to replace Casey Hampton for the Steelers.
With a massive frame similar to Hampton's, Taylor has trimmed his weight to well under 350 and showed off his athleticism at the combine by running a 5.18 40-time.
An injection of youth is exactly what this team needs up front, because they need to do a better job of protecting a typically hobbling Roethilsberger.
32. Green Bay Packers: Mikel LeShoure, RB Illinois
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Mike McCarthy recently said that the team would let Brandon Jackson and Ryan Grant battle it out for carries in the regular season.
If the Packers decide to go that route, it's going to be another tough season running the football.
LeShoure was a popular name leading up to the combine, but hasn't made much noise since his initial rise. If the Packers decide to make him the pick, he can immediately step in and become the best running back on the roster of the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers.
How many rookies can say that?
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