NFL Mock Draft 2011: Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, and Entire First Round with Video
Let's for a moment forget about all the NFL labor, lockout and CBA junk and turn our attention to the biggest event of the off season, the draft.
The NFL Draft will take place from April 28-30 regardless of if there is a lockout or not.
Mock drafts are released before the football season even starts. As the season progresses, the picture of what the draft will look somewhat like gets clearer and clearer.
Now that the NFL Combine has passed, that picture is clearer than ever.
Here is a 2011 NFL Mock Draft of the first round with video:
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)
1 of 32Quick Take: There isn't anyone deserving of a number one overall selection in this year's draft class. Patrick Peterson is the best player, but you can't take a cornerback at number one, right?
Cam Newton's potential is through the roof. It seems as if the Panthers are done with Jimmy Clausen. They're swinging for the fences against a knuckleball pitcher, but it's their best option.
Other Options: A.J. Green, Da'Quan Bowers, Patrick Peterson
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)
2 of 32Quick Take: After the combine, Marcell Dareus has probably passed Nick Fairley on most people's big boards.
After re-signing Champ Bailey, corner is no longer a major need, and it sounds like John Fox is content with who the Broncos have at defensive end. They still must get bigger up front on the defensive side of the football, and adding a 320 pounder who can run a 4.9 to the interior will do the trick.
Other Options: Da'Quan Bowers
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller (OLB, Texas A&M)
3 of 32Quick Take: Miller's stock skyrocketed after the Senior Bowl, and then it skyrocketed again after the combine.
The Bills defense was near the bottom of the league in sacks last season. They could be near the top after the addition of Miller and a rejuvenated Shawne Merriman.
Other Options: Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Patrick Peterson
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers (DE, Clemson)
4 of 32Quick Take: The Bengals have to forget Antwan Odom. There's not a very good chance that he'll be able to make an impact this season with his injury history.
They need something across from Carlos Dunlap, and Bowers has the potential to give Cincinnati two double-digit sack performers for years to come.
Other Options: Blaine Gabbert, A.J. Green
5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)
5 of 32Quick Take: Patrick Peterson is the most talented player in the entire draft, and there isn't much to argue about that.
Cornerback isn't a huge need for Arizona, but the position could be upgraded pretty easily. Finding a pass rusher is a bigger need, but Peterson is too good to pass up.
Other Options: Von Miller, Robert Quinn
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green (WR, Georgia)
6 of 32Quick Take: If A.J. Green would've ran a faster 40 time, he could've challenged Patrick Peterson for the top player in the entire draft.
He falls and the Browns should be ecstatic. Colt McCoy would have a Pro Bowl wide receiver to throw to for the next decade.
Other Options: Julio Jones (If for some reason they like him better), Nick Fairley, Robert Quinn
7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)
7 of 32Quick Take: Blaine Gabbert's Pro Day performance will either make or break his stock.
He could go as high as number one or as low as the top of the second. As for now, the 49ers need a quarterback if they want to win anything.
Other Options: Prince Amukamara, Robert Quinn, Nick Fairley
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley (DT, Auburn)
8 of 32Quick Take: The Titans aren't necessarily lacking talent at defensive tackle, but they definitely are lacking size. All of their tackles have experience at defensive end, which is great for pass rushing, but not stopping the run.
Fairley would give the Titans the interior presence they've been lacking since Albert Haynesworth left town.
Other Options: Blaine Gabbert, Robert Quinn
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska)
9 of 32Quick Take: Amukamara would be a number one corner in any other draft class, but he just happened to declare the same year as Patrick Peterson. He's great value at ninth overall.
The Cowboys really need corner help after their secondary gave up big plays throughout the year.
Other Options: Robert Quinn, Nick Fairley
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones (WR, Alabama)
10 of 32Quick Take: Julio Jones is a freak at 6'3", 220 pounds and can run a sub 4.4 forty. He may even have the best highlight tape in the draft, but inconsistent hands drop him to number 10.
If the Redskins don't re-sign Santana Moss, they'll have virtually nothing at the wide receiver position next season.
Other Options: Blaine Gabbert, Robert Quinn
11. Houston Texans: Robert Quinn (OLB, North Carolina)
11 of 32Quick Take: The Texans need a pass rushing outside linebacker for their new 3-4 defense.
Quinn had a solid combine, but not nearly as good as some expected. He could've gone at number three, but he falls to number 11.
Other Options: Prince Amukamara, Cameron Jordan, Aldon Smith
12. Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith (OT, USC)
12 of 32Quick Take: There's no reason why Adrian Peterson shouldn't lead the league in rushing every single year. The Vikings must upgrade their offensive line.
Tyron Smith is by far the best offensive line prospect in the draft after he responded to concerns about size by weighing in at 307 pounds at the combine.
Other Options: Cameron Jordan
13. Detroit Lions: Cameron Jordan (DE, California)
13 of 32Quick Take: Cameron Jordan is like the defensive end version of Ndamukong Suh; he's too powerful to be blocked.
Kyle Vanden Bosch is getting up there in age, and Jim Schwartz loves to rotate linemen as part of his four-man pass rush regardless.
Other Options: Tyron Smith, Aldon Smith, Akeem Ayers
14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith (DE, Missouri)
14 of 32Quick Take: The Rams would love to take a wide receiver here, but there aren't any worth being taken at 14.
James Hall is 34, so they could look for a future replacement.
Other Options: Julio Jones
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram (HB, Alabama)
15 of 32Quick Take: Mark Ingram is without a doubt the best running back in the 2011 draft class.
The Dolphins will most likely lose Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams this offseason. Ingram would not just replace the two backs; he'd be an upgrade.
Other Options: None
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: J.J. Watt (DE, Wisconsin)
16 of 32Quick Take: The Jaguars need defensive end help after the Aaron Kampman pickup was a flop because of injury.
Watt had an impressive 2010 campaign, and as a result, he flew up the draft boards.
Other Options: Ryan Kerrigan
17. New England Patriots: Akeem Ayers (OLB, UCLA)
17 of 32Quick Take: The Patriots haven't had a feared pass rusher since Adalius Thomas.
Akeem Ayers is the most versatile player in the entire draft. Bill Belichick loves those types of players.
Other Options: Nate Solder, Corey Liuget
18. San Diego Chargers: Nate Solder (OT, Colorado)
18 of 32Quick Take: Jeremy Clary could easily be upgraded at right tackle for the Chargers.
Nate Solder has a ton of potential at 6'8". He looked very athletic during drills at the combine.
Other Options: J.J. Watt
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo (OT, Boston College)
19 of 32Quick Take: The Giants don't have a franchise left tackle who's really secured the position at the moment.
Anthony Castonzo could be that guy. He has the size every coach wants in their tackles at 6'7", 311 pounds.
Other Options: Mark Ingram, Akeem Ayers
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue)
20 of 32Quick Take: When everyone was calling Ryan Kerrigan a high-motor, but unathletic end, he ran a 4.67 at the combine.
The Buccaneers have nothing at defensive end. Kerrigan will be able to start right away.
Other Options: Akeem Ayers
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor (NT, Baylor)
21 of 32Quick Take: The Chiefs need an upgrade at the nose tackle position.
In a thin nose draft, Phil Taylor is number one by far. He has distanced himself from the pack with impressive performances at the Senior Bowl, combine, and his Pro Day.
Other Options: Akeem Ayers, Gabe Carimi
22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi (OT, Wisconsin)
22 of 32Quick Take: The Colts must protect Peyton Manning, but don't forget their running game is a joke as well.
Gabe Carimi is a beastly run blocker and has the potential to be a solid pass blocker as well.
Other Options: Mike Pouncey
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Sherrod (OT, Mississippi St.)
23 of 32Quick Take: The only thing that can stop the Eagles offense is their own offensive line. Upgrading that and their defense must be the focus this off season.
Sherrod may be able to win the starting job over Winston Justice right away.
Other Options: Gabe Carimi, Jimmy Smith
24. New Orleans Saints: Corey Liuget (DT, Illinois)
24 of 32Quick Take: The Saints don't have too many weaknesses. One thing that could be improved is their interior defensive line.
Liuget should be able to get into the Saints rotation right away.
Other Options: Akeem Ayers, Martez Wilson
25. Seattle Seahawks: Adrian Clayborn (DE, Iowa)
25 of 32Quick Take: The Seahawks defensive ends played great last season, but will they repeat that performance? Chris Clemons may be a one-time wonder and Raheem Brock is aging.
Pete Carroll doesn't care about a few question marks surrounding a player's character, so Clayborn could be the pick.
Other Options: Jimmy Smith, Mike Pouncey
26. Baltimore Ravens: Muhammad Wilkerson (DE, Temple)
26 of 32Quick Take: The Ravens could afford to upgrade the defensive end position. Their defense is aging and must add some youth.
Muhammad Wilkerson is arguably the top small school prospect in the draft.
Other Options: Torrey Smith
27. Atlanta Falcons: Torrey Smith (WR, Maryland)
27 of 32Quick Take: Atlanta has nothing across from Roddy White. Finding weapons for Matt Ryan must be the Falcons number one goal this off season.
Torrey Smith's stock is getting higher and higher after blowing up at the combine.
Other Options: Derek Sherrod
28. New England: Mike Pouncey (G, Florida)
28 of 32Quick Take: The Patriots must protect Tom Brady. They have plenty of draft picks and could fill all of their needs pretty easily, if they actually kept all their picks.
Pouncey is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft and should be able to start right away.
Other Options: Muhammad Wilkerson, Cam Heyward, Jimmy Smith, Justin Houston
29. Chicago Bears: Benjamin Ijalana (G, Villanova)
29 of 32Quick Take: The Bears offensive line is the worst in the league and must be addressed in the first round, even if they have to reach.
Ijalana could play either guard or right tackle for the Bears in 2011.
Other Options: Mike Pouncey
30. New York Jets: Justin Houston (OLB, Georgia)
30 of 32Quick Take: For a heavy blitz defense, the Jets don't have any stud pass rushers.
Adding a player like Justin Houston with 3-4 experience would be welcomed after Vernon Gholston busted, because he's better suited for a 4-3.
Other Options: Cam Heyward
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jimmy Smith (CB, Colorado)
31 of 32Quick Take: Bryant McFadden is the weak link in an always elite Steelers defense.
Jimmy Smith is a steal at No. 31. He could be picked in the teens, but character problems have surfaced.
Other Options: Mike Pouncey, Benjamin Ijalana
32. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward (DE, Ohio St.)
32 of 32Quick Take: The Packers probably have less needs than any other team in the league, which shouldn't be surprising.
The defensive line isn't a weakness, but Cullen Jenkins is a free agent, and Johnny Jolly has one year left on his contract.
Other Options: Mikel LeShoure
David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
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