NFL Mock Draft 2011: How Do the Prospects Stack Up After the Combine?
Where are we going?
What does the future hold?
What’s the outcome going to be?
These are questions plaguing the NFL right now as the clock on labor talks inches closer to midnight.
While the future of the league is currently a little hazy, one thing that we do now is that there will be an NFL Draft this year.
Thank god!
So let’s forget about all the hoopla surrounding an impending lockout and just focus on some of the league’s future stars for the next few weeks. The 2011 draft class is one of the deepest and most talented we’ve seen since the turn of the millennium.
We still don't know where all the prospects will fall just yet, but the picture is starting to become clearer every day.
Here's a look at how the first round might play out.
1. Carolina Panthers: DT Marcell Dareus
1 of 32
School: Alabama
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 319
40: 4.93
Marcell Dareus is a versatile enough player to handle lining up in any defensive front that new Carolina coach Ron Rivera can come up with.
Dareus is an aggressive penetrator who is equally disruptive against the run and the pass.
The fun thing about this draft is that the Panthers can go a few different directions with the No. 1 pick, and it's still not clear at this point if they're leaning towards any one particular player or position.
2. Denver Broncos: DE Da’Quan Bowers
2 of 32
School: Clemson
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 280
40: n/a
New Denver head coach John Fox is going to hope he can catch lightning in a bottle twice when the Broncos select quarterback crusher Da'Quan Bowers at the No. 2 spot, the same position Fox took standout DE Julius Peppers nine years ago.
Bowers, who led the country with 15 sacks during his breakout junior season in 2010, would be a great fit as the Broncos defense attempts the transition to a 4-3 alignment for 2011.
3. Buffalo Bills: QB Cam Newton
3 of 32
School: Auburn
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5''
Weight: 248
40: 4.59
Say what you will about Cam Newton, but just remember that, deep down, this Buffalo franchise knows that Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't the long-term answer at quarterback.
Also, GM Buddy Nix has shown a favoritism in his drafting tendencies towards selecting SEC players and prospects from the South.
Not to mention that coach Chan Gailey has proven he can work well with mobile quarterbacks in the past.
Now, I'm not saying Bills fans have to start stocking up on No. 2 jerseys just yet. I'm just saying it's something to keep in the back of your mind.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: WR A.J. Green
4 of 32
School: Georgia
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 211
40: 4.50
Terrell Owens is already out the door.
Fellow diva WR Chad Ochocinco is likely to follow.
We’ll have to put that one in the “that didn’t work so well” file.
The Bengals are in need of a new star receiver, as well as a new starting QB if Carson Palmer actually makes good on his retirement threats, so Cam Newton and A.J. Green are my two favorites here.
5. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Von Miller
5 of 32
School: Texas A&M
Class: Senior
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 246
40: 4.53
Personally, I’d like to see Von Miller go to Buffalo at No. 3. He could do wonders for the Bills defense. But sometimes, we can’t always get what we wish for.
If Miller gets past Buffalo, the second-best landing spot would be Arizona.
The Cardinals could really use Miller's presence on the edge, but they could also use some cornerback help across the way from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
If coach Ken Whisenhunt truly is trying to turn the Cardinals into the desert version of the Steelers, he could use a high-producing pass rusher to help mimic the ones currently found in Pittsburgh.
6. Cleveland Browns: DT Nick Fairley
6 of 32
School: Auburn
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 291
40: 4.87
The talk of Nick Fairley being the consensus No. 1 pick was a bit premature, but just because a few analysts may have perched Fairley a little too high, that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the few elite prospects in this year’s class.
Fairley was just as an important factor in Auburn’s title run as Cam Newton was this past season. There were times when the former JUCO transfer was simply unblockable.
The Browns, who will be switching to a 4-3 defense under new head coach Par Shurmur, could use a guy like Fairley in the middle to give the defense some instant credibility.
7. San Francisco 49ers: CB Patrick Peterson
7 of 32
School: LSU
Class: Junior
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 219
40: 4.34
I’ll be honest. Last year, I felt that safety Eric Berry was the best prospect of the 2010 class. Yes, even better than Ndamkuong Suh.
So naturally, not only was I upset that my favorite team, the Tampa Bay Bucs, passed on Berry to pick the slouchy Gerald McCoy, I was also shocked that the game-changing DB fell all the way to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 5.
That’s what happens, though. Defensive Backs just aren’t valued the same as say a starting caliber quarterback or a top-notch linemen, which does seem funny considering how the league is trending towards such a pass-happy landscape.
LSU CB Patrick Peterson, in my opinion, along with many others, is the best prospect in this draft, but when you factor in the value of his position, that may not necessarily even guarantee him a spot in the top five.
Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers wouldn’t mind if Peterson slipped a bit. They could use a corner in the worst way.
8. Tennessee Titans: QB Blaine Gabbert
8 of 32
School: Missouri
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 234
40: 4.62
The Vince Young era is over in Tennessee.
The Jeff Fisher era is over in Tennessee.
Now, it's time for Mike Munchak to take control of the Titans.
Will Munchak choose QB Blaine Gabbert to be the new face of his team?
9. Dallas Cowboys: CB Prince Amukamara
9 of 32
School: Nebraska
Class: Senior
Height: 6'0''
Weight: 206
40: 4.43
Do you think Prince Amukamara had Patrick Peterson looking over his shoulder just a little bit when the defensive backs were on the field at the Combine?
Peterson, up to this point, has widely been considered the better cornerback prospect, but that was before Amukamara went out and looked like a half thoroughbred/half athlete in Indianapolis.
Amukamra’s performance during workouts will have personnel folks taking notice.
You can bet that Jerry Jones will have himself a look.
10. Washington Redskins: QB Jake Locker
10 of 32
School: Washington
Class: Senior
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 231
40: 4.59
Jake Plummer was speaking the truth when he said that his former coach, Mike Shanahan, won’t be satisfied until he finds the next John Elway.
Shanahan tried it with Jay Cutler in Denver, but neither ended up sticking around.
Now, after last season’s disastrous experiment with Donovan McNabb, Shanahan will have to find a new signal-caller for his second year on the job as coach of the Redskins.
Could that quarterback just happen to be Jake Locker, who the Skins reportedly took a liking to last year?
Locker would be a nice mid-to-late first-round pickup, but if Washington chooses to take him at No. 10, they could face some criticism.
Personally, I would take WR Julio Jones here.
11. Houston Texans: OLB Aldon Smith
11 of 32
School: Missouri
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 263
40: 4.75
Aldon Smith is without a doubt my favorite prospect in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Smith has elite athleticism as well as the unquestioned potential to be one of the five best players to come out of this class.
The former college defensive end could flourish in a new role as a 3-4 rush linebacker.
New Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips just happens to be installing a 3-4 defense down in Houston this season, and he could use a DeMarcus Ware-type player to come from the outside.
12. Minnesota Vikings: OT Tyron Smith
12 of 32
School: USC
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5''
Weight: 307
40: n/a
One of the fastest risers in this year’s draft is USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith, the only prominent underclassmen linemen to declare this year (I’m not counting Nick Claytor as prominent).
Without a true No. 1 lineman this year, Smith could work himself into being a top 15 pick just based of the limited supply and high demand for his position.
One of the teams who could use Smith’s tight end-like athleticism is the Minnesota Vikings.
Vikings fans had to suffer through Bryant McKinnie’s worst season ever last year.
Minnesota will most likely be looking for McKinnie’s ultimate replacement if they choose to pass on taking a QB in Round 1.
13. Detriot Lions: DE Robert Quinn
13 of 32
School: North Carolina
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 265
40: 4.70
To put it simply: If Robert Quinn wasn’t suspended for his junior season, he’d probably be favored to be the top pick in this year’s draft.
Quinn, who had a brilliant two-season stretch to start his career in Chapel Hill, was hurt by missing a full season’s worth of action in 2010. His growth has been stunted, and his momentum from 2009 has vanished.
Quinn will slide more than he should in this draft, and it will be interesting to see which team decides to finally pull the trigger on him.
The Detroit Lions wouldn’t mind finding a talented pass rusher to stick next to last year’s top pick Ndamukong Suh.
14. St. Louis Rams: WR Julio Jones
14 of 32
School: Alabama
Class: Junior
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 220
40: 4.39
Julio Jones turned out to be the “Hey, are you seeing this?” prospect at this year’s combine.
Julio’s overall performance in Indy was one for the ages, and it certainly cemented his status as a top 15 pick.
The Rams would love to find a young No. 1 receiver for second-year QB Sam Bradford to connect with.
If Jones happens to be available at No. 14, the card will probably be in the commissioner’s hands before he even gets the chance to put St. Louis on the clock.
15. Miami Dolphins: RB Mikel Leshoure
15 of 32
School: Illinois
Class: Junior
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 227
40: 4.59
I’ve been trying to get the word out for a few months that Mikel Leshoure is a better prospect than Mark Ingram.
There didn’t seem to be many readers that were overly receptive to that idea, but now that Leshoure went out and outperformed the 2009 Heisman winner at the Combine, hopefully people will start taking him more serious.
Leshoure knows how to do one thing once he gets a handoff; he knows how to produce.
The Dolphins backfield is dangerously thin and could use the boost that Leshoure would provide.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Jimmy Smith
16 of 32
School: Colorado
Class: Senior
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 211
40: 4.46
You could say that Jimmy Smith has his fair share of character concerns, and you would be right.
You could also make the case that Smith’s attitude isn’t where it needs to be from a maturity standpoint, and you would have a worthy argument.
But even with all that said, you also have to factor in that there just aren’t many 6’2’’ man-to-man corners who have the God-given athleticism that Smith possesses.
The Jaguars could use some youth and speed at the cornerback position, and Jimmy Smith obviously brings both of those traits to the table.
17. New England Patriots: DE J.J. Watt
17 of 32
School: Wisconsin
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5''
Weight: 290
40: 4.84
Last year, the New England Patriots were able to outperform their roster limitations and finish the regular season at 14-2. It just goes to show how deadly of a duo coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady really are.
Still, the Patriots have some holes to fill, and they should start by looking on the defensive side of the ball, where they are in need of some new blood in the front seven.
For every draft, it seems people get into the habit of saying certain prospects are “Patriot players”.
Some guys just look like they could play for New England, and this year, one of those prospects is Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt.
Watt, who dominated the Big Ten this past season, would fit in perfectly with New England’s 3-4 defense.
18. San Diego Chargers: DE Cameron Jordan
18 of 32
School: Cal
Class: Senior
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 287
40: 4.78
The Chargers defense is in a bit of a transition phase right now after losing big name players such as OLB Shawne Merriman, CB Antonio Cromartie and NT Jamal Williams recently.
San Diego could use some help along the defensive line, and they may only have to head up to Berkeley to find it. Cal’s Cameron Jordan looks like a prototypical 3-4 defensive end, and he has the athleticism to be a real difference-maker for San Diego.
19. New York Giants: LB Martez Wilson
19 of 32
School: Illinois
Class: Junior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 250
40: 4.49
Can someone explain why the Giants passed on both Maurkice Pouncey and Sean Weatherspoon in the first round last year?
I mean, because why not just forget about your two most glaring needs in favor of finding a nice, raw developmental prospect, right?
It’s not the like the Giants are a team that’s built to win now or anything.
Oh wait.
The Giants need to grab two things early on in this draft: an offensive lineman and a linebacker. No ifs, ands or more developmental prospects.
Jerry, the window is closing.
20. Tampa Bay Bucs: DE Ryan Kerrigan
20 of 32
School: Purdue
Class: Senior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 267
40: 4.71
As a casual Tampa Bay fan, it doesn’t really matter to me what player the Bucs take with pick No. 20, just so long as it’s a defensive end.
Deep down, I’m hoping for Robert Quinn, but I’m also a realist.
Ryan Kerrigan would be fine with me. He’s one of those guys who you just look at and say, yeah, that dude definitely isn’t coming in and causing any trouble. He's ready to go to work.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: DT Phil Taylor
21 of 32
School: Baylor
Class: Senior
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 334
40: 5.20
If we were ranking this year’s prospects based on how scary of a horror movie villain they would be, then Baylor’s Phil Taylor would hover right around the top of the list.
Big Phil is an absolute monster.
He’s the type of monster that would fit perfectly next to Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson in the middle of Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 defense.
22. Indianapolis Colts: OT Gabe Carimi
22 of 32
School: Wisconsin
Class: Senior
Height: 6'7''
Weight: 314
40: 5.27
Indianapolis GM Bill Polian knows he made a mistake by not drafting Rodger Saffold like he should have at the end of the 2010 first round. Luckily, he’ll have the chance to redeem himself this year.
Polian, a lover of the Big Ten conference, could look to Wisconsin to find his solution for solving the Colts’ constant offensive line woes from a year ago.
Gabe Carimi, this year’s Outland Trophy winner, looked better than expected at the Combine and may have solidified himself as a first-round pick.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Derek Sherrod
23 of 32
School: Mississippi State
Class: Senior
Height: 6'5''
Weight: 321
40: 5.20
It’s never easy to peg which direction the Eagles are going to go with their first-round pick. This year, they could look to go with a cornerback, linebacker or offensive lineman.
Philadelphia could use some help at offensive tackle after Winston Justice's poor showing last year.
Over the last two years, the Eagles used just two of their 21 picks on offensive linemen, so expect the organization to bring in a couple new faces this year.
24. New Orleans Saints: S Rahim Moore
24 of 32
School: UCLA
Class: Junior
Height: 5'11''
Weight: 202
40:4.53
If you watched the Saints vs. Seahawks playoff battle back in January, then you know exactly where New Orleans could use some help. Even though the entire defense looked atrocious throughout the whole game, it was the secondary that stood out as the evident weak spot of the unit.
After the game, safety Roman Harper took much of the heat for his lackluster play. Saints fans have grown tired of Harper’s lack of aggression, and it could be time for a change at the position.
Even though UCLA’s Rahim Moore, the only safety in this year’s class with first-round ability, isn’t the type of impact player that Eric Berry was coming out last year, he could still be a solid leader for an NFL secondary.
25. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jonathan Baldwin
25 of 32
School: Pitt
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 228
40: 4.50
Mike Williams’ comeback was a nice revelation for Pete Carroll, but it’s still obvious that the second-year head coach needs some help at wide receiver.
Golden Tate, the second-round pick in 2010, was barely a blip on the radar screen in his rookie season, and the rest of the receiver corps left a lot to be desired.
Seattle could use a No.1 go-to option in the passing game, but since they’re picking at 25, they won’t have a shot at the two big names, A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
Pitt receiver Jonathan Baldwin, a bit of a risky pick, is one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in this draft. If he booms, he could change the face of the Seahawks offense.
26. Baltimore Ravens: WR Leonard Hankerson
26 of 32
School: Miami
Class: Senior
Height: 6'1''
Weight: 209
40: 4.43
How long have the Ravens been searching for a definitive No. 1 receiver?
It seems like at least a decade.
Baltimore thought they had finally solved the problem when they brought in Anquan Boldin, but he wasn’t the same player we saw in Arizona.
Boldin turned out to be a disappointment.
The Ravens receivers are already ancient, and they’re not about to get any younger. Giving developing QB Joe Flacco some new help should aid his progress.
27. Atlanta Falcons: DE Adrian Clayborn
27 of 32
School: Iowa
Class: Senior
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 281
40: 4.83
Atlanta was lucky in 2010 when LB Sean Weatherspoon fell into their lap at pick No. 19. Now the Falcons will be hoping that one of the many big-name defensive ends falls to them in a similar fashion.
One player who I can see taking a bit of a slide is Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn.
Clayborn, who didn’t have the senior season he was hoping for, probably would have been best served entering the 2010 Draft after a strong junior campaign.
If he ends up on the Falcons, though, neither party will likely be complaining.
Atlanta needs to find somebody to fill the aging John Abraham’s cleats, and Clayborn would be a great fit on the edge of the Falcons 4-3 front.
28. New England Patriots: OT Nate Solder
28 of 32
School: Colorado
Class: Senior
Height: 6'8''
Weight: 319
40: 5.05
Tom Brady probably has another five or so years left in the tank. However, unfortunately for the Patriots, Brady’s blindside blocker, left tackle Matt Light, won’t be around that much longer.
Light, who will be 33 at the start of the 2011 season, will have to be replaced at some point, and since the Patriots have so many picks early on in this draft, this might be the year to find that next guy.
Colorado’s Nate Solder could serve to get a little stronger in the run game, but he has unreal athleticism and footwork for a player his size.
He should do a fine job keeping Brady protected for the latter part of his career.
29. Chicago Bears: DT Corey Liuget
29 of 32
School: Illinois
Class: Junior
Height: 6'2''
Weight: 297
40: 4.95
Corey Liuget is definitely going to rise up draft boards over the next month or so. But it remains to be seen just how high he will end up climbing. Liuget wowed scouts as a junior in 2010, flashing power, quickness and leverage.
One team that could be very interested in his services is the Chicago Bears.
I have a feeling that at least a few Bears scouts found their way down to Champaign in 2010 to check out Liuget. The Illinois DT would be a big help as an attack-style interior defensive linemen in Chicago's Cover 2 scheme.
Remember, the Bears just released DT Tommie Harris, whose play had been on the decline for a few years.
The team could also use some help on the offensive line as well.
30. New York Jets: OT Anthony Castonzo
30 of 32
School: Boston College
Class: Senior
Height: 6'7''
Weight: 311
40: 5.23
The Jets made a wise decision letting go of aging offensive tackle Damien Woody. But now coach Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum will have to figure out how to replace him.
One offensive line prospect who they could look at is Anthony Castonzo.
Castonzo would make a perfect right tackle in the NFL, and he is one of the most proven college players in this whole class, starting every game of his four-year career.
The Jets could also use some help in the defensive front seven, especially along the defensive line.
A guy like Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward would fit in perfectly in Ryan’s defensive scheme.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Muhammad Wilkerson
31 of 32
School: Temple
Class: Junior
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 315
40: 4.96
You might think that cornerback and offensive line are the biggest need areas for Pittsburgh, but I believe they could use some help on the defensive line.
Defensive ends Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel will be 34 and 33 respectively this season, and while they have Ziggy Hood developing into a well-rounded player, more help will eventually be needed.
Temple’s Muhammad Wilkerson would be a great fit in the Steelers system as a 3-4 defensive end.
Wilkerson is one of the most intriguing, lesser publicized prospects in the year’s class.
He was a true terror as a junior, flashing pure power and remarkable quickness.
32. Green Bay Packers: RB Mark Ingram
32 of 32
School: Alabama
Class: Junior
Height: 5'9''
Weight: 215
40: 4.62
Mark Ingram may have a Heisman Trophy on his resume, but that might not stop him from taking a bit of a slide on draft night.
After a terrific career at Alabama, Ingram looked fairly impressive and solid overall at the Combine, but he didn’t exactly wow anybody.
Teams will wonder if Ingram is really worth such a high pick at a position that’s becoming less valued every year. Ingram’s true worth probably falls somewhere in the 25-32 pick range.
The Packers, who had the benefit of a surging James Starks late last season, could use some help at running back, even though it’s not a dire need.
If Ingram started to slip into the later part of the first round, Green Bay could be enticed by the thought of adding his talents to their backfield.
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