NFL Mock Draft 2011: Which Versatile Players Will Go in Round 1?
2011 NFL mock draft is here and as we get closer to draft day, we're breaking down the entire first round, trying to get a feel for which players will go where on one of the biggest days of the NFL season.
Players like Cam Newton could end up in numerous places, but in this mock, does he go high in the first round, or does he slip a bit towards the middle round? Find out inside, and if you have any questions or comments, leave them below.
Who do you want your team to take in the first round?
No. 1: Carolina Panthers — Marcel Dareus, DL Alabama
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For the longest time, I had Auburn's Nick Fairley as the top man on this list.
However, Marcell Dareus came to the combine as a much more physically impressive player and showed a great workout for the scouts in Indianapolis. This pushes him past Fairley on the big board and has shaken up the top end of the draft.
With this being said, no one has any real grasp of where the Panthers are going with this pick.
No. 2: Denver Broncos — Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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John Fox used to coach a player a lot like Da'Quan Bowers.
That player was Julius Peppers, and Bowers has a lot in common with Peppers, although Bowers has shown some major inconsistencies during his time at Clemson and that may hurt his stock as we get closer to draft day.
But when it comes to the draft, you'll be hard-pressed to find may teams that would pass on an athletic freak like Bowers.
No. 3: Buffalo Bills — Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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While there are some whispers about Cam Newton possibly landing here, I see the Buffalo Bills passing and going with Patrick Peterson.
Peterson is arguably the best cornerback in the draft, along with his versatility, including a strength in the return game. The corner is a big, strong player that always finds himself around the ball and can set the tone for a defense.
If Buffalo goes with a corner, Prince Amukamara would also be in play at this slot.
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No. 4: Cincinnati Bengals — Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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Before Carson Palmer demanded an exit from Cincinnati, I had the Bengals taking A.J. Green out of Georgia.
However, with no natural successor to Palmer, the Bengals will have to do something to plan for the future and that starts a choice between Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton. Ultimately, I think Cincy will go with Gabbert.
He looks more pro-ready than Newton and has fewer concerns on-and-off the field.
No. 5: Arizona Cardinals — Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
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Von Miller is a guy who has seen his stock rise since the end of the season and he solidified that at the combine.
Miller is a great pass-rusher and he's going to be a guy who will do damage at the pro-level with his speed and strength. He'd make a great fit on any team, but the Cardinals look like the team that is going to be able to take him.
Buffalo could snag him earlier in the draft and send the Cardinals moving to Plan B.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns — Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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With Shaun Rogers out in Cleveland, the Browns have a big need up front on defense.
With Marcell Dareus off the board, Nick Fairley, the guy a lot of people thought would be the draft's top pick, becomes now becomes a great option. Fairley has a great motor, is extremely physical up front and can anchor a defense.
Fairley could be a steal at this point in the draft.
No. 7: San Francisco 49ers — Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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San Francisco is in an interesting position heading into the draft.
The 49ers could use a quarterback, but with Jim Harbaugh running the show, it remains to be seen if Cam Newton is the guy for San Francisco. If the team passes on Newton, then it opens up the board and Prince Amukamara looks like a guy who could get a serious look.
The corner is getting Nnamdi Asomugha comparisons and that's all you really need to know about his talent level.
No. 8: Tennessee Titans — Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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While a quarterback is high on the list of needs for the Titans, Cam Newton isn't a fit here.
A guy like Blaine Gabbert would have made more sense for the Titans, but that's not an option for Mike Munchak. The Titans have to keep building the defense and that's where Robert Quinn, who has fallen under the radar, comes into play.
Quinn is a beast on the line and could be a total steal for Tennessee.
No. 9: Dallas Cowboys — J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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While the Dallas Cowboys would love a cornerback at this point, that's not an option now.
Moving down the list of needs for Jason Garrett and company, the defensive line is a big one and that's where J.J. Watt comes into play. Watt is a big, strong guy that can impose his will on his opponent and make plays in the backfield.
A team like Dallas, that didn't have many huge plays on defense could use a player like Watt.
No. 10: Washington Redskins — A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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With the Cincinnati Bengals passing on A.J. Green in this mock, it has sent the wideout on a bit of a slide.
Realistically, I could see Green sliding even further if the Redskins decide to go with Cam Newton to replace Donovan McNabb under center. Green is a big, physical wide receiver who can get up and grab the ball from the defender.
There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't love to have Green on its roster.
No. 11: Houston Texans — Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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Cameron Jordan is another player that has seen his stock rise recently and could climb into the top 15.
Houston needs to work on defense in the worst way possible, and the Texans don't have a corner that's worth taking at this point, so it's time to try and pressure the passer. Jordan would team up with Mario Williams, and that's a scary duo.
Those two could take a ton of pressure off the weak Houston secondary.
No. 12: Minnesota Vikings — Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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As if you couldn't tell by the beating Brett Favre took last year, the Minnesota Vikings need to bolster the offensive line.
The best player on the board to fill that role is Tyron Smith from USC. Smith is a guy who can anchor an offensive line and has bulked up to the point where he can really assert his will against an opposing defense.
He could open some massive holes for Adrian Peterson up front.
No. 13: Detroit Lions — Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
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Jim Schwartz is a defensive-minded coach, and he's going to continue to address it in this draft.
After putting the building block of the defensive line in place in Ndamukong Suh last year, the Lions could use a defensive end and Aldon Smith is a guy with a ton of talent, but needs to polish his technique at the next level.
If there's any guy who can do that, it's Schwartz.
No. 14: St. Louis Rams — Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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This pick is one of the biggest no-brainers in the draft.
With a franchise quarterback in place in Sam Bradford, the St. Louis Rams need to give him a franchise target and that guy is Julio Jones. Jones destroyed the combine and did it on an injured foot, which makes his performance even more impressive.
Jones may want to start looking now at places to live in the St. Louis area.
No. 15: Miami Dolphins — Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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While Mark Ingram is a guy that looked like a lock at this spot, Cam Newton's slide has opened the door for the Dolphins.
It's no secret that Miami is looking to make a splash this offseason and Newton would certainly make up for losing out on Jim Harbaugh earlier this winter. Miami could certainly use a quarterback and he's the best on the board.
It makes too much sense for the Dolphins not to take him if he's available.
No. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars — Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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The Jacksonville Jaguars need a defensive end in the worst way.
Lucky for them, the Jaguars should have their pick of a couple of defensive ends at this point in the draft. In the end, though, Ryan Kerrigan looks like the guy for Jacksonville. He's a hard worker and the type of player that can change the mentality of a locker room.
Kerrigan is a beast and could make a big impact in the AFC South.
No. 17: New England Patriots (Via Oakland) — Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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While Mark Ingram was projected by many people to go to Miami, this mock's taking of Cam Newton has shifted the draft board.
This leaves Ingram as easy pickings for the New England Patriots, who could use a running back like Ingram and Bill Belichick would certainly think about the former Heisman Trophy winner at this juncture in the proceedings.
With another pick in the first round, snagging Ingram at this point and working on the defense would make a lot of sense.
No. 18: San Diego Chargers — Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Akeem Ayers is a guy who has seen his stock drop recently, and he may finally come off the board at this juncture.
Ayers would fit well in San Diego's defensive scheme and being placed on a team that has seen some postseason success, it could turn out to be a great situation for Ayers and his development.
This is a player who could be a steal if he can round himself into a pro player.
No. 19: New York Giants — Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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The New York Giants are going to take a hard look at the offensive line in this draft, and the G-Men will have a couple of choices.
Ultimately, Nate Solder is the man for the job. Solder's stock has risen, but at this point, the big lineman from Colorado would be somewhat of a steal for the Giants. While there are plenty of candidates to choose from, Solder is the class of the group.
Eli Manning would love to see this big man protecting him up front.
No. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Tampa Bay is an exciting, young team that is looking to make the leap to the next level.
The defense could use some work, however, and Adrian Clayborn could be the guy to help solidify the defensive-end position. The Buccaneers have worked on developing other areas of the defense, including the interior of the line.
Clayborn would give Tampa Bay a guy who can really get after the quarterback and pressure opposing offenses into mistakes.
No. 21: Kansas City Chiefs — Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Kansas City has a couple of areas it would like to address, mainly the offensive line and nose-tackle position.
In the end, I see the Chiefs going with Gabe Carimi out of Wisconsin to try and anchor the offensive line in front of Matt Cassel and Jamaal Charles. Wisconsin always produces big, physical linemen and Carimi has the potential to be a total stud.
However, don't be shocked to see a guy like Phil Taylor go off the board here to solidify the nose tackle position.
No. 22: Indianapolis Colts — Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Peyton Manning needs some help up front, and the Colts are looking to give it to him during the draft.
Anthony Castonzo is a guy that can step in and be a starter for a team and has all the tools to do it at a high level. He won't be a stud offensive lineman that is in the top-five at his position, but he's a guy who can start for a long, long time.
The Colts have issues up front and Castonzo would help resolve them in a hurry.
No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles — Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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We all saw the pounding Michael Vick took last year.
Philadelphia needs to protect the guy the Eagles want to lock up long-term, and by drafting Derek Sherrod, Vick will be able to breathe a little easier under center. Sherrod is a mountain of a man that can certainly protect the quarterback.
A cornerback is also an option here, with Brandon Harris standing out above the rest.
No. 24: New Orleans Saints — Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
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When you set the record for the most reps on the bench press, your draft stock is going to rise.
Stephen Paea has proven to be a big, strong, physical presence in the middle of a defense, and his performance at the combine certainly turned heads and locked his status as a first-round draft pick. He is certainly an option for the Saints.
New Orleans could use a playmaker in the middle and Paea certainly looks like one.
No. 25: Seattle Seahawks — Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Well, Jake Locker, you went from the first-overall pick, to the bottom of the first round.
That tends to happen when your team struggles and you can't hit the broad side of a barn with one of your passes. Locker has a lot of upside, but he's also a project at the next level and with the quarterback situation a bit up in the air in Seattle, Locker could be a solid option here.
The Seahawks could also look at a cornerback at this juncture.
No. 26: Baltimore Ravens — Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
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Torrey Smith may not be a name that blows fans away, but he's worth the pick.
Smith excelled at Maryland, and with the Ravens going back to the drawing board after postseason failures at the wide receiver position, guys like Jonathan Baldwin and Titus Young are certainly options, but Smith looks like the current choice.
In a veteran group, Smith should come along rather quickly.
No. 27: Atlanta Falcons — Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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It would be fitting that Justin Houston would land with the Atlanta Falcons.
While Atlanta had the best record in the NFC, the Falcons had issues on defense and Houston is a guy that can get after the passer off the edge and really cause problems for opposing quarterbacks and offenses.
Houston wouldn't have to move far to get to his new home and it could resonate big with the fans.
No. 28: New England Patriots — Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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The New England Patriots made great strides on the defensive side of the ball last year and Bill Belichick will continue that in the draft.
Corey Liuget of Illinois is a guy that is most certainly an option at this point in the draft. He is also a guy that New England can turn into a player who can produce at a high level in that young defense. He'll be thrown into the fire, but at 6'3," 300 pounds, he's certainly an imposing presence, especially when considering his speed.
Belichick will get him to a point where he can play at the next level.
No. 29: Chicago Bears — Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
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With the success of his brother, Mike Pouncey's name certainly will draw some fan recognition.
The Chicago Bears simply could not protect Jay Cutler and it showed all season long. Adding Pouncey will give Cutler some time to throw back there and hopefully keep the franchise quarterback upright and healthy.
If it's not Pouncey, it must be another lineman.
No. 30: New York Jets — Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
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With Kris Jenkins out of the picture in New York, it's time to address the nose tackle position.
A couple of years ago, no one thought Phil Taylor would be in this position, but after leaving Penn State, Taylor got himself in shape and turned around the perceptions people had of him after all of the character issues that led to his exit from Happy Valley.
The man can be a force up front, and Rex Ryan would have a great tool at his disposal in Taylor.
No. 31: Pittsburgh Steelers — Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
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Pittsburgh has been working on its offensive line for years, and it still needs improvement.
Ben Roethlisberger has had to run for his life many times behind that line, and bringing in a guy like Benjamin Ijalana would help Big Ben make his reads and get off a clean pass. Villanova's not a big-time school, but he's a big-time talent.
Ijalana is a guy who can really help bolster the line in front of Roethlisberger.
No. 32: Green Bay Packers — Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
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As we saw last year, the Green Bay Packers have limited depth behind Ryan Grant.
If Grant goes down with an injury next year, the Packers have to be prepared and Mikel Leshoure would certainly provide a great fallback plan. His stock is rising and some people think this team may take the chance and draft him ahead of Mark Ingram.
If that's the case, then that would make the running back a steal at this point in the draft.
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