2011 NFL Mock Draft: Where They Land Following the Combine
The 2011 NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone and we now have a little bit better picture as to who may go where prior to the 2011 NFL Draft.
Granted, there is still a lot of work to do as there will be many school-sponsored workouts as well as individual private workouts held between players and just one or a few teams. Things will now start shaping up in terms of needs, who might go where and what teams might end up doing.
So without further delay, here is the first post-combine mock draft that I have done to date.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14) - Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
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Dareus has taken over the top spot in the draft (ahead of Nick Fairley) thanks to a very good combine workout. The Panthers are almost sure to go for a defensive player with their first pick but if they find out that quarterback Jimmy Clausen isn’t the answer for the long term they may choose a quarterback here.
Last mock: Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
2. Denver Broncos (4-12) - Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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With Champ Bailey now signed and ready to go, the Broncos can concentrate on other needs. Adding another pass rusher could be a huge benefit for this team especially with Elvis Dumervil coming off of an injury. With no one knowing just how well he will recover, having the help could be a good idea.
Last mock: Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12) - Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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Peterson has shown himself to be the best cornerback available in the 2011 NFL Draft, and with that, Buffalo should show some interest in him and take him with the third pick in the draft.
The Bills have a pretty good secondary as it is right now but adding Peterson would make it even better and make them one of the better defenses in the AFC.
Last mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) - A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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You can bet that the Bengals are going to go after some wide receiver help in this draft, and if we ever figure out who the best receiver is between Green and Julio Jones, you can bet that they will go after one of those two. Green may be more NFL-ready than Jones and should be the first receiver selected in the draft.
Last mock: No change
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) - Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
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The Cardinals need a quarterback more than anything else and if they fail to sign a veteran quarterback before the draft, then you can bet that they will take a chance and draft Newton here at No. 5. The talent that Newton possesses, as well as his potential, will be too much for the Cardinals to pass up and they will want him at No. 5.
Last mock: No change
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) - Robert Quinn-DE-North Carolina
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The Browns will continue to upgrade their defense by adding Quinn and giving themselves a very strong pass rush. Quinn has been out of football for over a year but has showed NFL scouts that he is ready and able to play. He would be a great addition to this team.
Last mock: Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) - Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
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It’s thought that Gabbert would be an ideal fit in the kind of offense that everyone thinks that new head coach Jim Harbaugh will run. The 49ers need a quarterback after spending the last few seasons trying to find that guy that fits, and if they can start off on the right foot then this franchise could have a promising future.
Last mock: Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10) - Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
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Ever since the departure of Albert Haynesworth, the Titan’s defense hasn’t been the same. Adding a big-bodied defensive tackle that can be a threat on each and every down would go a long way to helping them get back to respectability on defense, so adding Fairley would be a good move in Tennessee.
Last mock: Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10) - Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
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Dallas needs some help in the secondary and adding Amukamara would really fit this team well. He’s a great cover corner with great instincts and skill, and can step into the starting job right away which is what the Cowboys need.
Last mock: Marcell Dareus-DT/DE-Alabama
10. Washington Redskins (6-10) - Jake Locker-QB-Washington
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The Redskins may end up getting rid of quarterback Donovan McNabb, and if they do they will want to get someone to replace him. Locker is proving himself to be an NFL-ready quarterback and could step in and start sooner than later which is exactly what the Redskins need.
Last mock: Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
11. Houston Texans (6-10) - Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
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Adding the best linebacker in the draft would help the Texans' defense out a lot, so if he’s here when they make their pick then you can bet that they will pick him. He can help improve their defense and make their linebacking corps one of the better groups in the NFL.
Last mock: Aldon Smith-DE/OLB-Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) - Cameron Jordan-DE-California
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Wouldn’t it be ironic if they drafted the son of Steve Jordan, their former tight end? Aside from that, the younger Jordan is a nice athlete and could be someone that could take some of the heat off of defensive end Jared Allen and give them another pass rusher to help improve their defense.
Last mock: Jake Locker-QB-Washington
13. Detroit Lions (6-10) - Tyron Smith-OT-USC
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The Lions could go a few different ways here, but they need to protect their quarterback so getting an offensive tackle here would go a long way towards doing that. Smith is starting to look like one of the best offensive tackles in the draft and could end up being a good choice for the Lions here.
Last mock: Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (Fl)
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9) - Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
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The Rams need a true weapon at wide receiver, and after having a great combine you can bet Jones will be high on their list (and perhaps high on the list of other teams that pick before the Rams). If they can get their hands on him, quarterback Sam Bradford will have a great target to throw the ball to and the Rams' offense will be much better in 2011.
Last mock: No change
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9) - Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
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This isn’t a deep draft for running backs and the Dolphins need one, so Ingram would be a great choice for them in the first round. He’s the best running back in the draft and has the capability to step in and start right away for a team that needs to take some pressure off its quarterback and improve its offense.
Last mock: No change
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) - Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
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The Jaguars' pass rush has been off the mark for the past couple of seasons, so adding someone to help them out there would be a step in the right direction. Kerrigan had a solid career at Purdue and looks to be one of the better pass rushers in this year’s draft and could add a lot to the Jaguars' defense.
Last mock: No change
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland 8-8) - Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
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The Patriots need help on both the offensive line, and for the value it would be wise for them to go after a talent like Solder at this point in the draft. After a pretty solid combine Solder is going to be one of the highest-rated offensive tackles in this draft and could end up being one that has a great NFL career.
Last mock: J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7) - J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
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The Chargers really missed the production that Shawne Merriman gave them when he was there (and being productive), so getting a defensive end in this draft is a must. Watt has proven himself to be very worthy of a mid-round selection (in the first round) and could help the Chargers' pass rush immediately.
Last mock: Cameron Jordan-DE-Cal
19. New York Giants (10-6) - Anthony Castanzo-OT-Boston College
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Following a nice combine performance, the Giants, in need of some help at the offensive tackle position should seriously consider taking him. He’s the kind of guy that they need to help get that line back together and make it much more solid than it had been in 2010.
Last mock: Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6) - Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
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With the inside of their defensive line taken care of with their pick last year (Gerald McCoy), the Bucs can take a look at the outside of their d-line and get a good pass rusher. Clayborn had a solid career at the University of Iowa and his skill set should transfer into the NFL well.
Last mock: No change
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) - Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor
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Taylor is a true nose tackle and that’s exactly the position that they need to look at drafting in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Taylor is a monster and someone that could help solidify the middle of the Chiefs' defense. They would be very wise to go for him at this point in the first round.
Last mock: No change
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) - Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
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The Colts are another team that need to upgrade its offensive line so look for them to be interested in a guy like Carimi who comes into this draft as one of the best offensive tackles available. Wisconsin is known for producing some solid offensive-line talent. Carimi should be a good fit in Indianapolis and will give them some improvement on that line.
Last mock: Tyron Smith-OT-USC
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) - Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
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The offensive tackles continue to come off the board as the Eagles should go that route with their pick in the first round of this year’s draft. We saw what happens when you have struggles on the offensive line and the Eagles will try to fight that early in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Last mock: No change
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5) - Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
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The Saints interior defensive line needs some work and at this stage in the draft a player like Oregon State’s Paea would be a nice fit. He’s strong, he’s mobile and he’s athletic, and could be a nice fit in the Saint’s defensive system.
Last mock: Corey Liuget-DT/DE-Illinois
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) - Ryan Mallett-QB-Arkansas
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It’s likely that Charlie Whitehurst isn’t the answer at quarterback for the future and Matt Hasselbeck appears to be on his last legs. Getting a quarterback to develop and insert as a starter in a year or two and despite the fact that Mallett has some off-the-field issues, he could be a good pickup for the Seahawks at this stage in the draft.
Last mock: Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) - Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (Fl)
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You can bet that the Ravens are on the lookout for a cornerback after struggling at the position last season, so if there is a good one available, then they will probably take one here. While Harris didn’t have a strong bowl game, his history, overall, at the University of Miami is strong and he could be of some significant interest to the Ravens in the draft.
Last mock: Cameron Heyward-DT/DE-Ohio State
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) - Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
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Putting another pass rusher on the defensive line would only serve to help the Falcons out, and if Smith is around at 27, then they need to take a look at him and figure out how he can help their defense. With John Abraham getting older and being the only true pass-rushing threat, adding someone else there would be a huge plus.
Last mock: Titus Young-WR-Boise State
28. New England Patriots (14-2) - Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
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After taking care of some of their needs on the offensive line earlier in the draft, the Patriots now need to go for some help at the defensive end/outside linebacker position and Houston could be just the kind of guy that they need. Houston is still young and is coming off a productive season, so the momentum is there and he can fit into the Patriots' defense nicely.
Last mock: Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
29. Chicago Bears (11-5) - Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
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This would be an excellent choice for the Bears if Pouncey is there when they make their pick. They can re-sign current center Olin Kreutz, move Pouncey to guard and then let him work his way into the center position over time. It would kill two birds with one stone.
Last mock: No change
30. New York Jets (11-5) - Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
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The Jets will spend some time looking to upgrade their defensive line a bit in the draft and if he manages to make it to the Jets, Illinois’ Corey Liuget could be just the guy the Jets want. He’s a big bodied player that could play either defensive tackle or defensive end, so the Jets could get a lot of value out of him.
Last mock: Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) - Benjamin Ijalana-OG/OT-Villanova
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Pittsburgh’s biggest needs lie on their offensive line, so grabbing an offensive lineman in the first round will be the most-likely direction that the Steelers go. Ijalana may not be a big time prospect, but he’s worth taking late in the first round and could develop into a pretty nice prospect.
Last mock: Anthony Castonzo-OT-Boston College
32. Green Bay (10-6) - Akeem Ayers-DE/OLB-UCLA
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Taking some of the pressure off of superstar linebacker Clay Matthews will be a focus in this draft, and if Ayers lasts this long, then the Packers needs to consider taking him here with the last pick in the first round. Having two capable outside linebackers to play in their 3-4 defense would make that defense much better and that would be scary.
Last mock: Justin Houston-OLB-Georgia
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