2011 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Pro Days Special Edition
2011 NFL Mock Draft: The only thing the looming lockout will not rob us of is the NFL Draft. That is at least one thing we can treat like business as usual.
The Combine is well behind us. There were winners and losers as there is every year in the week long NFL workout. The draft status of each athlete was called into question. You can bet that there are some prospects that need to slay their pro day workout.
As we enter the final leg in the draft process. Let's take a look at the most likely scenarios for each team in the 2011 Draft. A lot will change in the next month. For the time being, here is the NFL as I see it.
1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley DT
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Nick Fairley did not knock the Combine out of the park. The big note was that he was much smaller than anticipated. It is natural for a prospect to get thinner prior to the workouts. It ensures that they give their best possible times and marks.
However, he did show a great deal of athleticism, as well as a skill set possessed by top performers at his position. Fairley may be thin, but he will add bulk.
He also did not lose ground on Da'Quan Bowers, who failed to workout due to an ankle injury.
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson CB
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Patrick Peterson was the belle of the ball in Indianapolis. He showed terrific speed. He also has the size and balance to play safety or return the ball on special teams. Peterson is a lock to become something special in the NFL.
The Denver defensive re-tool gets their man. He is one talent that you cannot afford to miss out on. I could also see the Broncos nabbing Da'Quan Bowers. That will depend on his pro day workout.
3. Buffalo Bills: Da'Quan Bowers DE
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Da'Quan Bowers did not work out at the Combine. That will hardly hurt his stock too much. It seems sitting out the Combine was better than actually performing in it. I had Cam Newton here in my last mock draft.
The Bills for the time being will want an assured return on their investment. Until we get the skinny back on Cam Newton's pro day, the third spot belongs to Bowers. Even Bills GM Buddy Nix has become enamored with him.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert QB
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What a difference a month makes. Cam Newton used to be the darling quarterback to go first in mock drafts. That has changed, for the time being. Blaine Gabbert showed he has the size and speed to command at quarterback in the NFL.
It was also wise for him to not throw at the Combine. If he is solid at his pro day and Newton falters even a bit, Gabbert will go before Cam.
The Bengals may be the team in most dire need of an arm in the top five. Carson Palmer wants out of Cincy. He has threatened to retire if he is not traded. That sounds like they need a QB to me. If the league is under a lockout at that time, they will have to address that need at the draft.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller OLB
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Von Miller showed what he can do in Indy. Scouts were enamored with him, and he is a lock to be a top ten pick. The Cardinals could use a quarterback. I doubt they take one at this spot. They can easily snag an arm int he second round.
This draft is flooded with arms. Miller however, is a future Pro Bowl player. He can hit with power. Best of all, he is a balanced attacker. He can rush the middle, or stay home. He is perfectly adept at covering either scenario.
The Cardinals may just stop some teams from scoring next season.
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green WR
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A lot was made about Julio Jones at the Combine. Make no mistake though, Green is still the best receiver on the board. Jones productive week only solidified that he would go in the first half of the first round, nothing more.
The Browns may decide to trade down to a team desperate for a pick here. If not, they will go with the star play-maker in waiting. Green will not disappoint at the next level. He is tough, swift and strong. He has all the attributes of a game changer.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Marcell Dareus DT
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You can bet that the Niners will once again draft Gabbert if he happens to be lying around at this time. There is no way they take Newton after a mixed results Combine. If they take a QB, they have to have as close to a sure thing as you can get.
Dareus had a solid Combine. He was a bit bigger than previously thought. He showed great strength and quickness. With over a month to go, he very well could over take Bowers or Fairley on my board.
8. Tennessee Titans: Robert Quinn DE
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The goal during the first ten picks is simple. Draft someone that will stick in the NFL. You don't need a star necessarily. You want someone who will be a constant contributor and trustworthy asset.
Robert Quinn is as close as you will get in a sure thing. He is a solid pass rusher. Quinn is also a dynamo. The man is a workhorse and you can tell in the solid numbers he had in the Combine.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara CB
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Prince did more than enough at the Combine to solidify himself as the number two defensive back behind Patrick Peterson.
The Cowboys could use a playmaker on the ends. They could use anyone worth their salt that can actually tackle. Amukamara is a beast. He has the foot speed to stay with his man, and the toughness to assert himself at the line.
10. Washington Redskins: Cam Newton QB
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There you go people. There is no need to jump out of a tall building. Cam Newton will still be a top ten pick. Aside form him going Ryan Leaf at his pro day, the Redskins should talk themselves into Newton at the ten spot.
Newton did not have a horrible Combine either. He was high with a number of passes, but if he can show what he is made of at his pro day. He can still hit as high as the number one pick. The man has the height to play the prototypical passer role, but the speed to be a nuisance to any defense.
This is a star player. There is no doubt about it.
11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt DE
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The Texans are switching their schemes up. They would do well to take a defensive end that comes with a great deal of versatility. I can think of none better than J.J. Watt.
Watt had a fine Combine. He has the size to affect the line. He also has the balance and footwork to play well in the 3-4 or the 4-3. As the Texans mix things up, it is important to have a player that can fill all holes. This is a great find at number eleven.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith OT
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There was some question as to whether Tyron Smith had the size for a first round pick. Well, guess what? He came into the Combine bigger than expected.
The Vikings will need all the help they can get for whatever underachieving arm they throw in purple. The Vikings would love a quarterback.
There are none that warrant this high of a draft pick. Yes, I understand Ryan Mallett is out there. He will be out there for a bit while longer.
13. Detroit Lions: Jimmy Smith CB
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Detroit has needs at defensive back. Jimmy Smith would be a lot higher on boards right now if he kept his mouth shut. He insinuated that he had more talent than Nnamdi Asomugha. Well that will all be forgotten come draft day.
Smith was rising on the board before the Combine, then he showed his quickness and strength can answer any questions scouts may have about his length. This is one of the best backs on the board. Detroit would be silly to pass him over for a lack of humility.
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones WR
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Julio Jones made the most of his time in Indianapolis. He posted a remarkably fast 40-yard dash time, and possibly performed on a fractured foot. The receiver will be out for the month of pro day workouts.
That is fine with him. He did ore than enough to solidify his presence in the upper half of the first round. The Rams will finally have someone for Sam Bradford to throw to. I can only imagine his numbers with a guy that can actually catch the ball.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram RB
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Mark Ingram finds himself in a very lucky scenario. The Dolphins could lose their two running backs to free agency. The looming lockout has complicated matters for Miami. Now they must answer their needs by the draft.
Ingram also happens to be far and away the best back in the draft. He may not have boasted the quickest 40-yard dash time, but that is not the end all with running backs.
Ingram moves very well within traffic. He is great at finding holes. This guy is perfect for Miami's offense.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cameron Jordan DE
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Cameron Jordan is turning some heads throughout the draft process. He was solid at the Senior Bowl, and even better at the Combine.
He showed amazing speed for someone that size. He has climbed the ladder. Jordan now finds himself as a lock for a top 20 pick. The Jaguars will love his versatility and wide open skill set. This guy will mangle the line next season. Let's just hope there is a season.
17. New England Patriots (from Raiders): Aldon Smith DE/OLB
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Aldon Smith is nearly there. He could very well be in Fairley's or Bower's shoes this time next year. The Patriots will take a defensive end with a huge amount of upside and groom him as a Pats player.
Smith is a hard worker that can fit any scheme. He may not blow anyone away next season, but he will shortly. With a little more size and training, Smith could be the star of this draft.
18. San Diego Chargers: Adrian Clayborn DE
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Clayborn is like a battering ram. He has not yet perfected the fine art of going around his opposition. He has made a fine career of going right at them so far.
With a little refinement, Clayborn could be a steal here. The Chargers get some added depth for their eventual slow start next season. Some things never change.
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo OT
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Go ahead, get around this bruiser. The Giants need some help on the offensive line. If Eli Manning had more time, perhaps he would not throw so many interceptions. That is the hope anyway.
Castonzo would buy you a lifetime from his side of the ball. He has the foot speed to keep up with any pass rush. Castonzo can also get up field if needed for some rush blocking detail. He has size. He has speed. Simply, he is a good guy to have around.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Corey Liuget DT
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The Buccaneers could use some help on the defensive line. Liuget is a bit of a conundrum. He has tremendous skills, and possesses a great mind for the game. He has not yet built an effective pass rushing scheme.
The Bucs can tweak him into a quarterback killer. With his size and strength, he would give offensive linemen nightmares. His Combine should make him a lock to stay in the first round.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers OLB
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Akeem Ayers took a tumble down my board. He boasted a bloated 40-yard dash time, but scouts still liked his positional drills. He may very well make the climb back up the board. There is certainly enough time.
While slower than we thought, scouts thought that he played much faster than his times. I will need more convincing before draft day to buy in.
Either way, he is a solid linebacker that the Chiefs desperately need. I had him much higher a week ago. The Chiefs may be getting tremendous value here.
22. Indinapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi OT
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Eli is not the only Manning that needs protection. Things were getting pretty dire for the Colts last season. Injuries decimated the line, leading to Manning throwing 11 picks in three games. The Colts very nearly missed the playoffs, all because they lacked protection.
It is a good thing there are a few offensive linemen worth a first round pick in this draft. Carimi showed an improvement on his footwork. This adds to his already stout frame. There won't be many getting passed this human wall.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Muhammad Wilkerson DT
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The Eagles could use some help along both sides of the line. More than likely, the good offensive linemen will be long gone by this point. The budding star the Eagles will look towards is Muhammad Wilkerson. Wilkerson has gained some traction in the past month.
The Temple standout could easily be a top pick next year, but he seems content his non-stop rise this year. Wilkerson is versatile and a great pass rusher. He very well could be a tad higher this time next month.
24. New Orleans Saints: Ryan Kerrigan DE
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The Saints get some great value here. Kerrigan is a machine when it comes to tackles for a loss, he had 26 of them. He is extremely adept at finding the ball and pouncing on the opposition. It should be illegal to be this quick to the ball with this amount of size.
He had a solid trip to Indianapolis. While some may consider him a tweener, I think he did enough at the Combine to keep him above the second round. He is relentless, and I like my defensive players to play as such.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker QB
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Ryan Mallett fans will see their favorite quarterback taken, just not in the first round. When you have JaMarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf as cautionary tales, you can bet that teams will stray away from red flags.
Having a potential drug problem is a red flag. Jake Locker has the arm, and intangibles to make a dent in the NFL. He should also have a grooming period as Matt Hasselbeck will most likely return next season. This is the perfect scenario for a young QB.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Randall Cobb WR
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Randall Cobb could go anywhere from the late third round to the first half of the second. The Ravens are in the market for a play making receiver. I am convinced that Cobb is their man. He is the re-birth of Hines Ward.
He is a scrappy player with great hands. He has a great head for the game, and has no issues with blocking up the middle. The Ravens could have their very own franchise receiver in Cobb. He has all the attributes of the tough Ravens persona.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Cameron Heyward DE
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The Falcons will get the one of the last defensive ends of note. That is not a bad thing though. Heyward is versatile. He has the speed and balance to cover in the 3-4 or 4-3. He also has a great nose for the ball.
The Falcons defense allowed the opposition to move the chains too readily last season. A great pass rusher that can handle the run is just what the doctor ordered.
28. New England Patriots: Brandon Harris CB
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We were all under the delusion that the Patriots had solved their issues in their secondary last season. Then came the AFC Championship game.
The defense went back to early season iterations. The Patriots really need someone they can count on to stay with some of the bruisers at receiver.
Harris is strong and swift. He will have no trouble staying with whoever he is taxed to guard. The Patriots will have a play maker on one side of the field. That makes things a whole lot easier.
29. Chicago Bears: Mike Pouncey C/G
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There may come a day when the Bears halt in their mission to throw the ball down field. That day is not today. Any offense run by Mike Martz necessitates a stout offensive line. The Bears are not world beaters at that position.
Pouncey has very similar talents to his brother, Pro Bowl Steelers center Maurkice. That should be enough to sell you on him right there. Pouncey has great footwork. He can play on either side and can take snaps at center as well.
Cutler can go back to waiting in the pocket for five minutes until someone gets open.
30. New York Jets: Justin Houston OLB
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The Jets have a great many players that are eligible for free agency. They could be the most unpredictable team in the 2011 NFL Draft. However, they need a linebacker. If not for added depth, then for a starting job next season.
Houston has the goods. He is versatile and can handle his own in any scheme. He had ten sacks in the 3-4. He is also swift-footed. Houston ran a 4.63 40-yard-dash. That makes him a special talent worth taking a look at.
The Jets may not be sure about some of their roster next season. They will be sure about Houston.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Phil Taylor DT
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The Steelers have some slight holes on both sides of the line. There are not many offensive linemen that I like for this pick, but I do however like Phil Taylor.
Taylor is a gifted athlete that has used the draft process to its fullest. He worked out great at the Combine. He also showed the necessary skills to make a mark on the next level. Scouts are getting more and more enamored with Taylor.
He very well could be the last player to be considered a sure first round pick.
32. Green Bay Packers: Jon Baldwin WR
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The Packers will sit around and wait to close shop with the best player available. They can stack the offensive line, or any number of positions. The key here is to get the best player available at the time.
I like adding a very physical receiver to the stable of athletes they have. This is just another player that will use his size and strength to make sure he gets open. All Aaron Rodgers needs is a slight window. Baldwin can manage that.
Be sure to visit Bleacher Report's Mock Draft Central:
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