2011 NFL First Round Mock Draft: Is Marcell Dareus the New No. 1?
The Combine always tends to shuffle things up, and there has been a couple changes at the top of most people's draft due to those player's performances.
Pro Days haven't done too much to alter people's opinions, but Nick Fairley did a lot to erase the memory of his sub par combine.
Julio Jones had one of, if not the best combine and is potentially a top 10 pick now. He closed the gap between he and A.J. Green but is not quite past him.
This draft is laden with defensive players and especially defensive line prospects, which works for most teams because about half of them could use an upgrade on the defensive line.
I've seen as many as 16 being taken in the first round.
With that said, here is my updated first round mock draft. I won't be commenting too much on the picks because this is the third such update. If you need clarification as to why I'm picking who I'm picking, just ask and I will respond in the comments.
Find Jeff covering the New York Giants at NY Giants Central, a product of Rant Sports
1. Carolina Panthers: Marcell Dareus DT, Alabama
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With how much the Lions defense was helped by Suh, new Panthers head coach Ron Rivera will want to get someone to anchor the middle of his defense.
I'm not sold on him taking Newton or Gabbert, so he will take the best defensive player. Whether he believes that is Dareus, Peterson, Bowers, or Fairley is anyone's guess.
2. Denver Broncos: Da'Quan Bowers DE, Clemson
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Bowers is a monster and with John Fox in town now the Broncos need someone to be his Julius Peppers or Michael Strahan in the 4-3 defense.
A dominant pass rush can mask any problems on defense, and when they re-signed Champ Bailey to a four-year deal they pretty much told us they aren't taking Peterson.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson CB, LSU
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Tempted to put Cam Newton here, but I don't really think the Bills need a QB, the only reason I would mock Cam here is if I heard the Bills were in love with him, which I haven't.
The Bills were actually solid offensively, they need a lot of work on the defensive side of things and Peterson is one of the best corners to come out in a long time.
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4. Cincinatti Bengals: A.J. Green WR, Georgia
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Green and Julio Jones separated themselves from the rest of the wide receiver class, and Green is still on top of the group despite Jones' incredible combine numbers.
Green is another talent like Peterson at his position where he is very special. He has all the tools to be a great wide receiver at the next level.
If the Bengals feel the need to reach for one of the QBs here, then they will, but if I were them I would worry about that later and take what most people believe is the No. 1 rated prospect.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller DE/OLB, Texas A&M
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Has anyone done more for his draft stock than Von Miller? He went from a possible top 20 pick to a top five lock in two months.
His combine only enhanced what everyone had been saying after his dominance at the Senior Bowl. He will be an elite pass rusher at the next level and the Cardinals desperately need one.
6. Cleveland Browns: Nick Fairley DT, Auburn
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Fairley startled some people when he came in at the combine at only 291 pounds and three inches shorter than his listed height, but at his Pro Day he had gained six pounds of muscle back already and looked incredible.
I'm not sure if Fairley wasn't the most dominant college defensive player this year, if you look at the difference in the Auburn Tigers in the two halves of the Alabama game, it's clear he was a game changer.
People credit Newton for that comeback, but if the defense didn't hold Alabama to three points in the second half with Fairley actually in the game, then there would have been no chance for a comeback.
The Browns are switching to a 4-3 defense and Fairley would be a perfect fit for them. They could look to take Julio Jones after his fantastic showing at the combine, but I'm not sure he warrants the No. 6 overall pick.
Don't be surprised if they move down, they did the same when the Jets wanted to move all the way up and take Mark Sanchez. Somebody desperate for Fairley could give Mike Holmgren a call on draft day.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert QB, Missouri
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The 49ers were able to lure Jim Harbaugh away from Stanford, and now the search begins for their new QB. Seeing as how a deal is not likely to be done before the draft, the 49ers won't be able to trade or sign a free agent QB.
It may force Harbaugh's hand, but Gabbert can run his West Coast offense so it may work out in the end. They might find it hard to pass on Robert Quinn, but I see it happening.
8. Tennessee Titans: Cam Newton QB, Auburn
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Am I crazy? After going through the trouble with Vince Young, would the Titans really take another QB who ran most of his offense in the shotgun in College?
The answer is yes because Newton has so much more to offer than Young did. He is a better leader, a better runner, and has a way better arm.
Newton will be able to make the NFL throws that Young could not.
9. Dallas Cowboys: JJ Watt DE, Wisconsin
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J.J. Watt looked incredible at the combine, he was way more athletic than anyone had given him credit for in the past. He finished at or near the top in every workout and looked amazing in the drills.
Jerry Jones places a lot of emphasis in the combine and the Cowboys need a defensive end to fit their 3-4 scheme, Igor Olshansky shouldn't be an every down player.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones WR, Alabama
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Jones had the best combine for an offensive player and may have sneaked into the top 10. He ran a 4.37 and had an 11'2'' broad jump. His speed and explosiveness were not matched by anyone in the wide receiver class.
The Redskins have a lot of issues, but I doubt Dan Snyder cares, he will get someone to put fans in the stands, whether it's Jones or Newton.
11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara CB, Nebraska
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Mark my words, Amukamara won't get past No. 11 if he falls. Considered by many to be a very close second to Peterson in terms of coverage skills, the Texans are in desperate need for a guy like Amukamara.
I know they took a corner last year and they need a nose tackle, but I don't feel like any of the nose tackles are worth this high of a pick. They can get a quality guy in the second round to fill that need.
Not to mention Glover Quin is not someone they want lining up at corner for much longer.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan DE, California
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You may think I'm crazy by not putting Robert Quinn here, but hear me out. The Vikings already have Jared Allen who is a dominant pass rusher; Jordan is raw as a pass rusher but is great at taking on double teams and stopping the run.
The Vikings are looking for a quarterback, but they can get the guy they are looking for in the second round with the top two already taken.
13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith OT, USC
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The Lions have publicly made it clear that their mission is to find someone to protect Matthew Stafford, their franchise quarterback.
Did anyone look better than Tyron Smith? I know he had to sit out most of the combine with a minor knee injury, but the fact that he came in 22 pounds heavier and still looking solid as a rock means he has a great work ethic.
The one knock on him was that he played at 285 pounds while at USC; at 307 he will be able to sustain the rigors of an NFL season in the trenches.
Aside from that, he is a tremendous athlete for his size; in a league that is getting younger and faster pass rushers, that athleticism will serve him well.
14. St. Louis Rams: Robert Quinn DE/OLB, North Carolina
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The Rams would love it if Julio Jones falls to them, but if that doesn't happen Steve Spagnuolo will want to grab one of the many elite pass rushers in this year's class.
Quinn works well for their 4-3 scheme as a defensive end, or he could use him like he used Mathias Kiwanuka in New York; play him at linebacker and occasionally put his hand in the dirt.
The Rams desperately need weapons for Sam Bradford, but if the top two are gone they will go value.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram RB, Alabama
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Ingram's 4.62 40-time raised some eyebrows, but I could care less about that when he had a 1.53 10-yard split. What matters for a running back in the NFL is his first step and explosiveness through the hole, which Ingram has.
He may not possess elite speed and be a home run threat, but his vision, patience, and initial quickness will make him a great back for the Dolphins, whose top two options are free agents.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn DE, Iowa
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The Jaguars had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL last season, which doesn't look good when you're facing Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub twice each.
Clayborn is a great athlete and anchored a dominant Iowa defense, he is a perfect fit in the 4-3 scheme the Jaguars run.
17. New England Patriots: Aldon Smith DE/OLB, Missouri
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The Patriots tend to trade down in the first round, but I'd rather not predict trades at this point. They need a pass rusher, which was very evident in their game against the Jets in the playoffs. They couldn't get to Mark Sanchez and it hurt them.
Smith could go as high as No. 11, he is a fantastic athlete and will be great coming off the edge. Belichick will want to continue to build his defense, which was one of the youngest in the NFL last year.
18. San Diego Chargers: Muhammad Wilkerson DE/DT, Temple
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Wilkerson looked incredibly athletic for his size at the combine and with the Chargers in need of a defensive end in their 3-4 scheme, they wouldn't pass up an opportunity to take him.
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder OT, Colorado
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I know I've been saying all along that the Giants will take Mike Pouncey, but if Solder falls to them he will be the pick. The Giants need help all along the line for the future, and it starts with the tackle position.
I think the Giants would actually do well to wait until next year's draft to draft a tackle, but with the way Solder performed at the combine I seriously doubt the Giants will let him fall past them.
One thing that could change that is if the Giants are worried about his recent weight drop; he lost 12 pounds between the combine and his pro day.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan DE, Purdue
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The Bucs were another team at the bottom of the NFL in sacks last year and Kerrigan was one of the best sack artists in college football, it seems like a good fit, no?
After drafting McCoy last year to improve their run defense, they need someone to come off the edge and make their pass defense that much better, which is already laden with top picks in the secondary.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor NT, Baylor
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The Chiefs probably could have beaten the Ravens in the playoffs if they had been able to stop the run. They are in desperate need for a nose tackle; Scott Pioli needs his Vince Wilfork.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castonzo OT, Boston College
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Castonzo works perfectly for the Colts because he is not a great run blocker but is an elite pass blocker. He has quick feet and long arms and will be able to handle the pass rushers in the NFL.
The Colts need to start protecting Peyton Manning better, who has been forced to get rid of the ball quicker than he would like lately.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi OT, Wisconsin
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Carimi looked great at the combine as well and solidified a position in the first round. Despite the Eagles having Michael Vick, they were at the bottom of the league in sacks allowed.
This could be due to Vick holding on to the ball and trying to make plays with his feet, but when watching them I'm more inclined to believe they need an upgrade at tackle opposite Jason Peters.
24. New Orleans Saints: Corey Liuget DT, Illinois
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The Saints need an upgrade in the secondary and the defensive line. Liuget is a monster in the middle and will be a starter for them right away.
Some people have him as a top 15 pick, but I couldn't find room for him until now.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Harris CB, Miami
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Harris looked like the best of the second tier corners behind Prince and Peterson at the combine. Harris has great skills in man coverage but can sometimes be fooled in zone coverage. As the eventual No. 1 corner for the Seahawks he won't have to worry about playing zone all to often.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith WR, Maryland
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The Ravens are in desperate need for a big play wide receiver and Smith is the best wide receiver in this class behind Jones and Green.
He looked great at the combine, very fluid in the drills and has great hands. He ran a 4.37 at the combine, so he will be able to stretch the defenses in the NFL and bring an aspect to the Ravens offense that they don't have.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Jonathan Baldwin WR, Pittsburgh
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Baldwin had jaws dropping when he ran a 4.45 40 and leaped 42 inches at his size (6'5'', 230). The Falcons need more weapons for Matt Ryan with Tony Gonzalez on the decline. Roddy White was his only reliable option last year.
Baldwin will be a fantastic red zone threat right away and can move the chains as a possession receiver down the road with the right coaching.
28. New England Patriots: Mike Pouncey G/C, Florida
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Pouncey may have shied teams away from him when he said he would love to play center in the NFL, but I bet if the Pats pick him he'll do as he is told.
Stephen Neal retired, so the Pats will be in the market for a starting left guard. Pouncey was an All-American guard at Florida before playing center his senior year.
29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sharrod OT, Mississippi St
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The Bears need to protect Jay Cutler, after the fiasco in the NFC Championship if they don't get an offensive lineman here the front office ought to be fired.
30. New York Jets: Akeem Ayers OLB, UCLA
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The Jets love to have their pass rushers. Akeem Ayers really didn't do anything to hurt or help his draft stock, but other people boosting their own stock sort of pushed him down the list.
I seriously doubt he makes is past the Jets if he falls this fair, Rex Ryan wants to find his Terrell Suggs.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jimmy Smith CB, Colorado
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The Steelers were exploited by the Packers in the passing game in the Super Bowl. If the Steelers want to have any chance of bringing back the Lombardi trophy, they have to upgrade the back end of their defense.
Smith has great coverage skills and terrific size for his position. His press and man coverage ability make him a good fit for the Steelers, who like to put their DBs on an island when they are bringing the house to the quarterback.
32. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward DE/DT, Ohio St
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Eeny, meeny, miny, dynasty. It's hard to find holes on the Green Bay Packers, but the two positions they might consider looking at is wide receiver and defensive end. Their defense was one of the best in the business last season, but defenses are always looking to get younger and better.
Heyward is great at stopping the run, which is exactly what he would be asked to do in the Dom Caper's 3-4 scheme. The guys they used last year are serviceable, but Heyward would be better.
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