2011 NFL Mock Draft: What If Mel Kiper Is Right About Blaine Gabbert at No. 1?
In his latest mock draft, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., has Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert going to the Carolina Panthers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Auburn's Cam Newton has dominated headlines lately, making many forget about Gabbert, who was rated as the top QB prospect in the draft not too long ago.
In an earlier mock draft, I had Cam Newton going to the Panthers.
But, if we assume Kiper is correct and that the Panthers do take Gabbert over Newton or any defensive players, where will Newton go?
And, how does that decision shake up the rest of the draft?
As we continue to inch closer to draft day, here is my updated 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
1 of 32
Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert?
That's the question the Panthers are facing right now.
Both QBs have star potential, but both have strong "bust" potential as well.
Based on college scandals and comments made to the media, the Panthers might decide Newton would be more trouble than he's worth.
If that's the case, they'll go with Gabbert.
Change from my previous mock draft? Yes (Newton)
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2 of 32
The Broncos won't pass up the chance to take Peterson, a super-athletic cornerback who would form a nice tandem with Champ Bailey in the Denver secondary.
He'll also contribute significantly to special teams, a must for rookies these days.
Change? No
3. Buffalo Bills: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
3 of 32
The Bills will be tempted to take Cam Newton here, but they'll resist that urge to fill a bigger need.
It doesn't matter who the quarterback is when the defense can't stop anybody from scoring.
Fairley will help slow down opposing running backs and help get pressure on the quarterback.
Change? No
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
4 of 32
The Bengals need a wide receiver who can be a deep threat.
Chad Ochocinco is a possession receiver, so Green would be a logical home-run hitter to pair alongside Ochocinco.
Then, the Bengals can grab Ryan Mallett or Christian Ponder in the second round to fix their quarterback situation.
Change? No
5. Arizona Cardinals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
5 of 32
The Cardinals aren't going to let Newton slip past them.
Even though they have a couple young quarterbacks they could try to develop, passing on Newton simply isn't an option.
He has too much potential to slip past pick No. 5.
Change? Yes (Gabbert)
6. Cleveland Browns: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
6 of 32
No Shaun Rogers? No problem for the Browns.
They'll draft Dareus to slide into the 4-3 defensive tackle slot for next season.
He'll solidify the Browns' run defense better than Rogers ever did.
Change? No
7. San Francisco 49ers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
7 of 32
We haven't heard much out of Bowers lately.
The 49ers are hoping he drops into their laps at No. 7.
Though many would say the Niners need a QB, they need help on the defensive side of the ball, too.
Bowers will help revitalize a pass rush that was simply awful last season.
Change? No
8. Tennessee Titans: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
8 of 32
Miller has been impressive throughout his pre-draft workouts.
The Titans would be silly not to take him at No. 8 to help shore up a defense that was a major disappointment last season.
Bringing in a new head coach and a guy like Miller will go a long way towards revitalizing the Titans.
Change? No.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
9 of 32
Amukamara is just what the Cowboys need.
They are a decent secondary and a healthy quarterback away from being the champions of the NFC East.
Drafting Amukamara would give the Cowboys a good cornerback trio, along with Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.
Change? No.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
10 of 32
Rather than reach for Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett here, the Redskins will play it safe and draft Jones.
Jones is an explosive wide receiver who can make big plays for the offense.
Then, they can try to grab a good QB in the second round.
Change? No
11. Houston Texans: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
11 of 32
The Texans need a pass rusher to complement Mario Williams.
Robert Quinn is that guy.
He has all the physical tools to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines.
He'll make teams pay for double-teaming Williams.
Change? Yes (Jimmy Smith)
12. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
12 of 32
The Vikings will be upset that Newton and Gabbert don't fall to them, but they have other needs they can address with the No. 12 pick.
J.J. Watt, at 290 pounds, can play defensive end and complement Jared Allen.
But, on passing downs, he can shift inside to defensive tackle to give the Vikings even more pass-rushing versatility.
Change? Yes (Quinn)
13. Detroit Lions: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
13 of 32
I know popular choice for the first offensive lineman to be taken is Tyron Smith of USC.
But, Solder remains the best OT in my book.
He's bigger and stronger than Smith and will have a better NFL career.
The Lions need to pick him to keep Matthew Stafford healthy.
Change? Yes (Watt)
14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
14 of 32
WIth Corey Liuget, the Rams' young defense will be complete.
A true DT is what the Rams need to become one of the most formidable run defenses in the league.
And, with head coach Steve Spagnuolo leading the way, they'll be strong for years to come.
Change? No
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
15 of 32
This is the lock of the first round.
There's no way anyone picking before the Dolphins chooses Ingram.
And, running back is a growing area of need in Miami.
Ingram, the best running back of this draft, is a no-brainer here.
Change? No
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, OLB/DE, Missouri
16 of 32
The Jaguars definitely have a need for the versatile Smith.
Smith is athletic enough to make plays from either defensive end or linebacker.
Plus, he has a nose for the quarterback.
The Jags could certainly use some pass-rushing help.
Change? No
17. New England Patriots (From Oakland): Cameron Jordan, DE, California
17 of 32
The Patriots can't afford not to take a defensive end in the first round this year.
The loss of Richard Seymour to Oakland hurt them more than they'd like to admit.
Now, they need to use the first-round pick they received from the Raiders in that trade to draft a replacement.
Jordan is the best defensive end left on the board and would be a smart choice for New England.
Change? Yes (Adrian Clayborn)
18. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Kerrigan, OLB/DE, Purdue
18 of 32
Kerrigan showed more versatility than expected at the combine.
Now, he's being projected as a guy that can play defensive end and outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.
That's just the kind of guy the Chargers need, especially after getting rid of the oft-injured Shawne Merriman.
Change? Yes (Solder)
19. New York Giants: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
19 of 32
Linebacker was a definite weak spot for the Giants in 2010.
The secondary was also shaky, but that was mostly due to injuries.
The problem with the linebacking corps was that there wasn't enough talent.
Drafting Ayers will go a long way towards solving that problem.
Change? No
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
20 of 32
There aren't any pictures of Wilkerson available, but here's a picture of Al Golden, his former coach and the new head coach of the Miami Hurricanes.
The Bucs need a big guy in the middle of their young defense, and Wilkerson is the best DT available for them.
It might be a couple picks too early, but the Bucs can't afford to let him slip to the Saints.
Change? Yes (Kerrigan)
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston, OLB/DE, Georgia
21 of 32
The Chiefs need someone to help Tamba Hali get pressure on the quarterback.
Houston did plenty of that during his time at Georgia.
He's a solid player who can step in and contribute immediately on passing downs in the NFL.
Change? Yes (Tyron Smith)
22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
22 of 32
As I've said before, the Colts need to do a better job of protecting Peyton Manning.
They shouldn't have let Ryan Lilja get away.
Now that he's on the Chiefs, the Colts have taken a major step back along the entire offensive line.
Drafting a guy like Castonzo will help out immensely.
Change? No
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
23 of 32
Smith isn't the best offensive tackle in this draft, but he's not a bad option, either.
The Eagles would be thrilled to use the 23rd overall pick on him.
With his added bulk, he'll be a solid NFL lineman for years to come.
Change? Yes (Derek Sherrod)
24. New Orleans Saints: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
24 of 32
Clayborn is relentless when it comes to rushing the passer.
That will fit well with Gregg Williams' defense.
Williams loves to blitz, which will help free up Clayborn to get to the QB.
Change? Yes (Houston)
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
25 of 32
The Seahawks need secondary help more than they need quarterback help.
With Jimmy Smith still on the board, they can't afford to pass on him.
He's a big, athletic corner who will help make plays for the Seattle defense.
Change? Yes (Mike Pouncey)
26. Baltimore Ravens: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
26 of 32
The Ravens' defense is getting old.
Ed Reed and Ray Lewis aren't going to be around forever.
Plus, their secondary was the one weak link on their team.
Developing Williams while Reed is still around to back him up in the secondary would be a smart move.
Change? No
27. Atlanta Falcons: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
27 of 32
The Falcons don't have many needs, but they could use another solid pass rusher to complement John Abraham.
Heyward is a big guy who can get to the QB and still hold his own in the running game.
That's the kind of player who can fit in to the Falcons' system.
Change? Yes (Jordan)
28. New England Patriots: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
28 of 32
Baldwin is a big target, standing at 6'4".
He can add some height to an otherwise small Patriots receiving corps.
He could end up being the replacement for Randy Moss that Tom Brady needs.
Change? Yes (Torrey Smith)
29. Chicago Bears: Marcus Cannon, OG, TCU
29 of 32
The Bears offensive line isn't good enough.
Jay Cutler was sacked an awful lot in 2010, something the Bears simply can't have.
It's time to start replacing some of the older bodies along the interior line.
Giving Cannon a year to learn from some of those guys would be a good move.
Change? No
30. New York Jets: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
30 of 32
The Jets need a safety to play alongside Jim Leonhard.
Rahim Moore can do just that.
He's a ballhawk who is capable of making big plays.
Change? No
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
31 of 32
The Pouncey brothers were dominant during their days at Florida.
Why can't they have that carry over to the NFL?
With the addition of Mike at guard to complement Maurkice at center, the Steelers will once again have a dominant offensive line.
Change? Yes (Heyward)
32. Green Bay Packers: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
32 of 32
Carimi recently said the Packers would have to trade up to get him.
I'm not so sure about that.
Carimi is a beast, there's no questioning that.
But, he hasn't been getting talked about as much as guys like Solder and Tyron Smith.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Carimi fall to the Packers.
Change? No
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