2011 NFL Mock Draft Top 10: Cam Newton Will Not Be Drafted by Carolina Panthers
The 2011 NFL Draft is four days away, and it is time for my first mock draft of this years top 10 be released.
I will let all the readers know right now that in this mock draft, Cam Newton will not be selected by the Carolina Panthers.
Until I hear the official word from the Panthers organization, my mock draft will have the Panthers selecting a defensive player in the first round.
Last year, I correctly selected seven out of the 10 selections (could have been eight if I stuck with my Raiders selection).
This years draft has been a ton of speculation and not too much fact. Hopefully you enjoy my mock draft, and feel free to give comments here at BleacherReport or on twitter.
I am a Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com. Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/MattMiselis
1. Carolina Panthers: Marcell Dareus
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For the future of this organization, the Carolina Panthers need to take Marcell Dareus first overall.
Rookie head coach Ron Rivera has been successful with his defensive strategies across the league, and his intentions will be to address the defense.
The defensive front of the Panthers was a clear weakness, and bringing in Dareus is a step in the right direction.
If he can make an impact close to Ndamukong Suh in his rookie year, the quicker the Panthers will return to respectability in the NFC.
2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller
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With the best defensive lineman off the board, I think the Broncos are content with Von Miller being their consolation prize.
Scouts have raved about Miller, who is a rare talent we have seen at linebacker in quite some time.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Broncos shock the world by taking a quarterback, but they really need to fix statistically the worst defense in football.
3. San Francisco 49ers (Via Buffalo Bills): Patrick Peterson
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After watching their top two players on their board be selected, the Buffalo Bills trade out of the third spot for the 49ers first round pick of seventh overall, along with a fourth and fifth round pick.
The 49ers are willing to deal three picks to select Patrick Peterson, an athlete many experts consider to be the best prospect in this years draft.
A cornerback is a major need on this defense, and Peterson will fit nicely with a unit that underachieved last year.
Larry Fitzgerald won't be happy facing Peterson twice a year.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Newton
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It was only a matter of time until Cam Newton was off the board. Did many expect the Cincinnati Bengals to make the selection? Probably not.
However, the Bengals did not expect Newton to fall to fourth overall. Mike Brown has kept a low profile of bringing in a new quarterback, but he will not pass up the hype Newton brings.
Newton is an athletic freak at the quarterback position and will bring a buzz to Cincinnati.
As many you question my intelligence for putting Newton to the Bengals, remember, we are talking about Mike Brown here.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Prince Amukamara
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The Arizona Cardinals could turn in many directions with this selection. One direction could be drafting the next quarterback of the franchise.
Another could be improving the defensive line.
However, the Cardinals are very thin at secondary and will settle with Prince Amukamara.
By no means is this considered a stretch pick. Amukamara shut down many top receivers from the Big 12 conference, statistically throughout his career.
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green
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Browns general manager Tom Heckert realizes that quarterback Colt McCoy needs more offensive firepower around him.
The best move to make at pick number five is selecting the best offensive player in the draft, A.J. Green.
Green will make an immediate impact on the Browns offense by spreading the field and allowing Colt McCoy to show off his arm strength.
7. Buffalo Bills (Via San Francisco 49ers): Robert Quinn
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After trading down in the draft, the Buffalo Bills will fill a big need on the defensive side with their selection.
Defensive end Robert Quinn possesses great athleticism for his position and will start immediately on a struggling Bills defense.
Its about time the Bills select a pass rusher that can create havoc against Tom Brady.
8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert
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Blaine Gabbert falls a bit in the draft, but is still a top 10 selection nonetheless.
The Tennessee Titans need a clear direction at quarterback, with no reliable starter currently in place long term.
Many scouts believe Gabbert will be ready to adapt to NFL-style defenses early on his career, and is expected to be the quarterback the Titans would turn to in the upcoming season.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith
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Despite the speculation that the Cowboys will select a defensive end, the main priority is to protect quarterback Tony Romo.
Tyron Smith is clearly the best offensive lineman prospect in the draft and will find a starting role in Jason Garrett's offense.
The addition of Smith will only improve the Cowboys chances of returning to the postseason in 2011.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones
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Just like Dallas, there is a possibility the Redskins will select a defensive lineman.
However, there is a major need at wide receiver, and Julio Jones has been labeled a top ten selection before the college season even began.
He may not possess the speed of an A.J. Green, but is a physical receiver who is going to be a play maker in this league very quickly.
There is another page.
Who Else Could Be Top Ten Selections?
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What other prospects could jump into the top ten on Thursday?
DaQuan Bowers: Once considered a number one pick, his poor performance at the Combine/Pro Day, along with questions regarding the health of his knee, has been a red flag to many teams.
Nick Fairley: Another prospect that was regarded as a top two selection a few months ago. Character issues seem to be a question mark for the former Auburn defensive tackle.
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