NFL Draft: Mock Draft 7.0
College pro days are in full swing and NFL teams are getting a good idea of which players look good and which players need a little a little work. With no agreement between the NFL’s owners and its players free agency looks like it’s going to be a non-factor leaving the draft as what will quite possibly be the only way that teams can rebuild this offseason.
That makes this draft very important.
So, without further delay, let’s take a look at my seventh mock draft of the season as we move past the middle of March.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)-Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
1 of 32
There aren’t a lot of people out there who feel that the Panthers need a quarterback because they still have Jimmy Clausen, but word is Clausen is not the guy that they want at the position. The smart thing for them to do would be to get a quarterback and develop him for the future.
Last Mock: Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
2. Denver Broncos-(4-12)-Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
2 of 32
With Carolina taking a quarterback in this mock draft, that opens the door for the Broncos to take a guy like Dareus who could instantly help them out on defense. New head coach Jon Fox likes defensive linemen so he could be ready to take Dareus here and improve the Broncos defense.
Last Mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)-Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
3 of 32
The addition of Peterson would make the Bills secondary one of the best in the NFL. With Peterson back in the secondary, the Bills can work on improving their pass rush knowing that they have some good cornerbacks back there and with a tough defense can start to think about making a run for the playoffs.
Last Mock: No Change
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. Cincinnati Bengal (4-12)-A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
4 of 32
The Bengals will probably be without their two top receivers from last season so getting a wide receiver in the draft early would be the best move that that they could possibly make. Green is the healthier option over Alabama’s Julio Jones and can make an instant impact in Cincinnati.
Last Mock: No Change
5. Arizona Cardinals-(5-11)-Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
5 of 32
The Cardinals could be interested in a quarterback here, but after a bad experience in the past they may stay away from the college quarterback and try to go another route. The linebacker position is one of need with the Cardinals, so they could show some interest in Miller, the best linebacker in the draft.
Last Mock: Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)-Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
6 of 32
The Browns could really use a pass rusher or a defensive tackle and if Bowers is here when they make their pick then their best bet would be to take him. Bowers is the best pass rusher in the draft and could help this team out a lot in his first year and could be an All-Pro after a season or two in the league.
Last Mock: Robert Quinn-DE-North Carolina
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)-Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
7 of 32
The 49ers are on the lookout for a quarterback to help get them back to respectability, and with Gabbert gone early it’s quite possible that new head coach Jim Harbaugh could show a lot of interest in Newton and take him in the first round at number seven. The biggest question about him is whether or not he’s a boom or bust prospect and can he succeed in the NFL?
Last Mock: Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)-Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
8 of 32
Things haven’t been the same since the Titans lost Haynesworth in free agency and they could really use a force in the middle of that defensive line to help their defense get back to being as strong as it was a few years ago. Fairley should be there when Tennessee makes their pick and he could help make their defense instantly better.
Last Mock: No Change
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)-Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
9 of 32
The Cowboys could go a couple different ways here, but getting a solid cornerback is their biggest need. Mechanically there are some things that Amukamara needs to work on, but otherwise he’s a solid athlete with a ton of upside. He’s someone that owner Jerry Jones should covet.
Last Mock: No Change
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)-Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
10 of 32
If the top quarterbacks aren’t around here at number ten then they will try to get a wide receiver to help whomever they may have at the position. Jones, once fully healed, could be the real star of the draft at the wide receiver position and can contribute right away which is exactly what the Redskins need him to do.
Last Mock: Jake Locker-QB-Washington
11. Houston Texans (6-10)-Robert Quinn-DE/OLB-North Carolina
11 of 32
The Texans can always use help on defense and adding another pass rusher to go along with Mario Williams would be a good idea. Quinn has been out of football for a little while but has displayed excellent skill and first round talent which could interest the Texans.
Last Mock: Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)-Jake Locker-QB-Washington
12 of 32
The Vikings are in desperate need of a quarterback heading into the 2011 season so it’s possible that they make look at a guy like Locker to fill their needs there and develop into a starter. The Vikings are clearly in rebuilding mode so getting a rookie shouldn’t be a problem as they build for the future.
Last Mock: Cameron Jordan-DE-California
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)-Tyron Smith-OT-USC
13 of 32
Keeping their franchise quarterback healthy after he has missed so much time with injuries is a must, so the Lions need to start where it matters most, up front. Smith is quietly sneaking ahead of most every other offensive lineman in the draft and should be the guy that the Lions lock onto in the draft.
Last Mock: No Change
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)-J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
14 of 32
With Julio Jones gone by the time they make their selection, it would be a good bet that the Rams would try to upgrade their pass rush and could end up taking Watt with their first round pick. Watt is starting to become noticed as one of the better pass rushers in the draft and would be a great addition in St. Louis.
Last Mock: Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)-Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
15 of 32
This seems to be the consensus pick on many mock drafts and it would be the best choice for the Dolphins. They need the help at the running back position and having a back like Ingram can only serve to help their offense. With a strong running game, they can get their passing game working better and see much more success on offense.
Last Mock: No Change
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)-Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
16 of 32
The Jaguars pass rush has struggled in recent seasons, and it’s time that they started doing something about it. Smith is a strong pass rusher that has seemingly come out of nowhere and will perform well no matter where he lands. The Jaguars should look at Smith and consider him at this point in the draft.
Last Mock: Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
17. New England (from Oakland 8-8)-Cameron Jordan-DE/OLB-California
17 of 32
Having a father that once played in the NFL doesn’t hurt and with that, along with all of the experience and athleticism that Jordan brings to the table, the Patriots might be interested in him. They need a defensive end/outside linebacker that can play well in the Patriots system.
Last Mock: Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)-Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
18 of 32
Things haven’t been quite right with the Charger’s pass rush defense over the past couple of seasons so it’s time that they got an upgrade there. With a draft that has plenty of good talent at the defensive end position, it would be hard for San Diego to pass one up. Kerrigan could be a good fit for San Diego and could be pretty productive right out of the game.
Last Mock: J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
19. New York Giants (10-6)-Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
19 of 32
The Giants will be in the hunt for an offensive tackle that can help them solidify their offensive line and give quarterback, Eli Manning, much more time to throw the ball. If Solder is here when the Giants make this pick then he would be their best option here at this point.
Last Mock: Anthony Costanzo-OT-Boston College
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)-Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
20 of 32
The Buccaneers helped their defense out last year and they need to do something more with it again this year. The inside of that defense is pretty solid so they will look at the defensive end position as one to take care of in the first round of this year’s draft. Clayborn could be just the guy that they need and would fit their system well.
Last Mock: No Change
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)-Phil Taylor-NT-Baylor
21 of 32
Taylor remains a popular pick across the mock draft nation for the Chiefs and the pick would make a lot of sense. Having someone in the middle of the line to take care of that defense would be a good move for the Chiefs and would make them that much better team.
Last Mock: No Change
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)-Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
22 of 32
The Colts could either go for an offensive lineman here but with a need on the defensive line potentially being more pressing, the Colts could show some interest in one of the strongest defensive linemen in the draft in Paea. Paea has the ability to put good pressure on opposing quarterbacks and would be an important part of their ability to stop the run.
Last Mock: Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)-Anthony Castonzo-OT-Boston College
23 of 32
Help on the offensive line is their primary need heading into this draft and they could find a good offensive lineman at this stage in the first round. There are several offensive linemen that are expected to go somewhere in the bottom part of the first round and Castonzo should be here when they make their first pick in the draft.
Last Mock: Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5)-Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
24 of 32
Getting a better pass rush is the number one need on the team’s list of draft needs so let’s see if they take a shot at Houston, one of the best pass rushers in this draft. They could consider a defensive tackle here but getting Houston could not only help them out with rushing the passer but can also help them stop the run.
Last Mock: Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)-Ryan Mallett-QB-Arkansas
25 of 32
Would it be a big mistake for the Seahawks to take Mallett in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft? After all, doesn’t he have a lot of off the field issues that will chase many teams away? With Mallett proving most of his doubters wrong he starts to look more and more like a good late first round pick and Seattle could use him.
Last Mock: No Change
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)-Cameron Heyward-DE/OLB-Ohio State
26 of 32
Colorado cornerback Jimmy Williams may interest the Ravens more at this point but if he’s not available or if the Raven’s don’t want to stretch to take him then adding someone like Heyward would be huge. He’s a good pass rusher and would give the Ravens another pass rushing weapon that they desperately need.
Last Mock: Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (Fl)
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)-Torrey Smith-WR-Maryland
27 of 32
The Falcons can use someone to help take some of the heat off of Roddy White, so taking a receiver here might be a good idea. Smith has a ton of upside and would give quarterback Matt Ryan another good weapon to throw the ball too and would make the Falcons offense much better.
Last Mock: Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
28. New England Patriots (14-2)-Mike Pouncey-C/G-Florida
28 of 32
There are a lot of people that feel that Pouncey is a lock to go to the Patriots, and if they decide to take him it’s easy to see that he could have a huge impact on the team right away. Solidifying both the offensive and defensive line is something that the Patriots need to do in this draft and they can do it with Pouncey.
Last Mock: Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
29. Chicago Bears (11-5)-Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
29 of 32
Chicago’s needs on the offensive line are well known, so one might expect them to take an offensive lineman with their first pick in the draft. Carimi may be around when Chicago makes their choice at number 29 and if he is they need to get him and plug him and let him start and play well for the next few years.
Last Mock: Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
30. New York Jets (11-5)-Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple
30 of 32
The Jets know that it is important to have a strong defensive front line and they need to look for someone in this year’s draft to help solidify their defensive front line. Wilkerson may be somewhat of a small school prospect but he could end up being a star for the Jets in the long term.
Last Mock: Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)-Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
31 of 32
The Steelers problems on the offensive line got them in trouble at times towards the end of last season (thanks to injuries) so putting some youth on that side of the ball would be the Steelers best bet in this draft. Sherrod remains the last offensive tackle with first round value and would be a nice fit in Pittsburgh.
Last Mock: Benjamin Ijalana-OG/OT-Villanova
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6)-Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA
32 of 32
The Packers are going to want to find someone to help take some of the heat off of Clay Matthews so at this point of the draft if Ayers or another suitable 3-4 outside linebacker is available then it would be best if they went for one here. Ayers is a competent player and would be a good fit in Green Bay.
Last Mock: No change
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")