NFL Draft 2011: First Round Mock Draft
With a lockout in place, NFL fans seem to be looking toward the draft with more excitement than ever. Partially because it's a break from all the depressing talk of lawyers and mediators. Partially because we might not get to see anything else NFL related for a while.
The lockout also gives mock drafters an easier time this year. Teams can't trade players, only picks, so the draft should proceed according to plan, at least with respect to the order of the picks.
So without further ado, I present the 1st round of the 2011 NFL draft. In reverse order, for dramatic effect, of course.
#32: Packers: Cameron Heyward DE Ohio St
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With no decent values at the runningback spot or on the offensive line, Green Bay decides to add depth to their defensive line.
Heyward is a great fit in the Packers' 3-4 scheme at nearly 300 pounds. Additionally, Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins are both in their 30's, so the Packer's could use some more youth at the position.
#31: Steelers: Justin Houston OLB Georgia
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While Pittsburgh would love to upgrade their offensive line, anyone left on the board would be a major reach. So they decide to draft for depth and add another linebacker that can take over for James Farrior or James Harrison, both of whom are over 30.
Houston is a good pass rusher who should fit nicely as a 3-4 OLB. And, as we all know, Pittsburgh loves linebackers.
#30: Jets: Torrey Smith WR Maryland
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With a stacked defense already, the Jets look to upgrade their sporadic offense. Smith adds depth to a mediocre receiver corps.
He can play in the slot to start off and eventually move outside to replace the less than sure handed Braylon Edwards.
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#29: Bears: Derek Serrod T Mississippi St
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The Bears jump at the chance to upgrade their much maligned offensive line. Sherrod can play at RT or the Bears could move him inside to guard.
While he's not quite athletic enough to be a great left tackle, the Bears could use an upgrade at every spot except center on their line.
#28: Patriots: Brandon Harris CB Miami
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While Devin McCourty, a rookie last season, has been a good pick up for New England, the other corner spot has been less effective.
Harris would give them a good athlete to match up against other teams' No. 2 WR and allow Kyle Arrington to move inside and play in the slot when the Patriots go to the nickel defense.
#27: Falcons: Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
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The Falcons could use another defensive end to take some pressure off of John Abraham.
Clayborn is a good pass rusher who should generate a few more sacks than the players who held that spot last year. Additionally, the chance to learn the position from Abraham should do wonders for Clayborn's development.
#26: Ravens: Jimmy Smith CB Colorado
7 of 32
Baltimore has a lot of good players in the middle of their defense, but they're weak at the corners.
Smith will provide them with a legitimate No. 1 corner as well as someone who can match up with bigger receivers. Smith is four inches taller than any of Baltimore's current corner backs.
#25: Seahawks: Rahim Moore S UCLA
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The Seahawks have one safety in Earl Thomas, but need to replace the 37 year old Lawyer Milloy sooner, rather than later.
Moore give them another play maker on the back end of the defense. He's a good enough athlete to match up with a slot receiver, tight end, or runningback.
#24: Saints: Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue
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The Saints could use another DE to start opposite Will Smith. Kerrigan gives them a good pass rusher off the edge.
He could stand to add a little bulk to hold up better against the run, but the Saints need an upgrade over Alex Brown, a serviceable player, but not a game changer.
#23: Eagles: Gabe Carimi T Wisconsin
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The Eagles could use help at guard immediately and could move Carimi inside until he is ready to move out to left tackle.
Carimi is a big gut at 6-7 and 315 pounds, but move well for his size and should be able to handle to left tackle spot well.
#22: Colts: Mike Pouncey G Florida
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The Colts desperately need help on the offensive line. Pouncey is clearly the best guard in the draft and would be a huge upgrade over Kyle DeVan.
Pouncey will open up holes for the run game, which should keep Manning jersey a little cleaner.
#21:Chiefs: Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame
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The Chiefs look to recapture a little of what the lost when Tony Gonzalez headed to Atlanta.
Rudolph is the only top notch tight end in the draft this year and is certainly and upgrade over Leonard Pope and Tony Moeaki.
#20: Buccaneers: Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA
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Tampa Bay could use an upgrade at linebacker to replace the rotating door opposite Geno Hayes.
Ayers gives them a good players who fits the 4-3 defense. He's not particularly fast, but has good instincts and is a good tackler.
#19: Giants: Nate Solder G Colorado
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The Giants would like to inject some youth onto an offensive line that has four starter in their 30s.
Solder in a huge guy at 6'8" and 320 pounds and will swallow up smaller players on running plays. As long as he works on pass blocking, smaller speed rushers he'll be a good player.
#18: Chargers: Aldon Smith DE Missouri
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A smaller defensive end, who the Chargers can move to linebacker opposite Shaun Phillips, will be an upgrade over Larry English or Antwan Applewhite.
Smith should upgrade the run defense and can pressure the passer on passing downs.
#17: Patriots: J.J. Watt DE Wisconsin
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New England needs some ends to go on either side of Vince Wilfork. Watt fills the need of a big defensive end who can play in the 3-4 defense.
Watt should be an upgrade over either the aging Gerard Warren or the mediocre Mike Wright.
#16: Jaguars: Cameron Jordan DE California
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Jacksonville could use an upgrade at defensive end. Jeremy Mincey is serviceable, but Austen Lane needs to be replaced.
Jordan would be better against both the run and the pass as he is a fairly balanced player.
#15: Dolphins: Mark Ingram RB Alabama
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Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams aren't getting any younger. Both are on the down slope of their careers.
Ingram would provide a much needed injection of youth, as well as a good all-around runningback. He is a good blocker and has decent hands also.
#14: Rams: Julio Jones WR Alabama
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Jones is a phenomenal athlete, running a sub 4.4 40 yards dash at 220 pounds. Sam Bradford sorely needs a big target to throw to.
Besides Danny Amendola, a smaller receiver, the Rams receivers are career backups at best.
#13: Lions: Tyron Smith T USC
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For Detroit to make the jump to a legitimate playoff contender, they need to keep Stafford healthy for a whole season.
Backus is getting older but still serviceable at left tackle. Smith could start at right tackle over Corey Hilliard and move to left when Backus can't play anymore.
#12: Vikings: Jake Locker QB Washington
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We're going to assume, and hope, that Favre is actually retiring this year. Tavaris Jackson isn't a long term solution, and Joe Webb was awful.
Locker is a stretch at this spot, but the Vikings have such a pressing need for a QB they're willing to take the risk.
#11: Texans: Robert Quinn DE North Carolina
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Houston could use a better pass rusher to take some pressure off of Mario Williams and the secondary.
Quinn is a little small, so he may struggle against the run. If he can add 10 pounds or so, he'll be an every down defensive end.
#10: Redskins: Cam Newton QB Auburn
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After the falling out with McNabb, Washington needs a new quarterback. Everyone, except maybe Shanahan, knows that Rex Grossman isn't the answer.
Daniel Snyder likes to make splashy picks and free agent pickups. Without free agency, he makes the splashiest draft pick he can with Newton.
#9: Cowboys: Anthony Costanzo T Boston College
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Dallas desperately needs an upgrade over Doug Free. Costanzo is athletic enough to start at left tackle from day one.
If Dallas is going to be the playoff contender they claim to be, Tony Romo needs to be healthy for the whole season.
#8: Titans: Nick Fairley DT Auburn
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Fairley is a phenomenal pass rusher from the defensive tackle spot. The Titans could use some pressure from their three technique tackle.
Fairley will remind Tennessee of Albert Haynesworth with his athleticism and, unfortunately, his penchant for dirty play.
#7: 49ers: Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska
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The 49ers need to find a replacement for the aging Nate Clements. Amukamara is a great athlete and can match up well against bigger receivers.
Even at 6 feet and over 200 pounds, Amukamara can run with the best receivers in the league.
#6: Browns: A.J. Green WR Georgia
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Green is one of the more complete WRs to come out of the draft in recent memory. He's big, athletic, has great hands, and runs good routes.
The Browns hope he can give them someone besides Josh Cribbs to make big plays.
#5: Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
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The Cardinals quarterback play last year ranged from sub-par to downright atrocious. None of the players on their current roster are quality NFL quarterbacks.
Luckily for them, Gabbert is the most NFL ready quarterback in this year's draft, probably the only one who can play competently in his first year.
#4: Bengals: DaQuan Bowers DE Clemson
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Cincinnati needs to mount some sort of pass rush to help their secondary. Neither Robert Geathers nor Michael Johnson is a quality starter.
Bowers gives the Bengals one of the most athletic defensive ends of the past decade.
#3: Bills: Von Miller LB Texas A&M
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The Bills need a linebacker in the worst way. After Maybin being a bust, they have no one to start at the two OLB spots.
Miller is by far the best linebacker in the draft and will start from day one.
#2: Broncos: Patrick Peterson CB LSU
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With Champ Bailey ready to move to safety to extend his career and Perrish Cox ready to report to prison, the Broncos need a corner back.
Peterson is the best corner back to enter the draft since Charles Woodson and will get the chance to learn from one of the NFL's best.
#1: Panthers: Marcell Dareus DT Alabama
32 of 32
The Panthers need help all over, but defensive tackle is one of their weakest spots. Dareus gives them a solid push up the middle and a good run stopper.
Rivera will look to build around the defense and bring this team back to relevance.
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