NFL Mock Draft 2011: Predicting Rounds 1 and 2, Version 1.0
Cameron Newton Goes No. 1 Overall, Patrick Peterson No. 2 in 2011 NFL Mock Draft
The NFL draft season is finally approaching its last stretch.
With the Senior Bowl, NFL combine and most major pro days already in the books, teams have already learned the majority of the possible information they can about each prospect.
The draft is still over a month away, but things are starting to become more clear about allocating certain players to teams.
Without further ado, let's get started with Zach Kruse's Mock Draft 1.0.
The Carolina Panthers are on the clock...
1. Carolina Panthers: QB Cameron Newton
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Don't get me wrong, there are question marks about Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton.
But isn't he also a once-in-a-lifetime athlete at the most important position in sports?
If the answer is yes to that question, that makes this pick pretty simple for the Panthers.
Sure, building your defense under new head coach and former defensive coordinator Ron Rivera makes sense, but you simply cannot win in the NFL without a leader at the quarterback position.
Newton might not turn around the franchise on Day 1, but he'll give the Panthers a glimmer of hope for the future and a piece for Rivera and his staff to build around.
2. Denver Broncos: CB Patrick Peterson
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With the Broncos transitioning back to a 4-3 defense, either Da'Quan Bowers or Marcell Dareus would be solid picks to bolster their defensive line.
If you're Denver however, you have to ask yourself an important question—do you really want to pass on possibly the most talented player (and safest) in the draft?
Bowers has knee issues, and Dareus probably won't be the impact player that Peterson could be at the next level.
The Broncos ultimately go with Peterson because he's the top player on many boards and he can add an extra dimension in the return game.
3. Buffalo Bills: QB Blaine Gabbert
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The Bills have gone through more than a handful of quarterbacks since the days of Jim Kelly, and nothing has stuck.
In Buffalo, it's time to stop with the Band-Aid approach. By taking Gabbert third overall, the Bills can start Ryan Fitzpatrick while Gabbert learns the game and gets comfortable with the playbook.
It won't produce immediate results like some picks here would, but Buffalo needs to look towards the future.
With a franchise quarterback on the roster, the Bills give themselves a shot at competing with the Patriots and Jets in the AFC East a couple of years down the line.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: WR A.J. Green
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With the top two quarterbacks off the board, the Bengals are forced to look to other positions at No. 4 overall.
However, that might not be such a bad thing for Cincinnati. While Carson Palmer's future is in limbo, the Bengals can grab one of the highest rated college receivers since Calvin Johnson in Green.
Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are likely on the way out, and Green could team with incumbents Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham to give the Bengals a younger and potentially more dangerous receiving crew.
The quarterback position is still an issue, but there's no way Cincinnati can let Green slip past the fourth pick.
5. Arizona Cardinals: LB Von Miller
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The Cardinals have quarterback issues of their own, but Miller would be a fine consolation prize at another position of need.
Outside linebacker has been a need ever since Joey Porter failed at providing any pass rush for Arizona.
With the explosive Miller coming off the edge, however, the Cardinals should be better at bringing down the quarterback next season.
Getting a quarterback would be the best case scenario, but fixing the pass rush is a fine starting point for the Cardinals.
6. Cleveland Browns: DE Da'Quan Bowers
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Under the direction of new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, the Browns are in need of a pass-rushing defensive end.
Bowers, who could very well be the No. 1 overall pick, falls into the waiting arms of Cleveland at six and fills that need.
The reports of knee injuries that might cause him to fall are worrisome, but Bowers could be the next Julius Peppers.
If his knee checks out fine, the Browns will be getting an elite talent at a position they need to fill—the perfect scenario for a top-10 selection.
7. San Francisco 49ers: CB Prince Amukamara
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As we know, the NFL has become a passing-dominated league.
It's no coincidence that the Packers, last season's Super Bowl champions, held opponents to the lowest passer rating in NFL and had the third-highest rated quarterback.
By drafting Amukamara, the 49ers can give some immediate help to one side of that equation.
He's not the versatile athlete that Patrick Peterson is, but Amukamara can potentially be a shutdown corner in the NFL very early in his career.
8. Tennessee Titans: DT Marcell Dareus
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When the Titans were playing their best football, they dominated both sides of the line. In the first round, they choose to upgrade their defensive front with Dareus.
Tennessee would also have the option of Nick Fairley, but Dareus is the safer pick.
He lacks many of the red flags and actually has had better showings in the workouts than Fairley.
With Vince Young on the way out, the Titans will also need to address the quarterback position. Dareus is too talented, however, to pass up to gamble on a second-tier quarterback.
9. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyron Smith
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The Cowboys would have loved for either Amukamara or Peterson to fall to No. 9, but their secondary gets no reprieve with the top two coverage prospects already off the board.
However, Dallas gets an opportunity to find their left tackle of the future.
Smith has risen to the top of the tackle class, and while he may not be the best initial player at that position, no player possesses the ceiling that Smith has.
With this selection, Doug Free can remain at left tackle until Smith is ready to take over the spot for the long run.
10. Washington Redskins: WR Julio Jones
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The Redskins are another team with a need at quarterback, but they are considerably weaker at receiver.
Anthony Armstrong is a good deep threat, but Santana Moss is likely gone and Joey Galloway has nearly nothing left to contribute.
At No. 10, Jones combines need with considerable talent—skills that some say might vault him over A.J. Green.
Regardless of that debate, he'll provide Washington with a physical receiver for whoever is playing quarterback next season.
11. Houston Texans: DE Cameron Jordan
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Like Dallas, Houston would love if Amukamara or Peterson fell to them at No. 11.
They need serious help in their secondary, but it's hard to endorse reaching for a cornerback if both top prospects are off the board already.
Instead, the Texans do the next best thing by improving their defensive front with the selection of Jordan.
With a pass-rushing duo of Jordan and Mario Williams, Houston can improve their pass defense the old fashioned way.
12. Minnesota Vikings: OT Nate Solder
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Like so many teams in the top half of the first round, the Vikings also have a serious need for a quarterback.
However, taking the inconsistent and inaccurate Jake Locker at No. 12 is still too much of a reach.
Minnesota instead helps their leaking offensive line with the selection of Solder.
The Phil Loadholt experiment at right tackle comes to an end, and Solder becomes the starter at either left or right tackle for the Vikings.
13. Detroit Lions: OT Anthony Castonzo
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The Lions need cornerback and linebacker help considerably more, but no prospect fits the mold at No. 13.
Instead of reaching for a player, the Lions take another building block in Castonzo.
Incumbent starter Jeff Backus played well for Detroit last season, but Castonzo has the ability to be their left tackle of the future.
He'd also be a solid backup for either Backus or Godser Cherilus should they get injured or lose effectiveness.
14. St. Louis Rams: DT Nick Fairley
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The Rams will be disappointed to miss out on Julio Jones and A.J. Green, but the free-fall of Fairley helps ease those pains.
While he could be a top-five pick or potentially the No. 1 overall selection, Fairley has plenty of red flags that could turn him off to teams.
At No. 15, however, the Rams are getting great value even with the risk.
Sam Bradford and new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels might not like it, but St. Louis gets a bigger boost by picking Fairley.
15. Miami Dolphins: RB Mark Ingram
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Pick No. 15 might be the consensus selection of the 2011 NFL draft.
The Dolphins are possibly losing both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, and Ingram, who's still available, is the draft's No. 1 running back.
With Ingram on the roster, the Dolphins can continue their run-heavy approach on offense while they fix their quarterback struggles.
Could this pick potentially make too much sense, however?
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Christian Ponder
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Ponder to the Jaguars at No. 16? Are you crazy?
Maybe, but there are plenty of reasons why this makes sense.
Current starting quarterback David Garrard is nothing more than a stop-gap, and Ponder's stock is starting to catch fire.
If he's over his arm injury that plagued his senior season, Ponder could be the best quarterback in this class—which would help revive the franchise in Jacksonville.
17. New England Patriots: DE/OLB Robert Quinn
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With three picks in the top 33, the Patriots have the luxury of either filling needs or picking the best player available with their first pick.
Lucky for New England, they can do both at No. 17.
Quinn falls all the way to the Patriots, and they find themselves a top-10 talent at a position they need to improve.
If Quinn can return to his 2009 form after a season out of football, the Patriots have once again found a steal.
18. San Diego Chargers: DE J.J. Watt
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At No. 18, the Chargers' solid defense gets another impact performer in Watt.
As the draft's premier 5-technique, Watt gives San Diego help along a defensive line that has struggled in recent years.
Many blame the decline of Jamal Williams on the nose, but the defensive ends haven't played well either.
Watt also gives the team another defensive leader and a positive influence in the locker room.
19. New York Giants: G/C Mike Pouncey
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New York could potentially take a linebacker here, but instead help out what's been their bread and butter—the offensive line.
With a need in the interior of that line, the Giants snag the twin brother of Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey.
Mike could push Shaun O'Hara or Rich Seubert for playing time, and he'd also give the Giants a backup plan if any of the starting interior lineman get injured.
Either way, Pouncey would become the future of the Giants' interior line.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Aldon Smith
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Tampa Bay's top need is defensive end, and they'll be delighted that one of the top prospects at that position falls to them at 20.
Some have Smith going higher than this, but the raw pass-rusher is a good fit for the young Bucs.
He's an explosive athlete, and matching him with 2010 first-rounder Gerald McCoy will improve Tampa Bay's ability to get to opposing quarterbacks.
With the Bucs trying to claw their way past Drew Brees and Matt Ryan in the NFC South, that's an important quality for a defense.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Derek Sherrod
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The Chiefs need a nose tackle for their 3-4, but reaching for Phil Taylor—the best at that position in the draft—doesn't make sense here.
Kansas City instead addresses their other weakness and selects Sherrod to play right tackle.
Paired with left tackle Branden Albert, the Chiefs would have bookend tackles to protect Matt Cassel and help improve their lacking passing offense.
22. Indianapolis Colts: OT Gabe Carimi
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The Colts wouldn't go wrong with picking a tackle or a guard, but offensive line is definitely their top need.
And as quarterback Peyton Manning ages, improving his protection only becomes more and more important.
With the 22nd pick, Indianapolis grabs possibly the most NFL-ready tackle in the draft in Carimi.
The Colts could immediately plug Carimi in at right tackle and improve both their pass protection and run blocking.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Jimmy Smith
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While the Eagles feature one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses, the other side of the ball has been a recent problem.
After bringing in Juan Castillo to run their defense, the Eagles take Smith, the talented but troubled cornerback.
Smith has the potential to be nearly as good as the top two corners in the draft, but he needs to keep his head on straight.
If the Eagles can do that, than they've got themselves a starting corner for the foreseeable future.
24. New Orleans Saints: LB Martez Wilson
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The last image we had of the 2010 Saints was Marshawn Lynch going beast mode on their defense in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Needless to say, New Orleans could use some help on defense—starting at outside linebacker.
Primarily an inside linebacker at Illinois, Wilson projects to be an outside linebacker in either a 4-3 or 3-4 in the NFL.
The Saints employ a 4-3 attacking defense, and Wilson would be perfect for blitz-heavy defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
25. Seattle Seahawks: QB Jake Locker
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In this pick, need meets value, and value meets geography.
Matt Hasselbeck is a free agent, and while he's likely to be back, the Seahawks need a long-term option at quarterback.
And while Locker has hurt his stock in the past season, he would have been the front-runner for the No. 1 pick had he come out last year.
Geographically, the Washington product stays home and plays for the local Seahawks—the perfect ending to this perfect pick.
26. Baltimore Ravens: CB Brandon Harris
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While the Ravens would have had second thoughts about taking Jimmy Smith and his character concerns, they have no hesitation in selecting Harris.
Baltimore is in need of a corner, and Harris has helped his stock recently with good workouts.
He would be able to start on Day 1 for the Ravens, and could help a pass defense that ranked 21st in the NFL last season.
And maybe, just maybe, Baltimore won't be giving up 58-yard bombs to rookie receivers in the biggest game of their season next year.
27. Atlanta Falcons: DE Ryan Kerrigan
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The Falcons are in need of a defensive end, and this pick could very well be Kerrigan, Justin Houston or Adrian Clayborn.
However, Kerrigan is the pick for Atlanta because he is the more complete defensive end prospect.
With his relentless motor, Kerrigan will surprise a few teams that let him slide to pick 27.
Paired with John Abraham, the Falcons' pass rush would be much improved with Kerrigan—the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year.
28. New England Patriots: DE Muhammad Wilkerson
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The Patriots could go running back and get either Mikel Leshoure or Ryan Williams, but they once again pick to bolster a young defense.
Wilkerson, who continues to be on the rise, joins Robert Quinn to become new Patriot defenders.
A powerful and athletic defensive end, Wilkerson can also provide some pass rush from a 5-technique in a 3-4.
Both Quinn and Wilkerson can immediately start for the Patriots and give them a much-improved defensive front seven.
29. Chicago Bears: DT Corey Liuget
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Jay Cutler would love for the Bears to get some offensive line help, but all the top-tier offensive tackles are off the board at No. 29.
While Chicago could also go with an interior lineman, Liuget is a solid find to replace defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Often forgotten in this deep class of defensive linemen, Liuget is quick and could give the Bears a lot of the same things Harris did when he was playing up to his talent.
Cutler and the offense could certainly benefit from some beef up front, but adding to the already scary Chicago defense won't hurt either.
30. New York Jets: NT Phil Taylor
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With Justin Houston and Akeem Ayers still on the board, the Jets might want to pick a rush linebacker for their 3-4.
However, New York needs to find a replacement for Kris Jenkins, and Taylor fits that mold perfectly.
Very few 330-pound human beings move as well as Taylor does, and his big frame could help anchor a solid Jets defense.
Besides, pass-rushing linebackers are much easier to find than nose tackles as solid as Taylor.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: G Danny Watkins
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With the top four cornerbacks off the board and Aaron Williams more of a free safety, the Steelers decide to address their offensive line.
Pittsburgh calls on Watkins, who will be a 26-year-old rookie, to immediately solve one position on their line.
He played tackle at Baylor, but Watkins might be better suited to play inside at the NFL level.
Either way, he can come in and help a team that was just a few pieces away from winning another Super Bowl last season.
32. Green Bay Packers: DE Cameron Heyward
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The Super Bowl champion Packers have very little holes on their roster and can afford to take the best player available.
You could make an argument that Akeem Ayers is that guy, but Heyward has the chance to be a very good defensive end in the Packers' 3-4 defense.
Plus, with the news that Johnny Jolly was once again arrested for codeine possession, Green Bay could identify that position as one that needs more depth.
The Packers take Heyward, who could team with Mike Neal to anchor the two defensive end spots for next 5-10 years.
33. New England Patriots: RB Mikel Leshoure
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With their three picks in the top 33 overall, the Patriots knock out all three of their biggest needs—outside linebacker (Quinn), defensive end (Wilkerson) and running back (Leshoure).
This will be a very valuable pick for New England, however, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade down if a team overreacts during the break.
34. Buffalo Bills: OLB Justin Houston
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The Bills might go with Benjamin Ijalana if they think he can play tackle, but most reports say he's better suited to be a guard.
If that's the case, Buffalo will take Houston—an explosive athlete who can help erase the memory of Aaron Maybin at outside linebacker.
35. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Ryan Mallett
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If Carson Palmer is serious about retirement—and it sounds like he is—the Bengals have to address the quarterback position sometime in this draft.
By taking Mallett, Cincinnati will cover their bases and add a talented thrower of the football at a good value.
36. Denver Broncos: TE Kyle Rudolph
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The Broncos get great value at the top of the second round by taking Rudolph.
A talented pass-catcher, Rudolph gives Denver another offensive weapon and will be an impact rookie if he stays healthy.
37. Cleveland Browns: WR Jonathan Baldwin
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The Browns need a receiver for their young but improving offense, and Baldwin could be one of the draft's steals if he has his head on right.
He's received the diva label from several draft people, but Cleveland can handle that if he helps improve an ailing passing offense.
38. Arizona Cardinals: OT/OG Benjamin Ijalana
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With Von Miller already in hand, the Cardinals strike gold once again with Ijalana falling to them at pick 38.
They'll need a starting quarterback via a trade or free agency, but Arizona can cross off another huge need by taking Ijalana.
39. Tennessee Titans: OG Rodney Hudson
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After shoring up their defensive line, the Titans go to the other side of the ball and help the interior of their offensive line.
Hudson is a rising prospect and has the talent to be one of Tennessee's starting guards right away.
40. Dallas Cowboys: DE Adrian Clayborn
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The Cowboys once again struggle to find secondary help, but Clayborn is too talented to pass up at No. 40 overall.
And while the secondary is the biggest concern, Dallas could use help at defensive end as well.
41. Washington Redskins: OLB Akeem Ayers
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The free-fall of Ayers comes to a halt in Washington.
His slow 40 times hurt his stock, but the Redskins get two immediate starters with their first two picks in Julio Jones at receiver and Ayers at outside linebacker.
42. Houston Texans: CB/S Aaron Williams
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It's really no secret that the Texans need help in their secondary, and they address it in the second round.
Williams might not have a set position right now, but he gives Houston a versatile athlete to add to the mix.
43. Minnesota Vikings: DT Marvin Austin
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With the top five quarterbacks off the board, the Vikings are forced to look elsewhere.
Minnesota goes with Austin, a defensive tackle, to replace Pat Williams and help get their once-feared defensive front back on track.
44. Detroit Lions: CB Curtis Brown
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This might be a little high for Brown to go off the board, but the Lions need help in the secondary and he's the best player available at the cornerback position.
With how weak Detroit is in the secondary, Brown would have a great opportunity to immediately start.
45. San Francisco 49ers: DE Christian Ballard
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The 49ers should be among the most active teams looking to get a quarterback through a trade (think Kevin Kolb), and they avoid that position in the second round.
To continue to build on their stout defense, San Francisco gets Ballard to anchor one side of their defensive line.
46. Denver Broncos: DE/DT Stephen Paea
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Continuing to build their front seven, the Broncos grab Paea to be either their defensive end or nose tackle.
The strongest player in the entire draft, Paea is a great value for Denver at pick 46.
47. St. Louis Rams: WR Titus Young
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There were whispers that Young could sneak into the first round, but his poor showing at the combine put a damper on his rise.
However, the Rams jump all over Young and his playmaking abilities after missing out on a receiver in the first round.
48. Oakland Raiders: G/C Stefen Wisniewski
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Without a first-round pick, the Raiders need to make their second-rounder a smart pick.
Oakland could go cornerback or even quarterback, but Wisniewski is a safe pick and could be a potential 10-year starter.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars: S Rahim Moore
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The Jags made a splash with Ponder in the first round, but they take the safer selection in the second.
Moore, the draft's top safety, isn't a game-changer but can step right in and start for Jacksonville.
50. San Diego Chargers: WR Torrey Smith
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Smith might be a first-round talent, but the Chargers won't mind if he falls all the way to pick 50.
The speedy receiver gives Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense a vertical threat to help ease the potential loss of Vincent Jackson.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OLB Mason Foster
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Foster might be able to play either outside or middle linebacker in the NFL, and the Bucs have a need at both positions.
He needs to put on a little more weight, but Foster has the potential to start right away for Tampa Bay.
52. New York Giants: TE D.J. Williams
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The Giants might be tempted to take a running back, but Williams is a solid pick nonetheless.
He'd be called upon to replace Kevin Boss, and Williams would be the early favorite to start at tight end in New York.
53. Indianapolis Colts: OT/G Marcus Cannon
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By taking tackle Gabe Carimi in the first and Cannon in the second, the Colts can possibly turn their offensive line from a weakness to a strength.
The large and athletic Cannon has experience at tackle but projects better as a guard.
54. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Orlando Franklin
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After taking a cornerback in the first round, the Eagles take care of their second-biggest need by taking an offensive tackle.
Franklin has a massive frame (6'7") and with better footwork could be a solid starting tackle.
55. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Leonard Hankerson
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With the 55th pick, the Chiefs find a potential draft gem in Hankerson.
The Miami receiver has been bolting up draft boards, and he'd make a formable tandem with Dwayne Bowe on the outside.
56. New Orleans Saints: DT Drake Nevis
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The Saints add more talent to their defense by taking the powerful and athletic Nevis in the second round.
With Martez Wilson and Nevis as potential starters next season, the Saints would be a serious contender in the NFC.
57. Seattle Seahawks: OG William Rackley
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Seattle adds small-school prospect William Rackley to help fix their poor offensive line.
He may be a bit of a reach in the second round, but he has the potential to be a dominant guard in the NFL.
58. Baltimore Ravens: WR Randall Cobb
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The Ravens couldn't get their hands on one of the top receivers, but Cobb is a fine choice in the second round.
He will add a touch of versatility to Baltimore's offense, and he can return kicks and punts as well.
59. Atlanta Falcons: TE Jordan Cameron
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The NFL is a copycat league, and the Falcons take a player that could resemble one who's already on their roster.
A former basketball player, Cameron can learn from Tony Gonzalez then eventually replace him at tight end.
60. New England Patriots: OT James Carpenter
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The Patriots have another pick?
With their four selections in the top 60, New England takes Carpenter, a talented but raw tackle prospect who can learn before he takes over.
61. San Diego Chargers: OLB Brooks Reed
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Reed is another outside linebacker who suffers a fall in this mock draft.
While some think he can crack the first round, he's not nearly in the class of Clay Matthews. The Chargers get good value at 61, however.
62. Chicago Bears: C Jake Kirkpatrick
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The Bears probably would have liked to address the offensive line in the first round, but finding Kirkpatrick in the second round is a solid job.
With Olin Kreutz past his prime, it's possible Kirkpatrick could come right in and start for Chicago.
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Rashad Carmichael
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Carmichael is another cornerback who probably goes higher than he should, but he absolutely fits a need in Pittsburgh.
With this speedy corner who doesn't mind playing in space, the Steelers hopefully find help for their ailing secondary.
64. Green Bay Packers: OLB Sam Acho
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The Packers defense continues to add playmakers by getting a pass-rushing linebacker at the end of the second round.
Acho might not be the flashy sack-master that Clay Matthews is, but he'll give Green Bay a steady player to fill the other outside linebacker spot.
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