NFL Draft 2011 Preview: A Fifth Look at Picks 1-16

Here’s a fifth look at the first sixteen picks of the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.

1.  Carolina Panthers:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri:  There seems to be a lot of traction for Cam Newton for the top pick, but I’ll stick with the best QB in the draft going No. one.
Previous Pick:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

2.  Denver Broncos:   Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama:  Dareus dramatically improved his stock at the NFL Combine, showing good size and speed. Plus, he fills a need at defensive tackle for the Broncos. Fixing their defense, a priority for John Fox, starts on the defensive line.
Previous Pick:  Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabam

3.  Buffalo Bills:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn:  The Bills need a QB in the worst way. They also need a boost financially. Newton should help solve both needs.
Previous Pick:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

4.  Cincinnati Bengals:  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU:  Last time I mocked Miller to the Bengals. After further consideration I feel adding a top notch cornerback is tougher than adding a pass rusher. Peterson is too gifted to pass up.
Previous Pick: Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M

5.  Arizona Cardinals:  Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M:  Now that Miller is back in the mix, he finds his way to the Cardinals.
Previous Pick:  Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina

6.  Cleveland Browns:  A.J. Green, WR, Georgia:  The Browns land perhaps the top offensive talent in the draft. While they could use help on defense, Green is a playmaker that suddenly gives Colt McCoy a go-to-guy.
Previous Pick:  A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

7.  San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina:  The Niners could go with Prince Amukamara, but the Niners could use another pass rusher to help Justin Smith.
Previous Pick:  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

8.  Tennessee Titans:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: Fairley was once in the conversation for the No. one pick. He did not have a strong showing at the Combine. He looked good at his Pro Day though, solidifying him as a top ten pick.
Previous Pick:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

9.  Dallas Cowboys:  Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska:  Prince could be gone, making the Cowboys go a different direction. If he’s there, he’s the choice.
Previous Pick:   Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

10.  Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama:  The Redskins have a major shortage of skill position players so Jones is still the pick. He burned up the track on a broken foot.
Previous Pick:  Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

11.  Houston Texans:  J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin:  Bowers’ knee  concerns makes him continue to slide. Watt, on the other hand, is gaining steam.
Previous Pick: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

12.  Minnesota Vikings:  Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson:  The Vikings need a quarterback, but Jake Locker may be a reach at 12. Bowers slides stops with the Vikings, where he could replace free agent Ray Edwards.
Previous Pick:   Jake Locker, QB, Washington

13.  Detroit Lions:  Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal:  The Lions' offensive line wasn’t terrible last year, but Jeff Backus will be 34. It’s time to look to the future to protect Matthew Stafford’s blind side.
Previous Pick:  Previous Pick:  Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

14.  St. Louis Rams:  Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri:  They need to add a WR, but that can wait. Adding Aldon Smith to boost their pass rush makes sense.
Previous Pick:  Cameron Jordan, DE, California

15.  Miami Dolphins:  Jake Locker, QB, Washington: I had the Dolphins taking Ponder in my last mock, but that was when Jake Locker was off the board.
Previous Pick:  Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

16.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa:  The Jags have struggled to find the right mix at defensive end. They managed just 26 sacks last year, which was second to only Denver.
Previous Pick:  Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa



Click here to see picks 17-32.