2011 NFL Mock Draft: Analysis of Peter Schrager's Recent Mock Draft
As NFL draft experts such as Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay and Peter Schrager have been releasing their updated versions of their mock drafts, we're just a couple weeks away from the 2011 NFL draft.
The most recent version of a mock draft was released by Fox Sports' Peter Schrager, and it is his updated "version 4.0".
In his mock draft, he answers a lot of the "burning questions", but a lot of the time, he's going to be wrong. Just like Kiper Jr. and McShay, these guys are almost never right—it's like a guessing game when it comes to mock drafts.
Here, allow me to give my analysis over each of Schrager's first round picks. I am going to be taking him back to school, giving him a letter grade for each pick and I'll share my thoughts on that certain player.
Feel free to share your thoughts on each pick as well—enjoy!
NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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I am not a fan of a developmental quarterback being the first overall pick of the draft.
The Carolina Panthers have many other needs, and with such a talented defensive draft, prospects like Da'Quan Bowers, Patrick Peterson and Marcell Dareus will be available—and they might be one of a kind.
I realize all of the hype around former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, but he's going to be similar to Denver's Tim Tebow.
Tebow, unlike Newton, has shown that he can play at the pro level and has re-designed his throwing mechnics. Newton, on the other hand, struggled at the combine when it came to his accuracy.
If a guy can't hit open guys past 25 yards, with no one giving him, then he's not going to make it in the NFL.
Newton will need time to develop in order to be a decent quarterback, and Carolina doesn't have to waste their first round pick on him.
Grade: C
2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Allow me to share Shrager's thoughts on this pick:
"I know I may be on an island with this one. He’s the No. 1 overall player on my draft board, and for a team that needs help just about everywhere on defense, I think he makes more sense than one of the highly touted defensive linemen in this year’s draft."
Well, I agree 100 percent with Schrager—Denver has so many wholes defensively, then Peterson will be a perfect fit as he's the most talented defensive player in the entire draft class.
The way I see it is if Carolina makes the mistake of draft a quarterback, then Denver lucks out. They will have access to Peterson, Fairley, Miller, Dareus, Bowers and Quinn—all players who are ranked extremly high by experts.
Denver did just re-sign cornerback Champ Bailey, but let's be honest, Bailey isn't the same dominant shut-down cornerback that he was a few years ago. Peterson will be a nice addition to Denver's horrible defense.
Grade: A
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama
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I realize that everyone has the Buffalo Bills draft Newton or Blaine Gabbert, but they have already have a decent quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick.
I might be alone here, but Fitzpatrick put up some nice numbers last season and led Buffalo's offensive nicely and effectively—they can wait until the second or third round to snag a quarterback to groom and develop.
With this pick, Dareus brings size, strength and explosiveness to Buffalo's 3-4 defensive line.
Last season, Buffalo allowed teams to 169 rushing yards per game, and Dareus' large frame will help clean up Buffalo's defense, as he fits in nicely as either a two-gap tackle or a nose guard.
Grade: B+
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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With such a deep defensive draft, I am actually a fan of this pick.
The Bengals' franchise quarterback Caron Palmer wants out of Cinci, and that will leave the Bengals with no other choice but drafting Missouri's Blaine Gabbert.
Gabbert is a decent quarterback prospect, not as good as he's being hyped up to be.
Schrager describes Gabbert as a "more athletic version of Drew Bledsoe"—which I absolutely love.
Gabbert will go into Cinci being paired up with offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, and this could be a match made in heaven.
Grade: B+
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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Texas A&M's Von Miller is arguably the best linebacker prospect in this year's draft class.
Multiple scouts have been comparing Miller to DeMarcus Ware, and like Schrager, I believe he'd be a great fit in Arizona's 3-4 defense.
Miller was lights-out pass rusher in college. His junior year, he recorded an amazing 17 sacks and then followed up in his senior year with 9.5 sacks.
Although Arizona needs a quarterback and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is begging for one—they can address that in free agency, as Newton and Gabbert are already gone.
Grade: B
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Out of all of Schrager's picks, this is my favorite.
Georgia's A.J. Green will be a great addition to Cleveland Browns' west coast offensive.
Paring Green with young quarterback Colt McCoy will only help his development as an NFL passer.
I realize that Cleveland has some holes on defense, but the youngest McCoy literally has no one to through to. Green is the ideal, play making receiver that will pair up fantastically with McCoy.
Grade: A
7. San Francisco 49ers: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Newly signed head coach Jim Harbaugh needs a quarterback—as soon as possible.
I am not sure that I completely like this pick, as the 49ers already have a decent defense. However, Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers has been compared to Julius Peppers by many scouts.
If the draft goes accordingly, I would assume the 49ers would fall back to draft quarterback Jake Locker. However, it could be a possibility that San Fransisco is going to do whatever it takes to draft Andrew Luck next season.
Grade: C+
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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I'm not completely sold on Auburn's Nick Fairley falling this far, due to the fact that I don't believe Newton and Gabbert will both be picked at this point.
However, if Fairley is there, then go get 'em Titans.
Many scouts have Fairley going much higher, and I feel that this is a steal on Tennessee's part.
Fairley would likely move inside and play defensive tackle in the Titans' 4-3 alignment.
Grade: B-
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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I do not like this pick at all.
Yes, the Cowboys do need to address their offensive line, but Tyron Smith isn't even projected as the top offensive tackle in the draft class.
With players like Robert Quinn and Prince Amukamara still available, I would hope that Dallas does not pass them up for a questionable offensive tackle.
Grade: D+
10. Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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The Wasington Redskins will luck out if Schrager's draft like this.
The Redskins will be drafting a stud who should have been drafted much higher in North Carolina's Robert Quinn.
Quinn was benched by the NCAA all of last season, so his stock has fallen a tad bit, but he's still that play-making defensive end.
Washington does need a quarterback, but they can wait for one—Quinn just has too much potential.
Grade: A
11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Wisconsin's J.J. Watt is projected to be a 3-4 defensive end, and he'd be a perfect addition to Wade Phillip's newly installed 3-4 defense in Houston.
Watt will need to bulk up a tad bit in order to dominant in the NFL much like he did in the Big-Ten.
Overall, I like this pick by Houston, but they really need help in the secondary.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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I guess you gotta do what you gotta do—and that's draft a quarterback in Minnesota's eyes.,
The Vikings only have quarterback Joe Webb under contract, and he was drafted as en emergency quarterback and as a wide receiver.
Minnesota has a nice team with not too many holes, with the only glaring one at quarterback.
Throw in Locker with running back Adrian Peterson, and he could develop nicely.
Grade: B
13. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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The Detroit Lions have two glaring weaknesses: their offensive line and their defensive backfield—you can only address one with the 13th overall pick.
Nebraska's Prince Amukamara would definitely shore up things in Detroit's secondary, but they still need help protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford.
I'd much rather see Detroit drafting an offensive linemen.
Grade: C
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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I am in love with this pick—it would be a brilliant move if the St. Louis Rams can snag Julio Jones at 14th overall.
Much like Cleveland, the Rams need a wide receiver, and Jones pairing up with young quarterback Sam Bradford would be a nice fit.
Jones brings play-making abilities to the table, and he will soon become Bradford's favorite target.
Grade: A
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram Jr., RB, Alabama
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Is Alabama's Mark Ingram the next Emmitt Smith? We'll soon find out.
The Miami Dolphins two featured running backs, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, will unlikely be apart of the 2011 Dolphins, so Ingram seems like the smart move.
Miami does need a quarterback, but look around at who's available—no quarterback available is considered first-round talent.
I'm not completely giving up on Miami's Chad Henne, so I do like this draft pick. It will clear up the running back situation for the Dolphins' front office.
Grade: B+
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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It's either California's Cameron Jordan or Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan for Jacksonville, and Schrager has the Jaguars selecting Jordan with the 16th overall pick.
Jordan is a high energy defensive end with a relentless motor—he doesn't stop until he gets to the ball carrier.
Jaguars' head coach Jack Del Rio will likely be in heaven if both Kerrigan and Jordan are available at 16th overall, and Jordan seems like the most sensible, considering he's more talented and stole the show at the Senior Bowl in January.
Grade: A-
17. New England Patriots: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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It is unclear if New England will trade out of this pick, but if they stay, Schrager has New England grabbing Boston College's Anthony Castonzo.
Castonzo was recently worked out by the Patriots' offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia at Boston College's pro day—and reports were good.
The Patriots do need some help on the left-side of the line, and Castonzo would likely replace left tackle Matt Light, which will end the Matt Light-era in New England.
Grade: B
18. San Diego Chargers: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
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The San Diego Chargers really need a defensive end, and with Watt and Jordan already gone, Missouri's Aldon Smith is the best available.
Smith is projected by many scouts to be a top-20 pick, so this would be a smart move by the Chargers.
Playing at Missouri, Smith had a decent career—not spectacular, but decent.
Smith will be a nice addition to San Diego's defense.
Grade: C+
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Colorado's Nate Solder is projected to be the most athletic offensive tackle in the 2011 draft.
The Giants need to address their pass protection, as they can't afford to keep letting franchise quarterback Eli Manning on his back—the Giants need some major help on the offensive line.
This is a great move by New York's part, and Solder will likely be a Pro Bowler in years to come.
Grade: A-
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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I really question this selection—Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan isn't a sure first round pick. This left me scratching my head.
With players such as Adrian Clayborn and Justin Houston still available, I have no clue why Schrager has Tampa Bay going with Kerrigan.
The Bucs do need help defensively, as their whole defense has been rebuilding.
Grade: C-
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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Georgia's Justin Houston will likely be drafted by the Chiefs, and he'll end up being outside linebacker Mike Vrabel's future replacement.
Schrager has mentioned that "I’ve had Houston attached to the Chiefs since mid-January, and I see no reason to change that now."
I completely agree with him.
Houston will be a great fit in Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense, and he'd be a nice replacement for Vrabel.
Grade: B+
22. Indianapolis Colts: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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This is another questionable pick by Schrager; I see no reasoning behind it.
What the Colts really need is an offensive linemen to shore up their offensive line to protect Peyton Manning.
There are players like Mike Pouncey and Gabe Carimi still available, so I have no idea why Indianapolis would select Liuget.
Grade: D
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
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Allow me to quote Schrager, as I don't know why there's so much hype around this guy:
"I’ve been driving the Mo Wilkerson hype train for months, and the five-technique defensive tackle hasn’t let me down at any point along the way. He was tremendous in Indy at the Combine, great at his pro day and has been the recipient of a wave of positive press coming from his individual workouts."
Like I said, I question Wilkerson. He played at Temple against weaker opponents; I am not too sure why he's ranked so high.
I do not like this pick by the Eagles; there are much better players available on the board.
Grade: D
24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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Schrager describes Heyward as: "At 6'5", 294 pounds, Heyward could be the perfect fit for Gregg Williams’ always-attacking 4-3 alignment."
And I couldn't agree with Schrager any much more.
The New Orleans' defensive line is certainly getting older, and they will need to inject some youth in that group.
I love this pick. Heyward is one of the most underrated talents in the draft.
Grade: A
25. Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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I guess desperate times calls for desperate measures.
But, really this desperate?
The Seattle Seahawks don't necessarily need a quarterback while they have Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurts. This pick boggles my mind.
Ryan Mallet is not first-round talent, and this is a complete waste of a pick on Seattle's part.
"There are lots of questions around Mallett’s off-the-field and personal issues. That said, he throws downright beautiful long ball, is a 6'6" presence and has greatly improved his footwork and accuracy over the past two years. He was a polished gunslinger during his 2010 junior campaign. If the Seattle brass and coaching staff feel confident enough that he has the mental and emotional goods to play quarterback in the NFL, he’s the pick."
The way Schrager sums up Mallet is extremely generous.
Grade: F
26. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
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This is a nice, safe pick by the Baltimore Ravens.
What the Ravens really need is a wide receiver, but if you look around to see who's available—the talent is certainly thin.
Florida's Mike Pouncey has the versatility to play both guard and center and would be a great fit to anyone who needs offensive line help.
Grade: B+
27. Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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If Iowa's Adrian Clayborn falls to Atlanta at 27th, this is how Shcrager sums it up:
"Atlanta has some serious needs in their defensive backfield, but it can address those needs in later rounds. I doubt GM Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith think Clayborn will drop to 27. I doubt they’d hesitate in taking him if he did."
I realize that Clayborn has a lot of talent and potential, but corner back Brandon Harris is available, and the Falcons really need to address their secondary.
Grade: C
28. New England Patriots: Brooks Reed, DE/LB, Arizona
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This is a great pick by Schrager—this is a steal and a half for the New England Patriots.
If you want to talk sleepers, let's talk Arizona's Brooks Reed.
Reed has been compared to Clay Matthews, not because of his long blonde, but because of his ability on the field.
In New England's 3-4 defense, Reed will play outside linebacker and would be a strong force coming off of the edge.
Grade: A-
29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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The Chicago Bears' biggest concern needs to be protecting quarterback Jay Cutler.
Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi is one of the draft's top offensive linemen, and he'd fit in nicely with Chicago's offense.
Schrager describes how if Carimi falls to Chicago, they'll have to take him:
"The 2010 Outland Trophy winner could sneak into the top 20, but if he’s available at 29 — the Bears’ front office should pounce."
Grade: B+
30. New York Jets: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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This is a brilliant pick by Schrager, and if the New York Jets happen to have Akeem Ayers slip this far, Rex Ryan will be doing back flips.
Ayers is one of the draft's top pass rushing linebackers, and he'd develop into quite the pass rusher in Ryan's blitzing defense.
New York does need some wide receiver help, but there's not too many first-round worthy talented receivers available.
Grade: A-
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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NFL scouts has Colorado's Jimmy Smith as one of the most talented corner backs in this year's draft, but off-the-field issues will cause Smith to slip.
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have any major needs, but Smith is the best player available. Smith will enter a strong personality Steelers' lockeroom, and I think he'd gel in quite nicely and stay in check.
Grade: B
32. Green Bay Packers: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl with players like Ryan Grant, Jermichael Finley and Nick Barnett all being injured throughout the 2010 season. So, the Packers don't have any glaring needs.
But adding Derek Sherrod to their offensive line would definitely add some depth.
This is how Schrager describes the pick: "The All-SEC performer helped pave the way for a Mississippi State rushing attack that averaged 227.6 yards per game in 2010. He’s a road paver who can play all over the line. If Sherrod’s still hanging around at No. 32, it’s a solid pickup for the NFC champs."
Grade: B
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