2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Complete First Round with Teams' Needs
Here it goes, my third installment and updated version of my NFL mock draft.
As I've said several times, I am not an expert, but I consider myself an expert fan—a fan with strong insight and great knowledge of the NFL.
In this draft, I will give out the team's biggest needs along with analysis of each and every pick of the first round of the 2011 NFL mock draft.
Hope you enjoy—be sure to give me some feedback!
NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
1. Carolina Panthers: DT Marcell Dareus
1 of 32
Team needs: DT, QB, OLB, CB, DE
Here it is, with the first pick of the NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers select Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, University of Alabama.
Yes, that's right. The Panthers will not be selecting a quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2011 draft. The Panthers already have youngster Jimmy Clausen and both top prospects Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton don't appear to be too promising in my opinion.
The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL, by far, last season, and will need to improve their defense in order to move forward in the future
Dareus brings a lot to the table while being 319 lbs. He will definitely help out Carolina's defense who averaged a total of 123.8 yards per-carry on the ground last season.
2. Denver Broncos: CB Patrick Peterson
2 of 32
Team needs: DT, CB, LB, TE, DE
Out of every single prospect in the 2011 draft class, LSU's Patrick Peterson is the most talented.
The Denver Broncos already have cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman, but both are on the downside of their careers.
Denver had one of the worst pass defenses last year, averaging 236.2 yards per-game and Peterson will definitely contribute in a big way.
Peterson is the draft's biggest defensive playmaker, and has a freakish athletic body frame. He will be the league's top defender in years to come.
3. Buffalo Bills: QB Blaine Gabbert
3 of 32
Team needs: QB, OT, DE, OLB, TE
In the Buffalo Bills' head coach Chain Gailey's media appearances in New Orleans at the NFL annual meeting, Gailey made it clear that he feels that both Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are NFL ready quarterbacks.
In my opinion, if Gabbert and Newton are both available, the Bills will select Gabbert—he is the "safe" choice out of the two.
Buffalo already has Ryan Fitzpatrick, who's a proven starter, so it will clear up some time for Gabbert to develop into an NFL quarterback.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Cam Newton
4 of 32
Team needs: QB, WR, RB, OT, DT
The 6'5" 250 lbs. quarterback, Cam Newton, is such a freakish athlete—no other player played quarterback like he did at Auburn in 2010.
The Bengals need a quarterback, as Carson Palmer has made it clear he wants out. So, the Bengals will draft the best available: Auburn's Cam Newton.
5. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Von Miller
5 of 32
Team needs: QB, OLB, TE, CB, OL
With the top two quarterbacks off the board, the Cardinals will have to pursue a quarterback another way.
Texas A&M's Von Miller is the best player available, and the Cardinals will take him, with no hesitation.
The Cardinals need some major help on defense, especially in the pass rusher category and Miller is the draft's top choice.
6. Cleveland Browns: WR A.J. Green
6 of 32
Team needs: WR, CB, DE, DT, OL
The Cleveland Browns have found their quarterback of the future, now they need to give him an elite receiver. Georgia's A.J. Green can provide that.
Green is projected as the draft's top receiver, and he will live up to his high expectations with his play-making ability.
7. San Francisco 49ers: DT Nick Fairley
7 of 32
Team needs: QB, OLB, CB, DT
Auburn's defensive tackle, Nick Fairley, was once one of the favorites to be the first overall selected; however, his stock has fallen and he has fallen right into San Francisco's lap.
The 49ers need a quarterback, but none worthy of the seventh overall pick is available.
Fairley will likely be thrown into the mix for 49ers' starting nose guard position, as they are very thin at that position.
8. Tennessee Titans: CB Prince Amukamara
8 of 32
Team needs: QB, ILB, CB, OL, DT
The Tennessee Titans had one of the worst pass defenses in 2010, as they ranked fourth, so they'll look for some help via the draft.
As of right now, Nebraska's Prince Amukamara is the best available cornerback, and he will fit in nicely with the Titans.
Expect Amukamara to emerge as an NFL star, and this will be a very smart move by the Titans.
9. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyron Smith
9 of 32
Team needs: CB, OT, ILB, DE
Over the past couple of weeks, the buzz between USC's Tyron Smith and the Dallas Cowboys has been high.
The Cowboys will need to protect quarterback Tony Romo if they want to win a Super Bowl, and Tyron Smith will likely contribute as the team's left tackle.
Smith's stock has been on the rise with his stellar pro day and combine performances. He has gained some strengths to go along with his quickness and explosiveness.
10. Washington Redskins: RB Mark Ingram
10 of 32
Team needs: RB, QB, WR, OLB, OL
Washington Redskins' head coach Mike Shannhan loves his running backs, and the best available is the stud running back out of Alabama: Mark Ingram.
Ingram will fit nicely in Shannhan's running scheme, and don't be surprised if Ingram wins the offensive rookie of the year award in 2011.
11. Houston Texans: OLB / DE Robert Quinn
11 of 32
Team needs: OLB, CB, FS, SS
With Wade Phillips as the team's new defensive coordinator, he will need some help on that side of the ball.
North Carolina's Robert Quinn is the best player available.
He has the versatility to play defensive end and outside linebacker in Phillips' 3-4 defense—expect him to become a huge play maker in Houston.
12. Minnesota Vikings: DE Da'Quan Bowers
12 of 32
Team needs: QB, DE, OL, FS
Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers was once projected as a top five pick; however, he has been having linger knee problems, which has caused his stock to fall.
At 12th overall, and no worthy quarterback available, the Minnesota Vikings will take the best available and that's Bowers.
This could be a steal for Minnesota.
13. Detroit Lions: OT Anthony Castonzo
13 of 32
Team needs: OT, LB, CB
With the draft's highest rated offensive tackle already gone, the Lions will settle with Boston College's Anthony Castonzo.
The Lions need to protect young quarterback Matthew Stafford and Castonzo adds an anchor on a below average offensive line.
14. St. Louis Rams: WR Julio Jones
14 of 32
Team needs: WR, RB, OLB, DT, OL
Much like the Cleveland Browns, the St. Louis Rams need a wide receiver to complement young quarterback Sam Bradford.
Alabama's Julio Jones gives Bradford a large target to throw to standing in at 6'3".
15. Miami Dolphins: QB Jake Locker
15 of 32
Team needs: QB, FS, RB, OG, LB
Here it is, my surprise pick of the first round: Washington's Jake Locker to the Miami Dolphins.
I strongly believe that the Dolphins have no faith in current quarterback Chad Henne, so the Dolphins will be very proactive in drafting Locker to be the quarterback of the future.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Cameron Jordan
16 of 32
Team needs: DE, FS, QB, LB, WR
The best available player as of right now is California's Cameron Jordan. And luckily, the Jaguars need a defensive end.
Jordan will fit in nicely in Jacksonville's scheme and this could very well be the steal of the draft.
17. New England Patriots: DE J.J. Watt
17 of 32
Team needs: OL, OLB, DE, DB
Like always, the New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will select the best available player and that's Wisconsin's J.J. Watt.
Watt, who was a stellar defensive end in the Big Ten, will likely dominant in New England's 3-4 defense as a defensive end.
18. San Diego Chargers: DT / DE Muhammad Wilkerson
18 of 32
Team needs: DE, LB, WR, OL
The San Diego Chargers will draft the extremely versatile defense lineman, Muhammad Wilkerson. Wilkerson, who spent his collegiate time at Temple, can help out San Diego in multiple ways at the defensive end and defensive tackle position.
Wilkerson's stock is on the rise, so don't be too shocked if the Chargers snag him.
19. New York Giants: OT Gabe Carimi
19 of 32
Team needs: OL, DT, TE, RB
The New York Giants suffered a lot of injuries to their offensive line last season, and it exposed a major weakness.
The Giants will add depth by adding the versatile and highly regarded Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE / LB Aldon Smith
20 of 32
Team needs: DE, LB, OL
Tampa Bay is looking for some help on the defensive front, and Missouri's Aldon Smith can do the job.
Standing in at 6'4" and 263 lbs., scouts have mentioned Smith as a defensive end and an outside linebacker at the next level.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: DE / OLB Ryan Kerrigan
21 of 32
Team needs: NT, LB, WR, OL
Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan would be a perfect fit in Kansas City's 3-4 defense.
He is extremely versatile and can play both defensive end and outside linebacker in the Chiefs' 3-4 alignment.
22. Indianapolis Colts: DT Corey Liuget
22 of 32
Team needs: DT, OL, DB
Illinois' Corey Liuget would be a quality addition to the Colts defensive front.
The Colts lacked depth and size last season on the defensive line, and weighting 300 lbs., Liuget would be a smart draft pick.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: OG Mike Pouncey
23 of 32
Team needs: OG, LB, DB
This is one player that the Eagles could not pass on.
Florida's Mike Pouncey is one of the draft's most versatile interior offensive linemen and would be a great addition to Philadelphia's offensive line.
24. New Orleans Saints: DE Adrian Clayborn
24 of 32
Team needs: DE, OL, LB, RB, DB
Iowa's defensive end Adrian Clayborn will fall right into New Orleans' laps.
The Saints defensive front seven is certainly aging, and defensive coordinator Greg Williams must insert some youth into that bunch.
25. Seattle Seahawks: OT Derek Sherrod
25 of 32
Team needs: OL, QB, WR, LB, CB
The Seattle Seahawks will need to address their offensive line in order to improve moving forward.
The Seahawks do need a quarterback, but none of the quarterbacks available are worthy of a first round selection.
Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod will add some size and strength to Seattle's offensive line.
26. Baltimore Ravens: DE Cameron Heyward
26 of 32
Team needs: DE, OT, WR, FS
The Baltimore Ravens do have some holes on their defense and one being the defensive end position.
Ohio State's Cameron Heyward's stock is on the rise, and the Ravens will take him if he's available at 26th overall.
27. Atlanta Falcons: OLB Akeem Ayers
27 of 32
Team needs: OLB WR, OL, DT
The Atlanta Falcons finished with an impressive 13-3 record but will need to add some bodies on their defensive front.
Right now, the best available outside linebacker is Akeem Ayers and he would be a great addition to the Falcon's defense.
28. New England Patriots: CB Brandon Harris
28 of 32
Team needs: OL, OLB, DE, DB
With some of the top offensive linemen still available, I still believe that Bill Belichick will look for a corner back.
Belichick attended Miami's pro day and I believe he liked what he saw out of cornerback Brandon Harris.
New England already has Devin McCourty as the team's top cornerback, but by adding Harris to the group that already has Leigh Bodden and Kyle Arrington, I'm sure that their secondary will develop into one of the league's best.
29. Chicago Bears: OT Nate Solder
29 of 32
Team needs: OT, WR, DT, C
The Chicago Bears need to keep quarterback Jay Cutler healthy because the Bears only go as far as Cutler goes.
Colorado's Nate Solder is one of the best tackles in the draft class, and I'm sure he'll develop into a Pro Bowl caliber left tackle.
30. New York Jets: DT Phil Taylor
30 of 32
Team needs: DT, DE, WR, OL, NT
The New York Jets will be losing defensive lineman Shaun Ellis, and they will replace him with Baylor's Phil Taylor.
Taylor is enormous standing in at 6'3" and 334 lbs., and he will be a large body to throw in the middle of the Jets' defensive line.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Jimmy Smith
31 of 32
Team needs: CB, OL, DT, WR, TE
The AFC Champions Pittsburgh Steelers are looking promising moving forward into 2011.
At 31st overall, the best available player is cornerback Jimmy Smith
The former Colorado cornerback has had some personal issues and was once a top rate prospect, and he's fallen right into the Steelers' hands.
32. Green Bay Packers: OG Danny Watkins
32 of 32
Team needs: OG, OLB, WR, RB
The Super Bowl champions Green Bay Packers are likely to be the top team in the NFC again entering 2011.
The Packers are the most complete team in the NFL, and they only need to add depth at various positions, one being offensive guard.
Baylor's Danny Watkins is the best available, and he will add some much needed size and depth to the Packers' offensive guard position.
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