2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will the Tennessee Titans Trade Up for Blaine Gabbert?
With less than four weeks until the 2011 NFL draft, teams and fans both are planning their strategies for finding the next big stars. Most draft projections, understandably, assume that the current draft order is the same one we’ll see on April 28th.
History tells us, though, that the odds of some first-round picks changing hands on or near draft night are high. For this two-round mock draft, we’ll look at one possible set of trade scenarios and how they would shake up the draft order.
The lockout currently prevents any trades involving players (including rookies once they’ve been drafted), but that could change between now and draft night.
Read on for a look at the trades, and the picks, that might happen in the next month.
Hypothetical Trades
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For purposes of this mock draft, the following trades will be assumed to happen between now and draft night:
1. The Titans acquire New England’s 28th overall selection for future draft picks. They send that pick, along with their own No. 8 selection, to Buffalo for the third overall pick.
The Titans are desperate for a QB after running Vince Young out of town, but they'll need a good offer to get Buffalo to pass on their own chance to draft a signal-caller. New England has two picks in the first round (and loves to accumulate draft choices), so they may be willing to part with one for a reasonable price.
2. The Eagles trade QB Kevin Kolb to San Francisco in exchange for the 49ers’ first (No. 7 overall) and third-round selections.
Kolb is more of a known quantity than any of the rookie QBs and has experience in the West Coast offense, so San Francisco may opt to sacrifice their own high draft choice in exchange for a potential solution to their QB woes. The Eagles have been shopping Kolb aggressively, and are reportedly interested in a high first-round pick in exchange.
With the trades out of the way, let's get to the draft picks themselves...
1. Carolina Panthers: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Carolina needs help almost everywhere, but after getting zero sacks in 14 starts from DE Tyler Brayton, the bet here is that they’ll hope they’ve found the next Julius Peppers.
Bowers, a pass-rushing demon who isn’t a liability against the run, probably won’t reach Peppers’ exalted level, but should be an immediate force for the Panthers.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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Whether Denver stays with last year’s 3-4 defense or moves to a 4-3 under new coach John Fox, Dareus will instantly be their best lineman.
He’ll play end in a 3-4 or tackle in a 4-3, but from either spot he’ll give the Broncos an anchor against the run who can also put some pressure on the QB.
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3. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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The Titans trade up to grab the player they hope will be their franchise QB. Although Cam Newton is a possibility here, he’s probably too similar to Vince Young for the comfort of Tennessee’s front office.
Gabbert is the closest thing to a sure-thing QB in this draft, and could be ready to start from day one.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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With Blaine Gabbert off the board, the Bengals pass on Cam Newton to go for the safer pick with a defensive lineman. Fairley is a penetrator who will immediately upgrade the league’s 27th best pass rush.
The Bengals have plenty of needs, but Fairley is too good to pass up at this spot.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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The Cardinals may or may not prefer Blaine Gabbert, but with only one of the top two QBs still on the board, this is a no-brainer for Arizona. Newton is a risk, but does have a tremendous upside.
6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Mohamed Massaquoi led all Browns wide receivers last year with just 36 catches, so anything resembling a No. 1 wideout would be a huge improvement. Green, who has the size and speed to be a superstar, is an easy call here.
7. Philadelphia Eagles: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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With Ellis Hobbs retiring, the Eagles desperately need a shutdown corner to secure their blitz-happy defense. Peterson, who may be the best player at any position in this draft, is just what the doctor ordered.
8. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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Having traded themselves out of a shot at a franchise QB, Buffalo gets a great consolation prize in Miller, the most dynamic linebacker in the draft. It’s possible he’ll move to DE if the Bills switch to a 4-3 defense, but either way, he’ll become the team’s top pass rusher from day one.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Even with Terence Newman anchoring the backfield, Dallas’ pass defense was a dismal 26th in the NFL last season. Amukamara is an immediate starter who will also bring a little more physicality to the Cowboy secondary.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Veteran WR Santana Moss is a free agent, and the Redskins don’t have a lot of options behind him even if he stays. Jones, who ran a 4.39 40 on a broken foot at the combine, will ensure Washington of at least one serious playmaker in the receiving corps.
11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri
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The Texans need help in the secondary, but with Peterson and Amukamara off the board, they’ll settle for the next best thing by improving their pass rush.
Assuming new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has the Texans playing his preferred 3-4 front, Smith will move from his college DE position to OLB and provide serious pressure off the edge opposite Connor Barwin.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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It’s unlikely the Vikings are enamored enough of Jake Locker to take him this high, so they’ll wait to resolve their QB issues and go for the best athlete on the board in Quinn. He would likely have been a top five pick had he not missed all of 2010 due to NCAA suspension.
Expect Quinn to shine opposite Jared Allen on the Minnesota line.
13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Current Lions LT Jeff Backus is a warrior, but after two season-ending injuries to Matthew Stafford in as many years, the Lions need a new option to protect his blind side.
Smith, the most athletic O-lineman in the draft, will give the Lions a more mobile answer to a division loaded with speed rushers.
14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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Having missed out on their dream pick in Julio Jones, the Rams “settle” for a serious upgrade at DT. Liuget is a playmaker on the inside and will occupy blockers to make life easier for Chris Long and company in the pass rush.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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With serious question marks at QB, the Dolphins need a reliable ground attack, but both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are free agents.
Ingram has the talent to challenge for a starting job regardless of which veterans return, and showed last year at Alabama that he can be effective even in a part-time role if Brown or Williams does come back.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Even if Aaron Kampman’s knee is 100 percent by next season, he’ll need help to bring pressure up front for Jacksonville. Watt is a penetrator who can make plays against the pass or the run, and will help take the heat off the Jacksonville secondary.
17. New England Patriots: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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With Logan Mankins chafing under a franchise tag and Matt Light in his 11th season, the Pats line is showing some cracks. Castonzo gives them a potential stud tackle for their rebuilding efforts, though it’s a virtual coin toss between him and Colorado’s Nate Solder at this spot.
18. San Diego Chargers: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
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With Shawne Merriman’s roller coaster of a Chargers career over, the San Diego defense needs some new blood to bring pressure off the edge. Ayers has more linebacking instincts than many of the pass rushers in this draft and should fit nicely in San Diego’s 3-4.
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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The once-impregnable New York O-line finally started to give way last season under age and injury, so it’s time to look for some fresh talent. Solder brings a good balance of run and pass blocking ability and should give aging LT David Diehl a chance to move to guard.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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With the unimpressive Tim Crowder and Stylez G. White as their starting DEs, the Buccaneers struggled to stop the run (28th in the league) or pressure the QB (26 sacks for the year). Kerrigan, who had 26 tackles for loss as a senior at Purdue, will be an immediate upgrade.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
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Veteran NT Ron Edwards is a free agent, and even if he stays, he’s nothing special at this stage of his career. Taylor is the best nose tackle in the draft, and should combine with Glenn Dorsey and Tyoka Jackson to make the defensive line a Kansas City strength.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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Shaky offensive line play contributed heavily to the Colts’ struggles on that side of the ball, and they may lose LT Charlie Johnson in free agency anyway. Carimi will provide a clear upgrade in run blocking and should develop into a valuable bookend protector for Peyton Manning.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida
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Previous selections: Patrick Peterson
With Peterson arriving to help the secondary, Philly can use this pick to shore up the offensive line. Pouncey’s brother Maurkice was a Pro Bowler as a rookie last year, and if Max Jean-Gilles leaves in free agency, this Pouncey could take the starting RG spot and try to match that feat.
24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
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Alex Brown and Will Smith are both on the down sides of their careers, and an infusion of young talent might upgrade a middling pass rush (33 sacks a year ago). Jordan is a polished rusher who won’t have to come off the field on running downs.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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The Seahawks need a QB of the future, ideally before Matt Hasselbeck’s body disintegrates altogether. Adding hometown hero Locker would be a huge PR coup for a franchise that appears to be on its way up.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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The Baltimore secondary has lost a lot of its bite in recent years and could face mass free agent defections this offseason. Smith has the size (6’2”, 205 lbs) and competitiveness to thrive in the Ravens’ aggressive defense.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
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With John Abraham getting up in years, the Falcons hope to land a young version of Abraham with this pick. Houston is a first-class athlete who played both LB and DE at Georgia, but he’ll probably wind up as a DE in the Falcons’ 4-3 set.
28. Buffalo Bills: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Previous selections: Von Miller
Having landed a defensive playmaker in Miller, the Bills look to bolster a shaky offensive line with their second first-round selection. Sherrod has struggled with his consistency at times, but has the size (6’5”, 312 lbs) and athletic ability to be a standout OT.
29. Chicago Bears: Benjamin Ijalana, OT, Villanova
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The Bears allowed more sacks than any team in the NFL last year, so O-line help is a top priority. Ijalana can play guard or tackle, so he’ll find a home regardless of how the Chicago line is reconfigured.
30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
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Prototypical DEs for a 3-4 set are hard to come by, and New York will be happy to see Wilkerson fall into their laps with this pick. A hard-nosed run defender who can also get to the QB on occasion, Wilkerson will be a perfect fit in Rex Ryan’s defense.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
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The offensive line injuries that hampered the Steelers in the Super Bowl served notice that Pittsburgh needs more talented bodies up front. Watkins, a former firefighter who will be 27 years old as a rookie, finds a great fit with a team ready to win right now.
32. Green Bay Packers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Cullen Jenkins is a free agent and Johnny Jolly’s legal troubles continue, so the Packers need help on the defensive front. Clayborn has the toughness against the run to fit in a 3-4 alignment, while also bringing some pass-rushing ability.
33. (Round 2, Pick 1). New England Patriots: Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona
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Previous selections: Anthony Castonzo
The Patriots’ 30th-ranked pass defense could use some help putting pressure on the QB. Reed (a high-motor type who’ll be converting from DE) knows how to get to the quarterback, and after a terrific combine he looks like the kind of versatile defensive player Bill Belichick prefers.
34. Buffalo Bills: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
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Previous selections: Von Miller, Derek Sherrod
Buffalo can’t afford to leave this draft without at least making an attempt to address their QB situation, and this pick falls in the right spot for them to take a flyer on someone.
Mallett’s stock has plummeted after some potential character issues were raised at the combine, but he has tremendous physical tools and could still turn out to be a fine NFL QB.
35. Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
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Previous selections: Nick Fairley
Cincinnati, too, needs insurance at the QB spot while they figure out what to do about Carson Palmer. Dalton showed terrific leadership at TCU and knows how to win, though his arm may not measure up to his intangibles.
36. Denver Broncos: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
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Previous selections: Marcell Dareus
With Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins, Denver has serious age concerns in their secondary, and they need more talent to join their veteran standouts. Moore is hands down the best safety in the draft, and could prove to be a real steal at this spot.
37. Cleveland Browns: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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Previous selections: A.J. Green
Cleveland’s transition to a 4-3 defense hasn’t been helped by their lack of talent at defensive end. Heyward is one of the most NFL-ready ends in the draft and should improve the Browns’ subpar pass rush (29 sacks a year ago).
38. Arizona Cardinals: Orlando Franklin, OG, Miami
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Previous selections: Cam Newton
Arizona allowed 50 sacks and finished dead last in the NFL in rushing last season, so some help on the line is clearly needed. Franklin is an aggressive run blocker who won’t be a liability against the pass and should be able to help right away.
39. Tennessee Titans: Clint Boling, OG, Georgia
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Previous selections: Blaine Gabbert
Tennessee’s offensive line, once a strength, started to show some cracks last season. Boling, who has experience at both guard and tackle, should be able to find ways to contribute immediately.
40. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU
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Previous selections: Prince Amukamara
With Leonard Davis and Mark Colombo on the downside, Dallas needs a young lineman who doesn’t rack up penalties like Doug Free. Cannon is another tackle/guard hybrid option who gives the Cowboys some welcome insurance.
41. Washington Redskins: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
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Previous selections: Julio Jones
With Donovan McNabb’s Washington future up in the air, the Redskins could use a potential QB of the future. Ponder, who had a terrific Senior Bowl, is the best QB on the board at this stage.
42. Houston Texans: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
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Previous selections: Aldon Smith
Houston’s secondary really needs some veteran help, but another youngster with talent won’t hurt either. Williams may be better suited to safety at the NFL level, but the Texans need players at both positions, so he’ll find a home here one way or the other.
43. Minnesota Vikings: Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
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Previous selections: Robert Quinn
The Vikings don’t seem convinced that Joe Webb is their QB of the future, so they’ll be looking for another contender for that role in the draft. Kaepernick, coming out of Nevada’s pistol-formation offense, may not be the most NFL-ready QB, but brings leadership and talent to the position.
44. Detroit Lions: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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Previous selections: Tyron Smith
With Chris Houston possibly gone in free agency, the Lions need both depth and talent for their secondary. Harris is an aggressive playmaker who can also help in run support.
45. San Francisco 49ers: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
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Even assuming Aubrayo Franklin comes back, he needs help securing the middle of this line. Austin is a talented penetrator who was considered a sure first-round pick before he lost his 2010 season to suspension.
46. Denver Broncos: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
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Previous selections: Marcell Dareus, Rahim Moore
The Broncos’ 31st-ranked run defense needs as much help as it can get, and Bailey brings size (6’3”, 285 lbs) and strength up front. He’ll be able to contribute at DE regardless of what kind of front Denver plays.
47. St. Louis Rams: Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana
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Previous selections: Corey Liuget
Sam Bradford needs a No. 1 wide receiver, and Doss is the best target on the board at this point. His stock has shot up since the combine, and he could be one of the better sleeper picks in this draft.
48. Oakland Raiders: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
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Al Davis loves receivers with speed (regardless of their other capabilities), as exemplified by another former Terrapin, Darrius Heyward-Bey. Smith has the requisite wheels (4.37 in the 40), so he’ll get his chance to help a disappointing Oakland receiving corps.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
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Previous selections: J.J. Watt
In the AFC South, you can never have too many corners. Rashean Mathis will be glad to have another talented cover man in the secondary, and Dowling—who might have gone higher but for knee and hamstring problems—has both size (6’2”, 200 lbs) and speed (4.4 in the 40).
50. San Diego Chargers: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
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Previous selections: Akeem Ayers
Last year’s Vincent Jackson saga gave the Chargers ample incentive to find other talented options at wide receiver. Cobb, a hybrid RB/WR in the Dexter McCluster mold, is undersized but productive (84 catches as a senior).
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
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Previous selections: Ryan Kerrigan
The pickings are slim at the defensive positions that might be more urgent needs for the Bucs, so Tampa opts for the best available athlete in Leshoure. A rock-solid power runner with some speed, Leshoure will provide a nice complement to LeGarrette Blount.
52. New York Giants: Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
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Previous selections: Nate Solder
Even if free agent Keith Bulluck stays, the Giants’ linebacking corps is getting old and slow. Carter is the most explosive LB available, though he might be a reach at this selection.
53. Indianapolis Colts: Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida
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Previous selections: Gabe Carimi
The Colts had the league’s 25th best run defense last year, and two of their DTs (Daniel Muir and Antonio Johnson) are free agents. McClain has the quickness to get into opposing backfields, even if he’s not huge for a DT at 6’2”, 297 lbs.
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
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Previous selections: Patrick Peterson, Mike Pouncey
LeSean McCoy could use some help in the Eagles backfield, and Williams is the best available talent at this spot. He was limited by injuries as a sophomore, but his 1,655-yard freshman year for the Hokies shows the kind of talent he could bring to Philly.
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
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Previous selections: Phil Taylor
Dwayne Bowe is a legitimate No. 1 wideout, but he needs another weapon on the other side of him. Baldwin’s production last year was disappointing, but he’s 6’4” with good speed and hands, so he has an impressive upside.
56. New Orleans Saints: Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
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Previous selections: Cameron Jordan
Scott Shanle and Danny Clark are both free agents with a lot of miles on them, so the Saints need some new blood at the LB position. Wilson can play in the middle or on the outside and brings impressive size (6’4”, 250 lbs) and instincts.
57. Seattle Seahawks: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pitt
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Previous selections: Jake Locker
Seattle’s entire pass rush last season came from Raheem Brock, and he’s a free agent. Sheard won’t be ready to start right away, but gives the Seahawks some talent to develop at a thin position.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Greg Little, WR, North Carolina
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Previous selections: Jimmy Smith
The Ravens’ WRs are all 30 or older, and none of them broke 1,000 yards last year. Little will bring some fresh legs and great toughness, though he might not have the top-notch speed that Baltimore would prefer in an ideal situation.
59. Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
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Previous selections: Justin Houston
Roddy White is a superior talent, but the Falcons WR corps drops off quickly after him. Hankerson, who has really helped his stock with his Senior Bowl and combine performances, is a big, strong target who should challenge veteran Michael Jenkins for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
60. New England Patriots: William Rackley, OG, Lehigh
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Previous selections: Anthony Castonzo, Brooks Reed
With Logan Mankins still around for at least one more year, thanks to the franchise tag, the Patriots have a little bit of time to bring along a developmental player to replace him.
Rackley will face an adjustment to NFL-sized competition, but he’s got an NFL body himself (6’5”, 303 lbs) and showed his leadership ability as Lehigh’s offensive captain last season.
61. San Diego Chargers: Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina
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Previous selections: Akeem Ayers, Randall Cobb
San Diego needs more depth at LB, and Sturdivant gives them a playmaker who can contribute right away to the Chargers’ struggling special teams units. He also has the versatility to play ILB or OLB defensively.
62. Chicago Bears: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
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Previous selections: Benjamin Ijalana
The Bears could also opt for defensive line help here (possibly LSU’s Drake Nevis), but they need more than one new body on the offensive front. Gilbert, like Ijalana, brings the versatility to play either guard or tackle.
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
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Previous selections: Danny Watkins
Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden are getting up in years, and William Gay is less than ideal as a nickel corner. Brown is a solid cover man who puts in the effort against the run, a prerequisite for Steelers CBs.
64. Green Bay Packers: Dontay Moch, LB, Nevada
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Previous selections: Adrian Clayborn
Clay Matthews needs another pass rushing threat to line up across from him, and Moch, a converted DE, fits the bill. He’s a high-effort player who lacks polish, but should be able to make his mark immediately as a situational rusher.
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