NFL Draft 2011: 10 Key Questions Heading Into the Draft

The 2011 NFL Draft is right around the corner.

That being said, not a lot has been decided.

In previous years, the No. 1 pick has been decided well in advance of the draft (Jake Long and Sam Bradford are two recent examples).

That's not the case this year. The Carolina Panthers could go in several different directions with the first pick this year.

But other teams and players are also facing key questions.

Here's a look at 10 key questions heading into this year's NFL Draft.

10. Is Muhammad Wilkerson First Round Worthy?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley of Auburn looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

We all know that Nick Fairley (pictured here) and Marcell Dareus will be taken in the first round, likely in the top 10 picks.

But a lot of mock drafts have Wilkerson, who played college football at Temple, going to the New Orleans Saints in the first round.

Wilkerson certainly dominated college football this year, but my question is, how will his stats at a cupcake school like Temple translate into the NFL?

I'm not convinced he warrants a first round pick.

We'll see if he proves me wrong.

9. How Much Will a Year Off Affect Robert Quinn?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Robert Quinn of North Carolina runs through a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Quinn (along with several of his UNC teammates) had to sit out during the 2010 college football season.

Quinn's offseason workouts have been excellent, so many teams are high on him.

But, since he hasn't been in a game since 2009, I wonder how his football instincts have been affected.

Someone will take him in the top 15, but I wouldn't.

8. Is Corey Liuget Legit?

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CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 20: A general view looking east toward the end zone that can not be used due to player safetly concerns as the Northwestern Wildcats take on the Illinois Fighting Illini during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in

Many draft experts have Liuget going to the Rams at No. 14 in the first round.

But, after only one dominating year in college, is Liuget for real?

It just seems to me that his hype got out of control without any real reason.

I watched the Illini all season long, and Liuget never really stood out to me.

7. How High Will Von Miller Rise?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Von Miller of Texas A&M works out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The one person who every team is raving about is Von Miller.

I projected him to go to the Titans at No. 8, but now it seems like a stretch that he'll fall that far.

Every team in the top five could use him, and one of them might just take him before most analysts have him coming off the board.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Broncos take him at No. 2.

6. Will Nick Fairley or Marcell Dareus Be the First DT Taken?

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus are the two best defensive tackles in this year's draft.

They'll both be taken in the top 10 and maybe even the top five.

But who will go first?

My bet is Fairley, but a lot of teams are high on Dareus as well.

5. Who Will Be the Third QB off the Board?

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies scrambles against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Stanford won 41-0. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Most people think Jake Locker will be the third quarterback taken in this year's draft.

But, recently, Andy Dalton and Christian Ponder have been generating a lot of buzz.

Ryan Mallett probably isn't a threat anymore (though you never know).

If Locker slips at all, he runs the risk of becoming the fourth or fifth QB taken.

4. Is Tyron Smith Strong Enough for the NFL?

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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Tyron Smith #70 of the USC Trojans stretches before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

Most draft experts have Smith listed as either the best or second-best offensive tackle in this draft.

But during college, Smith was small for a tackle.

That doesn't matter so much in college, but in the NFL, that might be a problem.

He bulked up in time for the combine, but he hasn't played at his current weight yet.

That might cause problems in his transition to the NFL.

3. Will Da'Quan Bowers' Injury Scare Teams Away?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson looks on during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Bowers is widely considered the best defensive end in this year's draft.

But because of a knee injury, he hasn't been able to work out for scouts this offseason.

The way he performed on the field last season will ensure he's a top 15 pick, but it will be interesting to see how late he is taken.

At one point, it was thought that the Panthers might take him with the No. 1 pick.

That's probably not the case anymore, though.

2. Who Is the Better WR: A.J. Green or Julio Jones?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver A.J. Green of Georgia runs with the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Jones and Green are both outstanding receivers.

Whatever team picks one of these guys won't be sorry.

But, I'm going to give the edge to Green based on red zone production.

Green caught nine touchdowns in nine games, while Jones only caught seven touchdowns in 13 games.

Green's red zone production gives him a slight edge over Jones, but teams really can't go wrong with either.

1. Who Will the Panthers Take at No. 1?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

From Nick Fairley to Marcell Dareus to A.J. Green to Da'Quan Bowers to Blaine Gabbert to Cam Newton, there have been a ton of players linked to the Panthers.

So, who will they take?

I was leaning toward Bowers at the start of the offseason, but now that he can't get healthy, the Panthers will likely go with a QB.

They seem to like Newton slightly more than Gabbert.

So my prediction is that the Panthers will take Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

But who knows?