2011 NFL Mock Draft: Counting Down the 1st Round
The month of April has started and the draft is now less than one month away. Players are putting on shows for teams as each team in the NFL tries to figure out what it’s going to do in the draft—especially with their hands tied in free agency.
This makes that draft a very important part of their preparations for the 2011 season because right now it is the only means by which teams can improve.
There has been a lot discussion about how things are going to happen when the draft takes place and it’s starting to get much easier to see exactly what’s going to happen.
Let’s take a look at my eighth mock draft of the season as we head into the month of April.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)-Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
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There is a lot of talk about the Panthers thinking that last year’s second pick, Jimmy Clausen, isn’t the guy that they want as the long term solution at the quarterback position.
Gabbert has shown himself to be the better quarterback in this year’s draft and would be a wise choice for the Panthers here at number one.
Last Mock: No Change
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)-Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
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With John Fox now in charge of the Broncos, he will first work to solidify what was a horrid defense in 2010. Adding a playmaker like Dareus to the line would give the Broncos a presence in the front of their defense and help take some of the pressure off the rest of that unit.
Last Mock: No Change
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)-Cam Newton-QB-Auburn
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Would Newton go too high if he was selected by the Bills here with the third pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft?
Perhaps, but the Bills may decide to get some help at the quarterback position early in this draft and Newton may end up being just the guy that they need to help get their offense going and get them on the right track.
Last Mock: Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)-A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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The Bengals need some help at the wide receiver position, that is clear. With potential problems at the quarterback position as well as the chance that both Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens may not be coming back next year, adding a wide receiver that could be a true number one is a must and Green could be that guy.
Last Mock: No Change
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11)-Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
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The Cardinals may try to find a quarterback if there is one available here but if there isn’t then Miller is the best option for them here at number five.
Miller is a solid athlete and would give them something at the position that they have lacked for a while and could instantly help them improve their defense.
Last Mock: No Change
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)-Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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If Peterson makes it out the top five, he won’t make it past the Browns who could use help in the secondary. Peterson may be the most complete player in this draft and with good health he could turn out to be one of the best, if not the best, prospect in this year’s draft.
Last Mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)-Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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It appears as if Bower’s stock may be falling but at this point the 49ers may find some value in him and snatch him up before he gets much further down in the first round.
The 49ers have several needs including needs at the quarterback and cornerback position but for the value Bowers may be a wise pick for them here.
Last Mock: Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)-Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
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Fairley’s stock has dropped a little bit so he should be ready to be picked up by the Titans here at number eight.
Tennessee’s defense hasn’t been the same since they lost Albert Haynesworth in free agency a few seasons ago so getting someone with that Haynesworth like demeanor and ability would serve their defense well.
Last Mock: No Change
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)-Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
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If the Cowboys don’t go for an offensive lineman or defensive end at this point in the draft, look for them to fill their need at the cornerback position. The possibility that Amukamara will be around when the Cowboys make their pick at number nine could instantly improve their pass defense.
Last Mock: No Change
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)-Jake Locker-QB-Washington
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There are some people that feel that Locker may not be a good value at this pick but with the Redskins looking for some new blood at the quarterback position, Locker is a good possibility here.
Locker could end up being the most pro ready quarterback in this draft and the Redskins would be right to take him here.
Last Mock: Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
11. Houston Texans-(6-10)-Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
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Despite the fact that Quinn missed last season thanks to misdealings with an agent he is still going to be one of the top prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft.
While Houston could use a cornerback, its likely there won’t be a good one here. They make this pick in the hopes of getting someone to help rush the passer opposite Mario Williams. It would be a good move and Quinn could be just the right guy to do that in Houston.
Last Mock: No Change
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)-Cameron Jordan-DE-California
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The Vikings may miss out on a much needed quarterback, so their next best option would be to go for a difference making defensive end to play opposite Jared Allen and help take some of the heat off of him.
Jordan appears to have the skill set that would be valuable in the Viking’s defensive system and could make an impact right away.
Last Mock: No Change
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)-Tyron Smith-OT-USC
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There are some that say that Smith is the best offensive tackle prospect in this year’s draft and he’s proving himself with each workout he does.
The Lions need to get someone that can help protect quarterback Matthew Stafford because he’s been lost early in the past couple of seasons and without him the Lions won’t get anywhere.
Last Mock: No Change
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)-Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
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You can rest assured that if Jones is available when the Rams make their pick here at number 14 in the first round, he will be coming off the board.
The Rams need to get second year quarterback Sam Bradford a target to throw the ball to and Jones would be the ideal target. He could give their passing a boost and make them a playoff contender again in 2011.
Last Mock: No Change
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)-Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
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The Dolphins may try to upgrade their offensive line with this pick but knowing that they will need some help at the running back position, it will be hard for them to turn down Ingram, the best running back in the draft, here at number 15.
Ingram can give them options on offense and help make things much easier in the running game.
Last Mock: No Change
16. Jacksonville Jaguars-(8-8)-Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
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The Jaguars need to improve their pass rush considerably, so adding a pass rusher would be a good idea for them at this point in the first round.
Smith may not be as well known as some of the other defensive ends in the first round but he had a solid prospect and one that could help make their defense much better in a short amount of time.
Last Mock: No Change
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland) (8-8)-J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
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There is no doubt that Watt would be a great fit in New England and could make an instant impact on their defense.
He has the bulk and ability to play the defensive end position in their 3-4 defense and would give them the pass rushing option that they have lacked on defense for the past couple of seasons.
Last Mock: Cameron Jordan-DE/OLB-California
18. San Diego Chargers-(9-7) Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
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The Chargers haven’t gotten much production out of Larry English and Shawne Merriman isn’t around any longer, so the Chargers need to take advantage of the depth at the defensive end position in this draft and pick someone up early.
Kerrigan may be just the kind of guy that they are looking for and could be a pretty productive player in their type of defense.
Last Mock: No Change
19. New York Giants (10-6)-Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
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The Giants might want to draft Florida’s Mike Pouncey here with their first round pick but this may be a little high for him to go in the draft.
Instead, they should take a look at upgrading their offensive tackle position by taking Solder here. Solder may end up being one of the better offensive linemen to come out of this year’s draft and the Giants may be lucky to have him.
Last Mock: No Change
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)-Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
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Despite the fact there are rumors that Clayborn’s stock may be falling because of problems that he is having with his arm (Erb’s Paulsey), it’s not going to be enough to drop him out of the first round.
The Bucs are going to want to upgrade their defensive end position and Clayborn would be the ideal fit and pick for the Bucs here.
Last Mock: No Change
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)-Phil Taylor-NT-Baylor
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After seeing what happened to the Chief’s defense in the playoffs, it’s important that they take care of their rushing defense. They might have some interest in a guy like Taylor, a big bodied nose tackle that can play the run well and could give them an instant boost on defense.
He would fit well in their style of defense and could start right away.
Last Mock: No Change
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)-Anthony Castonzo-OT-Boston College
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The Colts are going to go one of two ways in the draft and that’s either take a defensive lineman or an offensive lineman. Oregon State defensive tackle Stephen Paea could be a good choice here but for the value and the need, Indianapolis might be better off taking Castonzo and helping their offensive line first.
They need it to protect quarterback Peyton Manning and help get their running game going in the right direction.
Last Mock: Stephen Paea-DT-Oregon State
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)-Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
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The Eagles need to upgrade the linebacker and cornerback positions in this draft but right here at number 23 it might be a good idea for them to take someone that could help them improve their offensive line and make their offense run much better.
Carimi is slotted to be a right tackle and the Eagles could use the help there.
Last Mock: Anthony Castonzo-OT-Boston College
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5)-Cameron Heyward-DE/OLB-Ohio State
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The Saints need to get some help rushing the passer and Heyward could be just the guy that they want to have do that for them. Heyward had a nice career at Ohio State and should fit well in the Saint’s system.
Last Mock: Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)-Jimmy Smith-CB-Colorado
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The Seahawks may have some interest in Ryan Mallett but he probably isn’t of value here so they could look to upgrade their secondary with a guy like Smith.
Smith does come with some baggage but teams are starting to realize that his talent greatly outweighs his problems. Improving their secondary will help get their defense playing much better and would help them to improve their playoff chances next season.
Last Mock: Ryan Mallett-QB-Arkansas
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)-Justin Houston-OLB-Georgia
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The Ravens pass rush isn’t as strong as it once was so they need to get an upgrade there. Houston can rush the passer very well and could enhance their defense which is aging and needs some work.
If they could pick him up and put him opposite the side of Terrell Suggs their pass rush would improve greatly.
Last Mock: Cameron Heyward-DE/OLB-Ohio State
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)-Akeem Ayers-DE/OLB-UCLA
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The Falcons have basically just one solid pass rusher on defense in John Abraham, so adding another good pass rusher would be a big benefit to them on defense.
Ayers still has some questions to answer but would be a great value for the Falcons if they decide to take him here.
Last Mock: Torrey Smith-WR-Maryland
28. New England Patriots (14-2)-Mike Pouncey-C/G-Florida
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If Pouncey is here when the Patriots make their pick then you can bet that they will take him here and improve their offensive line.
New England has taken some interest in Pouncey and he could fill a big need that they could have on the offensive line if free agency (if it comes) hits them hard.
Last Mock: No Change
29. Chicago Bears (11-5)-Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
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The Bears absolutely need help on the offensive line and with this pick they need to upgrade their offensive tackle position. There are some that feel that Sherrod isn’t a first round pick but for the Bears he just may be the right fit.
His ability to play the left tackle position is vital and he could start right away.
Last Mock: Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
30. New York Jets (11-5)-Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
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The Jets may choose to try to upgrade their defensive line with this pick and Liuget could be there at this point in the first round.
Liuget has quietly established himself as one of the better defensive tackle prospects in this draft and is definitely a first round talent that just might slip to New York.
Last Mock: Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Ben Ijalana-OG-Villanova
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We saw what happened when the Steelers offensive line had some problems and know that they don’t have the ideal depth that they may want on the line.
They will probably try to get a good offensive lineman at this point in the draft and with most of the top lineman gone they might find some value in selecting Ijalana who has turned some heads as of late with his workouts.
Last Mock: No Change
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6)-Mikel Leshoure-RB-Illinois
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Green Bay’s rushing attack has suffered in the past couple of seasons and adding some new blood there just might be what the Packers need on offense.
Granted, they could take a look at drafting someone to help take some of the pressure off of Clay Matthews but for the value, Leshoure would be a nice choice here with the last pick of the draft’s first round.
Last Mock: Akeem Ayers-DE/OLB-UCLA
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