2011 NFL Mock Draft: The Top 10 (Part One)

I realize at this point, you've probably read about 200 mock drafts. You've seen Mel Kiper and Todd McShay analyze who's going where non-stop since the Packers won Super Bowl XLV. If there's one thing the internet has too much of (besides pornography) it's NFL Mock Drafts, but isn't that what makes sports great? Allow me to entertain you here for 32 pages as I throw my hat into the seemingly endless ring of Mock Drafts.

1. Carolina Panthers: Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

Let's face it, the Carolina Panthers offense leaves a lot to be desired. I'm one of the very few people who thinks that Jimmy Clausen deserves more snaps at Quarterback. When Mike Goodson and Brandon LaFell are two major parts of the offense, you have to look at someone besides the Quarterback.

The Panthers could honestly take anyone at this position, but when a team finishes with a record bad enough to have the first pick, they always look for a new signal caller. Many experts have Cam Newton going at this spot, but something just doesn't feel right about him. For now, Gabbert is the pick for Carolina.

2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus DT Alabama

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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)

For a team that is drafting second overall with an above-average offense, then the defense must be bad. Let me check, yep, they are bad. This is a gimme pick for a weak defense and Dareus being rated by most as the strongest prospect in all of the draft.

3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson CB LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers reacts after their 43-36 win over the Ole Miss Rebels at Tiger Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The top five is becoming familiar territory for the Buffalo Bills. Everyone seems to think that the Bills are going QB with this pick, but if I were them, I'd get defensive help first and wait for a deeper Quarterback pool in 2012. Ryan Fitzpatrick is good enough to lead the team for another year, and Patrick Peterson will really help this struggling defense. Von Miller is another possibility here, but the secondary needs more help for now.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Newton QB Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates their 22-19 victory after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale,

The Bengals are the team that I think will reach for Cam Newton early. Carson Palmer seems dead serious about not wanting to be in Cincinnati. They could wait for a QB in the second round, but with as shallow as the talent pool is this year and the Bengals' need for a solid QB, I have to go with Newton. I have my doubts about Newton's ability as a pro-player, but that won't stop Cincy.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller DE/LB Texas A&M

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers throws under pressure from Von Miller #40 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C

The Cardinals need a Quarterback as much as Kate Moss needs a sandwich. But with the two best off the board already, Arizona has to go defense and hope for an answer through trade or free agency (if that ever happens). They had the fourth worst defense in the NFL for 2010 and Von Miller could really seal up some of the problems they had. If he can get just five sacks, it will be an upgrade.

6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green WR Georgia

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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)

It seems the Browns have finally found a QB/RB combo in Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis that they can depend on. The problem is, they don't have a receiver McCoy can throw to. A.J. Green appears to be the best WR coming out this year, and should help solidify the Browns as an above-average offense for the years to come.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Remember when Da'Quan Bowers was supposed to go first overall to the Panthers? Well it seems like everyone has now forgotten about him and has fallen pretty far in a lot of mock drafts. Obviously, the talent is still there. While the Niners do need help on offense, it would be hard to pass up an opportunity to have Da'Quan Bowers and Patrick Willis on the same side of the ball.

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley DT Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

The Titans have been looking for a replacement for Albert Haynesworth since he was traded to Washington. Well, he just fell right into their lap. If Fairley hasn't gone off the board at this point, then the Titans got an absolute gift. Fairley is a playmaker on defense and should have no problem fitting in with the Titans right away.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith OT USC

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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)

I really wanted to put Prince Amukamara here, as he seems like more of a Jerry Jones pick, but not even Jerry can ignore the glaring need at offensive tackle. Robert Quinn is still also on the board, but if there's a need that the Cowboys don't have, it's the pass rush. Tyron Smith will be a good NFL player, and Jerry would be making a mistake by not selecting him.

10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones WR Alabama

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Fun Fact: Daniel Snyder has not drafted a skill position player in the first round since 2005 when he selected Jason Campbell. Seems like it is way overdue now. With the possibility of Santana Moss leaving, the Skins can't go through an entire season with Anthony Armstrong as their No. 1 receiver. As much as the Redskins need defensive help, they have more potential talent on that side of the ball and need a big play receiver.