NFL Draft 2011: Round 1 Mock Draft (4/11 Edition)
Our 2011 NFL Draft coverage continues in this multipart series of mock drafts prepared by Bruno Boys staff writers Brad Berreman, Cory Steger and James Ronstadt. Brad, Cory and James will provide individual predictions and analysis on each team’s critical first draft pick in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
Here is Bruno Boys James Ronstadt's initial take on Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft:
1. Carolina Panthers–Marcell Dareus, DE/DT, Alabama Crimson Tide
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The 2011 Draft class is ripe with stud defensive linemen. While the Carolina Panthers have needs all over the field and on both sides of the ball, their most glaring weakness is at the defensive tackle position.
New head coach Ron Rivera, a longtime linebackers coach and defensive coordinator, has surely watched all 16 Panthers games from last season. No doubt he saw how ineffective current starting defensive tackles Nick Hayden and Derek Landri were.
Marcell Dareus headed into the Scouting Combine within shouting distance of Nick Fairley for the right to be called the No. 1 player in the 2011 NFL Draft. In the end, the more versatile Dareus was clearly the better performer and he’s leapfrogged Fairley as a result.
Other Possibilities:Cam Newton, QB, Auburn Tigers; Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers; Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson Tigers; Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn Tigers
2. Denver Broncos–Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn Tigers
Assuming that he slips past Carolina, it would benefit the Denver Broncos to shore up a run defense that was repeatedly shredded in 2010 by selecting the freakishly gifted Nick Fairley at No. 2.
Fairley is massive at 6”4”and 298 pounds and he possesses all the tools to become this year’s version of Ndamukong Suh. Not only does Fairley excel at containing his gaps and shutting down the opposition’s running game, he’s also a ferocious pass rusher, as evidenced by the 11.5 sacks he compiled during his junior season.
Fairley reportedly stole the show at Auburn’s Pro Day, a particularly impressive feat when you consider the “entertainer and icon” who was also present during the workout.
Other Possibilities: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Tigers; Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson Tigers
3. Buffalo Bills–Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson Tigers
Let the Bruce Smith comparisons begin, Bills fans! Da’Quan Bowers was a one-man wrecking crew during his breakout junior campaign at Clemson, tallying 67 tackles (41 of which were solo tackles) and leading the nation with 16 sacks.
Head coach Chan Gailey recent announcement that Buffalo plans to use both the 4-3 and the 3-4 (as opposed to only the 3-4) lends credence to the idea that Bowers would be a good fit for the team. Either way, Bowers has more than enough athleticism to thrive even as a five technique.
The biggest concern surrounding Bowers right now is a slow to heal knee injury that prohibited him from participating in the NFL Combine and forced him to delay his Pro Day until next month. The results of that workout will be a factor in determining whether or not the Bills select him at No. 3 overall.
Edit: Bowers is currently sliding down the big board because of injury and is no longer a guarantee to land in the top 10.
Other Possibilities: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers; Cam Newton, QB, Auburn Tigers; Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies; Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Tigers
4. Cincinnati Bengals–Cam Newton, QB, Auburn Tigers
With former franchise quarterback Carson Palmer hell-bent on continuing his NFL career with a franchise other than the Bengals or not continuing it at all, the top quarterback on the Bengals’ depth chart is Palmer’s younger brother Jordan Palmer. So, unless something happens to change Palmer’s mind between now and April 28, finding a new franchise quarterback should be Cincinnati’s No. 1 priority come Draft Day.
Cam Newton’s natural ability is surpassed by only a handful of prospects. He has the 6’5” 248-pound body of an undersized outside linebacker, ideal arm strength and a 40-yard dash time under 4.6 seconds. However, measurables only go so far when it comes to making the leap from college football to professional football. While Newton is known for having shaky accuracy when it comes to throwing the football, his myriad of character issues is also well documented.
The Bengals have never been ones to shy away from players with questionable character; therefore there’s no reason to expect them to be put off by any of Newton’s negatives.
Other Possibilities: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia Bulldogs; Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Tigers; Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
5. Arizona Cardinals–Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers
There’s talk that the infamously frugal Cardinals would fail to address their roster’s most conspicuous void (quarterback) in favor of drafting a much less vital position (linebacker) in April. The belief here is that sanity will prevail and Arizona will tag Blaine Gabbert with the No. 5 pick in the draft.
While they finished a dismal 5-11 in 2010, the Cardinals are in surprisingly good shape overall. They’re a little more than one year removed from being within a single victory of the Super Bowl, they play in the horrendously bad NFC West and they have some legitimate superstars on both sides of the ball. The loss via retirement of the still great and future Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner, is what transformed the Cardinals from near glory to cellar dwellers in a mere 12 months.
After cutting Matt Leinart before the start of the 2010 regular season, Arizona rotated Derek Anderson, Max Hall and undrafted rookie John Skelton under center with primarily disastrous results. Gabbert is by far the most polished signal caller in his class. He’s blessed with a rocket for an arm, 4.62-second 40-time speed, pinpoint accuracy and sought after smarts (42 on Wonderlic).
The former Tiger is a better bet than any of the 2011 class to pull off a Matt Ryan-esque revival of a down in the dumps team like the Cardinals.
Other Possibilities: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M; Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Tigers
6. Cleveland Browns–A.J. Green, WR, Georgia Bulldogs
Team President Mike Holmgren knows he has to put his young quarterback Colt McCoy in a position to succeed and that means upgrading the Cleveland’s underperforming receiving corps. Enter A.J. Green, a 6’3 5/8” 211-pound gazelle from the University of Georgia who could very well be the playmaker the Browns need at wide receiver.
In his three years and 32 games as a Bulldog, Green caught 166 passes for2,619 yards and 23 touchdowns. Cleveland needs to stretch the field more effectively and speed on the outside is the best way to get open out of coverage. Green, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds at the Combine and whose game speed is probably even better, is a perfect fit for the Browns.
Other Possibilities: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Tigers; Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies; Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
7. San Francisco 49ers–Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU Tigers
Though you could argue that the 49ers aren’t in desperate need of pumping up their defensive backfield, cornerback Nate Clements is clearly nearing the end of his days as an effective contributor.
Selecting Patrick Peterson here could open the door to the Niners deciding to release Clements outright rather than simply negotiating his contract as originally expected. A three-year starter at LSU, Peterson was the top defensive back in college football in 2010 and the best cornerback prospect to come down the pike since Charles Woodson. Peterson has an amazing combination of size, speed and athletic ability rarely seen at the position.
Not only does he have what it takes to be the league’s next shutdown corner, his skill as a blue-chip return man would be an instant and significant upgrade for San Francisco’s special teams.
Other Possibilities: J.J. Watt, DT, Wisconsin Badgers; Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide; Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska Cornhuskers; Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies
8. Tennessee Titans–Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina Tar Heels
With the departure of Vince Young, there’s no doubt that the Titans will target a quarterback in the upcoming draft. However several teams picking ahead of Tennessee are also in need of quarterbacks; therefore it’s unlikely that the team will use the No.8 overall pick on the third or fourth best quarterback.
The Titans have clear-cut needs on the defensive side of the ball, including adding depth and an injection of youth. Right defensive end Jacob Ford has been performing poorly and while left defensive end Jason Babin had resurgence in 2010, he’s on the wrong side of 30. North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn has been shooting up draft boards in recent weeks thanks to an excellent showing at the Combine.
Quinn, who was suspended for the entire 2010 season for accepting improper benefits from an agent, shook off the rust in time for his highly anticipated workout. He measured in at 6’4”and 265 pounds and posted a respectable 40-yard dash time of 4.70 seconds. Some consider Quinn the best pure pass rushers in the 2011 NFL Draft class. He’s a highly gifted athlete whose size, speed and passion for the game give him the potential to become one of the top defensive ends in the league.
The Titans could see a return on their investment in Quinn fairly quickly.
Other Possibilities: J.J. Watt, DT, Wisconsin Badgers; Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska Cornhuskers; Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies
9. Dallas Cowboys–Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Dallas Cowboys see themselves as only a player or two away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The team’s biggest weakness is their defensive secondary, where cornerbacks Terrance Newman and Mike Jenkins have given up far too many big plays in recent years.
The Cowboys tied with the Houston Texans in allowing a league-worst 33 passing touchdowns during the 2010 season. Although three of the Cowboys last nine first-round draft picks have been used on cornerbacks, that won’t stop Jerry Jones from snagging Nebraska Cornhusker Prince Amukamara.
During his senior season, Amukamara limited opposing quarterbacks to 18 pass completions in 52 attempts. He so locked down his corner that they gave him the “Revis treatment,” choosing to look to the other side of the field rather than throw in his direction. Amukamara was the cornerstone of Nebraska’s secondary and in time, his presence could do the same for the Cowboys.
Other Possibilities: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies; J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin Badgers; Tyron Smith, OT, USC Trojans
10. Washington Redskins–Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
Although Donovan McNabb absorbed the lion’s share of the criticism for the Redskins’ failed season, the lack of a potent receiving corps was also a significant contributing factor. With top wideout Santana Moss hitting unrestricted free agency this offseason (gulp), it’s about to get even worse.
The Redskins would love it if Alabama’s Julio Jones fell into their lap at No. 10. Prior to the Combine, the overwhelming consensus was that Jones trailed former University of Georgia star A.J. Green by a wide margin. Jones made a strong statement that he should be the first receiver taken in April when he turned in a 40-time of 4.39 seconds and recorded a long jump of a 11 feet, 3 inches, best among all wideouts at the Scouting Combine.
The one caveat with Jones is that he’s dealing with a broken foot; however he’s expected to be fine for training camp. The injury could very well work to Washington’s advantage if it deters another team from selecting him.
Other Possibilities: Tyron Smith, OT, USC Trojans; Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies
11. Houston Texans–Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M Aggies
While it’s hard to imagine a player as skilled as former Aggie Von Miller slipping outside the top 10, there a feeling among some organizations that he could wind up as a major bust.
Chief among the concerns over Miller is the decline in sack production from his junior season (17 sacks) to his senior season (11 sacks). The Texans would be thrilled to nab the draft’s top linebacker, not to mention a top-five talent with their pick at No. 11 overall. Miller clocked a 40-time of 4.53 seconds at the Combine, then upstaged himself with a 4.49-second 40-time at his school’s Pro Day. He has the upside of a Clay Matthews.
Other Possibilities: Tyron Smith, OT, USC Trojans; Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri Tigers; J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin Badgers; Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, CAL Golden Bears
12. Minnesota Vikings–J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin Badgers
The Vikings will need to find a suitable replacement for stud defensive end Ray Edwards, a free agent who’s likely to sign elsewhere in the coming months. If J.J. Watt is still on the board when Minnesota comes to the podium, then don’t be surprised if they peg the 6’5” 290-pound lineman at No. 12.
Watt amassed 43 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception during his junior season. He impressed at the NFL Combine, displaying athleticism for a guy his size and finishing in the top five for every D-line drill. Watt’s presence in Minnesota would help take pressure off of veteran Jared Allen.
Other Possibilities: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois Fighting Illini; Cameron Jordan, DE, CAL Golden Bears; Jake Locker, QB, QB, Washington Huskies
13. Detroit Lions–Tyron Smith, OT, USC Trojans
The Lions revamped their much maligned defense last year with the signing of free agent and ex-Titan Kyle Vanden Bosch and drafting Ndamukong Suh with their first-round pick at No. 2 overall.
They head into the 2011 Draft in need of help along the offensive line and also in their defensive backfield. Detroit might find the defensive back talent too much of a reach for No. 13 and decide to shore up the O-line instead. Former USC Trojan Smith is the best option among a somewhat weak offensive tackle class.
A natural athlete, Smith is still a bit raw and will need time to develop at the next level. He surprised everyone at the Combine when he weighed in at 307 pounds, 17 pounds more than his college playing weight. Smith would be an immediate upgrade for Detroit in their efforts to better protect oft-injured quarterback Matthew Stafford and keep him upright.
Other Possibilities: Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida Gators; Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College Eagles; Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado Buffaloes
14. St. Louis Rams–Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois Fighting Illini
It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see the Rams trade up in order to take one of the truly elite defensive linemen of the 2011 NFL Draft class. However assuming that St. Louis stands pat at No. 14 overall, Corey Liuget would be a nice consolation prize for a team in desperate need of help along their front seven.
In Fred Robbins and Gary Gibson, the Rams have a pair of past their prime tackles who wouldn’t be starters on almost any other team in the league. Some consider Liuget a bit undersized at 6’2” and 298 pounds; however, he excels at knifing through the point of attack and making plays in the backfield. He’s also a stout run defender with a good motor.
Other Possibilities: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri Tigers; Cameron Jordan, DE, CAL Golden Bears; Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue Boilermakers
15. Miami Dolphins–Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Mark Ingram to Miami may very well be the most anticlimactic pick of the entire 2011 NFL Draft. Nevertheless, based on team needs for the Dolphins and the fourteen teams that pick ahead of them, it’s very likely that Ingram will be wearing green and orange in 2011.
Although the Dolphins have had one of the most prolific rushing attacks of the last decade, veterans Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are slowing down and both are headed toward free agency this offseason.
Ingram, with his impressive blend of 4.62-second 40 speed and between-the-tackles power, would be an excellent addition to the backfield. He could also be an immediate antidote to the Dolphins’ short-yardage woes. Ingram ran for an absurd 42 touchdowns in his three seasons at Alabama.
Other Possibilities: Jake Locker, QB, Washington Huskies; Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State Seminoles; Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida Gators
16. Jacksonville Jaguars–Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue Boilermakers
The Jaguars could very well go quarterback with this pick, except that head coach Jack Del Rio probably feels like he can squeeze another useful season or two out of starter David Garrard, who had a career year in 2010.
Defensive end is Jacksonville’s most significant area of need, given that free-agent acquisition Aaron Kampman suffered a serious knee injury last season and his status is still up in the air. Kerrigan was a three-year starter at Purdue, racking up 192 tackles, 32 sacks and four forced fumbles from his sophomore through his senior season. In addition to his skills on the field, Kerrigan possesses all the intangibles that general manager Gene Smith looks for in a draft pick including smarts (Academic All-American), leadership (team co-captain), character and a relentless motor.
Other Possibilities: Jake Locker, QB, Washington Huskies; Christian Ponder, QB, South Carolina Gamecocks; Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri Tigers
17. New England Patriots (From Oakland)–Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri Tigers
18. San Diego Chargers–Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa Hawkeyes
19. New York Giants–Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College Eagles
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers–Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State Buckeyes
21. Kansas City Chiefs–Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA Bruins
22. Indianapolis Colts–Nate Solder, OT, Colorado Buffaloes
23. Philadelphia Eagles–Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida Gators
24. New Orleans Saints–Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia Bulldogs
25. Seattle Seahawks–Jake Locker, QB, Washington Huskies
26. Baltimore Ravens–Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado Buffaloes
27. Atlanta Falcons–Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin Badgers
28. New England Patriots–Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State Bulldogs
29. Chicago Bears–Danny Watkins, OG/OT, Baylor Bears
30. New York Jets–Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple Owls
31. Pittsburgh Steelers–Brandon Harris, CB, Miami Hurricanes
32. Green Bay Packers–Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois Fighting Illini
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