NFL Mock Draft 2011: Matt Smith's First Round Mock Draft 2.0
With all the experts at nfl.com updating their mock drafts, I figured it would be a good time to do the same with mine. For reference, I'll put my first mock draft down below.
After all, it is spring break for the people around where I live and the NFL Draft is just eleven days away.
As with any draft, prospects have free falls down the draft boards while some get picked way too early.
Who are the fallers and risers in this years draft? Let's take a look.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Yes, the Heisman winner turns out to be the top player in the NFL Draft, just like he came out on top in the college football world.
A while ago, I was and still am convinced there are no QBs worth taking with the top pick. But I am not the owner.
Ron Rivera was impressed with Newton's arm strength, his winning ability, and his athleticism.
It seems clear that if the Panthers want to go defense, it is a battle between Marcell Dareus and Patrick Peterson.
If they want to go offense, it's Gabbert or Newton. Newton has the upper hand in this one.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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With a strong combine showing, Dareus passed up Fairley as the best defensive tackle on the board.
Dareus showed his athleticism at the combine as well as validating his skills that had already propelled him into the top ten prior to the combine.
He didn't put up gaudy stats at Alabama, but that was more of a result of facing many double teams instead of a lack of talent.
Dareus should be able to improve a Denver line that desperately needs help.
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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In the race for the best linebacker, this one isn't even close.
Miller is by far the best linebacker of the class, especially when it comes to pass rushing.
The Bills desperately need a good pass rusher and while they could go quarterback here, they can brave through another year with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm or take one in the second round.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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If your quarterback would rather retire than play for your team, you know you have problems.
Gabbert is still on the board and could actually be worth taking here but the Bengals pass on him hoping they will get Mallett or Locker in the second round.
Green is a physical freak who grabs most balls that come his way regardless of defender.
Green is capable of having a huge game any day. And with the Bengals current receiving corps possibly splitting up after this year, the No.1 receiver spot is his to take.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn, DE, Arizona
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With a need at quarterback, the Cardinals could be targeting someone like Kevin Kolb. Unfortunately for them, they can't trade players without a CBA agreement.
This is a bad situation, as the Cardinals need a linebacker and a quarterback but there are no linebackers worth taking here and Ken Whisenhunt doesn't seem to like the quarterbacks in this year's class.
They are left with the pass rusher need, and Robert Quinn is probably the best edge-rusher in the 2011 Draft.
Despite being suspended for a year, Quinn seems to still be in great shape and the Cardinals use their pick on the only need worth taking here.
6. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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The Browns are still looking for a home run threat at wide receiver and they hopefully find that man by drafting Jones as someone to pair with McCoy.
McCoy will almost certainly be the starting QB for Cleveland and could form a nice tandem with the explosive Jones.
Jones closed the wide gap between him and No.1 WR A.J. Green with a fantastic combine and pro day and will give the Browns some much needed help at the WR position.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Finally, the best player in the draft gets picked.
The 49ers could also fill the position of QB by selecting Blaine Gabbert but decide to pass up on him to choose the best player on the board that coincidentally also fits a big need.
Alex Smith certainly didn't seem to be the answer at QB, but Harbaugh has been working closely with him and it seems that he'll be back and hold the starting job.
Peterson is truly an elite prospect who not only holds value as a shutdown corner but also uses his blazing speed to be an effective return man. Unless he catches the injury bug, he is a can't-miss player.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Yet another team that could use a QB passes up on Gabbert.
Ever since Albert Haynesworth signed his enormous contract with the Redskins and had huge problems there, the Titans haven't been able to fill that hole that is defensive tackle.
Fairley was at one point considered to be the probable top pick in the draft, but that was mainly due to his hype after the BCS Championship Game.
Fairley has a chance to become a dominant defensive tackle and the Titans find him too good to pass up.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Though I believe Tyron Smith is a bit overrated, especially since he hasn't played a real game since tacking on that extra weight, he would still give the Cowboys some good value for their pick.
Smith was outstanding at USC and also improved upon his combine numbers at USC's pro day which bumps his stock up a little.
Jerry Jones hasn't used his first round pick on a lineman ever and that streak ends here as the Cowboys desperately need to upgrade their O-line.
10. Washington Redskins: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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Gabbert has shot up draft boards ever since he declared and for a couple good reasons.
The former Missouri QB has both good arm strength and athleticism. He also has improved his accuracy at his time in Missouri, but his decision making is often questioned.
The Redskins have a plethora of needs and would probably take Julio Jones had he been available, but he's off the board and go with Gabbert at number ten.
11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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The Texans are moving to a 3-4 scheme and need someone to pair with Mario Edwards to help the transition.
Sure, their biggest need is probably cornerback and Amukamara is available, but I just don't see them taking him as he has struggled against elite receivers.
Watt has a large array of moves and in a 3-4 scheme would most likely be single teamed due to the linebackers and Mario Edwards.
In adjusting to a 3-4 scheme, having Watt would be ideal.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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The famously injured Bowers ends his slide here.
At this point, Bowers is a huge steal for the Minnesota Vikings.
Once in the talk about who should go No.1, Bowers suffered a knee injury and has slid down draft boards ever since. Some even have him slipping all the way to the Saints.
Bowers is a dominant pass rusher who was essentially un-blockable last season.
The Vikings would like to put him opposite Jared Allen and he would help them get back into playoff contention.
13. Detroit Lions: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Take Amukamara here or upgrade the offensive line? The answer is offensive line.
Stafford needs to get better protection in order to stay healthy, even if his health isn't all due to the play of the offensive line.
The Lions would like to keep Stafford healthy and happy, and to do that they draft one of the more pro-ready lineman in the draft.
The main concern is that Castonzo may be near his ceiling but the Lions need someone who can step in immediately.
14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
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Without a Wide Receiver worth taking, the Rams decide to go defense here.
Smith is a long athletic pass rusher who has a huge amount of potential.
In the 4-3, he will stay as a defensive end and hopefully will start in his first year.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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This pick has been replicated more times than probably any other pick I've seen in mock drafts this year.
The Dolphins could lose both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. So where does that leave a hole? You're a genius if you guessed running back.
The Dolphins could reach for a guard like Mike Pouncey but it isn't worth it here.
Ingram is the top running back in the entire class and should be a workhorse for a while.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Should Ryan Kerrigan make it here, and he does, the Jaguars would be ecstatic.
Kerrigan is an absolute beast as he recorded 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in his last season at Purdue.
The Jaguars have a big ol' vacancy at defensive end where they desperately need a pass rusher.
Luckily for them, they have found a Day One starter in one of the better pass rushers in this year's draft.
17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DE, California
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Cameron Jordan should not be confused with a person of a strangely similar name, Jordan Cameron. No, Cameron Jordan is much better.
Jordan is a versatile lineman that could play either defensive end, defensive tackle, or even possible outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.
His father is Steve Jordan, a former tight end for the Minnesota Vikings.
Not only is he a player free of character concerns, but Jordan also has tremendous work ethic.
The Patriots fill a defensive need here by choosing a solid defensive lineman.
18. San Diego Chargers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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If you just looked at the NFL Team Stat sheet, you would've thought that the Chargers would have won the Super Bowl.
But in fact, they missed the playoffs despite finishing near the top in almost every major statistical category. Clayborn was also an underachiever.
He recorded 11 sacks in his junior season, but only four in his senior year.
Clayborn still has loads of talent and the Chargers draft him based on his potential.
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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At one point in time, Nate Solder was considered the top offensive lineman. He isn't anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't good.
The Giants need to upgrade their offensive line which is getting old and is a weak point on their team.
Solder has good size at 6'8" and roughly 320 pounds and does most things well.
His stock has slipped a bit but will be able to help the Giants offensive line greatly.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
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Even though he played against low level talent at Temple, Wilkerson has still been rising up draft boards in the past two months.
Wilkerson could play either defensive end or defensive tackle and would be able to help a young Buccaneers team that needs some talent on the line.
In a division with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, getting to the quarterback is a necessity. The Buccaneers hope Wilkerson can do that by adding him to their team in the first round.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
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The Kansas City Chiefs could use their pick on Phil Taylor, a true nose tackle, but they decide to go with an outside linebacker to complement Tamba Hali.
Houston is a bit of a tweener and bulked up at the combine in hopes that he might be able to play defensive end, which he would be had this been a 4-3 system run by the Chiefs.
Houston is a solid pass rusher and when paired with Tamba Hali would form a formidable duo. His addition would aid the Chiefs in their quest win the AFC West two years in a row.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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The Colts could go and grab a center here to get the successor to Jeff Saturday but there are none worth taking here.
So they go with another piece of the offensive line and take Carimi.
Carimi held his own against the top defensive ends in the Big Ten.
He may be more suited to play right tackle in the NFL and, like he did with Scott Tolzien, will be able to protect Manning's blind side while opening up holes in the run game.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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If the draft was based purely on talent, Smith might go a lot higher than this.
However, it is not, and the character concerns Jimmy Smith presents may cause some teams to pass by on him when they otherwise wouldn't have.
Smith is a sterling cover corner and has the ability to keep up with most receivers.
The Eagles need another corner not named Asante Samuel and pass up on an opportunity to grab an offensive lineman.
24. New Orleans Saints: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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With Liuget still on the board he may be tough to pass on.
But one of the needs you may not here a lot about for the Saints is an outside linebacker.
Ayers is both a great pass rusher and can drop back into coverage if asked.
He could have gone much earlier with a nice showing at the combine, but his performance wasn't good at all.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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I'm not sure why the Seahawks signed Charlie Whitehurst to a $4 million contract. Of they think he's their QB of the future then they are sadly mistaken.
Locker at times struggled with inconsistency and accuracy while at Washington. However, he does have great athleticism and has showed that he can make most throws.
He won't have to start immediately if the Seahawks bring back Hasselbeck and that would be a good opportunity for him to tune up his skills.
Plus, since it's in Washington, he doesn't have to move too far.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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The Ravens have a toss up between WR and CB.
Torrey Smith could go here, which is what I had in my last mock draft, but now I feel he may be too much of a reach at this point with the needs of a cornerback.
Harris is a great man-to-man corner but doesn't do as well in zone packages.
He is another case of a person with great work ethic and should be coached up to become a starting cornerback.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Corey Liuget, DE/DT, Illinois
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Liuget could have gone as early as No. 14 to the Rams but slides down to the Falcons.
The Falcons need a defensive end and while they would like to get a better pass rusher than Liuget, they take him anyways because he is an absolute beast.
His strength is in run stuffing but has improved as a pass rusher every year.
The Falcons fill a huge need here as they move Liuget to the defensive end position.
28. New England Patriots: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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Though he did not have the production many expected him to have last year at Pitt, I can't see him sneaking out of the first round.
The Patriots need a tall wide receiver who can stretch defenses and take Baldwin to be that guy.
Previously compared to Larry Fitzgerald, Baldwin's stalk has dropped after his unspectacular play last year and character concerns. But as we know, New England dealt with another troubled wide receiver.
Baldwin is 6'4" and finished second in the vertical jump with a 42" vertical. It's safe to say that he'll grab most jump balls.
29. Chicago Bears: Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
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Pouncey is one of a couple players whose stock has been elevated a bit due to the play of a sibling.
However, Pouncey justifies his stock with versatility and first-round play at the offensive line.
While he played some center in his last season, Pouncey is more suited to be a guard. He isn't the strongest lineman in the draft but is strong enough to be a starting guard.
The Bears could use a new player anywhere on their offensive line and decide to use this pick on a guard who can anchor their line for years.
30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
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Kris Jenkins is getting older and is often injured, so the Jets may not want to bring him back.
His replacement will be 350-pound mammoth nose tackle Phil Taylor.
Taylor does a good job of getting double teamed and opening up plays for others. He is also more athletic for a man his size than you would think.
He isn't a fantastic pass rusher but wouldn't be expected to. As long as he can draw double teams and stop the run, he will be an effective nose tackle.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
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Sherrod is a quality offensive lineman who played against tough competition at his time in the SEC.
He does everything well but doesn't really have a strength as to one part of his game.
The Steelers would be looking to take a cornerback like Brandon Harris but he is gone and Aaron Williams isn't worth taking here.
The Steelers need an offensive lineman and Sherrod is the best available at this point, so naturally they take him.
32. Green Bay Packers: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
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Why not?
There is no offensive lineman worth taking here, so why not use this pick on an offensive threat like Leonard Hankerson.
Brooks Reed or one of several DEs could go here instead, but Donald Driver isn't getting any younger and James Jones is a free agent.
Scouts were concerned about Hankerson's speed but he threw away those concerns by running a 4.43 in the 40 yard dash.
Hankerson is a big, fast wide receiver who gives Aaron Rodgers another toy to play with.
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