2011 NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Another Look at How Things May Turn out
The 2011 NFL Draft is almost here and the mock drafts are starting to get much more “accurate” in terms of where players are going to be selected in the draft coming at the end of this month. Through all of the Pro Days, private workouts and all of the information compiled by draft experts, we are starting to get a much better idea of who might go where in the year’s draft.
Free agency is not going to happen before the draft, so teams are going to have to assume that the draft may be the only way for them to fill their needs this offseason. That means that teams aren’t going to take risks like they may have in the past because they will need this draft class to produce right away. Teams may also draft more for need than anything else and will probably set aside that best player mentality going into the draft.
This is my second to the last mock draft heading up to the actual 2011 NFL Draft starting April 28.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)-Cam Newton-QB-Auburn
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It’s hard to believe but it appears as if the Panthers are taking a lot interest in Newton and it looks more and more likely that he will be their pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. It’s not known whether or not they feel that Jimmy Clausen is going to be their quarterback of the future and it looks like they may be going with other options. But would Newton be worth the risk?
Last Mock: Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)-Marcel Dareus-DT-Alabama
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With new head coach John Fox in the mix it’s possible that Denver will take Dareus here with the second pick in the draft. Dareus is a game changing lineman and could help the Bronco’s ailing defense become much better than it was last season.
Last Mock: No Change
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)-Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
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The Bills have a lot of different options with this pick. They could try to pick up a quarterback like Blaine Gabbert here or they could try to get the guy that many consider to be the best player in the draft, cornerback Patrick Peterson. Adding Miller to their defense would help make them much better and give them an option to rush the passer from the linebacker position and make it much more difficult for opposing offenses to play against them.
Last Mock: Cam Newton-QB-Auburn
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)-Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
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With Carson Palmer threatening retirement if he doesn’t get his way out of Cincinnati it would be wise if the Bengals took their next signal caller of the future. Gabbert would be a nice addition to the team and perhaps with the addition of a free agent veteran the Bengals won’t struggle on offense as much as they will without Palmer in the lineup. This will be an interesting team to watch because what they do will have a profound effect on what several other teams do in this year’s draft.
Last Mock: A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
5. Arizona Cardinals-(4-12)-Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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In this mock draft the Cardinals miss out on Miller, Gabbert and Newton, three players that they would probably end up taking if they were there so they will go with the best player available at this point. It’s possible that in this scenario they could try to trade down a little to allow someone else that would wish to have Peterson take him but if they did get him then they would have a much more improved secondary and return game.
Last Mock: Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
6. Cleveland Browns-(5-11)-A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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Had Peterson been here when the Browns picked they would have taken him here but the value here would dictate that the Browns would take a receiver and give young quarterback Colt McCoy someone to throw the ball too. Green would give them an instant upgrade and make their offense that much better.
Last Mock: Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)-Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
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The 49ers will miss out on Peterson, Gabbert and Newton so look for them to try and get a good pass rushing defensive end in this draft and Quinn would be just the right guy for them here. Quinn may have missed a year of school due to a violation of NCAA rules but he has proven himself ready for the NFL and would be a great addition for the 49ers.
Last Mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)-Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
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The Titans have missed Albert Haynesworth and will want to find someone to replace him in this draft. Fairley will be a high impact player in the NFL if he can overcome some of those issues that have caused him to drop a little bit in the minds of scouts and general mangers and he should be there when the Titans make their pick at number eight in the first round.
Last Mock: No Change
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)-Tyron Smith-OT-USC
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It’s very rare that the Cowboys take an offensive lineman in the draft but this is the year that they may have to buck that trend and take one. Smith has quietly asserted himself as the number one offensive tackle in the draft and would be a difficult talent for the Cowboys to pass up. If they do pass him up they may select cornerback Prince Amukamara to help shore up their secondary.
Last Mock: Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
10. Washington Redskins (6-10)-Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
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If there isn’t a quarterback available here when the Redskins make their pick then they will go for a wide receiver that will help whoever plays at quarterback move the ball down the field and make this offense work. Jones comes with a lot of potential and could really help improve the Redskins passing attack.
Last Mock: Jake Locker-QB-Washington
11. Houston Texans (6-10)-Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
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The Texans would love to have Amukamara fall to them here at number 11. The Texans need the help on defense and improving their secondary would be huge as teams were able to complete catches down the field on them pretty easily so having a shutdown corner is a must.
Last Mock: Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)-J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
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Minnesota could really use a quarterback but they may not reach to get Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett here (which would be a good idea not to do) so getting some help on defense is their next best bet. The Vikings could use someone to help take the pressure off Jared Allen and make their defense much better
Last Mock: Cameron Jordan-DE-California
13. Detroit Lions (6-10)-Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
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The Lions would surely take a cornerback if there was one available here but in this mock there isn’t a good one to take here so protecting Matthew Stafford becomes their next priority. Solder will prove to be one of the better offensive tackles in this draft and the Lions need the help on their offensive line.
Last Mock: Tyron Smith-OT-USC
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)-Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
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Missing out on Julio Jones is going to be tough for the Rams, a team that can really use the help at the wide receiver position. So with there being no other options at this point in the draft the Rams may choose to beef up their pass rush and add a strong pass rushing end like Smith. Smith would be able to instantly improve their defense and make them a much better team.
Last Mock: Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)-Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
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The Dolphins may choose to go for an offensive lineman at this point but they also need a running back and could make Ingram the first running back taken in this draft (and perhaps the only one taken in the first round). With free agency and age striking their running back corps its time that they made an upgrade there.
Last Mock: No Change
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)-Cameron Jordan-DE-California
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The Jaguars need some help rushing the passer and may want to draft a guy like Jordan to help them out with that. Jordan comes in as a strong pass rusher with good work ethic and a drive to succeed. He is a hard worker and would be just the right guy for the job in Jacksonville.
Last Mock: Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland 8-8)-Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
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The Patriots have two big needs heading into this year’s draft. One need is help for their offensive line while the other comes at the defensive end position. They may end up missing out on some of the better defensive ends in the draft but Kerrigan would be a good fit and would give them a lot of production at the defensive end position.
Last Mock: J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)-Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple
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The Chargers need to find someone to help them with their passing defense and haven’t had a lot of luck rushing the passer since they let go of Shawne Merriman (and even towards the end of his time there they had problems getting to the quarterback) so adding someone to help them do that would be a big plus for them in this draft. Wilkerson could be that piece to the pass defense puzzle that they are looking for and could help them right away.
Last Mock: Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
19. New York Giants (10-6)-Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
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It’s been said that the Giants covet Pouncey and would take him here if he was available. They may even choose to trade up a little bit to get him. New York needs help on the offensive line and Pouncey would be able to fit into either the guard or the center position and start immediately.
Last Mock: Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)-Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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Bowers injury concerns are going to drop him down quite a bit but he could still be a good value to someone and here at 20 he just might be of great value to the Bucs. As long as Bowers can prove that he’s going to be able to stay healthy for good period of time he wouldn’t be a bad pick here.
Last Mock: Adrian Clayborn-DE-Iowa
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)-Phil Taylor-Baylor
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Kansas City’s rushing defense was horrible towards the end of the season and in the playoffs last year and it all starts in the middle. The Chiefs are going to want to upgrade the center of that defense in this draft and they would be doing well if they could (and would) get him. Taylor is a big bodied guy that could fill those middle gaps well and force teams to run to the outside of their defense.
Last Mock: No Change
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)-Anthony Castonzo-OT-Boston College
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The Colts need to look at their needs on both their offensive and defensive lines and for the value, it would be a nice idea for them to beef up the offensive line with a player like Castonzo. Castonzo would be an interesting pick to watch to see how he develops but the Colts might like him enough to take him here at number 22.
Last Mock: No Change
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)-Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
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The Eagles have several needs but getting some help at the offensive tackle position, in particular the right tackle position, would be the best way for them to go. Carimi would be a nice fit right here at number 23 and should be a solid right tackle for the Eagles for several years.
Last Mock: No Change
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5)-Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
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Remi Ayodele wasn’t that productive for the Saints last season so it’s time that the Saints looked for someone to make their interior defensive line better. Liuget is one of the hottest players entering the draft and if he falls to this spot them the Saints would be lucky and should pick him up right away.
Last Mock: Cameron Heyward-DE/OLB-Ohio State
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)-Jimmy Smith-CB-Colorado
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The big question here is would Smith be a safe pick here in the first round due to some character concerns that he had in school. The Seahawks may not be able to afford to pass him up because of their needs at the cornerback position and if he can play well and stay out of trouble then the Seahawks secondary will be that much better in the future.
Last Mock: No Change
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)-Cameron Heyward-DE-Ohio State
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Ohio State-If there isn’t a cornerback available here then the Ravens need to find someone that can help take some of the pressure off of Terrell Suggs, the only real pass rusher on the team right now. Heyward can play the defensive end or defensive tackle position and would enhance the Ravens defense considerably.
Last Mock: Justin Houston-OLB-Georgia
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)-Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
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Georgia-The Falcons may choose to go for a wide receiver here to help them take some of the pressure off of both quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Roddy White but if Houston is available then they could use him to help improve their pass rush. Houston is coming off of a strong season and teams will hope that he can carry that momentum forward into a successful NFL career.
Last Mock: Akeem Ayers-DE/OLB-UCLA
28. New England Patriots (14-2)-Danny Watkins-OG-Baylor
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Watkins just might slip into the first round and get taken by the Patriots a team that needs some help on their offensive line. If they decide to keep both of their first round picks and pick a defensive player with their first pick then they should go for an offensive lineman and Watkins could be head coach Bill Belichick’s kind of guy.
Last Mock: Mike Pouncey-C/G-Florida
29. Chicago Bears (11-5)-Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
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With no solid talent at the defensive tackle position available here (most likely their first choice since this is a team that thinks defense first almost all of the time) the Bears will try to take care of their biggest need and that’s on the offensive line. Sherrod would be a great fit for the Bears and could start right away which is what they need.
Last Mock: No Change
30. New York Jets (11-5)-Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA
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With the Vernon Gholston experiment now over the Jets need to find someone to fill the outside linebacker position and play much better than he did. Ayers is going to drop in the draft a little bit and should be here when the Jets make this pick. He could be a nice addition for the Jets on defense.
Last Mock: Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)-Ben Ijalana-OT-Villanova
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The Steelers may choose to trade out of the first round and try to pick up some additional players a little later on in the draft but if they don’t do that they it’s possible that they could take Ijalana here at number 31. The Steelers need help at both the offensive tackle and guard positions and grabbing Ijalana would really help the Steelers.
Last Mock: No Change
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6)-Brooks Reed-LB-Arizona
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The Packers are going to want to find someone to help take some of the pressure off of Clay Matthews and allow him to play even better. Adding another linebacker would be their best bet so look for the Packers to take a serious look at someone like Reed and bring him in to help out their stout defense.
Last Mock: Mikel Leshoure-RB-Illinois
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