2011 NFL Mock Draft: Picks for the First Three Rounds of the 2011 Draft
The first round of the NFL draft is just hours away.
This year's draft will be different because of the lockout; teams won't know what needs they can address through free agency. Even though the lockout has been lifted, player trades are unlikely be traded until the appeals process is complete. That means we will most likely not be seeing players traded for draft picks today.
Now I'll attempt to predict the first three rounds of the draft right. Feel free to offer cash donations if I do.
1. Carolina Panthers- Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
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Patrick Peterson may be the most athletic player in the draft, and any team that takes him knows they're getting a star for years to come. Peterson will immediately make their entire defense better as he continues to impress scouts and organizations alike.
Many analysts have the Panthers taking Cam Newton first overall, but I don't see it. The Panthers can't afford to take a quarterback at No. 1, as there is no clear cut star at the position.
2. Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
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The Broncos need help on their defensive line, and Dareus is just the man they need.
Originally, there was a lot of debate whether Nick Fairley would go here, but his stock has fallen significantly since the NFL Combine.
Luckily for the Broncos, Dareus is equally as good, if not better.
3. Buffalo Bills- Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
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Von Miller's draft stock has taken off lately.
His pass rushing ability is going to make him a yearly leader in the sacks category. His only weakness is in the run game, but with his athleticism, that is something he can be taught.
The only other logical choice here would be Cam Newton, but I think the Bills owe Ryan Fitzpatrick another season or two before giving up on him.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green, WR Georgia
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The only way the Bengals don't draft Green is if he's already taken in the first three picks.
Green is virtually a guaranteed success at wide receiver, and those are hard to come by in the NFL. The Bengals need a wide receiver, and Green is their man.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
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No, Cam Newton will not be the first quarterback drafted.
Arizona must address their quarterback problem with their first round. With names like Newton and Ryan Mallett still on the board, the Cardinals will instead take Gabbert.
Gabbert has the size and skill to become an elite NFL quarterback.
6. Cleveland Browns- Julio Jones, WR
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Jones is easily the second best wide receiver in the draft and one of the best wide receivers to enter the draft in recent memory.
The Browns rag-tag group of quarterbacks needs someone to target.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
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There are a few issues the 49ers could address here, including their secondary, pass rush or quarterback position.
The safest choice that fixes one of the issues is Amukamara, who will make an immediate impact on their secondary.
8. Tennessee Titans- Cam Newton, QB Auburn
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The Tennessee Titans will replace Vince Young with another dual-threat quarterback.
If Newton is there, it is hard to imagine a scenario where the Titans will pass on him.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith, OT USC
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The Cowboys desperately need an offensive tackle.
The obvious choices here are either Tyron Smith or Anthony Castonzo from Boston College.
10. Washington Redskins- Jake Locker
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Some experts aren't even convinced three quarterbacks will go in the first round.
I think three will go in the top 10 picks.
The Redskins need a quarterback badly, and with Newton and Gabbert gone, they will have to roll the dice on Locker or Ryan Mallett.
That is, if they can't trade down.
11. Houstan Texans- Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
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Nick Fairley and the Texans would be a perfect match.
His sinking draft stock might just allow it to happen.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Cameron Jordan, DE California
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Cameron Jordan is one of the top defensive end prospects in the draft.
The Vikings need an upgrade, and Jordan would be able to make an immediate impact.
13. Detroit Lions- Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
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The Lions have spent years trying to add explosive players on offense.
Now they need to protect them. This pick will undoubtedly go to an offensive tackle, and I think it will be Castonzo.
14. St. Louis Rams- Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
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Robert Quinn has already overcome a brain tumor and an NCAA suspension to go into the NFL Draft as a top prospect.
Getting to the quarterback should be an easy task for the defensive end out of North Carolina.
15. Miami Dolphins- Ryan Mallett, QB Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins need to address their quarterback situation. Because free agency will occur after the draft they need to either trade their first pick or take a quarterback.
Luckily for the Dolphins they may be able to get a man who is possibly the draft's best passer, Ryan Mallett, at the 15 spot due to his bad reputation.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
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The Jaguars need an outside pass rusher, which pretty much defines Kerrigan.
In college, Kerrigan had 33.5 sacks to go with a Big Ten record 14 forced fumbles.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin
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The Patriots don't have many needs, but Watt would definitely improve the team.
Watt best fits as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense.
18. San Diego Chargers- Aldon Smith, DE Missouri
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The Chargers need help on their defensive line.
Smith will be the safest player on the board that fills the Chargers' need.
19. New York Giants- Nate Solder, OT Colorado
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The New York Giants need to work on their offensive line.
The 2011 draft is stacked with pretty good tackles, and the Giants will be happy to get Solder with the 19th pick.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
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Poor Da'Quan Bowers. Questions about his surgically repaired knees have dropped him down draft boards everywhere.
However, Bowers and the Buccaneers will make a good pairing. The guy is an immense talent, and if he stays healthy, he will be the steal of the draft.
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
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While a pass rusher isn't their most pressing need, the Chiefs can't afford to pass on Ayers.
In the NFL, Ayers will most likely play as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
22. Indianapolis Colts- Game Carimi, OT Wisconsin
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The Colts need to shore up their offensive line to get back their explosiveness.
Carimi will be their new left tackle and primary protector of Peyton Manning.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Mike Pouncey, OG Florida
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The Eagles will be absolutely thrilled if Pouncey falls to them.
He would make an immediate impact on the Eagles' weak offensive line. If he plays anything like his brother, he'll be a star.
24. New Orleans Saints- Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
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Clayborn has top 10 talent, but concerns about his hustle and a medical condition will stop teams from taking him earlier.
The Saints can afford to gamble on him, and if he plays to his ability, they'll be getting a steal here.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Christian Ponder, QB FSU
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Five quarterbacks in the first round?
Call me crazy, but I think it happens.
The Seahawks HAVE to take a quarterback in the first round, and Ponder is no slouch. His understanding of the game has him rising quickly on many draft boards.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
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The Baltimore Ravens are known for their tremendous secondary.
This year, it's time to reload, and Jimmy Smith is a good starting point.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
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The Falcons need a good defensive end to play opposite of John Abraham.
Heyward isn't the best defensive end in the draft, but he'll get the job done.
28. New England Patriots- Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
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One of the Patriots' biggest needs is running back.
They don't necessarily need to take one in the first round, but Mark Ingram is a solid pick here and will fit in well with the Patriots.
29. Chicago Bears- Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
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The Chicago Bears badly need a left tackle.
Sherrod will most likely be the best tackle left on the board at this position.
30. New York Jets- Corey Liuget, DT Illinois
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The Jets will be absolutely thrilled if Liuget drops to them.
He would make their scary defense even scarier.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams, CB Texas
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Like the Ravens, the Steelers secondary is beginning to age a bit.
Williams will help rejuvenate it with his talent.
32. Green Bay Packers- Brooks Reed, OLB Arizona
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Imagine Reed playing in the same linebacker corps as Clay Matthews.
Things could get crazy real quick.
Second Round
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ROUND TWO
1. New England (from Carolina)- James Carpenter, OT Alabama
2. Buffalo- Phil Taylor, DT Baylor
3. Cincinnati- Andy Dalton, QB TCU
4. Denver- Brandon Harris, CB Miami
5. Cleveland- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
6. Arizona- Danny Watkins, OG Baylor
7. Tennessee- Justin Houston, OLB Georgia
8. Dallas- Jabaal Sheard, DE Pittsburgh
9. Washington- Mikel LeShoure, RB Illinois
10. Houston- Kyle Rudolph, TE Notre Dame
11. Minnesota- Torrey Smith, WR Maryland
12. Detroit- Martez Wilson, ILB Illinois
13. San Francisco- Rodney Hudson, C FSU
14. Denver (from Miami)- Benjamin Ijalana, OG Villanova
15. St. Louis- Randall Cobb, WR Kentucky
16. Oakland- Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia
17. Jacksonville- Christian Ballard, DE Iowa
18. San Diego- Marcus Cannon, OT TCU
19. Tampa Bay- Curtis Brown, CB Texas
20. New York Giants- Bruce Carter, OLB North Carolina
21. Indianapolis- Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State
22. Philadelphia- Davon House, CB New Mexico State
23. Kansas City- Marvin Austin, DT North Carolina
24. New Orleans- Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech
25. Seattle- Sam Acho, OLB Texas
26. Baltimore- Titus Young, WR Boise State
27. Atlanta- Leonard Hankerson, WR Miami
28. New England- Brandon Burton, CB Utah
29. San Diego (from NY Jets)- Rahim Moore, FS UCLA
30. Chicago- Allen Bailey, DE Miami
31. Pittsburgh- Kenrick Ellis, DT Hampton
32. Green Bay- Stefen Wisniewski, C Penn State
Third Round
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ROUND THREE
1. Carolina- Luke Stocker, TE Tennessee
2. Cincinnati- Orlando Franklin, OT Miami
3. Denver- Dontay Moch, OLB Nevada
4. Buffalo- D.J. Williams, TE Arkansas
5. Arizona- Chris Carter, OLD Fresno State
6. Cleveland- Quinton Carter, FS Oklahoma
7. Dallas- Colin Kaepernick, QB Nevada
8. New Orleans (from Washington)- Drake Nevis, DT LSU
9. Houston- DeAndre McDaniel, SS Clemson
10. New England (from Minnesota)- Clint Boling, OG Georgia
11. Detroit- Shareece Wright, CB USC
12. San Francisco- Jerrel Jerrigan, WR Troy
13. Tennessee- Quan Sturdivant, ILB North Carolina
14. St. Louis- Kendall Hunter, RB Oklahoma State
15. Miami- DeMarco Murray, RB Oklahoma
16. Jacksonville- Jon Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
17. Oakland- James Carpenter, OT Alabama
18. San Diego- Edmond Gates, WR Albilene Christian
19. New York Giants- Jarvis Jenkins, DT Clemson
20. Tampa Bay- Jordan Todman, RB Connecticut
21. Philadelphia- James Brewer, OT Indiana
22. Kansas City- Chris Conte, FS California
23. Indianapolis- DeAndre McDaniel, SS Clemson
24. New Orleans- Jurrell Casey, DT USC
25. San Diego (from Seattle)- Edmond Gates, WR Abilene Christian
26. Baltimore- Will Rackley, OG Lehigh
27. Atlanta- K.J. Wright Mississippi State
28. New England- Austin Pettis, WR Boise State
29. Chicago- Tyler Sash, SS Iowa
30. New York Jets- Greg Little, WR North Carolina
31. Pittsburgh- Shane Vereen, RB California
32. Green Bay- Daniel Thomas, RB Kansas State
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