2011 NFL Draft: 50 Bold Predictions
The 2011 NFL draft is less than a week away and there are due to be multiple surprises on draft day.
Many draft analysts and experts have been releasing mock drafts left and right, but none of their recent works are quite like this one: This article will include 50 bold predictions regarding the NFL draft.
Some of my predictions will likely be shocking, and some of them you may feel aren't so bold—but either way, this is what I'm predicting to happen in the 2011 NFL draft.
I hope you enjoy this slideshow, and be sure to leave your feedback on any of my bold predictions!
This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
1. Cam Newton Will Be the First Overall Pick
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The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback out of Auburn, Cam Newton, will go first overall to the Carolina Panthers.
Even though the Panthers already have a young quarterback in Jimmy Clausen, Newton offers the most potential and upside out of any of the prospects in the 2011 draft class.
2. A Safety Will Not Be Drafted in the First Round
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The 2011 NFL draft class is loaded defensively, but not at one position: safety.
Not one safety will go in the first round and the most highly rated safety, Rahim Moore out of UCLA, will go somewhere in the second round.
3. Players Will Shake Hands with Roger Goodell
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Due to the dissolved NFLPA and the NFL lockout, many fans have been speculating that the players will "boycott" their handshake with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as a sign of respect to the NFLPA—it wont happen.
What loyalty do the prospects have to the NFLPA? They are still college athletes.
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4. Blaine Gabbert Will Not Be Selected in the Top 5
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As Cam Newton will go first overall, Missouri's Blaine Gabbert will fall out of the top five.
The Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Arizona Cardinals will all pass on Gabbert.
5. Patrick Peterson Will Be the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year
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LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson is the most highly rated prospect in the 2011 draft class, in my opinion.
Peterson will have the biggest impact on his team in the 2011 season and will win the 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
6. A.J. Green Will Be the Offensive Rookie of the Year
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Wide receiver A.J. Green will likely be an elite player in a few seasons, and he'll be very effective during his rookie season.
Green will win the 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
7. The Cleveland Browns Will Not Draft A.J. Green or Julio Jones
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No matter how bad the Cleveland Browns' wide receiver group is, the Browns desperately need a pass rushing defensive end. I mean, the Browns' receivers are superstars compared to their defensive ends.
8. Da'Quan Bowers Will Fall out of the Top 15
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In recent mocks, I have noticed that Da'Quan Bowers has been slipping further and further away from his once top-five projection.
Due to concerns regarding Bowers' knee, I really don't see him going in the top 15, but I can't see a team like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing on him at 20th overall.
9. The New England Patriots Will Not Trade Their 17th Overall Pick
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No, the Patriots will not be trading their 17th overall selection, but they will make a bunch of trades, no question about that.
I can see players like Cameron Jordan, J.J. Watt, Muhammad Wilkerson and Aldon Smith all available at 17th overall, and they'd all be great additions to New England's young defense.
10. The Indianapolis Colts Will Try to Select Peyton Manning's Successor
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The Indianapolis Colts will draft a quarterback in the latter rounds—however, that player will not be the successor to Peyton Manning.
Either way, the Colts need to grab onto a developmental project to try and "groom" behind Manning.
11. The New England Patriots Will Draft a Quarterback
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One player that I could see the Patriots drafting is Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy.
Bill Belichick and Alabama head coach Nick Saban are close and "relatives" in their coaching tree, and Belichick loves to draft players from coaches that he's familiar with.
12. The Miami Dolphins Will Not Draft Mark Ingram
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I think it's safe to say that 99 percent of all the mock drafts out there have the Miami Dolphins drafting running back Mark Ingram at 15th overall—I don't see it happening.
The Dolphins need help at quarterback and on defense, and there are plenty of running backs that will be available in the latter rounds and in free agency.
13. The Buffalo Bills Will Draft A.J. Green
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No matter how many times experts and analysts say that the Buffalo Bills need a quarterback, they really don't—they just need one for the future.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is a quality NFL starter, and by adding A.J. Green into their offense along with C.J. Spiller, Stevie Johnson and Lee Evans, I'd expect some big offensive numbers out of Buffalo.
14. Von Miller Will Be Selected by the Arizona Cardinals
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Once the Buffalo Bills pass on Von Miller and select A.J. Green, the Arizona Cardinals will grab a hold of Miller. The Cardinals have an awful pass rush, and Miller would certainly help out in that department for many years to come.
15. The New England Patriots Will Draft Mark Ingram in the Late First Round
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I'm not saying that New England will keep their 28th overall selection, but they'll find a way to draft Alabama's Mark Ingram. Like I previously said, Belichick loves players who've played with coaches that Belichick has connections with.
16. The New England Patriots Will Move Up into the Top 15
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This prediction kind of contradicts one of my previous predictions, however, if the Patriots really want North Carolina's Robert Quinn or Patrick Peterson, they have the ability to trade up and snag 'em.
17. The Minnesota Vikings Will Draft Jake Locker
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The Minnesota Vikings really need a quarterback, and they'll find a way to trade into the late first round or early second to draft Washington's Jake Locker.
18. Boston College's Anthony Castonzo Will Be Selected Before Tyron Smith
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I think there's too much false hype floating around USC's Tyron Smith, and I'm predicting that Boston College's Anthony Castonzo will be selected before Smith.
Castonzo looks like the real deal and is coming out of Boston College, which is known for producing NFL-ready offensive linemen.
19. The Green Bay Packers Will Draft a Running Back in the First Round
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At 32nd overall, one of the best players that could be available is Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure.
Leshoure would immediately help out Green Bay's rushing attack.
20. The Tampa Bay Buccanneers Will Select Da'Quan Bowers
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I truly believe that Da'Quan Bowers is the ideal player that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for. Thanks to the free-fall of Bowers, he'll be sliding right into the Bucs' hands at 20th overall.
21. The Washington Redskins Will Trade Back
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At 10th overall, I really don't see any players available that will fit Washington's needs—expect Mike Shanahan to be trading back a few picks while acquiring a few later-round picks which the team certainly lacks.
22. The St. Louis Rams Will Draft Julio Jones
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The St. Louis Rams will get exactly what they're looking for in the first round: Alabama's Julio Jones.
Quarterback Sam Bradford really needs a receiver to throw to, and Jones is the perfect player.
23. Stephen Paea Will Creep into the First Round
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Oregon State's Stephen Paea is the strongest athlete in the 2011 NFL draft class.
Due to his amazing strength and how he demands double teams, I'd expect a team to snag him in the first round to be their anchor on their defensive line.
24. Jimmy Smith Will Be Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles
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Jimmy Smith may be the second-best cornerback in the 2011 draft, but due to personal issues, he'll fall all the way to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Smith would be a perfect fit opposite of Asante Samuel and that'd immediately turn Philly's secondary into a strength.
25. The New England Patriots Will Draft Robert Quinn
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North Carolina's Robert Quinn is exactly what the Patriots need.
In New England's 3-4 defense, Quinn is versatile enough to play defensive end or outside linebacker, which Belichick would love to have.
26. Ryan Mallett Will Be Selected by the Miami Dolphins
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There's going to be a quarterback controversy on South Beach this summer and it's going to be between Ryan Mallet and Chad Henne.
I'm predicting that Mallet will be going to the Miami Dolphins somewhere in the second round.
27. The New York Jets Will Draft Jonathan Baldwin
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The New York Jets will likely lose wide receiver Braylon Edwards via free agency, and Pittsburgh's Jonathan Baldwin could be the team's potential replacement.
28. No Kickers Will Be Drafted
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What a bold prediction this is? No kickers will be drafted in the 2011 NFL draft.
29. The Buffalo Bills Will Draft Christian Ponder
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I can see the Buffalo Bills selecting Florida State's Christian Ponder somewhere in the early part of the draft.
Ponder may end up being the draft class's best quarterback when all is said and done.
30. Christian Ponder Will Be the Best QB in the 2011 Draft
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In a year where the quarterback position is noticeably "thin," FSU's Christian Ponder will end up being the draft's top quarterback.
31. The First Round Will Be Filled with Offensive Linemen
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Anthony Castonzo, Tyron Smith, Gabe Carimi, Nate Solder, Mike Pouncey, Derek Sherrod and Danny Watkins will all be selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
32. The Dallas Cowboys Will Not Draft Tyron Smith
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Despite all the buzz that the Dallas Cowboys will be selecting USC's Tyron Smith, I don't see it happening. I see the Cowboys drafting Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara.
33. The New York Giants Will Draft Gabe Carimi
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Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi is exactly what the New York Giants need.
New York's offensive line was a weakness last season, and needs some depth added to it.
34. Cameron Jordan Will Be Drafted by the Houston Texans
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California's Cameron Jordan is a perfect fit in Houston.
Houston Texan's newly signed defensive coordinator Wade Philips will be installing his 3-4 defense, in which Jordan will thrive.
35. Marcell Dareus Will Go to the Denver Broncos
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Alabama's Marcell Dareus is probably the draft's most complete defensive lineman.
The Denver Broncos have an awful defensive line, and Dareus would be the perfect addition.
36. Mike Pouncey Will Join His Brother in Pittsburgh
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The Pittsburgh Steelers need help on their offensive line and will draft the very versatile Mike Pouncey, who will be joining his twin brother Maurkice Pouncey.
37. Ryan Williams Will Be the Leading Rookie Rusher
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Now this is a very bold prediction—Ryan Williams will be the best rookie running back in the 2011 NFL season.
38. The Miami Dolphins Will Draft Ryan Williams
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After the Miami Dolphins pass on Mark Ingram in the first round, they can get a player which just as much potential for a lower cost in Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams.
38. The Arizona Cardinals Will Not Draft a Quarterback
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This year's draft is just so weak at the quarterback position.
The Arizona Cardinals already have a young quarterback in John Skelton who will need some time to develop. I can see the Cardinals going out and signing veteran quarterback Marc Bulger.
39. The Cincinnati Bengals Will Draft Andy Dalton
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The Cincinnati Bengals will not end up with either Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert, so they'll be drafting TCU's Andy Dalton to be the potential replacement for Carson Palmer.
40. The Jacksonville Jaguars Will Draft Ricky Stanzi
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This is somewhat of a random prediction, but I'm just going to throw it out there. I can see the Jacksonville Jaguars drafting Iowa's Ricky Stanzi to be the team's quarterback of the future.
41. The Detroit Lions Will Draft Prince Amukamara
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If one of my previous predictions falls out, (the Dallas Cowboys drafting Prince Amukamara) then the Detroit Lions will be heaven once they see Amukamara still available at 13th overall.
42. The San Diego Chargers Will Draft J.J. Watt
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J.J. Watt is what the San Diego Chargers will be looking for, and I definitely see the Chargers grabbing him at 18th overall.
43. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Draft Kyle Rudolph
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I'm sorry but Kellen Winslow is not going to get it done, so Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph will join Tampa Bay's Mike Williams as one of Josh Freeman's young targets.
44. The New England Patriots Will Draft Ahmad Black
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Like I've said before, Bill Belichick loves players who have had coaches that he's close with.
Florida's Ahmad Black played under Urban Myer, and it's noticeable that Belichick loves his Gators.
45. The Indianapolis Colts Will Pass on an Offensive Lineman in the First Round
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This may be a bit far-fetched, but the Indianapolis Colts will be passing on offensive linemen in the first round.
Maybe a player like Brandon Harris or Jimmy Smith will have their name called by the Colts in the first round.
46. The Pittsburgh Steelers Will Draft a Quarterback
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Yet again, another far-fetched prediction, but I wouldn't put it out of the question.
A player like Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick could certainly become a Pittsburgh Steeler in the 2011 NFL draft.
47. The Tennessee Titans Will Draft Nick Fairley
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This may be a bit of a "no-brainer."
The Tennessee Titans will select Auburn's Nick Fairley if he's available at eighth overall.
48. Nick Fairley Will Be a Bust
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Yes, I'm saying it: The Titans will be drafting a big-time bust in Nick Fairley.
Fairley only had one good year of production at the college level and he'll be known as a one-year wonder.
49. Cam Newton Will Never Start an NFL Game
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This may be as bold as it gets: Cam Newton will never, ever start an NFL game as a quarterback.
Sure, he may play in a few games, but I do not think Newton has the "brains" and dedication to learn an offensive system—he's got JaMarcus Russell written all over him.
50. The New York Jets Fans Will Boo the First Overall Pick
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Wait, is this even a prediction or is it just a guarantee?
The New York Jets will definitely show their true class and boo the first overall selection made by the Carolina Panthers—and oh yeah, and all the New England Patriots' draft picks as well.
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