2011 NFL Mock Draft: Top 15 Picks Predicted 3 Days Before the Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft is three days away and the strategy and rumors are heating up.
Carolina has been bouncing back and forth with who they want at the No. 1 pick.
First it was Nick Fairley, then Cam Newton, then Marcell Dareus, then Newton again.
Patrick Peterson has even been mentioned.
The following mock draft for the first round of the NFL draft is who I think they will take and the ripple effect that it will have on the other teams and players.
No. 15: Mark Ingram RB—Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins are thin at running back behind Ronnie Brown, and Mark Ingram would make a solid No. 2.
Taking him at No. 15 is a stretch, but it is a need that the Dolphins have and there is no one better to fill it.
No. 14: Robert Quinn DE—St. Louis Rams
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Robert Quinn is one of the most talented defensive ends in the 2011 draft.
Off-the-field issues have limited his draft potential, but if he grows up, he can be one of the best defensive ends in the NFL.
Quinn will be an excellent fit for the Rams.
No. 13: Anthony Castonzo OT—Detroit Lions
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The Lions need to protect Matt Stafford and Castonzo is a guy that can do that.
With 54 starts at Boston College, Castonzo is durable and a solid blocker.
Castonzo is a guy that can be a cornerstone for the Lions' offensive line for many years.
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No. 12: Da'Quan Bowers DE—Minnesota Vikings
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Bowers is a player that Minnesota would love to have if he were available at the No. 12 spot.
Very similar to DeMarcus Ware, Bowers has the speed to beat most tackles in the NFL, along with the power to agility to shed blocks against the run.
No. 11: Prince Amukamara CB—Houston Texans
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The Texans need help in their secondary after finishing at the bottom in pass defense last season.
Amukamara is a special talent, and if it were not for Patrick Peterson, he would be getting a lot more attention is this year's draft.
The Texans get a steal by getting him at No. 11.
No. 10: Jake Locker QB—Washington Redskins
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Locker was projected as the No. 1 pick last year but had a fairly disappointing senior campaign that dropped him significantly.
Most people didn’t have him in the first round three weeks ago, but he has clawed his way back up.
Washington could snatch him up at the No. 10 spot.
No. 9: Tyron Smith OT—Dallas Cowboys
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With a tremendous workout at his pro day, Smith has jumped himself into the top 10.
With his excellent pass blocking abilities and tremendous strength, Smith will be the first offensive lineman taken in 2011.
No. 8: J.J. Watt DE—Tennessee Titans
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One of the most overlooked players in this year’s draft, Watt will be a steal at No. 8 and go on to have a long and solid career in the NFL.
Watt’s power and speed combination are hard to find; he has the most upside of any player in the first round.
No. 7: Patrick Peterson CB—San Francisco 49ers
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Probably the best player in this year’s draft, Peterson will slide due to needs of the teams before the 49ers.
The 49ers will have a superstar at every level of their defense, and with Peterson playing opposite of Nate Clements, opposing quarterbacks will have a nightmare of a time throwing the ball down the field.
No. 6: Julio Jones WR—Cleveland Browns
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The Browns need offensive weapons and Julio Jones is the best out there.
He has the size and speed to be a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL.
Giving Jake Delhomme or Colt McCoy a weapon like Jones would get the offense going quickly.
No. 5: Blaine Gabbert QB—Arizona Cardinals
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Gabbert is the best NFL quarterback in the 2011 draft and will have the luxury of going to Arizona as opposed to Carolina.
Gabbert will have a great surrounding cast on a team that is on its way up rather than down.
Cam Newton is the best thing that could have happened to Gabbert.
No. 4: A.J. Green WR—Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals need to bring in a receiving threat to compliment Chad Ochocinco and give Carson Palmer a reason to stay in Cincinnati, and A.J. Green is the best out there.
Green is an NFL wide receiver that runs disciplined routes and rarely drops a ball.
No. 3: Von Miller LB—Buffalo Bills
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If it were not for gaping needs of the teams in the top two spots of this year’s draft, Miller would be higher, possibly as high as a No. 1 pick, but lucky for the Bills, Miller will drop to them at the No. 3 spot and fill a big need for them at linebacker.
No. 2: Marcell Dareus DT—Denver Broncos
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The Broncos are hoping that the Panthers pass on Dareus and go for Newton because Dareus meets one of the immediate needs that Denver has coming into this year’s draft.
Dareus will be a solid NFL player for many years to come.
No. 1: Cam Newton QB—Carolina Panthers
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The Panthers really missed on their pick of Jimmy Clausen in 2010.
Clausen has so far been a complete bust and the Panthers are in worse shape at quarterback than they were with Jake Delhomme and Matt Moore.
Newton will come in with a lot of hype but will probably never live up to the expectations.
Carolina will take Newton at No. 1 and be no better for it, leaving them in a desperate situation next year drafting at No. 1 again.
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