2011 NFL Mock Draft: With the 24th Pick New Orleans Saints Select...

Okay, I roped you in a bit. I'm going to make you wait and sweat almost like it's the actual draft. I want to go ahead and give my own little first round Mock Draft but really highlight the Saints' selection. 

I will give brief comments on each pick as well. 

1. Carolina Panthers-Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

In my opinion, the Panthers selecting Newton is such a similar situation to the Raiders selecting JaMarcus Russell. Both extremely overrated coming out of the SEC, both going to teams with first-year head coaches and both being selected over a wide receiver who seems to be the obvious pick, yet will likely end up being selected fourth in the draft (though Calvin Johnson did end up being picked second, despite most mocks placing him fourth). 

2. Denver Broncos-Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

My personal opinion is that Nick Fairley is the second best player in this draft and should be picked as such, so we're for 0-for-2 on players being selected where they should be. 

3. Buffalo Bills- Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Miller probably is not the third best player in this draft, but this pick is not nearly the reach that the first two picks are. 

4. Cincinnati Bengals-A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

Anytime you can get the best player in the draft with the fourth pick you take it. Carolina will be kicking themselves for years for not taking this guy. 

5.  Arizona Cardinals-Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

Even at No. 5, Dareus is probably a reach (for me), yet it's hard to imagine him getting past here. The Cardinals are not going to want to develop a young QB when they have the best shot of landing stud backup Kevin Kolb in the near future. 

6.  Cleveland Browns-Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

If it is true that the Browns are going back to a 4-3 defense after several years in a 3-4, they're going to need a quick, gap-shooting electric pass rusher at the defensive tackle spot. Nobody better exemplifies that in this draft. Of course, I think Fairley is the second best player in the entire draft.

7.  San Francisco 49ers-Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

I think we all know the Niners would rather trade this pick, but assuming they can't find a trade partner, I believe they'll take the best player available who happens to be Quinn.

8.  Tennessee Titans-Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

I'm not willing to say that Gabbert should be selected here, but I think the Titans would definitely take him if he were available at No. 8. I do of course believe Gabbert should be selected well ahead of Cam Newton.

9.  Dallas Cowboys-Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California

Jerry Jones likes good athletes. Smith's best attribute is his athleticism. Therefore, it would surprise me if Jones and Co. don't take a chance on the Trojan junior OT.

10.  Washington Redskins-Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Nobody currently has Locker in the first round, much less the top-10. But the Redskins are a natural fit for Locker's abilities. This move would be similar to Mike Shanahan drafting Jay Cutler no. 11 a few years back in Denver.

11.  Houston Texans-Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri

Athletically, Smith is elite and can come in and rush the passer from day one while standing up at outside linebacker.

12.  Minnesota Vikings-Prince Amakamura, CB, Nebraska

It's almost impossible to imagine Amakamura ending up anywhere else. Minnesota just seems like the perfect destination for him.

13.  Detroit Lions-Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

The Lions continue to search for players to improve their pass rush and make plays. Kerrigan can be that guy.

14.  St. Louis Rams-Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

It's not as if I'm the first person to give Jones to the Rams. It's seemingly a no-brainer as long as Jones is around at no. 14.

15.  Miami Dolphins-Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Despite the fact running backs generally slide, the Dolphins may feel desperate for a back who can carry the load right away in what figures to be a rebuilding year at the position.

16.  Jacksonville Jaguars-Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

The Jags' are the ultimate best player available drafting team. Clearly, Bowers is the best player available in this mock draft.

17.  New England Patriots-J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Watt can be a rotation defensive end immediately, though he won't help much with the Pats' biggest problem—creating a pass rush.

18.  San Diego Chargers-Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA

Ayers is a freak athlete with elite pass rush skills and ability to drop into coverage.

19.  New York Giants-Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

Castonzo just sounds like he should play for the Giants. At a spot of need, the Giants get their guy.

20.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Cameron Jordan, DE, California

Jordan projects as a five-technique, but the Bucs have taken a few guys like that the last few years, even under Raheem Morris.

21.  Kansas City Chiefs-Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

Most mocks no longer have Houston in the first round, but it remains possible, as he fits a 3-4 defense with a superb ability to get to the quarterback.

22.  Indianapolis Colts-Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

The Colts prefer athletic offensive linemen over big burly massive guys who cannot move. Solder is of course the athletic type.

23.  Philadelphia Eagles-Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

If the Colts prefer smaller more athletic guys, than Andy Reid definitely prefers big burly massive guys. Carimi fits that bill to a tee.

24.  New Orleans Saints-Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh

Sheard has risen up draft boards during the postseason, and he can play. Ultimately, this pick reflects the Saints being uncomfortable with drafting a defensive end who fits better in a 3-4 scheme. It also reflects their comfort with their running back situation and their offensive tackle situation.

Sheard figures to provide some pass-rush ability, but also the adaptability to play the run effectively and enough scheme versatility to play down when the team does run their occasional 3-4 sets.

Of course, the Saints would have preferred to have had Justin Houston—among others— available in this slot, but in this unique mock, those players are not available. Without the ability to trade down, the Saints are forced to take the defensive end they feel best fits their scheme. It may seem like settling, but at the end of the day, it's hard to imagine the Saints would be disappointed with this pick.

25.  Seattle Seahawks-Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida

If Pouncey happened to be available at 25, it's almost unimaginable the 'Hawks would pass on this player, who they need to fill a major hole in the interior of their line.

26.  Baltimore Ravens-Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

Though Liuget may not be the perfect fit for the Ravens' defense, he is a good value, and they can figure out a way to get the most out of him. The Ravens will not waste this pick.

27.  Atlanta Falcons-Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple

The Falcons need to improve on their defensive line, and Wilkerson provides scheme versatility that few his size are able to provide.

28.  New England Patriots-Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

Williams is not projected by most to be the second back off the board, yet he seems like the type of back BB loves.

29.  Chicago Bears-Derrek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

One of the few unanimous picks I actually agree with. Sherrod fits a major need for the Bears and is probably a lot better than the 29th pick.

30.  New York Jets-Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

Taylor appears to be the best fit of any DT left to take over at nose tackle in the Jets' 3-4 scheme.

31.  Pittsburgh Steelers-Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Based on talent alone, Smith would be the pick. But Williams is the safer pick.

32.  Green Bay Packers-Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

Packers always select the best player available.