NFL Draft 2011: T-Minus 24 Hours Until the Draft; My Final Mock Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft is 24 Hours away (that's at the time I started writing this. By the time I'm done, it could be more like 20). Fans and experts alike are scrambling to prematurely predict the results of the event that tomorrow yields. Will the Panthers pick a Quarterback? Which one? Do NFL scouts think as highly of Blaine Gabbert as our so-called experts? Will last year's potential top pick Jake Locker fall out of the first round? Here are my final predictions?
1. Carolina Panthers: Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
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Cam Newton is big, he's fast, and most importantly, he's a winner. Newton is what many experts call a "high-risk, high-reward" pick. If Newton lives up to the hype, he could completely turn around the Carolina offence for the better, but then again, he could end up like former "high-risk" players Jamarcus Russell and Vince Young.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
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The Broncos finished dead last in the NFL with 23 sacks in 2010. Dareus could be the big man they need to turn around their pass rush.
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
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How'd you like to go up against a linebacker core of Shawne Merriman, Paul Posluszney, and Von Miller? The addition of Miller could give the Bills one of the best Run-D's in the league.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Green could be a key part of rebuilding a Cincinnati Bengals team that will likely lose Chad Ochocinco, Carson Palmer, and Terrell Owens this year.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert; QB, Mizzou
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I had a dream last night that the Cardinals drafted Gabbert 5th overall, so I'm going with my gut on this one. But then again, my dreams have been known to disappoint; especially the one where Jamarcus led the Raiders to the Super Bowl three years in a row.
6. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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I've never been a huge fan of first round wide receivers. I think a great quarterback makes a receiver good and the Browns don't have a great quarterback. While he is extremely talented, I do not believe Julio Jones will flourish in Cleveland.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Patty Pete is one of the best defensive backs we've seen enter the league in a long time. He has the cover skills of Nnamdi Asomugha and the speed and return abilities of Deion Sanders. The 9ers would be lucky to grab him 7th overall, but if they do, they won't regret it.
8. Tennessee Titans: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
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In 2010, there was a huge hole in the Titans defensive line where Albert Haynesworth and Javon Kearse used to be. Robert Quinn could plug that hole, stop the run and sack some QB's.
9. Dallas Cowboys, Nick Fairley, DE, Auburn
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The Cowboys need another dynamic pass rusher to go along with Damarcus Ware, and that's exactly what they'll get in Fairley
10. Washington Redskins: JJ Watt, DE Wisconsin
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Badgers fans will be sad to see JJ Watt go. He's an absolutely fabulous pass rusher with excellent speed and defensove awareness. If the Redskins are smart, they'll snag him 10th overall.
11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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The Texans had one of the weaker pass defenses in the league last year. Prince Amukamara would be a huge help to their secondary.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Health concerns are the only thing preventing Bowers from being the top pass rusher in the draft. If the Vikings draft him and he can stay healthy, it could be the steal of the draft.
13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Smith is the best offensive lineman in the draft and if he falls to 13th, the Lions are sure to swoop him up.
14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Mizzou
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Smith has a very high upside and a lot of raw talent. Some critics believe he isn't fully developed yet and may need some good coaching.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, OT, Florida
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All of the 'Canes fans in Miami probably aren't too fond of this former Gator, but they will be once they see how much of a difference maker he will be in the trenches.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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Liuget is a dynamic pass rusher and can be a huge problem for opposing QBs.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Like just about everyone he's ever drafted, look for Bill Belichick to mold Costanzo into a star.
18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
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In a draft class overflowing with defensive lineman, the Chargers want to make sure they get just the right guy. Cameron Heyward could very well be that guy.
19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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The Giants will most likely pick an offensive lineman and Carimi could very well be the best one available.
20. Tampa Bay Bucs: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Adrian Clayborn is yet another great pass rusher in this years draft. It is possible he will find a home in Tampa.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Solder is a great pass blocker could a huge factor in protecting Matt Cassell this season.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
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The Colts D-Line is getting old and they might need some fresh blood to step in this year.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Akeem Ayers is fast and he loves to blitz. Look for him to fit right in with the Eagles Blitz-Often defense.
24. New Orleans Saints: Cam Jordan, DE, California
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This former Cal Bear should find a new home this season in The Big Easy
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
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Washington fans already know and love this hometown kid. If Pete Carroll decides to take a chance on him, Locker will have high expectations.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Ryan Kerrigan is big, mean, and loves to hurt quarterbacks. He should fit right in with Ray Lewis and the boys in Baltimore.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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Jimmy Smith could be a huge part of the Falcons secondary for years to come.
28. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Last year, the Pats had a pretty good running game with a 5'9" running back that nobody had ever heard of. Imagine how good they could be with a former Heisman winner.
29. Chicago Bears: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
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The Bears defense is notorious for being big and scary. Marvin Austin would fit right in.
30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
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I bet Bart Scott CAN'T WAIT to have a guy like Phil Taylor anchoring the Jets defensive line.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova
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The Steelers could use another big man up front in the trenches, and since Ijalana can play both tackle and guard, he could be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh.
32. Green Bay Packers: Justin Houston, OLB/DE, Georgia
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The reigning Super Bowl Champs don't need much help on offense or defense, so this could be a "best player available" situation, and if Houston is available at 32, he will probably be the best pick.
Other Notable Picks
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35. Cincinnati Bengals: Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
39. Tennessee Titans: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
43. Minnesota Vikings: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
48. Oakland Raiders: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
53. Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Williams, RB, VT
56. New Orleans Saints: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
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