2011 NFL Mock Draft: In Larry's 1st Round, Who Goes to Washington? Version 2

Management staffs all around the NFL are busily preparing for the 2011 NFL draft, starting on Thursday, April 28, 2011. It is time for big decisions about potential franchise players and trying to avoid making a huge mistake. When you are examining these prospects, everything is a gamble.

There are no sure things when it comes to drafting a 20- to 23-year-old college player looking to make the jump to the big time. That is why off-field issues are so important in the picking process. It is such a dangerous thing to invest in a player that may take himself off the field when he is on his own time.

All 32 teams will look for a player that can play well and behave well. I will try my best to guess what direction each front office will go with its first round pick. I will also give an examination of how picks one through nine will affect the direction the Washington Redskins go with pick No. 10.

This is the second and last version of my mock draft. Sit back and enjoy the draft starting Thursday night. Let's take a look at the players I think will be called by Commissioner Roger Goodell when the first-round selections are unveiled.

2011 NFL Draft: Larry's 1st Round Mock Draft: Picks 1-8: Version 2

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs back an interception against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Tiger Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

1. Carolina: Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

Panthers take the ultimate gamble and draft the much-maligned and praised Heisman winner.

2. Denver: Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

Broncos fill a big hole in the middle of their defensive line with the massive Dareus.

3. Buffalo: Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A&M

Bills miss out on ticket seller Newton and take the best available player in Miller.

4. Cincinnati: A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

Bengals look to replace both Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens with this selection.

5. Arizona: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU

Cardinals select the best player in the draft and will seek veteran quarterback once free agency starts.

6. Cleveland: Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Browns need playmakers to go with Colt McCoy, and Jones fills the need.

7. San Francisco: Robert Quinn, Defensive End/Linebacker, North Carolina

49ers need a pass rush and gamble that Quinn can regain his form from two seasons ago.

8. Tennessee: Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn

Titans take a chance on the talented Fairley and plan for him to be a good version of Albert Haynesworth.

2011 NFL Draft: Larry's 1st Round Mock Draft: Picks 9-16: Version 2

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterback Dan LeFevour #13 of the Central Michigan Chippewas is tackled by Ryan Kerrigan #94 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 20, 2008 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/

 9. Dallas: Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska

Cowboys always make a splash and avoid the offensive line to bring in a Prince.

10. Washington: Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri

Redskins hit the jackpot when their franchise quarterback falls in their lap.

11. Houston: J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin

Texans find a bookend stud to put opposite Super Mario.

12. Minnesota: Tyron Smith, Tackle, USC

Vikings look to add veteran quarterback and choose a top-rated tackle to protect him.

13. Detroit: Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

Lions front line will be ferocious with Jordan and Ndamukong Suh chasing quarterbacks.

14. St. Louis: Aldon Smith, Defensive End/Linebacker, Missouri

Rams in need of a pass rusher and find a great one in Smith.

15. Miami: Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama

Dolphins ownership goes with the splashy name to replace the aging Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

16. Jacksonville: Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue

Jaguars play it safe and draft a quality four-year player with talent and no off-field issues.

2011 NFL Draft: Larry's 1st Round Mock Draft: Picks 17-24: Version 2

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 10: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 10, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

17. New England: Anthony Castonzo, Tackle, Boston College

Patriots draft the hometown boy to give Tom Terrific some much-needed protection.

18. San Diego: Akeem Ayers, Linebacker, UCLA

Chargers go local as well and find a replacement for the departed Shawne Merriman.

19. N.Y. Giants: Mike Pouncey, Center/Guard, Florida

Giants go conservative and draft a solid young cog to go in the middle of the offensive line.

20. Tampa Bay: Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

Buccaneers roll the dice that he stays healthy and they get the steal of the draft.

21. Kansas City: Gabe Carimi, Tackle, Wisconsin

Chiefs' league-leading rushing attack gets another weapon with the powerful tackle.

22. Indianapolis: Nate Solder, Tackle, Colorado

Colts take a huge man to protect the money man, Peyton Manning.

23. Philadelphia: Derek Sherrod, Tackle, Mississippi State

Eagles trying to rebuild the offensive line after failing with the disappointing Jason Peters acquisition.

24. New Orleans: Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle, Illinois

Saints plug a big body in the middle of the defensive line that can help stop the run.

2011 NFL Draft: Larry's 1st Round Mock Draft: Picks 25-32: Version 2

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs passes the ball against the Boise State Broncos during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 4, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie

25. Seattle: Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington

Seahawks can't pass up on the hometown boy and eventual replacement for Matt Hasselbeck.

26. Baltimore: Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado

Ravens fill a major weakness at corner despite off-field issues that don't seem to matter in B-More.

27. Atlanta: Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Notre Dame

Falcons get another toy for Matt Ryan and the eventual replacement for Tony Gonzalez.

28. New England: Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU

Patriots shock the draft with a Bill Belichick move and take a chance on finding the next Tom Brady.

29. Chicago: Cameron Heyward, Defensive End/Tackle, Ohio State

Bears get a versatile replacement for Tommie Harris after run on offensive linemen.

30. N.Y. Jets: Phil Taylor, Defensive Tackle, Baylor

Jets add another big body to the front-line rotation in Rex Ryan's defensive arsenal.

31. Pittsburgh: Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas

Steelers get a bargain with this pick as the Steel Curtain gets a potential starter at corner.

32. Green Bay: Brooks Reed, Linebacker, Arizona

Packers add another long-haired, high-energy outside linebacker to pair with Clay Matthews.

2011 NFL Draft: Larry's Mock Draft: Washington Redskins Select Blaine Gabbert

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

The Redskins' choice was affected by selections made in picks one through nine. No quarterbacks for the Bills, Bengals, Cardinals or 49ers.

If the Titans select Nick Fairley, the Skins will have a chance to get their franchise quarterback in Blaine Gabbert. The ninth pick belongs to the arch-rival Cowboys, and unless they make a trade, the Skins could be celebrating. The Titans choose Fairley to become a fixture in the middle of their defensive line.

The Redskins' fate is now in the hands of Jerry Jones. Will he make a trade and break the heart of his good friend Dan Snyder? Many feel they he will draft tackle Tyron Smith from USC, but that is not the flashy style of Jerry. Jones decides he can't take a chance by trading out of the ninth spot. Instead, he selects a Prince named Amukamara to fill their need at cornerback.

The Redskins possess the 10th pick in the draft. The scenario they have dreamed of has just happened. Their franchise quarterback is sitting there waiting to be picked. He passes all of the tests and critiques for their prospects.

The Redskins excitedly turn in their draft card with the name Blaine Gabbert on it. They have found the new face of their franchise and their long sought-after answer at quarterback. It is the dawn of a new era of winning football at Redskins Park. The Redskins have made an amazing choice, picking Blaine Gabbert from Missouri with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

This mock draft was done without trades. Recent rumors have the Redskins possibly trading up to get Gabbert. I feel that the Skins will draft Blaine Gabbert somewhere in the first 10 picks of the draft. Don't count out the possibility of trades with Denver, Arizona or San Francisco. They have set their sights on Gabbert and will not be denied in their pursuit of the next Washington Redskins franchise quarterback.