NFL Mock Draft 2011: Final 1st Round Mock and Just in Time for Draft Day
Draft day is finally upon us. Cam Newton is all but a lock at number one, there are dozens of studs at the defensive line position and as a result of labor negotiations, we aren't sure if any of these guys will even see a field until 2012.
Kiper and McShay's picks are in. So are mine. I'm confident that round one won't be as hard to project as a lot of these "experts" are predicting. Barring a lot of trades, expect similar results tonight on ESPN.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB: Auburn
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The future face of the franchise? Cam Newton isn't the most talented player in the draft, but he does have the highest ceiling.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT/DE: Alabama
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The Broncos need help up the middle. Dareus has the tools to turn Denver around. He's a lock at No. 2 unless the Panthers shock the world.
3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, LB: Texas A&M
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The Bills need help all over the field. Von Miller already has the skill-set to take control up the middle of the league's worst ranked rush defense.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR: Georgia
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Palmer wants out of Cincinnati. If they land Green at four as planned, he might just change his mind.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB: Missouri
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There are rumblings that Arizona isn't sold on Gabbert. Unless they're confident they can land a guy like Kevin Kolb, they have no choice but to take the Missouri QB fifth overall.
6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, DT/DE: North Carolina
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Cleveland allowed over 2,000 rushing yards in 2010. Quinn would be a logical step in the right direction.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB: LSU
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If Peterson is still available at seven, the 49ers will be elated. He has Pro Bowl potential as a rookie and would drastically improve the league's 24th ranked passing defense.
8. Tennessee Titans: Julio Jones, WR: Alabama
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A duo of Julio Jones and Kenny Britt would make Tennessee an extremely attractive destination for a number of free agent quarterbacks.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Nick Fairley, DT: Auburn
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The Dallas Cowboys aren't afraid of character issues. Fairley could plug up their porous d-line for a decade.
10. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, QB: Washington
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Mike Shanahan has been talking about trading down. Locker will be their guy if they don't. If they do, he'll probably be a Viking.
11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB: Missouri
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The Texans will take Aldon Smith at eleven. He's an extremely talented player who will benefit from practicing with guys like Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. He's still a raw talent.
12. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. Watt, DT/DE: Wisconsin
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The Vikings could take Locker if he's available. If not, a guy like Watt would make the most sense.
13. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara: CB, Nebraska
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Amukamara has slipped a little over the past few weeks. If the Lions get him at 13, their already improving defense can't be taken lightly in 2011.
14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT: Illinois
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The Rams love Julio Jones. If he isn't there, Liuget will be the pick.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB: Alabama
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Teams fear Ingram's arthritic knees, but the Dolphins need an RB, and Ingram is the only guy worth taking in the first round.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE: Purdue
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The Jaguars tend to stick with character guys with degrees and great work ethic. Kerrigan contributes all that and more as the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year.
17. New England Patriots: Tyron Smith, OT: USC
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The Patriots will likely use this pick to address the offensive line. Smith is the best blocker in the draft.
18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, DE: California
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It wouldn't be surprising if Jordan went earlier. If he's there at 18, he could prove to be the best value of the first round.
19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo OL Boston College
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Tom Coughlin has ties to BC. Castonzo would join fellow alum Chris Snee as the anchors of an otherwise aging Giants O-line.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da’Quan Bowers DE Clemson
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There is talk about the Bucs trading up for a DE. Bowers was once regarded as the No. 1 overall pick and is only slipping due to injury concerns. A healthy Bowers means top five talent.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT: Colorado
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The Chiefs need help at tackle, and Solder will be the best on the board. Should be a lock.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Pouncey, G: Florida
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Pouncey would be a key addition. He'd not only prolong Peyton Manning's career, but he'd also help improve a dismal Indianapolis running game.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB: Colorado
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The Eagles need help in the secondary. There are questions about Smith's character, but Andy Reid is the type of coach to encourage his transition to the next level.
24. New Orleans Saints: Adrian Clayborn, DE: Iowa
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The Saints will look to address their front seven, and Clayborn provides great value toward the end of the first round.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Marvin Austin, DT: North Carolina
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The Seahawks need help on the D-line, and Austin has what it takes to make an immediate impact. He did miss the 2010 season, but his talent should make him a first rounder regardless.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT: Temple
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Wilkerson visited with the Ravens, and they liked what they saw. The Temple Owl would be the first taken in the first round in 24 years.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE: Notre Dame
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Tony Gonzalez's career is winding down, and he would be a great tutor for Rudolph in Atlanta as they make the transition.
28. New England Patriots: Justin Houston, DE: Georgia
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Houston would improve a New England pass rush that had trouble making an impact in 2010.
29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin
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Just ask Jay Cutler why the Bears should take Carimi with their first round pick.
30. New York Jets: Akeem Ayers DE/OLB UCLA
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The Jets are looking for a speedy OLB and Ayers could be that guy. He only ran a 4.8 at the combine but plays a lot faster than his forty time.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State
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He graduated with a 3.54 GPA and is one of the best overall lineman in the draft.
32. Green Bay Packers: Brandon Harris CB Miami
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Charles Woodson is getting older and Brandon Harris will be the best CB available.
Follow me on twitter: @Nick_Marro
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