2011 NFL Mock Draft: The Macho Rhino's Mock Draft

This is the night all of us football-obsessed fans have been waiting for since the end of the season. Months of reading scouting reports on prospects and analyzing team needs culminates with the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.

This draft’s full of the unknown. The top pick seems a lock but after that, it could go many different ways. The labor situation has put a hold on player movement and there’s so much
uncertainty, it could drastically change a team’s thinking.

Here’s how I see the first 32 selections in tonight’s NFL draft:

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)

Carolina makes the pick hoping to sell tickets but this is a very risky first choice. I think Newton is only the fourth-best QB prospect.

2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus (DT, Alabama)

Pick could go several different ways but John Fox likes defensive linemen and goes with a gritty player who can anchor the D-line.

3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller (LB, Texas A&M)

Best pass-rusher in the draft and Buffalo needs it after the Shawn Merriman experiment last year was disastrous.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green (WR, Georgia)

I have a hunch this could be Blaine Gabbert but I’m sticking with the Bengals taking the best player available…not sure why.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson (CB, LSU)

Tremendous player and the best talent in the draft. You can never have too many talented cornerbacks. I think they grab a QB in free agency.

6. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones (WR, Alabama)

Big upgrade at the receiver position. Jones fits perfectly in the hard-knock division.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn (DE, North Carolina)

Jim Harbaugh’s first draft gives him several options. I think he knows the defense must be upgraded to be competitive this year.

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley (DT, Auburn)

The Titans hope he becomes a player of Albert Haynesworth’s caliber when he was a Titan.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith (OT, USC)

Cowboys have to improve their line. Smith I think is a bit of a risk this high but the ‘Boys will take it.

10. Washington Redskins : Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)

The Redskins will be ecstatic to see Gabbert fall to them here.

11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska)

Desperately need to upgrade the secondary.

12. Minnesota Vikings: JJ Watt (DE, Wisconsin)

I don’t think the Vikings go with a QB here. They draft a guy to go opposite of Jared Allen and try building another fearsome foursome.

13. Detroit Lions: Anthony Castonzo (OT, Boston College)

Matthew Stafford has been banged up his whole career and they need to improve the line to help his chances of making it through 16 games.

14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith (DE, Missouri)

Smith helps upgrade the pass-rush and energize fans. Steve Spagnuolo knows how to get the most out of defensive players and could turn Smith into a Jason Taylor-type.

15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey (OG, Florida)

Looking to pair him with some great young players already on the line and improve a running game that needs to help Chad Henne.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Da’Quan Bowers (DE, Clemson)

I think the Jags take the risk here. Within their division, they have to face Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub each twice a season. They need pass-rushers and Bowers is great at that.

17. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram (RB, Alabama)

A case of the rich getting richer. Should be a great player in the league.

18. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue)

Relentless defender who’ll make plays for a defense that was good last year but needs a spark.

19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi (OT, Wisconsin)

The Giants need help on the line. Their line has been good but is banged up. Carimi
could start day one.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn (DE, Iowa)

Injury concerns have him slipping but he’s a tremendous talent and I think he'll be a solid pro.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Brooks Reed (DE, Arizona)

I think this is where you could see a team come up to take Jake Locker. KC can trade down and still get a player at a need position. If they keep the pick, they upgrade the pass rush.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder (OT, Colorado)

Best pass-protector in the draft will help keep Peyton Manning upright.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith (CB, Colorado)

Back-to-back Buffaloes. The Eagles need secondary help and aren’t averse to taking a chance on players with off-field problems.

24. New Orleans Saints: Corey Liuget (DT, Illinois)

This is a good value pick and helps the Saints right away.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker (QB, Washington)

Pete Carroll goes with the QB who’s been tutored the past two years by his former
assistant at UW.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Akeem Ayers (OLB, UCLA)

Has a ton of talent and should contribute right away for them.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Jonathan Baldwin (WR, Pittsburgh)

He’s a huge target for Matt Ryan and should complement Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez.

28. New England Patriots: Muhammad Wilkerson (DE, Temple)

Should upgrade the pass rush right away and someone the Pats will mold into a great player.

29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod (OT, Mississippi State)

Need to add talent to the offensive line and Sherrod will do that right away.

30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor (DT, Baylor)

They need an anchor on that defensive line after injuries have depleted the position. Taylor fits in perfectly here.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams (CB, Texas)

They need help in the secondary and Williams will give them a nickel corner for now
and they may transition him to safety.

32. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward (DE, Ohio State)

The champs don’t have many holes to fill but look for someone who can contribute
and won’t have to wait to develop.