2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Patrick Peterson Fall Out of the Top 5?

2011 NFL Mock Draft Has Twenty Defensive Players Going In First Round

This will be the final NFL Mock Draft you read before the actual draft itself begins tonight at 8 pm eastern time.

The best playmaker in this draft class is LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. He has the size, speed and technique needed to become one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL. His status right now is very much in limbo. He could go as high as No. 3 to Buffalo or fall to Washington at No. 10.

No one has any idea what is going to happen tonight. There are going to moves and shakeups throughout this draft. I would be willing to bet good money that New England doesn't make two first round selections.

Without further ado, here is a final look at how I believe the 2011 NFL Draft will play out.

No. 1: Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Cam Newton is the riskiest pick in this draft, but he provides the most upside of any player in this draft as well.

No. 2: Denver Broncos: Von Miller, LB/DE, Texas A&M

Miller is the best pure pass rusher in the NFL draft, and has Denver itching to get its hands on him.

No. 3: Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

Buffalo was last in the league in run defense in 2010. Dareus is a run stopping defensive tackle. It's a match made in defensive line heaven.

No. 4: Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

Green is a game-changing wide receiver, with excellent speed, route-running ability and great hands.

No. 5: Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Gabbert is the best pure quarterback prospect in this draft, and the Cardinals are in dire need of someone to play the position.

No. 6: Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

Jones will be the best wide receiver that the Browns have the minute he steps onto a field for them. Colt McCoy needs a good receiver to develop into a solid quarterback.

No. 7: San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

Peterson is the best talent available in this draft, which makes this a steal for Jim Harbaugh in his first draft as an NFL head coach.

No. 8: Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Fairley has star potential, but the questions about his character and work ethic push him down a little bit.

No. 9: Dallas Cowboys: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Watt is a big, physical defensive end and this team needs to find more tough-minded players on defense.

No. 10: Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Quinn's unique combination of size and speed more than make up for the fact that he didn't play football in 2010.

No. 11: Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Amukamara will help stabilize the worst pass defense in 2010 with his speed and ball skills at cornerback.

No. 12: Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

When Adrian Peterson is your running back, you make sure that your offensive line can stop the run. Castonzo's specialty is in run-blocking.

No. 13: Detroit Lions: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Bowers has a knee issue that has caused his stock to drop, but getting a premiere talent at No. 13 is too much for Detroit to pass up.

No. 14: St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

Liuget can stabilize a very volatile defensive front seven for the Rams with his size and athleticism.

No. 15: Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida

Pouncey is the best interior lineman in this draft, and his versatility only increases his value.

No. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

Kerrigan doesn't possess a lot of upside, but he will be a solid contributor for years.

No 17: New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

Jordan has been on the Patriots' radar for months. If Bill Belichick has to, he will trade up to get him.

No. 18: San Diego Chargers: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

Smith will give the Chargers the edge rush they haven't had since Shawne Merriman was suspended for steroids in 2009.

No. 19: New York Giants: Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Smith is a steal for the Giants with the 19th pick thanks to a great mix of size and toughness.

No. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona

Reed gives the Buccaneers the speed rusher that they were missing in 2010.

No. 21: Kansas City Chiefs: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Carimi will open more holes for Jamaal Charles to run through and provide protection for Matt Cassel.

No. 22: Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Peyton Manning has been getting beat up the last few years, and the Colts aren't going to win if he isn't upright. Solder might have the most potential of any offensive lineman in this draft.

No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

Despite a reported three failed drug tests, Smith fills a major need for the Eagles. Todd McShay said on Sportscenter that he is the best cover corner in this draft.

No. 24: New Orleans Saints: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

Ayers is a pass rushing linebacker, and the Saints need all the pass rushers they can find.

No. 25: Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Locker has the most potential of any quarterback in this draft not named Cam Newton.

No. 26: Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

Harris can stabilize a declining Ravens secondary thanks to his speed and instincts in pass coverage.

No. 27: Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Aside from John Abraham, no one on the defensive line can get pressure on the quarterback.

No. 28: New England Patriots: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

New England's offensive line is getting older and more injury-prone.

No. 29: Chicago Bears: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

Taylor will make vaunted Bears defensive line that much more dangerous thanks to his 330-pound frame.

No. 30: New York Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

Heyward is a bigger than normal defensive end, who might be able to play tackle in the Jets' 3-4 defensive scheme.

No. 31: Pittsburgh Steelers: James Carpenter, G, Alabama

The Steelers offensive line, with the exception of Maurkice Pouncey, is putrid, and Carpenter held up fine against SEC competition.

No. 32: Green Bay Packers: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia

The Packers biggest weakness is getting a consistent pass rush from the defensive end position, and Houston's specialty is getting to the quarterback off the edge.