2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Von Miller Be the First Defensive Player Picked?

2011 NFL Mock Draft Has Texas A&M OLB Von Miller a Popular Defensive Player

NFL Mock Draft experts should be releasing their predictions as to who will land where in the 2011 NFL Draft for the last time today, and with a few more inside tips at their disposal, most mock drafts should be ironed out by now.

The Carolina Panthers have the No. 1 overall selection, and they have a primary need at quarterback, but that doesn't mean they won't go with one of the top defensive selections.

The Denver Broncos, at No. 2, will most likely go with a defensive player, given their horrendous defense last season.

And the New England Patriots, after seven postseason trips in the last eight years, have two picks in the first round, at No. 17 (via the Oakland Raiders) and at No. 28. They could essentially fill two holes in the first round alone.

Here is my last mock draft before the action begins at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN tonight.

No. 1: Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: As much as I believe this is a mistake (I don't like boom-or-bust prospects with the No. 1 selection), it's being rumored that the Panthers like Newton, and he fills a primary need for them at quarterback. Tremendous potential, but accuracy at NFL combine and pocket passing question marks.

No. 2: Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama: Dareus is the No. 1 defensive lineman in the draft, a little ahead of Auburn's Nick Fairley. A natural DT, but has versatility to play DE in new coach John Fox's 4-3 defense. Fills a need for Broncos' horrible run defense.

No. 3: Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: Outside linebacker is a bigger need here for the Bills, which is why many have them drafting Texas A&M OLB Von Miller, but Peterson is the best player in the draft, and having a lockdown corner vs. Tom Brady is a must in the AFC East.

No. 4: Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: The Bengals need a future quarterback and future star receiver, with Carson Palmer possibly gone soon and receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco possibly gone before this season begins. Receiver A.J. Green is that playmaker they need. A potential superstar in the making.

No. 5: Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: Cardinals fill a primary need here with Gabbert, who I believe can be a leader in the NFL. Could also go with Von Miller for pass rush.

No. 6: Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina: When you need help with your edge pass rush (29 sacks last season), and you have a guy some people are comparing to Chicago Bears linebacker Julius Peppers, it's hard to pass Quinn up here.

No. 7: San Francisco 49ers: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M: Honestly, if Peterson dropped here, like some are thinking he might, it would actually benefit the 49ers more, who need help in the secondary. But I have Miller dropping here, and he isn't bad, either. Try 28 sacks in his last two seasons in college. Andre Carter pre-2010.

No. 8: Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: Fairley drops here based on Dareus being the better prospect and other teams' needs, but he could be a steal at No. 8. He has character concerns, but this guy can play. Hopefully he'll be the type of Albert Haynesworth that doesn't stomp on people's heads.

No. 9: Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC: The Cowboys haven't drafted an offensive lineman in the first round in the last 30 years. That's exactly why they need to select one here. Right tackle Marc Colombo has knee problems, and at some point you need to invest in an offensive lineman. Smith has rare combination of strength and agility. Another possibility: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska.

No. 10: Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: Won't reach for Jake Locker to fill quarterback spot, could go with defensive end J.J. Watt of Wisconsin, but will go with best prospect and potential NFL star in receiver Julio Jones for whoever they use under center.

No. 11: Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: Imagine pairing up Mario Williams with a workhorse like Watt. Scary. Nothing like having two monsters closing in on the quarterback/running back.

No. 12: Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal: Jordan offers a lot of impact right away for the possible departure of free agent left end Ray Edwards. Speed, gets to the passer, very smart player.

No. 13: Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: Lions needs serious help at secondary and offensive line. With OT Tyron Smith gone, they'll go with best prospect in Amukamara. Potential future Pro Bowler for a team that appears on the rise.

No. 14: St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois: Rams would love Julio Jones to drop here, but it would be shocking if he did. They gave up 4.5 yards per carry last season and having a player just realizing his potential could set them up to win the NFC West in 2011.

No. 15: Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: Running back Ricky Williams wants to take his talents out of Miami and Ronnie Brown is a free agent coming off a lackluster 2010. Ingram's the top RB in the draft. Logical choice here.

No. 16: Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri: This kid has scary potential rushing the passer, and the Jags need help at defensive end and outside linebacker. Smith can be both.

No. 17: New England Patriots: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue: The best edge rusher with no injury concerns at this spot. The Patriots need help at defensive end and outside linebacker. Kerrigan can be both. In last two collegiate seasons, had 25 sacks.

No. 18: San Diego Chargers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple: In two seasons, Wilkerson could be one of the 10 best players to come out of the 2011 NFL Draft. Features as a run-stopper in 3-4 defense, but gets after the passer, with 10 sacks in 2010. A little growing to do.

No. 19: New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College: Very consistent player, better pass blocker than run blocker, but should become a solid run blocker as early as this season. Good, all-around offensive lineman.

No. 20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: If it wasn't for injury concerns surrounding surgery on a torn meniscus in January, Bowers could have gone as early as the top 10. He may still. If he can prove to stay healthy on the field, however, he has the potential to be the steal of the draft for the Bucs. A whopping 16 sacks in 2010.

No. 21: Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA: Had disappointing NFL combine, but game tape alone should have Ayers going in the first round. Nice pass-rushing prospect for a team looking to replace Mike Vrabel.

No. 22: Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin: Third-best offensive lineman in the draft, Peyton Manning needs some time to throw and the Colts need a serious run-blocker for their flailing run game.

No. 23: Philadelphia Eagles: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: Could be better than Carimi, no doubt a top offensive lineman, and could help protect Michael Vick's blindside. Asking Vick to sustain the majority of 50 sacks again this season is asking for trouble.

No. 24: New Orleans Saints: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor: Could be the instant solution to their interior inability to stuff the run. When Marshawn Lynch rushes for 137 yards and a TD against you in a playoff game, you know you need help. Enter 334-pound Phil Taylor.

No. 25: Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington: Locker had a horrendous 2010, but his tools and potential are what had him as the No. 1 QB in the country coming into that same 2010 season. He could surprise in the NFL. Have to take a chance at the Washington native at No. 25 for a team desperately seeking an answer under center.

26: Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: Brimming talent? Check. Character concerns? Check. Both Ravens starting corners unrestricted free agents? Check. C'mon, this is the perfect player for the Ravens. The only reason he doesn't get selected in the middle of the round is because of character concerns.

27: Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa: The Falcons need a threat off the edge, especially with John Abraham getting older. Bingo. A solid talent that Gabe Carimi called the toughest lineman he faced in 2010.

28: New England Patriots: Justin Houston, DE/ OLB, Georgia: The Patriots logically would go with an offensive lineman here, but with Houston dropping this far, they have to nab him. He's got plenty of potential and could be another steal. The Patriots could fill outside linebacker and defensive end in the first round.

29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State: The best offensive tackle at this point. The Bears allowed 56 sacks last season, the most in the league. It was the line's fault QB Jay Cutler got injured in the NFC Championship Game, not his.

30. New York Jets: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State: I think the Jets would love to grab Phil Taylor, but he could be gone by now. But they can add to their pass rush with Cameron Heyward, who oddly has been overshadowed before the draft. He's right up there with Clayborn and Kerrigan in terms of talent.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida: The Steelers would love to pair up guard Mike Pouncey with his Pro Bowl brother, center Maurkice Pouncey. This would be a dream pick. It's just a matter if Pouncey slides this far. I think he has a chance to.

32. Green Bay Packers, Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona: Teams are split on how high Reed should go, but I think most will agree he's first-round talent. Given he could slip to the Packers, the defending Super Bowl champions shouldn't hesitate in adding another threat off the edge opposite star Clay Matthews.