2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Draft, Who Teams Should and Should Not Draft

The 2011 NFL draft is just a couple of hours away. Everyone’s mock drafts are set but there can be only one selection for each team to make. After four months of speculation, it is almost time to see who each team will select. As we prepare to sit down and watch the drama unfold, which prospect would be the right and wrong choice for each team?

1. Carolina Panthers

Who They Should Draft: Cam Newton, Auburn QB

Who They Should Not Draft: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

Cam Newton is the superstar franchise quarterback the Panthers need to put people in the stands and sell jerseys. He fits in well with the Panthers’ run-first offense with his speed and power. He will give Carolina fans hope for the future and in every single game he participates in. Gabbert does not have the starpower or ability to will a team like Newton can.

2. Denver Broncos

Who They Should Draft: Von Miller, Texas A&M OLB

Who They Should Not Draft: A.J. Green, Georgia WR

John Elway recently stated that he is in full support of last year’s first-round selection, Tim Tebow. It will be extremely tempting to provide him with a big play receiver to help him succeed, but John Fox is a defensive-minded coach and must improve all three phases of Denver’s defense. Any of the top three selections are worthy picks but with Elvis Dumervil returning, Miller will do just fine off the edge.

3. Buffalo Bills

Who They Should Draft: Marcell Dareus, Alabama DT

Who They Should Not Draft: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

I’m not nearly as high on Blaine Gabbert as others are. Next year’s quarterback class will be better towards the top. At the very least, the Bills need to grab a top defensive player and wait to see if a QB drops to them in the second round.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Who They Should Draft: A.J. Green, Georgia WR

Who They Should Not Draft: Julio Jones, Alabama WR

Don’t get me wrong, Julio Jones is a fantastic player. Although he rivals A.J. Green as the No. 1 receiver in the class, he does not have the separation skills or leaping ability that the Bengals are looking for. Green has the elite leaping ability, hands, speed and body control to become a superstar.

5. Arizona Cardinals

Who They Should Draft: Patrick Peterson, LSU CB

Who Should Not Draft: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

Peterson is the shutdown corner who will complete one of the most talented secondary units in the league. Gabbert is clearly not high on my list. Arizona will be better waiting for a QB in the second round or bringing in a veteran.

6. Cleveland Browns

Who They Should Draft: Julio Jones, Alabama WR

Who They Should Not Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

The Browns doctors cleared Bowers’ knee, but he is too big of a risk at this point for Cleveland. If the Browns can have a successful draft, they can compete for the AFC North. Colt McCoy is the future in Cleveland, but desperately needs a superstar playmaker. Jones can thrive in their system and will be McCoy’s favorite target.

7. San Francisco 49ers

Who They Should Draft: Robert Quinn, North Carolina DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

Most of the top 10 teams need a quarterback, but they are fooling themselves into thinking Blaine Gabbert is worthy of selection inside the top 10. Jim Harbaugh needs a quarterback but he can find one just as good outside the first round, via free agency or the trade market. The teams needs an elite outside pass-rusher to pair with Patrick Willis—Robert Quinn is that man.

8. Tennessee Titans

Who They Should Draft: Nick Fairley, Auburn DT

Who They Should Not Draft: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

Albert Haynesworth was one of the best defensive players in the league with the Titans. Fairley can have that type of impact in Tennessee. Gabbert is not the franchise quarterback people are pegging him to be.

9. Dallas Cowboys

Who They Should Draft: Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB

Who They Should Not Draft: Tyron Smith, USC OT

Amukamara is slipping on draft boards, but he is still my No. 2 cornerback. He is the high-character, solid cornerback the Cowboys are searching for. Terrence Newman is on the downside of his career. The Cowboys can find a solid tackle later in the draft.

10. Washington Redskins

Who They Should Draft: Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB

Who They Should Not Draft: Jake Locker, Washington QB

Finally Gabbert comes off the board, suffering from a Matt Leinart-type slide in the draft. Mike Shanahan is the perfect coach for Blaine and Blaine is the right fit for the Shanahan offense. He has the mobility that Mike likes and a solid tight end in Chris Cooley to progress him along the way.

11. Houston Texans

Who They Should Draft: Aldon Smith, Missouri DE/OLB

Who They Should Not Draft: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin DE

Watt is a monster of a defensive end, but Wade Phillips needs a top outside pass-rusher to come off the edge in his 3-4 system. Aldon has versatility but he will form a dynamic linebacker trio with DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Who They Should Draft: Andy Dalton, TCU QB

Who They Should Not Draft: Jake Locker, Washington QB

The Vikings need a game manager, and Dalton is that man. He has the poise, leadership and accuracy. Locker does not come equipped with the same NFL-ready skills to take the Vikings to the next level.

13. Detroit Lions

Who They Should Draft: Corey Liuget, Illinois DT

Who They Should Not Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

It has been reported that the Lions cleared Bowers’ knee, but he is still a major risk, even if they have the opportunity to pair him with Ndamukong Suh. Corey Liuget could have been a top-10 talent if he stayed one more year in college. Together, Suh and Liuget will become one of the most dominant DT duos in league history.

14. St. Louis Rams

Who They Should Draft: Cameron Jordan, California DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Any WR in the First Round

Unless Julio Jones falls, which he does not in this mock, the Rams cannot afford to waste the No. 14 selection on any wide receiver in this draft. Head coach Steve Spagnoulo needs to increase the pass rush and Jordan is one of the most NFL-ready defensive ends in the draft. Jordan should help Chris Long progress as well.

15. Miami Dolphins

Who They Should Draft: Mike Pouncey, Florida OG/C

Who They Should Not Draft: Ryan Mallett, Arkansas QB

Mike Pouncey is the best interior lineman in the draft and will provide Tony Sparano with an option at guard or center depending on where he sees Richie Incognito playing. Ryan Mallett appears to be a JaMarcus Russell clone—a strong arm with character concerns. I wouldn’t touch Mallett in this draft.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars

Who They Should Draft: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

Watt is a perfect fit for Jack del Rio’s stout, gritty, tough-nosed defense. He is a powerhouse of a defensive end and will form a fine tandem with Aaron Kampman to bolster the defensive line. The Jaguars need a sure thing, and Bowers is not that.

17. New England Patriots

Who They Should Draft: Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple DE/DT

Who They Should Not Draft: Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE

It remains to be seen if Kerrigan could truly produce in the 3-4 and he may not be as athletic as Bill Belichick would like to play outside linebacker despite his knack for attacking the quarterback. Wilkerson can play across the defensive line and is one of the most underrated players in the early rounds.

18. San Diego Chargers

Who They Should Draft: Phil Taylor, Baylor DT

Who They Should Not Draft: Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE

Again, Kerrigan most likely would not be as effective in the 3-4. The Chargers need a dominant nose tackle up front to open the lanes for blitzers. Taylor comes with some concerns, but less concerns than a Da’Quan Bowers injury-wise, for example.

19. New York Giants

Who They Should Draft: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT

Who They Should Not Draft: Tyron Smith, USC OT

There are some injury concerns leaking about Tyron Smith. Although he is a fantastic offensive tackle and easily the most athletic, Gabe Carimi is the most versatile of the top-tier offensive tackles and is the nastiest run-blocker in the draft.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who They Should Draft: Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

Bowers has become a popular mock pick for the Buccaneers, but after the amount of injuries they suffered last year to their defense, they need a sure thing. The Bucs are on the verge of taking the NFC South and need to increase their pass rush to counter their weakening secondary. Kerrigan is a safe pick out of Purdue.

21. Kansas City Chiefs

Who They Should Draft: Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT

Who They Should Not Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

Bowers will be extremely tempting here with his potential, but the Chiefs need a safe pick to ensure continued success. Offensive line is not a major need, I agree, but there are no wide receivers worth taking and outside linebacker is deep. Castonzo will ensure an improved rushing attack and more time in the pocket for Matt Cassel.

22. Indianapolis Colts

Who They Should Draft: Tyron Smith, USC OT

Who They Should Not Draft: Anyone Who Is Not An OT

The Colts need to protect Peyton Manning and bolster the offensive line. It is as simple as that.

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Who They Should Draft: Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB

Who They Should Not Draft: An Offensive Lineman

The Eagles need a great cornerback to compete with the improving receivers in the NFC East. With a lockdown cornerback, the Eagles’ defense will be far improved. Michael Vick is too elusive of a quarterback in the pocket to draft an offensive lineman this early.

24. New Orleans Saints

Who They Should Draft: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB

I’m a huge Mark Ingram fan—I think he will have a great career and can do it all. Still, the Saints have three running backs on their roster and can find a capable starter later in the draft like Kendall Hunter. Bowers falls to the Saints and they have a major need at DE.

25. Seattle Seahawks

Who They Should Draft: Jake Locker, Washington QB

Who They Should Not Draft: Ryan Mallet, Arkansas QB

Last year, Jake Locker was a top-five selection. This year, his stock has fallen mightily due to a weak senior season and poor accuracy. He won’t need great accuracy throwing to “Big” Mike Williams. He has the athleticism that Pete Carroll likes to see.

26. Baltimore Ravens

Who They Should Draft: Aaron Williams, Texas CB

Who They Should Not Draft: Akeem Ayers, OLB

The Ravens still have a fantastic linebacker corps. They desperately need to upgrade their secondary. Aaron Williams is my No. 5 cornerback, but he is the risk taker the Ravens can afford to employ with Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis harassing quarterbacks. In a few years, he could possibly move to safety when Ed Reed retires.

27. Atlanta Falcons

Who They Should Draft: Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame TE

Kyle Rudolph caught momentum recently as a potential first-round selection for the Falcons. Yes, he is the best tight end in the class and reminds many of Oakland’s Zach Miller. The Falcons must improve their pass rush with Drew Brees in New Orleans, Josh Freeman in Tampa Bay and now Cam Newton in Carolina. Clayborn is one of the top defensive ends in the draft and is a reliable selection.

28. New England Patriots

Who They Should Draft: Akeem Ayers, UCLA OLB

Who They Should Not Draft: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB

Bill Belichick loves great outside linebackers and Ayers is the man. He will form a fantastic trio with Brandon Spikes and Jerod Mayo. Mark Ingram is the best RB in the draft, but the Patriots can wait.

29. Chicago Bears

Who They Should Draft: Nate Solder, Colorado OT

Who They Should Not Draft:  Any Player That Is Not An OT

Like the Colts, the Bears must find ways to protect Jay Cutler.

30. New York Jets

Who They Should Draft: Brooks Reed, Arizona OLB

Who They Should Not Draft: Justin Houston, Georgia OLB

Houston could be tempting with his pass-rushing ability (his failed drug test does not concern me) but Brooks Reed is the safer product. He has the high-character, intensity, non-stop motor that will make him an instant fan favorite in New York. He could be the next Clay Matthews.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers

Who They Should Draft: Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State OT

Who They Should Not Draft: Danny Watkins, Baylor OG

Danny Watkins may be one of the top offensive guards, but Derek Sherrod is the better offensive tackle. Watkins also should have been much better in college as he is already in the prime of his life. Sherrod offers more versatility and upside.

32. Green Bay Packers

Who They Should Draft: Cameron Heyward, Ohio State DE

Who They Should Not Draft: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB

Green Bay needs a 3-4 defensive end and Cam Heyward is being underrated in this draft. He will greatly help Clay Matthews in attacking quarterbacks. Mark Ingram is fantastic, but the Packers have running backs and rely more on Aaron Rodgers’ arm.