2011 NFL Mock Draft 10.0: The Final Mock Draft
After months of reading information, watching hours of game and combine tape, interviewing prospects, attending pro days and talking to scouts, it’s finally time to finish up the mock draft season with one more mock draft.
We all have a better idea of what might happen in the upcoming 2011 NFL draft now that we have seen all of the information and are much closer to the actual event. It’s felt by many that Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton will be the first pick in the draft and will go to the Carolina Panthers and be their quarterback of the future. There is also some speculation that Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett may go in the first round to the Redskins.
It’s been exciting trying to figure out where these guys are going to go and it’s been a lot of fun covering the draft but it’s time to watch and see what the teams are really going to do at the end of this coming week.
So here it is, my final mock draft of the 2011 NFL draft season.
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14) Cameron Newton-QB-Auburn
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Rumor is that Newton will be the first pick in the draft and perhaps this might prompt someone else to move up and take him and allow the Panthers to drop down in the draft and acquire more picks. If they do indeed keep Newton then it will be interesting to see what they do with Jimmy Clausen.
Last Mock: No Change
2. Denver Broncos (4-12) Marcell Dareus-DT-Alabama
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The Broncos are in need of some help on defense and there is no question that they need help on their defensive line. Dareus is an appealing prospect and could start them off on the right path to rebuilding their defense and making it work. Dareus could be that rock that they need in the middle of that defense to help them get back to winning games and contending for the playoffs.
Last Mock: No Change
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12) Von Miller-LB-Texas A&M
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The Bills may seek out a quarterback at this position but it’s more likely that they will continue to try to improve their defense and taking Miller would be a great choice for them here. Miller is clearly the best linebacker in the draft and has a lot of potential which the Bills could really use on defense. He should be there for the taking when the Bills make their pick here.
Last Mock: No Change
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4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
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The Bengals could go several different ways here and what they do will determine what happens in the rest of the draft (in fact it will have a huge impact on what happens in the rest of the draft). If the team thinks that quarterback Carson Palmer isn’t going be back then they might go for a quarterback. The pick that makes the most sense would be Green because he would be able to give them a nice option in the passing game and help them move the ball through the air much better.
Last Mock: Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU
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The Cardinals may opt to take Blaine Gabbert here with this pick but the odds of that are slim, so expect them to go for the best player available at number five. With that, Peterson would be their best choice and would give them a solid starting cornerback and an option in the return game as well.
Last Mock: No Change
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
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With some changes coming on defense for the Browns heading into the 2011 season, the Browns are going to want to make a few changes. Fairley could be a nice addition to the interior of the defensive line and give them a player they could build around. It would be a good start for them and could help them in the short term and long into the future.
Last Mock: A.J. Green-WR-Georgia
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) Blaine Gabbert-QB-Missouri
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The 49ers need the help at the quarterback position and if Gabbert or Newton are there when the 49ers make their pick in the 2011 NFL draft then you can bet that they just might grab one of them. Other possibilities at this spot include a defensive end and a cornerback but quarterback would be the best way for them to go here.
Last Mock: Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10) Robert Quinn-DE-UNC
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The Titans would like to see Fairley drop to them here but if he doesn’t then they need to stick with defense and go for a defensive end to help out with their pass-rush. Quinn may have been out of football for a year but has the skill and ability to be a force on defense for years to come.
Last Mock: Nick Fairley-DT-Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10) Tyron Smith-OT-USC
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It’s rare that the Cowboys select offensive linemen in the first round but it looks like they may have to do it in this case as that is one of their biggest needs on the team. They could choose to go for a cornerback here (Prince Amukamara, possibly) but their need is on the offensive line and that’s the direction that they need to go in.
Last Mock: No Change
10. Washington Redskins (6-10) Julio Jones-WR-Alabama
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If the Redskins don’t see a quarterback that they like here then they will probably go for Jones and give whoever plays quarterback a nice option to throw the ball too. Jones may end up being the best wide receiver when it’s all said and done and Washington could really use him.
Last Mock: No Change
11. Houston Texans (6-10) Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
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The Texans may want to try for cornerback Prince Amukamara here but they could use help with their pass-rush and Smith would be a solid pick here at No. 11. Smith has the pass-rushing ability of defensive end with the skills and athleticism of a linebacker and would fit their defense very well.
Last Mock: Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) Cameron Jordan-DE-Cal
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The Vikings may want to try to go for a quarterback here and may even try to get someone like Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett but it’s much too soon for either of these two so the Vikings will go to the defensive side of the ball instead. Getting someone who can rush passer along with Jared Allen would be huge for their defense so expect them to go this route if the quarterback they want isn’t there.
Last Mock: J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
13. Detroit Lions (6-10) Prince Amukamara-CB-Nebraska
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You can bet that if Amukamara is here when the Lions make their pick then they will take him and try to improve a secondary that was one of the worst in the NFL last year. Amukamara would be a welcome addition to the secondary and could give them the shutdown corner that they desperately need.
Last Mock: Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9) Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
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Is this too high a place for Liuget to go? After missing out on Jones at the wide receiver position, the Rams will turn to their next most needy position and that’s at defensive tackle. Recent experiments there haven’t worked out right so they will want to find someone who can help them for a while. Liuget may be just the right guy to help them find that long term answer.
Last Mock: Aldon Smith-DE-Missouri
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9) Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
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I have had Mark Ingram as the pick here for quite some time but with some injury concerns, it’s likely that Ingram will drop down in the first round and wouldn’t be taken here by the Dolphins. Another big need for this team sits along their offensive line and they would do well if they could improve there, so look for them to show some interest in Pouncey who can play either guard or center.
Last Mock: Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
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The Jaguars' biggest need is on defense at the defensive end position as they need a pass-rush to help out their defense and win games. There are a lot of experts who are pinning Kerrigan to the Jaguars and the move would make a lot of sense. Kerrigan should be around when the Jaguars make their pick and would be able to start right away.
Last Mock: Cameron Jordan-DE-California
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland 8-8) J.J. Watt-DE-Wisconsin
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With two picks in the first round, the Patriots can take a defensive lineman and an offensive lineman (their two biggest needs) and walk away with some nice talent. Watt appears to be a pretty nice fit in their system and could step in and start right away for New England.
Last Mock: Ryan Kerrigan-DE-Purdue
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7) Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple
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A defensive end would be ideal here but unless they want to take Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers, which is a possibility. Despite the fact that this team did well on defense (in terms of the numbers) last year they can still use some upgrades to help get them over the top, into the playoffs and on to a Super Bowl.
Last Mock: No Change
19. New York Giants (10-6) Anthony Castanzo-OT-Boston College
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The Giants may make a run for a defensive player here but for the value and the need, getting a good offensive lineman like Anthony Castanzo here would be a great thing. They could put him in right away and improve their potentially ailing offensive line and give quarterback Eli Manning the protection that he needs.
Last Mock: Mike Pouncey-G/C-Florida
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6) Justin Houston-LB/DE-Georgia
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Houston is proving himself to be quite the pass-rusher and a pass-rusher is what the Bucs need to help make their defense much better and perhaps help get them into the playoffs. Houston could be a good addition to this team and would be able to help them out right away.
Last Mock: Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor
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The Chiefs need to improve the running defense after what was a horrible performance in the playoffs against the Ravens. Taylor, a big bodied tackle, would be a solid option to plug the holes in the middle. Taylor is not only good at stopping the run but he can also rush the passer which would be beneficial to the team as well.
Last Mock: No Change
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) Nate Solder-OT-Colorado
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If Solder does actually end up landing here at No. 22 to the Colts, then it would be wise that they pick him here and upgrade their offensive line. You can bet that quarterback Peyton Manning is already asking for some help and getting that help will not only help him but help this team get back to where they are used to being at.
Last Mock: Anthony Castanzo-OT-Boston College
23. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) Jimmy Smith-CB-Colorado
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The Eagles could look at an offensive lineman here with this pick but the value would dictate that they should look at getting a cornerback and, despite his off-the-field problems, Smith might be just the guy for them. Injury and ineffective play in the secondary hurt the Eagles last season and if they can get some help, that unit will be much more solid in 2011.
Last Mock: Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5) Da’Quan Bowers-DE-Clemson
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Will Bowers actually fall this far? It’s possible, thanks to some injury concerns as well as some concerns about just how long he might last in the NFL. The Saints need the help getting to the quarterback so perhaps they could manage Bowers' time well enough to keep him going for a few years and get a lot of good pass-rushing capability out of him.
Last Mock: Corey Liuget-DT-Illinois
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) Jake Locker-QB-Washington
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The Seahawks may want to trade back a little bit to get Locker if they think that no one else will take him but with teams looking for second round quarterbacks it’s possible that they could be bested by another team. That’s why taking Locker here may make the most sense. He can help them prepare for the post-Matt Hasselbeck era and could become a solid quarterback for them in the future.
Last Mock: Jimmy Smith-CB-Colorado
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) Cameron Heyward-DE/DT-Ohio State
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With Terrell Suggs being the only real pass-rushing threat on defense for the Ravens, adding someone there would be a big benefit. Heyward can play both inside and outside which would be a huge benefit to the Ravens and would be a good fit for their defense.
Last Mock: No Change
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) Gabe Carimi-OT-Wisconsin
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The Falcons could go a couple different ways here but knowing that they need some help on the offensive line, expect them to make a run at a solid lineman here towards the end of the first round. Carimi has shown some skill and ability and could be an immediate starter for a team that needs to improve its running game and pass protection.
Last Mock: Justin Houston-DE/OLB-Georgia
28. New England Patriots (14-2) Mark Ingram-RB-Alabama
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The Patriots don’t have that run-hard-between-the-tackles-type guy who they would like to have, so Ingram might be of some interest to them here. He is a Bill Belichick kind of guy and if he can prove that he’s over some of the injury problems that plagued him during his final year with the Tide, then the Patriots may take him here.
Last Mock: Danny Watkins-OG-Baylor
29. Chicago Bears (11-5) Derek Sherrod-OT-Mississippi State
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The Bears are likely candidates to trade down in this draft so they may not even remain here at No. 29 but they may stick around if they think that someone they value is going to fall to them. Sherrod would make a nice addition to their offensive line and give them the help that they need to have success there.
Last Mock: No Change
30. New York Jets (11-5) Akeem Ayers-DE/OLB-UCLA
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The Jets didn’t get what they wanted out of Vernon Gholston so it’s likely that the Jets may want to try to find someone to help them out at that position with their first round pick. Ayers has been sliding up and down draft boards all offseason but if he was picked here this would be a good spot to take him.
Last Mock: No Change
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) Brandon Harris-CB-Miami (FL)
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With all of the top offensive linemen off the board at this point, the Steelers could go ahead and shore up one of their cornerback positions by grabbing Harris here or possibly Texas Longhorns cornerback Aaron Williams. Both would fit the Steelers' scheme well and solidify that secondary.
Last Mock: Ben Ijalana-OG-Villanova
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6) Brooks Reed-DE/OLB-Arizona
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Adding another impact player on the other side of Clay Matthews would go a long way to ensure that they keep their defense improving and keep some of the pressure off of Matthews. Reed has been moving up draft boards quickly for the past few days and just might end up here as the last pick in the first round.
Last Mock: No Change
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