2011 NFL Mock Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 28 and concludes on Saturday, April 30. All the first round selections will be made on Thursday. The labor dispute between the players and the owners has gobbled up most of the NFL headlines lately so I’m looking forward to the draft even more than I usually do. Without any further ado, here is my round one mock draft:
Pick No. 1 – Carolina Panthers: Coming off a 2-14 season, the Panthers need a lot of help. They need a quarterback and a cornerback but defensive line appears to be an even bigger need. Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus would be a strong choice because of his unique combination of size, quickness and versatility.
Pick No. 2 – Denver Broncos: The Broncos weren’t able to generate much of a pass rush with Elvis Dumervil missing the season. Bolstering the line figures to be the top priority with this pick. Nick Fairley is the best interior pass rusher in his class, but he has been known to take plays off and questions have come up about his character. Still, I think he’ll be hard to pass up.
Pick No. 3 – Buffalo Bills: The Bills need a blindside protector but may have to get the quarterback first. Buffalo fans have suffered through a lot of poorly quarterbacked games since Jim Kelly decided to hang it up. Blaine Gabbert has been the most impressive of the signal callers in this year’s class.
Pick No. 4 – Cincinnati Bengals: The Carson Palmer situation opens up the need for a quarterback, which the Bengals could fill be drafting Cam Newton. However, with Terrell Owens gone and Chad Ochocinco likely to follow, the Bengals could use this opportunity to get wide receiver A. J. Green.
Pick No. 5 – Arizona Cardinals: It became quite clear last season that the Cards need to upgrade the quarterback position. Cam Newton doesn’t have the pocket presence or accuracy of Kurt Warner and probably never will, but coach Ken Whisenhunt may embrace the opportunity to mold a player with his unique skill set.
Pick No. 6 – Cleveland Browns: The Browns could take Green if he’s still on the board, and they will take a long look at wide receiver Julio Jones if he’s not. It will be tempting to grab a potential star wide receiver to give Colt McCoy a number one option, but the Browns could also go after a defensive end like Da’Quan Bowers to help make Dick Jauron’s transition to a 4-3 scheme an easier one.
Pick No. 7 – San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers need a QB but would prefer to get their hands on Philadelphia’s Kevin Kolb. With Gabbert likely gone and Newton not the West Coast fit they’re looking for if he’s still on the board, the Niners would do well to land cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Pick No. 8 – Tennessee Titans: The Titans need a quarterback, but may not be able to pass up a pass-rushing talent like Von Miller. He tallied 27.5 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons with Texas A&M. I could see Miller going earlier to Arizona if the Cardinals decide to pass on a Newton.
Pick No. 9 – Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have bigger needs and could choose to move down the board to get more value with their pick. If they stay put, however, cornerback Prince Amukamara could be their choice. He’s not the top corner in his class, because of Peterson, but would be a lot or years. He could instantly help a defense that ranked 26th against the pass in 2010.
Pick No. 10 – Washington Redskins: The Skins are looking for a QB of the future, but it won’t matter who they have under center if the wide receiver corps isn’t upgraded. Julio Jones, who impressed at the combine with a 4.39 40-yard time, is the type of playmaker Washington could use.
Pick No. 11 – Houston Texans: Defensive end J.J. Watt
Pick No. 12 – Minnesota Vikings: Offensive tackle Tyron Smith
Pick No. 13 – Detroit Lions: Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo
Pick No. 14 – St. Louis Rams: Defensive tackle Corey Liuget
Pick No. 15 – Miami Dolphins: Running back Mark Ingram
Pick No. 16 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Defensive end Aldon Smith
Pick No. 17 – New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders): Outside linebacker/Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan
Pick No. 18 – San Diego Chargers: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson
Pick No. 19 – New York Giants: Guard/Center Mike Pouncey
Pick No. 20 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Defensive end Cameron Jordan
Pick No. 21 – Kansas City Chiefs: Outside linebacker Akeem Ayers
Pick No. 22 – Indianapolis Colts: Offensive tackle Gabe Carimi
Pick No. 23 – Philadelphia Eagles: Offensive tackle Nate Solder
Pick No. 24 – New Orleans Saints: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn
Pick No. 25 – Seattle Seahawks: Quarterback Jake Locker
Pick No. 26 – Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Jimmy Smith
Pick No. 27 – Atlanta Falcons: Defensive end Cameron Heyward
Pick No. 28 – New England Patriots: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson
Pick No. 29 – Chicago Bears: Offensive tackle Derek Sherrod
Pick No. 30 – New York Jets: Nose tackle Phil Taylor
Pick No. 31 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive guard Danny Watkins
Pick No. 32 – Green Bay Packers: Defensive end/Outside linebacker Brooks Reed
