2011 NFL Mock Draft: Round One

Round One | Round Two

Carolina - Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
The bust potential is there, but so is the ability to re-define the QB position. For a team needing a lot of help, grabbing the biggest game changer may be the best move.
Denver - Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
As big of a gamble as Newton is, Dareus is as safe. He can play in any defense, is an every down defender, and will play hard. For a team in need of interior line help, like the Broncos, you couldn’t make a better selection.
Buffalo - Von Miller, LB, Texas AM
Miller is the type of game breaker in the front seven that can change a defense. The Bills would love a left tackle, but the value isn’t here. Blaine Gabbert may have some fans in the organization, but Miller is a special talent.
Cincinnati - AJ Green, WR, Georgia
No matter who is, an all around playmaker in the passing game would be a big boost.
Arizona - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
The Cards resist the urge to grab Gabbert and go for the best available player. Peterson and Rodgers-Cromartie will form arguably the most exciting corner tandem in the league.
Cleveland - Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Julio Jones is going to draw a lot of attention here as well, but it’s hard to pass on a big time pass rusher. Quinn could have been in contention to go much higher had he played this season, so this could end up being a bargain in the long run for the Browns.
San Francisco - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Harbaugh would love to have a QB as talented as Gabbert to tutor. He has some similarities to Andrew Luck, whom Harbaugh developed into a top prospect at Stanford. This could also be a prime spot for the Redskins to trade up to if they want Gabbert.
Tennessee - Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
While he may not have the overall imposing stature of Albert Haynesworth, Fairley has that type of ability to take over a game and dominate from an interior line spot. The Titans defense has not been the same since Haynesworth left, so finding a dominant lineman to step into that spot could help get them back on track.
Dallas - Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Had Smith stayed another year at USC, he would have been in contention for a top five selection. His natural athleticism is special, and he packs more of a punch than his frame suggests. The Cowboys might try and trade down to address the offensive line, but at this point, Smith would be the choice.

Washington - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
There are many ways the Skins could go, so best player available makes the most sense. Don’t be surprised to see the Skins move down to grab a QB, or if they are unable to, they may go ahead and pull the trigger on one here anyway.

Houston - Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
The transition to a 3-4 defense is going to require a playmaker off the edge. The Texans would love to have Robert Quinn fall here, but that seems unlikely. Smith has big time upside but needs some polish.
Minnesota - Cameron Jordan, DE, California
Jordan’s stock has done nothing but continue to rise since the end of the season. Without a QB worthy of this pick, the Vikings will go to the trenches, and grab the best available talent. Jordan would make for a nice set of bookends on the line, teaming with Jared Allen on the other side.
Detroit - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
The Lions couldn’t have hoped for a better way for the top 12 to shake down. They need a lot of help at the corner spot, and they get a top ten talent at 13.
St. Louis - Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
The Rams want to get up the field and attack. There aren’t any true ends that can get after the passer, so they shift their focus to the interior line, where Liuget has the ability to consistently get into the backfield and disrupt the action.
Miami - Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
For months, this pick has been locked in with Mark Ingram. While it’s still a possibility, upgrading the interior line is also a need. Ryan Mallett, or any QB at this spot, would be a reach, but with the need at QB, could also be under consideration.
Jacksonville - Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The Jags have been looking for DE help for years, and have continued to swing and miss. They went for athleticism and speed a couple years ago with Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey, and neither amounted to anything. This time around, they go for the sound football player, that competes on every down in Kerrigan.
New England(Oak) - JJ Watt, DL, Wisconsin
You can expect the Patriots to be active on draft day, so any of their picks could be moved, especially with teams shuffling to get in order for a QB. If they remain at this pick, the defensive line is the likely position to be addressed. Watt brings the toughness and ability to hold up at the point of attack, but has the athleticism to make some plays in the backfield or in space.
San Diego - Muhammad Wilkerson, DL, Temple
Wilkerson has as much potential as any five technique in this draft. His combination of size, power, and athleticism is rare, and the Chargers would love to add that type of talent to their defensive front.
NY Giants - Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
The running game is very important to the Giants, and Ingram provides very good value at this point.
Tampa Bay - Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
The slide ends here. Nobody knows how legit the concerns about Bowers’ knee are, aside from teams themselves. Even with the injury concerns, he would be well worth this pick, and the Bucs could reap the rewards. If he’s healthy, putting him on a defensive line with last years top picks, Gerald McCoy and Brian Price, could be scary.
Kansas City - Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
With most of the pass rushers gone, the Chiefs will likely focus on the offensive line. Castonzo is the best lineman left, and would finally solidify the tackle spots for the Chiefs, pairing up with Branden Albert.
Indianapolis - Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
The Colts have to protect Peyton Manning, plain and simple. As he gets older, keeping him on the field is even more of a concern. Solder has great size and has tremendous natural athleticism, which will help him keep Peyton’s jersey clean, and on the field.
Philadelphia - Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin
The offensive line could be addressed, and Carimi brings a lot of versatility. He could play the tackle position, but could plug a hole on the interior in the short term.
New Orleans - Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
Stopping the run has been an issue, so landing a wide body like Taylor makes a lot of sense. Shaun Rogers was signed, but only to a one year deal and isn’t the most durable player in the game. It would be very difficult to run up the gut against a team with a rotation of Sedrick Ellis, Taylor, and Rogers.
Seattle - Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Someone may move up before this pick to get Locker, because there will be a lot of action with the teams in search of a QB. If Locker makes it to this spot, the Seahawks would be very happy to land their QB this point of the draft.
Baltimore - Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Smith’s talent level says he should go much higher. The Ravens are one of the best drafting teams in the league, and they get another stud with this pick.
Atlanta - Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Clayborn entered his senior year as a potential top ten pick. His play didn’t quite match that level, he was banged up, and he doesn’t have the standout physical tools to make up for all of that. However, he is a sound all around end, that would fit very well on the Falcons defensive line.
New England - Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor
At this point in time, only 2/5 of last years starting offensive line is under contract. The Pats have to upgrade the interior line, and Watkins could step in immediately. This pick could be traded, as many teams will be looking to move around in the late first to get up for a QB. If the Pats don’t move this pick, they will likely move 33. They may even move it, even if they trade this pick.
Chicago - Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Derek Sherrod may draw a lot of interest, but Austin is rising. His presence on the defense may make a bigger impact than Sherrod would on the OL.
NY Jets - Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona
Ryan is always going to look to upgrade his defense. Landing an edge rusher with the motor and toughness of Reed would fit right in on defense.
Pittsburgh - Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
Adding talent to the offensive line always appears to be a priority for the Steelers, but at this point, the value simply is not there. So they go back to the corner spot, and hope to secure a contributor out of the gate.
Green Bay - Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
They had success on one side with a kid from Southern California, so this time they grab Clay Matthews’ college rival. Ayers simply has too much upside to get past this spot.

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