mock draft via footballsfuture.com
2011 NFL Mock Draft
By: Robert Davis | Updated: 2/7
1. Carolina - Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Fairley had an incredible junior season, and is an instant impact defender. Finding an interior line playmaker is very difficult, and is a position you can build your defense around.
2. Denver - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Even if Champ Bailey is brought back, having a young playmaker like Peterson isn’t an opportunity that every team has. The Broncos would love to add a shut down corner with his entire future ahead of him, as opposed to Bailey who may be on the way down.
3. Buffalo - AJ Green, WR, Georgia
OT is the most pressing need, but the Bills do not want to reach here. Green is arguably the best player on the board, and he would provide the Bills with a true game breaker at the receiver position.
4. Cincinnati - Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Despite Carlos Dunlap’s emergence last season, the Bengals pass rush was atrocious. Adding a talent like Bowers opposite Dunlap would give the team two potentially dominant pass rushers off the edge.
5. Arizona - Von Miller, LB, Texas AM
While the team clearly needs an upgrade at the QB position, taking another unproven guy this high and dealing with rookie mistakes could put the coaches future in doubt. The team will try to find a veteran in the off season to solidify the spot. Miller brings his tremendous athleticism and speed and provides an immediate boost off the edge.
6. Cleveland - Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama
Dareus brings some versatility to the defensive line. He could be a standout performer in a 3-4 or 4-3 alignment. Assuming the Browns stick with the 3-4, Dareus should be a very good 5 technique, and give the team some stability and playmaking from that spot.
7. San Francisco - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Jim Harbaugh took this job knowing he needs a QB, and at this spot, he has his pick of them. Gabbert has some similarities to Harbaugh’s college QB Andrew Luck, which gives Harbaugh a lot to work with.
8. Tennessee - Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Jason Babin had a career year while top pick Derrick Morgan sat out with an injury, but the Titans could still use some help at end. Babin is a free agent, and the team would be wise to not expect the same type of impact. Long term, Quinn and Morgan could form a devastating pair of edge rushers.
9. Dallas - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
While the safeties may be more responsible for the Cowboys coverage woes, Amukamara is simply too good to pass on at this point.
10. Washington - Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
Newton’s talent and upside should win a lot of people over in the coming months. Shanahan is confident in his ability to develop a QB, so he gambles on the most physically gifted one at this spot.
11. Houston - Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
The defense really couldn’t be much worse, so shifting schemes should be seen as a positive even if it requires different personnel. Smith is a bit raw, but has tremendous upside and pass rush ability. The team needs to find pass rushers that can stand up in a 3-4, and Smith has the ability to do so.
12. Minnesota - Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Some may feel it’s a reach at this spot, but personally, I do not believe so. Locker will impress with his intelligence and leadership in interviews, and coupled with his quality physical tools, will establish himself as a mid first rounder.
13. Detroit - Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Ayers has the type of ability all coaches want in an outside linebacker. He has great size, is athletic, and can impact the game in a variety of ways.
14. St. Louis - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Sam Bradford had an impressive rookie season. In order for him to take the next step, he’s going to need a #1 option at wide receiver. Enter Julio Jones. Jones is a big target for Bradford, but can also make big plays all over the field.
15. Miami - Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
The Phins offensive gameplan is built around the running game. Brown and Williams are both free agents and on the wrong side of 30. Ingram would give the team a workhorse back with fresher legs.
16. Jacksonville - Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The defensive end position has been a problem for the Jags for a few years. Kerrigan may not be the best athlete among ends in this draft, but combines solid physical tools with a tremendous motor.
17. New England(Oak) - Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Jordan had a dominant week at the Senior Bowl, solidifying his stock in the middle of the first round. Adding some more youth to the defensive line will be a priority for the Pats in the draft, and they couldn’t hope for a better player available at this spot.
18. San Diego - Tyron Smith, OT, USC
The team could go in one of many ways in the draft, based on what they do in free agency. With so many free agents, it’s hard to pick. At this point though, they go for the player with the most upside. Smith is the prototype at left tackle, although he spent most of his career on the right side at USC. If he can get to 300lbs and sustain it, he has all pro ability.
19. NY Giants - Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Solder should battle Smith for the right to be the first tackle selected. He has the classic tackle frame, and is a very good athlete. The key to the Giants run to the Super Bowl a few years ago was their offensive line. The unit is getting up there in age, and adding some fresh blood would be a wise decision.
20. Tampa Bay - Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The offense, led by Josh Freeman, has surprised some with how well they’ve connected so quickly. The defense still needs help. They addressed the DT spot with their top two picks last season, and now it’s time to get help on the perimeter. Clayborn may not be an athletic freak, but he will help against both the pass and run.
21. Kansas City - Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
The Chiefs had a surprising run this season, and will look to build on their success. The running game is key to their success, and upgrading the interior line will only help. Pouncey provides the most value at center, but can play any interior line spot.
22. Indianapolis - Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Even though DT is a big need, protecting Peyton Manning has to be priority #1. He isn’t getting any younger, and the hits will take more of a toll on him.
23. Philadelphia - Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
Landing more talent in the secondary is going to be a priority for the Eagles this off season. Harris is a good cover man and is willing to help in run support. He should provide an immediate boost to the Eagles corner rotation.
24. New Orleans - Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon St.
The Saints want to get tougher up the middle against the run. There aren’t many who can control the run like Paea. He is built low to the ground and has tremendous strength to hold his ground and clog running lanes.
25. Seattle - Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
After Mallett, there is a considerable drop off at the QB position in the draft. The Seahawks decide to gamble on his upside here because they have no long term answer at QB and he does possess tremendous upside.
26. Baltimore - JJ Watt, DL, Wisconsin
Depending on how the offensive tackle situation plays out, they could opt for Watt’s teammate, Gabe Carimi. Watt would bring youth to the defensive line, but has the type of attitude to fit in and give the team another standout performer on the defensive side of the ball.
27. Atlanta - Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Matt Ryan and the Falcon offense could use someone to stretch the field. Smith has great speed and is a threat to score any time he touches the ball, and would bring that playmaking element the offense needs.
28. New England - Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
The biggest issue with the Patriots defense was their inability to apply pressure on the QB. Houston is a playmaker off the edge, and has some experience in this role, which should help ease the transition to the next level.
29. Chicago - Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt
Baldwin would quickly become a favorite of Cutler because of his size and ability to use it to get the football. Hlis size is a great complement to the speed of Johnny Knox and Devin Hester and would be a big target in the red zone.
30. NY Jets - Corey Liuget, DL, Illinois
Adding defensive talent is always going to be a priority for the Jets. Landing a talent like Liuget at the 5 technique would make Rex Ryan very happy.
31. Pittsburgh - Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
If Carimi is still on the board, the pick should be made fairly quickly. His attitude and talent would be a great fit a team needing help at the tackle position.
32. Green Bay - Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The Pack surprised some people by reaching the Super Bowl. They may be looking for more front seven help, but landing a talented corner would make them just as happy.
