Sunday, March 27, 2011

2011 NFL Mock Draft (Round 1)


ROUND 1:
  1. Carolina (2-14) - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Carolina has many problems. With a new head coach and a lowered rookie salary cap, Gabbert is sure to go #1. Gabbert is a safe pick and a great QB to build a franchise around.
  1. Denver (4-12) – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Peterson is considered the best overall prospect in this draft. He is also the best CB prospect since Charles Woodson. Just imagine the shut down secondary Denver will have with Champ Bailey on one side and Patrick Peterson on the other.
  1. Buffalo (4-12) - A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
This pick is more of a luxury and less of a need, but Green is worth it. He is the best receiving prospect since Calvin Johnson and will be a future Pro Bowler for years to come.
  1. Cincinnati (4-12) – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
So Carson Palmer refuses to play another game for Cincinnati? I believe that the Bengals will fall to his bluff and trade him away. With his departure, there is a huge hole at quarterback. And then there is Cam Newton. I personally don’t like Cam Newton, but he does have an extremely high ceiling.
  1. Arizona (5-11) - Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Arizona needs a new quarterback, but the top two are off the board. Arizona needs a veteran QB, not a rookie. With that, they draft Von Miller. Miller is a beast who had a great combine and Senior Bowl.
  1. Cleveland (5-11) – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
Cleveland would love to draft A.J. Green, but he is already off the board. So they take the best Defensive Linemen in Marcell Dareus. Dareus had a great Combine and will have an instant impact as a rookie.
  1. San Francisco (6-10) - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
San Francisco could use help in their secondary and luckily Amukamara is still available. Even though Amukamara is considered the second best CB in the draft, it is very close. He will be a future shut down corner in the NFL.
  1. Tennessee (6-10) - Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Tennessee makes me laugh. They have so many holes in their team, and they are only moving in the wrong direction. They could get a steal at pick eight with Bowers, but his knee issues and one year wonder status could draw a red flag. He does have potential to be very good.
  1. Dallas (6-10) - Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Dallas needs more help in the trenches to protect Tony Romo. Tyron Smith is a beast and has a very high ceiling. He can play both RT and LT.
  1. Washington (6-10) - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Julio Jones had such a great combine that he forced himself into the Top 10 of this draft. Jones is a great receiver with blazing fast speed. Last year’s #1 receiver for Washington was Santana Moss, who is now a free agent.
  1. Houston (6-10) – Robert Quinn, DE, Carolina
Quinn is a very special player and could be a Top 5 talent had he played this season. Instead he missed out on his whole season. If he reaches his potential, Houston will be getting an excellent pass rusher.  
  1. Minnesota (6-10) – Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Minnesota needs a quarterback. The best available QB is Jake Locker. Pick #12 might be a reach for Jake Locker, so I strongly see Minnesota trading down ten or so spots and then drafting Locker.
  1. Detroit (6-10) – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Detroit FINALLY selections someone who can protect Matthew Stafford. Stafford could be a good NFL player if he was never hurt. Solder can provide great protection for years to come. This is not a sexy pick, but it is the smart one….But I wouldn’t be shocked if Detroit screws this pick up.
  1. St. Louis (7-9) - Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
All the Rams wanted were either Green or Jones, but they missed out on both. Sam Bradford needs a #1 option at receiver. Since they missed out, they will strengthen their D-Line and pair someone up with Chris Long.
  1. Miami (7-9) - Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
This is the most obvious pick in the draft. Both of Miami’s running backs are free agents, so a replacement is needed. Mark Ingram won the Heisman Trophy last season and will instantly be able to come in and help the Dolphins.
  1. Jacksonville (8-8) – Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The Jaguars need help rushing the passer. Ryan Kerrigan is a defensive leader who would help fill that void. This is a win-win for both parties.
  1. New England - from Oakland (8-8) - Cameron Jordan, DE, California
New England is a pretty stacked team as well, so their plethora or draft picks is not fair. They have 2 first rounders, 2 second rounders, and 2 third rounders. They draft Jordan with this pick to put pressure on the other teams quarterback.
  1. San Diego (9-7) - Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
San Diego has several great players on both sides of the ball, but there is always room to improve an offensive line. Anthony Castonzo is a great athlete who will protect Philip Rivers for many seasons.
  1. New York Giants (10-6) – Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
Rudolph is the most complete and best Tight end in the draft. Another passing weapon for Manning, plus another up front blocker would be perfect for the Giants.
  1. Tampa Bay (10-6) – Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
This draft is extremely deep with Defensive Ends with the talent to go in the first round. In jumps Cameron Heyward. He was a beast of Ohio State and could help solidify the Bucs.
  1. Kansas City (10-6) - Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Kansas City has a few great centerpieces, but they have nobody opposite of Dwayne Bowe. Bowe had a break out year last season with over 1100 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. Torrey Smith offers another threat so Bowe is not always double teamed.
  1. Indianapolis (10-6) – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
The Colts are the most quarterback dependant team in the NFL. Without Payton Manning, this team would be drafting in the Top 10. Since Manning is your best asset, protecting him is a must. Drafting a solid offensive tackle to beef up their O-Line is a very smart move.
  1. Philadelphia (10-6) - Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
The Eagles allowed the most sacks out of any team in the NFL in 2010. They also just put the franchise tag on Michael Vick, which means he will earn about $20 million next season. Getting someone upfront to help out is a must. Pouncey is a beast that can help protect the QB and push the defense to help the run game.
  1. New Orleans (11-5) - Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The Saints have a pretty stacked team with not very many holes, but more depth on the defensive line would be the best. Saints are also projected as one of the better teams in the league next season that have a solid chance at making the Super Bowl. Clayborn would help get them there.
  1. Seattle (7-9) - Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
As a Seahawks fan, it’s hard to project what they will do. They have so many holes on their team that they could draft any position. I believe that they draft Jimmy Smith, who is a big, yet quick cornerback. With Kelly Jennings a free agent and Marcus Trufant nothing like what he once was, Smith is a great pick.
  1. Baltimore (12-4) - J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Baltimore has always been known for their shut down defense, but their defense is getting old. Watt is a beast on the end and if he falls this far, the Ravens will be stupid to pass on him.
  1. Atlanta (13-3) - Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
Atlanta has one of the best offenses in the NFL. They have a great young quarterback, amazing receivers, and a beast of a running back. Since this draft is loaded with great defensive ends, the Falcons will select Houston to help stop the other team.
  1. New England (14-2) - Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
The Patriots will most likely trade this pick away. But if they don’t, defense is the way to go. They already drafted a defensive end with the 17th pick, now they add depth to the linebacker core.
  1. Chicago (11-5) - Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
Chicago needs to protect Jake Cutler. They gave Denver so many draft picks for Cutler, so protecting him is a must. With Cutler protect, the Bears are a playoff team. If Cutler gets hurt, they have serious problems.
  1. New York Jets (11-5) - Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
Rex Ryan is a defensive guy and he is always looking to add talent. Phil Taylor could jump in and make that defense even more deadly.
  1. Pittsburgh (12-4) - Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
Pittsburgh had the best run defense in the league, but their pass defense was slightly above average. Adding a player like Brandon Harris would help improve the secondary.
  1. Green Bay (10-6) – Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon
The Super Bowl Champs. They already have a great offense and a great defense. I believe they will select Paea to help stop the opponents run game. Paea also holds the record for the most bench presses in the Combine, so he has proven to have a great work ethic.

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