2011 NFL Draft--First Round Mock

The NFL Draft is just a few weeks away, here is my mock draft of the first round:


1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton - I'm not completely sold on Carolina taking Cam at #1 but they seem to be interested at the very least.
Other possibilities - Marcel Dareus

2. Denver Broncos: Marcel Dareus - With the team switching to a 4-3 they need some dlineman and Dareus can play any position on the line. Dumerville and Ayers will be the new ends while Dareus shores up the middle
Other possibilities - Nick Fairly, Von MIller, Daquan Bowers

3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller - I'm not sure if Buffalo has lost faith in Fitzpatrick yet. I think they can win with him so they go ahead and get the premier pass rusher they hoped Aaron Maybin was.
Other possibilities - Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert - Carson Palmer has put them in a tough spot. If I was the owner I'd get what I could from Palmer (trade) and move on with Gabbert.
Other possibilities - AJ Green, Julio Jones, Nick Fairly

5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn - A pass rush OLB is a huge need for them as long with QB and OL.
Other possibilities - Patrick Peterson, Von Miller(if available), Gabbert (if available)


6. Cleveland Browns: AJ Green - With the top pass rushers off the board Cleveland gets the best WR in the draft for Colt to throw to.
Other possibilities - Patrick Peteron, Quinn(if available), Von Miller (if available)


7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson - QB and OLB are both needs but so is corner and they wont pass on Peterson.
Other possibilities - Gabbert/Quinn/Miller/Amukamara

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairly - QB is a huge need but they aren't going to reach for one here if Gabbert or Newton aren't available
Other possibilities - Julio Jones

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith - The Cowboys finally address their aging line with a top pick.
Other possibilities - Prince Amukamura

10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones - WR is a pretty big need and they get one who could be the best in this draft
Other possibilities - JJ Watt

11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara - They go defense for sure and get the BPA
Other possibilities - AldoN Smith / Jimmy Smith

12. Minnesota Vikings: Daquan Bowers - Vikes are excited he fell this far.
Other possibilities - Anthony Castonzo


13. Detroit Lions: Anthony Costanza - Detroit gets a solid OT here to protect Stafford.
Other possibilities - Daquan Bowers, JJ Watt

14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget - Rams would have loved if one of the big 2 WRs fell but they will be happy with Liuget who will help shore up that middle
Other possibilities - Akeem Ayers

15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram - Miami would be best served to trade down here as I think you can get better value at RB later in the draft. Ingram is a beast though.
Other possibilities - trade down, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallet, Mike Pouncey

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Akeem Ayers - Jax gets the best true OLB in the draft here.
Other possibilities - Jake Locker, Ryan Mallet

17. New England Patriots (f/OAK): JJ Watt - NE would have loved to take Ingram here but since he is gone they take BPA and fill a need
Other possibilities - trade down or trade up.

18. San Diego Chargers: Cam Jordan - Not a sexy pick but they ngo with BPA. The team needs WR and S but it'll be a reach here. They are in good position to trade down
Other possibilities - trade down or trade up.

19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi - Giants need some help on the oline and Gabe can play guard if needed,
Other possibilities - Aldon Smith or trade down


20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aldon Smith - The Bucs address their biggest need and get the pass rusher they wanted.
Other possibilities - Jimmy Smith

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Kerrigan - Can he play OLB in a 3-4? Chiefs hope so...
Other possibilities - Justin Houston

22. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Pouncey - Colts hope he is as good as his brother. They need OL help
Other possibilities - Muhammad Wilkerson

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith - The secondary is a big need here and Asante Samual getting older another corner who can come in and compete would be nice
Other possibilities - Danny Watkins

24. New Orleans Saints: Muhammad Wilkerson - Saints need help in the middle of that dline and defense in general.
Other possibilities - Adrian Clayborn, Cameron Heyward

25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker - Seattle needs DL help but isn't in good position to get a QB later in the draft.
Other possibilities - Phil Taylor

26. Baltimore Ravens: Raheem Moore - Ed Reed isn't getting any younger so they get the best S in the draft
Other possibilities - Justin Houston

27. Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn - Atl needs help with the dline and Adrian is a monster. Had a better year last yearthan this year though.
Other possibilities - Kyle Randolph

28. New England Patriots: Mikel LeShore - NE gets their RB with their 2nd first round pick
Other possibilities - Danny Watkins

29. Chicago Bears: Danny Watkins - Watkins helps pick Cutler up off the grass
Other possibilities - Aaron Williams/Brandon Harris

30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor - Jets have some holes and NT is a big one.
Other possibilities - Randall Cobb


31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Harris - They could go with Aaron Williams here but Brandon is a better cover guy
Other possibilities - Aaron Williams

32. Green Bay Packers: Derek Sherrod - The Packers still need help at tackle
Other possibilities - Marvin Austin


** I think we will see a few QB needy teams trade back into the first round to get a QB like Mallett, Ponder, and Dalton.

Who will be the number one pick in 2011 NFL Draft? Cam Newton Edition

Case For and Against Cam Newton (QB, Auburn)

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn - 44%

Why:

New regimes mean new quarterbacks. The Panthers have absolutely nothing at the quarterback position, and Ron Rivera will be looking for his guy.

Cam Newton is a great leader. He has "it" - something that Jimmy Clausen lacks. Carolina is currently a lost team with no sense of direction. Drafting Newton could fix that.

Never doubt the great Adam Schefter. Following the Combine, Schefter said on SportsCenter: "It would not surprise me one bit if in the end, ultimately, Carolina decides to go quarterback. We've seen this movie before. I have a sense of where this is going."

Panthers beat writer Darin Gantt believes Newton will be the No. 1 pick:

"I think they were so set on Andrew Luck coming out, they're not going to wait. They need a quarterback."

Gil Brandt believes the Panthers should draft Newton.

"It would shock me if he’s not the first player picked," Brandt said. "If I was drafting and I had Carolina's pick, I'd feel really good about who I was getting as far as ability."

Why not:

Cam Newton has the physical talent. But does he have the mental ability to learn how to diagnose defenses and make multiple reads? Vince Young could never evolve into consistent NFL quarterback because he's a moron. Newton's not as dumb as Young, but he's not very bright either. After all, he told the NFL Network crew that he wants "to be consistency."



If Rivera doesn't think Newton is smart enough to progress, he can't take him with the top pick.


ALL CREDIT TO : http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftpanthers2011.php