It’s no secret that the 2011 draft class isn’t as talented as that of 2010. For one, with the looming lockout, this draft is…in a word, awkward. Nonetheless, the draft begins in six days and counting. Let’s do some mocking, shall we?
1 (1) – Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton, quarterback, Auburn: He’s not necessarily the best player available – or even close – but the Panthers need impact, and nothing screams impact more than a huge quarterback with a big arm and scary mobility like Cam Newton.
1 (2) – Denver Broncos select Marcell Dareus, defensive tackle, Alabama: The best pure player in the draft, Dareus jumps out when you watch him play. He’s this year’s Ndamukong Suh – maybe not that good, but he appears to be a safe pick.
1 (3) – Buffalo Bills select Von Miller, linebacker, Texas A & M: In a 3-4 system, Miller fits the Bills perfectly. The Bills need a guy to get after the passer. In the last two years, Miller played well in the always tough Big 12, with 116 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, and 27 ½ sacks.
1 (4) – Cincinnati Bengals select A.J. Green, wide receiver, Georgia: Who ever the Bengals end up having at quarterback doesn’t matter – they need help at receiver. Having a player like Green makes any quarterbacks’ job easier.
1 (5) – Arizona Cardinals select Patrick Peterson, cornerback, LSU: Blaine Gabbert is a thought here, but superstar receiver Larry Fitzgerald said he doesn’t want the team to draft a quarterback; no reason to defy him. Also, having Peterson gives the Cards one of the best secondaries in football.
1 (6) – Cleveland Browns select Robert Quinn, defensive end, UNC: Browns president Mike Holmgren coached Reggie White in Green Bay, so he knows how important it is to have a pass rusher. Quinn is the best one available.
1 (7) – San Francisco 49ers select Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, Missouri: The 49ers have the potential to be a good offense with better play calling and quarterbacking. They need to solve the latter part of that equation on draft day by picking the best quarterback available.
1 (8) – Tennessee Titans select Nick Fairley, defensive tackle, Auburn: Fairley could be a one-hit wonder. In 2009, as a junior, he had 28 tackles, three and a half for loss, and one and a half sacks. Nothing special. This year, he had 60 tackles, 24 for loss, and 11 sacks. That interesting fact notwithstanding, when you watch him play, you see a dominating presence, something the Titans need, and from a value standpoint, he was once seen as the best player in the draft.
1 (9) – Dallas Cowboys select Tyron Smith, offensive tackle, USC: The Cowboys were disappointing last year, but I think they could be a playoff team soon if their offensive tackle problems get fixed. Tyron could be an excellent right tackle right away. His impact as a rookie could be similar to that of Michael Oher.
1 (10) – Washington Redskins select Julio Jones, wide receiver, Alabama: The Redskins need a playmaker, and Jones has been regarded, at times, as better than A.J. Green. Taking a quarterback wouldn’t make sense here – the next best one available is Ryan Mallett, who is too big a risk. I could see them trading down, but it’s a mock – trading down in a mock is weak. I say they take Julio to make the Redskins 2011 quarterback’s job easier.
1 (11) – Houston Texans select Prince Amukamara, cornerback, Nebraska: Imagine a quarterback playing 16 games, going 354-of-547 with 4,280 yards, 33 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and winning ten games. MVP-worthy, right? That’s what the Houston Texans secondary allowed in 2010. They need secondary help, and Amukamara is by far the best guy here.
1 (12) – Minnesota Vikings select Da’Quan Bowers, defensive end, Clemson: Just imagine Jared Allen opposite a talent like Bowers. Bowers is some what of a risk due to some injury history, but there’s no doubt that at 12, with his talent, it’s a steal. If not, the Vikings can address their most pressing need in the next round and take a Colin Kaepernick, Jake Locker, or Christian Ponder.
1 (13) – Detroit Lions select Anthony Costanzo, offensive tackle, Boston College: While Tyron Smith is probably the more talented offensive tackle, Costanzo is the safer pick, which is what the Lions need.
1 (14) – St. Louis Rams select Aldon Smith, defensive end, Missouri: Rams head coach and former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows how important having a pass rush is, so Smith is the logical pick. They could use a play maker for Sam Bradford, but they can wait and get a guy like Titus Young, Torrey Smith, or Jon Baldwin in the second round.
1 (15) – Miami Dolphins select Mike Pouncey, guard, Florida: Pouncey makes too much sense here. Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has a background as an offensive line coach, and having Pouncey will help the development of Chad Henne.
1 (16) – Jacksonville Jaguars select Ryan Kerrigan, defensive end, Purdue: The Jaguars could use another corner, but Jimmy Smith is too big of a risk. Kerrigan is a perfect fit as a 4-3 defensive end.
1 (17) – New England Patriots select J.J. Watt, defensive end, Wisconsin: He’s the best player available. Like lots of Patriots players, he doesn’t have a “wow” factor about him, but he’s very dependable and plays the game the right way. He’s not an elite pass rusher, but a relentless player, nonetheless.
1 (18) – San Diego Chargers select Cameron Jordan, defensive end, California: In a 3-4 scheme, Jordan fits perfectly as a 3-4 end. He’s an ideal fit opposite Luis Castillo, and it makes the surprisingly good Chargers defense even better. If there was justice in the NFL world, the Chargers would be able to draft a head coach.
1 (19) – New York Giants select Gabe Carimi, offensive tackle, Wisconsin: The Giants are a team who base their foundation around the draft, and here’s where they find a solid tackle. I could see them selecting Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget, but they just used their second-round pick on a defensive tackle last year (Linval Joseph).
1 (20) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Justin Houston, defensive end, Georgia: The Bucs surprised everybody last year, much thanks to multiple successful recent drafts. They could be a dangerous team in the future once all their guys develop, and adding Houston gives them a pass rushing dynamic.
1 (21) – Kansas City Chiefs select Nate Solder, offensive tackle, Colorado: The Chiefs are in a good spot here. Like many teams in the 20’s, they aren’t particularly weak at any positions, but they could use an offensive tackle, nose tackle, outside linebacker, and a receiver. The best guy available is Muhammad Wilkerson, but he doesn’t fit the Chiefs scheme or needs. Solder has immense raw talent and could be developed in KC.
1 (22) – Indianapolis Colts select Corey Liuget, defensive tackle, Illinois: The Colts have always had a powerful offense and an average defense. It’s time they get a dominant run-stuffing defensive tackle, and Liuget fits that mold.
1 (23) – Philadelphia Eagles select Jimmy Smith, cornerback, Colorado: The Eagles had a great year last year, thanks to Michael Vick, who was the NFL MVP for parts of last year. They need secondary help. Sheldon Brown was traded to Cleveland last offseason. Asante Samuel is a good corner, but plays more of a safety position than corner. Other than that, they’re thin. Smith is an excellent cornerback. His character is concerning, but this is a team that has had Michael Vick and Terrell Owens.
1 (24) – New Orleans Saints select Muhammad Wilkerson, defensive end, Temple: The Saints grab a huge steal here in Wilkerson. The Saints had a disappointing 2011 thanks to horrifying defensive play. Wilkerson is the best small-school player in this draft.
1 (25) – Seattle Seahawks select Ryan Mallett, quarterback, Arkansas: A surprise pick? Absolutely. A sensible one? Yes. The Seahawks need a quarterback, and there’s no doubt Mallett has a great arm. Physical set wise, he’s an elite player. Intangible-wise, he’s an undrafted free agent. But on draft day, Mallett’s arm will get him a first-round selection.
1 (26) – Baltimore Ravens select Brooks Reed, defensive end, Arizona: Perhaps a surprise pick, but not for the Ravens. Reed is an excellent player if you watch him. He reminds you of Clay Matthews, and not just for his hair and number 42 in college. He’s absolutely relentless and always moving around. He’d be plugged in as the Ravens 4-3 defensive end.
1 (27) – Atlanta Falcons select Akeem Ayers, linebacker, UCLA: Ayers is a very solid athlete, and Atlanta could use some pass rushing help. The Falcons were outstanding last year, but their defense still is lagging behind the elites. If they get some more pass rush, they could be even more dangerous.
1 (28) – New England Patriots select Adrian Clayborn, defensive end, Iowa: The Patriots need to build up defensively, so Clayborn is a good fit. The Pats don’t have anything in terms of pass rush. They added J.J. Watt at 17, so adding Clayborn really takes care of their front seven in the draft.
1 (29) – Chicago Bears select Derrek Sherrod, offensive tackle, Mississippi State: The Bears to me, won’t be a very good team in the near future and going forward. In short, their talent level and depth doesn’t match that of other good teams like Green Bay, Pittsburgh, New York, New England, Atlanta, Baltimore, or even Philadelphia. However, they move into the upper echelion of teams with help up front from a tackle like Sherrod.
1 (30) – New York Jets select Cameron Heyward, defensive end, Ohio State: Rex Ryan needs a pass rusher to utilize. Just imagine that sight. Heyward is an outstanding player who could flourish as a 3-4 defensive end – in fact, he suits the role perfectly.
1 (31) – Pittsburgh Steelers select Aaron Williams, cornerback, Texas: The Steelers don’t have many holes. Offensively, they’re set. Defensively, their only hole is at cornerback. They tend to pick best player available, but the best guy at this point is Mark Ingram, a running back, a position which would do them no service. Williams is a good player, a respected leader, and a good fit.
1 (32) – Green Bay Packers select Danny Watkins, guard, Baylor: The Packers struggle at times due to struggles up front. Watkins is the best interior lineman available.
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