2011 NFL Mock Draft

1. CAR: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
The Panthers are in a tough situation here. They have needs all over the place. However, one position must take priority over all other needs; the QB position. If you don't have a good QB you are not going to go far into the playoffs or the Super Bowl. You need to find your franchise QB. I believe that Gabbert is the most NFL ready QB in this draft and it is safe to say that a lot of the experts believe he is the cleanest QB in this draft, however Newton is a unique player and he brings a skill set that hasn't been seen by the NFL before. That could be enough to persuade the Panthers to take him here. This is a big jump for Newton after my last mock draft. I am still not sold on him being the number 1 overall pick, but he has got Top 10 talent. I don't think there is any way he makes it out of the top 10 this April. If the Panthers believe he is a franchise QB and the future of their organization, they need to take him here. They need leadership and hope on their offense. They do not have a lot of hope with Jimmy Clausen leading their team. I believe this pick will either be Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert; whoever the Panthers like more.

2. DEN: Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
The Broncos will be moving to the 4-3 defense, so it really doesn't make too much sense for the Broncos to draft Miller here with Marcell Dareus available, but the Broncos could be tempted by Miller's tremendous ability. He is the best edge rusher in this draft and the DT class is deep, so the Broncos could be looking to grab a DT later on. Again, if it was me, I would be taking Dareus but it is looking more and more like the pick will be Miller here.

3. BUF: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
The Bills have tons of needs all over the place. I think this pick boils down to Blaine Gabbert, Marcell Dareus or Von Miller. With Miller gone, it brings it down to two players. I have heard that the Bills are really thinking about Gabbert here, so it is very possible that they take him with the 3rd pick in the draft. There are too many QB hungry teams and many scouts and experts are predicting a QB frenzy in the first round this year, so if the Bills want to take a QB of the future they need to do it now. However, if they are not sold on Gabbert they may take the DE/DT Marcell Dareus. He would be a huge addition to their defensive line and he would be able to play multiple positions along the defensive front.

4. CIN: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Cincinnati was looking to bag A.J. Green and they will not hesitate to take him here. It is likely that Ochocinco and T.O will both be gone. Who knows if Carson Palmer will still be around next year, but nevertheless, whoever is playing QB will love throwing the ball to Green. Green is incredibly talented and many believe he will be a star right away

5. ARI: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
When you have Joey Porter and Clark Haggans as your starting OLBs, you are in trouble. They had an awful year and the Cardinals need to do something about the pass rush. However, Von Miller is gone so they may go next best player available. For the record, I believe this pick should be Blaine Gabbert; but what I am hearing, it is looking more and more like they will go another route at the QB position. If that is the case Patrick Peterson is the best player available. He will big, fast, quick, and aggressive; the list goes on. Plus, you don't need me telling you about Patrick Peterson; if you have paid any attention to draft talk, you know everything about him. He's a special CB that doesn't come around every year.

6. CLE: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
I believe that the Browns will be looking for a new weapon for young Colt McCoy, and Julio Jones may be it. He is a bigger WR who is tough and physical. He would definitely be an upgrade to what the Browns have at WR now. His only problem is his inconsistent hands; but he has shown tremendous improvement over last season and it is looking like he won't make it out of the Top 10.

7. SF: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
San Francisco will be getting a new coach which usually needs there will be a new QB in town. If Gabbert is available, he will be the pick here. However, he went number 3 so the 49ers will have to look elsewhere. Amukamara is a beast of a CB and he could very well be the pick here. CB is a huge need for the 49ers. However, they also need help at the defensive line and pass rusher. Robert Quinn is an elite edge rusher who could have gone higher than this if he wouldn't have been suspended last season. I think he is a Top 10 pick, and the 49ers could have him higher than Amukamara on their big board.

8. TEN: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The Titans are another team in the market for a QB. With Gabbert gone, this pick either comes down to reaching for a QB or taking Nick Fairley. If they want to take a chance on a QB here I believe it will be Locker. Locker is a tremendous athlete who has the ability to make plays with his legs. He needs to learn to have better accuracy in the pocket, but he still has a high ceiling. He will go somewhere between picks 8 and 20.

9. DAL: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Dallas could go a couple different ways here at number 9. Prince Amukamara has probably the best shot at going here, but the Cowboys might believe that protecting Tony Romo is a higher priority. Smith is one of the most athletic OT's in this draft and he has been on the rise lately. He can step in and start immediately. It's looking like either Smith or Castonzo will be the first OT's taken this April.

10. WAS: J.J Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
What a mess the Redskins are in this offseason. McNabb is gone; Shanahan will not bring him back. Is Rex Grossman really going to be the starter? Not to mention what are they going to do with Haynesworth? There are a lot of questions surrounding the Skins this offseason. They will really be looking at the QB position here but with Locker gone I think they may go with J.J Watt out of Wisconsin. Watt is a beast and one of the premiere 3-4 DE's in this draft. The Redskins need some desperate help along their defensive line.

11. HOU: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
Now that the Texans have hired Wade Phillips they will be moved to a 3-4. This means they will be looking for 3-4 defensive personnel. They need to address the 3-4 DE, NT and OLBs badly. If Robert Quinn is still available, I do not think they will hesitate to take him. He fills a need and has good value here.

12. MIN: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
The Vikings are in need of a QB; they are one of the more talented teams that doesn't have a franchise QB; if they obtain one, they could be Super Bowl contenders for years to come. The Vikings could surprise some people and select Ryan Mallett here. There has been rumors recently that Mallett will go somewhere between picks 15 to 20 in the first round. The Vikings need to find their guy, and Mallett could be him. He has one of the strongest arms in the draft and definitely has a chance to go in the first round. If it wasn't for character concerns, and issues with his decision making he would go in the Top 10.

13. DET: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
The Lions always go best player available. Lucky for them Amukamara is still available. He is by far one of the best players available, and he fills a need. He is one of the more physical corners in this draft and it looks like this is how far he will fall. He is not too far behind Peterson in his class.

14. STL: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
The Rams need some weapons for young Sam Bradford. So with that being said that could go RB, WR or TE here. If Jones is available, he will be the pick here. I don't think that the Rams will be able to stick with their pick and end up with Jones; they will probably have to trade up. However, if they stay put at 14, they could go DT. There has been tons of talk of Liuget going here but with Fairley still on the board he could be the pick here instead. Fairley is by far one of the best players available and it looks like he won't fall further than this. He could even go higher than this; he fills a big need for the Rams here.

15. MIA: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
What a disappointing season for the Dolphins. Henne was expected to be the future QB for Miami, but he looked terrible this year. He is wildly inconsistent. He would look great on one drive then go out there again and throw an ugly INT. Even with Brandon Marshall on that offense, they struggled. They need a new QB. Sparano is going to stick around though, so they probably will give Henne another year. With that being said Richie Incognito will be a free agent and if they don't resign him they will need a replacement. Pouncey would be a great fit, he is tough, physical and probably one of the quickest offensive linemen in the country.

16. JAX: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
The Jaguars need help at the DE position. Kampman is coming off his 2nd ACL tear which doesn't sound promising and they don't have a lot of depth. Harvey is a bust and they need to add another DE. I had Kerrigan here for a while and I am going back to adding him here. It's no secret that the Jags love Ponder, but Kerrigan will be higher on their big board.