2011 NFL Mock Draft: 1.1
By Editorial Staff
Well it’s still summer time and the writers at NFL Mocks are already looking towards next year’s draft. We have our 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Big Board and many Scouting Reports. Dont forget to check out our Team Needs and 2011 Prospect Position Rankings But now it’s time to get to the always controversial Mock Draft. We have spend some considerable time developing the below draft order. The order is going to bring a lot of discussion and angry feelings, but we did our best to simulate the entire 2010-2011 NFL Season. We are going to maintain this draft order for a few weeks and then do another simulation. Then when the season starts we will utilize the up to date standings to develop our Draft Order. Please keep in mind that we are early in the process and we have a long way until the 2011 NFL Draft, but let’s have some fun. As usual we love to see feedback.
1 Buffalo Bills (2-14)- Jake Locker– QB- Washington- Scouting Report
– Its no secret that the Bills need to find a long term answer at the quarterback position. As of right now Locker is our top rated quarterback and top rated player.
2 St. Louis Rams (2-14)- AJ Green– WR- Georgia- Scouting Report
– Surrounding Sam Bradford with the right pieces has to be the number one goal for the Rams organization. Green is a major playmaker and has drawn comparisons to Randy Moss.
3 Detroit Lions (2-14)- Patrick Peterson– CB- LSU- Scouting Report, Team Needs Report
– The Lions have improved their offensive and the addition of Suh helps on the defensive line. The biggest problem area for the Lions is at cornerback and Peterson is the best in this year’s draft.
4 Tampa Bay Bucs (3-13)- Julio Jones– WR- Alabama- Scouting Report
– The Bucs need to continue to surround Josh Freeman with talented playmakers and Jones is just that. It is important to note that this pick may change depending on the development of 2010 draftees Benn and Mike Williams.
5 Cleveland Browns (4-12)- Robert Quinn– DE/OLB- UNC- Scouting Report
– Each year we see the importance of having a good pass rush and the Browns are in desperate need of a pass rush. Robert Quinn has a ton of potential and could easily be a double digit sack guy for his entire career.
6 Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)- Michael Floyd– WR- Notre Dame- Scouting Report
– Chief fans were pretty responsive to this selection. They feel that if their team goes 4-12 that the Chiefs will be selecting Matt Cassel’s replacement. But in my opinion they need to surround Cassel with better talent and that starts with Michael Floyd.
7 Denver Broncos (5-11)- Cameron Heyward– DE- Ohio State- Scouting Report
– The Broncos have a lot of needs on the defensive side of the ball and I think that Heyward is the best talent and at a position of need. Heyward can step in and start from day 1 at the defensive end position. The Broncos could be looking for a nose tackle but I don’t see any that are worthy of the #7 overall pick.
8 Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)-Andrew Luck– QB- Stanford- Scouting Report
– If the Jaguars end up 5-11 there are going to be major changes and I suspect they all start at the quarterback position. I originally had Ryan Mallett in this position but I now feel that Andrew Luck is a better fit for the Jaguars. Luck will bring leadership and a style of play that fits in with Maurice Jones Drew.
9 Seattle Seahawks (5-11)- Ryan Mallett– QB- Arkansas- Scouting Report
– Coach Pete Carroll is a big personality and loves big plays and nobody can provide big plays like Mallett. Just go back and watch some film on Mallett and you will see a lot of deep down the field passes. I am not sold on Charlie Whitehurst and that is why I went with Mallett here.
10 New England Patriots from Oakland Raiders (6-10)- Gabe Carimi– OT- Wisconsin- Scouting Report
– The Patriots want to continue their run of winning and to do that they need to sure up the offensive line. Adding Carimi will enable them to do just that.
Check out the rest of the Mock after the Jump
11 Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10)- Anthony Castonzo– OT- Boston College
– There were questions about Willie Colon before the season ending injury. The Steelers want to return to their hard nose running offense and having a strong offensive line is the way you do that.
12 Arizona Cardinals (7-9)- Travis Lewis– OLB- Oklahoma- Scouting Report
– The Cardinals need to rebuild their defensive talent after losing several players in free agency this season. I don’t think Joey Porter can stay out of trouble long enough to be a long term answer so drafting Lewis fills that void. Lewis is a good athlete and has experience rushing the passer.
13 Atlanta Falcons (7-9)- Adrian Clayborn– DE- Iowa- Scouting Report
– I continue to think this is a very safe pick for the Falcons. They need a pass rush and that is an area where Clayborn excels.
14 New York Giants (7-9)-Mark Ingram– RB- Alabama- Scouting Report, Team Needs Report
– Brandon Jacobs has had a couple down years and a strong running game is the backbone of the Giants offense. Ingram is a very good running back and should have an excellent NFL career.
15 Chicago Bears (8-8)- Marvin Austin– DT- UNC, Team Needs Report
– Previously I had the Bears selecting another UNC product in Safety Deunta Williams but I think they will want to focus on their defensive line. The Bears invested a 3rd round pick on Major Wright and they won’t give up on him after one season. Austin is run stuffing defensive tackle that will complement Tommie Harries.
16 Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)- Ras-I Dowling– CB- Virginia- Scouting Report, Team Needs Report
– The Eagles secondary is full of question marks and drafting Dowling will answer some questions. They can plug Dowling in opposite Asante Samuel.
17 New England Patriots (9-7)- Allen Bailey– DT- Miami- Scouting Report
– The Patriots are weak along the defensive line. Bailey would be a very good fit at the 3-4 defensive end position.
18 Dallas Cowboys (9-7)- Deunta Williams– S- UNC, Team Needs Report
– Deunta Williams is the playmaking safety the Cowboys really need.
19 Carolina Panthers (10-6)- Mark Herzlich– LB- Boston College
– The Panthers are hurting right now from the injury to Thomas Davis and there is no certainty that he can return to form. Adding Herzlich brings talent and leadership.
20 Washington Redskins (10-6)- DeAndre McDaniel- S- Clemson- Scouting Report, Team Needs Report
– The Redskins are weak in the back end of the secondary. McDaniel could help take away the sting of failed expectations by Laron Landry.
21 Tennessee Titans (10-6)- Bruce Carter– OLB-UNC
– The Titans need to add talent and youth to the linebacking corps and Carter will do both. Carter can help in the pass rush department.
22 Green Bay Packers (10-6)- Von Miller– OLB- Texas A&M- Scouting Report, Team Needs Report
– The Kampman experiment is over so adding Miller is and important piece to the 3-4 defense puzzle.
23 Miami Dolphins (11-5)- Ryan Williams– RB- Virginia Tech
– Ronnie Brown is injury prone and a free agent and Ricky Williams is not getting younger. Adding a versatile running back like Williams will help the Dolphins keep their running attach strong.
24 Houston Texans (11-5)- Justin Boren– G- Ohio State- Scouting Report
– The Texans have players in place in a lot of key positions but upgrading the interior of the offensive line is important.
25 San Diego Chargers (11-5)- Terrence Toliver– WR- LSU- Scouting Report
– Vincent Jackson is threatening to hold out the entire season and many don’t anticipate this ending well. So a replacement is needed.
26 Baltimore Ravens (11-5)- Matt Reynolds– OT- BYU- Scouting Report
– The Jared Gaither saga continues on and all signs are pointing to him not being around for the future. The Ravens offense is centered around a strong running game and to have that you need a good offensive line.
27 Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)- Mike Pouncey– G/C- Florida
– This past season the Bengals saw how far a good running game can take them.
28 New Orleans Saints (11-5)- Evan Royster– RB- Penn State- Scouting Report
– Questions surround the futures of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush so adding a reliable running back like Royster may be a priority.
29 San Francisco 49ers (12-4)- Curtis Brown– CB- Texas- Scouting Report
– The cornerback position was a need in this year’s draft and nothing has changed for 2011.
30 New York Jets (12-4)- Marcel Darceus– DE- Alabama
– The Jets are trying to convert Vernon Gholston to defensive end and when that fails they will look to the draft.
31 Minnesota Vikings (12-4)- Jared Crick– DT- Nebraska- Scouting Report, Team Needs Report
– Pat Williams is on his last leg and will need to be replaced soon.
32 Indianapolis Colts (14-2)-Joseph Barksdale– OT- LSU
– The Colts need to protect Peyton Manning.