Updated 2011 NFL Mock Draft: 12/02/10
By Editorial Staff
Here is the latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft by Lead Scout and Site Director Jon Dove. This draft utilizes our projected draft order that can be seen here! Also in consideration for each pick was the team needs articles developed by the NFL Mocks staff that you can see HERE. Be sure to stop by our Big Board to see where we have each prospect ranked and also our Scouting Reports.
1. Carolina Panthers- Andrew Luck- QB Stanford
– This is going to be a interesting dilemma for the Panthers if they land the #1 overall pick. It’s highly likely they will have a new coaching staff that needs to make a decision on Jimmy Clausen. My gut feeling is that the new regime will not pass on a talent like Andrew Luck.
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2. Cincinnati Bengals- Marcel Dareus- DL Alabama
– As terrible as this season has been I don’t see the franchise moving on from Carson Palmer and they added offensive talent last offseason. Maybe they go with a receiver like AJ Green but Dareus makes the most sense to me. They have a lot of picks invested in defensive ends so getting an interior guy that can hold strong against the run and create pressure would take this defense to the next level.
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3. Buffalo Bills- Patrick Peterson- CB LSU
– The Bills will add a quarterback during this draft but here at #3 it would be a reach for Ryan Mallett. If your a Bills fan you will be very happy with Peterson because he gives you a true shut down corner and a playmaker on special teams. This pick is made with the idea that Peterson is the best player available at a position of need. They could look to add a DE like Bowers but they need to figure out their defensive scheme before they start adding linemen and linebackers.
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4.Detroit Lions- Prince Amukamara- CB Nebraska
– There is going to be a lot of debate up until the draft about who is the better corner, Peterson or Amukamara. The Lions will be happy with either player as they add more and more talent to the defensive side of the football.
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5.Denver Broncos- Da’Quan Bowers- DE Clemson
– I struggled to make this pick for the Broncos as they have a lot of needs in many different areas. Bowers has the ability to play the defensive end position in either the 3-4 or 4-3, with his best fit being the RDE in a 4-3 scheme. However, the Broncos need to add talent on defense and they don’t come much more talented than Bowers.
6. Dallas Cowboys- Robert Quinn-OLB/DE UNC
– To me this is a little high for Quinn because I feel that sitting out the entire season will have an effect. But the Cowboys two greatest needs are offensive line and the defensive secondary and there isn’t a player left at those positions that has value at the #6 pick. Quinn is a pure pass rusher that will bring another element to the Dallas defense. It will be virtually impossible to block both Ware and Quinn.
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7. Arizona Cardinals– Ryan Mallett- QB Arkansas
– If your unfortunate enough to actually watch a Cardinals game you will quickly realize this team needs a quarterback. Neither Derek Anderson or Max Hall are NFL caliber quarterbacks so Mallett will be the man from the start. This pick fits because the Cardinals need a quarterback and Mallett is ready to step in right now and get this team back into playoff contention.
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8.Cleveland Browns– AJ Green- WR Georgia
– The Browns could look to add another pass rusher to their defense but there is no way they pass up on Green here. We have Green at #4 on our Big Board and he is a major threat on the outside. His presence will help the development of quarterback Colt McCoy!
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9.San Fransisco 49ers – Cameron Jordan- DL Cal
– The 49ers need to upgrade at the quarterback position but this is too high for Jake Locker. I also feel that they would hesitate to invest another high pick on an unproven commodity. Going with Cameron Jordan is a smart pick because he brings playmaking ability to the defensive line.
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10. Minnesota Vikings- Akeem Ayers- LB UCLA
– The Vikings are facing tough decisions this offseason in free agency and the direction they go will impact their draft. Ayers is an extremely versatile linebacker that will come in and contribute from day one. Again Locker is an option here but that depends on what coaching changers are or are not made.
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11. New England Pats– Julio Jones- WR Alabama
– This is a good fit for the Patriots who will be looking to replace Randy Moss. Jones is a big target that has the ability to get down the field. If you scan the current Patriots roster you will see they lack size at the wide out position.
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12. Tennessee Titans– Nick Fairly- DT Auburn
– The Titans defense was one of the best in the league when they had Albert Haynesworth in the middle. Fairly has that same kind of nastiness and penetrating ability. He is a guy that creates havoc in the backfield and would be a great addition to this rebuilding defense.
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13. Houston Texans- Rahim Moore- S UCLA
– I can not see a scenario where the Texans don’t address their secondary in the first round. They have Bernard Pollard at one safety position and his best attribute is stuffing the run so adding a center fielder like Moore will complement his playing style. Moore has good coverage ability and rarely lets a receiver get behind him, that is something that has haunted the Texans all season.
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14. Washington Redskins- Jon Baldwin- WR Pitt
– McNabb needs some weapons and Baldwin would be a nice complement to the smaller Redskins wide outs currently on the roster.
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15. Seattle Seahawks- Ryan Kerrigan- DE/OLB Purdue
– Chris Clemons is having a nice season but this team needs to generate more of a pass rush. Kerrigan is a high motor guy that Coach Pete Carrol can use in many different ways.