2011 NFL Mock Draft: Could Julio Jones Pass A.J. Green?
By Tanner Thoms
Tanner’s coming firing out with his latest 2011 NFL mock draft. Newton or Gabbert, Jones or Green? Will Da’Quan bowers take a fall from his proday. Read on to find out, and let us know what you think.
1. Carolina Panthers- Cameron “Cam” Newton, Quarterback, Auburn
I think Blaine Gabbert will end up being the better pro, but Cam Newton’s hype is taking over right now. He’s simply going to be the pick because quarterback’s like Newton don’t come along very often.
The Panthers are going to be a 3-win team with Jimmy Clausen next year. New head coach, Ron Rivera, cannot start out his head coaching career, being the joke of the league.
2. Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus, Defensive Lineman, Alabama
Many draft experts have already claimed that it would be an “upset” and a “shock” if the Denver Broncos don’t take Marcell Dareus with the second pick.
The Broncos clearly have many options here, but Dareus is looking like the sexy choice right now. With Denver’s horrible defensive lune, Marcell Dareus should be a day-one starter.
3. Buffalo Bills- Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri
One way or another, the Buffalo Bills are going to draft a quarterback early on in the draft. Since they won’t be able to get their hands on Cam Newton, they’ll settle for Blaine Gabbert.
The Bills had an awful season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their quarterback. While Fitzpatrick didn’t play terrible, he didn’t play great either. It’s time for Buffalo to find their signal-caller of the future.
4. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia
To answer the question in the title of this article, no, Julio Jones won’t pass A.J. Green. There have been serious rumblings lately that Julio Jones will go before A.J. Green.
The Bengals will most likely not have Terrell Owens back next year, and Chad Ocho Stink-o has about one or two good years left in him.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Von Miller, Hybrid Linebacker, Texas A&M
The Arizona Cardinals have one of the worst pass-rushing units in the NFL. Can you name who led the team in sacks last year? It was Calais Campbell.
Von Miller has been compared to Clay Matthews for quite a while now. Judging by the way Clay has performed in his short career, the Cardinals should be thrilled with this choice.
6. Cleveland Browns- Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Louisiana State University
Sure, the Browns don’t exactly need a cornerback too bad, but when there’s a guy as talented as Patrick Peterson on the board, you take him.
Cleveland drafted Joe Haden in the first round last year, who had a great rookie season. Peterson and Haden could be the top cornerback duo within two years.
7. San Francisco 49′ers- Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
San Francisco has bigger needs than at cornerback, but there are no quarterbacks worth taking here, so they won’t. Instead, the 49′ers will look to bolster their secondary.
Nate Clements is overpaid and overrated. There’s a good chance he’ll be on a different team in 2012. Prince Amukamara is an instant upgrade.
8. Tennessee Titans- Nick Fairley, Defensive Lineman, Auburn
The Titans have seen their defense go from Jevon Kearse, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Albert Haynesworth to Jason Jones, Jason Babin and Jacob Ford. In other words, they wish it was 2007 again.
Tennessee needs to improve their defensive line if they want to be successful on defense again. Jason Babin is also a free agent. The Titans are in serious danger of losing him.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, Southern California
It’s almost a lock at this point that the Cowboys will take Tyron Smith with the ninth pick, if he’s available. They’ve already spent a ton of time with him, more than any other player.
Dallas wants to find a bookend tackle to Doug Free. Even though Jerry Jones has never spent a first-rounder on an offensive lineman, all streaks are meant to be broken.
10. Washington Redskins- Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Julio Jones benefited greatly from the combine, running a 4.39 and having a vertical leap of 11-feet, 3 inches.
The Redskins could be without Santana Moss mext year, which would leave Anthony Armstrong as their No. 1 wide-out. Washington can’t afford to have this happen.
11. Houston Texans- Robert Quinn, Hybrid Linebacker, North Carolina
Houston has been a team that comes just shy of their high expectations for several years now. However, it looks as though they are making all the right moves to compete in the AFC South.
Robert Quinn is a fantastic athlete, but he has a brain tumor that seems to be causing some teams to take him off their draft board. Even with the tumor, Quinn will be a great player in the NFL. He could wind up being the best pick in this class.
12. Minnesota Vikings- J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin
Look, I’m a huge fan of Da’Quan Bowers, but everyone is moving him down their draft board, and it’s not unwarranted. Bowers has medical issues that needs to be addressed.
Minnesota is almost guaranteed to lose Ray Edwards in free agency this offseason, which will leave a need at defensive end. J.J. Watt, although better suited for the 3-4, can still play in a 4-3 system. He should have no problems with the Vikings.
13. Detroit Lions- Da’Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
I know Bowers is slipping, but he’s not going to slip very far. He’s far too talented, and has great potential that will make him a top-15 pick.
Detroit made a great choice in drafting Ndamukong Suh last year. Now the Lions just need a defensive end that can get to the quarterback in a hurry. That man will be Da’Quan Bowers.
14. St. Louis Rams- Aldon Smith, Defensive End, Missouri
Three defensive end’s in-a-row just goes to show how tremendous this years class really is. St. Louis needs a pass-rusher on the opposite end of Chris Long. James Hall could do it, but he’s going to turn 35 during next season.
Aldon Smith is a physical beast that can rush the passer. Many have compared him to Jevon Kearse, who is known as “the freak”.
15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
The Dolphins don’t have a lot of options here that fit their needs, but Mark Ingram, the top running back in this class, is available. Miami would be foolish to pass on him.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are going to be free agents when we have football again. It’s a foregone conclusion that one of these two will be on a different team in 2011.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue
I contemplated going with Brooks Reed from Arizona here, but Ryan Kerrigan is still the superior prospect.
Jacksonville has had terrible luck with defensive lineman for years now. They traded up to get Derrick Harvey in 2007, which turned out to be a horrible choice, as Harvey has been a complete bust during his career in the NFL.
17. New England Patriots- Cameron Jordan, Defensive Lineman, California
I’ve seen a lot of people that disagree with this pick, but that’s mostly because the Patriots are so unpredictable that they might go with a quarterback here. I suppose stranger things have happened.
Cameron Jordan recorded 5.5 sacks ans 12.5 tackles for loss last season. These numbers aren’t eye-catching, yet they’re good enough for Jordan to be in the top-20.
18. San Diego Chargers- Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive Lineman, Temple
Unless a great prospect is available, the Chargers are a virtual lock to take either a defensive lineman or a pass-rushing linebacker.
Muhammad Wilkerson stock has been rising quickly. Some have him going to the Patriots one pick prior to this, actually. With Jacques Cesaire scheduled to hit free agency, Wilkerson could become an instantaneous starter.
19. New York Giants- Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College
The Giants are lucky to not have many needs, so they’ll look to fix their offensive line that took a major drop-off in productivity last season.
William Beatty was terrible last year when he was on the field. He’s still young, but I don’t see him being the future. On the other hand, Castonzo has all the tools to be a top-10 offensive tackle.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa
I think it’s been about two months now that I’ve had Adrian Clayborn mocked to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At this point, I don’t see anything changing my mind.
It’s no hidden secret that Clayborn struggled last year with the Hawkeyes, but he had several nagging injuries that limited his strength and mobility.
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Phil Taylor, Nose Tackle, Baylor
To be honest, Phil Taylor’s only chance of going in the first round is if he’s drafted by the Chiefs. There just aren’t many teams looking for a nose tackle this late in the first round.
That said, Taylor is a great player. He was a beast at the combine and his pro day, cementing him as a first-rounder. He makes the most sense for the Chiefs at this point in time.
22. Indianapolis Colts- Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado
The Colts are most likely going to take an offensive tackle here, but the only question is just who they will take. Derek Sherrod, Gabe Carimi and Nate Solder are all available at this point.
Charlie Johnson, the Colts’ left tackle in 2010, is set to be a free agent. Nate Solder is already an instant upgrade. He could be the steal of the first round, ultimately.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
I debated going with Jimmy Smith here, but the Eagles don’t need to take a cornerback in the first round. Joselio Hanson is a good enough player to start on the opposite side of Asante Samuel.
The Eagles need to take a long, hard look at their offensive line this offseason. They let Michael Vick get sacked like groceries almost three times per game.
24. New Orleans Saints- Brooks Reed, Defensive End, Arizona
The Saints, of course, don’t have that many needs, so they’ll go for the best player available. Fortunately, the best player available fits one of New Orleans’ few needs.
Brooks Reed had a great combine, which saw him run the faster 10-yard split of any defensive lineman to participate.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado
Quick, ten seconds to name Seattle’s starting cornerbacks! One Mississippi, two Mississippi… Times up. The answer was Kelly Jennings and Marcus Trufant. For those that got it right— congratulations. For those who got it wrong— you’re not alone.
Jimmy Smith has character concerns, undoubtedly, but he’s still a first-rounder. Seattle needs cornerback help badly, and Smith is the best corner available.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
I would normally go with a wide receiver here for the Ravens, but I don;t feel like they need one in the first round. They should do fine with Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason for a year more.
Jared Gaither missed the entire 2010 season, and now he’s a free agent. Derek Sherrod is extremely underrated. Many have stated that he will have a Rodger Saffold type of impact.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland
I had the Falcons going with a defensive end in my last mock draft, but now I’m switching back to Torrey Smith. Matt Ryan is a good quarterback, but he would be great if he had another terrific wide receiver to throw to.
Smith is an intelligent receiver with a great passion for the game. Matt Ryan will now have Roddy White, Torrey Smith, Michael Jenkins and Tony Gonzalez to throw to next year.
28. New England Patriots- Mike Pouncey, Guard, Florida
There are two reasons the Patriots should draft Mike Pouncey here. First off, New England needs a guard. With Stephen Neal’s unexpected retirement, the Patriots instantly had guard on their mind in the first round.
Secondly, New England doesn’t want Pouncey to join his brother in Pittsburgh. The Patriots biggest competition next year will arguably be the Steelers.
29. Chicago Bears- Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
I wanted to go with an offensive tackle here, but there aren’t any left that have “first round” labeled to their name. Chicago shouldn’t reach for one, either.
Corey Liuget would be a steal here for the Bears. In reality, Liuget could end up going as high as 14 to the Rams.
30. New York Jets- Cameron Heyward, Defensive Lineman, Ohio State
The Jets have already been burned by one Ohio State player in the past (Vernon Gholston), so they might be a little on edge about this pick.
New York needs to find a replacement for Shaun Ellis, who is both a free agent and nearing the end of his career.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams, Defensive Back, Texas
The Steelers wanted to get their hands on Mike Pouncey, but he’s already off the board to the Patriots. Pittsburgh will instead address their secondary.
Aaron Williams can play at both cornerback and safety, but many believe his calling in the NFL is at safety, rather than cornerback. He should replace Ryan Clark in the near future.
32. Green Bay Packers- Akeem Ayers, Hybrid Linebacker, UCLA
I know that it doesn’t fulfill the Packers’ bigger needs, but they usually go for the best player available anyway, so I guess it doesn’t really matter all that much.
Green Bay is interested in finding some stability across from Clay Matthews. Ayers could start over Frank Zombo, Desmond Bishop, Diyral Briggs, Brandon Chillar, Brad Jones and Erik Walden from the get-go. Wow, long list there.
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