2011 NFL Mock Draft: 1.0
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. 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
– Locker sits at #1 on our Big Board and is the best quarterback prospect in the draft. His overall skills and athletic ability fit well into Coach Gailey’s offensive scheme. The Bills have been looking for the answer at quarterback since Jim Kelly’s retirement.
2 St. Louis Rams (2-14)- AJ Green– WR- Georgia- Scouting Report
– The Rams used the #1 overall pick in this year’s draft to select their franchise quarterback and now they give him the playmaker he desperately needs. Green is our top rated receiver; he and Bradford should make a good team.
3 Detroit Lions (2-14)- Patrick Peterson– CB- LSU- Scouting Report
– This is a no brainer selection for the Lions. The cornerback position has been a black hole and adding Peterson instantly settles that position. Peterson is a great athlete and a true shut down cornerback.
4 Tampa Bay Bucs (3-13)- Julio Jones– WR- Alabama- Scouting Report
– This selection greatly depends on the development of 2010 Draft selections Benn and Mike Williams. If both of those receivers have encouraging years you could see the Bucs going in a different direction. However, it will be very difficult for Tampa Bay to pass up a talent like Jones. He would threaten defenses each week.
5 Cleveland Browns (4-12)- Robert Quinn– DE/OLB- UNC- Scouting Report
– The Browns need help all over the field but the unbelievable potential of Quinn makes him the selection here. The Browns are still searching for a guy that can create constant pressure on the offense. Quinn would play the rush outside linebacker position in the Brown’s 3-4 defense.
6 Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)- Michael Floyd– WR- Notre Dame- Scouting Report
– The Chiefs could go in a few different directions but adding a playmaking receiver has to be high on their list. Dwayne Bowe continues his struggles and therefore needs to be replaced as the wide out of the future. Floyd brings good size and playmaking ability to a team that needs both.
7 Denver Broncos (5-11)- Cameron Heyward– DE- Ohio State- Scouting Report
– The Broncos need to improve the talent along their defensive line. Heyward fits nicely as a 3-4 defensive end. He is strong against the run and can also provide a good pass rush.
8 Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)- Ryan Mallett– QB- Arkansas- Scouting Report
– David Garrard is aging and is unlikely to lead the Jaguars to any more significant playoff wins. However, Garrard can hold down the fort until Mallett is ready to take over.
9 Seattle Seahawks (5-11)- Andrew Luck– QB- Stanford
– Does any really think Charlie Whitehurst is a franchise quarterback? I don’t and after 1 year in Seattle Coach Carroll won’t either. So the Seahawks find themselves in a quarterback heavy draft selecting a good one out of Stanford.
10 New England Patriots from Oakland Raiders (6-10)- Gabe Carimi– OT- Wisconsin- Scouting Report
– The Pats have an aging offensive line and adding Carimi will help.
Check out the rest of the Mock after the Jump
11 Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10)- Anthony Castonzo– OT- Boston College
– Pittsburgh is making a move back to the physical running game. Adding a top notch offensive tackle like Castonzo will help with that transition.
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
– John Abraham is aging and battles injuries every year so adding a player like Clayborn fits a major need. Clayborn knows how to rush the passer.
14 New York Giants (7-9)-Mark Ingram– RB- Alabama- Scouting 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)- Deunta Williams– S- UNC
– The Bears are still searching for a good coverage safety. Williams is good in coverage and creates a lot of turnovers, which is important to coach Lovie Smith.
16 Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)- Ras-I Dowling– CB- Virginia- Scouting Report
– The Eagles have questions at the cornerback position and adding a talented player like Dowling will answer those questions.
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)- DeAndre McDaniel- S- Clemson- Scouting Report
– The Cowboys are in need of a playmaking safety and McDaniel fits that bill. He has a knack for finding the ball.
19 Carolina Panthers (10-6)- Marvin Austin– DT- UNC
– The Panthers lost a former Tar Heel during the offseason and they would do well by adding one next offseason. Austin is a penetrating defensive tackle and will create pressure in the backfield.
20 Washington Redskins (10-6)- Bruce Carter– OLB- UNC
– The Redskins need to continue to add pieces to their new 3-4 defensive scheme.
21 Tennessee Titans (10-6)- Mark Herzlich– OLB- Boston College
– The Titans need to add talent and youth to the linebacking corps and Herzlich will do both. Also his leadership skills will be a big plus for this team and right up Coach Fisher’s alley.
22 Green Bay Packers (10-6)- Von Miller– OLB- Texas A&M- Scouting Report
– The Packers are searching for another rush outside linebacker after the failed experiment with Aaron Kampman.
23 Miami Dolphins (11-5)- Jonathan Baldwin– WR- Pittsburgh
– The Dolphins added Brandon Marshall in the offseason but you can’t have too many playmakers.
24 Houston Texans (11-5)- Justin Boren– G- Ohio State- Scouting Report
– If the Texans want to make a playoff run they will need to have a consistent running game and a good offensive line is a key.
25 San Diego Chargers (11-5)- Terrence Toliver– WR- LSU- Scouting Report
– The Chargers will have to replace either Malcolm Floyd or Vincent Jackson.
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
– One of the biggest problems on the 49er defense is a weak secondary.
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
– 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.