2011 NFL Mock Draft Round One: Cam Newton Rising?

This is new writter Tanner Thoms” first mock draft.

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley, Defensive Lineman, Auburn

The Carolina Panthers recently said that they’ll at least entertain the thought of taking Cam Newton with the first pick, but it’s not going to happen.

The Panthers need to address their awful defensive line. While Da’Quan Bowers would fill a need, Fairley fills a bigger one.

2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU

I have had the Broncos taking Da’Quan Bowers in several mock drafts as of late, but I’ve decided Denver needs a cornerback much more.

Patrick Peterson is a tremendous corner, who is arguably the best cornerback prospect there’s ever been. To me, though, it’s Charles Woodson.

3. Buffalo Bills- Von Miller, Hybrid Linebacker, Texas A&M

There haven’t been many people, if any at all, that have the Bills taking Von Miller. It makes a ton of sense, though.

Aaron Maybin has been a complete bust since the Bills selected him in the first round in 2009. There’s a great chance he will be cut, which would open up the door for Von Miller to get plenty of playing time.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

I don’t care if Chad Johnson comes back to the Bengals. There’s not much of a chance he’s going to play at a high level for more than a year.

A.J. Green is the best wide receiver prospect since Randy Moss in 1998. If Carson Palmer stays, Green will make his job much easier.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Robert Quinn, Defensive End, North Carolina

With Von Miller off the board, the Arizona Cardinals need to go with the second-best pass-rushing option, which is Robert Quinn.

The Cardinals struggled with their pass-rush all of last season. Joey Porter will retire within the next two years, so the Cardinals need to boost up their linebackers group.

6. Cleveland Browns- Da’Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

The Browns should feel blessed that they got such a talented pick this late in the top ten. Bowers has the potential to go No. 2 to the Broncos.

Cleveland’s defensive end’s are basically only Matt Roth. The Browns need to do everything they can to assure they get a defensive end early on in the draft.

7. San Francisco 49ers- Marcell Dareus, Defensive End, Alabama

The 49ers have many options here, but I feel as though they should address their defensive line.

The left end spot for the 49ers will be claimed by Isaac Sopoaga if they don’t get a replacement. Marcell Dareus can easily be a day-one starter.

8. Tennessee Titans- Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

The Titans don’t need a defensive that badly, but if Jason Babin leaves in free agency, they definitely will.

Cameron Jordan has been flying up draft boards as of late, and for good reason. He will be a great choice for Tennessee here.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska

Dallas doesn’t have many needs to fill, which is surprising for a team that picks in the top 10, but I digress.

The Cowboys’ secondary needs improvement. Terence Newman could be released this offseason, which will be great news for Amukamara.

10. Washington Redskins- Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri

I, like many, am not that high on Gabbert. I truly believe the main reason why he’s the top quarterback is because he declared early, and many felt it was a surprise, thus they put him top ten… Just like I am.

Mike Shanahan loves quarterbacks. He drafted Jay Cutler in 2006, who is quite similar to Blaine Gabbert in many ways.

11. Houston Texans- Aldon Smith, Hybrid Linebacker, Missouri

Two Missouri players in-a-row. Not very often you see that, eh? Houston needs help with their pass-rush, which is why Smith makes so much sense.

With Houston now running the 3-4 defense, the Texans need to find outside linebackers that can get to the quarterback in a hurry.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

Can you imagine what the Vikings will be like if Newton is as successful as he was in college? Wow.

The Vikings need a quarterback, obviously. They have confidence in Joe Webb, but not very many outside of the organization do. Cam Newton makes a ton of sense here for Minnesota.

13. Detroit Lions- Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado

The Lions cannot seem to keep Matthew Stafford healthy. Whether Stafford is made out of glass or not, you need to keep him on his feet.

Nate Solder is easily the best offensive tackle in this year’s draft, which really isn’t saying much. That said, he’s what Detroit needs.

14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Sam Bradford had a tremendous rookie campaign without a great target to throw to. You know your offense is pathetic if Danny Amendola is your best weapon.

Julio Jones will walk into the Rams’ practice on day one as the No. 1 receiver. Sammy Bradford should be very excited if this pans out.

15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama

I’ve seen Mark Ingram fall to the second round, but I find that to be ridiculous. Ingram has all the potential in the world to be a top back in the NFL.

Ingram has been compared to a bigger version of Emmitt Smith. I think the Dolphins would go for that at pick 15.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue

Aaron Kampman is coming off yet another injury, but he seems intent on playing for a couple more years with the Jags.

The Jaguars will never win the AFC South if they can’t get pressure on Peyton Manning. Ryan Kerrigan should provide plenty of help with this problem.

17. New England Patriots- Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC

I’m not a huge fan of this pick, but it makes sense. With Matt Light leaving for free agency, New England needs a tackle on the opposite side of Sebastian Vollmer.

Tyron Smith is slightly undersized at 290 pounds, but he can easily add on a good 10-15 pounds, if he so chooses.

18. San Diego Chargers- Corey Liuget, Defensive Lineman, Illinois

The Chargers did extremely well on defense last year, which shocked me considering the lack of great players on their defense.

San Diego needs to find a replacement for Jacques Cesaire, who will likely be let go through free agency. Liuget could step in to be a day-one starter.

19. New York Giants- Akeem Ayers, Hybrid Linebacker, UCLA

Keith Bulluck is 34 years old and a free agent this offseason, so the Giants need to find a suitable replacement at strongside linebacker.

Akeem Ayers is a great pass-rusher that will fit in tremendously in Perry Fewell’s defense.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa

The Buccaneers are completely set at defensive tackle for years to come with Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. However, they don’t have much at defensive end.

Adrian Clayborn had a rough senior year with the Hawkeyes, but he’s still an excellent player. The Buccaneers’ defensive line is going to be a force next season.

21. Kansas City Chiefs- Phil Taylor, Nose Tackle, Baylor

Scott Pioli has always wanted to find his own version of Vince Wilwork. Well, here’s your best bet, Mr. Pioli.

Phil Taylor made himself a first-rounder by his tremendous practices during Senior Bowl week.

22. Indianapolis Colts- Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

The Colts struggled to keep Peyton Manning on his feet against the San Diego Chargers this past year, which was a huge problem.

Charlie Johnson will be a free agent this year, and there’s a good chance that the Colts let him walk. If so, Carimi becomes the starter.

23. Philadelphia Eagles- Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State

The Eagles have several holes on their offensive line, which need to be filled with quality offensive lineman.

Winston Justice needs to go, and the man that should replace him is Derek Sherrod, who is perfect in Philadelphia’s blocking scheme.

24. New Orleans Saints- J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin

The Saints don’t have many needs on their roster, so they should look to address their depth situation on the defensive line.

Will Smith is likely going to be facing a four-game suspension this coming year, thus making the Saints’ defensive line situation up in the air. They won’t have any worries if J.J. Watt is waiting in line.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado

The Seahawks could look to take Jake Locker here, but it’s not likely that he would play for at least two years.

Seattle needs to address their horrible secondary. Jimmy Smith is rising up the boards very quickly. I’ve even seen some mock drafts having him go to the 49ers.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Brandon Harris, Cornerback, Miami

The Ravens’ secondary is going to look horrible if they don’t bring back at least one of their free agent cornerbacks (Chris Carr, Fabian Washington, Josh Wilson).

Brandon Harris is starting to slide a little bit, but I don’t see how the Ravens could pass on him, especially with how mediocre their secondary is.

27. Atlanta Falcons- Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland

Matt Ryan has been very impressive thus far in his young career, but I feel as though he’d be having an even better time with another solid receiver to throw to.

Michael Jenkins isn’t bad by any means, but he’s replaceable. Torrey Smith is an intelligent receiver with great hands.

28. New England Patriots- Justin Houston, Hybrid Linebacker, Georgia

During their playoff game with the Jets, New England couldn’t get any pressure on Mark Sanchez. This is why the Patriots lost at home.

Justin Houston had 11 sacks as a junior with the Bulldogs this season.

29. Chicago Bears- Mike Pouncey, Guard, Florida

Unless you live under a rock (love that phrase), you know that the Bears need help on their offensive line.

The Bears’ left guard position is totally up in the air at the moment. Unless they sign Carl Nicks or Logan Mankins, Chicago must draft a guard.

30. New York Jets- Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive Lineman, Temple

The Jets are another team with few needs, so I will have them address their depth situation on the defensive line.

Shaun Ellis could leave as a free agent this offseason, which would leave a big need there (no pun intended).

31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas

I could see the Steelers trading down here, but I don’t like to mock trades that often, so I won’t.

The Steelers don’t often draft cornerback’s, but this time they might have to. Aaron Williams would be a reach here for Pittsburgh.

32. Green Bay Packers- Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College

The Super Bowl champions obviously don’t have many needs, thus Green Bay can just focus on depth.

The Green Bay Packers almost always take the best player available, and in this case, it’s Anthony Castonzo.

Follow me on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/TannerThoms