2011 NFL Mock Draft Part Three: Newton Still on Top
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn
The Panthers have shown a clear interest in Cam Newton to this point, there’s no question about it. As we head into a new year with hopefully a new CBA, the investment in Newton will not be anywhere near as high as say, a guy like JaMarcus Russell. It will still cost Carolina a pretty penny to take on this project, but it’s clear that they are not sold on Jimmy Clausen going forward, and while he had his moments as a first year quarterback, he certainly didn’t inspire confidence. Newton isn’t perfect, but he’s got pretty much every physical attribute you look for in an NFL quarterback, and he has a swagger about him that NFL teams will love.
**TRADE: Denver Broncos trade 2nd pick to Arizona Cardinals for 5th pick, 3rd round, 4th round, and future 2nd round pick**
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Why trade? The Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback, and if they stay with the 5th overall pick, they are not going to get him. The 5th pick is too steep a price to pay for Kevin Kolb, and their 2nd round pick will not yield a top tier quarterback. I think the Buffalo Bills will be in the market for the Broncos’ pick as well just to ensure they can get a QB, but it will come down to what team offers the best package. The Cardinals offering four picks for one is a tough deal to pass up here.
2. Arizona Cardinals: Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri
Here, the Cardinals get their quarterback. Gabbert has some questionable decision-making skills, but he has the size, arm strength, and athleticism to make it big in the NFL. If not for two erratic throws against Iowa, he would have single-handedly dominated the game. I remember him showing fantastic accuracy and athleticism, and he picked apart Iowa’s cover two defense like it was a piece of cake. With the Cardinals, he will be working with Larry Fitzgerald, whom the Cardinals need to make a big move to convince to stay past this season. Namely, that move must come at the quarterback position.
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
So, the Bills miss out on Gabbert/Newton here, but not all is lost. They have stated they are okay with moving forward with Ryan Fitzpatrick, though I think that’s a big case of bluffing. I watched many of Fitzpatrick’s games, and while he has the ability to go off on NFL defenses, he also isn’t a guy I would have as my team’s permanent signal caller. In Dareus, the Bills are improving one of the worst areas of their team–the run defense. Dareus is a big, strong, quick defensive tackle prospect who will start from day one.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU
Bengals going after the best player available here. Peterson is a supreme athlete with size, speed, and playmaking ability. If they lose Jonathan Joseph, this would be an ideal replacement as Peterson is easily the best cornerback in the draft, and I maintain that he is the best overall athlete in the draft.
5. Denver Broncos (f/Arizona): Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A&M
To cap off our first blockbuster trade of the draft, the Broncos pass on Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley for Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, a guy I think could wind up being the most consistent player from this entire draft. Miller has it all–size, speed, ball skills, athletic ability, and he can get to the quarterback. He reminds me of a Clay Matthews or Patrick Willis type–a guy with crazy athletic ability who is a terror for opposing offenses to plan around. Miller would step in as the Broncos’ strongside linebacker next to Joe Mays and DJ Williams, and I have some interesting ideas of how they could use him on passing plays.
**TRADE: Cleveland Browns trade 6th pick to Dallas Cowboys for 9th pick, 2nd round pick, future 2nd round pick**
6. Dallas Cowboys (f/Cleveland): Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
Dallas missed out on Patrick Peterson, but they jump ahead of the 49ers here to get the next best alternative. Amukamara has shut-down ability at the cornerback position, and may be the most technically refined player in the entire draft regardless of position. He has great size, speed, and instincts.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
The 49ers need a pass rusher, and Quinn might be the best one in the entire draft had he not missed a year at UNC. I love his potential as a hybrid linebacker at the next level, and I think he can start right away. If he reaches his full potential, the 49ers’ linebacker corps will be even more fearsome than it already is.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
The Titans’ new regime takes advantage of Nick Fairley’s fall and adds arguably the best defensive player from the 2010 season. Fairley’s flaws have been magnified and he has a shoulder injury that is causing people to question him a bit, but he is extremely athletic and explosive, and would be a nice fit for the Titans.
9. Cleveland Browns (f/Dallas): A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia
Trading down is a good option for the Browns because they know they will still be able to snag their guy, or one of them. I think the Browns’ top option in this year’s draft has to be finding a playmaker for Colt McCoy to throw to. McCoy showed flashes of the greatness I feel he is capable of in year one, and getting an AJ Green type of receiver would make him even better.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
We have a little run here on receivers now with Julio Jones being taken by Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins. Jones is a speedy receiver with great size and physicality. He had some inconsistencies at Alabama, but I think he will be an absolute star in the NFL.
11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin
Watt is a fast-rising prospect with great size and athletic ability who will be a perfect fit in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defensive scheme. Watt is a blue-collar type of player who will not be flashy, but will let his presence be known on every play.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Da’Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
When I was making my mock draft, this was by far my biggest shocker. Bowers has serious concerns about a knee injury that kept him from the Combine and the Clemson pro day, though he claims to be 100 percent. What I love about Bowers was that he played the whole season with a torn meniscus. What I don’t like about Bowers is just the same. On the one hand, he completely dominated the opposition even with his injury, but he may have caused significant damage to his knee. If he falls, the Vikings will take advantage, and will forget Ray Edwards ever existed.
13. Detroit Lions: Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado
The Lions have been having visits with Smith, and I think he could be one of the more underrated prospects in the draft. At 6’2″ 210 pounds, Smith (who runs a 4.38) has the frame, speed, and playmaking ability to draw comparisons to Nnamdi Asomugha. I have to think the Lions would love to add that to their backfield.
14. St. Louis Rams: Aldon Smith, Defensive End, Missouri
Smith is a long defensive end prospect who will help out the Rams’ defense immediately. He’s extremely young and a little raw yet, but he has the potential in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense to be a superstar. They need pass rushers, and while they drafted a few guys last year, they need that one guy who is going to be a star.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
Big shocker here, right? Ingram has been being mocked to the Dolphins for months now, and unless they trade down, I don’t see that changing much. I’m still not a fan of this pick for the Dolphins, though I think it could happen. I’m not very supportive of taking a RB in round one unless you have a very low amount of needs, especially because their shelf life is so short. That said, Ingram is a special player with special skills. He would step in for Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams immediately.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue
Let me just say, Kerrigan is one of my favorite players in the entire draft. I think he’s vastly underrated, and I think he is going to be one of the best players in the entire draft. 33 sacks and 14 forced fumbles over the last three years, and he has won my affection. Call me crazy. I think under Jack Del Rio and with their revamped defensive line, he can continue his progression as a star pass rusher.
17. New England Patriots (f/Oakland): Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC
If the Patriots feel comfortable with either Smith or Sebastian Vollmer making the move to left tackle, this would be the ideal pick for them. Smith is a big, strong, athletic offensive lineman who has been a dominant right tackle for the Trojans. He hasn’t shown whether he can play the left side, but he has extremely long arms and quick feet, and if he could learn for a year behind a guy like Matt Light, it would benefit him greatly.
18. San Diego Chargers: Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive End, Temple
Wilkerson is a legit 6’5″ 300 pound player who has quickness and solid pass rushing ability. He is still developing, but he should be a starting five technique right away in the NFL, and can cause problems in multiple facets.
19. New York Giants: Akeem Ayers, Outside Linebacker, UCLA
Nothing’s changed here from the last mock. I think Ayers is the second best linebacker in the draft after Von Miller, and the Giants have a big need at that position. I think he has good quickness and the size for a linebacker that New York loves. He’s not overly fast, but that’s not a problem. He gets it done on the field.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California
This is simply a value pick for the Bucs here. After spending two high picks last year on Brian Price and Gerald McCoy, I think Tampa Bay is going to be looking to finish it off by picking up some pass rushers and some linebackers. Jordan is a great value here, and would be a starting strong-side defensive end from day one. Great quickness, pass rushing ability, and drive.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Pouncey, Offensive Lineman, Florida
The Chiefs had a great season in 2010 and are a team on the rise. They need to get younger on the interior line, and snagging the best interior lineman in the draft is a solid option here. Pouncey would be a great fit for their scheme as he is big and strong but also pretty athletic for a big man.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Stefen Wisniewski, Guard/Center, Penn State
Our run on interior linemen continues with Wisniewski, who upgrades the inside of the Colts’ offensive line immediately. He can eventually take over for center and play either guard position, and he’s got that nasty, blue-collar mentality that the Colts love in their prospects.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Brandon Harris, Cornerback, Miami
Speedy cornerback with good ball skills and fluidity, I think Harris is being underrated. He’s not the biggest corner in the draft, but the Eagles’ defense is predicated on the corners being the playmakers after the line puts on the pressure. Asante Samuel has made a nice living with them picking away what the line creates, and adding another guy who can do that very well is a good move in round one.
24. New Orleans Saints: Martez Wilson, Linebacker, Illinois
Big, extremely athletic linebacker with tons of upside. I think Wilson will be a strong-side linebacker with the ability to rush the quarterback off the edge when asked. He obviously has fantastic speed, running a 4.47 in the 40 yard dash at the Combine. I like this fit for Wilson.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington
The Seahawks take the local kid here, a guy Pete Carroll coached against at USC. Locker is a great athlete at the quarterback position, and with Charlie Whitehurst showing nothing of note in his first year in Seattle and Matt Hasselbeck a free agent, this team could be in the market for a quarterback early on. Locker has had accuracy issues, but I think he could be a steal at this stage of the draft. For the second year in a row, a controversial pick is made with the 25th overall selection at the quarterback position.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado
The Ravens always seem to get great value, and this is no different. Solder is a massive tackle with great athleticism who could start at right or left tackle depending on their preference for former first round pick Michael Oher.
**TRADE: Oakland Raiders Trade 2nd round pick, 3rd round pick, and future 2nd round pick to Atlanta for 27th pick**
Uh-oh! The Raiders are here! Al Davis sees great potential in one of the signal callers of this draft. He can throw it a mile…
27. Oakland Raiders (f/Atlanta): Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas
Yes, the Oakland Raiders have mock-traded up in the draft for Ryan Mallett, a QB prospect right now who is really under the microscope. Mallett is big and slow, but man can he sling the ball down the field. Al Davis falls in love with Mallett’s arm and makes a bold move out of the second round to go and get him. The Falcons don’t have a good value here at OT or WR, so they move down and pick up some extra valuable picks.
28. New England Patriots: Leonard Hankerson, Wide Receiver, Miami
I love this fit. I think the Patriots like Hankerson, and I think his combination of size and speed is exactly what is missing from their offense. I think he could start right away and make an impact in year one.
29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
The Bears luck out a little bit here by getting Carimi, one of my favorite offensive tackle prospects in the draft. he has great size and is powerful. He could play either left or right tackle for the Bears.
30. New York Jets: Justin Houston, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
In most drafts, Houston wouldn’t be making it out of the top ten. For the Jets, they will gladly take his pass rushing abilities and combination of size and athleticism. Houston is a great off the edge and will be a great fit for Rex Ryan’s scheme.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Phil Taylor, Nose Tackle, Baylor
Casey Hampton is approaching the end of his career, and the Steelers don’t ever want to miss a beat on the defensive side of the ball. Surprisingly, they don’t often invest first round picks in the defensive line save for Evander Hood and Hampton a few years ago, but I think they could buck the trend this year. Taylor is a nasty player who would fit in as a rotational guy early and the starter for the foreseeable future.
32. Green Bay Packers: Brooks Reed, Outside Linebacker, Arizona
Well, this pick is cliche’ but I have heard the Packers really like Reed, and I think if he and Clay Matthews were to ever combine for a sack the NFL universe might explode with awesome. Reed has drawn a lot of comparison to Matthews (I wonder how much has to do with their hair) but in all seriousness, he would be a very nice fit opposite Clay. These two guys would be relentless rushing the quarterback.
Round Two
33. New England Patriots (f/Carolina): Cameron Heyward, Defensive End, Ohio State
The Pats have already filled two big needs at OT and WR, and now they get a first round talent with Cameron Heyward at the top of the second round. Heyward has had injury issues this year, but he is a very good player and has drawn comparisons to Richard Seymour.
34. Buffalo Bills: Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa
Clayborn is good value here for the Bills. Very athletic big man who can disrupt and who is a four down player.
35. Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
The Bengals were in attendance at Sherrod’s pro day, and are in the market for a starting left or right tackle. He fits the bill in either case.
36. Denver Broncos: Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
After getting the best linebacker in the draft, the Broncos nab one of the top defensive tackles as well, a guy who I think compares favorable to Tommie Harris.
37. Cleveland Browns: Jabaal Sheard, Defensive End, Pittsburgh
Underrated pass rusher who would fit in as the RDE right away for the Browns.
38. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh
Big, fast receiver to go along with Fitzgerald. Doucet, Roberts, and Breaston are fine players, but Baldwin will add a completely different dimension to that offense.
39. Tennessee Titans: Christian Ponder, Quarterback, Florida State
Titans were looking hard at quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl, and Ponder really stood out. He has nice ability and could be a steal at this point.
40. Cleveland Browns (f/Dallas): Rahim Moore, Safety, UCLA
Playmaker to go along with the hard-hitting TJ Ward and Joe Haden in that revamped backfield.
41. Washington Redskins: Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland
Second receiver in two picks, but Mike Shanahan tends to do this type of thing when he sees a clear weakness. WR might be the worst position on Washington’s roster.
42. Houston Texans: Aaron Williams, Defensive Back, Texas
Worst secondary in the NFL gets a boost from Williams, who could play CB or FS.
43. Minnesota Vikings: Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU
Vikings finally get a young QB of the future to groom, but can he start in year one? I think Minnesota will be in the market to trade for Kolb or Kyle Orton.
44. Detroit Lions: Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver, Kentucky
Big time playmaker at the WR position for Stafford to get the ball out to. Can contribute in a number of different ways, take slack off of Calvin Johnson.
45. San Francisco 49ers: Johnny Patrick, Cornerback, Louisville
Cornerback prospect on the rise, has some character concerns but fills a need for the 49ers here.
46. Denver Broncos: Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle, Oregon State
Broncos add an enforcer to their defensive line with this pick, a guy who can command a double team and cause havoc in the backfield.
47. St. Louis Rams: Marcus Cannon, Guard/Tackle, TCU
Steps in as the starting RG on an offensive line that already features two up-and-coming young star players in Jason Smith and Roger Saffold.
48. Atlanta Falcons (f/Oakland): Mikel LeShoure, Running Back, Illinois
Value pick here, another guy to get tough yardage along with Michael Turner, who has a lot of mileage. LeShoure would be a great weapon for the playoffs.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bruce Carter, Linebacker, North Carolina
Jags need to upgrade their LB corps, and Carter has first round talent. Good value at this point.
50. San Diego Chargers: Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Notre Dame
Not a prime need for the Chargers, but it would just be another in a long line of moves that makes their offense even more unstoppable. Has drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Gates has been unable to consistently stay healthy.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quan Sturdivant, Linebacker, North Carolina
Athletic linebacker who could probably start right away for the Bucs. Another upgrade to their front seven.
52. New York Giants: Ryan Williams, Running Back, Virginia Tech
The Giants are supposedly in the market for a runner in the first round, but they get a nice one here in Williams who combines power with quickness. Great fit for their one-cut-and-go scheme.
53. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Sash, Safety, Iowa
Can anyone think of a more ideal way to replace Bob Sanders?
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Curtis Brown, Cornerback, Texas
Even more depth to the Eagles’ secondary. Brown showed excellent ball skills at the scouting combine. Patterson and Hobbs are free agents.
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Titus Young, Wide Receiver, Boise State
As if the Chiefs’ offense didn’t have enough explosive playmakers, they get another here in Young. Would be a nice fit alongside Dwayne Bowe, but more help is on the way yet…
56. New Orleans Saints: Marvin Austin, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina
Nice value pick here. Austin is extremely athletic and has dominated the offseason workouts. Missed the season, but was formerly a top five projected pick.
57. Seattle Seahawks: Rodney Hudson, Offensive Lineman, Florida State
Much needed upgrade on the interior offensive line, Hudson is a great fit and a great value here.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Jerrel Jernigan, Wide Receiver, Troy
Speedy playmaker here added to the Ravens’ old, slow WR corps.
59. Atlanta Falcons: Tandon Doss, Wide Receiver, Indiana
Another speedy receiver option for Matt Ryan and the Falcons, whose unit keeps getting better and better.
60. New England Patriots: Danny Watkins, Offensive Guard, Baylor
Watkins could start from day one at either guard position, and would be a nice piece along side fellow rookie Tyron Smith.
61. San Diego Chargers (f/NYJets): Ben Ijalana, Offensive Lineman, Villanova
Chargers have had depth issues on the offensive line, and Ijalana could start at either guard position or possibly right tackle.
62. Chicago Bears: Corbin Bryant, Defensive Tackle, Northwestern
Bryant is hot in demand right now, and would fill the void left by Tommie Harris, who was released.
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Clint Boling, Guard, Georgia
More interior line help for the Steelers who get a guy with a nasty streak to play alongside Pouncey.
64. Green Bay Packers: Christian Ballard, Defensive Tackle, Iowa
Great fit for the 3-4, the Packers’ defense keeps adding quality talent.
Round Three
65. Carolina Panthers: Jarvis Jenkins, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
66. Cincinnati Bengals: DeAndre McDaniel, Safety, Clemson
67. Denver Broncos: Drake Nevis, Defensive Tackle, LSU
68. Buffalo Bills: Casey Matthews, Linebacker, Oregon
69. Denver Broncos (f/Arizona): Marcus Gilbert, Offensive Lineman, Florida
70. Cleveland Browns: Jurrell Casey, Defensive Tackle, USC
71. Dallas Cowboys: Quinton Carter, Safety, Oklahoma
72. New Orleans Saints: Mason Foster, Linebacker, Washington
73. Houston Texans: Ras-I Dowling, Cornerback, Virginia
74. New England Patriots: Allen Bailey, Defensive End, Miami
75. Detroit Lions: Brandon Burton, Cornerback, Utah
76. San Francisco 49ers: Jerrell Powe, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss
77. Tennessee Titans: Robert Sands, Safety, West Virginia
78. St. Louis Rams: Niles Paul, Wide Receiver, Nebraska
79. Miami Dolphins: D.J. Williams, Tight End, Arkansas
80. Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcus Gilchrist, Cornerback/Safety, Clemson
81. Atlanta Falcons (f/Oakland): James Brewer, Offensive Tackle, Indiana
82. San Diego Chargers: Greg Little, Wide Receiver, North Carolina
83. New York Giants: Luke Stocker, Tight End, Tennessee
84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kelvin Sheppard, Linebacker, LSU
85. Philadelphia Eagles: Greg Jones, Linebacker, Michigan State
86. Kansas City Chiefs: Greg Salas, Wide Receiver, Hawaii
87. Indianapolis Colts: John Moffitt, Guard/Center, Wisconsin
88. New Orleans Saints: Daniel Thomas, Running Back, Kansas State
89. San Diego Chargers (f/Seattle): Kendall Hunter, Running Back, Oklahoma State
90. Baltimore Ravens: Davon House, Cornerback, New Mexico
91. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Cameron, Tight End, USC
92. New England Patriots: Ricky Stanzi, Quarterback, Iowa
93. Chicago Bears: Austin Pettis, Wide Receiver, Boise State
94. New York Jets: Kenrick Ellis, Defensive Tackle, Hampton
95. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chimdi Chekwa, Cornerback, Ohio State
96. Green Bay Packers: Orlando Franklin, Offensive Lineman, Miami