2011 NFL Mock Draft: Where Will Blaine Gabbert Land?

One of the biggest debates that’s emerging now is where do Blaine Gabber and Cameron Newton land in the 2011 N.F.L. draft. Let us know what you think after reading Tanner’s newest mock draft.

1. Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn

It’s almost a guarantee that the Panthers will take Cam Newton with the first pick. They’ll give some consideration to Blaine Gabbert, but it won’t be anything serious.

Newton is extremely raw, and many believe he shouldn’t even be a first-round prospect. While I believe he has a ton of talent, Newton is a huge risk for the No. 1 pick.

2. Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus, Defensive End, Alabama

The Denver Broncos have shown a ton of interest in Marcell Dareus, and for good reason. Denver needs a top of help on the defensive line, and Dareus fits Denver’s scheme.

There’s a chance that the Broncos will look at Von Miller, Robert Quinn and Patrick Peterson, but they don’t fill the need that Dareus does.

3. Buffalo Bills- Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri

Unfortunately for Blaine Gabbert, he wasn’t the first pick, but I think being the third pick won’t be too much of a burden for the young gun-slinger.

Buffalo cannot think Ryan Fitzpatrick will get them wins. He simply will not. Buffalo needs to draft Blaine Gabbert, sign a veteran, and see who performs the best during the preseason.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Louisiana State University

Even with A.J. Green available, I believe the Bengals will take Patrick Peterson, if he’s available.

The Bengals are clearly interested in drafting a cornerback this year. Jonathan Joseph is a free agent, and there’s a strong chance they let him walk. Peterson is already an upgrade.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Von Miller, Hybrid Linebacker, Texas A&M

Arizona has one of the worst pass-rushing units in the league, and with Joey Porter nearing the end of his career, it will get even worse.

Von Miller was dominant during Senior Bowl week and the combine. He’s the perfect fit for the Cardinals. If available, he will be the pick.

6. Cleveland Browns- A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia

There are some talks that many teams favor Julio Jones over A.J. Green, but I don’t see why. Sure, Jones has a ton of talent, but Green is far more consistent.

Colt McCoy will not have great success next year with the receiver’s he has to throw to at the moment. Adding Green into the mix will make McCoy’s job much easier.

7. San Francisco 49′ers- Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska

With the top two quarterback’s in the draft off the board, San Francisco needs to focus on revamping their poor secondary.

Nate Clements is 31 years old and already on the decline. With his high salary, San Francisco will likely cut him within the next year.

8. Tennessee Titans- Nick Fairley, Defensive Lineman, Auburn

Tennessee would like to take a quarterback, but both Newton and Gabbert are off the board, and I can’t see them reaching for Jake Locker.

The Titans need to focus on improving their defensive line. Jason Babin had a monster year that led to a Pro Bowl selection, but he’s a free-agent-to-be.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC

The Cowboys reportedly have a ton of interest in Tyron Smith, and for good reason. Dallas needs a better offensive line if they want to be able to run the ball better in 2011.

Tyron Smith is easily the best tackle in the draft. He weighed in at 307 pounds at the combine, which actually helped his stock. Many felt he was undersized prior to the weigh-in.

10. Washington Redskins- Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama

Washington is in danger of losing Santana Moss this offseason, which would leave Anthony Armstrong as the Redskins’ number one receiver— yikes.

Julio Jones did well enough at the combine to elevate his stock a few picks. If Washington can retain Moss, they will have a solid receiving core with Jones, Moss and Armstrong.

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

I know that Robert Quinn is available here, but I truly believe teams might pass on him because of his brain tumor, which is obviously a serious issue.

Aldon Smith is a very good pass-rusher, like Quinn. He missed some time this past year for the Tigers, but he performed tremendously when he was on the field.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Da’Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson

Da’Quan Bowers has a ton of concerns linked to him at the moment, and there’s no reason there shouldn’t be. He is dealing with lingering pains from microscopic knee surgery he had back in January.

Even with Minnesota resigning Brian Robison for three years, he’s not a great starter. Sure, he could put up 8-10 sacks in a season, but Bowers is capable of 12-15.

13. Detroit Lions- Robert Quinn, Hybrid Linebacker, North Carolina

The Lions would love to take Tyron Smith, but unfortunately for them, he went to the Cowboys. The Lions’ next focus will be on improving their front-seven.

Robert Quinn can play either defensive end or outside linebacker for Detroit. The Lions’ defense just got even younger and scarier.

14. St. Louis Rams- Corey Liuget, Defensive Lineman, Illinois

The Rams have already stated that their second-biggest need, behind wide receiver, is at defensive end. With James Hall nearing the end of his career, St. Louis needs a replacement.

St. Louis has already expressed a lot of interest in Liuget, whose stock has elevated quickly as of late.

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

Detroit doesn’t have a ton of needs on their roster, but they will be in dire straights if they aren’t able to resign either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams.

Mark Ingram is the best running back in the draft, clearly. I think it’s a shame that many underestimate his talent. He could wind up being the steal of the draft.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Brooks Reed, Defensive End, Arizona

J.J. Watt is still available, but he’s more of a 3-4 defensive end. Ryan Kerrigan is also available, but Brooks Reed is looking like the hotter prospect at the moment.

Reed was a captain at Arizona, which Jaguars’ general manager, Gene Smith, will love.

17. New England Patriots- J.J. Watt, Defensive Lineman, Wisconsin

New England fans would probably wet themselves. J.J. Watt has top-10 talent, but with the lack of 3-4 teams in the top 15 needing a defensive end, Watt could slip.

The Patriots need to address their defensive line, and with Watt available, they won’t pass on him. Another steal for a team that is great with draft picks.

18. San Diego Chargers- Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive Lineman, Temple

It’s clear that the Chargers plan to draft somebody for their front-seven, but there’s a debate of whether it’ll be on the defensive line or at outside linebacker.

Muhammad Wilkerson is the type of player that A.J. Smith loves. With Jacques Cesaire set for free agency, San Diego will already have his replacement.

19. New York Giants- Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College

The Giants are another team that doesn’t have many needs. That being said, they could use some help on their offensive line, which decreased in productivity last season.

Anthony Castonzo had a great combine, showing tremendous athleticism. William Beatty could wind up being cut if Castonzo plays well from the get-go.

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

The Buccaneers drafted two defensive tackle’s in-a-row last year in Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. These two will go on to have great careers, but Tampa still needs a defensive to rush the passer.

Adrian Clayborn had a down year for the Hawkeyes in 2010, but he was also dealing with several nagging injuries.

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

Kansas City has improved drastically on defense over the last two years, but one thing they have always lacked is a great nose tackle that can stop the run.

Phil Taylor had a great performance at the Senior Bowl, and performed well at the combine. He’s a sure-fire first-rounder.

22. Indianapolis Colts- Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado

The Colts usually only draft pass-rushers and offensive lineman. Seeings as they drafted a pass-rusher in Jerry Hughes last year, they will go for an offensive lineman this time around.

Nate Solder was a beast during Senior Bowl week. Mike Mayock compared Solder to legendary offensive tackle Tony Boselli, as well.

23. Philadelphia Eagles- Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin

The Eagles have several areas that they need to address, but one of the more prominent is on their offensive line. They need to find a tackle that can keep Michael Vick on his feet.

Cabe Carimi has drawn comparisons to one of the best Eagles’ lineman in history, Jon Runyan.

24. New Orleans Saints- Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue

Ryan Kerrigan had a monster year in 2010 for Purdue, but some still wonder if he has the skills to dominate in the NFL. I believe he does, though.

The Saints need a defensive end, badly. New Orleans wanted Jerry Hughes last year, but he was selected one pick prior, to the Indianapolis Colts.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado

Jimmy Smith was becoming a top-ten prospect a month ago, but with character concerns becoming public, Smith’s stock is falling.

Seattle needs a cornerback like a fat kid needs cake. Lame joke, I know. Oh, and to make matters worse, Kelly Jennings is a free agent.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State

Baltimore met with Sherrod at both the Senior Bowl and the combine, which obviously shows that they have serious interest in him.

Jared Gaither missed the entire 2010 season, and he’s going to be a free agent whenever we have football again.

27. Atlanta Falcons- Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California

I don’t know for sure if Cameron Jordan will fall this far, but there are so many talented defensive lineman in the class that some one is bound to fall farther than they should.

Jamaal Anderson has been a complete bust for the Falcons, which I didn’t see coming. The Falcons should cut their losses and move on.

28. New England Patriots- Mike Pouncey, Guard, Florida

Stephen Neal unexpectedly announced his retirement recently, which left the Patriots with a much bigger need at guard than they had bargained for.

Fortunately for New England, the best guard in the draft, Mike Pouncey, is still available. He could become an instant starter like his brother was in Pittsburgh.

29. Chicago Bears- Benjamin Ijalana, Offensive Lineman, Villanova

This could be a serious reach for the Bears, but it’s something they might have to do. With the top offensive lineman off the board, Chicago will have to keep looking.

Ben Ijalana’s stock has risen quickly as of late, but not many believe he’s worth of a first round selection. Stranger things have happened, however.

30. New York Jets- Cameron Heyward, Defensive Lineman, Ohio State

The Jets are great on defense, but they still will use their first-rounder on a defender. Chalk it up to the great becoming greater.

Cameron Heyward has injury concerns, and he’s also very inconsistent, but he’s a safe pick here.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams, Defensive Back, Texas

The Steelers don’t have many needs, but they could use an offensive lineman and some help in the secondary. The bad part is that there aren’t many great tackles available. The good part is that there is a man by the name of Aaron Williams that would be the perfect fit for Pittsburgh’s defense.

Williams has the ability to play either safety or cornerback, which leads many to comparing him to Antrel Rolle.

32. Green Bay Packers- Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland

The Packers almost always go for the best player available, and in this case, it’s Torrey Smith. Coincidentally, the Packers need a wide receiver.

Donald Driver has about one year left in the tank and James Jones is set to be a free agent. Torrey Smith will be able to slowly learn the ropes.

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