2011 NFL Mock Draft: Interactive Mock Alternating Picks Between Sites
I’ve been trying to think of a way to do a mock draft that makes it as random as possible like the real nfl draft and that avoids all my own personal biases. The way that I came up with was to include a lot of different minds in the mock draft and that’s what happened here. I contacted NFLdraftdog, Seahawaks draftblog, nepatriotsdraft.com, theefootballexpert.com, and withthefirstpick.com about helping me out with this project. And Bryant, Rob, James, Clint, and Larry respectively responded that they would like to participate in the mock draft. And then Sayre and I joined in the fun as well.
Logically, I let James makes all of the Patriots picks and Rob all of the Seahawks picks because they cover those teams. Sayre also writes for Mile High Report a Denver Broncos blog so he made all of the Broncos picks.
Here’s what we came up with over two rounds and you’ll see how things can change on a dime when there are many different opinions in one mock draft.
Leave your thoughts and comments.
Oh, I’ve broken this into four separate short pages to greatly decrease the loading time so just click on “next page” or the #2,3, or 4 to move forward.
#1 Carolina Panthers (Seahawks draft blog)-Cam Newton
“The Panthers need a quarterback and Newton has the physical tools to warrant going first overall.”
#2 Denver Broncos (with the first pick)-Marcel Dareus
“With John Fox informing the media that Elvis Dumervil and Robert Ayers will switch to 4-3 defensive ends, I see them targeting a defensive tackle in the first round. Marcel Dareus is an active and explosive guy who lives in the backfield. He has the body of a 0-technique, but the burst and and quickness of a 3-technique. He can sit and anchor against the run, and shoot gaps when rushing the passer. With the combination of Dareus and Dumervil, the Broncos might have a smooth transition back to the 4-3.”
#3 Buffalo Bills-Da’Quan Bowers, DE/OLB, Clemson (NFLDraftDog)
The Bills Are thrilled that Bowers slips down to them. Bowers is 6′ 4″ 280 pounds and led the nation with 26 tackles for loss. Bowers is at the top of most teams draft boards.
#4 Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (NEpatriotsdraft.com)
This is a great situation for Cinci, as they have their pick between the best WR in AJ Green, a top DL in Fairley, or maybe the top player overall in Patrick Peterson. We see them opting for Fairley, as their pass rush would continue to improve with the former Auburn Tiger next to Carlos Dunlap.
#5 Arizona Cardinals-Von Miller, OLB, Texas A & M (Thefootballexpert)
This pick will come down to Von Miller or Robert Quinn. Arizona’s pass rush is terrible and needs to be addressed.
#6 Cleveland Browns-A.J. Green, WR, Georgia (NFLmocks: Sayre)
Colt McCoy or whoever the Browns’ quarterback is going to be in the future needs a big time playmaker at the WR position, and Green provides that. He reminds me of a young Randy Moss, and I think he can make a real impact right from the start in the NFL
#7 San Francisco 49ers Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (Seahawks Draft Blog)
The best player remaining on the board who fills a need for the 49ers
#8 Tennessee Titans (w the first pick) Prince amukamara, CB Nebraska
The Titans could easily go QB here, but I believe that the coaching staff and front office would rather not take a risk in the 1st round. They may look to bolster their defense. In recent years, the NFL has transformed into a passing league, and this is very evident in the AFC South. It is no small feat to defend the likes of Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, or Matt Shuab and Andre Johnson. Nebraska CB, Prince Amukamara is a highly skilled and physical player. He is technique is sound and excels in man-press coverage. Many analyst were worried about his speed, but he was able to turn in a 4.4 forty-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Not only does Amukarama perform well in coverage, but he is shows up in run support, showing no regard for his body. After Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara is the best cornerback in the draft. He should help to improve the Titans 20th ranked passing defense
#9 Dallas Cowboys , Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (NFLdraftdog)
The Cowboys will likely release Marco Columbo and move Doug Free to the right side. Solder could start at left tackle as a rookie.
#10 Washington Redskins: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (NEpatriotsdraft)
The Redskins need to get their QB of the future in this draft, or throw the 2011 season and try for Andrew Luck/Matt Barkley. If they opt to wait on a QB, Julius Jones would be the pick here.
#11 Houston Texans: Robert Quinn, OLB, North Carolina (Thefootballexpert)
The Texans will be looking for 3-4 personel; Quinn is a top 5 pick who can play in the 4-3 or 3-4. He is too good to pass up here
#12 Minnesota Vikings-Tyron Smith, OT, USC (NFLMocks: Jesse)
The first true curveball in this mock draft. With Both Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton off the board here the Vikings go with the high upside Tyron Smith who can play both LT or RT. Bryant Mckinnie has had a very good career, but he’s going to be 32 next season and is not the same player he once was. Smith might need another year or two to fully develop as a franchise LT because he’s played RT at USC. The Vikings are a talented team, but they could add depth to their OL and find the future for LT when Mckinnie is no longer viable.
13 Detroit Lions-Bradon Harris, CB, The U (NFLmocks: Sayre)
Jim Schwartz employing his cover two scheme in Detroit, he already has added some serious pieces on the defensive line, and now it’s time to get some help in the defensive backfield. Brandon Harris isn’t the biggest corner, but he’s very fast and instinctive, and would fit Detroit’s defense perfectly
14. St.Louis Rams-Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (Seahawksdraftblog)
The Rams absolutely have to find a legitimate receiver for Sam Bradford
15. Miami Dolphins MarkIngram (W/the first pick)
The Wildcat has been laid to pasture, and the Miami Dolphins find themselves in a peculiar situation. Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are set to hit free agency this offseason, which leaves zero candidates for the running back position. The AFC East is one of the tougher divisions in the NFL. The Dolphins have the pieces on defense to contend, but on offseason, they are lacking. Brandon Marshall and Davonn Bess are play-makers, but without a running game to releave double teams and over/under coverage, they found it difficult at times to get open in 10′. Alabama RB, Mark Ingram is a guy that can come in and immediately give balance to the Dolphins offense. Some may point to Ingram’s lack of long speed, but he has more than enough to be affective at the next level. He possesses excellent vision, lateral movement, balance, and lean. He is also extremely explosive within his first 10 yards. This pick would not only benefit Chad Henne and the offense, but it will help with ball control. Ball control is a necessity in today’s NFL.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars-Ryan Mallett (NFLdraftdog)
*I now that Mallett was the pick, but lost this email. So I’m not positive who made the pick (though I think it was draftdog and what the reasoning was. If you have a question about why leave a comment.
17. New England Patriots: Aldon Smith, OLB (NEpatriotsdraft)
With the plethora of prospects that fit the Patriots need here, it’s tough to mess this pick up. If the 2011 NFL Draft turned out like this, we’d expect Bill Belichick to snag Smith, a truly dynamic pass-rusher. They then might try and trade up from #28 to secure the rights to a top-shelf DE like Cameron Jordan or JJ Watt. Offensive line could also be an option.
18. San Diego Chargers J.J. Watt (The Football Expert)
Watt is one of the top 3-4 DE’s in this draft. The Chargers would love it if Watt lasted this long.
19. New York Giants-Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA (NFLMocks Jesse)
Ayers lack of speed won’t scare the Giants off who prefer to judge players by their size more so than their speed on defense. The Giants biggest need is arguably linebacker and at this point in the draft they just can’t pass up Ayers. Another likely pick is Jimmy Smith a very talented high-upside player who has everything the Giants look for in a prospect, but there are rumos spreading around that Smith has come off terribly in interviews and the Giants might decide to pass in favor of Ayers. I’m not in the camp that the Giants will draft an OL for the sake of drafting an OL and I think that only Tyron Smith and Nate Solder are locks to be drafted at this spot. If Martez Wilson hadn’t suffered a herneiated disk (the same injury that cost Kiwanuka is season and Pierce the rest of his career) he could be the pick to represent the high-upside player the Giants have taken long hard looks at the past couple of drafts.