2011 NFL Mock Draft: Jake Locker’s Stock on the Rise? Kolb to the Desert?
**I am predicting that a new CBA will be agreed upon before the draft with the forced mediation by Judge Nelson**
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn
This pick is almost set in stone, if you ask me. From every reputable source out there, you are hearing that Newton is the pick. I heard recently that the Panthers will decide between Gabbert, Newton, Patrick Peterson, and A.J. Green. I don’t see the latter two being in serious contention at this point, so I’m going with Newton. He has the most upside of any player in this draft.
2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
Makes too much sense not to happen. I could see Patrick Peterson under consideration here, but the Broncos have no defensive tackles on their roster other than Kevin Vickerson who have actual NFL experience. Dareus is an elite run stuffer with a solid pass rush repertoire. He would be penciled in immediately as the Broncos’ starting tackle and has pro bowl potential from day one.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU
Peterson is the best athlete in the draft, arguably, and would be an excellent addition to the Buffalo defense. He can play corner or safety, though I think he will start out as a corner. He is raw in terms of his technique, but the Bills can coach him up and make him into one of the best defensive backs in the league in short time.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri
Someone said today, “I won’t believe [Blaine] Gabbert isn’t going to the Bengals until I see it.” Those are pretty strong words. I think you’ve got to like their chances of taking a quarterback, especially if Carson Palmer follows through with his promise to retire. Gabbert is ranked by some as the top QB prospect in the draft. While I disagree, I think he’s a solid selection here, but he’s too raw for me. I wouldn’t draft him this high.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, Linebacker, Texas A&M
This is a good fit. Von Miller would be a nice pick for the Arizona defense, which could really use some help in the pass rushing department. He has great athleticism and speed, and is one of the best players in the draft in terms of getting to the quarterback.
**Trade: Dallas Cowboys trade 9th overall pick, third round pick, and future pick to Cleveland Browns for 6th overall pick**
6. Dallas Cowboys (from Cleveland): Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
The Cowboys jump ahead of the 49ers here in order to get the guy they think will complete their secondary. Amukamara is nearly flawless in his coverage abilities, but he needs to be more productive in the INT department.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
Quite possibly the best pass rusher in the draft. A new offensive minded head coach might make this a tough pick to predict, but there is no quarterback worth taking at this point in the draft. I love Quinn’s upside, and I think he is a top ten pick no doubt.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
Fairley’s “free fall” ends here with Tennessee, who needs to add size to the interior. Fairley has been compared to former Titan Albert Haynesworth, but I don’t think he is as petulant. I think he could be a candidate for rookie of the year.
9. Cleveland Browns (from Dallas): A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia
Green is a favorite of the Browns’ new regiment, and I believe he would provide Colt McCoy with an excellent downfield option. He is a big play waiting to happen.
10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Receiver is one of the weakest positions on the Washington roster, and there is talk that Santana Moss will not be there next year. This needs to be addressed in the draft. Julio Jones is a great player with size and speed, and excellent body control.
11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin
Watt is a powerful anchor at defensive end who will be an excellent fit for Wade Phillips’ defensive scheme. He is big and athletic, and has a blue-collar work ethic.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington
I’m hearing the Vikings really like Jake Locker, and they can’t bet on him being available in the second round. Some fans might not like this pick, and I don’t know if I would either, but I think there is a chance this could happen. The Vikes could look to trade down and make it happen as well.
13. Detroit Lions: Da’Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
This would be a great fit for Bowers, but I’m not sure he’d fall this far. He’s got an excellent chance to be defensive rookie of the year if he can prove he is healthy. Playing in Jim Schwartz’s scheme along with Ndamukong Suh has to be enticing to Lions fans.
14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle, Illinois
Liuget has been compared to Tommie Harris. He still has quite a bit to prove, if you ask me, but the Rams apparently really like him. He would be a solid pick here for a team that needs help along the defensive front.
15. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas
If I was the Dolphins, I would stay away from Mallett, but they are reportedly one of the teams that is very interested in him, and since they have no second round pick, they have to get their guy here. They could also look to an interior lineman or running back.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, Defensive End, Purdue
The Jaguars love Kerrigan, and this pick has not changed.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Muhammad Wilkerson, Defensive End, Temple
Wilkerson is rising up the boards, and is one of the top 5 technique prospects in this year’s group of guys. He has pass rush upside and is an athletic 300 pound kid who fits what the Patriots want to do perfectly.
18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California
Value pick for the Chargers here who get a local guy with some fire to him. I really like Jordan, and I think he could easily go higher than this.
19. New York Giants: Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC
Hard to believe he is the first tackle off the board here. Smith has elite athleticism and upside, but can he answer the call?
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Houston, Defensive End, Georgia
Houston is one of the best pass rushers in the draft, and also solid against the run. He could be a steal with this pick and an immediate starter for the Bucs.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Akeem Ayers, Outside Linebacker, UCLA
I love Ayers’ versatility, but he’s a bit of a question mark to me. The Chiefs need some firepower along with Tamba Hali on the outside.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
Carimi is one of my top rated tackles, and he stays close to the midwest by going to Indianapolis to block for Peyton Manning.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
Big offensive tackle to block for Mike Vick, the team’s new MVP. This would be a solid investment.
24. New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
Ingram’s fall ends with the Saints. I didn’t have him in the first round last time, which is a possibility, but the Saints need a power runner and I don’t know if anyone they have can be that other than Pierre Thomas, who can’t stay healthy. Reggie Bush could be a cap casualty.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU
This is a hot pick to mock right now with reports that the Seahawks like Dalton potentially as a first round pick. He is very accurate, and could be a solid fit for their system.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Heyward, Defensive End, Ohio State
I’ve heard that if Heyward falls, there is no way the Ravens are passing up on him. Just more talent to the always talented defense in Baltimore, which is getting a little long in the tooth.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Aldon Smith, Defensive End, Missouri
Solid value pick here, the Falcons get a guy who can get pressure on the quarterback. He’s also very young and has a lot of upside and length.
**TRADE: New England Patriots trade 28th overall pick to the San Diego Chargers for 2nd round pick, 4th round pick, and future 2nd round pick**
28. San Diego Chargers (from Patriots): Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College
Chargers make a trade up ahead of the Bears to get Castonzo, one of the top tackles in the draft. They need a right tackle in the worst way.
29. Chicago Bears: Mike Pouncey, Guard, Florida
Mike Tice told Pouncey, “We’ll see you at training camp.” Nothing more need be said here, unless you want to discuss Jay Cutler’s sack numbers.
**TRADE: Buffalo Bills trade 34th overall pick, future 2nd round pick to New York Jets for 30th overall pick**
30. Buffalo Bills (from New York Jets): Christian Ponder, Quarterback, Florida State
Buffalo missed out on QB at the top of the draft (by choice) and gets a guy who might be an even better pro in Christian Ponder.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ras-I Dowling, Cornerback, Virginia
Dowling has excellent size and speed, and the Steelers won’t be able to get him in round two, so they reach a little bit here. He was one of the top prospects in the country going into this year where he suffered some injuries.
32. Green Bay Packers: Brooks Reed, Outside Linebacker, Arizona
Would be excellent opposite Clay Matthews for Green Bay. Probably will be overshadowed, but will be productive in this defense with his style of play.
Second Round
33. New England Patriots (from Panthers): Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado
34. New York Jets (from Bills): Phil Taylor, Nose Tackle, Baylor
35. Cincinnati Bengals: Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado
36. Denver Broncos: Marvin Austin, Defensive Tackle, North Carolina
37. Cleveland Browns: Curtis Brown, Cornerback, Texas
**TRADE: Philadelphia Eagles trade QB Kevin Kolb to Arizona Cardinals for 38th pick, 4th round pick, future 2nd round pick**
38. Philadelphia Eagles (from Cardinals): Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle, Oregon State
39. Tennessee Titans: Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, Nevada
40. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Ballard, Defensive End, Iowa
41. Washington Redskins: Ryan Williams, Running Back, Virginia Tech
42. Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, Cornerback, Miami
43. Minnesota Vikings: Martez Wilson, Linebacker, Illinois
44. Detroit Lions: Mikel LeShoure, Running Back, Illinois
45. San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Williams, Cornerback/Safety, Texas
46. Denver Broncos: Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa
47. St. Louis Rams: Danny Watkins, Offensive Lineman, Baylor
48. Oakland Raiders: Stefen Wisniewski, Offensive Lineman, Penn State
49. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Foster, Linebacker, Washington
50. New England Patriots (from Chargers): Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver, Kentucky
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jabaal Sheard, Defensive End, Pittsburgh
52. New York Giants: Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Notre Dame
53. Indianapolis Colts: Rahim Moore, Safety, UCLA
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Davon House, Cornerback, New Mexico State
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Leonard Hankerson, Wide Receiver, Miami
56. New Orleans Saints: Drake Nevis, Defensive Tackle, LSU
57. Seattle Seahawks: Ben Ijalana, Offensive Lineman, Villanova
58. Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh
59. Atlanta Falcons: Jerrel Jernigan, Wide Receiver, Troy
60. New England Patriots: Allen Bailey, Defensive Lineman, Miami
61. San Diego Chargers: Chris Culliver, Safety, South Carolina
62. Chicago Bears: Terrell McClain, Defensive Tackle, South Florida
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rodney Hudson, Offensive Lineman, Florida State
64. Green Bay Packers: Jarvis Jenkins, Defensive End, Clemson
Follow us on twitter @NFLmocks