2011 NFL MOCK DRAFT! Round 1

Here it is. The first round mock draft for Thursday's NFL Draft. My predictions for the first 32 picks of the year. There could be a ton of trading picks, but not players, this year. However, in this mock, I only have one trade, because this one makes too much sense to ignore. Anyway, here it is. Carolina is on the clock. The envelop is in. Drumroll please. With the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select:

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn.
I don't know what everyone sees in him, but everyone is saying that Cam is now the pick. New coach, new QB, big name to attract some fans. Good luck too him, but he wouldn't have been my choice.

2. Denver Broncos: Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama
Solid and consistent DT that they Broncos can plug in to their new 4-3 and not have to worry. He will stuff the run and get to the QB when he needs to.

3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
In my opinion, the best player in the draft. 2 time All American. Butkus Award winner. Sack leader. Can play inside or out. Has a nose for the ball and a huge burst. He will not be a disappointing pick. He is to this year's draft what Orakpo was a few years ago, and the Bills will not make the same mistake.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia
No more TO, no more Chad Johnson/Ochocinco/Johnson. Big hole. QB is as well, but they could probably snag someone in the 2nd Round, such as Andy Dalton or Colin Kaepernick

5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn, DE/LB, UNC
This is the Cards saying that they are going to trade for Kevin Kolb or sign Marc Bulger. No one else will play QB for them. Quinn fits a need and has had a great draft season.

6. Cleveland Browns: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
They really wanted AJ Green, could take Julio Jones, but will instead go with the best player available. Peterson could be Champ Bailey. He is that good.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
New Niners coach Jim Harbaugh recruited Gabbert when he was in high school. He knows him. He likes him. He trusts him. Alex Smith is not the answer. New Coach, New QB, New 49ers.

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairly, DT, Auburn
All he did was dominate all season. He plays a little dirty, had a disappointing combine, but the tape doesn't lie. He is just the type of player that the Titans love. Look for Tennessee to try trading back into the late 1st round, possibly with New England, to nab a QB.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
They need a tackle, he is arguably the best. They need a right tackle, that is where he played in college. It is their biggest need, he fills it. Seems easy enough, right?

10. Washington Redskins...
There has been a trade. The Washington Redskins have traded the 10th pick in the 2011 Draft to the St. Louis Rams, for the 14th and 47th pick in the 2011 Draft, and a 2nd Round pick in the 2012 Draft. St. Louis is now on the clock.

10. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
The man they have wanted to take all along. Sam Bradford needs a #1 receiver, and now he has one. Jones had a tendency to drop some pretty catchable balls, but also has huge speed, height, agility, and can break a game open on his own. Too good of a player to pass up. The Rams had to go get him.

11. Houston Texans: JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Great motor and a great fit on an awful defense. The Texans gave up way too many late drives last year.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
Fits a need. Ray Edwards is a free agent. This could be a QB, but I think the Vikings will get Donovan McNabb for a few years, perhaps letting him mentor Joe Webb.

13. Detroit Lions: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
And there was much rejoicing in MoTown. Fits the biggest need the Lions have, and they get a guy with top 5 talents at 13.

14. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
From one Washington to another. The Skins picked up some more picks, so perhaps, maybe, they will want to address that complete pooch-screw of a 3-4 defense they have. I just think the Shanahans want their new QB project now, and that man has been Locker for the past year.

15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida
Not a sexy pick, but fits a need. Can protect Henne.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri
Another pass rusher to try to stop Peyton Manning!

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Anthony Castonzo, OT, BC
Local product from the evil Boston College. Will help protect Mr. Brady and his wonderful hair.

18. San Diego Chargers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DL, Temple
Versatile D-Lineman that can fit in anywhere. Great fit.

19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Must protect Eli. That line that won the Super Bowl is now in shambles. Carimi can play either tackle spot well.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Great young team makes it defense that much better with a 3 year starter.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
No huge glaring needs for the Chiefs, but their O-line has been suspect at times. Solder or a DE is the pick.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
A bit of a reach, but the Colts need new bodies in front of Mr. Manning.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The reason he isn't in the top 10 is apparently character issues. The Eagles have taken in and tamed Mike Vick. This guys should be a piece of cake.

24. New Orleans Saints: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Big fall after a terrible draft season, but could he be a steal at 24?

25. Seattle Seahawks: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
Fits a need. Need to protect whoever is playing QB. They could also choose a new signal caller with this pick.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Hayword, DE/DT, Ohio State
Instant impact in the pass rush? Sounds like the Ravens to me, especially with no guarantee that Sergio Kindle will ever pan out.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
Tony Gonzales is not young. Matty Ice needs options.

28. New England Patriots: Adrian Clayborn. DE, Iowa
Look for this pick to get traded to a team that really wants a QB.

29. Chicago Bears: Aaron Williams, CB/S, Texas
Versatile secondary presence. They would have to reach to upgrade their O-line at this point. They could trade back as well.

30. New York Jets: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
Big body in the middle of Rex's defense. Help those non-existent pass rushers get through.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brendan Harris, CB, Miami
Touch corner that fits with the hard hitting style of the Steel City.

32. Green Bay Packers: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Pass rushing presence and best player available for the Super Bowl Champs.


Let me know what you think.