NFL Mock Draft 1.0

It is that time of year again. Yes, before we finish the 2010-11 season, I am already looking forward to next season. Below is my first NFL mock draft for this year. Obviously things will shift a bit once the Senior Bowl is played and the NFL Combine starts in late February. Until this then, based on the information I've read and the games I've watched, this is how I think things will go down...


NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1. Carolina Panthers – Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
To keep it short, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck burst the Panthers bubble when he announced he was returning to school for his senior season. In my opinion there are three players that are worth the number one pick and they are Nick Fairley, Da’Quan Bowers and Patrick Peterson. So I believe the Panthers will go with the biggest need. They will flirt with idea of drafting Da’Quan Bowers, but ultimately they will realize that Fairley is their guy.
2. Denver Broncos –Robert Quinn, DE/OLB UNC
This is probably a surprise for most people and once the combine starts it is very possible I will change my pick here. Most people are thinking Bowers if he is on the board but I think Quinn is just as talented and a better fit for the 3-4 defense. A lot of people have his stock dropping because he sat out last season due to suspension but I think we should remember all the people that passed on Dez Bryant. The talent is still there, Quinn will just have to get back into football shape.
3. Buffalo Bills –Da’Quan Bowers, DE/OLB Clemson
Bills are probably thinking they don’t have a chance at Bowers but I think they do. Quarterback is the biggest need but if you have a bad team, you have to draft on value. No QB is worthy here, Bowers is clearly the pick.
4. Cincinnati Bengals –Marcell Dareus, DT/DE Alabama
Most people have Dareus rated as a top-10 talent but I think he is the 5th best prospect and should be drafted 4th overall by the Bengals. He dominates the line and shows the size and versatility to play inside and outside.
5. Arizona Cardinals – Jake Locker, QB Washington
Watching the Cardinals offense last year was like explaining to someone why you would pay money to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers play…very hard to do. They have several holes, but a franchise QB is the biggest. They failed with Matt Leinart and now it is time to try again. Locker is a project with all the tools to be a winner, now he just has to prove he’s a winner.
6. Cleveland Browns – AJ Green, WR Georgia
Cleveland Browns showed signs of life sporadically during the season. It appears they hit a home run after drafting Colt McCoy last year and now it is time to get him a go to receiver. I guarantee you AJ Green is a sure thing.
7. San Francisco 49ers – Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
The 49ers now have a new head coach, a young defense and an offense still looking for it’s true identity. It is time to draft their franchise QB. Blaine Gabbert has flown under the radar all season but if you got a chance to watch him play, it is clear that he has a ton of talent. I don’t think he has had enough college experience to be able to start right away but after a season of grooming he should be ready to take over in San Francisco.
8. Tennessee Titans – Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
Assuming Peterson will fall to pick eight is a stretch. After the first three picks I’m not comfortable putting Peterson on any other team before pick eight. If he happens to fall in Tennessee’s lap, I guarantee their will be shots going around in the Titans war room…Salud!
9. Dallas Cowboys – Stephen Paea, DT Oregon St
Saying the Dallas Cowboys were a disappointment is an understatement. They wasted a huge opportunity to have the chance to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium. Heck, they didn’t even come close to making the playoffs. After a very very very slow start, they improved once they dumped Wade Phillips has the head coach. Their team is full of talent and while their offensive line can use an upgrade, I think Paea is a much better value pick than any of the offensive linemen at pick nine.
10. Washington Redskins – Julio Jones, WR Alabama
Julio Jones is a major sleeper in this draft. During his three years at Alabama he has compiled 2,653 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. At 6’4 220, his size will be a problem for opposing defensive backs. I’m expecting him to run a 4.5 which will be great along with his frame. He is a good run blocker and plays with attitude. The Redskins will finally get the receiver they have been looking for the past decade.
11. Houston Texans – Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
Amukamara is an exceptional talent. The Texans defense failed them once again last year and their secondary needs help. I’m expecting Amukamara to make an instant impact, besides imagine how much fun fans and the media will have with a guy named Prince.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Mallett Arkansas
The Vikings are a veteran team that needs a quality QB to take them to the next level. Obviously that QB will not be found with the 12th pick, so I assume they will make a trade for a vet or make a move in the free agency. Regardless, they should think long term and take Mallett and let him sit and learn the pro game for a few years and then turn the quarterbacking duties over to him.
13. Detroit Lions – Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
The Detroit Lions had yet another disappointing season, but they do have a lot of promising young talent. Last year they traded Ernie Sims to the Philadelphia Eagles and now it time to replace him. It is too early to say but Von Miller could be better than Sims ever was. Miller played defensive end in college and will instantly be a pass rusher off the edge at linebacker, but many believe he can play in space and drop back into coverage as well.
14. St. Louis Rams – Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
The Rams almost pulled off the impossible. They were one win away from making the playoffs in the same year that they had the number one pick. A number one receiver would be great here and if Julio Jones slips he is the guy, but Julio should be gone and no other wide out is worth the risk at pick 14. Akeem Ayers is a very solid and proven outside linebacker and will be great teamed up next to James Laurinaitis.
15. Miami Dolphins – Cam Newton, QB Auburn
Last year the story of the first round was Tim Tebow. Everyone sat on the edge of their seat to see who would take a chance on him. This year that guy in Cam Newton. Similar to Tebow, Newton is larger than your average quarterback and comes from system where he ran more than he passed. They both are Heisman trophy winners and I expect both to have decent careers in the NFL. The Dolphins could use some new blood in their back field but it will be very hard to pass on Newton here for the Dolphins. He is not an NFL ready QB and has a lot of learning to do, but if there is any NFL system that he could excel in, it’s Miami’s.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
Adrian Clayborn is a phenomenal talent. He has the unique ability to control a game at the line of scrimmage. The Jacksonville Jaguars have invested several top round picks in their defensive line and none of them have panned out the way they would have liked. You know the old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.”
17. New England Patriots – Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
The Patriots have always found a way to be successful without big names. They get guys in their system and groom them to become household names. A fine example of that was this year where they used BenJarvus Green-Ellis (I know what you’re thinking and yes, I’m thinking the same thing…His parents had a hard time narrowing down names for him so they combined a few) and Danny Woodhead or as Joe Theismann mistakenly called him, Danny Woodcock (Unbelievable). It is time the Patriots got a reliable franchise running back. Mark Ingram reminds me of a poor man’s Emmitt Smith.
18. San Diego Chargers – Brandon Harris, CB Miami
The San Diego Chargers did not live up to expectations this season. They can only blame themselves, because while Phillip Rivers was spectacular, the defense was not and it did not help that Vincent Jackson sat out 11 games and Marcus McNeil sat out five games. I think they should grab Brandon Harris, a very talented and speedy corner from Miami.
19. New York Giants – Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
The ended the season on a disappointing note with a 10-6 record but no playoff appearance. The Giants have three major areas they need to upgrade. The Giants could use help in their secondary. The future of their backfield is in question, so a franchise running back could be an option but most importantly they should upgrade their offensive line. I think an offensive tackle would be the best value pick at pick 19.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ryan Kerrigan, DE Boston College
The Bucs pass rush was abysmal last year, as they ranked 31st in the league in sacks. Last year they aggressively made a point to draft their defensive tackles of the future and now it is time to grab their pass rusher of the future. Ryan Kerrigan has progressively improved in each of his years at Purdue and in his senior season he posted 13 sacks. He would instantly become a starter for the Bucs.
21. Kansas City Chiefs – Nate Solder, OT Colorado
The Chiefs surprised a few people this year with their success and it was because they had a balanced offense and defense. They need to continue to build both sides of the ball but it is important that they protect their quarterback Matt Cassel. Solder is a prospect with a ton of talent and should be able to contribute immediately.
22. Indianapolis Colts – Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida
Poor Colts…There was no team in the NFL that suffered more major injuries than the Colts. Their offensive line can definitely use depth and an upgrade. Mike Pouncey has been dominating at Florida for years and his brother Maurkice Pouncey was drafted lasted year by the Steelers and instantly became an impact player. The fact that his brother panned out will only help Mike’s stock.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – Tyron Smith, OT USC
The Eagles appear to be back and more explosive than ever. They are a team that relies on the shotgun formation and a spread offensive scheme. As we learned toward the end of the season, they must keep Vick healthy if they are going to be successful. Therefore, they need to draft guys that will protect him. They should go with the best tackle available here.
24. New Orleans Saints – Cameron Jordan, DE UCLA
Cameron Jordan is a very talented player off the edge. I see him as a 4-3 defensive end, which could be the reason he slides down in the draft a little. I expect him to do well at the Senior Bowl and at the combine so he has plenty of time to bring his stock up.
25. Seattle Seahawks – JJ Watt, DE Wisconsin
JJ Watt is very similar to Cameron Jordan. He is a relentless player coming off the edge but I see him strictly as a 4-3 defensive end. At pick 25, the Seattle Seahawks would love to draft JJ Watt. He would instantly compete for a starting job at defensive end.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Aaron Williams, CB Texas
Once again the Ravens ended the season on a low note. Unfortunately, they have become the team that will make the playoffs every year and produce some of the best football any true fan could ask for but will never make it to the big game. Regardless, they need to add depth to their average secondary. Williams will probably be a starter before the season is over.
27. Atlanta Falcons – Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
The Falcons had a ton of success this season and a lot of it was due to their explosive offense. I think they should take an offensive tackle in the first round to ensure that “Matty Ice” is always protected.
28. New England Patriots – Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
The Patriots have slowly been revamping their team with young blood. They need to upgrade their defensive line but after Moss was traded there is a gaping hole in the big play department for the Patriots offense. Baldwin has never had a good QB, so it is hard to assess what he may be in the NFL but the truth of the matter is that his ceiling his higher than any other wide receivers in this draft. He could be the final piece to the new and improved young explosive Patriots offense.
29. Chicago Bears – Cameron Heyward Ohio St.
The Bears have exceeded everyone’s expectations that are not Bears fans this year. I personally was never a believer and still am not. I do recognize that I have to give credit when credit is due, and they deserve everything they have earned. With that being said, they could use depth in the offensive line but if Cameron Heyward is still on the board this late, it’s a no brainer. His productivity is remarkable and he would be ranked higher if he didn’t take plays off. In any case, Heyward and Peppers could become a dominant duo.
29. New York Jets, Rahim Moore, S UCLA
The Jets will always need depth at every position on defense because of the type of defense they run. Depth and versatility is important to their success. This season, the Jets suffered a couple of injuries, specifically at the safety position that hurt their team. It is time to add more depth to that position and draft Rahim Moore from UCLA. He may not start immediately but he will be the long term solution.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers – Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi St
The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have many holes on offense or defense but you can never have enough linemen. I think the offensive line is more of a priority than the defensive line, so the Steelers should take the best lineman on the board at pick 30.
32. Green Bay Packers, DeMarco Murray, RB Oklahoma
Green Bay has a fantastic team and the only major hole I see is at running back. It is scary to think what their offense might be like if they had a go to guy at running back.