For the updated version of this mock draft please click here.Thanks for checking out my first 2011 NFL mock draft. I have been doing mocks for some time and you can check out my last 2010 NFL mock draft with this link. Check the sources at the end of this article for Web links to great NFL mock draft databases. To read my exclusive interview with Walter from Walterfootball.com then go to this link.
While I am not sure there will be a full 2011 NFL season, I am sure there will be a draft. I just wonder how many underclassmen will come out if there has been no CBA signed by the declaration deadline. But on to the first version of my 2011 NFL mock draft. I am just guessing at the draft order since this is being written in November of 2010. I have tried to include picks that were traded but it’s possible I missed one. If so I will correct that on the revision.
1 Carolina Panthers- Andrew Luck QB- Stanford
Jimmy Clausen has struggled during his rookie season and the life of a short sidearm quarterback is often short in the NFL. In my 2011 NFL mock draft I have the Panthers taking Andrew Luck, the best quarterback in the draft. The Panthers will very possibly trade this pick however.To see my list of the top five quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL draft, click this link.
2 Buffalo Bills- A.J. Green WR- Georgia
The Bills may well go defensive line here but A.J. Green is a special player and I don’t see Buffalo passing on him.
3 Cincinnati Bengals- Ryan Mallett QB- Arkansas
Face it Carson Palmer has gotten old and inconsistent. Palmer still has a year left in him to groom the strong armed Mallett to be his replacement.
4 Detroit Lions- Prince Amukamara CB- Nebraska
Detroit has put off addressing their secondary for too long but that ends here. In my 2011 NFL mock draft I have the Lions taking the best cornerback on the board.
5 Dallas Cowboys- Robert Quinn DE- North Carolina
Dallas will address their pass rush here and I think they will be running a 4-3 defense next season under whatever coach is hired. Despite the stuff that happened at North Carolina, Quinn is the real deal for the Cowboys.
6 Arizona Cardinals- Patrick Peterson CB-LSU
The Cardinals will take the best player available and in my 2011 NFL mock draft it is Patrick Peterson the DB from LSU.
7 San Francisco 49ers- Adrian Clayborn DE- Iowa
Clayborn has some off the field issues but can be a beast and the 49ers need some youth on the defensive line.
8 Cleveland Browns- Da’Quan Bowers DE- Clemson
Defensive ends are going fast in my 2011 NFL mock draft. The Browns grab Bowers who was probably the best player on the Clemson team.
9 Minnesota Vikings- Jake Locker QB-Washington
Favre will be gone and so will Chilly but the Vikings still won’t be sold on Jackson. So Jake Locker makes it into the top ten draft picks of the 2011 NFL draft.
10 Denver Broncos- Marcel Dareus DT-Alabama
Denver has a terrible defense and great defense starts on the line. Dareus goes to Denver if he is still on the board.
11 St. Louis Rams- Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College
Sam Bradford is the real deal now it’s time for the Rams to get him some protection.
12 San Diego Chargers- Von Miller LB- Texas A&M
Von Miller will fit in well with the Charger’s defense and fill the hole left when Shawn Merriman imploded.
13 Washington Redskins- Derek Sherrod OT- Mississippi State
Sherrod is a reach here but the Redskins need offensive line help in the worst way.
14 Jacksonville Jaguars- Brandon Harris CB- Miami
Harris may turn out to be the best cornerback in the 2011 draft and Jacksonville needs defense help all over.
15 Kansas City Chiefs- Jonathan Baldwin WR-Pittsburgh
The Chiefs have struggled to put two NFL caliber wide receivers on the field. Baldwin is big and can catch the ball. My 2011 NFL mock draft has the Chiefs taking Baldwin unless they go for a pass rusher.
16 Houston Texans- Deunta Williams S- North Carolina
Another UNC player making his way into the first round. Houston needs defensive backs and lots of them.
17 Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram RB- Alabama
The Dolphins have need for a fresh running back to replace Ronnie Brown and or Ricky Williams. Mark Ingram goes to the NFL team that his college coach used to run.
18 Tennessee Titans- Travis Lewis OLB- Oklahoma
Lewis makes the most sense here to shore up an average linebacker unit for the Titans. If Jeff Fisher keeps his job then the Titans may go QB here.
19 Chicago Bears- Joseph Barksdale OT- LSU
Another body for one of the worst offensive lines in football, Barksdale is a good fit.
20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Julio Jones WR- Alabama
The pick of Julio Jones from Alabama will give Josh Freeman another target and keep his improvement on the right track.
21 Seattle Seahawks- Ryan Williams RB- Virginia Tech
Seattle kept trying to fix their running game and Ryan Williams will help them do that. The Seahawks could also go qb here.
22 New England Patriots- Mikel Leshoure RB- Illinois
The Patriots are still trying to replace Corey Dillon and Leshoure may just be the man to do it. New England could also go pass rusher or speed receiver here. This pick comes from the Raiders.
23 Baltimore Ravens- Allen Bailey DE-DT- Miami
The Ravens could go DB here but I think if Bailey falls this far like he did in my 2011 NFL mock draft, the Ravens will jump on him.
24 New York Giants- Ras-I Dowling CB-Virginia
The Giants may draft multiple defensive backs in 2011 to see who can play. In the pass happy NFC East, you need db’s.
25 New Orleans Saints- Cameron Jordan DE-California
The Saints could go running back here if there is a player they like. But I think Cameron Jordan would shore up the defensive line for the Saints.
26 Indianapolis Colts- Bruce Carter LB- North Carolina
Defense is what the Colts need more than anything. Look for Indy to load up on defensive players and Carter is going to be a good NFL player. If the Colts do go offense with this pick it will be a running back or offensive lineman.
27 Pittsburgh Steelers- Michael Floyd WR- Notre Dame
The Steelers need some young wide receivers and Floyd has some experience in a pro set when Charlie Weiss was at Notre Dame. Floyd is the best pick here in my opinion.
28 Green Bay Packers- Janoris Jenkins CB- Florida
The Packers address their need of a corner here, Jenkins has great upside that may have him climb into the first round.
29 New England Patriots- Ryan Broyles WR- Oklahoma
Broyles will help replace Randy Moss as well as give the Patriots an option in the return game if Tate becomes too valuable for that role.
30 Philadelphia Eagles- Darius Morris OT- Temple
Morris brings versatility to a weak offensive line of the Eagles. Morris may be a reach here but he is the best lineman on the board.
31 Atlanta Falcons- Devier Posey WR- Ohio State
Matt Ryan gets a speedy wide receiver with some size to go with Roddy White. Atlanta could possibly go pass rusher or db here.
32 New York Jets- Nick Fairley DT- Auburn
Fairley will help the Jets replace the always injured and probably retiring, Jenkins on the defensive line.
Sources
Walterfootball.com
Dcprosportsreport.com
Nfldraftdog.com
Fftoolbox.com
Thefootballexpert.com
Squidoo.com
