Here is my final 2011 NFL Mock Draft which was very painful to complete. This draft has been very fluid and tough to predict. I worked in a few trades with this final mock because there is guaranteed to be a few come Thursday night. As always feedback is welcomed.
Final 2011 NFL Mock Draft
1. Carolina Panthers (2-14)- Cam Newton- QB- Auburn
- As much as I disagree with the selection it appears that Cam Newton will go #1 overall. There is no doubting his potential and I hope the Panthers handle him correctly to get the most out of his abilities.
2. Denver Broncos (4-12)- Marcell Dareus- DT- Alabama
- A lot of talk about Von Miller to the Broncos has surfaced but I think that is misinformation. Miller is a good prospect but just doesn't fit what the Broncos need. Dareus fits a need and is also a top prospect.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12)- Von Miller- OLB- Texas A&M
- Miller has game changing potential with the ability to get after the quarterback. Buffalo could go in several different directions but Miller might be the safest pick.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)- A.J. Green- WR- Georgia
- The Bengals should consider a quarterback here but its more likely they go with Green. They are looking at replacing Ochocinco and T.O.. Green will help fans forget about both players.
5.*TRADE* Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Peterson- CB- LSU
- Jerry Jones loves acquiring stars and isn't afraid to make a deal. Dallas moves up to get the best player in the draft that happens to fill a need position. Arizona moves down a few spots and will have plenty of options at #9.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11)- Julio Jones- WR- Alabama
- Jones is a terrific athlete that fits a major need in Cleveland. Holmgren has a history of selecting wide receivers and that wont change now that he is running the Browns. All of the defensive linemen are also in play at this spot.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)- Robert Quinn- OLB/DE- North Carolina
- The 49ers defense has a lot of great talent but they struggled to generate a consistent pass rush. The addition of Quinn might be the missing piece to take this defense to the next level.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10)- Nick Fairley- DT- Auburn
- Fairley is on a bit of a slide but he would be a steal here for the Titans. Tennessee could use someone that is able to penetrate the pocket and create pressure in the backfield.
9. *TRADE- Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert- QB- Missouri
- Arizona moved down from the #5 spot and find their quarterback of the future. Gabbert has a lot of talent and upside but might be a reach at #5. Moving down and collecting more picks makes selecting Gabbert a little easier to do.
10. *TRADE- Detroit Lions- Prince Amukamara- CB- Nebraska
- The Lions biggest need is at the cornerback position and Amukamara can immediately contribute. They make this trade because there is a great possibility that the cornerback needy Texans select Amukamara at #11.
11. Houston Texans (6-10)- Aldon Smith- OLB/DE- Missouri
- Wade Phillips is determined to add players that fits his scheme and creates pressure. Smith knows how to rush the quarterback and that pressure will help the leaky secondary.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10)- Tyron Smith- OT- USC
- The Vikings offensive line was terrible last season and an upgrade is needed.
13. *TRADE Washington Redskins- J.J. Watt- DE- Wisconsin
- The Redskins really like J.J. Watt but taking him at #10 would be a reach. So they moved down a few spots and still get there guy.
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9)- Da'Quan Bowers- DE- Clemson
- I am still a big believer in Da’Quan Bowers and if the Rams are able to get him here it would be a major steal. The Rams defense is about creating pressure and Bowers has that capability.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9)- Mark Ingram- RB- Alabama
- No matter who the quarterback is in Miami they will need to depend on a solid running game. Both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are declining so adding Ingram would help rejuvenate the running game.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)- Ryan Kerrigan- DE- Purdue
- This seems to be a very popular stop for Kerrigan to land and it is hard to argue. Jacksonville needs help creating pressure and they like players that are ready to help immediately.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland 8-8)- Cameron Jordan- DE/DT- California
- Jordan is a great fit for New England’s defensive scheme at the 5 technique position.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7)- Corey Liuget- DT/DE- Illinois
- Liuget is a very versatile defensive lineman that will play the 5 technique in San Diego.
19. New York Giants(10-6)- Anthony Castonzo- OT- Boston College
- The Giants offensive line is aging and becoming less effective. This unit needs an infusion of youth and talent which Castanzo represents.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)- Jimmy Smith- CB- Colorado
- The secondary for the Bucs is a major question mark with the recent off the field issues for Aqib Talib impacting the depth. They do not shy away from players with questionable character so they won't be scared off by Smith.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)- Mike Pouncey- G/C- Florida
- The running game was a major factor in the Chiefs playoff run and that continued success is dependent on the offensive line. Pouncey has the potential to be a very good interior offensive lineman and help keep the arrow pointing up.
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)- Nate Solder- OT- Colorado
- Peyton Manning struggled a little last season when he was faced with pressure. Solder is an athletic tackle that can develop into a star.
23. *TRADE- Buffalo Bills- Jake Locker- QB- Washington
- Andy Reid is not afraid to make a draft day trade so nothing is out of the question with this selection. The Eagles will be targeting offensive line and cornerback. At this point, all the top prospects are gone at those positions so it would be wise to move down the draft. The Bills get their quarterback of the future that can sit behind Fitzpatrick and develop.
24. New Orleans Saints (11-5)- Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio State
- New Orleans needs help in the front 7 and Heyward has the versatility to play several positions.
25. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)- Muhammad Wilkerson- DE/DT- Temple
- Seattle need to work on creating more pressure and Wilkerson has the quickness to penetrate the pocket.
26. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)- Aaron Williams- CB- Texas
- The secondary will be a major focus for the Ravens.
27. Atlanta Falcons (13-3)- Gabe Carimi- OT- Wisconsin
- Atlanta has a handful of free agent offensive linemen and Carimi can play either tackle or guard.
28. New England Patriots (14-2)- Akeem Ayers- LB- UCLA
- The Patriots would like to trade back and collect more picks but they stay put and select a playmaking linebacker.
29. *TRADE- Tennessee Titans- Andy Dalton- QB- TCU
- Tennessee does not have many quarterback options and they absolutely love Andy Dalton. If they want to select Dalton they will need to move up in order to do so. The Bears need offensive line help and all the top prospects are off the board so moving back makes sense.
30. New York Jets (11-5)- Phil Taylor- NT- Baylor
- This would be a dream scenario for the Jets. Taylor is the best nose tackle in this draft and would fill a position of need for the Jets. Taylor has the potential to really develop into a game changing defensive tackle.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)- Danny Watkins- G- Baylor
- The Steelers are working on rebuilding their offensive line in order to feature a heavy running attack. Watkins will fit nicely at either guard position.
32. Green Bay Packers (10-6)- Adrian Clayborn- DE- Iowa
- Green Bay is looking at some turnover at the defensive end position and Clayborn can bring some depth and talent.
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