The 2011 NFL Draft is now less than a week away. It’s been a long and hard offseason for NFL fans, who have had to listen to legal mediation rather than where the big-name free agents will sign. The one thing that the lockout can’t take away from them is the NFL Draft. Though, even the draft will be affected. Teams can’t trade players rights for picks or trade selections after the players have been selected (like Eli Manning and Phiillip Rivers). Thanks a lot, NFL owners.
Regardless, the 2011 NFL Draft is sure to still be great. Without free agency, teams have more needs than usual which makes it even more difficult to pinpoint what positions/players teams will target. Let’s see how I see the first round playing out next Thursday night. To see my previous Mock Draft click here.
1. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos
Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
4. Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
5. Arizona Cardinals
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
7. San Francisco 49ers
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8. Tennessee Titans
Nick Fairley, DT, Aurburn
9. Dallas Cowboys
Tyron Smith, OT, USC
10. Washington Redskins
Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
11. Houston Texans
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
12. Minnesota Vikings
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
13. Detroit Lions
Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
14. St. Louis Rams
Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
15. Miami Dolphins
Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
17. New England Patriots
Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
18. San Diego Chargers
Cameron Jordan, DL, California
19. New York Giants
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
21. Kansas City Chiefs
Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
22. Indianapolis Colts
Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
23. Philadelphia Eagles
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. New Orleans Saints
Muhammad Wilkerson, DL, Temple
25. Seattle Seahawks
Corey Luigent, DT, Illinois
26. Baltimore Ravens
Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio St
27. Atlanta Falcons
Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
28. New England Patriots
Mark Ingram, RB, Oklahoma
29. Chicago Bears
Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
30. New York Jets
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor
32. Green Bay Packers
Brooks Reid, OLB, Arizona
If you have any complaints, questions, or just want to call me an idiot — please do so
