Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Bob's 2011 NFL Mock Draft

Cam Newton
Here it is, folks. My official mock draft. Enjoy:

1.
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB Auburn


2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama 
With the arrival of new head coach John Fox, the Broncos will be switching to a 4-3 defense and need a serious upgrade at D-line. As the best DT in the draft, Dareus makes the most sense here.

3. Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri 
The Bills have a lot of needs and I could see them going with Von Miller or Patrick Peterson here, but I think they go with Gabbert.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR Georgia 
Green is a phenomenal talent and fits a glaring need with the futures of Ochocinco and T.O. in Cincinnati uncertain.

Von Miller
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, DE/OLB Texas A&M
Easy decision here. With no top rated QB left on the board, Arizona can focus on adding a lethal pass rusher.

6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina 
If the Bengals don't end up nabbing A.J. Green at 4, he shouldn't get past Cleveland at 6. The Browns could take Julio Jones, but I think they like Quinn better.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Peterson, CB LSU  
This seems to be the trendy spot to put Peterson. We'll see if he lasts this long.

8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT Auburn 
No-brainer here if the draft falls like this.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT USC 
The Cowboys seem to be in love with Smith and don't want to see Romo's collarbone snapped in half again this year.

10. Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR Alabama 
Washington has a lot of options here. I'm giving them Jones here, but it wouldn't surprise me if they went defensive line.

Prince Amukamara
11 .Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska 
Houston's secondary is awful and Amukamara could be the answer here. Don't rule out a trade up for Patrick Peterson though.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE California 
That D-line in Minnesota is getting old and Ray Edwards is probably (hopefully) leaving via free agency. Whenever that may be.

13. Detroit Lions: Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College 
Gotta protect Matthew Stafford better. If he stays healthy, the Lions might make some noise this year.

14. St. Louis Rams: Da’Quan Bowers, DE Clemson 
Microfracture surgery rumors have dropped Bowers out of the top 10, but I think the Rams take a chance on Bowers' potential.

15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida 
Miami's interior line is less than stellar and Pouncey gives the Dolphins a lot of flexibility. Don't think Mark Ingram is their guy here.

Ryan Kerrigan
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue 
High-motor, physical guy for a defense that got pushed around last year, especially down the stretch.

17. New England Patriots: J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin 
Watt has ideal size for a 3-4 DE and would be a good fit for the Pats who are still trying to replace Richard Seymour.

18. San Diego Chargers: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB Missouri 
I think it's either a defensive lineman or an OLB for San Diego. Larry English was a major disappoint last year and the Chargers hope Smith can pick up the slack.

19. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin 
Look for the Giants to upgrade their offensive line here. Carimi is probably the best prospect available, but I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Pouncey was in the mix if Miami passes on him.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa 
The Bucs add another piece to their formidable young D-line with Clayborn who looks like the real deal. Don't be surprised if Tampa Bay drafts Jimmy Smith though. Rhonde Barber is old and Aqib Talib is facing gun charges.

Nate Solder
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT Colorado 
I think Phil Taylor's foot injury scares Kansas City away. Instead, the Chiefs will look to bolster the offensive line.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Danny Watkins, OT Baylor 

The offensive line in Indy has been pretty suspect the past few years, but Manning has been able to cover for them. Watkins is big and versatile and will take some of the pressure off of "The Sheriff."

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado 
The run on the top OT's will cause the Eagles to look hard at Derek Sherrod. But Jimmy Smith will be too much of a talent to pass up. Some analysts have him as the top rated corner in this draft.

24. New Orleans Saints: Corey Liuget, DT Illinois
 The Saints need another DT to pair with Sedrick Ellis. Liuget would be a great pick up here.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB Washington 
I like Locker as a late first rounder. Wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings traded back into the first round to take him before Seattle does.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Aaron Williams, CB Texas 
A bit of a reach, but Baltimore's corners are TERRIBLE. Muhammad Wilkerson could also come off the board here.

Kyle Rudolph
27. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE Notre Dame 
Rudolph is the complete package at the tight end position. Tony Gonzalez is nearing retirement age and Atlanta really needs to add another offensive weapon.

28. New England Patriots: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB Arizona 
The Pats add another high-effort guy that fills a need. Green Bay is envious.

29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State 
Chicago has to go offensive line given how many times Jay Cutler got hit last year. But let's be honest. It's not going to stop The Claymaker.

30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DT Baylor 
Taylor isn't as much of a risk here at 30 and with New York cutting ties with Kris Jenkins, this just makes sense. Which means it definitely won't happen.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple 
The Steelers D is getting old and could use some youth in the trenches. Wilkerson is a beast.

Cameron Heyward
32. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State 
And now it is time for your SUPER BOWL XLV CHAMPIONS, the Green Bay Packers. We're loaded at almost every position, but there are some holes that need to be filled. Sadly, Cullen Jenkins will more than likely leave in free agency this year and with Johnny Jolly's career suicide, it's time to draft another defensive lineman. Fortunately for our beloved Pack, this draft is chock full of 'em and Cameron Heyward is a steal here.


8 comments:

  1. 19 linemen in the 1st round, and i'd believe it.

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  2. Of course, very good mock draft with nice commentary.

    I'll just comment on the Vikings pick: at this point I see the Vikings reaching for Locker. There are talks of the Redskins taking him at 10, and I fear (and probably the Vikings too) that a trade down would risk losing Locker.

    There are a lot of mocks with the Vikings taking a DE. I understand that at #12, a DE would probably be BPA. I also understand that Ray Edwards will leave, but I have a couple of objections. The Vikes have solid backups in contract-extended Brian Robison and upstart Everson Griffen. Plus there are so many DE's with first round grades that it would make sense to trade down in such a situation. That is what the Vikings should do if Locker is off the board.

    Ideal Vikings draft IMO:
    1st round - QB
    2nd round - interior OL (because we suck there) or interior DL (because we're old there)

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  3. I think you could get a guy like Dalton or Ponder in the 2nd round. Let's say the Redskins do take Locker and the Vikes don't trade out. Who is your guy? Would they go Pouncey? Seems a little high for him. What about Julio Jones? No guarantee Sidney Rice is sticking around. Don't think the Texans will pass on Prince. Maybe they look at Jimmy Smith. Greg Cosell has him as the best CB in the draft. I have a feeling he goes higher than where I have him.

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  4. Great question! This is a really crappy spot for the Vikings to be drafting. Let's assume all of the big names are gone including Prince who I would love to fall in our lap and of course in this scenario Locker is gone as well. That would probably mean either Tyron Smith or Julio Jones would be on the board (though McShay says the Rams will trade up around 8-10 to get Jones). Jimmy Smith is an interesting candidate but a late-riser who I bet turns out like all of the good (not great) corners that we already have. Julio, Tyron, and Jimmy are all plausible options, but none I'd be in favor of. C Pouncey fills a need and DT Liuget fills a future need but 12 is a little high for them.

    With no trade down, we should take BPA who IMO is DE Da'Quan Bowers knee injury and all. He could be an absolute beast! This is the one scenario I see the Vikes taking a DE in the first round.

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  5. I cant wait until the year every mock draft DOESNT have us (colts) taking a linemen. Unfortunately that may be when Manning retires

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  6. He DOES exist! I always thought Bob was a figment of Jon's imagination.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. Christopher, didn't you say that last time Bob made a post?

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