1. Carolina Panthers – QB Cam Newton – Auburn

Cam Newton is a phenomenal athlete and a physical specimen.  I don’t believe that he is the best quarterback in the 2011 NFL draft, that title going to Blaine Gabbert of Missouri, but it seems that if the Panthers do go with QB at #1 then they will go with Newton.  Newton has demonstrated that he can play QB in the NFL during the season at Auburn as well as during his pro day so it won’t be a terrible pick.

2. Denver Broncos - DT/DE Marcell Dareus – Alabama

If Marcell Dareus does not go to the Panthers with the 1st overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Broncos won’t take too long to scoop him up.  He will fit new Head Coach John Fox’s 4-3 defensive scheme perfectly as he may be the best football player in the 2011 NFL draft.

3. Buffalo Bills – OLB Von Miller – Texas A&M

The Bills will have to think strongly about drafting Blaine Gabbert with the third overall pick.  I think that Von Miller is a playmaking defensive player that can play the linebacker position or rush the passer.  He has been compared to DeMarcus Ware and posses many of the same skills.  The Bills will still be in the running for Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL draft.

4. Cincinnati Bengals - WR A.J. Green – Georgia

Carson Palmer seems to be set on retiring because I don’t see the Bengals trading him when the lockout comes to an end and trading opens up.  I would think that with Blaine Gabbert still on the draft board that they should go  with him as a backup plan but I don’t hear any interest coming from Cincinnati’s draft camp that they will go in that direction.

5. Arizona Cardinals – QB Blaine Gabbert – Missouri

The Cardinals’ QB situation currently is a mess and they should definitely be looking for their franchise QB in the 2011 NFL mock draft.  With this pick they could choose between Cam Newton, Ryan Mallet, or Blaine Gabbert.  I think that Blaine Gabbert is the number one quarterback coming into the 2011 NFL mock draft.

6. Cleveland Browns - WR Julio Jones – Alabama

The Browns could go with a defensive end here like a Robert Quinn but I think with Colt McCoy becoming their franchise quarterback he will need a big time playmaker to throw to.  Julio Jones is a big body with great hands and speed. I wouldn’t blame them if they went to the defensive side of the ball but it will be hard to pass on Jones here.

7. San Francisco 49ers – CB Patrick Peterson – LSU

With this pick in the 2011 NFL mock draft, the 49ers could look to draft a QB.  With Gabbert and Newton off the board, San Francisco should look to draft the best available player on their big board.  That just happens to be Patrick Peterson who is a dynamic athlete with very good cover corner skills.

8. Tennessee Titans - DT Nick Fairley – Auburn

The Titans could go in a few directions here.  They are going to release QB Vince Young and can’t continue with Kerry Collins.  I don’t think any QB is worthy with this pick though so I think they turn to the defensive side of the ball.  This would be a great pick up if Fairley falls to them at pick number eight in the 2011 NFL mock draft.

9. Dallas Cowboys – OT Tyron Smith – USC

The Cowboys have a few different needs and could go in a few directions.  They could draft a defensive end here because they have some defensive lineman who are free agents.  I believe that they need to start on the offensive line though especially since Tony Romo is coming off a injury that held him out of most of last season.

10. Washington Redskins – DE J.J. Watt – Wisconsin

With the 10th pick in the 2011 NFL mock draft they could go a few ways.  They could go with a quarterback but my top two QB’s are off the board so I would move to the next position which is a playmaking WR.  The Redskins drafted a great DE in Brian Orakpo two years ago so now if they go with another defensive end that pass rush will be hard to defend and will help improve their all around defense.

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Tamba Hali had a great season rushing the passer.  Adding another pass rusher like Muhammad Wilkerson on the other side could really improve a pretty good defensive next year.

22. Indianapolis Colts – DT Drake Nevis – LSU

The Colts got dumped in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in awhile.  One glaring weakness that the Jets took advantage of was the Colts run defense.  They have had a great pass rush year in and year out but they have been known to struggle in the run defense.  Despite Nevis’ lack of size he is very good against the run.   They have been in desperate need of an anchor in the middle of the defensive line and Drake Nevis should provide that.

23. Philadelphia Eagles - OT Anthony Castonzo – Boston College

The Eagles have given up a lot of sacks this season even with the mobile QB Michael Vick.  Anthony Castonzo has prototypical height and has very good mobility but needs to add bulk.

24. New Orleans Saints – DE Cameron Heyward – Ohio State

Cameron Heyward could have been a high draft pick last year but decided to stay one more year in college.  He has had a great senior season.  He has very good size and is a versatile player who can rush the passer or drop back in coverage.  The defense has really struggled this year giving up some big plays and creating less turnovers.

25. Seattle Seahawks - DE Adrian Clayborn – Iowa

Seattle won their division even with a losing record and even with a lack of talent on the defensive side of the ball.  Adding Clayborn will dramatically improve their pass rush especially since they will have to battle Sam Bradford for years to come.  They could also use a quarterback for next season.

26. Baltimore Ravens – WR Randall Cobb – Kentucky

Last year, the Ravens had many talented WR’s but they were all possession receivers.  They need some speed which they tried out with Donte Stallworth but he is getting old and just isn’t as talented as a Cobb.  Along with his speed he is also a great route runner who could help out in the return game as well.

27. Atlanta Falcons – DE Aldon Smith – Missouri

Atlanta has had  a very good season this year in many different areas.  One weakness that I have noticed is their lack of pressure from their four down lineman on defense.  They finished the 2010 regular season tied for 20th in sacks.  Last year they drafted Sean Witherspoon from Missouri and now its time to add another Missouri player to their front line.

28. New England Patriots – G Dan Watkins – Baylor

Dan Watkins played tackle at Baylor, but at the NFL level he will be a very good guard.  New England’s offensive line has been getting older and also has had some injury problems.  They added their defensive end with their first pick and now they will address the offensive line with their second 1st round pick.

29. Chicago Bears – OT Greg Carimi – Wisconsin

Jay Cutler was sacked more times than anyone this year in the NFL and needs to be protected next season if they have any chance at making it to the Super Bowl.  Carimi is a top offensive lineman who will be hard to pass up come the Bears’ pick.

30. New York Jets – OT Derek Sherrod – Mississippi St

The Jets are a very good team that are in serious contention for the Super Bowl.  With not many weaknesses they will be looking to add depth and one place that they could use some depth is the offensive line.  He may not play right away but any time there could be an injury and he would be a great replacement.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers - C Mike Pouncey – Florida

In the 2011 NFL draft look for the Steelers to continue to upgrade their offensive line.  Mike Pouncey has been playing center this year at Florida but when his brother was there last year he played guard. With the Steelers he will reunite with his brother and move back to guard which will help protect Ben Roethlisberger.

32. Green Bay Packers – OLB Justin Houston – Georgia

The Packers had a great season resulting in a Super Bowl victory.  They have many players coming back from IR for the 2011 season.  Adding Justin Houston will add more weapons to that defense that was so disruptive during the 2010 season.  He has top pass rushing skills to go along a huge frame that will give defensive coordinator Dom Capers plenty of options.

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