Mock Away: Looking at the First Round of the 2011 NFL Draft
The countdown clock is quickly winding to zero for one of the biggest events on the calendar. No, I’m not talking about the royal wedding that seems to have taken over the globe, although I am fearful of the number of times that the event will be referenced during this week’s true gem, the NFL Draft.
It’s only appropriate in these final hours that I present my mock draft. There will be a number of trades to blow this up, without a doubt. The Bears will trade down. The Patriots will most certainly make a move with their multiple selections. I have to forgo trying to predict those occurrences and play it straight, but I do expect to see some movement.
So, without further ado, I’m going to jump right into it. I believe I’d look at one of the three top-notch defenders if I were in the Carolina war room, but I suspect that Ron Rivera snags his franchise quarterback.
Let’s get it started.
1. Carolina – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver – Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
3. Buffalo – Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
4. Cincinnati – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
5. Arizona – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland – Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
7. San Francisco – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
8. Tennessee – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas – Tyron Smith, OT, USC
10. Washington – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
11. Houston – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
12. Minnesota – Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
13. Detroit – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
14. St. Louis – Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
15. Miami – Anthony Castonzo, OL, Boston College
16. Jacksonville – J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
17. New England – Cameron Jordan, DE, California
18. San Diego – Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor
19. New York Giants – Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
20. Tampa Bay – Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
21. Kansas City – Marvin Austin, DL, North Carolina
22. Indianapolis – Nate Solder, OL, Colorado
23. Philadelphia – Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. New Orleans – Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
25. Seattle – Jake Locker, QB, Washington
26. Baltimore – Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
27. Atlanta – Adrian Clayborn, DL, Iowa
28. New England – Derrek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State
29. Chicago – Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
30. New York Jets – Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
31. Pittsburgh – Aaron Williams, DB, Texas
32. Green Bay – Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
