2011 NFL Mock Draft

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

I'm not a scout and I do not play one on TV. But I do watch enough football to know what teams will need when they take the field (when being the key word).
Using experts and scouts as my guide to where the future NFL stars are expected to be drafted I will try and predict the future. Trust me, my crystal ball is dusty, but I think I should be able to come to close to what actually happens.
I'm excited for the draft next week. It may be the only football related event we get this year. (I HATE LOCKOUTS)

Cam Newton

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton (QB) Auburn - You don't get the first pick without needing help in all areas. Their biggest need is a seat filler and Cam is the biggest personality with the the biggest upside. I say rookie head coach Ron Rivera has nothing to lose by going big.

2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller (OLB) Texas A&M - The defense has been awful in recent years and Miller is a pash rusher that can cuase havoc for years under new head coach John Fox. It was a tough choice between him and Darius.

3. Buffalo Bills: Marcel Darius (DT) Alabama - Believe or not the Bills like their skill positions. They have a solid secondary and a mixed bag at linebacker, but Darius is the best player on the board at a position they need. Done deal.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green (WR) Georgia - It looks like Ochocinco and TO are taking their show elsewhere. Green has the potential to be the next Andre Johnson, so Cincy can't pass him up. Maybe the acquisition will keep Carson Palmer in Ohio.

5. Arizona Cardinals: Robert Quinn (DE) UNC - I think the Cards go somewhere other than the draft to get a quarterback. They have a team that can win now if they have someone sort of proven under center. Look for them to bolster their defense.

Julio Jones

6. Cleveland Browns: Julio Jones (WR) Alabama - I think they go with Colt McCoy for at least one full season before they look elsewhere. Jones gives McCoy a big target that can go and get the passes they are not exactly on the mark.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Blaine Gabbert (QB) Missouri - While Alex Smith and Troy Smith both showed the good and bad last season the Niners need to add another name into the hat. The fans have had enough Smiths and Gabbert is the best signal caller on the board.

8. Tennessee Titans: Patrick Peterson (CB) LSU - If Gabbert or Newton is there look out, but if not they will continue to add to the secondary. They have solid safeties, now they need a guy like Peterson that can shut down Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne types single handedly.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith (OL) USC - I know Jerry Jones likes to go sexy with his first round pick, especially this high, but offensive minded coach Jason Garrett knows Tony Romo needs more time in the pocket in they are going to win in 2011.

10. Washington Redskins: Nick Fairley (DT) Auburn - Another team that hopes Gabbert or Newtown will fall. They will probably take the best player no matter the position and Nick Fairley meets a need and could be a beast next to Brian Orakpo, filling the shoes of Albert Haynesworth.

11. Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara (CB) Nebraska - It was a legendary awful secondary last year and the Texans are praying their Prince will be waiting for them when the clock strikes.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Jimmy Smith (DB) Colorado - Another team that can stop the run, but is old in the secondary. Smith may not expected to go this high, but they'll either trade down or just take Smith.

Da'Quan Bowers

13. Detroit Lions: Da'Quan Bowers (DE) Clemson - At one point some though Carolina would take him at number one. I can see Bower falling to Detroit. They have a star-studded threesome on offense (Stafford, Best, Johnson), now Suh gets a partner in crime for the next decade.

14. St. Louis Rams: Kyle Rudolph (TE) Notre Dame - There are no wide receivers worth taking here, but Rudolph could be Bradford's favorite goal line target immediately.

15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram (RB) Alabama - Ronnie Brown can't stay healthy and Ricky Williams is running out of gas. Ingram is the only every down back in this draft class and Miami would be mistaken not to snatch him up.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rodney Hudson (OL) Florida St. - Offensive line is always a problem and whenever they can grab an instate guy in the first round they do it. Even if it is not the greatest value.

17. New England Patriots: JJ Watt (DE) Wisconsin - The Pats need a guy that can play on the other side of Jerod Mayo and put a little life back into the aging unit.

Anthony Castonzo

18. San Diego Chargers: Aldon Smith (DE) Missouri - They may think runningback, but I think they stay with best available and continue to rebuild that defense. With Phillip Rivers at QB a solid defense can win them the West every year.

19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo (OL) Boston College - The G-Men enjoy their BC lineman and they will go back to the well for another one for a unit that is finally seeing the injuries build up after years of health.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Stephen Paea (DT) Oregon State - Paea will be a solid building block for a young defense that needs a guy that can stop the run and rough up the passer.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Pouncey (OL) Florida - If the Chiefs can add a guy like Pouncey to the offensive line the tandem of Jamaal Charles and Tom Jones could have career years. Also, if Matt Cassel gets the time he needs thanks to Pouncey he could be a pro-bowler. With time in the pocket Cassel makes all the throws.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Corey Liuget (DT) Illinois - Injuries to a defense have been constant and they need someone that can play all four downs between Freeney and Mathis.

Gabe Carimi

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Gabe Carimi (OL) Wisconsin - They could go secondary if they are in love with a guy, but I expect Andy Reid will go back to his one and only love and try to rebuild a offensive line to protect Mike Vick.

24. New Orleans Saints: Mikel Leshoure (RB) Illinois - It is clear now that Reggie Bush is a luxury and  not that main man and Pierre Thomas cannot stay healthy. This late in the first round you cannot fault New Orleans for picking up the best running back on the board.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker (QB) Washington - This is a gut call by me. I know they gave a lot of money to Charlie Whitehurst and Hasslebeck is still there, but Pete Carroll played against Locker in the PAC10 and remembers the good days. I say they take a risk on the local boy.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Jordan (DE) Cal - The Ravens are always finding guys that fit their defense and Jordan should be able to play important downs right away.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Akeem Ayers (OLB) UCLA - They may look for a skill player to take the pressure off Roddy White, but in the end I think they bolster their line backing crew with the best available player. If tight end Kyle Rudolph falls look for Atlanta to soar down and get Tony Gonzalez's replacement.

28. New England Patriots: Torrey Smith (WR) Maryland - No more Randy Moss, how far can Tom Brady go with no name deep threats to compliment Wes Welker. Look for the Pats to use their second first round pick on the burner.

29. Chicago Bears: Nate Solder (OL) Colorado - The o-line had its good days, but it also had the worst days the NFL has ever seen. Solder is solid should add depth to a area of need.

Muhammad Wilkerson

30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson (DE) Temple - Rex Ryan loves his wife's feet almost as much as he love defense and Wilkerson has the raw skills to be an animal off the edge. He could learn from one of the best in Jason Taylor.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Kerrigan (DE) Purdue - At this point you usually go best on your board and while the linebacking crew is stable another young, healthy body on the d-line could be needed.

32. Green Bay Packer: Derrek Sherrod (OL) Miss St. - The champs are strong everywhere except offensive line, so they will take the best run blocker on their board.