2011 NFL Mock Draft

With the 2010 NFL Draft grades in the books, it’s time to take a sneak peak at the 2011 Draft before Todd McShay beats us to it.

*Draft order is based on 2010 Schedules and team’s “on paper” rosters. Obviously it is purely speculative and subject to extreme change, that’s why we play the game right?

1. Buffalo Bills – Jake Locker QB (Washington)

The Bills failed to address left tackle and quarterback this off-season, which means they’ll likely struggle again next year. Locker may be able to turn things around for them for 2011, as the most talented and NFL ready QB prospect of a strong class.

2. St. Louis Rams – Julio Jones WR (Alabama)

Sam Bradford and Rodger Saffold are a step in the right direction but the Rams are far from out of the woods. They’ll need to add some playmakers on offense. Julio Jones is a monster of a receiver that catches everything.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gabe Carimi OT (Wisconsin)

Left tackle Donald Penn will be an unrestricted free agent next year and may not be back. Carimi took over for Joe Thomas at left tackle at Wisconsin when he was drafted number 3 overall a few years ago. He may not be as athletic as Thomas, but he has a chance to follow on his footsteps once again.

4. Cleveland Browns – Andrew Luck QB (Stanford)

After a defensive draft this year, look for Mike Holmgrin to start upgrading the offense in 2011. AJ Green is more likely if Colt McCoy can prove himself as the future in Cleveland but as much as we like Colt, we don’t think he will. Andrew Luck is a big framed, mobile and smart QB that should be in contention with Locker for the number one pick of 2011.

5. Detroit Lions – Greg Romeus DE (Pittsburgh)

Suh was a great addition for the Lions but they could still certainly use some pass rush help.

6. Kansas City Chiefs – Dont’a Hightower ILB (Alabama)

Pass rushers are a must as this should be Mike Vraebel’s last season, but they may not be able to pass on Hightower who may be a better prospect than McClain.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryan Mallett QB (Arkansas)

It seems like every year there are 3 or even 4 quarterbacks projected to go very early. Then as the season winds down scouts begin to pick them apart one by one, until the Jimmy Clausen’s of the world free fall. This year may be a bit different, but if one of them falls we expect it to be Mallett.

8. Chicago Bears – AJ Green WR (Georgia)

Unless Jay Cutler does a 180, the Bears will be picking early next year. But they may finally be able to get a legitimate number one receiver out of it.

AJ Green and Julio Jones are the receivers to watch next year.

9. Denver Broncos – Jerrell Powe NT (Ole Miss)

Jamal Williams should hold it down at nose tackle in 2010 but may not last much longer. As you can tell by our placement, we don’t think the Tim Tebow experiment is going to work out.

10. Arizona Cardinals – Anthony Castonzo OT (Boston College)

If they’re picking here, chances are they’ll try and get a quarterback.

11. Carolina Panthers – Adrian Clayborn DE (Iowa)

Depending on how their rookie receivers look this year the Panthers could be thing defense in 2011.

12. New England Patriots (From OAK) – Mark Ingram HB (Alabama)

Via the Richard Seymour trade, the Patriots got younger on defense last year, may look to their offense in 2011.

13. Tennessee Titans – Patrick Peterson CB (LSU)

The picked up a mid round corner in this draft but Peterson looks like he can be an instant starter.

14. Seattle Seahawks – Jared Crick DT (Nebraska)

Had arguably the best draft of any team this year, however the have a long way to go; particularly on the defensive line. Some scouts like Crick even better than Suh.

15. Houston Texans – Rahim Moore S (UCLA)

The secondary should be their weak spot next season, and could even keep them out of the playoffs.

16. New York Giants – Matt Reynolds OT (BYU)

The Giants look okay on paper, but whether or not the defensive line can get it together next season is up for debate. The offensive line is equally as questionable, and if it struggles again next season it will be addressed early.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – DeAndre McDaniel S (Clemson)

The Crezdon Butler pick isn’t going to fix their secondary, corner and even safety need to be addressed next year.

18. Philadelphia Eagles – Mike Pouncey OG (Florida)

They say Maurkice is a better prospect, but his twin isn’t far off.

19. Washington Redskins – Von Miller OLB (Texas A&M)

Can’t ever have enough pass rushers in a 3-4.

20. Cincinnati Bengals – Allen Bailey DT (Miami)

The Bengals don’t need much on paper, could be Tank Johnson’s last year in Cincy.

21. San Francisco 49ers – Prince Amukamara CB (Nebraska)

If Alex Smith can win that division for them, they will likely stick with him.

22. Atlanta Falcons – Ryan Williams HB (Virginia Tech)

As opposed as they may be to Virginia Tech players after the Michael Vick and Deangelo Hall drama, it may be time to move past that.

23. Miami Dolphins – Kyle Rudolph TE (Notre Dame)

The Dolphins brought in Brandon Marshall but could still use some receiving threats, mainly at tight end.

24. San Diego Chargers – Cameron Heyward DE (Ohio State)

Addressed nose tackle this year but it was shocking to see them not address defensive end.

25. Minnesota Vikings – Pat Devlin QB (Delaware)

This is mostly likely Favre’s last “will he, won’t he” year. The Vikings probably should have taken Clausen this year to groom behind him but Chris Cook will make an immediate impact.

Is Devlin the next Joe Flacco?

26. Green Bay Packers – Ras-I Dowling CB (Virginia)

Expected them to go corner this year, future replacements for Woodson and Al Harris need to be drafted sooner than later.

27. New England Patriots – Nate Solder OT (Colorado)

Chances are they’ll deal this for 12 more first round picks spread through out the next decade.

28. Indianapolis Colts – Deunta Williams S (North Carolina)

It seems like the Colts always need depth in the secondary, and always manage to get it.

29. New York Jets – Da’Quan Bowers DE/OLB (Clemson)

Jason Taylor is probably in his last year, pass rushers are a must in New York for 2011.

30. New Orleans Saints – Evan Royster HB (Penn State)

The Saints run game thrives off it’s impressive depth.

31. Dallas Cowboys – Joseph Barksdale OT (LSU)

They better bring back Flozell Adams if they expect to make it this far, and even then tackle is an issue.

32. Baltimore Ravens – Michael Flloyd WR (Notre Dame)

Yes. I predict that the Ravens will make a Super Bowl run next year, call me a homer. The front seven and pass rush has been improved, and Anquan Boldin and our new tight ends should really open up the offense. Go Ravens.