1. Carolina Panthers: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia THE BUZZ: Carolina has got to be upset that Andrew Luck, who was a lock here, is returning to Stanford. They could go with a defensive lineman here, but they are hurting bad at wide receiver and may take Green as an athletic, flashy pick to try and help Jimmy Clausen and pacify a restless fan base. 2. Denver Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU THE BUZZ: OK, who wouldn't love to see Denver take Cam Newton? To have Tebow and Newton on the same roster? But it's not going to happen. It looks like Champ Bailey might not return, and if he does he might move to safety. And this team needs tons of help on defense 3. Buffalo Bills: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn THE BUZZ: The Bills have got plenty of holes, and would love to get Andrew Luck, but once Newton gets to the combine and displays his raw skills the Bills won't be able to resist the Heisman Trophy winner. 4. Cincinnati Bengals, Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn THE BUZZ: If Green is still here, he's the Bengals pick, as Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are both probably gone. But they've got plenty of holes, and will go with Fairley, the best defensive lineman in the draft. 5. Arizona Cardinals, Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson THE BUZZ: North n the NFC West, Arizona has to feel like it's just a player or two away from being back on top. A difference-making pass rusher is just what the doctor ordered. Originally I had North Carolina's Robert Quinn here, but the consensus seems to be that Bowers is better. 6. Cleveland Browns, Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama THE BUZZ: Cleveland would prefer to find an offensive playmaker to team with QB Colt McCoy. But after Green there just aren't many available. The team needs plenty of help in its front seven and will address that here. 7. San Francisco 49ers, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska THE BUZZ: The feeling is the 49ers would really like a quarterback here, and if Newton is gone Ryan Mallett is a possibility. But new coach Jim Harbaugh might wait a year to see if he can get his Stanford QB, Luck, and a lesser QB is a risk at this point in the draft. Amukamara is clearly the best cornerback available. That's a beat weakness for San Francisco, and they'll go with the safe pick. 8. Tennessee Titans, Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina THE BUZZ: Free agency could change this, but Tennessee needs help on its D-Line and Quinn can simply rush the quarterback. 9. Dallas Cowboys, Nate Solder, OT, Colorado THE BUZZ: The Cowboys have two huge needs – defensive back and offensive line. If Amukamara is here, Dallas won't pass him up. If not, they might try to trade down and take an o-lineman at a more appropriate spot. But if they're stuck, they'll take Solder, the best offensive lineman available. 10. Washington Redskins, Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State THE BUZZ: This is a lot of defensive linemen in the top 10, but Washington was terrible there last year, and will only get worse as Albert Haynesworth probably will not be back 11. Houston Texans, Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa THE BUZZ: Houston's defense was one of the worst in the league and the reason the team didn't come close to making the playoffs. Clayborn can get after the QB and will team with former No. 1 overall pick DE Mario Williams to give the team an incredible pass rush. 12. Minnesota Vikings, Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri THE BUZZ: This might be low for Gabbert, who could easily go ahead of Newton. But teams have seemed hesitant to take quarterbacks too early recently. Minnesota, though, needs one desperately with Favre probably gone and nobody waiting in the wings. 13. Detroit Lions, Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State THE BUZZ: The Lions saw their lives flash before their eyes, so to speak, when franchise QB Matthew Stafford went down with an injury this year. They want to keep him healthy and will invest in their offensive line in an attempt to do so. 14. St. Louis Rams, Julio Jones, WR, Alabama THE BUZZ: This is a similar situation to the No. 1 overall pick. St. Louis will be looking for a target for last season's No. 1 overall pick, QB Sam Bradford. Jones is only slightly behind Green, who we've got going No. 1. 15. Miami Dolphins, Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas THE BUZZ: This team needs a quarterback and will figure that the 15th pick is still good value for either Mallett or Washington's Jake Locker. The evaluation process will determine which one they take. Mallett is more NFL ready. Locker has a higher ceiling, but could also be a bigger bust. I'd absolutely HATE Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/os-nfl-mock-draft-20110106,0,6352502,full.story
NO to Mallett! I honestly don't know enough about Gabbert...but I still want to trade down and or draft Ingram or Ryan Williams.
Another honest question for the Drafniks on this board. Why is Ryan Mallet falling on the draft boards? Seems like he was a clear top 10 pick before the Sugar Bowl. Does one interception against Ohio State really slide him down that far? And where did this Gabbert guy come from? I've never heard much about him and all of a sudden he's a top 3 pick? I need to start paying more attention to college football...
I assume the authors think that McNabb will be back with the Redskins next year? That would one team that would be a potential trading partner if they were not going the QB route.
If we take Mallett I'll shoot myself. That guy stinks and is no way worth a 1st round pick let alone a top 15. I do understand this mock is crap though.
Prefer to sure draft Ingram, re-sign Ricky. Use rest of draft to address both lines (can never have enough linemen), LB, TE, special teams. Go hard for a good Offensive mind, maybe look at the QB coach(s) from the Chargers, Green Bay, NE, Indy
Mallett may still be a to 10 pick, but there are and were plenty of questions about his game before the Sugar Bowl. The national attention the Sugar Bowl gets certainly gives more eyes a chance to watch him and form an opinion though (whether rightly or wrongly). Gabbert wasn't talked about much, likely because most people probably expected him to go back to school. Plus he doesn't play for a "BIG" school (IMO, no offense intended to Mizzou fans), so he won't get as much play. It's also the case that Luck pretty much overshadowed everyone so now all the QBs in the draft will start to be discussed more now that Luck is out.
If you're referring to me as a 'homer' on drafting Ryan Williams you would be incorrect...I believe him to be just as good, if not better, a complete RB than Ingram. We could trade down (which we more than likely could not do if we wanted Ingram), gain a pick, and still get Williams and address the need. for those not familiar with him: [video=youtube;LddTmQNu4ug]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LddTmQNu4ug[/video]
so Arizona would be taking Bowers to play OLB? also what draft grade does Floyd of ND have? late first?
with it just being a hammy issue, I believe he still goes late 1st/early 2nd. McShay had him in the 1st, not sure if he still does however.
and hes what? about 205 ish? or bigger? to me I take the best offensive player on my board either at 15 or late first if a trade back happens. Id be happy with a wr, rb or a te. give me Floyd, Ingram, Williams or an athletic seam busting te. of course this all depends on FA. lots of upgrades at TE out there.
ya, the tape of Ryan Williams is impressive when healthy. Id have no problem with him in the late first, which means the Phins got that 2nd rounder back. If TE is not upgraded this offseason, then I give up. Joey haynos better be nowhere near the roster next year. The human slug.
Just giving you a hard time man. Williams looks solid. I'd much rather we try and get a guy like him later in the draft than waste a first on Ingram. We need a QB. I'm of a firm belief that a RB does nothing for our offense with the shape it's in.
based on where we pick, and whats available in FA at the qb position, I think this team is going to try and have to win with "solid" qb play and hopefully some explosive plays out if the running game. Get a TE thats a vertical threat and athletic mismatch, and see what happens. pretty much 85% of the league now has an athletic TE yet the Phins still refuse to get with the times. this whole bigger is better philosophy is outdated.
theres no way mallett gets past the redskins. if ingram is there at 15 thats who the dolphins should take. ingram has all the tools. hes physical and is very hard to bring down and hes an exellent pass blocker. ingram has already played against many nfl style defenses while at alabama. ryan williams plays in the acc.............enough said
Why do they think Locker won't be taken in the Top 15? I think I'd rather the Dolphins pick Jake Locker.
he doesnt suck. but clearly needs alot of polish and isnt ready for the pro game. kid has tonnes of heart and physical ability.
People see him as Henne 2.0. The guy has all the physical tools but he doesnt seem to be able to get his hands around the mental part of the game. He is disliked by his team mates and thought of as selfish. Puts up good numbers but does not seem to finish games well. Doesnt exhibit good touch on his passes. Other then that...nothing that I can think of.
If the draft played out that way and the Fins didnt do something to move up to the 11th spot to take Gabbert I would be totally pissed... Just saying... AND If the Fins choose not to take a QB in the first, they better trade down and address the OL before they do anything else.
Well, they had us taking Cam Newton, which would be a mistake imho, and I happen to like Mallet as I see some Phillip Rivers in him. As for Locker, he reminds me a whole lot of Rick Mirer, who started out fast then vanished once defenses figured him out.
Other then not being able to handle pressure, not having any touch on his passes and being hated by his team mates they are virtual twins.
Hey Con.. just went to your website... when are you guys going to start putting up info on the 2011 guys? thx
Willing to make the play, Mallet is not afraid of looking bad. Think he is gawky in the pocket though, but then again, when Rivers came out the complaining about his sidearm throwing motion was loud..whatttheyknow?
he has touch when he needs it. made a very nice drop it in the bucket TD throw in the bowl game. but I dont think I want him. seems a tad immature and relies on his arm way too much.
ah, my bad. considering your cohort CK says hes a 5th round talent, i missed the sarcasm. seems its become fashionable to bash Jake Locker lately.
He is very inconsistent with those passes. Truthfully the guy makes a couple great passes a game but he also makes some horrible decisions with the ball. The thing that concerns me most about RM is that he does not play well under pressure.
Can't play scared..if that is how it works out, that is how it works out, there also is an element of big plays in there as well.