1. Panthers- Cam Newton, QB, Aurburn With no pick until the 3rd round the Panthers cannot afford to wait on a possible later round QB like Mallet, Ponder, Kaepernick, or Locker. Im a big believer in getting that franchise QB over any other position. The Panthers organization has been scouting this kid left and right, even getting tape from his old high school. They want him and he wants them, Newton should be the next Panthers QB. 2. Broncos - Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama Ranking 32nd in defense last season the Broncos need defense and ALOT of it. Having Dareus at DT in their new 4-3 system is one hell of a start. He should be somewhat of a lock at this pick. 3. Bills -Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M Screw Gabbert or Fairley the Bills need pass rush and being able to get a crack at one of the more exciting pass rushers to come out of the draft is the way to go. Von should be able to play in any scheme the Bills choose this or next season, whether it be a 4-3 or 3-4 he can do it all. 4. Bengals - AJ Green, WR, Georgia Another pick I cant drive myself away from, Green should just go out and buy Bengals gear because he should be picked over any player at this pick for the Bengals. Green has sure hands, quick feet, great range, and is an exciting player, IMO the next coming of Calvin Johnson. The Bengals can address QB later on the draft if need be. Gabbert would just be too much of a risk for them especially if Palmer kicks himself back into things. I really could see the Bengals trading down to number 8 allowing the Titans to draft Gabbert and still getting Jones or Green but who knows. 5. Cardinals - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU I want to mock Gabbert to Arizona so badly but I really feel like the words of Fitzgerald scare the organization to taking one later in the draft since he wants a " Vet QB and not a rookie who wont help immediately". DRC had a bit of a down year and the Cards ( and fans) want PP badly. Getting the best player in the draft is always a smart move and having a combo of DRC and PP is scaryyyyyy. 6 Browns -Nick Fairley, DT, Aurburn Fairley falls a bit because of the attitude and work ethic red flags brought up by many scouts but with the new 4-3 system being installed and Shaun Rogers leaving the Browns need an inside presence and Fairley provides that and more. Now he could be a "one year wonder" bust but the numbers he put up last year are to hard to pass up and the Browns look to add a monster to there slim Dline. 7. 49ers - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska The 49ers hate this position, losing out on both Miller AND Peterson. With Quinn not being the ideal fit as a OLB the 49ers address their secondary woes and get a top notch CB in Prince. This kid is a physical beast and should do a nice job covering the NFC West likes of Larry Fitz, Mike Williams, and I guess Avery for the Rams? 8. Titans - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Mizzou Gabbert or Quinn?!?! The Titans have a hard time with this pick but if they want to erase the Vince Young era in their minds and no longer want to deal with the names Rusty or Kerry they need to draft Gabbert. Titans fans should be happy over this and Gabbert should have a smooth transition with the reliability on handing off the ball to the #1 RB in the league when need be. 9. Cowboys – Tyron Smith, OT, USC Can the Cowboys make this pick any more obvious? The Cowboys need to insure their newly healed QB stays that way and improve the line dramatically. Smith is the type of player that can come in day one at RT or LT and be effective, he may not be the most talented Tackle in the draft but IMO he has one of the higher ceilings. 10. Redskins – JJ Watt, DE, Wisconson Now I know what you’re saying, “NO JULIO?!?” and yes no Julio here. I like Jones a lot but losing out on a DOMINANT DE prospect maybe too much to pass for the Redskins. Now maybe this is me trying to mix things up here but Im just not sold the Skins are in love with the Alabama wide receiver. Watt has, IMO, barely reached his full potential as a player. Dominating at the DE spot for just 2 years he has a lot of room to grow and with the dismal Redskins D, he should stand out above all the others. 11. Texans – Robert Quinn, OLB/DE, North Carolina Again maybe another controversial pick but I think Quinn could be a great fit for the Texans, he’s not the “ideal” 3-4 OLB and fits better at 4-3 DE but with the way the Texans have flip flopped their D as of late Quinn can come in and fill both roles of whichever D they would like to play whether that be OLB (3-4) or DE (4-3). Also one thing I can say is his size and skills remind me a lot of DWare and hell if there’s one person who can create a DWare type player it certainly would be Wade Phillips. 12. Vikings – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson With all the injury concerns facing Bowers I still believe he will be drafted Top 15. The Vikings pick is a great spot for him to land. A team that needs a compliment to Jared Allen after most likely losing Ray Edwards would love to fill in Bowers at that opposite DE spot. When he gets healthy, which he will, that pass rush/ run stop will be nightmarish for any offense in the NFL. 13. Lions – Anthony Castanzo, OT, Boston College I don’t why many Lions fans don’t want to go OLine in the first from many forums I have read but the team needs to start protecting their franchise QB before he becomes Chad Pennington 2.0. Castanzo can come in and lock up either the RT position or LT position , if he beats out Backus. He provides excellent blocking ability in the passing game and can stop almost any DE or OLB he faces. The Lions could take a DE like Cam Jordan or stun and go Julio Jones but at this point protecting their QB holds much more value. 14. Rams- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Im not even a Rams fan and Id be very happy with this pick. Now there isn’t the greatest chance in the world Jones falls to 14 passing the Browns and Skins but I like him here at 14. Bradford and the Rams have been WR hungry since losing Tory Holt and it has become apparent that they need a Big Target over any other position. Bradford should be thanking the heavens with Jones on the team, he opens up the run game more and allows Bradford to become a better QB. 15. Dolphins- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida Miami reaches here and takes the best Guard in the draft over Ingram. I want to so badly take Ingram here with the Miami pick but to be honest, they need to fill the hole at Guard and could easily get another RB in the later rounds ( I also think they stay with Henne). Pouncey gets to stay in Florida and join alongside Jake Long and help pass protect and create holes for the run game and really help improve their aging OLine. Henne would be very please, and so would his forehead. 16. Jaguars – Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue The Jags miss having a productive player at the DE spot. Kerrigan fits the mold of being their next great edge rusher. He can get pressure on the QB and stop the run up and down the field. With Alualu and Knighton plugging the middle Kerrigan should have no trouble showing production his first season.
17. Patriots – Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal I don’t think it’s really possible in a situation like this that Belichick passes a prospect with the pure ability and power that Jordan possesses. I think Jordan fits perfectly at 17, as much as Id hate Jordan being a Pat, it would be an extremely smart pick for them even skipping over the great Aldon Smith. Cameron is one hell of a compliment next to Wilfork and does remind me a bit of Richard Seymour. 18. Chargers – Aldon Smith, OLB, Mizzou Smith is a pure pass rushing beast. If the Chargers had pass rushing issues before they certainly do now. Now I think when coming in he’ll need some time to adjust and become a bit more polished at the OLB position. He won’t be all over the field in his rookie season, but after he becomes more familiar and gets a feel for the game he should become one of the more exciting OLB in the league at getting to the QB. 19. Giants – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin I so badly wanted to put Ingram, Ayers, or Tez Wilson here t 19 but the value Carimi posses as being a day 1 starter is just so hard to pass up for the Giants. The Giants need a solid RT that doesn’t commit penalties every down and that can improve their run game. Carimi is that and more, he is a future pro bowler at the RT position and will be a hell of an addition to a solid Giants offensive line. 20. Buccaneers – Justin Houston, DE, Georgia Houston is the best 4-3 DE on the board and the Bucs need him over any OLine position. Now with the leagal troubles of Talib and injuries to their LB core they could pick Ayers, Jimmy Smith or maybe even Stefen Wisniewski for the Center job but Houston provides a nice deal of value and goes to a 4-3 team that he will fit in nicely. Houston can provide nice pass rushing skills and can even become scheme versatile and stand when the Bucs change their defensive alignment. Gerald McCoy should also be happy with this pick since it would take a lot more pressure off of him on the inside. 21. Chiefs – Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State All I can and should say is this, the Chiefs need to protect Cassel and have no true player that can fill their center position efficiently. In a division that could carry the likes of Dareus, Seymour, and Antonio Garay at NT/DT they need an inside presence of their on to help stop those guys in their tracks. Stefen is a starter from day 1 and can help an already young Kansas City Chiefs. 22. Colts – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado Peyton Manning is one of if not the Best QB in the game today and his protection is needed in order for the Colts to stay a playoff team for the next 5 to 6 years before he retires. The Colts skip over Wilkerson and draft their future LT. Solder may not be able to be a monster at the position in his fits season with the Colts but if the excellent timing of Peyton Manning and his quick release it lets Solder make some mistakes at the position until he can truly learn the ups and downs of the NFL. Now can he handle the best pass rushers in the NFL? No, not yet but does he have the potential to? HELL YES. 23. Eagles – Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado The Eagles should go Tackle here but feel they can get one later on and passing a CB like Jimmy Smith wouldn’t be a smart move in the first place. Smith is the perfect complement to Asante Samuel and really helps the Eagles secondary round out. Another guy who could be picked here is Derrek Sherrod for their LT or RT position but the Eagles should go away knowing they made a solid pick. 24. Saints – Mohammed Wilkerson, DT, Temple Even with the acquisition of Shaun Rogers and the presence of Ellis in the middle the Saints have done a mediocre job at stopping the run (16th in the league). If they want to make their DE’s better and consistently collapse pockets against teams like the Bucs and Falcons they need more dominance in the middle. Wilkerson and Ellis should be a hell of a combo. 25. Seahawks – Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State The Seahawks at this position should trade their pick to the early 2nd and gain some picks but since I don’t do trades I will take the player I like for them the most, and that is Ponder. Ponder is deadly accurate, a smart kid, and can transition into the game very well. Now he maybe a reach and he may not start “immediately” but neither will any QB after Gabbert. And the Hawks cannot take a chance at a QB in the second with many teams looking for a QB. His west coast offense type skills should be a nice fit in Pete Carrols Offense. 26. Ravens –Brandon Harris, CB, The U Let’s face it the Ravens, as threatening their D is they need a CB more than any position even over WR. I wanted Hankerson at this pick but Harris is the better player who makes more sense and has more value. Harris can translate to the Ravens as a #2 and eventually become their number one with time. If he can stay disciplined and learn from his team he will be one hell of a player on that team with the amount of pressure they get. 27. Falcons – Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa The Falcons need a WR and OT but over those needs they need a young DE to compliment Abraham. Clayborn is one hell of a big man at the DE position, he maybe 6’2 but he’s 280 pounds and moves like he’s 260. He is a solid pash rusher and can stop the run effectively. Kyle Rudolph or Steven Paea could be considered at this pick but I think Falcons fans should be content with this kid. 28. Patriots – Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama Ingram gets saved by the Pats and gets picked in the back of the 1st, where IMO he should be. The Pats have needs at OLB and OLine but Ingrams value is too good and with the potential of the Packers, a team trading up or possibly the Jets picking him the Pats can’t take any chances even with their 33rd pick. He should provide a great punch on an already scary Pats offense. If his knee is healthy he should produce his rookie season. 29. Bears – Derrek Sherrod, OT, Miss. State Even with Paea on the board the Bears just have to make the pick to protect their QB and take Sherrod the most likely candidate at 29 to be able to come in and become a solid LT. Now in his first year I don’t think he’s 100% ready but in a few years he’ll lock down that position with ease providing great pass blocking skills and a high football IQ 30. Jets – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA This is a hell of a scenario for the Jets having Ayers, Reed, Liuget, and Paea available to choose from. But they go with the best OLB on the board and the most versatile. Im a huge fan of Ayers, he does everything on the field and he is a Rex Ryan kind of guy. He can edge rush, play inside, cover the TE. He can do it all but needs some polish, Rex and Pettine will have just what he needs with a comfortable process of fun for TC and a vast amount of mentoring from Harris, Thomas, Scott, Pace, and maybe even Jason Taylor. He’ll become a fan favorite soon enough and I pray we get em. 31. Steelers – Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor The best lineman on the board but that’s no disrespect to Watkins. He reminds me of an old time Steelers player. Mature, tough as nails, and has the ability to be a Pro Bowler sooner than later. Watkins is solid in the run game and is a good pass blocker as well. Even though he’s 26 years old he will be a 10 year starter for the Steelers and fans should be happy that Big Ben is finally getting OLine help next to Pouncey. 32. Packers – Corey Liuget, DE/DT, Illinois As much as Packers fans would want to add another blonde to the LB core the SB champs need to get stronger of the DLine and do so here with the powerhouse Liuget. They get a better version of Cullen Jenkins and arguably the 3rd best DT in this draft. They will throw him next to BJ Raji at LDE and make him one hell of a player and open of the rush that much more, what a scary thought….
Here are the rest of the Jets picks for the 2011 draft: #94) Allen Bailey, DE, The U Kill me for this one if you hate Bailey but I think he falls in this draft but right into our laps, he had a disappointing season and has been up and down but I think he has great size (6’3 285lbs) for the 3-4 DE position for us and is also one hell of an athlete , I know we use this line as a Jet fan a lot but if there’s a coach that can make a DLineman consistent, its Rex Ryan. #126) Jaiquawn Jarrett, FS, Temple Jarrett may not be a starter for the Jets in his first season but he is a nice Safety prospect that could be there in the end of the fourth. He had a great college career ( 9 INTs) and can eliminate the slot WR, which we so desperately need. #161) Zach Hurd, OG/OT, UConn A Guard/Tackle prospect that I love that very well could go higer ( end of the 4th or top 5th) but I think he falls a bit because of the value of some other guys in the 3 and 4th rounds being available. Hurd is a project but in a few years he could start for us IMO, he’s just solid all around, good in the pass and the run, has good hands, durable, and has a mean streak in em. #194) DeAndre Brown, WR, Southern Miss Im weary about this pick but its worth the risk at the end of the 6th round. Brown is definitely a high risk high reward kid. He has great hands, has good speed (4.54 40 time) has a 6’5 220 Lbs frame, and can run block. But with notable bad route running, big time character issues, and his low intelligence he has made many scouts put him at a 2nd to 3rd round prospect to 5th to UDFA. I think he’s worth the risk and if kicked into gear can really surprise. #208) Orie Lemon, ILB, Oklahoma State A kid that had a ton of tackles in his college career and was Oklahoma State’s first all-conference linebacker since 2003. He can be a nice ST player and can come in on a few plays covering for Scott and Harris without being a major liability. He could go Undrafted but is a nice pickup for the 7th. Hope everyone enjoys and as always feedback is VERY appreciated.
if the Jets pass on Liuget in favor of Ayers....I'd have to wash down a bottle of Zoloft with a bottle of Jack. I do like the Jaiquawn Jarrett pick though.
Looks a good and well thought through draft. The only pick I really didnt agree with is the niners. I think they would definitely take Gabbert if he were available when they pick in the first round (unless they really like Andy Dalton for round 2).
Eh I actually dont see him falling past the Ravens but my draft kinda just fell that way in the end. I like Liuget alot but I just havent seen alot of interest from the Jets yet. Either pick Id be fine with though haha. And yeah Jarrett is great he should be around in the later rounds and should be able to start within a few years.
Thanks man. They just gave Alex Smith an offer and havent shown alot of interest in the QBs this year, plus with all the great talent available I think they can risk passing up a QB in the first. I could even see them going Dalton, Mallet, or Ponder in Round 2 if not Stanzi in round 3 or 4.
According to my mate (a niners fan) the view is that Smith being offered a 1yr contract is simply so that when they do draft a QB they wont have to throw him straight into the fire and end up with damaged goods. I do think though its still a toss up for them in taking Gabbert at 7 or waiting to get ponder or dalton in round 2 (even though ponder seems to be on the rise). edit: just to be clear - its not a knock on the mock draft, I was just passing along my mates views and he is very into the draft and spends a lot of time on the niner boards discussing these things
Oh wow never even saw that before hahaa, well hell if its Liuget at the pick Ill certainly be happy. But you can also make the case there most likely wont be a serviceable OLB in the late 3rd that can contribute as much as Ayers could. Also I read they are "extremely high on him" but dont know if he will be at 30, but if so they want him desperately. The way I see it , Ayers and a DE like Bailey or maybe Pernell McPhee > Liuget and a OLB like KJ Wright or Chris Carter ( if they are even there).
You are correct on that, it makes senese for them to develop a QB especially with Harbaugh coaching. I think they will go with a QB in the second but I also wouldnt be shocked if Gabbert became the next 49ers QB. Thanks for the tip btw, if some offseason move happens before the draft Id certainly think about mocking him there.
Johnny, The only player I really like in this draft is Jarrett, but I don't think he'll ever drop that far. I think he could become a very good safety for the Jets. I don't like Ayers at all. If the Jets take him, I sure hope you're right about him. I'm not gonna "pray" that the Jets don't take him, because I admit I could be wrong about him. I want them to take the player that will best help them and be the best possible player they could get. I just don't see that as Ayers. I like Liuget but see him as a better 4-3 DT than 3-4 DE. I think Rex does like the kid, though. I'm not high on Bailey, or U of Miami players in general in recent years, but based on where he was rated, if he fell that far, he'd present too good value to pass up. I've seen Hurd play both live and on TV, but he didn't make any kind of impression on me. I guess for an OL that's a good thing. I like addressing the OL at this spot, and with a prospect that can play both OG/OT. I've seen OK. St. play on TV several times but again don't remember Orie Lemon. That's a good program and I like addressing the depth at ILB. I wouldn't take a flyer on Brown. The Jets have enough character concerns as it is. There was too much of a circus atmosphere last year, and I think it hurt the team to a degree. Bad character, when coupled with stupidity is a lethal combination. I wouldn't take that kid as a UDFA if what you wrote is true, yet I can understand going after a kid with a lot of talent at that point. Even though I think you used good rationale for your picks, I wouldn't be very happy with that draft. For one thing, I don't think Ayers will be any factor rushing QBs. He's simply too slow and will have the same problem Thomas, Pace and other Jets' rushers had too slow to get there in time. He might have some early success dropping into coverage, but I think even there he will struggle as faster TEs and RBs simply run away from him. For another, aside from Jarret developing into a good starter, and Hurd as possibly OL depth with flexibility, I'm not sure the others either make the team or contribute much if they do. In Gilbert, Pitoitua, and Dixon, I think the Jets already have as much, if not more talent than Bailey. Thus I think the biggest glaring need on the team, the pass rush, will be left unaddressed yet again.
Why do you like KJ Wright so much? To me, he's not a good fit in our scheme. UCF's Bruce Miller is a serious sleeper now...especially after running a 4.65 at his pro day.
I agree with that. I didn't mean to imply that I didn't think he'd be a good 3-4 DE or that I didn't want the Jets to take him. I just think he will be more effective in a 4-3, but would be more than happy if the Jets took him. I certainly would prefer him over Ayers by a wide margin.
He'd be the best OLB on the board in the late 3rd (not saying I love him just saying he'd be available) , I think at the point the next best 3-4 OLB would be possibly Beal but his horrible workouts and slow play style are really concerning me. I like Bruce Miller alot, dont get me wrong, but I think he's a 4th round prospect and I dont think we get our hands on him unless we spend our 3rd. ( too many teams need a pure pass rusher like him)
I haven't seen Wright play, but based on what I've read, he's more of an all-around LB prospect, perhaps an Ayers Lite. Would you guys say that is a fair statement? I wouldn't hate him as the pick as he could possibly offer a LB that can cover TEs and RBs, but I'd rather have Chris Carter or Dontay Moch. While I'm not wild about taking players who don't fit Rex's size preferences, that is more than overcome by their physical tools. Both would bring much-needed speed to the Jets' linebacking corps. I think both have excellent motors, love for the game and desire to become as good as they possibly can. I think both have a chance to become better pass rushers and players in the NFL than Ayers. Give me a Liuget-Carter or a Liuget-Moch draft over an Ayers-(name yout DL candidate) draft any day. The only possible exception to that would be if Kenric Ellis fell to #94. With regard to Beal, I might use a 6th or 7th round pick on him, but no higher. He may have had a ton of production in college, but I don't believe he will in the NFL. I think he'll probably stick somewhere just because of his heart and desire, but never become anything more than a JAG.
Wright is a 4-3 outside linebacker. I love the way that he plays, but I just can't see him playing OLB in the 3-4. If you look at his career at Mississippi State, he's never shown consistency as a pass rusher. Outside linebacker isn't a need. A pass rusher is. There's a difference. The New York Jets are one of those teams. What a lot of you guys need to understand is this: All of our picks are at the back end of each round. There's not going to be much value in any of our picks - our front office will have to do some wheeling-and-dealing to get some steals. With a limited arsenal and a winner's pick, the Jets need to take players that they want...even if it's a few picks ahead of where they're rated.
Well hey at least you like one prospect instead of none haha. I know your really down on Ayers and I understand but to me he'll be on hell of a OLB, like ive stated previously I think he has the potential to become one of the more complete, do it all, OLB out of this draft next to Miller. To me he still has more developing to go but in a good way, he hasnt reached his full potential and can really shine in a D like ours. Bailey is very highly rated but he WILL fall in this draft. His lack of consistency and not having a real position, teams dont know whether he's a 4-3 DE or 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. He will drop to the third, possibly not all the way to the bottom but I think this will be another topsy turvy draft and he could definitely be there and prevents solid value. Hurd has been a favorite prospect of mine, he might not shine on tape but he does what he needs to do on the field to be a solid lineman, and the fact that he can be a Tackle or Guard should help or depth at the OLine position. Orie is not exactly a hyped up player but his numbers you cant ignore, 133 tackles last season and 9.0 TFL. He had solid production at OK State even when not playing in 2009. He is strictly a Special teamer but could fill in one in awhile at the ILB position and be okay. Id take the risk on Brown, its the 6th round and taking a high risk high reward player isnt so bad. The kids got SO much talent but needs to be kicked in the ass and get his mind together. If he can do that he really can become special.
