Now that football is officially in hibernation, it’s time to turn our attention to the NFL Draft. We’re just a little over two months away from commissioner Roger Goodell walking across the stage at Radio City Music Hall and making the first overall pick for the Carolina Panthers, so take a look at our Mock Draft 2.0 for a glimpse of what might go down that day.
| 2011 NFL Draft: 2.0 | ||||
| Pick | Player | School | COMMENT | |
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1 | Nick Fairley, DT | Auburn | Yes, Da’Quan Bowers could be the next Julius Peppers. But you can’t pass on Fairley after that awesome BCS title game performance. |
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2 | Patrick Peterson, CB | LSU | Champ Bailey might be on his way out of town and the Donkey’s defense was atrocious last season. Peterson could be the next Charles Woodson. |
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3 | Da’Quan Bowers, DE | Clemson | Going with a QB is tempting but the Bills had the worst rushing defense in the league. Bowers is a beast and would help solidify the line. |
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4 | Robert Quinn, DE | North Carolina | Forget A.J. Green, the Bengals have plenty of wideouts. What they really need is a pass-rusher. Ask Pittsburgh and Green Bay the importance of having one of those. |
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5 | Blaine Gabbert, QB | Missouri | Is anyone more desperate for a QB than the Cards? If they don’t trade for Kolb or McNabb, they have to go QB here. |
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6 | A.J. Green, WR | Georgia | The Browns haven’t had a big-play threat since Michael “Dyson” Jackson and are praying Green falls to them. Expect Cleveland to finally catch a break. |
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7 | Prince Amukamara, CB | San Francisco | It sounds crazy but it looks like Jim Harbaugh is a believer in Alex Smith. Meanwhile, the 49ers secondary needs a gold rush of young talent. |
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8 | Marcell Dareus, DE | Alabama | The Titans defense went off the reservation this season. Expect Mike Munchak to get back to smash-mouth football and let Kerry Collins stay behind center. |
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9 | Tyron Smith, OT | USC | Protecting Tony Romo is priority #1 and nobody gambles on unproven talent like Jerry Jones. Enter Smith, who is a physical freak. |
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10 | Cam Newton, QB | Auburn | Shanahan’s never had a quarterback like Newton but you can bet Dan Snyder’s convinced he’s the next Michael Vick. |
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11 | Von Miller, LB | Houston | If Wade Phillips doesn’t turn around the Texans’ D this year, expect Gary Kubiak to be looking for a job. Miller is a Texas kid that’s tough as nails. |
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12 | Nate Solder, OT | Colorado | Where to begin with this team? We like an OT here because whoever is behind center needs to stay alive and Adrian Peterson needs bigger running lanes. |
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13 | Gabe Carimi, OT | Wisconsin | Yes, another OT. If the Lions can’t keep Matt Stafford upright, they aren’t going anywhere in the near future. A new LT is a must and Carimi can start on Day One. |
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14 | Julio Jones, WR | Alabama | This would be a steal for the Rams, who need to surround Sam Bradford with weapons ASAP. Is the Greatest Show On Turf making a return? |
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15 | Aldon Smith, DE/LB | Missouri | The quarterback situation is in shambles but Smith is a perfect 3-4 fit that is drawing comparisons to DeMarcus Ware. |
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16 | Cameron Jordan, DE | California | The Jags’ defense is a mess, which is a problem when you’re in a division with Peyton Manning and Chris Johnson. Jordan has NFL scouts drooling. |
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17 | Ryan Kerrigan, DE | Purdue | Brady needs a deep threat but the WR crop this draft is thin. A pass-rushing DE will have to suffice and Kerrigan is a monster. |
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18 | Adrian Clayborn, DE | Iowa | His stock has plummeted this season from a guy that could have been a top five pick. Expect A.J. Smith to look like a genius again in a couple years. |
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19 | Akeem Ayers, LB | UCLA | The Giants are always looking for an upgrade at linebacker and this would be a steal. |
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20 | J.J. Watt, DE | Wisconsin | The Bucs have drafted well and look set at offensive skill positions and the DT spot. Now they need someone to get after Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. |
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21 | Anthony Costanzo, OT | Boston College | Another team whose quarterback had a major scare this season. At 6-7, Castonzo is as big as a house. |
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22 | Stephen Paea, DT | Oregon State | He may or may not be the next Haloti Ngata, but the Colts run D is dreadful. |
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23 | Benjamin Ijalana, OT | Villanova | The offensive linemen just keep coming. It’d be a feel-good story for a ‘Nova player to stay in Philly. And Michael Vick can’t take the same punishment. |
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24 | Muhammad Wilkerson, DT | Temple | You saw how Marshawn Lynch ran over, around and through this defense. Good luck doing that on this 6-5, 300-pounder. |
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25 | Jake Locker, QB | Washington | Locker is a project at QB but there’s time to develop behind Matt Hasselbeck, who seems like he’s been in the league forever. |
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26 | Greg Jones, LB | Michigan State | Ray Lewis is still phenomenal, but it’s time to tap a replacement. Jones has a similar motor to the future Hall of Famer. |
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27 | Cameron Heyward, DE | Ohio State | The Falcons are still licking their wounds from the Packers’ beatdown in the playoffs. Enter “Ironhead” Heyward’s son who was all-world in the Sugar Bowl. |
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28 | Mark Ingram, RB | Alabama | Green-Ellis & Woodhead were great last year but Ingram combines their best attributes in one. And the Jets proved the Pats need an RB upgrade. |
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29 | Derek Sherrod, OT | Mississippi State | Jay Cutler was a ragdoll last season. This pick is a reach but fills a huge need. |
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30 | Drake Nevis, DT | LSU | Kris Jenkins’ ACL is in shambles and this pick turns the Jets’ defense from great to scary. |
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31 | Jimmy Smith, CB | Colorado | Smith isn’t on the same level as Peterson or Amukamara but the Steelers need someone, anyone that can play corner. |
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32 | Martez Wilson, LB | Illinois | The Packers are loaded with young talent but they could use someone to help Clay Matthews get at the QB. Wilson is a physical specimen. |
