drafttake.com - Picks 1-16

	Picks 1-16

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Picks 1-16

Updated February 2nd
Round 1

2011 Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers: DT Nick Fairley, Auburn

It is extremely unfortunate that Andrew Luck decided to return to school, as he would've been a slam dunk pick. Now the Panthers must decide between Da'Quan Bowers, Nick Fairley, and A.J. Green. I think that they go with Fairley here after his dominating season. He is a disruptive force who does a good job putting pressure on the quarterback even as a defensive tackle. You could make the argument for Bowers or Green here, but I think defensive tackle just may be their biggest need.

2. Denver Broncos: CB Patrick Peterson, LSU

The Broncos have many needs on the defensive end of the ball, specifically the defensive line and the secondary. It’s a tough call here between Peterson and Nick Fairley but I think since Denver has so many defensive needs, they will go best defender available here. Peterson is a notch ahead of Fairley as a prospect, and would be able to come in and pair with Champ Bailey right away. Peterson reminds me a lot of Charles Woodson, and he become the shutdown corner of the future once Bailey either retires or leaves as a free agent.

3. Buffalo Bills: QB Cam Newton, Auburn

I think it is certainly possible that Buffalo could pass on taking a quarterback due to the recent play of Ryan Fitzpatrick. I think that Newton is going to blow some people away at the combine and he will end up in the top 5 picks of the draft. He is too intriguing at this point for Buffalo to pass up and I think he will be best served to sit behind Fitzpatrick for a year or two.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: WR A.J. Green, Georgia

Defensive end was thought to be their main need, but the emergence of Carlos Dunlap in recent weeks has made that position less of a need. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are most likely going to be with other teams next season, so the Bengals are going to need a new number one receiver. Green is by far the top receiver available in this draft, and he is a future pro bowl player. He has all the top skills and abilities that are seen in other top wide receivers throughout the league.

5. Arizona Cardinals: QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

The Cardinals miss Kurt Warner in a bad way this season, and they cannot continue to leave the franchise in the hands of Derek Anderson and Max Hall. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of Gabbert and I do think he is a bit overrated. Yet this is a quarterback driven league, and Arizona can't afford to go into next season with Anderson and Hall as the quarterbacks. I do think Gabbert is worth a first round pick, and he has far more potential than Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker.

6. Cleveland Browns: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson

Now that the Browns are looking like they will be switching back to a 4-3 defense, their biggest need becomes a pass rushing defensive end. Bowers is arguably the top pass rusher in this draft, and would be a huge help to the Browns defense front. As I said, I don't think Bowers is a good fit in the 3-4 defense, so he probably wouldn't be the pick if the Browns keep their current defense.

7. San Francisco 49ers: DE Cameron Jordan, California

Cameron Jordan absolutely dominated at the Senior Bowl, and I think at this point he is pretty close to being a top 10 lock. The 49ers could use help on their defensive line, and Jordan would be a great fit, as he already has experience in a 3-4 defense. I've had them taking a quarterback here for awhile, but I think they may go in a different direction at this point.

8. Tennessee Titans: CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska

The Titans main needs all lie on the defensive end of the ball, so I think that they will end up going best defensive player available. That would be Amukamara at this point, who will fit well next to Cortland Finnegan. Amukamara is just a slight notch below Patrick Peterson, but I still think he will be a pro bowl corner for years to come. He is a steal here, and the Titans would be very happy to see him drop to this point.

9. Dallas Cowboys: DE/DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama

The Cowboys could really use a replacement for both of their defensive ends, and Dareus could be that guy. He is a disruptive force who would really help out the defensive front of the Cowboys. They could look for a corner or even an offensive tackle here as well, but Dareus is the best value here.

10. Washington Redskins: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

The Redskins decided to go with Rex Grossman as their starter late last season. They can't afford to have him as a starter and I think Donovan McNabb's days in D.C. are almost over. Mallett is a slight reach here, but I think he is the type of quarterback that Mike Shannahan will be looking for. They could go with a defensive lineman or a pass rushing linebacker here if they choose to pass on Mallett.

11. Houston Texans: DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina

Mario Williams is a great pass rusher, but the rest of the defensive line needs some work. Quinn has a ton of talent, and probably would be a top 5 pick if not for his year long suspension. He would team with Super Mario to form one of the best pass rushing duos in the league. The Texans are another team who will probably focus on the defensive side of the ball for the first few rounds of this draft.

12. Minnesota Vikings: QB Jake Locker, Washington

I know that Joe Webb played well at the end of the year, but I don't think that he is as talented as Locker. Locker cost himself a lot of money this past year, and he must work on his mechanics and accuracy. I think it'll be important for him to sit for a year or two before he assumes the starting role. A defensive end could be considered by the Vikings here too.

13. Detroit Lions: OT Nate Solder, Colorado

The Lions could go in a few different directions here, but I think that they need to focus on protecting their franchise quarterback. Solder is growing on me more each day, and even though I still think that Sherrod is the better tackle right now, Solder has much more potential. I think that he can learn on the fly, while providing an upgrade over Jeff Backus. The Lions need to protect Stafford if they want to reach the playoffs in the next year or two.

14. St. Louis Rams: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA

Ayers is the top linebacker available, and it is a huge need for the Rams. He would start day one and should provide an instant impact for their defense. Now that Justin Blackmon has decided to return to school, I highly doubt that the Rams reach for Julio Jones or Jon Baldwin, despite a huge need for a wide receiver.

15. Miami Dolphins: RB Mark Ingram, Alabama

Ingram would be a good replacement for either Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown as one or both of those guys could be gone next year. He can carry the load and is far and away the top running back in this draft, but he drops because of lack of need for running back from previous teams. I think that Miami will hope that one of the four, first round quality quarterbacks drops to them but at this point, I don't see that happening.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Aldon Smith, Missouri

Derrick Harvey has been a bust since being drafted, and Kampman suffered his second serious injury in the past two seasons. Smith is a big time pass rusher who should be able to help with the lack of a pass rush Jacksonville has had for the past few years. With so many defensive ends available, I think its almost certain that Jacksonville takes one either in round one or two.

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