Day One 2011 NFL Mock Draft

First Round (Day One)

1. Carolina Panthers- Nick Fairley (DT) Auburn
Ron Rivera gets an inside defensive presence that has become sexy with Suh and McCoy.
2. Denver Broncos- Daquan Bowers (DE) Clemson
Denver is moving to the 4-3, great combo with Dumervil off the edge
3. Buffalo Bills- Marcel Dareus (DE in 3-4) Alabama
Solid disruptive presence lacking in the Bills defense, makes up for Maybin pick.
4. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J Green (WR) Georgia
I see it as Shipley in the slot with Simpson and Green outside in the new look Cincy offense.
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert (QB) Missouri
The miss on Leinart hurt the Cards after the retirement of Warner, Skelton is a solid backup to the future in Zona
6. Cleveland Browns- Von Miller (OLB) Texas A&M
Steal of the draft, brings instant pressure and explosiveness off the edge.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Patrick Peterson (CB) LSU
Solid shutdown corner and returner. Clements could be termed a disappointment in the Bay.
8. Tennessee Titans- Cameron Newton (QB) Auburn
A bigger, stronger and more accurate version of Vince Young.
9. Dallas Cowboys- Cameron Jordan (DE) California
A surprise for the Boys but they need help along the front 3 to make Ware and Spencer better.
10. Washington Redskins- Robert Quinn (OLB) North Carolina
Great player to team with Orakpo, slides because of his suspension and character concerns.
11. Houston Texans- Prince Amukmara (CB) Nebraska
Back to back years of drafting a corner but you need corners to play with the Colts.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Jake Locker (QB) Minnesota
The future at quarterback in Minny. Tavaris Jackson just doesn't cut it.
13. Detroit Lions- Brandon Harris (CB) Miami
The Lions need to build the outside after finding solid players on the inside.
14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones (WR) Alabama
Is there a more perfect fit in this draft. Injury concerns slide Jones down to the ideal destination.
15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram (RB) Alabama
The Dolphins should at least lose one if not both of the Ronny Brown/Ricky Williams combo.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- J.J Watt (DE) Wisconsin
The jags finally find the man to dominate in the front four with this selection.
17. New England Patriots- Anthony Castanzo (OT) Boston College
The Pats go to o-line U to find the compliment to Sebastian Vollmer as the new bookends.
18. San Diego Chargers- Adrian Clayborn (DE in 3-4) Iowa
The Chargers may be close to rebuilding its defense, Clayborn is a solid 5 technique end in San Diego's system
19. New York Giants- Nate Solder (OT) Colorado
Beatty may not be the heir to Diehl at LT, Solder is the answer.
20. Tampa Bay Bucs- Cameron Heyward (DE) Ohio State
Baby Ironhead and McCoy form a great inside/outside duo. Reminds Bucs of old days with Rice and Sapp.
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Aldon Smith (OLB) Missouri
The Chiefs stay in state to find a solid athlete opposite Tamba Hali and to replace an aging Vrabel.
22. Indianapolis Colts- Tyron Smith (OT) USC
The new blindside protector to Peyton Manning in Indy.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- Derrick Sherrod (OT) Mississippi State
A solid right tackle to pair with Peters as bookends, could move to left when Peters is done.
24. New Orleans Saints- Michael LeShoure (RB) Illinois
Payton tried moving Pierre Thomas last season and Bush could be cut because of salary concerns.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Gabe Carimi (OT) Wisconsin
Back to back seasons of selecting protectors to the qb to be named later.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Jimmy Smith (CB) Colorado
The weakness of this defense was shown by giving up a third and very long in the playoffs.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Ryan Kerrigan (DE) Purdue
Ala the Jags the Falcons keep looking for that guy to get to the quarterback.
28. New England Patriots- Muhammed Wilkerson (3-4 DE) Temple
Exactly what the pats look for in their defensive lineman. Size, can play both sides and ability to play two-gap.
29. Chicago Bears- Torrey Smith (WR) Maryland
The go-to-guy for Cutler as the Bears move forward.
30. New York Jets- Stephen Pea (NT) Oregon State
The all-time combine bench press record holder is a perfect fit as the nose in the Jets system. Jenkins just can't stay healthy.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Aaron Williams (CB) Texas
The corners for the Steelers got exposed by a deep receiving core in the Super Bowl.
32. Green Bay Packers- Justin Houston (OLB in 3-4) Georgia
Could be a force getting one on one blocking with Matthews on the other side.