Lang on NFL: Mock Draft version 1.0

This year’s NFL draft is unlike anything else teams have had to prepare for before. With no CBA there is no free agency and without the ability to sign free agents, teams will be going into the draft with more questions marks than answers.

In previous years, teams would target specific free agents to fill specific needs on their roster and until the NFL and the players agree on a new CBA, general managers are not able to do that.

The inability to sign a veteran free agent might totally change the mindset of GMs around the league. What is even more bizarre is that without a new CBA, teams are not allowed to sign their draft picks.

That means a team that drafts a quarterback, will not be allowed to bring them into their facility to learn the playbook until a new deal is agreed upon.

Whether or not a new CBA is agreed upon between now and April 28th will dramatically alter a team’s draft day strategy. Since that is not likely to happen, it is what it is.

ORDER OF SELECTION: 2011 NFL DRAFT

1 – Carolina Panthers – Marcel Dareus – DT – Alabama: In a normal year, Ron Rivera and the Panthers would have drafted a quarterback. But until there’s a new CBA, draftees are not allowed to work out with their new teams. For a rookie quarterback that is a huge disadvantage. Because of this, the Panthers will go for the sure thing and pick a player that can play from day one.

2 – Denver Broncos – Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU – Defence was a major concern in the Mile High city. The Broncos secondary only managed 10 interceptions in 2010, only the Saints were worse with nine picks. Peterson also would give the Broncos a weapon on kick and punt returns.

3 – Buffalo Bills – Cameron Newton – QB – Auburn: Unlike the Panthers, Chan Gailey and the Bills have a serviceable quarterback to run the offence in Ryan Fitzpatrick. Newton has huge upside and is simply too good of an athlete for the Bills to pass up.

4 – Cincinnati Bengals – AJ Green – WR – Georgia. It is patently obvious that the relationship between head coach Marvin Lewis and Chad Ochocinco is completely untenable.

5 – Arizona Cardinals – Von Miller – LB Texas A & M – While the Cardinals are still in need of a quarterback, they need someone with experience, not a raw rookie. Miller is a bone fide stud that is ready to play and ready to help a defence that lost Karlos Dansby to free agency the year before.

6 – Cleveland Browns – Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson – In last year’s 3-4 defensive schemes, the majority of the Browns 29 sacks came from linebackers Marcus Bernard and Scott Fujita. With the Browns switching to a 4-3 defence, they need a good old fashioned hand in the dirt defensive end.

7 – San Francisco 49ers – Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina – There really is no excuse for a team as talented as the 49ers to not win the NFC West in 2011. Drafting a stud along the defensive line would certainly help.

8 – Tennessee Titans – Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri – The Titans are a team that is screaming out to draft a quarterback. Kerry Collins is on the verge of qualifying for social security and there is a dearth of talent backing him up.

9– Dallas Cowboys – CB – Prince Amukamara – Nebraska – The Cowboys don’t have the best offensive line in the NFC, but they still only allowed a respectable 31 sacks. Drafting for help at cornerback is a bigger priority for the Cowboys, as they allowed a shocking 33 passing touchdowns in 2010, tied for last in the NFL with the Texans.

10 – Washington Redskins – Jake Locker – QB – Washington: The Redskins are a team crying out for a quarterback. Especially since the relationship between Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb is less than ideal.

11 – Houston Texans – Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado – The Texans pass defence was as bad as anyone had seen in recent NFL memory. The drafting of Smith might help fill the void from last year’s departure of Dunta Robinson.

12 – Minnesota Vikings – Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn: Fairley was a devastating force for Auburn and has the athleticism to play any position along the defensive line. He would rejuvenate a defence that ranked 20th with 31 sacks last season, compared to a unit that finished first with 48 in 2009.

13 – Detroit Lions – Nate Solder – OT – Colorado: With the selection of Ndamukong Suh last year, the Lions defensive line is in good shape. This year the focus has to shift to the offensive line.

14 – St Louis Rams – Julio Jones – WR – Alabama: Jones put up big numbers at the combine and would give the Rams something Sam Bradford and the offence sorely needs – a playmaker on offence

15 – Miami Dolphins –Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama: Not much of a stretch for the Dolphins since Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are free agents.

16 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Cameron Jordan – DE – California: Aaron Kampman has a bad knee and Jack Del Rio simply can not take a pass on an athlete of Jordan’s caliber.

17 – New England Patriots (from Oakland Raiders) – Ryan Kerrigan – DE/OLB – Purdue: Thanks to the generosity of Al Davis and the Raiders, Bill Belichick can continue to rebuild his defence.

18 – San Diego Chargers – Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri: The Chargers have a need along the defensive line and Smith is a perfect fit for what they are looking for.

19 – New York Giants – Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin: It isn’t that there is anything wrong with the Giants offensive line, it’s just the fact that the line is getting old and it is time to bring in some fresh blood.

20 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa: Easily one of the best young teams in the NFL, Bucs GM Mark Dominik will not pass up a chance to grab a defensive end with a big upside.

21 – Kansas City Chiefs – Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA: The Chiefs made some remarkable strides during the regular season. After getting punked by the Ravens in the playoffs, GM Scott Pioli knows he has some work to do. Replacing veteran outside linebacker Mike Vrabel is near the top of his list.

22 – Indianapolis Colts – Mike Pouncey – OL – Florida: Without a healthy Peyton Manning, the Colts have no chance. So protecting Manning should be a top priority for Bill Polian.

23 – Philadelphia Eagles – Tyron Smith – OT – USC: Protecting Michael Vick is a top priority for Andy Reid this off season. Vick took a pounding last year as the Eagles gave up a whopping 49 sacks in 2010

24 – New Orleans Saints – Aaron Williams – CB – Texas: The Saints secondary struggled to get turnovers last season, finishing worst in the league with only nine interceptions. Darren Sharper had nine in his sleep for a unit that finished third with 26 in 2009.

25 – Seattle Seahawks – Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College: Pete Carroll’s rah-rah style of coaching isn’t for everyone, but it was good enough to win a playoff game. To make sure the Seahawks have a chance to win the weak NFC West, beefing up their offensive line is a major priority.

26 – Baltimore Ravens – Rahim Moore – Safety – UCLA: The combination of age and injuries took a heavy tool on the Ravens secondary in 2010. General manager Ozzie Newsome has no choice but to target that position via the draft to stay competitive in the AFC.

27 – Atlanta Falcons – Cameron Heyward – DE – Ohio State: Already a very talented team, Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff knows he is only a few key pieces away from being a force in the NFC. Adding depth to the defensive line would certainly help.

28 – New England Patriots – Clint Boling – Guard – Georgia: Belichick wa
s able to address his defence with his first pick in the opening round; with this pick the Patriots will begin to rebuild their offensive line.

29 – Chicago Bears –Derrick Sherrod – OT – Mississippi State: As much as some Bears fans hate the guy, Lovie Smith still has a responsibility to help protect his franchise quarterback.

30 – New York Jets – Muhammad Wilkerson – DE – Temple: If Rex Ryan’s defence is going to help back his bold words about winning Super Bowl XLVI (here we go again), he will need to add some talent along his defensive line.

31 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Danny Watkins – Guard – Baylor: Yes, the kid from BC has a legitimate shot at being taken in the first round of the NFL draft. The Steelers offensive line is need of depth and Watkins would be a good place to start.

32 – Green Bay Packers – Leonard Hankerson – WR – Miami (Fla): Donald Driver can’t play forever and there are very few holes on the Packers defence.

Possible risers:

Christian Ponder – QB – Florida State

Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas

Ryan Williams – RB – Virginia Tech

Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois

Brooks Reed – OLB – Arizona

Greg Jones – ILB – Michigan State

It should be noted that General Managers in the NFL hold mock drafts with their coaches and scouts on a regular basis in the lead-up to the opening round. Feel free to do the same and see what you end up with.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today