A Very Early 2011 NFL Mock Draft

[SuperKevin]

This is going to be updated post by post but it won't drag on like W2BTD's 100 Wrestlers list.

All draft eligible college players are included.

1. Buffalo Bills- Andrew Luck QB Stanford RS Soph
2. Carolina Panthers- AJ Green WR Georgia Jr
3. San Francisco 49ers- Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri Jr
4. Cleveland Browns- Julio Jones WR Alabama Jr
5. Detroit Lions- Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State Sr
6. Dallas Cowboys- Anthony Costonzo OT Boston College Sr
7. Minnesota Vikings- Marcel Dareus DT Alabama Jr
8. St Louis Rams- Patrick Peterson CB LSU Jr
9. Oakland Raiders- Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina Sr
10. Denver Broncos- Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa Sr
11. Cincinnati Bengals- Mark Ingram RB Alabama Jr

[SuperKevin]

1. Buffalo Bills



Andrew Luck Quarterback Stanford RS Sophomore

I'm usually very wary of taking a quarterback with the first overall pick due to the extreme pressure placed on their shoulders early in their career. As a Bills fan I'm even more against the idea. The truth is though, Buffalo cannot afford to take anyone but Andrew Luck here. The 2011 Quarterback class is very weak in my opinion with few surefire NFL caliber players. You have strong armed poor fundamentaled QBs like Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker and you have system QBs with limited potential like Christian Ponder. Andrew Luck, in a very short amount of time, has proved himself to be a cut above the rest of the class and I wouldn't be worried to put him under center in his rookie year.

Other players considered:

AJ Green WR Georgia Jr- Whoever is eventually going to play QB here will need some big time targets at WR.

Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa Sr- This team lacks real 3-4 defensive linemen

[SuperKevin]

2. Carolina Panthers



AJ Green WR Georgia Jr

The Panthers may be the biggest disappointment in recent memory. This was a team that a lot of people expected to contend in the NFC South and instead, they have the league's worst offense due in part to starting rookies at QB and both WR spots. While many would say having two rookie WRs in the starting lineup indicates a solid fondation for the future, neither player is really a #1 WR. AJ Green is the kind of player who can step in right away and make the offense better immediately.

Other players considered:

Nick Fairley DT Auburn Jr- One of the fastest rising defensive players in the draft. Proving to be a monster in the SEC

[SuperKevin]

3. San Francisco 49ers



Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri Junior

Prior to the season many people would have pegged Washington QB jake Locker as a top 5 pick but his poor fundamentals and shaky play he's started to fall behind in the quarterback rankings. One such QB who has passed him in my opinion is Blaine Gabbert from Missouri. He has great size at 6'5" 240 lbs, a strong arm, strong leadership skills, and is able to throw well on the move. The only knock I have on Gabbert is the system he plays in. Like many other quarterbacks in college football, Gabbert plays in a wide open spread passing attack that tends to mask a QBs deficiencies. However some people said the same thing about Sam Bradford last year and he has managed to play well as a rookie. Gabbert might not be ready to play right away but he should be able to come in should Alex Smith finally get ousted in San Fran.

Other players considered

Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa Sr- Excellent fit in the 3-4 DE as a DE.

Patrick Peterson CB LSU Jr- solid playmaker at CB with strong return skills

[SuperKevin]

4. Cleveland Browns



Julio Jones WR Alabama Jr

When Mohammad Massaquoi is your leading target at WR you are in desperate need of an upgrade. Julio Jones has the size and speed NFL teams drool over. He's an immediate #1 WR in the NFL who also has value as a punt returner. He'll instantly make whoever is under center much better.

Other players considered

Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA Jr- playmaking OLB that can rush the QB and play well in coverage

Cam Heyward DE Ohio State Sr- Local talent at 3-4 DE that can help improve the run defense

[SuperKevin]

5. Detroit Lions



Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi St Sr

One of the fastest rising players in the draft, Derek Sherrod has soared up boards due to his strong physical play in the SEC. Sherrod has consistently been among the nation's top blockers performing strongly in pass protection and run blocking. Sherrod has excellent size and quick enough feet to handle the LT position in the NFL. He should be an upgrade over Jeff Backus at LT.

Other players considered:

Patrick Peterson CB LSU Jr- playmaking CB who also is a huge factor in the return game

Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA Jr- excellent OLB who can be a factor against the run and in coverage

[Leftwich]

Kevin don't hate me but I really don't like Gabbert going in the first... he plays very well at Mizzou but I don't think he is a prototypical NFL QB. San Fran was burned by a spread QB before so I think they'll shy away from doing it again. But I could be wrong.

Just my opinion.

[SuperKevin]

Kevin don't hate me but I really don't like Gabbert going in the first... he plays very well at Mizzou but I don't think he is a prototypical NFL QB. San Fran was burned by a spread QB before so I think they'll shy away from doing it again. But I could be wrong.

Just my opinion.

There's a lot of system QBs out there (Gabbert, Nick Foles, Terrelle Pryor, Ryan Mallett) and i feel Gabbert has the best fundamentals of the group and will require the least amount of transition time. Unfortunately Urban Meyer killed the college QB and you'll rarely find college QBs ready to step in immediately.

[SuperKevin]

6. Dallas Cowboys



Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College Sr

The LT position has been disasterous for the Cowboys in recent years. They have struggled with penalties over and over again. Anthony Castonzo is a legit LT prospect with excellent technique and discipline who should put an end to those problems. His long arms and quick feet will help protect Tony Romo against all the athletic pass rushers in the NFC East.

[Boucher]

i dont think gabbert will go before locker or mallet

[SuperKevin]

7. Minnesota Vikings



Marcel Dareus DT Alabama Jr

Minnesota is another team that's underperforming in a huge way. Many people had them pegged as a Super Bowl contender and instead they are 1-3 through 5 weeks. Luckily for the Vikings, they don't have a lot of holes. One area they may need to focus on could be the DT spot if Pat Williams decides to retire. Dareus is the best DT in the draft in my opinion and despite playing exclusively in the 3-4 defense in college, he'll be an excellent fit as a run stuffing NT in a 4-3 defense.

[SuperKevin]

i dont think gabbert will go before locker or mallet

Again, I feel mechanically and fundamentally, Gabbert is ahead of both Locker and Mallett.

[Maize]

Lions need to move up to take Peterson! Haha. Happy if we get Sherrod, but I would rather take a defensive back.

[EmpireWF]

Patrick Peterson out of the top 5.....damn.

Surprised you have two OTs in the top 10. From what I've seen at this point, the top guy may be Costanzo in the middle of the first round. Nobody is that dominant tackle just yet.

[KNUBB]

Drake Nevis >> Dareus

Research my friend and you can try again