2011 Mock

McShay has us picking 6th
Buffalo Bills

Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford Only a third-year sophomore this fall but coach Jim Harbaugh has Luck on the fast track mechanically and mentally. Luck has prototypical size (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) and is an underrated athlete. More importantly, he has a smooth over-the-top delivery, a strong arm and great touch as a passer. Better decisions while gaining more game experience could put Luck in position to become the top player taken in the draft -- either in 2011 or 2012.


St. Louis Rams

Marcell Dareus*, DT, Alabama After taking QB Sam Bradford with the top overall pick in 2010, the Rams go back to the well with another first-round defensive lineman in Dareus, who is a remarkable athlete for his size (6-4, 296 pounds).




Kansas City Chiefs

Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College The Chiefs target a bookend starter opposite OT Branden Albert. Castonzo has the long arms, lateral agility and balance to emerge as a top-shelf left tackle prospect next year.



Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Adrian Clayborn, DE, IowaThe Bucs continue to overhaul their defensive line via the draft. Clayborn could team up with the young defensive tackle tandem of Gerald McCoy (pick No. 3 this year) and Brian Price (pick No. 35) to give Tampa Bay one of the youngest, most talented defensive fronts in the NFL.



Cleveland Browns

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio StateHeyward is a local product with the size, power and quickness to give the Browns' base 3-4 defensive front more scheme flexibility.



Carolina Panthers
DT Jurrell Casey*, USC Casey is a budding star with a quick first step and explosive power as a hitter. The junior could be in position to leave school early as a first-round prospect if he plays with more consistency this fall.

New England Patriots(from Oakland)
A.J. Green*, WR, Georgia Taking a wide receiver at No. 7 overall might be too rich for the Patriots' blood, but they certainly could be in the market for a No. 1 target, assuming Randy Moss is gone after this season. Green should have no problem returning to form after a shoulder injury cut his 2010 season short. The 6-4, 210-pound junior is blessed with a top-of-the-line combination of athleticism, body control and hand-eye coordination.

Detroit Lions
Robert Quinn*, DE, North Carolina The Lions continue to significantly upgrade their talent level at key positions. This time around it is a pass rusher in Quinn, who tallied 19 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks as a sophomore in 2009.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Jake Locker, QB, WashingtonLocker would have pushed Bradford for the top spot in this year's draft had he left school early. Instead, he returns for another year of seasoning under coach Steve Sarkisian, which will better prepare the athletically gifted, strong-arm quarterback to step into a starting role as a rookie in 2011. Locker falling to No. 9 overall is a direct result of team needs and it won't be surprising if he becomes the top overall pick. The Jaguars should be in the market for David Garrard's replacement during next year's draft and they couldn't pass on a talent like Locker if he somehow is available when they select.

Chicago Bears
Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina The Bears get back into the first-round mix after not picking in the 2010 draft until No. 75 overall. Carter is an instinctive linebacker with great range and fits perfectly in a Tampa-2 type of scheme.

Washington Redskins
DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson McDaniel is the complete package at safety and he's coming off a 102-tackle, eight-interception season as a junior. Another strong campaign in 2010 should stamp his spot in Round 1 of next year's draft.

Seattle Seahawks
Ras-I Dowling, CB, VirginiaDowling appears to possess a stronger overall skill set than former teammate Chris Cook, whom the Vikings selected with 34th overall pick in the 2010 draft.

Denver Broncos
Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi Powe is a work in progress but it's hard to find 340-pounders with adequate quickness and balance.

Arizona Cardinals
Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&MMiller needs to bulk up and learn to use his hands better but he's an instinctive edge rusher with the speed to turn the corner.

San Francisco 49ers
Ryan Mallett*, QB, Arkansas It is a make-or-break season for former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith. If he doesn't turn the corner in 2010 with a new and improved supporting cast, San Francisco will be back in the quarterback market a year from now. Mallett needs to become the exception to the rule as a 6-foot-7 quarterback in the NFL, but he certainly has the deceptive athleticism, sweet stroke and cannon arm to overcome the perceived flaw.

Tennessee Titans
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska The Titans upgraded their pass rush with the selection of DE Derrick Morgan at No. 16 this year, so next year will be time to find a potential top cover corner. Amukamara is an early candidate thanks to a strong combination of instincts, size and ball skills.

Houston Texans
Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina Austin can be an active interior force but he needs to keep his motor revving at full throttle in 2010 in order to maximize his draft stock.

Miami Dolphins
Jeremy Beal, DE/OLB, OklahomaBeal is an active defensive end with 34.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks the past two seasons. He would fit well as a rush-linebacker in the Dolphins' 3-4 defensive scheme.

New York Giants
Mark Ingram*, RB, Alabama It will be interesting to see how Ingram performs as the returning Heisman Trophy winner in 2010. It also will be interesting to see how coach Nick Saban splits up the carries between Ingram and sophomore sensation Trent Richardson. Still, Ingram possesses a great combination of vision, patience and lateral quickness.

Philadelphia Eagles
OT Matt Reynolds* BYU Coach Andy Reid loves to draft offensive linemen early and Reynolds is a mature junior with a strong combination of size, balance and technique.

Atlanta Falcons
Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin Carimi has experience (36 career starts) and he's efficient, but he needs to become more dominant at the point of attack as a senior.

New England Patriots
Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State It might be time for New England to cut its losses with former first-rounder Laurence Maroney, and Thomas could be an option in the 2011 draft. The former quarterback exploded onto the scene last year with a Big 12-best 1,265 rushing yards. In addition to natural running instincts, Thomas displays soft hands as a pass catcher.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Jonathan Baldwin*, WR, PittsburghThe local product hauled in 57 passes for 1,111 yards and eight scores last season. Baldwin has the size and athleticism to become a good complement to other young Steelers receivers, including Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders.

Cincinnati Bengals
Julio Jones*, WR, AlabamaJones was finally healthy down the stretch of last season when he hauled in 27 passes for 421 yards in the final five regular-season games. He needs to be more consistent and prove he's a clutch performer in big games after disappearing in two postseason outings (three catches, 51 yards versus Florida and Texas). The Bengals could be looking for Chad Ochocinco's eventual replacement early in next year's draft, and Jones is certainly an early candidate.

San Diego Chargers
Kyle Rudolph*, TE, Notre Dame Don't be surprised if the Chargers draft a tight end early next year, as they begin to groom Antonio Gates' eventual replacement. Rudolph is healthy now after a shoulder injury cut his 2009 season short, and he has the athleticism and elite ball skills to push for a spot in the late part of Round 1.

Dallas Cowboys
Deunta Williams, S, North CarolinaWilliams, who picked off six passes in 2009, is the type of ballhawk the Cowboys need playing the centerfielder's role in their secondary.

Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Peterson*, CB, LSUPeterson has the size, upper-body strength and ball skills to emerge as an early-round pick next year.

Green Bay Packers
Ryan Williams*, RB, Virginia Tech Williams has just one year of game experience but that's all he needed to draw the attention of scouts across the league. The 5-10, 205-pound back can work his way into the first couple of rounds by proving he's not a one-year wonder this fall. From what I have seen thus far, Williams has a chance to be special.

New York Jets
Jared Crick*, DT, NebraskaWe're going to find out quickly if Crick is as good as the 2009 game tape suggests, or if he is an overrated benefactor of Ndamukong Suh's past dominance.

Minnesota Vikings
Allen Bailey, DT, MiamiBailey has outstanding natural talent but his production thus far has been inconsistent. Last year, for example, he notched seven sacks in the first eight games before pitching a shutout in the final five outings. Big things are expected from the 6-4, 292-pound former end in 2010, his second full season at defensive tackle.

Indianapolis Colts
Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida The Colts elected not to draft an offensive lineman until Round 4 this year so don't be surprised if they take a more aggressive approach in 2011. Mike Pouncey, twin brother of Steelers' first-round selection Maurkice, could emerge as an early-round pick if he makes a successful move inside to center this fall.

New Orleans Saints
Greg Romeus, DE, PittsburghRomeus lacks elite athleticism but he can get to the passer with a good combination of quickness and power. He is also is one of the better run-defending defensive end prospects in the 2011 senior class.

 

IS HE A 3-4 DT? (somebody had to ask)

 

ghey

 

I'd rather have Quinn at DE. He just ran a 4.38 40. I know this could just be the school padding stats, but if even close, DAYUM.

 

So Al, you gonna release Jamarcus or what?

 

I know speed isn't the only issue, but that kind of speed combined with his onfield productivity its tough not to want him in a camp, but its a good chance he goes top 3 next year. So hopefully we never get a chance to draft him.

 

top 75 from "mocking the draft"

[This initial ranking does not include redshirt sophomores. That means Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams are not included. Small-school players like Grambling defensive end Christian Anthony weren't included. I'm not going to act like I know a ton about small-school guys, but will research them more leading up to the start of the season.]

1. A.J. Green | 6'4, 200 pounds | WR | Georgia *
2. Patrick Peterson | 6'1, 211 pounds | CB | LSU *
3. Robert Quinn | 6'5, 270 pounds | DE | North Carolina *
4. Julio Jones | 6'4, 210 pounds | WR | Alabama *
5. Jake Locker | 6'3, 226 pounds | QB | Washington
6. Travis Lewis | 6'2, 230 pounds | OLB | Oklahoma *
7. Allen Bailey | 6'4, 288 pounds | DT/DE | Miami (Fla.)
8. Ras-I Dowling | 6'2, 200 pounds | CB | Virginia
9. Adrian Clayborn | 6'3, 282 pounds | DE | Iowa
10. Prince Amukamara | 6'1, 200 pounds | CB | Nebraska
11. Bruce Carter | 6'3, 230 pounds | OLB | North Carolina
12. Jared Crick | 6'6, 285 pounds | DT | Nebraska *
13. Jonathan Baldwin | 6'5, 220 pounds | WR | Pittsburgh *
14. Marvin Austin | 6'3, 305 pounds | DT | North Carolina
15. Cameron Heyward | 6'6, 287 pounds | DE | Ohio State
16. Da'Quan Bowers | 6'4, 280 pounds | DE | Clemson *
17. Kyle Rudolph | 6'6, 265 pounds | TE | Notre Dame *
18. Greg Romeus | 6'6, 270 pounds | DE | Pittsburgh
19. Chris Galippo | 6'2, 250 pounds | MLB | Southern California
20. Anthony Castonzo | 6'7, 295 pounds | OT | Boston College
21. DeAndre McDaniel | 6'1, 210 pounds | S | Clemson
22. Michael Floyd | 6'3, 220 pounds | WR | Notre Dame *
23. Ryan Mallett | 6'7, 238 pounds | QB | Arkansas *
24. Jeremy Beal | 6'3, 261 pounds | DE | Oklahoma
25. Mark Barron | 6'2, 215 pounds | S | Alabama *
26. Armon Binns | 6'4, 200 pounds | WR | Cincinnati
27. Will Hill | 6'1, 200 pounds | S | Florida *
28. Aaron Williams | 6'1, 190 pounds | CB | Texas *
29. Rodney Hudson | 6'2, 283 pounds | G | Florida State
30. Gabe Carimi | 6'7, 315 pounds | OT | Wisconsin
31. Deunta Williams | 6'2, 210 pounds | S | North Carolina
32. Rahim Moore | 6'1, 195 pounds | S | UCLA *
33. Marcel Dareus | 6'3, 280 pounds | DE | Alabama *
34. Jurell Casey | 6'1, 300 pounds | DT | Southern California *
35. Clint Boling | 6'5, 297 pounds | OT | Georgia
36. Mark Ingram | 5'10, 215 pounds | RB | Alabama *
37. Quan Sturdivant | 6'2, 235 pounds | MLB | North Carolina
38. Matt Reynolds | 6'6, 329 pounds | OT | BYU *
39. Greg Jones | 6'1, 228 pounds | MLB | Michigan State
40. Weslye Saunders | 6'5, 280 pounds | TE | South Carolina
41. Terrance Toliver | 6'5, 206 pounds | WR | LSU
42. Justin Boren | 6'3, 315 pounds | G | Ohio State
43. Austin Pettis | 6'3, 202 pounds | WR | Boise State
44. Kristofer O'Dowd | 6'5, 300 pounds | C | Southern California
45. Jacquizz Rodgers | 5'7, 192 pounds | RB | Oregon State *
46. Akeem Ayers | 6'5, 250 pounds | OLB | UCLA *
47. Jarvis Jenkins | 6'4, 305 pounds | DT | Clemson
48. Christian Ponder | 6'2, 219 pounds | QB | Florida State
49. Curtis Brown | 6'0, 180 pounds | CB | Texas
50. Von Miller | 6'3, 240 pounds | OLB | Texas A&M
51. Stanley Havili | 6'1, 230 pounds | FB | Southern California
52. Luke Stocker | 6'6, 240 pounds | TE | Tennessee
53. Stefen Wisniewski | 6'3, 302 pounds | C | Penn State
54. Josh Bynes | 6'2, 239 pounds | MLB | Auburn
55. Lee Ziemba | 6'8, 310 pounds | OT | Auburn
56. Daniel Thomas | 6'2, 227 pounds | RB | Kansas State
57. Leonard Hankerson | 6'3, 215 pounds | WR | Miami (Fla.)
58. Noel Devine | 5'8, 176 pounds | RB | West Virginia
59. Stephen Paea | 6'1, 285 pounds | DT | Oregon State
60. Marcus Cannon | 6'5, 350 pounds | OT | TCU
61. Mike Pouncey | 6'5, 320 pounds | G/C | Florida
62. Greg Little | 6'3, 210 pounds | WR | North Carolina
63. Kai Forbath | 6'1, 192 pounds | K | UCLA
64. DeMarco Murray | 6'1, 214 pounds | RB | Oklahoma
65. Case Keenum | 6'2, 210 pounds | QB | Houston
66. Colin McCarthy | 6'3, 242 pounds | OLB | Miami (Fla.)
67. Joseph Barksdale | 6'5, 315 pounds | OT | LSU
68. Owen Marecic | 6'1, 244 pounds | FB | Stanford
69. Ahmad Black | 5'9, 185 pounds | S | Florida
70. Roy Helu | 6'0, 215 pounds | RB | Nebraska
71. Nate Solder | 6'9, 305 pounds | OT | Colorado
72. Jerrell Powe | 6'2, 340 pounds | DT | Mississippi
73. Montel Harris | 5'10, 200 pounds | RB | Boston College *
74. Alex Wujciak | 6'3, 255 pounds | MLB | Maryland
75. Jerrod Johnson | 6'5, 243 pounds | QB | Texas A&M

 

and the SI version

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...ff/04/27/2011.mock.draft/index.html?eref=sihp

12. Carolina Panthers
Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

No guarantee current GM Marty Hurney and coach John Fox will be making this pick. Analysts wonder if Austin's drive equals his talent, so he'll have to play hard this year to go this high.

 

is there a draft in a lock out year?

 

I'll be honest, even though I'm a UNC fan, I'm starting to wonder this too.