NFL Mock Drafts

By Pete Prisco
CBSSports.com Senior NFL Columnist

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The prospects for the 2011 NFL Draft have to be thrilled it's draft week.

Not just to hear their names, but because they're sick of all the ripping they've been taking the past two months.

I don't care if it's the top guy on the board, the top guy at a position, or the top guy from a school, they've all taken a beating in the past two months.

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With the NFL in a lockout, and no player movement and no contact with players, it has made the players in this class a bunch of pinatas, taking a pounding like no other draft class.

The two months leading into the draft have always been a time for chopping down the talent pool, but this group has had it even worse.

"I sometimes wonder if we see anything good in these players," one AFC personnel director said. "All we do is tear them apart. And then we draft them anyway."

This draft will be like none we've seen in years. It is being held with no free-agency period before it, which means it might be more of a need draft than in recent years.

That makes it tough to figure out. But we all do mock drafts with the hopes that we get as many as we can right.

So here goes.

FYI: I might tweak it one more time before Thursday's first round. So keep an eye out for that.

NFL Mock Draft - 04/28/2011
Round 1
1. Carolina Panthers
	Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: I don't buy all this talk that they will pass on Newton. I think GM Marty Hurney's desire for a franchise quarterback wins out.
2. Denver Broncos
	Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama: This is a huge position of need as the Broncos move to a 4-3 defense. Dareus would be an immediate starter.
3. Buffalo Bills
	Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M: They need help with their pass rush in the worst way. But can they really pass on a quarterback?
4. Cincinnati Bengals
	A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: They have a big hole outside in their offense. Green fills it.
5. Arizona Cardinals
	Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: They can pair him with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to have a top pair of cover corners.
6. Cleveland Browns
	Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: They need to get some help in their outside passing game. And Mike Holmgren has a past of drafting receivers in the first round.
7. San Francisco 49ers
	Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: How can a team without a quarterback pass on one?
8. Tennessee Titans
	Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: They get the player I think is the best in this draft. He will be a star.
9. Dallas Cowboys
	Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College: They will also consider J.J. Watt here, but I think they have a bigger need on the offensive line.
10. Washington Redskins
	J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: They want to trade down to pick a quarterback, but if they pick here they go for defensive help.
11. Houston Texans
	Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri: He can help liven up the outside pass rush in their move to a 3-4.
12. Minnesota Vikings
	Jake Locker, QB, Washington: This might seem high, but this kid was considered a possible first overall pick at one point.
13. Detroit Lions
	Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: This pick would fill a huge need. They have problems in their secondary and Amukamara might be the cleanest player in the draft.
14. St. Louis Rams
	Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina: They need to ramp up their pass rush and this kid can do it. He's had some medical issues, but that doesn't seem to be an issue.
15. Miami Dolphins
	Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida: He isn't as good as his brother, who was a Pro Bowl player as a rookie, but he isn't far off. The Dolphins have a need inside on their offensive line.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
	Cameron Jordan, DE, California: They picked Tyson Alualu from Cal last year and hit big. Now they go back to the same school to take another defensive lineman.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland)
	Tyron Smith, OT, Southern California: They get a tackle with a ton of upside to come in and possibly take over for Matt Light.
18. San Diego Chargers
	Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue: They need help rushing the passer from the outside spots. Kerrigan can move to that position in their defense.
19. New York Giants
	Nate Solder, OT, Colorado: They have some age in their tackles, so it might be time to get a potential replacement.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: There are medical concerns, but he was a potential top pick. He's worth the risk.
21. Kansas City Chiefs
	Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona: He is moving up boards and while this might seem high, it makes sense. They need help opposite Tamba Hali.
22. Indianapolis Colts
	Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin: They have to get an upgrade at left tackle. Carimi would be that.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
	Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA: Outside linebacker is a position of concern on their defense. Ayers didn't have great workouts, but he plays fast.
24. New Orleans Saints
	Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois: They signed Shaun Rogers to a contract, but he isn't the long-term answer inside. Liuget would be a nice piece for the long haul.
25. Seattle Seahawks
	Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State: They have to get a quarterback for the future. Ponder is the riser on many boards.
26. Baltimore Ravens
	Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: He has some character issues, but he is a shutdown corner. The Ravens will count on their locker room to handle him.
27. Atlanta Falcons
	Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa: They are looking for help at left end and Clayborn can be that guy. I still think they will try and trade down to add picks.
28. New England Patriots
	Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama: Would this be a vintage Bill Belichick pick by getting a top-notch runner at a position of need?
29. Chicago Bears
	Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina: They let Tommie Harris walk, so they replace him with one of the more underrated players in this draft.
30. New York Jets
	Justin Houston, DL, Georgia: They need help rushing the passer off the edge. Houston is that type of player.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
	Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor: He can play guard or tackle and he has that nasty demeanor the Steelers love.
32. Green Bay Packers
	Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech: He is a home-run threat to go with their explosive offense. The rich get richer.

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