With the 1st pick in the 2011 NFL Draft...

The NFL Draft is a little over two months away, but that doesn't mean it's too early for a mock draft. After reviewing Mel Kiper and Todd Mcshay's mock draft I have come up with my very own mock. Now before I go into each team and their pick, I want to get a few things out about this years class.
It is extremely loaded on the defensive end. However, there is still some solid talent on the offensive side of the ball. A.J. Green is by far the best offensive player in this draft. He is six foot four with unbelievable skills with the ball and separating from the defense. The only question with Green is his durability. In 2009, Green was forced to miss games due to a bruised chest and spraining his AC joint in his left shoulder. On defense, as phenomenal of a season defensive tackle Nick Fairley had, I truly believe Clemson's defensive end Da'Quan Bowers is a stud and too good to pass up at number one overall. I see a lot of Julius Peppers in him. Let's get on with Bryan Ferrer's mock draft.

1) Carolina Panthers: After finishing the year at 2-14 this team needs a lot of help. Their two wins this year came against the weakest division in football; the NFC West. The Panthers edged out the 49ers in week seven and then took down the Cardinals in week 15. Rookie QB, Jimmy Clausen started 12 games and only threw three touchdown passes. The running game was dysfunctional at best, but the Panthers have three running backs that should all see playing time in 2011. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are their two heading monster, but second year running back Mike Goodson showed promise throughout the season. In week ten versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers he rushed for 100 yards on 23 carries. A week later he had 22 carries and 120 yards to go along with five receptions for 31 yards against the Baltimore Ravens!
As we all know though, the defensive players are too good to pass up at number one overall. Nick Fairley and Da'Quan Bowers are my two options. Fairley is a beast, no doubt about it, but Bowers has been bringing it for three years now. Fairley is more of a question mark and doesn't quite have the intangibles deserving to go number one. Bowers had a monster season this past year with 16 sacks! Fairley's Auburn Tigers beat Bowers Clemson Tigers 27-24 in the regular season, but Bowers gets the last laugh with being picked number one overall.
Only thing I would say is certain is that a "Tiger" will be the first pick: Da'Quan Bowers.

2) Denver Broncos: New head coach John Fox, went from coaching the worst team in the NFL, to the second worst team. Like in Carolina, the Denver Broncos have a young quarter back with a high potential. Tim Tebow is listed as the starter, but fantasy football fans cannot forget the type of season Kyle Orton had. The Broncos won four games last year, with one being against a playoff team in the Kansas City Chiefs. The clear cut problem with the Broncos is that they couldn't stop any team from scoring on them as each of their opponents scored in double figures. Finishing the season second to last in rushing yards allowed giving up nearly 155 yards a game. At the age of 34, Jamal Williams is their starting defensive tackle. Nick Fairley makes perfect sense here.

3) Buffalo Bills: Surprisingly the Bills did something right last season and that's defending the pass. Being in the same division as the New England Patriots, the Bills were the third best team in passing yards allowed, giving up 192 yards a game. When it comes to stopping the run, this is where the Bills failed miserably, allowing 170 yards on the ground a game. This team had three players with one hundred plus tackles including Paul Posluszny (151), Donte Whitener (140), and Akin Ayodele (106). McShay has the Bills drafting linebacker Von Miller out of Texas A&M, and although that makes sense, I feel as if the Bills take a different route. Last year this team took C.J. Spiller, when they already had two solid back in Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. Lynch is now in Seattle, we all remember his beastly game sealing 67 yard touchdown run versus the Saints during Wildcard Weekend. The Bills are not scary on the offensive side of the ball, this team needs a quarter back but with this class and third overall I don't see that happening. Lee Evans did not have a catch the last four weeks of the regular season and right now the Bills only wide receiver threat is Steve Johnson. Please Buffalo do the right thing and draft A.J. Green.


4) Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals were arguably one of the biggest disappointing teams in the NFL this past season. Winning only four games and having a ten game losing streak during the season could be why quarter back Carson Palmer wants out. Depending how their off-season turns out this team looks to be in rebuilding mode. With Terrell Owens more than likely leaving Cincinnati and the future of Chad Johnson up in the air, wide receiver would be their main target. Julio Jones is the next WR on the big board, but no way the fourth overall pick is used on Jones. So the Bengals must look else were. Owner Mike Brown does not want to trade Palmer and although he should, I believe he won't. In my mind, the two best players available are Von Miller and LSU corner back Patrick Peterson. The Bengals have both those positions covered so I see them going with a quarter back. Palmer will stay, but he is on a short leash with the fans. At the age of 31, there were seven games last year where he threw multiple interceptions. Considering his little brother Jordan is the backup, they need to get this all worked out. Do the Bengals give away their QB, have a terrible season and hope for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes..Or draft a QB and let him develop under Carson. If Cameron Newton can continue to shine during workouts and at the combine, I like him being drafted here because the Bengals can "baby" him into their system. Cameron Newton. 


Stay on the look out for the next four selections. The order includes: 5) Arizona Cardinals, 6) Cleveland Browns, 7) San Fransisco 49ers, 8) Tennessee Titans. Notable players still on the board consist of: Von Miller (OLB), Patrick Peterson (CB), Rober Quinn (DE, from UNC) and many more defensive players.