Geo's 2011 Mock Draft – Version B: Pre-Combine Edition

Hey everyone, sorry this is cutting it so close to the point of just about being late, I've had a lot on my plate this week. As stated in my first mock (Version A: Pre-Senior Bowl Edition), my thought process is to hopefully produce a mock draft around this time of month for January (A: Pre-Senior Bowl), February (B: Pre-Combine), March (C: Post-Combine & Pro Days), and April (D: Final). Heights and Weights are up-to-date from the Combine (per NFL.com).

1. Carolina Panthers – Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (6-3, 280)

Carolina is Ron Rivera's first and maybe only head coaching job in his career, and as such I have a hard time believing he'll put it on the shoulders of Cam Newton. So instead of quarterback the Panthers look to another critical position worth the first overall pick: defensive end. They let Charles Johnson prove he's worth his second contract (doubtful) with another team and take who they consider the best DE in the class in Bowers, who seemed to finally get it as he dedicated to being in great shape during the past offseason and the result was a highly productive player on the field, and talk is that the unfortunate death of Bowers' father has only furthered his maturity as a young man. Rivera knows pressuring the quarterback is key, particularly now playing in a division featuring Drew Brees, Josh Freeman, and Matt Ryan.

2. Denver Broncos – Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (6-4, 265)

New head coach John Fox isn't married to Robert Ayers, Fox didn't draft him (McDaniels made that terrible reach), so Ayers certainly isn't go to stop Fox from taking the athletic and talented DE he covets in Quinn. Especially when Elvis Dumervil didn't even play a single game last season because of a torn pectoral injury, there's some uncertainty until he proves he's fully recovered and effective again.

3. Buffalo Bills – Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn (6-5, 248)

Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey are set on picking a quarterback here, and the potential of Newton wins out.

4. Cincinnati Bengals – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia (6-4, 211)

It looks like the Bengals and Carson Palmer may be headed towards a divorce. I think the Bengals take Green here as part of convincing him otherwise, and also to eventually replace annoying pain in the ass Chad Johnson, but the Bengals probably also cover their bets by drafting Ryan Mallett with their second round pick. They will overlook his character concerns to give him the opportunity he's seeking and his strong arm can get the job done playing outdoors in Cincinnati.

5. Arizona Cardinals – Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (6-3, 246)

The Cardinals add the talented pass-rusher in Miller in hopes of him becoming an impact 3-4 OLB for them. He's a little light, but that didn't stop them from taking Daryl Washington (6-1 3/4, 230) last year to play ILB, and Miller similarly looks to be an every-down linebacker despite his size. The Cards value Miller's experience as a senior, him playing through injuries in that senior year, and his lack of character and motivational concerns.

6. Cleveland Browns – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (6-0, 219)

It was only a matter of time, but the Big Show is finally installing the 4-3 defense he wants his teams to have. I definitely think the Browns are going to sign free agent DE Ray Edwards (keep a mental note), if either Bowers or Quinn reaches their pick they'll consider drafting them too. But both Bowers and Quinn are off the board in this mock, as is Green if he was being considered, so that leaves the ultra-talented Patrick Peterson. The Browns made a good pick in Joe Haden last year, and Holmgren will look to improve the team further by taking an even better SEC CB prospect this year.

7. San Francisco 49ers – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (6-4, 234)

New head coach Jim Harbaugh starts his regime taking a talented quarterback he can work with and who will fully buy into his program.

8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (6-4, 291)

Fairley falls because of character concerns, motivational concerns, his raw game, and his outspoken displeasure of playing in colder locales. The Titans are no strangers to taking on some risk in their first round picks (Adam Jones, Vince Young, Chris Johnson, Kenny Britt), in the hopes that he'll become the playmaker on the defensive line which then elevates their defense as a whole. Had Newton or Gabbert still been available, they might have done differently. Quarterback-wise, I'd sign Alex Smith if I were them.

9. Dallas Cowboys – Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama (6-3, 319)

Jerry Jones is playing the misdirection card in terms of CB, but I think the Cowboys have their eyes on Brandon Harris of Miami because he seems to fit their physical profile. So while they could take a cornerback here in either Prince Amukamara or Jimmy Smith, the Cowboys beef up the front seven with Dareus and look to draft Harris with their second pick (staying put or trading up).

10. Washington Redskins – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (6-0, 206)

Carlos Rogers has absolute stand hands but I'd overlook that and actually like to have him at a relatively cheap price. However Rogers think he's in for a MAJOR payday and he's certainly not worth that, although the recent contract to Stanford Routt (facepalm) will only further his beliefs. Phillip Buchanon is also a free agent. The Redskins move on and take Amukamara, although they still deal with their horrible decision to convert to a 3-4 defense.

11. Houston Texans – Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (6-4, 263)

As I pointed to in my first mock, the Texans are in desperate need for a 3-4 OLB. I put Aldon Smith here because I think his measurables and length ultimately win out.

12. Minnesota Vikings – Cameron Jordan, DE, California (6-4, 287)

Jared Allen is coming off an incredibly disappointing year, Ray Edwards is lost to free agency, Brian Robison is not close to a high-caliber starter and could be a free agent too depending on the new CBA, and Everson Griffin is a moron. Also, Kevin Williams turns 31 years old in August. Cameron Jordan can start at DE, and with his strength and motor can slide inside as a pass-rushing DT. And it doesn't hurt that Cameron Jordan is the son of 6-time Pro Bowl TE Steve Jordan who played 13 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the bloodlines and the local connections are bonus. As I said before, the Vikings sign Vince Young to be their starting quarterback (or acquire Donovan McNabb if they can't sign Young).

13. Detroit Lions – Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (6-8, 319)

I wanted to put CB Jimmy Smith here. Especially with Gosder Cherilus having 2 more years on his rookie contract, they drafted Jason Fox last year which already gives them 3 tackles on the roster, so it doesn't seem as though they would go tackle here. But ultimately Jim Schwartz has the confidence and the resume that he doesn't need a first-round cornerback to build a very good if not great defense, so I'm going to guess the Lions pull the trigger on getting a potential franchise left tackle to start for years to come in Solder. He's big, athletic, intelligent, and he's good at run-blocking, he just needs to iron out the inconsistencies in his pass-blocking. And yes the Lions' OL needs to improved, their YPA was among the bottom third of the league (despite having Calvin Johnson among other weapons) and they couldn't keep one quarterback healthy last season.

14. St. Louis Rams – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (6-3, 220)

Mark Clayton will likely be re-signed and Donnie Avery is returning from injury, but the Rams certainly won't pass up the chance to draft Jones here.

15. Miami Dolphins – Mike Pouncey, C, Florida (6-5, 303)

I think the Dolphins will sign DeAngelo Williams in free agency, which eliminates popular pick Mark Ingram from consideration. And then the Dolphins surprise some by drafting Pouncey as the new starting center to improve their interior OL and open holes for Williams.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (6-4, 267)

Gene Smith continues to build his defensive line, acquiring the talented and tenacious Kerrigan.

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland) – Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College (6-7, 311)

Castonzo needs to improve from a strength standpoint, but he doesn't lack for effort as he's probably the most tenacious tackle on the field. He gets after it, and he has the smarts and the character, as well as the agility and the measurables the Patriots like. Matt Light is an unrestricted free agent and turns 33 years old in June, he was never the greatest pass-protector but did his job well enough, however it's time for the Patriots to move on with their two highly-talented and athletic tackles in Castonzo and Sebastian Vollmer.

18. San Diego Chargers – J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin (6-5, 290)

Adding a great 3-4 DE prospect should make San Diego's already very good defense even better.

19. New York Giants – Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (5-9, 215)

I refuse to believe that a smart and competent GM such as Jerry Reese will take the risk of signing injury-prone runningback Ahmad Bradshaw to a lucrative second contract. Now if they can re-sign him cheap, sure, but even a somewhat reasonable deal could be out of their range considering the money already invested in Brandon Jacobs and Bradshaw's injury history (which the Giants know better than anyone). They instead draft Mark Ingram, giving Eli at least one capable runningback on the roster he can depend on without worry.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tyron Smith, OT, USC (6-5, 307)

Obviously it would be best to give the Bucs the impact 4-3 DE they need here, but I don't think I see such a candidate here. There's some concerns about Adrian Clayborn that maybe the Bucs could overlook, or maybe they sign someone in free agency (former Panthers DE Charles Johnson? They saw him twice a year). But given that, and the highly-regarded talent of Tyron Smith (some say he won't get out of the Top 10 nevermind 15), they pull the trigger on the tackle here. I think there's still something left to be desired with Donald Penn, and you obviously want to protect Josh Freeman who could easily be the best young quarterback in the NFL.

21. Kansas City Chiefs – Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia (6-3, 270)

Houston has been highly productive and disruptive playing as a stand-up rusher at Georgia. Combine his play with athletic ability, and KC continues to add to their defense by drafting him.

22. Indianapolis Colts – Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State (6-5, 321)

I must admit, Sherrod is the tackle I want for the Colts, so intentionally or not I may have geared for him to reach this pick. But I think the fit is perfect. It's Sherrod, not Castonzo or Carimi, who primarily played in a two-point stance this past year, which is similar to the pass-happy Colts. The Colts want tackles who move well, have very good feet, have long arms, are bright enough to play in the offense – Sherrod fits all of that. He has great character and helped make the program a winner. He's a positional blocker, not a punishing blocker. All of which fits the Colts, you may be sensing the pattern here. Bill Polian likes to compare new players to former players, and I think he can see quite a bit of Tarik Glenn in Sherrod. And obviously I wouldn't be dispeased with the pick. ;)

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin (6-7, 311)

Me quoting me, from the first mock: "Knuckleheads are not dependable. Jon Runyan wasn't a knucklehead. Winston Justice is a knucklehead. Gabe Carimi is not a knucklehead." And that was before news that Justice needs a scope on one of his knees that could potentially require microfracture surgery. Andy Reid loves his big guys and Carimi has the capability of playing left tackle should Jason Peters not be able to play – Peters hasn't started all 16 games since 2006, he has missed 8 games the last 4 years, and times where he deals with an injury of some type aren't few or far between.

24. New Orleans Saints – Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA (6-3, 254)

Admittedly I'm not a big believer in Ayers so that probably plays a part in him lasting until this pick. But the Saints need to add another pass-rushing threat and will be able to make use of Ayers in that and other roles, much like they envisioned using Jerry Hughes who they wanted to draft last year.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Jake Locker, QB, Washington (6-3, 231)

No this is not because Locker played in the state of Washington, it's because he's a good QB prospect. The Seahawks shouldn't let Matt Hasselbeck's playoff game against the Saints have them forget the rest of his season, and while they do have Clipboard Jesus, Locker could be the guy of the future they need.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (6-2, 211)

Honestly I don't expect Smith to go this low, especially after he does great at the Combine this weekend, but I couldn't find an earlier spot to slot him in this particular mock.

27. Atlanta Falcons – Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa (6-3, 281)

Too far of a fall for Clayborn? Maybe, we'll see, but the Falcons took Peria Jerry two years ago despite some little concerns that dropped him a bit in the draft, they could do the same here with Clayborn and add potentially an impactful player on their defensive line. Which they need to do, and the decision to take Clayborn is easier without any of the top offensive tackles still available.

28. New England Patriots – Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois (6-0, 227)

Patriots have some departing veterans from their RB core and Green-Ellis could likely become an unrestricted free agent after this season depending on the new CBA, so they add the talented Leshoure.

29. Chicago Bears – Corey Luiget, DT, Illinois (6-2, 298)

Obviously the Bears would like to upgrade their offensive line, but I don't know that Marcus Cannon is that much of an upgrade considering Mike Tice has crafted a successful project at RT with the kid they drafted last year. If they wanted a shaky LT they would just start Chris Williams there. Instead, considering Tommie Harris is no longer the player he once was, the Bears cut ties and draft the talented and explosive 4-3 DT in young Luiget. His playing in the same state actually had no impact on this pick when I made it, btw.

30. New York Jets – Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor (6-3, 334)

If I had trades in this mock, maybe the Jets trade up to get Jimmy Smith, to replace numbskull Cromartie. Is this where Phil Taylor cracks the first round? Seems like the spot, especially without a standout 3-4 OLB prospect the Jets need available. Unfortunately Kris Jenkins hasn't been able to stay healthy, it may be time for him to hang them up.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU (6-5, 358)

The Steelers are going to let RT Willie Colon walk in free agency and RT Flozell Adams is a short-term solution. Enter Marcus Cannon, who can play RG until taking over at RT.

32. Green Bay Packers – Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State (6-5, 294)

Surprised he lasted until this pick, but the (well deserved) Super Bowl champs get a quality 3-4 DE prospect in the son of Ironhead Heyward. Considering Cullen Jenkins is leaving to sign a lucrative contract in free agency, this is absolutely perfect for them.

As always, feel free to provide your thoughts and comments.