2011 mock draft

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Walter Football mock draft..way too early but what else can we discuss?

1st round

1. Carolina Panthers: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

If the Panthers are drafting No. 1 overall, they will pick Andrew Luck. Luck is just way too good of a quarterback prospect to pass up.

What about Jimmy Clausen? Well, it's actually simple. If Clausen plays well to close out the year, the Panthers will win a game or two, and won't have control of the No. 1 pick. If Clausen struggles and Carolina keeps on losing, this selection will be a no-brainer.

It's worth noting that Clausen's first three opponents currently have a top 10-ranked pass defense in terms of YPA. But with teams that have worse secondaries like the Seahawks and Cardinals on the horizon, there won't be any excuses for Clausen if he finishes poorly.

Other 2011 NFL Draft Possibilities:

1. A.J. Green, WR - If the Panthers aren't drafting No. 1, the top player on their board could be A.J. Green, the second-best receiver prospect since Randy Moss (Calvin Johnson).

2. Da'Quan Bowers, DE - If the Panthers aren't in love with Green, they may take Da'Quan Bowers, who would help improve an anemic pass rush that has 17 sacks on the year.

3rd round

65. Carolina Panthers: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin

John Fox thinks talented tight ends are stupid. Fortunately, Fox will be moving on at the end of the season. The Panthers will need to provide Andrew Luck or Jimmy Clausen with another weapon.

lol...

[blak-n-blu]

If a QB has to be addressed in next year's draft with the new incoming coach...

I rather trade down a few spots, take Ryan Mallett and a few extra picks.

[Mr. Scot]

If a QB has to be addressed in next year's draft with the new incoming coach...

I rather trade down a few spots, take Ryan Mallett and a few extra picks.

I seriously doubt you'll find a single scout that would pass on Luck to take Mallett.

[Dpantherman]

we aren't drafting a DE in the first round

[KBRed]

Who's Walter?

[Mr. Scot]

Conventional wisdom is that if he declares for the draft and the Carolina Panthers have the #1 pick (or the #2 pick with Detroit having the #1) then Andrew Luck will be on his way to Charlotte.

But if he winds up elsewhere, or the team gets an offer it can't refuse to trade down, we can still get one of the other big name QBs in the draft. Right?

Honestly, I wouldn't bet on it :nonod:

You have to understand, it's not that Luck is the best QB in a draft where we're looking to draft one. It's that Luck is a special player, a guy the scouts are raving over in a way they have for no one since Peyton. He's being called one of those "once-in-a-lifetime" guys, the kind of franchise QB you simply can't pass up (if you don't already have a franchise QB in place).

If Luck isn't the pick, then don't expect the Panthers to take a QB with their first pick, or another high pick. Instead, they'll likely wait another year to see how Jimmy Clausen develops. If he doesn't, then QB might be a high pick or a free agent target the following year.

Sorry Mallett, Locker and Newton fans. I don't see the team bailing on Clausen for anyone other than Luck.

[blak-n-blu]

I seriously doubt you'll find a single scout that would pass on Luck to take Mallett.

Are these the same scouts that had A. Smith over A. Rodgers?

[Mr. Scot]

Are these the same scouts that had A. Smith over A. Rodgers?

Most scouts and analysts that year had them even. The 49ers took Smith and a bunch of teams (many with no QB need) passed on Rodgers.

Luck is pretty much universally considered the best QB this year, some are talking about him being the best since Manning and potentially one of the best prospects in a long, long time.

Do you think anybody can make those kinds of statements about Mallett with any credibility?

[blak-n-blu]

The good thing about the draft is that every year there's a can't miss QB coming out.

Gives fans of losing teams something to have hope in. I call it good marketing.