CTP's Final 2011 NFL Mock Draft

[DynastyRTR]

This is my final 2011 Mock Draft. I'll be doing the 1st round only, and will have a reason and other possible picks for each selection. I am going to do 1 or 2 picks each day until the first round is complete.

1-Carolina Panthers-Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn

Why:

Cam Newton probably has the most upside of any player in the 2011 Draft. With a rookie wage scale now in place, the 1st overall picks contract will not be as big as it has been. With that said, taking a QB at #1 is most likely not going to set the franchise back as far as it would before the rookie wage scale if Cam Newton or whoever is a bust.

Other possible picks:

1-Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

-See Cam Newton.

2-Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

-Is DT or QB the biggest need for Carolina? I would say both are as big of a need as each other(if that makes sense). Dareus has overtaken Nick Fairley as the consensus top DT in the draft which means he could also go #1.

3-Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

-To me, Patrick Peterson is the best player in the draft. About 90% of scouts, etc. say that you cannot take a CB at #1 overall because teams just won't throw their way. With no season this year, to me that doesn't matter. Pretty much every team is going to be different in 2012. Another draft, another Free Agency, etc.

4-Nick Fairley, DT, LSU

-Before the combine, Fairley was atop nearly everyone's mock draft. Some label him as a dirty player and a one year wonder. If Carolina likes him more than Dareus, he could go #1.

5-A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

-Green is my 2nd ranked player in the draft behind Peterson. I see the next Calvin Johnson/Larry Fitzgerald, but does one WR really help a team that has no QB to get him the ball? No. Even if he is the next Megatron or Fitz, we take him, and we are picking 1st overall next season...which wouldn't be a bad thing...cough...Andrew...cough...Luck

6-Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

-Alot of people see Bowers as the next Julius Peppers. Like Fairley, he has been a one year wonder. An injury has caused his stock to fall alot over the past week or 2.

7-Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

-I like Quinn more than Bowers. He is more athletic, quicker off the snap, and produced at UNC more than just one year. If Charles Johnson isnt re-signed, or we don't feel Greg Hardy is the answer at DE, either Quinn or Bowers could be the pick.

[DynastyRTR]

2-Denver Broncos-Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

Why:

Denver could go 1 of 5 ways with the 2nd pick. Out of the 4, Dareus seems to be the safest and the one who makes the most sense. Dareus measured in at the combine at 6'3, 319 lbs. Weighing 319 lbs didn't stop him from running in the 4.8's. Denver just released Justin Bannan and they were already thin at DT so Dareus makes that much more sense for Denver.

Other possible picks:

1-Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

-We all know how John Fox loves his athletic DE's. Bowers would be mocked here, but his stock has fallen a good bit over the past week due to injury.

2-Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

-If Denver feels they need a CB across from Bailey, who just signed a 3 year contract, Peterson is definately the pick.

3-Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

-Fairley's stock has slipped after he measured in at 6'3, 291 lbs at the combine. That's 2 inches shorter and about 10 lbs lighter than what he was listed at while playing at Auburn. If Denver likes Fairley more than Dareus however, that won't matter.

4-Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

-See 1st sentence on Bowers.

[Jackofalltrades]

:ack2::puke::cryin::mad2::beatdeadhorse5::banghead::nono:

[RHCPanther]

There is a greater possibility now that 2011 season could be played without a salary cap (like 2010). In this case, the new rookie wage scale would not apply to this year's draft picks.

[DynastyRTR]

3-Buffalo Bills-Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

Why:

Obviously, Corner is not that big of a need for Buffalo. They drafted Leodis McKelvin a few years ago, and have Terrance McGee who is a good starter. GM Buddy Nix stated last year that he wanted a pass catching RB. He drafted C.J. Spiller in the 1st round. He has said this year that he wants the BPA. That would be Patrick Peterson.

Other Possible Picks:

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

-If Buffalo's FO has enough faith in Ryan Fitzpatrick, they won't take a QB. But QB is always a possibility if Peterson and someone else they like are taken at 1 and 2.

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

-Fairley's stock has fallen after the combine. Unless the Bills still like him more than Patrick Peterson as BPA, He'll be the pick.

A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

-Going A.J. Green would also be going BPA like Peterson. Green, however, would be a pick that makes more sense than Peterson. Lee Evans is due a huge bonus and might not be retained. If they do release him, Buffalo will need a threat opposite of Steve Johnson.

[DynastyRTR]

4-Cincinnati Bengals-A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

Why:

Chad Ochocinco/Johnson isn't too happy in Cincy, and T.O. is a free agent. Late last season, Jerome Simpson stepped it up and had a couple 100 yd+ receiving games. Most likely, Ochocinco, and T.O won't be Bengals for long, so with that said, they go A.J. Green.

Other Possible Picks:

1-Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

-If Cincy feels Bowers has healed up enough from injury, they could take him here. To me, that wouldn't be as good as going A.J. Green because they already have two young pass rushers in Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap who both showed promise last season.

2-Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

-If Carson Palmer retires or is released, Blaine Gabbert will most likely be the pick if Cam Newton is gone by the 4th pick.

3-Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

-Cincy drafted Geno Atkins in the 3rd round last year, and he showed little promise when he was given the chance. Beside Domata Peko, Cincy doesn't really have anything, unless they want to give Atkins another shot.

[DynastyRTR]

5-Arizona Cardinals-Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

Why:

Arizona tried to up their pass rush this past offseason by drafting O'Brien Schofield late and signing Joey Porter in Free Agency. Porter absolutely sucked, and Schofield ended the season on IR if im not mistaken. Zona could easily go Blaine Gabbert here. Ken Whisenhunt could gamble and hope that Gabbert makes him look like a genious and does good this season so he can keep his job.

Other Possible Picks:

1-Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

-Like I said above, Ken Whisenhunt could gamble on a high first round QB(Blaine Gabbert) and hope he does good this season so Whisenhunt can keep his job.

2-Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina

-Only if Whisenhunt likes Quinn more than Miller and Gabbert.

3-Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

-Domonique Rodgers-Cromartie sucked last year. Zona may want to take a corner to start opposite of him, and possibly replace DRC if he sucks again.