2011 NFL Mock Draft – Top 5 Draft Picks Projections and Predictions(Updated 4-21-11): With the NFL draft about a week away, the top-five picks still aren’t set in stone. However, beat writers and GMs have been dropping enough hints lately to paint a pretty clear picture of what the teams picking early in the first round plan to do. There are a few different scenarios rumored to be in play, but this latest mock draft could turn out to be mirror the real thing.
No. 1 Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
New coach Ron Rivera apparently believes Newton can be his franchise quarterback, and it is a very common practice for new coaches to handpick the guy under center. Of course, picking Newton means that he team would be admitting that their pick of Jimmy Clausen last season was a complete mistake, but given Carolina’s record last year, the writing is already on the wall.
Newton certainly has the physical gifts to be a star in the NFL, and he has the personality to become a face of the franchise and a marketing tool to attract season ticket holders. However, he brings some baggage as well, including his off the field issues during college and his questionable accuracy.
That being said, certain players have been able to piggyback one great season or even one great game into being the No. 1 pick. Newton has that type of hype surrounding him, and the Panthers appear to be buying in. The truth is that there isn’t a player in the draft that can fix all of Carolina’s issues. Since the reset button has to be hit anyway, why not start fresh with a QB that is a proven winner with incredible potential?
No. 2 Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
The Broncos troubles rushing the passer are well known, but with the knees of Da’Quan Bowers in question, Dareus becomes the logical choice. While draft experts are quick to point out Denver’s league-low 23 sacks last season, the team also surrender 154.6 yards per game on the ground – the second most in the NFL.
Dareus can step in and immediately plug the middle for a shaky Denver run defense, and he will get his share of sacks from the tackle position as well. Having a legitimate presence up front that has the potential to command double teams will open things up for the edge rushers as well. Elvis Dumervil is returning after missing all of last season with an injury, and putting him on the same defensive line as Dareus should instantly add 20-plus sacks to Denver’s miserable total from a year ago.
This pick seems like a no-brainer for the Broncos. He helps with the team’s two biggest needs, and with Auburn’s Nick Fairley missing meetings and workouts, Dareus is without question the top DT in this draft.
No. 3 Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
The Bills have made it clear they are in love with Cam Newton during the offseason, but he probably won’t be available. Buffalo doesn’t seem confident that the remaining quarterbacks can be the face of the franchise, and the team’s next biggest need is one defense. The Bills need help stopping the run and the pass, and since Miller has already been compared to DeMarcus Ware, I would say he can help.
Miller ran a 4.46 40-yard dash during the combine, and he tallied 26.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Texas A&M. He has the instincts and athletic ability to be a volume tackler, cause havoc as a pass rusher, and drop back in pass coverage. In short, Miller can do it all, and he can do it all at a high level. The Bills gave up more rush yards per game than any team in the NFL last year and had the fourth-fewest sacks. Miller will help improve both those totals.
No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
The future of Carson Palmer will ultimately determine this pick, but with Jay Gruden taking over as offensive coordinator, this year’s draft is being tabbed as an offensive one for the Bengals with or without Palmer. There is a chance Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green will end up in Cincinnati since Terrell Owens is already gone and Chad Johnson is likely to join him, but that is contingent on owner Mike Brown convincing Palmer to return.
At this point, I don’t see that happening. Palmer has spent the offseason torching bridges and doing everything in his power to get out of town. It is hard to imagine Bengals fans embracing him if he suddenly decides to return, and Palmer doesn’t seem like the type of guy that will show up to be booed while playing for a mediocre team.
The Bengals probably have Cam Newton atop their draft board, but unlike the Bills, a quarterback is definitely the team’s biggest need. Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert is more of a prototypical pocket passer that will fit Cincinnati’s offensive philosophy. Not to mention the fact that he is regarded as the most NFL-ready QB in the draft, and the Bengals are going to need someone to step in and start immediately.
No. 5 Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
After playing musical quarterbacks last season, it would easy to assume Arizona us targeting a QB with their first pick. However, the options likely to be left in this draft at this spot are all going to need time to develop. Larry Fitzgerald isn’t getting any younger, and the Cardinals don’t have enough time to rebuild if they want to take advantage of their current roster.
I expect Arizona to make a move for a veteran QB via free agency or a trade. In the meantime, Peterson is the best player available in the draft, making him the smart pick at No. 5. For a guy being called the best cover corner since Champ Bailey with the body of a linebacker, he is a steal at this spot. Peterson is the consensus top player in this draft, and he will make an immediate impact in the NFL. Cardinals fans may night mind missing out on a QB once they see Peterson in action.