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1. Carolina Panthers (2-14) – Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
If you can’t get your franchise quarterback with the number one overall pick, then why not get another huge position of importance: pass rusher. Fairley is a dominant penetrator with a high motor who’s aggressive play is looked down on by some. But the Panthers need a dominant defensive tackle on that defensive line that has struggled to stop the run or even get to the quarterback
2. Denver Broncos (4-12) – Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Denver needs a lot of help defensively, and while they have Champ Bailey, who has succeeded this year, he is aging, and they still need another corner on the other side. Peterson has game changing ability as he’s able to shut down receivers and is a ball hawk. He’s also a very solid tackler who isn’t afraid to make a play behind the line of scrimmage. He’s just the aggressive defender the Broncos need.
3. Buffalo Bills (4-12) – Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama
Buffalo is high on their pass rushers, especially after acquiring Shawne Merriman in mid-season. But those pass rushers can’t get to the quarterback if the defensive line can’t do their job. Dareus is a dominant space eater as a natural five technique in the 3-4 system, that Buffalo just doesn’t have the personnel for.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
What a conundrum the Bengals have on their hands. Carson Palmer wants out, badly. What better to convince him to stay than give him a dominant possession receiver who doesn’t drop passes, and is a football player rather than an entertainer. Chad Johnson may be back, but Terrell Owens won’t be. Johnson isn’t the premier receiver he once was, and it’s time for the Bengals to move on.
5. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) – Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
It’s sad when the blind can see what the Cardinals coaches could not, which is terrible quarterback play. Gabbert has a big arm, and has excellent mechanics as a project for the Cardinals. With downfield receivers like Steve Breaston and Larry Fitzgerald, they need somebody that can get the ball to them. It’s clear that losing Kurt Warner has hurt the Cardinals more than they ever imagined.
6. Cleveland Browns (5-11) – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Say what?! Da’Quan Bowers falling to six? Yeah, it could happen. The key here is the Cincinnati Bengals biting on A.J. Green. Cleveland has desperately needed a stud pass rusher since they made their comeback in 1999. With the recent switch back to the 43 defense, Dick Jauron will salivate over the opportunity to grab the pass rusher that people have compared to the likes of Reggie White, Bruce Smith, and Michael Strahan.
7. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) – Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the 49ers need help in the secondary. Nate Clements is aging, and Shawntee Spencer/Tarell Brown just aren’t getting it done. Amukamara gives them a solid press corner who tackles well, and can play physical against some of those bigger NFC receivers.
8. Tennessee Titans (6-10) – Cameron Jordan, DT/DE, Cal
The Titans defensive line isn’t bad, but when you have a chance to draft a special player like Cameron Jordan, you jump on it. Jordan is too versatile to pass on as he can play defensive end, and defensive tackle. He can penetrate, and he can take up space. You name it, Cam Jordan can do it. The Titans opt to stay away from Cam Newton after having fears of another Vince Young issue.
9. Dallas Cowboys (6-10) – Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Let’s face it. Dallas’ defensive line was an utter disappointment. Their 34 defense was exposed in 2010, as they struggled to effectively stop the run consistently, and generate a pass rush to help out the young secondary. Clayborn gives them a perfect five technique player that can step in right away and make an impact.
2011 NFL Draft
Jones gives Washington a true play-maker.
10. Washington Redskins (6-10) – Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
This pick is going to surprise a lot of people. However, there’s no guarantee that Santana Moss is re-signed, and they still need a legit possession receiver like Jones (right). Moss worked the slot quite a bit in 2010, in which he broke out for a surprisingly effective season. The combination of Jones and Moss will give Donovan McNabb a fail proof wide receiver corps to make plays with.
11. Houston Texans (6-10) – Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Welcome Wade Phillips to Houston. He doesn’t have to make an out of state trip, and he’s instilling his highly touted 34 defense to the Texans who have had more defensive problems than the 1999 Cleveland Browns. Von Miller is a true 34 outside linebacker. With Mario Williams playing the five technique, he won’t be a pass rusher, and they’ll need Miller to come off of the edge and be a terror to opposing quarterbacks.
12. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) – Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Enter the Cam Newton project in Minnesota. Newton gets to utilize his surprisingly solid passing skills with receivers like Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice. The plays he can make on his feet added to the combo of Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart will make teams drown in fear.
13. Detroit Lions (6-10) – Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (Fl.)
Alright Detroit, you’re starting to become a contender. You’re a solid secondary, and a healthy Matthew Stafford away from being a winning team. So let’s grab Brandon Harris to shore up one of the corner spots, so you guys can stop giving up so much yardage in the air. Harris is a very solid man coverage corner who has excellent change of direction and ball skills.
14. St. Louis Rams (7-9) – Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
The Rams are cursing profusely in the War Room after Washington nabbed their top target in Julio Jones. But don’t fret. The Rams managed to improve their pass rush immensely in 2010, so why not grab a gap stuffing defensive tackle and stop giving up over 4.5 yards per carry to opposing running backs? Sounds like a win/win scenario to me.
15. Miami Dolphins (7-9) – Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Miami has a few holes they need to get figured out, but drafting Mark Ingram will fill a big need. Ingram is the physical, but speedy running back that fits perfectly in their system. He knows how to run the wildcat and there’s a good chance that the Dolphins will only be able to re-sign one of either Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown. Mark Ingram is destined to take his talents to South Beach.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) – Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
The Jacksonville Jaguars registered 26 sacks on the season in 2010. How sad is that? But there was some upside. They have a slew of potential pass rushers, but why not get a guy that’s as talented as Robert Quinn? You’d think with their recent defensive end draft history that they’d shy away from the pick, but it just makes too much sense to keep trying to fix the biggest problem on the team.
17. New England Patriots (from Oakland) (14-2) – Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
This is a no brainer for the Patriots which fell victim to a young defense that was a big reason for their early exit from the 2010 NFL Playoffs. They lack a dominant pass rusher, and they fix that problem with Justin Houston who is a physical pass rusher with solid speed off of the edge.
18. San Diego Chargers (9-7) – Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
How do you improve on being the best on both offense and defense? I didn’t think that was possible, but it’s clear that the defensive line needs some help. Since losing Igor Olshansky to free agency, the Chargers defensive line hasn’t been as dominant. Cam Heyward fits the five technique better than most defensive ends in the draft. He’s physical at the point of attack and can take up space.
19. New York Giants (10-6) – Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
Kareem McKenzie is slowing down, and David Diehl has been slowed down by injuries himself. Castonzo is a solid pass blocker who’s not too shabby in the run game as well. He could easily be groomed to play either tackle position in the next year or two, and help shore up the end on the offensive line.