2011 NFL Mock Draft

Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
The South Carolina native is the early favorite to replace Julius Peppers, who was the No. 2 overall pick of the Panthers in 2002. Bowers is far from a lock at No. 1, however, and needs a strong showing at his April 1 Pro Day after skipping drills at the Combine while recovering from knee surgery following a lateral meniscus tear. (Photo by Bruce Schwartzman)

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Arguably the cleanest prospect in this year's class. The only serious concern for Peterson is his size. As a 219-pound 20-year-old, it could be only a matter of time before the Thorpe Award winner outgrows corner and is forced to move to safety. (Photo by Paul Jasienski)
 

Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
The Bills could take a quarterback here. But with Ryan Fitzpatrick providing solid play under center and so many holes to fill elsewhere on the roster, Buffalo would be wise to add a versatile 300-plus-pounder like Dareus to the mix. (Photo by Al Kooistra)

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
With Carson Palmer threatening to retire if he is not traded, the Bengals have to make a move at the quarterback position — either via trade (Vince Young?) or in the draft, where Newton or Mizzou's Blaine Gabbert are the obvious options. (Photo by Tim Clark/Athlon Sports)
 

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Although Texas A&M edge rusher Von Miller is the consensus pick here, the Cardinals have to address their desert wasteland at quarterback. Gabbert has received mixed reviews, but his stock is holding steady in the top 10. (Photo by Tim Umphrey)

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
The Browns are making the move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense and would love to add a monster in the middle like Fairley, who was once seen as a potential candidate to go No. 1 overall to Carolina but has since come back down to Earth. (Photo by Tim Clark/Athlon Sports)

Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Easily the top linebacker in this year's class, Miller may be off the board by the time first-year coach Jim Harbaugh's Niners are on the clock. But if the Aggie is available, San Fran won't hesitate to put Miller on the outside next to All-Pro middle backer Patrick Willis. (Photo by Chris Covatta)

Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
A quick-twitch terror off the edge, Quinn is a hand-down 4-3 end with the athleticism to potentially play stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker. The UNC product might have been in the No. 1 overall conversation if not for a season-long suspension in 2010. (Photo by Paul Jasienski)

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Big D will almost certainly add another defender to a stop-unit that needs more talent in the secondary and more beef along the line. Amukamara has the size and speed to thrive at corner before potentially moving to safety later in his career. (Photo by Larry Smith)

A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Based on talent alone, Green should be a top-five pick. But team needs and a surplus of blue-chip D-linemen could cause Green to fall all the way to Mike Shanahan and the Skins. (Photo by Paul Jasienski)

J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
Watt is a perfect fit as a 5-technique end for the Texans as they transition from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 alignment under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, a proven defensive mind who currently lacks the necessary 3-4 personnel. (Photo by Brian Ebner)

Cameron Jordan, DE, California
The son of former Viking tight end Steve Jordan is flying up draft boards thanks to his bloodlines, production, athleticism and versatility. Minny could also be in the market for a quarterback, depending on who is available — at No. 12 and in the trade market. (Photo by Peter Brouillet)

Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
A 6'8", 319-pound converted tight end, Solder looked like he was ready to run routes once again at the Combine. Dancing bear should be first O-tackle — in a middle-heavy class of bookends — off the board on draft day. (Photo by Tim Umphrey)

Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Sam Bradford meet Julio Jones, your new best friend. But after dazzling at the Combine, Jones — who measured in at 6'3" and 220 pounds before running a 4.39 in the 40 — may not be around for the Rams. (Photo by Tim Clark/Athlon Sports)

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
A risk-reward pick for the marine mammals. Mallett is no Dan Marino, but the 6'7" gunslinger does have a cannon for an arm and is falling down draft boards for the same reason (rumored drug issues) as Marino did before he fell to No. 27 overall in 1983. (Photo by Ric Fogel)

Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
After shocking the draft world with Cal's Tyson Alualu at No. 10 overall last year, the Jags should continue to stock up on the D-line, taking the best pass rusher available when they're on the hot seat. (Photo by Steve Woltmann)

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
This pick was acquired two years ago as the centerpiece of a deal that sent Richard Seymour to Oakland. Although Bill Belichick traditionally takes D-linemen in the first round, Ingram is the type of blue-collar, high IQ playmaker who fits the Patriot mold. (Photo by Layne Murdoch)

Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
Although Kerrigan played hand-down 4-3 end at Purdue, he had smooth hips, a fluid backpedal and natural lateral quickness at the Combine and many feel his future is as a stand-up 3-4 outside backer. (Photo by John Grieshop)

Tyron Smith, OT, USC
An impressive physical specimen, Smith is the type of raw athlete the G-Men love to draft and develop. But after dropping out of the Combine to have fluid drained from his knee, Smith will need to be 100 percent on his March 31 Pro Day. (Photo by Craig Lassig)

Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
A polarizing prospect whose stock is soaring in some corners and stagnant in others; Tampa at No. 20 is somewhere in the middle. Smith has a projectable frame and long arms but lacks polished pass rush moves and often appears stiff in the hips. (Photo by Tim Umphrey)

Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Ayers is a rangy outside linebacker similar to current Chief Derrick Johnson. Also, K.C. could use help on both lines. The cream of the D-line crop may already be picked through but this could be prime O-line territory. (Photo by Peter Brouillet)

Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
After years of making all the right moves (Manning over Leaf, Edge over Ricky, etc.), Bill Polian has struggled recently (Jerry Hughes, Donald Brown, Anthony Gonzalez). Protecting Peyton should be priority No. 1, making Castonzo a good fit for Indy. (Photo by Al Kooistra)

Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
After Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, the race to be the third cornerback off the board is wide open. But Harris has the feet, hips and swagger to turn and burn downfield with top-flight receivers. Philly would be lucky to get Harris this late. (Photo by Bruce Schwartzman)

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
The son of "Ironhead" is a sensible and safe pick who lacks the upside sizzle of many of his less-proven peers. What you see is what you get: a hard-working, schematically versatile playmaker who is at his best when the lights are bright. (Photo by Brad Schloss)

Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The Seattle native and UW product had a solid Combine after a shaky Senior Bowl. Locker has projectable physical tools and always "wins the press conference" but his lack of on-field production and throwing accuracy are waving red flags. (Photo by Peter Brouillet)

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Ozzie Newsome needs to take the best cornerback available — or plan on spending money on free agents like Nnamdi Asomugha or Antonio Cromartie. The Ravens' secondary (excluding Ed Reed, obviously) was their weak link last season. (Photo by Larry Smith)

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
Matt Ryan will miss Tony Gonzalez over the middle and in the red zone after the future Hall of Famer retires. Bringing in Rudolph to learn the ropes from Gonzo would be a savvy long-term move for the Falcons. (Photo by John Grieshop)

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
With three of the top 33 (and four of the top 60) picks, Bill Belichick has the ammo to make noise early on. "Anchorman" Austin — who sat out 2010 due to an NCAA suspension — has the size, speed and power to move into the late first round. (Photo by Mark Dolejs)

Gabe Camiri, OT, Wisconsin
Say what you will about Jay Cutler, the Bears' offensive line didn't play with much heart or toughness in 2010. The big Badger is a tough run blocker and serviceable pass protector who would be an immediate upgrade in Chicago. (Photo by Steve Woltmann)
 

Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
Rex Ryan jokingly did three-quarters of one rep on the bench press at the Combine; Paea ripped off an Indy record 49 reps of 225 pounds. Packing that sort of punch "in a phone booth" is essential to playing zero-technique nose tackle in a 3-4 defense. (Photo by Greg LeBoeuf)

Mike Pouncey, G-C, Florida
Reuniting the Pouncey twins — Mike and last year's All-Pro rookie phenom center Maurkice — is the best-case scenario for the Steelers. Odds are, however, that Pittsburgh will have to trade up if it wants the top interior O-lineman in this class. (Photo by Margaret Bowles)

Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Put Houston opposite Clay Matthews and make sure your chin strap is fastened. After winning a Super Bowl with an injury-riddled roster, Green Bay has plenty of freedom and few glaring needs heading into this year's draft. (Photo by Tim Clark/Athlon Sports)