2011 NFL Mock Draft First Round

The 2011 NFL Draft order is complete and it is time for everyone and their mother to make a mock draft. Here is Michael Luchies' 2011 NFL Mock Draft for the first round.

#1. Carolina Panthers- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Andrew Luck is out, which means Fairley moves into a great position to become the overall #1 pick. The Panthers need to develop a pass rush and Fairley will help that significantly. Fairley is ready to start now, even though he isn't the sexy pick that Carolina Panther fans would like to see. The Panthers need to pray for one of their quarterbacks (Moore or Clausen) to have a fantastic year just to get out of the bottom of the NFC.

#2. Denver Broncos- Patrick Peterson*, CB, LSU
The Broncos have many defensive needs, but none quite as bad as cornerback. Peterson will fill a big gap on defense. A defensive lineman could be selected here instead of a CB. I do like the Broncos chances of taking Peterson over Bowers due to their needs. Either pick will be welcomed by Denver Fans.

#3. Buffalo Bills- Da'Quan Bowers*, DE, Clemson
Although Bowers did not look impressive in the Tigers loss to South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, he remains the top ranked defensive end due to North Carolina's Robert Quinn having off the field issues. The Bills need a lot and could go several ways, but Bowers makes the most sense here. No reason to reach for a quarterback here, take the solid defensive player and hope for the best, because hope may be the only thing left for Bills fans.

#4. Cincinnati Bengals- Robert Quinn*, DE, North Carolina
The Bengals need a defensive end and Robert Quinn is a very good one. This pick will be questionable because of Quinn's problems he faced back at North Carolina. The combine could kill Quinn's chances if he has not prepared properly in his year away from football. Everyone seems to be picking AJ Green here, but what have top notch receivers done for the Bengals over the past 5 years in terms of victories? It is time to build a strong defense.

#5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
I hate this pick, but a mock draft is about what you will think will happen, not what should happen. The Cardinals need a quarterback and they will reach to do so. They will pass several better players to get Gabbert.

#6. Cleveland Browns- Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
Two-time All American linebacker Von Miller can get after the quarterback, and the Browns could use that skill when facing a tough array of quarterbacks in the AFC North and the rest of their AFC schedule. Miller has been floating up on mock drafts everywhere, he may not even be available here.

#7. San Francisco 49ers- Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
The 49ers are a couple pieces away from winning the NFC West and they can take another step in that direction with a solid quarterback. The 49ers don't need a great quarterback to win the NFC West, just a mediocre one, and even as a rookie I honestly think Cameron Newton can be that. The smarter pick would to go with Marcell Dareus from Alabama.

#8. Tennessee Titans- Prince Amukamara, CB, Rutgers
A flat out steal at #8, Amukamara will be a great corner for years to come in Tennessee. The Titans need a quarterback, but there is nothing worth reaching for here and I don't see them liking Locker.

#9. Dallas Cowboys- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
The Cowboys can no longer avoid their offensive line as it directly contributed to their poor 2010 season. Solder is a great prospect at OT and a great pick for the Cowboys.

#10. Washington Redskins- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The question here is who could the Redskins not be interested in with this pick? A.J. Green, Jake Locker, Mark Ingram, Cameron Jordan, and many other players would fill huge needs for the Redskins. Despite all of the Redskins needs, and the lack of a overwhelming quarterback in this group, I think Washington will select Jake Locker. Locker was a top talent until his injury plagued season in 2010. Locker still has the skills to be very successful in the NFL and a great franchise QB for the Redskins.

#11. Houston Texans- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
The Texans need a dominant defensive tackle to help getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Texans do need additional help in the secondary, but the best help they can get is going to come from defensive lineman that can penetrate the other team's offensive line (Look at Suh in Detroit).

#12. Minnesota Vikings- Cameron Jordan, DE, California
The Vikings need a quarterback, but I believe they will try to trade or sign a free agent instead of reaching for Ryan Mallett. Jordan is a very solid DE and/or DT and excelled last year at Cal.

#13. Detroit Lions- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
Everyone and their momma's know that the Lions need a corner back. Jimmy Smith is worth the 13th pick and should be able to help out next season. Hopefully Smith can improve his hands as corners in this defense should get plenty of opportunities for interceptions with the Lions defensive line. In Nate Solder is available here expect the Lions to grab him instead to protect Stafford.

#14. St. Louis Rams- AJ Green, WR, Georgia
AJ Green falling to the Rams would be a dream scenario for quarterback Sam Bradford and the city of St. Louis. Bradford needs a target that can get into the endzone with top speed and Green fits that description well. There are no offensive guards worth taking at this point in the draft. Julio Jones will be the pick if Green has already been taken.

#15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Ingram is a perfect pick for the Dolphins in this scenario. Ingram gives the Dolphins a serious weapon along with wide receiver Brandon Marshall to help whoever will play quarterback. The quarterback position is a need, but unless they trade up or trade down, no good fits will be here at #15.

#16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
The run on defensive ends should end for a few picks after Clayborn is picked in the middle of the first round. The Jaguars need to put pressure on Manning, Brady, and other AFC opponents badly. Clayborn would have been a lot higher in the draft if his 2010 season would have come anywhere close to his 11 sacks in 2009.

#17. New England Patriots (From Raiders)- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
The Patriots are in need of a tackle and Castonzo is a perfect fit. Castonzo just looks like a New England kind of guy, and might be the most polished tackle in the draft.

#18. San Diego Chargers- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Vincent Jackson got the franchise tag, but he might not sign a long-term deal with the Chargers and they may decide to get rid of legedu after a recent run in with the police. Jones would be an explosive target for Rivers.

#19. New York Giants- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
Giants have to give Eli more time in the pocket. Smith will need some time to mature into a solid tackle, but he has the intangibles.

#20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
The Bucs are rising fast and I believe will take the more physically gifted Smith over the more polished Akeem Ayers.

#21. Kansas City Chiefs- Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
Whoever the Buccaneers pass on the Chiefs will gobble up with the 21st pick. Don't be surprised if the Chiefs move up a couple of spots if they really like one of the OLB's left on the board. Ayers is ready to start now.

#22. Indianapolis Colts- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
I do not think that Mike will last long enough to join his brother in Pittsburgh. Pouncey will make a fantastic guard for the Colts who need help on the offensive line. Don't be surprised if the Colts go defense, especially after releasing Bob Sanders, but I like them taking Pouncey or one of the top three tackles if any of them slip this far.

#23. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami(FL)
Harris fits the Eagles very well and will add speed and size to the secondary. Harris had a few bad games in college, but he became a feared defender in his senior season.

#24. New Orleans Saints- Ryan Kerrigan, OLB, Purdue
I really like this fit for the Saints and Kerrigan if he slips this far in the draft. Kerrigan had 26 tackles for loss in 2010. Saints could go for Mikel LeShoure here instead.

#25. Seattle Seahawks- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
The Seahawks may still reach for a quarterback here, but that is unlikely if Locker, Newton, and Gabbert are all gone at this point. Seahawks need defensive line help and Liuget would spark this defense.

#26. Baltimore Ravens- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
The Ravens love going after defense and they could use an elite corner. Williams should be able to play right away and develop into a great player in his third of fourth year due to his aggressive nature, or he could be inconsistent and a liability to draw pass interference calls, but either way he is worth the risk.

#27. Atlanta Falcons- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Replacement for Mike Peterson if not re-signed. Houston is a fantastic pass rusher and recorded 10 sacks last season for the Georgia Bulldogs. Falcons still look good for next year, adding Houston is making sure they look even better.

#28. New England Patriots- Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois
The Patriots will try once again to draft a solid starting running back that can be productive and stay healthy. The running game is a big piece of what the Patriots are lacking on offense, which is still at the top of the league in production.

#29. Chicago Bears- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Carimi will help the Bears terrible offensive line that allowed 56 sacks in 2010. Cutler and his MCL (injured or not), will welcome Carimi's help.

#30. New York Jets- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple
The Jets need a defensive end bad and there should be several decent options even late in the first round. Wilkerson can get to the quarterback, and the Jets could desperately use his services especially if Ellis is not re-signed.

#31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Heyward would be one of the best available players at this point and a good selection for the Steelers, although they need an offensive tackle or guard, there are not any worth taking that are still on the board in this scenario.

#32. Green Bay Packers- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
A good pick for Green Bay and Packer fans would love to support a Badger.