Eight is Enough: A Final 2011 NFL Draft Mock

Here's a eighth and final look at the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn : All signs seem to be pointing towards Cam Newton as the number one pick. I'm not sure it's the right decision, but the Panthers will have to live with it.
Previous Pick: Cam Newton, QB Auburn

2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama : Dareus almost seems like a lock. He fills a need at defensive tackle for the Broncos. Fixing their defense, a priority for John Fox, starts on the defensive line.
Previous Pick: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

3. Buffalo Bills: Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M : Cam Newton would breathe life into the franchise, but with him out of the picture the Bills turn to the athletic Miller.
Previous Pick: Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia : I had Gabbert going to the Bengals, but they seem to stubborn to to consider Carson Palmer's threats legitimate. I think they'll try to mend fences by cutting ties with T.O. and giving Palmer a shiny, new toy.
Previous Pick: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU : Pairing Peterson with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would give the Cardinals one of the best cornerback duos in the league. Even though Gabbert is available, I think they go with the more "can't miss" prospect.
Previous Pick: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina : With A.J. Green off the board, the Browns will address their pass rush need.
Previous Pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska : With Gabbert in the picture, he will get strong consideration, but I think his slide continues one more pick
Previous Pick: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri : I still like Fairley for the Titans, but they are floating downstream without a paddle at quarterback. Gabbert could easily go number one in this draft. It would be hard to imagine the Titans passing on him.
Previous Pick: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

9. Dallas Cowboys: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin : The Cowboys wanted to nab one of the top two corners in the draft, but have to turn their attention elsewhere.
Previous Pick: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

10. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington : The Redskins need playmakers, but they must address the quarterback position first.
Previous Pick: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri : The Texans' switch to a 3-4 defense creates a need for an rush linebacker. Smith is the top choice available.
Previous Pick: Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina

12. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn : With Locker out of the picture, a quarterback doesn't make sense here. Julio Jones is a possibility, but Leslie Frasier is a defensive-minded coach. Pat Williams may not return to Minnesota so pairing Fairley with Kevin Williams makes sense.
Previous Pick: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal : The Lions offensive line wasn't terrible last year, but Jeff Backus will be 34. It's time to look to the future to protect Matthew Stafford's blind side.
Previous Pick: Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal

14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama : Suddenly Sam Bradford has an explosive weapon.
Previous Pick: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

15. Miami Dolphins: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State : Chad Henne isn't it. The Dolphins need to find a quarterback. They don't have a second round pick so it's either trade down or find a QB now.
Previous Pick: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue : The Jags have struggled to find the right mix at defensive end. They managed just 26 sacks last year, which was second to only Denver.
Previous Pick: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

17. New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DE, California : Predicting what Bill Belichick will do is virtually impossible, but assuming he won't trade out of this spot, Jordan makes sense as the Pats continue to rebuild their defense.
Previous Pick: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

18. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State : The Chargers don't have many holes, but adding a defensive end makes a lot of sense as Jacques Cesaire and Travis Johnson are free agents.
Previous Pick: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

19. New York Giants: Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College : To keep the ground game humming and Eli off his back, the G-Men improve their offensive line.
Previous Pick: Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson : The Bucs have been filling their holes well in recent NFL Drafts. One area that needs to be addressed in this draft is an outside pass rush. Bowers knee is a concern, but the Bucs have been willing to take some risks in recent years.
Previous Pick: Cameron Jordan, DE, California

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin : The Chiefs need to bolster their offensive line desperately.
Previous Pick: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

22. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, T, Colorado : Solder is the pick to protect Peyton.
Previous Pick: Nate Solder, T, Colorado

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado : He has character issues, but that hasn't stopped Andy Reid in the past. The Eagles need secondary help and Smith has the ability.
Previous Pick: Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

24. New Orleans Saints: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple : The Saints still have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the football.
Previous Pick: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

25. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida: While they need to improve their secondary, they also need offensive line help. Pairing Russell Okung and Pouncey gives the Seahawks a strong foundation.
Previous Pick: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

26. Baltimore Ravens: Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona: While finding a burner to stretch the field makes sense, the Ravens have always been about defense. Reed is a good fit here.
Previous Pick: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State

27. Atlanta Falcons: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland : The Falcons could use a pass rusher, but adding a compliment to Roddy White makes sense as well.
Previous Pick: Toreey Smith, WR, Maryland

28. New England Patriots: Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State : The Pats addressed defense with the first pick. Now they look to protect Tom Brady in the event that Matt Light doesn't return. Of course, trading out of this slot makes perfect sense for New England. Andy Dalton would likely be the prize.
Previous Pick: Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State

29. Chicago Bears: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois: The Bears need to improve their offensive line, but that can wait for later rounds. Liuget can replace Tommie Harris and help free up Chicago's playmakers on defense.
Previous Pick: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

30. New York Jets: Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA : The Jets could use another pass rusher to get after the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Previous Pick: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas : Reaching for an offensive lineman doesn't make sense here. The Steelers go with Aaron Williams to improve their secondary. Their primary competition (Patriots, Colts, Packers, Saints) all all strong passing teams.
Previous Pick: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

32. Green Bay Packers: Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia : Houston gives the Packers a pass rusher to play off of Clay Matthews.
Previous Pick: Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia

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