NFL Mock Draft 2011: First Round Details & Surprises

The NFL Draft will be held in April but at the moment the Tigers are eating up the top four picks of the draft. The battle between many of the NFL Draft experts has centered between defensive end Nick Fairley and defensive tackle Da'Quan Bowers.

Look for things to change on a weekly basis as the NFL Combine transpires and NFL Pro Days help scouts and general managers make their final decisions. Many of the top NFL Draft prospects that have dropped on the day of the draft have turned out to be Pro Bowl players.

1. Carolina Panthers: Nick Fairley Defensive Tackle Auburn Tigers

Nick Fairley's value skyrocketed when Auburn beat Oregon and he was a major factor. Fairley is a massive defensive tackle that is quick off the snap and has incredible speed and instincts for a tackle. Ron Rivera won't be able to resist Fairley with the first pick.

2. Denver Broncos: Da'Quan Bowers Defensive End Clemson Tigers

DaQuan Bowers is another fast defensive lineman that will be a good pick up for John Fox and the Denver Broncos. Bowers tallied 16 sacks and he will be a great complement to Elvis Dumervil.

3. Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert Quarterback Missouri Tigers

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good stop gap quarterback which makes Blaine Gabbert a good pick in the number three slot for Chan Gailey and the Buffalo Bills.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Patrick Peterson Cornerback LSU Tigers

Patrick Peterson is a double threat for NFL teams looking for speed on defense and speed on special teams. Peterson is an experienced kick and punt returner that will be a steal for the Cincinnati Bengals at the number four spot.

5. Arizona Cardinals:Marcell Dareus Defensive End Alabama Crimson Tide

Marcel Dareus is a 300 pound lineman that runs the 40 in 4.88. Look for Dareus to be the first piece of the puzzle for the Arizona Cardinals defensive rebuild up front.

6. Cleveland Browns: AJ Green Wide Receiver Georgia Bulldogs

The Cleveland Browns are in need of athletes and if AJ Green is available with the fourth pick they must take him in this spot. AJ Green is by far the most impressive route runner and has the best acceleration at the point of reception. He will adapt quickly to the NFL but if he has a bad NFL Combine he will drop. the smart general manager that picks him up early will be rewarded with an 800-1000 yard rookie receiver.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Jake Locker Quarterback Washington Huskies

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh watched Jake Locker grow up in the PAC 10 over the last few seasons. He has watched film of every pass Locker has thrown while prepping to play the Washington Huskies every season. If anyone knows this quarterback it is Harbaugh. He will shock many in the NFL Draft and throw general managers scrambling when he takes Locker this high.

8. Tennessee Titans: Julio Jones Wide Receiver Alabama Crimson Tide

Randy Moss was a failure as a pick up in 2010. Moss will be gone and Jeff Fisher has permission to rebuild this team around star running back Chris Johnson. Picking up Julio Jones in this spot will allow Jones to develop slowly into Fisher's system. Jones will play every down and he will have his share of receptions. Realistic expectations for Jones first season will be 650 yards- 850 yards receiving.

9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara Cornerback Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Dallas Cowboys have hired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Ryan is an aggressive and vibrant defensive coach that will energize this Dallas Cowboys defense. Prince Amukamara will be a perfect rookie cornerback to add to this defense. He has speed and skill and his instincts are comparable to better shut down corners in the NFL.

10. Washington Redskins: Ryan Mallett Quarterback Arkansas Razorbacks

The strong armed SEC quarterback may fit well with what Mike Shanahan's final picture will look like. Shanahan loves young quarterbacks and loves to bring them along slowly. Mallett will sit the bench for two seasons before Shanahan lets him loose on the NFL.

11. Houston Texans: Adrian Clayborn Defensive End Iowa Hawkeyes

The Houston Texans offense is a well oiled machine. The defense on the other hand will be torn down and started from scratch in 2011. Wade Phillips will change this team to a 3-4 defense with Mario Williams on the line and by picking Adrian Clayborn he will be able to rotate and defensive lineman in and out of the lineup to keep his line fresh.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Stephen Paea Defensive Tackle Oregon State Beavers

The Minnesota Vikings are getting old on the defensive line and the addition of a young hard nosed competitor like Paea will be a big boost even if he is just on the rotation and not a starter. Paea is a Pat Tillman defensive player of the year out of PAC 10 also ran Oregon State but he will be a welcome addition to a Minnesota Viking defense in transition.

13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith Offensive Tackle USC Trojans

Tyron Smith is not a sexy pick for the Detroit Lions but he will be a the right pick. they need depth on the offensive line to protect their fragile quarterback Matt Stafford. As long as the Lions don't pick another wide receiver it will be a good choice for the Detroit Lions.

14. St. Louis Rams: Derrek Sherrod Offensive Tackle Mississippi State Bulldogs

The St Louis Rams are also looking to protect their young quarterback with one of the best offensive lineman in the NFL Draft. Derrek Sherrod is a better pass blocker than a run blocker and he could be on a rotation in pass blocking situations.

15. Miami Dolphins: Aldon Smith Defensive End: Missouri Tigers

Aldon Smith could be a steal in this spot and the Miami Dolphins will benefit. Smith was a defensive lineman for the Missouri Tigers but he will converted to an outside linebacker in the NFL. Smith has experience dropping back into coverage and is comfortable coming from the outside on blitzing situations.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Akeem Ayers Linebacker: UCLA Bruins

Kirk Morrison may leave the Jacksonville Jaguars but if he does re-sign he will be an important mentor for Akeem Ayers. The most important aspect of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Draft will be choosing the best available prospect and if everything falls right Ayers will be the pick.

17. New England Patriots (from Oakland): Robert Quinn Defensive End North Carolina Tar Heels

Bill Belichik has two first round NFL Draft picks. This pick is from the Oakland Raiders for Richard Seymour and ironically Belichik will continue to mold his young defense with an explosive defensive end in Robert Quinn. Quinn is fast (4.38 in the 40) and will show well at the NFL Combine. Don't be surprised if Quinn goes earlier than 17th but if he is there Belichik will nab him.

18. San Diego Chargers: Gabe Carimi Offensive Tackle Wisconsin Badgers

The San Diego Chargers need depth at offensive line and Gabe Carimi is almost a unanimous choice among NFL Draft experts and with good reason. He is fast on his feet and is quick to correct himself if he is on the verge of getting beat. Very smart blocker that has incredibly fast football instincts. The best NFL Draft picks are usually the ones under the radar.

19. New York Giants: Von Miller Linebacker Texas A&M Aggies

Von Miller is the 2010 Dick Butkis Award winner and although there are differences in their styles of play, Von Miller is just as tenacious as Dick Butkis ever was. Miller will have to work his way into the New York Giants defense but he will be an asset every down he plays in the NFL.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ryan Kerrigan Defensive End/Linebacker

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in desperate need of a pass rusher off the end and they will answer this need through the NFL Draft. The best available defensive end at number 20 will most likely be Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan could be used much like elvis Dumervil in Denver with the Broncos. A pass rusher than can fall back into coverage and be a threat.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Anthony Costanzo Offensive Tackle Boston College Golden Eagles

Offensive line is never a position to get the fan base excited but with offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan possibly heading for greener pastures the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking for a bargaining chip and depth with this pick. Costanzo will either help himself and move into the top 15 at the NFL Combine or he could fall out of the first round with a poor performance.

22. Indianapolis Colts: Allen Bailey Defensive End Miami Hurricanes

Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are not getting any younger. The offensive side of the ball has plenty of weapons and now and it is time to focus on stopping the run. Bailey will be the phenom of the NFL Combine. He can bench press 375 pounds and his vertical jump is 38 and a half inches.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: Aaron Williams Cornerback Texas Longhorns

If Aaron Williams falls to the 23rd NFL Draft position the Philadelphia Eagles will not think twice before jumping on the aggressive corner. Williams will be a good offset for Assante Samuel and could eventually replace Samuel as the number one corner on the team.

24. New Orleans Saints: JJ Watt Defensive End Wisconsin Badgers

One of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten in 2010, JJ Watt has football smarts and the athletic ability to make an immediate impact. If Watt ends up with Gregg Williams and the New Orleans Saints he will be a dominant defensive end in his rookie year.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Cam Newton Quarterback Auburn Tigers

Pete Carroll has an aging veteran at quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck. He has a high paid back up in Charlie Whitehurst. Why not bring in an athletic quarterback as a third option on the bench. Pete Carroll can never pass up a pure athlete like Cam Newton. When Newton falls to 25th Carroll will swoop in on him.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris Cornerback Miami Hurricanes

Brandon Harris has been at the top of the heap among the nations best secondary players since his career began. The question with Harris will be his ability to integrate into a system like the Baltimore Ravens. Harris will learn under veteran Ed Reed and could eventually be as good as Reed in a few years.

27. Atlanta Falcons: Cameron Heyward Defensive End Ohio State Buckeyes

Cameron Heyward is a dominant defensive end that has played in high pressure situations with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Heyward is fast and has plenty of moves that baffle college offensive lineman. Will it translate to the NFL? The Atlanta Falcons need a compliment for John Abraham and Heyward could be that defensive player that will thrive.

28. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram Running Back: Alabama Crimson Tide

Bill Belichik isn't much for picking up Heisman Trophy winners in the NFL Draft. He likes to blend team players into his system and create an offensive team with no superstars. Mark Ingram is an unassuming running back that will fit well in Belichik's system. With Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis in the back field already, Ingram will be able to work his way in the lineup with little pressure.

29. New York Jets: Cameron Jordon Defensive Tackle California Golden Bears

The New York Jets need depth up front on defense. Cameron Jordon is a defensive tackle that may have gone in later rounds in any other NFL Draft. Most teams are working on their defensive lines and this NFL Draft does not have the exceptional offensive talent of other NFL Drafts. Jordon is small for a defensive tackle but he will be a force in the middle of the line.

30. Chicago Bears: Justin Houston Defensive End/Linebacker Georgia Bulldogs

The Chicago Bears may not look like they need a linebacker with skills as a defensive end but they will. Pisa Tinoisamoa is likely to be gone in 2011 and the Bears will have the perfect opportunity to integrate an athlete like Justin Houston into the lineup.

31. Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Ijalana Offensive Tackle: Villanova Wildcats

Benjamin Ijalana has been projected as low as a third round NFL Draft pick but he will be a perfect pick for the Green Bay Packers as the work on building a better offensive line for Aaron Rodgers.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey Center/Guard Florida Gators

Mike Pouncey has been rated as high asthe number one available offensive guard/center in the NFL Draft and the Pittsburgh Steelers are enamored with Pouncey's brother Maurkice.

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