My first shot at a mock draft

We have 4 weeks to go until the 2011 draft, and it is happening regardless of a CBA to give us some welcome relief from the misery of potentially no football. Mock drafts always seemed a little pointless to me as so much trading happens of draft day that so few mocks end up even close. Also someone reaches and gives us a big shock on draft day changing the landscape of the first round. So I will do a simple mock of round 1 and add a few trade thoughts of my own. Here we go, I appreciate comments and feedback if you have any.


1 - Carolina Panthers - QB - Blaine Gabbert - Missouri
They have been open enough about QB needs and need a new face to suggest they need one. I think they will prefer the lower risk of Gabbert below Cam Newton.
2 - Denver Broncos - DT - Marcell Dareus - Alabama
They seem really in love with this guy and praying the Panthers leave him be.
3 - Buffalo Bills - LB - Von Miller - Texas A+M
Being last in the NFL in rush yards against makes Miller a preferable pick to Peterson. I don't think they go QB if Gabbert is gone.
4 - Cincinatti Bengals - WR - AJ Green - Georgia
I think the Bengals change their identity by turning over the receiving corps and starting over. Hopefully that makes Carson happy. If he isn't happy they may take the icon from Auburn ;)
5 - Arizona Cardinals - CB - Patrick Peterson - LSU
I think Arizona gets a veteran QB rather than a young potential guy to learn on the job. If Miller is on the board they take him otherwise Peterson is too good to pass up. There's no way he slips past 5.
6 - Cleveland Browns - DE - Da'Quan Bowers - Clemson
Last year's sacks leader lands in cleveland who need D-linemen urgently. Seeing as they let Shaun Rogers go maybe they take Fairley here?
7 - San Francisco 49ers- CB - Prince Amukamara - Nebraska
I would love the prince to slide to Detroit but he won't. Maybe they go QB here but I think they take one in round 2.
8 - Tennessee Titans - QB - Cam Newton - Auburn
The Titans find their new signal caller and identity here with the icon.
9 - Dallas Cowboys - DE - Nick Fairley - Auburn
I don't think Fairley falls any further than this. Dallas would have loved a corner and may go o-line here but Fairley rotating around their front fills a huge need.
10 - Washington Redskins - WR - Julio Jones - Alabama
Washington land the big play receiver they covet and replace Santana Moss here.
11 - Houston Texans - DE - Robert Quinn - NC
Who knows where Quinn would be if he had played last season? He could be a steal at 11 for the Texans who are reshaping their defense under Wade Phillips


*I think someone trades into spots 11-14 to grab the big name player that slides. Possibly, Quinn, Fairley or the Prince. I also think Rams maybe trade up for Julio Jones.


12- Minnesota Vikings - QB - Jake Locker - Washington
They have made no secret of targetting a QB and they rebuild here first.
13 - Detroit Lions - DE - JJ Watt - Winsconsin
To be honest I think the Lions trade down here. Otherwise for me it is JJ Watt or Anthony Castonzo. They will take the best player that slides to them regardless unless it's a QB.
14 - St Louis Rams - DE - Aldon Smith - Missouri
The Rams take the best player available to them. James Hall is getting on now and Spagnuolo will build defense first as he had with the Giants.
15 - Miami Dolphins - RB - Mark Ingram - Alabama
I think the Dolphins trade down like last year. I would have them drafting Cameron Jordan as the best player left but the took a DE in the first round last year in Odrick and why pay either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams to stay? Whoever plays QB needs help from the run game.
16 - Jacksonville Jaguars - DE - Ryan Kerrigan - Purdue
I think the Jags build on taking Alualu last year with some edge rush help against Payton Manning
17 - New England Patriots - OT - Tyron Smith - USC
The Pats replace Matt Light here and sure up their line to keep Brady's jersey clean
18 - San Diego Chargers - DE - Cameron Jordan - CAL
The Chargers are delighted as Cameron Jordan falls to them here and they strengthen that number 1 defense further. Can't have Darren McFadden and Jamaal Charles running over them in the AFC West
19 - New York Giants - OL - Mike Pouncey - Florida
It might be a bit high but New York need to strengthen the interior of the line rather than grab a tackle. Perhaps they go defensive line but Pouncey would be a great pick for the Giants here.
20 - Tampa Bay Bucs - DE - Adrian Clayborn - Iowa
The Bucs go pass rush and nothing else
21 - Kansas City Chiefs - OT - Gabe Carimi - Winsconsin
The Chiefs can seriously bolster their line and attack with a tackle here
22 - Indianapolis Colts - OT - Nate Solder - Colorado
The Colts go nothing but OLine, probably in round 2 as well
23 - Philadelphia Eagles - CB - Jimmy Smith - Colorado
Smith really seems to be an Eagles kind of guy: Flash, style, talent and attitude. The Eagles need a playmaker opposite Asante Samuel.
24 - New Orleans Saints - DT - Muhammed Wilkerson - Temple
The Saints did just grab Shaun Rogers but they need to be able to stuff the run and get to the QB. Maybe Justin Houston goes here.
25 - Seattle Seahawks - DE - Cameron Heyward - Ohio State
The Seahawks need strength on the edge and middle but maybe they reach for a QB here. They need a corner too, so my second guess would be Brandon Harris here.
26 - Baltimore Ravens - WR - Torrey Smith - Maryland
The Ravens should go WR here, if they don't then a speed receiver is urgent!
27 - Atlanta Falcons - CB - Brandon Harris - Miami
Green Bay tore them apart and it wasn't pretty. Secondary help required.
28 - New England Patriots - LB - Justin Houston - Georgia
The Patriots next big need is a pass rusher and playmaking linebacker
29 - Chicago Bears - OT - Derrick Sherrod - Missisippi
Protect Jay Cutler!
30 - New York Jets - DT - Phil Taylor - Baylor
The Jets need to replace Cullen Jenkins and need to get pressure up the middle
31 - Pittsburgh Steelers - CB - Aaron Williams - Texas
Time to find a regular starter opposite Ike Taylor
32 - Green Bay Packers - OL - Danny Watkins - Baylor
Time to sure up more of the interior line. The Packers are pretty set everywhere so a solid lineman will be good insurance

*

I can see a team trading into the later first round to grab one of the corners or Phil Taylor who is the real solid 3-4 DT and possibly trading up to 20-24 to grab one of the tackles left.
Let me know what you think. Who will be likely to trade up?