*** OFFICIAL FFToday NFL Mock Draft ***

[Mike FF Today 732]

Current consensus for Pittsburgh...

 

Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State - 1

Aaron Williams, CB, Texas - 1

[Portis26 0]

I like

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt

For the Steelers

 

Hines isn't getting any younger and need they need more options in passing game IMO

[420allstars 13]

Current consensus for Pittsburgh...

 

Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State - 1

Aaron Williams, CB, Texas - 1

 

I'll make it two for Sherrod, I think he is a solid fit here and with Pits depth at most positions it makes sense for them to take the best available player

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Derek Sherrod to Pittsburgh. Will really help that line and could start week 1.

[Portis26 0]

Packers

 

Danny Watkins OL Nebraska

 

Big guy who will/could help immediately at guard and Chad Clifton is getting older (like we all are)

 

(Aaron Williams is a strong consideration, but they hand in card with Watkins name on it)

[worm 36]

Packers - Justin Houston

[MicktheGreat 1]

Packers

 

My vote would be OLB Justin Houston (Georgia). He should be able to give the Packers some more pass-rush off the edge. Plus, he's probably the most intriguing defensive player left on the board at this point. The Packers could also use OL help, but I don't think there's an OL left that I would draft this highly.

[Mike FF Today 732]

Current consensus for Green Bay...

 

Justin Houston, LB, Georgia - 2

Danny Watkins, OL, Nebraska - 1

[IGotWorms 4,059]

I think Houston is more of a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB. I'm gonna go with Danny Watkins for Green Bay.

[IGotWorms 4,059]

But that's what is fun about this exercise, everyone has different opinions. I thought Muhammed Wilkerson and Cody Liuget fell too far.

 

I personally agree. I think Wilkerson and Liuget went too low and Ingram and Ayers went too high. Bowers might've gone too high as well but that really depends on the injury situation, which is pretty cloudy at this point.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Packers

 

My vote would be OLB Justin Houston (Georgia). He should be able to give the Packers some more pass-rush off the edge. Plus, he's probably the most intriguing defensive player left on the board at this point. The Packers could also use OL help, but I don't think there's an OL left that I would draft this highly.

 

 

I'll agree with Justin Houston. He has the highest upside of any player left on the board in my opinion. The Packers are in a situation to take the BPA, and Houston could be a great pass rusher off the edge as a 3-4 OLB.

[MicktheGreat 1]

Packers -- OLB Justin Houston (Georgia)

 

 

And that's the end of the first round.

Are we going to try and do the second round now???

[Portis26 0]

Pats will take Danny Wilkens at pick 33.

 

They need OL help

[worm 36]

Pats - Danny Watkins x 2

[Joey Gladstone 33]

I think the Pats go O-line but take Rodney Hudson from Florida State.

[WhiteWonder 2,766]

Packers -- OLB Justin Houston (Georgia)

 

 

And that's the end of the first round.

Are we going to try and do the second round now???

 

wow... i totally thought Justin Houston was gone in the early twenties.

 

he would have been my selection for the Jets had i realized he was there.

 

no way he makes it past New York who really wants a rush linebacker.

[Mike FF Today 732]

Nice job guys! Round 1 is complete. We'll keep this going through Round 2 as long as there is interest.

 

Current consensus for New England at 2.01 (#33 Overall)...

 

Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor - 2

Rodney Hudson, OL, Florida St. - 1

[MicktheGreat 1]

I'll vote OG Danny Watkins (Baylor) for the Patriots.

 

Even though Watkins is a good player, I don't think he's a great player and probably wouldn't take him this high (also, his OG position lessens his draft-stock a bit in my book, as good interior OL can be found later in the draft). However, that said, the Pats do definitely need some OL help, and I think he's probably the best OL left on the board at this point. So that's my pick...

 

 

 

The Bills are on-the-clock.

 

My vote is for DE Cam Heyward (OSU). The Bills play that 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense; and Heyward, who can play DE in either front (or even DT in the 4-3), gives them some talent and versatility along the front-line, which they desperately need. The Bills would probably also consider QB at this spot, but I don't think that Mallett is a good fit for Chan Gailey's offense and it's probably too high here for someone like Colin Kapernick (though, I could see them trading back for him) and they already have an Andy Dalton-like QB (i.e. average arm-strength but high intellect/intangible guy) in Ryan Fitzpatrick.

[Portis26 0]

Colin Kapernick - Bills

 

Galiey likes a mobile QB and he gets a good one in round 2

[worm 36]

Bills - Kaepernick x 2

[Stewburtx8 67]

This would be a pretty big reach for Kaepernick in my opinion. Personally I think Dalton, Mallett, and Ponder go before him. I will say Cameron Heyward x 2. Bills need plenty of help on defense, and he is one of the best talents left in my opinion.

[Mike FF Today 732]

Current consensus for Buffalo at 2.02 (#34 Overall)...

 

Cam Heyward, DT, Ohio St. - 2

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada - 2

[420allstars 13]

Current consensus for Buffalo at 2.02 (#34 Overall)...

 

Cam Heyward, DT, Ohio St. - 2

Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada - 2

 

I'll make it 3 for Kaepernick.. Bills will look for a project guy in the 2nd..

[MicktheGreat 1]

So...Bills take QB Colin Kaepernick.

 

 

 

Bengals are on the board.

My vote would be WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh). After going with QB in the first round, it seems like the Bengals also need to address the WR position -- where TO and OchoCinco are likely gone and Caldwell/Shipley/Simpson have talent but don't really seem to be #1-calibur WRs. I personally think this is a bit too high to take Baldwin because of consistency/intangible problems, but that's never stopped the Bengals in the past. And, regardless of his off-the-field problems, Baldwin definitely has the talent/athleticism to develop into a #1 WR for them. [The Bengals could also use some help at SS; however, I don't think there's one available that grades this high. The only possible secondary guy, Aaron Williams, is more of a CB/FS type rather than SS.]

[Portis26 0]

Bengal - Baldwin x2

 

They need a big body next to Jerome simpson

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Jonathon Baldwin to the Bengals. Makes sense and gives Cincy a nice collection of young talent to develop along with Gabbert.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Denver Broncos at 2.04

1.02 Pick: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

 

Ryan Mallet QB Arkansas

 

Elway has said Tebow isn't his guy, and there are reports he is very interested in the QB's of this draft class. He gets an absolute heist here with Ryan Mallett. Mallett has one of the best arms since....John Elway (though none of the speed). Tebow gets dealt and Orton is the bridge/mentor for a season.

 

I originally put Jabaal Sheard here out of Pittsburgh thinking Denver would love to completely make over their defensive line. I changed my mind, they'll take a QB here if the talent is still on the board.

[MicktheGreat 1]

Broncos

 

My vote is for CB/S Aaron Williams (Texas). I think this draft will be defense-heavy for the Broncos, as they could improve at every level of the defense. Even though they just re-signed Champ Bailey, he's getting older and probably only has maybe two good years left in him at CB. Williams is a very talented, very smart CB/S type with good intangibles who should start for them (opposite Champ) from day one and eventually replace Champ.

 

QB is also a consideration here (along with a pass-rushing OLB). However, I think Tebow played well enough last season (which came as a shock to me) to earn a chance to prove that he can be "the guy." Plus, Orton played really well too for most of the season and John Fox has spoken out in favor of his returning and competing for the starting job. Overall, I just don't think that QB is the biggest need for them right now.

[worm 36]

They might consider Marvin Austin to further bolster the d-line, but I'll go with Aaron Williams.

[Stewburtx8 67]

Aaron Williams x 3, for the reasons said.

[Portis26 0]

37. Cleveland Browns: Allen Bailey, DE/DT

1.06 Pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

 

The Browns get a top tier defensive player with this pick in the 2011 NFL Mock Draft. Bailey had a rough Senior bowl so he fell out of the first round of my 2011 NFL Mock Draft. I have Bailey still as a good prospect and have him filling in with the Browns and helping out their defensive line.

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Browns take Marvin Austin DT North Carolina

 

Excellent talent at this point, though he'll need somebody to keep his competetive fire stoked. If he pans out Cleveland could be getting dominant players on both sides of the ball this draft.

 

I think somebody will take Austin in the 1st round April 28th.

[MicktheGreat 1]

Browns

 

My vote is DE Cameron Heyward (OSU).

 

I think the Browns will want to inject some more young talent in their DL. However, they really like young DT Ahtyba Rubin, who is a huge nose-tackle and is still getting better as a player. So, instead of addressing DT here, I think they look at adding a good 3-4 DE.

 

Cam Heyward doesn't necessarily have the sheer potential of someone like an Allen Bailey or a Marvin Austin. However, he's also a much safer pick than either of those two players -- in terms of durability, intangibles, and smarts. Plus, because he's a former OSU player, it would likely be something of a popular pick among Browns fans -- keeping the Buckeye in state.

[Mike FF Today 732]

Cleveland: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

 

After an up-and-down season for Heyward, a dominating performance in the Sugar Bowl reminded teams of why he was one of the top prospects as a five-technique end at the beginning of 2010. Tommy John surgery in January has prevented him from working out and is hurting his draft stock, but it isn’t a long-term concern.

 

Current consensus for Cleveland...

 

Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State - 2

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina - 1

Allen Bailey, DL, Miami - 1

[worm 36]

Browns - Marvin Austin

[Joey Gladstone 33]

Browns - Marvin Austin

 

All three linemen getting votes for Cleveland would be nice picks. D-line depth is crazy in this draft.

[kutulu 1,681]

Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

 

I was the first to nominate Smith to TB and was kind of surprised when he got enough votes to give him to TB in this mock, but maybe we were right in the end...

 

Aqib Talib described as “all but gone” from Tampa Bay