Augie Tieri’s 2011 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

It's still very early, as the NFL Scouting Combine hasn't even begun yet, but here is my preliminary Mock Draft 1.0  By the time the draft rolls around, I'll probably be up to 7.0 but who's counting...

Feel free to agree or disagree on my picks, and lay the comments down below

Also, if you have a mock draft you want me to post, email me @ a.tieri@ymail.com

Augie Tieri’s  2011 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

1.        Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

This is going to come down from Panthers ownership. The Panthers have a lot of needs and you can’t tell me that Da’Quan Bowers has enough star talent to keep them from trading out of this pick. They have been adamant about the fact that they want to make a splash at the quarterback position, and haven’t shown an ounce of confidence in either Clausen or Moore. Don’t be shocked if they pull the trigger on this one.

2.         Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

Champ Bailey will be gone and the Broncos will need to find a legitimate replacement for him. Peterson is polished, and should be able to step right in and get the job done

3.         Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Defensive tackle Kyle Williams led the Bills last year in sacks with a whopping total of 5.5. That just isn’t going to cut it. The Bills haven’t had a legitimate pass rushing threat since Bruce Smith, and Aaron Maybin is turning out to be a bust so this is undoubtedly the right selection.

4.         A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

With the almost certain departure of both Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens, and now possibly even Carson Palmer, the Bengals are going to have to address some serious concerns in the passing game.

5.         Von Miller, OLB/DE, Texas A&M

More than likely, the QB situation will be resolved in free agency, which will free up the Cardinals to replace Joey Porter with the top OLB on the board

6.            Nick Farley, DT, Auburn

Following the release of Shaun Rogers, the Browns have to bolster their front line. Farley’s dominant performance in the National Championship game has put him on everyone’s radar. Should be a nice fit for the Browns.

7.        Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Bringing in Jim Harbaugh instantly improves the 49ers offense, but since he can’t play quarterback anymore, they are going to have to find someone who can, and Alex Smith is not it. Gabbert has the tools necessary to be a long-term solution for Harbaugh.

8.             Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

It’s hard to imagine the Titans without Jeff Fisher, but it is now a reality. The Titans need a QB they can build their franchise around, and establish a threat in the passing game to compliment Chris Johnson’s explosiveness. Mallett is the best pure passing quarterback in the draft.  

9.          Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

Tony Romo got lit up more than the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center last season before getting knocked out by the Giants. Solder is every bit of 6’9” with room to grow. He needs to improve his technique but with the right tutelage, he should anchor the Cowboys o-line for years to come.

10.    Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama

Nothing demonstrated the Redskins desperate need for help on their interior defensive line than the fact that Albert Haynesworth actually played this year. Dareus burst onto the scene this year and made an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide. The Redskins can only hope he will do the same for the crimson and gold.

11.    Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

The Texans had one of the worst defensive secondaries in all of football last year. The offense amassed huge numbers but was always coming from behind because of the big plays they would give up on the other end.

12.    Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Lost in the Brett Favre saga of last season was the fact that the Vikings could not get after the QB last year. Their defensive line is getting older, and they need a legitimate pass rusher opposite Jared Allen. After missing the entire season, look for Quinn to blow scouts away at the combine.

13.    Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

The Lions showed significant improvement last season and should get even better this season. Ndamakong Suh made an immediate impact on the defensive line last year, and Kerrigan should free up Suh even more, as he wreaks havoc off the edge.

14.    Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

It is amazing what rookie quarterback Sam Bradford was able to accomplish despite not having the weapons on offense. Adding Julio Jones will be a major step toward solving that problem.

15.    Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

There is very little doubt that the Dolphins will take a RB first overall; the only debate will be which one. While LeShoure probably has more upside, Ingram is more proven, and that is what the Dolphins need right now.

16.    Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

The Jags are yet another team that had an awful secondary last year. In a league that is becoming more and more pass dominant, the Jaguars must improve. Smith is a big physical corner, similar to Akib Talib in Tampa Bay.

17.     Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

The Pats have a young secondary that could use a little help in the form of a consistent pass rush. Houston is athletic, can play in space, and get after the QB.

18.     Cameron Jordan, DE, California

Cameron Jordan is the perfect fit opposite Luis Castillo at the 3-4 defensive end for San Diego. 

19.       Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

The Giants’ running game has slowed down significantly since winning the Super Bowl in ’07. Once regarded as having one of the best offensive lines in football, age and injuries have caught up to them. Castonzo is a chiseled 6’7” 305lbs with room to grow. Very capable of being the Giants next franchise left tackle.

20.    Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

The Buccaneers finished dead last in sacks last season. Smith will provide some pressure off the edge that is vital for a defensive scheme that is predicated on getting pressure from the front four.

21.    Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi St.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Chiefs picking this late so they must be doing something right the past couple of years in the draft. Expect Scott Pioli to grab the best available offensive lineman on the board with this pick

22.    Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

Peyton Manning looked like a very different QB at times this year behind a shaky offensive line, and the Colts could not run the football at all. Pouncey will provide them immediate help at guard, and could be the eventual replacement for Jeff Saturday at center.

23.    J.J. Wyatt, DE, Wisconsin

The Eagles have seen the Giants defensive line wreak enough havoc over the years. It’s about time they draft a Justin Tuck like hybrid defensive lineman that can move around the D-Line and cause matchup problems.

24.    Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois

The Saints had a carousel of RB’s last season when Pierre Thomas went down and it ended up hurting them significantly down the stretch. LeShoure is very similar to Thomas, with a ton more upside.

25.    Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

The Seahawks corners got picked apart often last season, even in the games they won. Williams would join fellow Texas teammate Earl Thomas in bolstering Seattle’s secondary.

26.  Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

Despite only picking off 4 passes in his career at the U, Harris was a 32 game starter and it seemed that the only reason he didn’t pick off more was because teams were afraid to throw at him.

27.    Rahim Moore, S, UCLA

As good as the Falcons were last season, they gave up the big play way too often as exhibited in the playoffs against the Packers. Having a player of Moore’s caliber providing over the top help should reduce that significantly.

28.    Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

It is amazing how many first round caliber 3-4 defensive ends there are in this draft. The ironic thing is, there isn’t a tremendous need for them inside the top 25. Patriots won’t be able to pass up Clayborn with their second pick in the first round.

29.  Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

Is there a team in this draft that needs more help at offensive tackle than the Chicago Bears? Ask Jay Cutler if he likes this pick

30.  Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

Chances are, Ayers won’t fall this far but don’t put it past the Jets to trade up for him. He is exactly what they need at the OLB spot, as he would provide the athletic pass rushing beast the Jets have been lacking.

31.   Tyron Smith, OT, USC

Ben Roethlisberger took a pounding all season long. For years now, the Steelers have been in need of an athletic skilled pass protector on Big Ben’s blind side. Smith fits the mold.

32.   Stefon Wisniewski, C/G, Penn St.

If you had to dig through Green Bay’s roster to find a single weakness, it would probably be their offensive line. Aaron Rodgers had a tremendous season and the Pack have to make it a priority to protect their elite investment. Wisniewski has the pedigree and the flexibility to play both guard and center.

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OK...So how much did Cam Newton's dad pay Trent Dilfer for this report???

Dilfer: Cam Newton workout was "phenomenal"

Speaking on ESPN Thursday afternoon, analyst Trent Dilfer called Auburn QB Cam Newton's Thursday media day workout "one of the most phenomenal personal workouts I've ever seen."

"If scouts saw this they'd have been slobbering," added Dilfer, who called Newton a "dynamic athlete" and "incredibly impressive." Dilfer praised Newton's refinement, accuracy, and arm strength while proclaiming the "sky is the limit." Newton's measurables have never been in question, so it's hardly surprising that he excelled in a controlled environment. It is a positive sign, though, that the tutoring on his footwork and acclimation to working under center have paid off. It now seems likely that a team with a top-five selection will fall in love Newton, but his character concerns and football acumen will still be scrutinized over the next two months.

Source: Rotoworld; ESPN

Jerry Sloan Stepping Down

Longtime Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan just announced that he is going to resign as head coach

Source: ESPN

This Guy is Sick...If Only Eli Was This Accurate

Carmelo is Getting Impatient

According to Stephen A. Smith, Carmelo Anthony is getting impatient with the Knicks. He feels like he handed himself on a platter for the Knicks (which he did) and that they are not doing enough to get it the deal done before the deadline.

By coming out with this, all he is doing is hurting his future team in the longrun. The Knicks are very close to getting this deal done without having to give up Landry Fields or Danillo Gallinari. Both of these guys could be instrumental role players and supporting cast for Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo moving forward.

-AT

FRANCISCO LIRIANO TO THE YANKEES?

 

Looks like a distinct possibility. Twins are seriously considering dealing him if the right offer came along. Might take Joba, Gardner and a low level prospect. Liriano would be the legitimate lefty starter the Yankees need, to make up for the loss of Andy Pettitte.

-AT