SKOHRboard & Stangs League 2011 NFL Mock Draft Results

The stage is set and everyone is ready to go.  While the NFL "League Year" won't start today, the Draft isn't waiting for anything.  Just this morning the SKOHRboard & Stangs League 2011 NFL Draft came to a close and although the GMs and I are sad to see it go, I think we all learned a little something (it would be awesome to be an NFL GM with no consequences except for random internet criticism).  Anyway, here are the final results with links to every write-up!  I've included the 1st round write-ups for each GMs favorite team in this post too.  Let us know how we did in the comments.

Here are the GMs for each team.

Dikembe Mutombo - Seattle, Carolina, Cleveland, Detroit, San Diego, Atlanta, Green Bay

Justin! - Minnesota, Denver, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, New Orleans

Joel - New York (G), Buffalo, Tennessee, Miami, Kansas City, Chicago, Oakland

Jeremy - Pittsburgh, Houston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, 

SKOHR -  Philadelphia, Arizona, Washington, Baltimore, New England, New York (J)

Von Miller showing some good bend around the edge

ROUND 1

#1 Carolina - Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

#2 Denver - Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama

#3 Buffalo - Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

#4 Cincinnati - AJ Green, WR, Georgia

#5 Arizona - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

#6 Cleveland - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

#7 San Francisco - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

#8 Tennessee - Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

#9 Dallas - Tyron Smith, OT, USC

#10 Washington - Jake Locker, QB, Washington 

#11 Houtson - Cameron Jordan, DE, California

#12 Minnesota - Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas - by Justin!

The Minnesota Vikings have a ton of needs. QB is top priority, and while we were expecting Gabbert and Newton to both be gone, we were really hoping that Jake Locker would fall to the 12th spot. Coach Leslie Frasier is already on record saying that the Vikings will be looking into a QB in the first two rounds. With pressing needs along the offensive and defensive line as well as cornerback, the Vikings have a lot of directions that they can look to and get great value. Most mock drafts have them targeting a rush end to help out Jared Allen in light of Ray Edward’s impending free agency. It’s considered the safe pick to target someone like JJ Watt of Wisconsin, Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson, or Robert Quinn of UNC, to name a few. And while I admit that those guys would all look fantastic in purple – and really, who doesn’t? – this draft is absolutely loaded with defensive ends. As John Clayton pointed out in an excellent article for ESPN, in the last four drafts, 17 defensive ends have been taken in the first round, and only 1 has been a Pro Bowler: not exactly the greatest return on investment. Guys with first-round talent but second-round grades like Jabaal Sheard of Pittsburgh will be available at this need position in time for the Vikings second pick. Another pressing need is at the offensive tackle position. As far as how I feel about taking a tackle here, let me just refer to the 2008 NFL Draft. Miami selected Jake Long, a three-time Pro Bowler who has had an excellent career so far. Then again, so has Matt Ryan, the guy that went two picks after him. The Dolphins are another team that could be trying to address the quarterback position this April. With six teams in need of a quarterback before the next pick, the Vikings cannot afford to risk letting a potential franchise guy slip by, so they have to take the best quarterback available. 

Ryan Mallett has not had the greatest offseason as far as public relations are concerned. Rumors abound about drug abuse, and he certainly botched his media session at the Combine. Whether deserved or not, several flags have been attached to Mallett’s draft profile. Now I have never had a conversation with the kid and maybe he is the immature drug abuser that they say he is, but let me just say that this wouldn’t be the first time and won’t be the last that teams have floated out stories about bad character or lingering injuries so that a player’s draft stock will slip, followed by those same teams who were privately decrying the player’s attitude to snatch him up in an instant. Mallett does have some established areas of concern. At 6’7 and with a 5.37 forty time, Mallett makes for a big, slow target. A lot of times tend to shy away from QBs that they consider too tall, and with the Vikings offensive line trending downward last season, Mallett could be in line for receiving a lot of punishment if he can’t get the ball out in time. Then again, at 6’5 and no noticeable agility, Peyton Manning has never been troubled by his frame; likewise, Tom Brady’s 5.23 forty time didn’t hinder his NFL career. Mallett doesn’t have the speed or athleticism of guys in this draft class like Cam Newton, Jake Locker, or Colin Kaepernick: he just has that rocket arm. Doug Farrar of Football Outsiders recently described Mallett as "a statue with a cannon attached." Mallett will come in and be one of the strongest-armed QBs in the league, which is great news for those receivers streaking down the field and even better for Adrian Peterson: teams will have to respect the deep ball with Mallett under center. Mallett’s height will also be an advantage to his teammates because with his over-the-top release, the ball comes out 8 feet from the ground. He also has hands the size of Yao Ming’s (12 inches across), so ball control shouldn’t be too much of a concern. 

There’s a lot not to like about Mallett, but he could be the savior of this offense. Locker might be a better fit and we would almost certainly take Locker over him, but Mallett has an arm that his fellow draftmates would kill to have. That being said, if I were truly the Vikings GM I would be on the phone with the Patriots right now, trying to get their 1st round pick (#17) and see if I could get that 3rd round pick (#74) that was surrendered in the Randy Moss trade. 

#13 Detroit - Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
#14 St. Louis - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
#15 Miami - Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
#16 Jacksonville - Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina

Brooks Reed doing his best Jumpman

#17 New England - JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
#18 San Diego - Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
#19 New York Giants - Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida - by Joel

The Giants could have gone in a number of different directions with this pick. They could use a strong side LB to complement a good run defender in Goff and pass defender in Boley. Former second round pick, Clint Sintim, has been a disappointment and Keith Bulluck is headed for free agency. Defensive tackle may also be viewed as a position of need with Barry Cofield also headed to free agency. But a combination of injuries and age has made the O-line New York’s top priority in this year’s draft. The Giants did a great job of shuffling bodies up and down the O-line last year but they can’t hope for that kind of luck again. With their starting center Shaun O’Hara coming off two off-season surgeries and their starting guard Rich Seubert trying to recover from knee surgery nothing makes more sense than to draft a guy like Pouncey who can play both positions. Pouncey can add great depth to a banged up line or be plugged in as a starter from day one. The Giants love versatile guys and it doesn’t get anymore versatile in this year's OL class than Pouncey.

#20 Tampa Bay - Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
#21 Kansas City - Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
#22 Indianapolis - Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin 

#23 Philadelphia - Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA - by SKOHR

Ideally the Eagles could trade back if they fell into this situation. Teams will be looking to leap the Seahawks in order to get Dalton or Ponder before Seattle can grab their guy so a trade back is definitely possible. Lots of writers have the Eagles taking either CB Jimmy Smith or one of the OTs with this pick. I'd agree with taking Smith at #23 but the Eagles don't need a 1st Round OT this year. Jason Peters had his best year yet and Winston Justice played fine until he got hurt last year. Solder and Sherrod are the best two OTs left and unless Andy thinks one of them can effectively slide into the "up for competition" Right Guard spot, I don't see the Eagles taking an OT here. 

Ayers is easily the 2nd best LB in this draft behind the 3rd overall pick Von Miller. Ayers is big at 6'3" and 255lbs and fast.  His widely reported Combine numbers were disappointing but he came back and ran in the 4.6s at his Pro Day and tested much better in the other measurables, so he should be fine playing Strong Side LB for the Eagles pretty much from Day 1. Ayers just makes plays too, in his college career he had 29.5 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 7 pass breakups, 6 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 touchdowns. 

This move would give the Eagles a nice young LB group that can all get after the ball and make plays. The addition of Ayers moves this group from a weakness to a strength. Keenan Clayton and Moises Fokou will battle for the Will spot. Stew Bradley and Jamar Chaney will battle for the Mike. Ayers and Akeem Jordan will compete for the Sam position. Despite the talent and depth this would give them, I'd still like to see them go after another LB later on who has slightly better instincts and speed.

#24 New Orleans - Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
#25 Seattle - Nate Solder, OT, Colorado - by Dikembe Mutombo

Seattle can go a bunch of different ways with this pick as they have a lot of positions to address, especially with the inability to re-sign current free agents. There is a glaring need at Right Tackle, Cornerback, D-Tackle (if Mebane leaves as most expect), D-End, Strong Safety, and of course, a QB for the future. I’d like to see them re-sign Hasselbeck and grab Ryan Mallet, but Mallet is already taken in our mock draft. I’d also like to see them take Jimmy Smith, but he jumped up the board to the Lions at 13. 

Based on the way this draft has gone, I see them taking Nate Solder here. I could definitely see them going DL and thinking about Wilkerson from Temple or Cameron Hayward from Ohio State. But in the end of the day, they will want to really protect Hasselbeck for the next 1-2 years and Solder will immediately start at right Tackle. By re-signing Hasselbeck, Whitehurst can still be the backup and Seattle can compete with anyone in the NFC West. Solder is a big, physically gifted tackle who can play the left side, but is more suited for the right. He has a ton of upside and with Okung already on the left side, Solder will be able to maul defenders on the right and will give Seattle 2 book-ends for the next decade. Seattle will need to develop its run game with Lynch/Forsett/Washington, and Solder will help that significantly. Once Seattle can give a dual threat of run and pass, they will be much more dangerous on offense. As the Bears game showed, without a run game to control clock, Seattle became too pass-reliant so the Bears didn't have to worry about the run game and could blitz accordingly. A run game is a QB's best friend and ever since Hutchinson left Seattle, the run game has been non-existent.

#26 Baltimore - Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

#27 Atlanta - Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
#28 New England - Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
#29 Chicago - Danny Watkins, OG, Baylor
#30 New York Jets - Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
#31 Pittsburgh - Aaron Williams, CB, Texas - by Jeremy

With the penultimate pick of the first round, the Steelers choose to do anything they can to get William Gay off of the field. Williams has a good mix of power and speed and is likely to start fairly soon. He can help in rush defense and take advantage of opportunities created by the other play-makers on defense. They could also quite easily select a lineman, but choosing between the top corners left is something that will fill a hole much needed. Williams is also rated as a top safety prospect, so his versatility should put him in action in some capacity in LeBeau's gameplan.

#32 Green Bay - Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona

Stephen Paea chases down next year's #1 Andrew Luck

ROUND 2
#1(33) New England - Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
#2(34) Buffalo - Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
#3(35) Cincinnati - Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

#4(36) Denver - Corey Liuget, DT, Illnois
#5(37) Cleveland - Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
#6(38) Arizona - Martez Wilson, OLB, Illnois
#7(39) Tennessee - Christian Ponder, QB, Florida St.
#8(40) Dallas - Rahim Moore, S, UCLA

#9(41) Washington - Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
#10(42) Houston - Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
#11(43) Minnesota - Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
#12(44) Detroit - Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova

#13(45) San Francisco -Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
#14(46) Denver - Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
#15(47) St. Louis - Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
#16(48) Oakland - Stefan Wisniewski, OC, Penn State

Leonard Hankerson makes a ridiculous grab against the 'Noles

#17(49) Jacksonville - Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
#18(50) San Diego - Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
#19(51) Tampa Bay - Bruce Carter, LB, UNC
#20(52) New York Giants - Mason Foster, LB, Washington

#21(53) Indianapolis - Rodney Hudson, OG, Florida State
#22(54) Philadelphia - Marvin Austin, DT, UNC
#23(55) Kansas City - Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois
#24(56) New Orleans - Allen Bailey, DE, Miami

#25(57) Seattle - Jason Pinkston, OG, Pittsburgh
#26(58) Baltimore - Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
#27(59) Atlanta - Quan Sturdivant, LB, UNC
#28(60) New England - Christian Ballard, DT, Iowa

#29(61) Chicago - Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
#30(62) San Diego - Casey Matthews, LB, Oregon
#31(63) Pittsburgh - Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU
#32(64) Green Bay - Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State

Bruce Carter looking like a freak

Huge thanks to all of our GMs for such terrific write ups and well thought out picks.  Now it's your turn to let us know what you think of the job we did representing your team.  Have at it in the comments.  Oh and if you'll be watching the draft tonight, I'll be on twitter the whole time so shoot me a note @SKOHR!

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