Phil Taylor - DT, Baylor

Pick made by Eltoasto:

The Jets enter the draft with a few areas of weakness due to free agency and aging. Wide Receiver could certainly use some attention with both Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes free to test the market. A 3-4 DE could also fit the bill with Shaun Ellis headed to free agency. The Left Guard position is also up in the air, though last year's rookie Ducasse should be able to step into the role. Those are all legitimate needs, but to me the most important position in Rex Ryan's 3-4 defense, one that cannot afford lack of depth, is the best pick here:

NT Phil Taylor, Baylor

Quality nose tackles are very hard to come by since the 3-4 defense is the flavor of the month in the NFL, but the impact of a quality NT in Ryan's defense is easily seen when looking at Baltimore before and after Ngata was drafted. Taylor is a large man, 6'4 340-350 pounds, and has the prototype body for the position. Taylor was a beast against the run in college, but will need to improve his pass rush and stamina. Red flags? Oh there are several, you don't get a potential stud NT with the 30th pick unless there are some red flags. He was dismissed from Penn State for academics and undisclosed off the field incidents, and has had problems with his weight. Luckily, only football intelligence matters in the NFL, and he wouldn't be the first 3-4 NT that needed help keeping the weight under control. You don't need me to tell you that Rex Ryan doesn't care much about personality red flags.

Taylor would be in the 2-deep immediately on the Jets, with the inside track of winning the starting job as long as he shows up in shape. With Kris Jenkins cut and Ellis leaving for free agency, only Sione Pouha, the 32 year old veteran who did an admirable job filling in with injuries last season, would compete for the job. While Pouha did decently filling in, he is not the long term solution for a very important position. If Heyward were still on the board he may be tempting, as would one of the top WR's. At this spot, without trading up or down, Taylor is the best pick for this team. The Jets win with defense, and the heart of that defense is the nose tackle.

If Taylor is taken 30th overall, it'll be the first time since 2003 the Jets have taken a DT in the first round (Dewayne Robertson).  Also, he'd be the first DT taken in the first round from Baylor since 1996, when Daryl Gardener was taken 20th overall by the Dolphins.

Phil Taylor Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Derek Sherrod - OT, Mississippi State

Pick made by DClark#44:

This pick of Derek Sherrod has to be o-line. Living in Minnesota I was privy to plenty of Bears games, and the fact that Jay Cutler made it to the NFC championship game is a miracle. The Bears led the league with 56 sacks allowed. The team was forced to play right tackle/guard, Frank Omeyale, out of position (sound familiar?) due to very poor play by their former high draft pick left tackle (sound familiar?) Chris Williams. While Tyron Smith has the higher upside, they cannot afford to wait for his transition. Sherrod would be an immediate upgrade from a pass blocking stand point, which is extremely important in a Mike Martz offense. Cutler gives this pick 2 thumbs up!

If Sherrod is taken 29th overall, it'll be the second consecutive first round OT pick by the Bears, as they took Chris Williams back in 2008 at #14 overall. Also, he'd be the first OT taken in the first round out of Mississippi State, and the first first round pick from MSU since 1996, when Walt Harris was taken 13th overall by the Bears, and Eric Moulds was taken 24th overall by the Bills.

Derek Sherrod Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Muhammad Wilkerson - DE, Temple

Pick made by mgrex03:

Having already taken an OT at pick #18 (Anthony Castonzo), it's time for the Patriots to add depth to their defensive line with Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson. He looks to be a perfect fit for the 3-4 DE spot, a position that is quite thin up in New England. They finished 29th last season in RB Success rate defense, one of the primary jobs for a 3-4 DE.

NFL Network's Mike Mayock believes that Wilkerson is a starting 5-technique in the NFL, and I'm going to defer to his expertise, since tape of Temple games is sparse. At 6'4", 315 lbs, he still ran a sub-5 second 40 yard dash at the Scouting Combine. He had 68 tackles last season, including 10 sacks. For a team that will be looking to keep leads late in the game, and one that gave up some late leads last season, Wilkerson would step in immediately and make an impact.

If Wilkerson is taken 28th overall, it'll be the first time since 2003 the Patriots have taken a DE in the first round (Ty Warren). Also, he'd be the only the third first round pick in Temple's history, joining John Rienstra (G, 1986, Steelers) and Paul Palmer (RB, 1987, Chiefs).

Muhammad Wilkerson Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Cameron Heyward - DE, Ohio State

Pick made by fiftycal2004:

Like any team, the Falcons have a plethora of needs. Defensive end is a concern as John Abraham isn't getting any younger and Jamaal Anderson has been ineffective. The receiver corps drops off after Roddy White. Tony Gonzalez is getting older and may well retire if this season is lost due to the lack of a CBA. With Center Todd McClure getting older and the possibility Tyson Clabo could leave in free agency (if/when it returns), the offensive line could also use some attention.

However, when Cameron Heyward, projected as high as 18th in some mock drafts, slips to them, the Falcons pull the trigger and make him the 27th pick in the draft. In Heyward, the Falcons get a very consistent player, 30+ tackles in all 4 years at Ohio State. Though his pass rush skills leave something to be desired, only 15 total sacks in 4 years at OSU, he is strong against the run when lining up at any position outside of nose tackle.

Barring a monster training camp showing, I would look for Heyward to start the season as part of a DE rotation with Anderson and Kroy Biermann. If he progresses well throughout the season, it is not out of the question for him to be the starter by the end of the season.

If Heyward is taken 27th overall, it'll be the first time since 2007 the Falcons have taken a DE in the first round (Jamaal Anderson). Also, he'd be the first DE taken from Ohio State in the first round since 2004, when Will Smith was taken 18th overall by the Saints.

Cameron Heyward Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Brooks Reed - OLB, Arizona

Pick made by JaredCounterman:

Baltimore has been rumored to be eyeing pass rushers with their first round pick and with Brooks Reed still on the board it seems to be a perfect match. Former 2nd round pick Sergio Kindle has been riddled with inguries and therefore a vacancy has been created across from Terrel Suggs. Adding an OLB fills a major need and makes a great defense even better.

If Reed is taken 26th overall, it'll be the first time since 2003 the Ravens have taken a LB in the first round (Terrell Suggs). Also, he'd be the first LB taken from Arizona in the first round since 1990, when Chris Singleton was taken 8th overall by the Patriots.

Brooks Reed Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Cam Newton - QB, Auburn

Pick made by Vikings55Thunder:

Seattle will be looking for a replacement for an aging/injury prone Matt Hasselback. Cam Newton will have time to sit and learn under Matt for a year or two before making his first start. Pete Carroll will have no problem working with Cam because he is used to having those spotlight QB's from his days in USC. He will bring a much needed energy/competitive boost to a mediocre playoff team in a weak division.

If Newton is taken 25th overall, it'll be the first time since 1993 the Seahawks have taken a QB in the first round (Rick Mirer). Also, he'd be the first QB taken from Auburn in the first round since 2005, when Jason Campbell was taken 25th overall by the Redskins.

Cam Newton Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Adrian Clayborn - DE, Iowa

Pick made by chad72:

Adrian Clayborn is a versatile player who could play defensive end in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, or defensive tackle in the 4-3, his versatility will be coveted by Saints DC Greg Williams. He dropped off during his senior year after a phenomenal junior year, so there is some concern as to what he can do once he gets into the NFL. He will be primarily a pass-rush threat in the NFL, but has the frame and strength to become a quality run stopper on the defensive front. If he can continue to improve on his strength and play with more technique and better fundamentals, he could become one of the better defensive ends to come out of this talented 2011 draft class.

The Saints cannot believe that Adrian Clayborn, once a potential top 10 pick, has fallen so far, and is still available. A high pick could also be used at DE since Alex Brown and Jimmy Wilkerson, though solid, haven't been a big upgrade in terms of pass rush for the Saints. Adrian Clayborn's ability to get pressure on the quarterback is what makes Clayborn a potential first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Strong pass rusher, able to rip off blocks with violent hands to get the corner. Good closing speed to the quarterback, even after absorbing a big punch from offensive tackles off the snap. Able to break down in space to get his hands on ballcarriers. Tight ends and fullbacks have little chance to handle his strength and strong punch on the edge. Will pause his pass rush to knock a running back off his route into the flat and continue on his path to the quarterback. Pass rush comes from strength and hustle, not an explosive first step that allows him to turn the corner. Played both linebacker and tight end in high school. He was also a four-year letterman on his high school basketball team as a power forward.

Adrian Clayborn should be able to get into the DE rotation of the Saints pretty quickly and make an impact in his first year. He should be able to play opposite Will Smith and make enough contributions in the rotation and if he shows the same motivation that he had in his junior year, he could start opposite Will Smith as DE in that front making the Saints pass rush much better.

If Clayborn is taken 24th overall, it'll be the first time since 2004 the Saints have taken a DE in the first round (Will Smith). Also, he'd be the first DL taken from Iowa in the first round since 1958, when Alex Karras was taken by the Lions.

Adrian Clayborn Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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Gabe Carimi - OT, Wisconsin

Pick made by chad72:

Besides the fact that he won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top lineman, Gabe Carimi also offered his experience and consistency as being key reasons why he should be the first offensive tackle selected in the 2011 draft. "I'm a physical player who has gone against four potential first round picks this year," Carimi explained when asked why he thought he should go off the board first. In terms of competition, it is hard to argue with Carimi. After all, he faced Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Cameron Heyward (Ohio State), Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) and JJ Watt (Wisconsin), who Carimi obviously faced in practice. Carimi identified Clayborn as the toughest defensive end he faced this season based largely on the Hawkeye defensive end's initial quickness. Scouts no doubt will like Carimi's confidence. They'll also like the fact that Carimi started four years at Wisconsin, all at left tackle.

The Eagles surrendered 52 sacks last year. Yes, a few of them were coverage sacks that Vick took but still, 52 was way too many. With the hiring of Howard Mudd, expect that to be cut by about 20 at least. The future of the Eagles depends on the time given to Vick to get the ball to playmakers like DJax and Maclin but they also have another dynamic playmaker in LeSean McCoy. Gabe Carimi, drawing comparisons to Jon Runyan, is perfect for Andy Reid's blocking scheme. Winston Justice, who was benched in the Green Bay playoff loss, will be challenged by Carimi in the first year. The Eagles, for the most of the time, shore up their lines when it comes to first round picks, and Carimi would fit in just fine with that line.

If Carimi is taken 23rd overall, it'll be the first time since 2004 the Eagles have taken an OT in the first round (Shawn Andrews). Also, he'd be the first OT taken from Wisconsin in the first round since Joe Thomas was taken 3rd overall by the Browns in 2007.

Gabe Carimi Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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