2011 Mock Draft: First Round

   It's been an extremely messy offseason thanks to the lockout and the growing uncertaintly about whether professional football will even be played in 2011. 

   Tonight, eager fans will at least get a temporary fix with the first round of the draft starting at 8pm (ET) on ESPN and the NFL Network.

   This year's class will be a good one for the Bills to shore up their biggest weaknesses.  It is strongest at defensive line, with as many as 14-15 ends and tackles having a legitimate shot at getting their name called tonight.

   The Bills have had their name linked strongest to outside linebacker Von Miller and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.  Both are considered to be a can't-miss prospects and both would fill a huge need on the defensive front seven.

   Mathematically, both scenarios work out great for Buffalo.  In the second round, the Bills should still have a shot at a starting offensive tackle (Derek Sherrod, Nate Solder, Gabe Carimi), one of those top defensive linemen (Phil Taylor, Adrian Clayborn), the top tight end (Kyle Rudolph) or a decent quarterback prospect (Ryan Mallett, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton).

   Here is my mock draft for the first round...although I do expect some trades before the night is over.

1. Carolina Panthers:                       Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
2. Denver Broncos:                          Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Buffalo Bills:                               Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
4. Cincannati Bengals:                       A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
5. Arizona Cardinals:                         Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
6. Cleveland Browns:                        Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
7. San Francisco 49ers:                      Prince Amukamura, CB, Nebraska
8. Tennessee Titans:                         Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Dallas Cowboys:                           Tyrone Smith, OT, USC
10. Washington Redskins:                    Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
11. Houston Texans:                           Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
12. Minnesota Vikings:                        Jake Locker, QB, Washington
13. Detroit Lions:                               Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
14. St. Louis Rams:                             Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
15. Miami Dolphins:                            Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
16. Jacksonville Jaguars:                     Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
17. New England Patriots:                   Cameron Jordan, DE, California
18. San Diego Chargers:                      J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
19. New York Giants:                          Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:                  Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
21. Kansas City Chiefs;                        Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
22. Indianapolis Colts:                         Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin
23. Philadelphia Eagles:                       Muhammed Wilkerson, DT, Temple
24. New Orleans Saints:                       Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
25. Seattle Seahawks:                          Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
26. Baltimore Ravens:                          Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
27. Atlanta Falcons:                             Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
28. New England Patriots:                    Justin Houston, LB, Georgia
29. Chicago Bears:                               Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
30. New York Jets:                              Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
31. Pittsburgh Steelers:                        Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
32. Green Bay Packers:                        Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona