Think it’s too early to predict how April’s NFL Draft will play out? We say nay! Our resident pickatologist takes out his crystal ball in the first of his new series: Draft.0

MIKE KAYE

Picks 1-16 / Picks 17-32 /  Round 2

I know I haven’t written a column in a while so for my adoring fans, here is a monster. This the first mock draft I have made for the 2011 Draft. Before you read, you should know I’m ruling out Andrew Luck going pro for this draft and till proven otherwise. Also note that these pick orders are due to standings as of prior to week 15. Enjoy and feel free to email me at wildtonton@yahoo.com as I always enjoy a good debate with my picks.

1. Carolina (1-12) / Macel Dareus / Alabama / DE/DT
The Panthers need help in a lot of areas as proof of their awful record, but I think that for this team to evolve back into a winner they need to win in the trenches. If Andrew Luck declares (which I highly doubt), he will be the pick here. Other than Luck there is no other clear direction to go in other then D-Line (though Da’Quan Bowers is an option here as well). Carolina has been hurting at DT for 3-4 years so Dareus could come in and immediately be an inside rusher for a team that desperately needs it. Dareus has the ability to have Gerald McCoy like impact on this team.

2. Cincinnati (2-11) / Da’Quan Bowers / Clemson / DE
The Bengals are a talented team that has underachieved, but despite their talent on paper they have some significant holes. One of the best 4-3 defenses in the league could use even more fire power as I don’t think Cincinnati needs any more help at receiver. There is also no RB worth taking this high and despite the fact that I think they will need a new QB to go with a new coach, I think a guy like FSU’s Christian Ponder will be available for them in round 2.

3. Denver (3-10) / Patrick Peterson / LSU / CB/FS
This is a ‘best player available/versatility pick.’ Champ Bailey is a free agent and not getting any younger and I am pretty sure Brian Dawkins (my favorite player of all-time) is ready to retire. Peterson provides a highly talented option at both safety and corner assuming either/both need replacement. Peterson will be the most talented and obsessed over player in the draft because he is so uniquely talented and physically put together. This pick makes the firing of Josh McDaniels seem worth it as rumors are that if Gary Kubiak is fired in Houston (as I predict will happen) he will be brought in to coach this team. As this year has shown, Kubiak has learned what a horrible thing it is to have a horrible secondary.

4. Detroit (3-10) / Prince Amukamara / Nebraska / CB
The Lions have suffered through an awful secondary and a terrible O-line this year and for the last decade for that matter. Amukamara is a tough corner who will service Detroit’s gaping need for a left side cover man. He’s smart and can force turnovers. Paired with Alfonso Smith, the two could form a pretty decent pairing. Taking Prince will also make Louis Delmas a much better player since he won’t find himself busy doing three different player’s jobs.

5. Buffalo (3-10) / AJ Green / Georgia / WR
As we learned with last year’s draft and the CJ Spiller pick, the Chan Gailey Bills will take the best player available. Green is leaps and bounds the best offensive skill player in the draft (assuming Luck does not declare) and this is great value for a guy that appears to be the next Calvin Johnson with Michael Crabtree’s body. Buffalo could also use a Left Tackle but they can get one later as there are no standout tackles in this draft. Ryan Fitzpatrick needs someone to throw to while he provides a stop-gap for the next Bills QB (which will probably come in the 2nd or 3rd rounds).

6. Arizona (4-9) / Jake Locker / Washington / QB
I love this pick because Locker gives them the most highly touted QB of the last year (when the Cards actually should have drafted one). Not just that, but taking the big Washington QB will stick in the craw of division rival Seattle. If Locker’s still here I think they have to take him. They can’t risk losing the majority of their fanbase along with Larry Fitzgerald who will take the other half with him.

7. Dallas (4-9) / Nick Fairley / Auburn / DE/DT
The Cowboys’  3-4 would get a huge boost here with Fairley as the 5-technique could help them stop their opponent’s running game of their opponents. Offensively this team is set outside of the O-line but I think Jerry Jones needs to have a big addition to his D-line as Igor Olshansky is mediocre at best.

8. San Francisco (5-8) / Ryan Mallett / Arkansas / QB
Taking Mallet here is a reach, but a reach that the Niners and whoever takes over for Mike Singletary need to make. Mallet’s a born leader and plays for a big time school. The Niners need someone to get the ball to Crabtree and Josh Morgan. Despite popular belief, the ball needs to be thrown to be caught. Mallett’s tenacity and leadership would be a nice reprieve from the aloofness and apathy of former number 1 overall, Alex Smith.

9. Tennessee (5-8) / Robert Quinn / UNC / DE
I know they just took Derrick Morgan and Jason Babin is playing very well, but realistically you need depth on a 4-3 defensive line. Babin will get his money somewhere else, especially if Jeff Fisher leaves so Quinn is the pick here. Also, Derrick Morgan looks more and more like a bust every passing day so Quinn (with a good combine performance) can use his fresh legs to make an immediate impact.

10. Washington (5-8) / Julio Jones / Alabama / WR
Have you seen this team play offensively? I am lifelong Eagles fan and if you are familiar with Philly’s team struggles at WR prior to 2004, you know that us Eagles fans know what it’s like to have a really bad wideout situation. That said, Washington’s problems at the play-making position are significantly worse. There is a reason why Donovan McNabb (who before this season had the best TD-INT ratio in league history) currently has 10 TDs and 18 INTs in 2010.  Jones is a beast and someone that can really make the Skins passing game go.  This might be the most obvious pick in the draft.

11. Houston (5-8) / Brandon Harris / Miami / CB
My friend Josh (a huge Hurricanes fan) swears that Harris will stay, but with a new coach and new defense, Harris is more likely to leave than ever. The 3rd best corner in the draft has to go to the Texans, who even after taking Kareem Jackson in last year’s first round, still seem to struggle in historically bad fashion. Harris will join Eric Winston, Andre Johnson and Chris Myers on the UM train in Houston.

12. Minnesota (5-8) / Cam Newton / Auburn / QB
I see a lot of mocks with Newton going as early as seven but I don’t buy it. I wasn’t sold on Josh Freeman a few years ago but he has proved me wrong, so I will give Newton the benefit of the doubt. The Heisman winner is a leader and a good one at that, so Minnesota could be the right situation for him. The Vikings have it figured out for the most part but Brett Farve-a-palooza has really hurt them.

13. Cleveland (5-8) / Ryan Kerrigan / Purdue / DE/OLB
Matt Roth will not be back next year and Chris Gocong has proven himself to be worthless. Kerrigan is a one year stud, but he can do some wonderful things with the pass rush. This will be an exciting pick up for Cleveland’s loyal fanbase and it will excite Eric Mangini and his crew.

14. New England ^(OAK) (6-7) / Derek Sherrod / Mississippi St. / OT
The Pats seem to have absolutely no holes, but they could stand to improve their O-line. Logan Mankins is set to leave next year after a long holdout this season. Sherrod is the best tackle in the draft and has the versatility to play guard. Stephen Neal is also getting up there in age. Sherrod could be similar to Shawn Andrews who was drafted after playing tackle at Arkansas, then later converted to guard, where he became one of the league’s best.

15. Seattle (6-7) / Mark Ingram / Alabama / HB
Marshawn Lynch has proven to be underwhelming as a starter and Justin Forsett’s been completely forgettable so Suicide Town or the Emerald City, or whatever they’re calling Seattle nowadays seems to be a logical landing spot for Ingram to take his talents and his. Ingram is a real player and the only running back worthy of a 1st round grade. Since Mallet and local product Locker is off the board, half back is the way for the Seahawks to go.

16. San Diego (7-6) / Justin Blackmon / Oklahoma St. / WR
Losing Vincent Jackson has definitely hurt, but Philip Rivers has made due with San Diego’s other less glamorous wideouts this season. That said, the talented Blackmon would provide some much needed big play help for Rivers and the Chargers to get to that next level. Picking Blackmon could be quite the low risk/high reward situation for G.M. AJ Smith as it’s a golden opportunity to make an untrusting fanbase, a tad more loyal.

^New England acquired Oakland’s 2011 1st round pick in Richard Seymour trade

Stay tuned for our Mock Draft, Round 1, Part 2, on Friday.

Photo: Getty

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