SB Nation Bay Area - 2011 NFL Mock Draft: 'Live' SB Nation Bay Area Mock Drafthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-04-14T12:35:16-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18401182011-04-14T12:35:16-07:002011-04-14T12:35:16-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 40. Dallas Cowboys- Aaron Williams, Texas Longhorns
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<h4>40. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>- Aaron Williams, Texas Longhorns </h4>
<p>As our 2011 NFL mock draft rolls on, we've come to the 40th overall pick, the second pick for the Dallas Cowboys. Despite them taking cornerback Prince Amukamara in the first round, their secondary is still the area that most needs improvement for Dallas, and would be a good idea to keep stacking youngsters on their defense. So with that being said, the Dallas Cowboys should choose cornerback Aaron Williams out of Texas with their selection here.</p>
<p>Williams is a versatile defensive back who has played multiple positions in the secondary, and has good recognition, great size and speed, and loves to play with an edge. He can get caught peeking in the backfield from time to time and can sometimes show some inconsistencies in man-to-man coverage, but those can get worked out once in the NFL. Here's what Big 12 blogger <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/26420/bloggers-perspective-aaron-williams" target="_blank">David Ubben</a> has to say about Aaron:</p>
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"The thing with Williams, he has so much more raw talent of any of the corners in the draft...I've heard at the NFL level some teams may want him at safety, because he's a big hitter. But he also has speed. He's talented as a cover guy, he can play everywhere. If he's going to play safety, I think you have to give him a little bit of time. But at corner he can step right in and do really well at it. So it kind of depends on the team. If you need help right now, you play Williams at corner. If you want help later and you can wait some time to develop him, then it's safety."</p>
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<p>Wherever the 'Boys decide to play him, he's going to have an impact on the secondary. And if Dallas can get two talented defensive backs in Amakumara and Williams the first two rounds, I'm sure they wouldn't mind.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/14/2111428/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-40-dallas-cowboys-aaron-williamsErnie Pomin2011-04-14T06:00:53-07:002011-04-14T06:00:53-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 39. Tennessee Titans - Christian Ponder, Florida State Seminoles
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<h4><b>39. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/4827/christian-ponder">Christian Ponder</a>, Florida State Seminoles</b></h4>
<p>The Titans have a very good weapon on offense, perhaps you've heard of him: Chris Johnson. He's one of the very best running backs in the league and can carry any offense throughout the course of any given football game. But the quarterback position is widely regarded as the most important position on the team for good reason, and no matter how good Johnson is, he will not take Tennessee into the playoffs, let alone deep into them. He needs a capable quarterback, and that's something he doesn't have right now. <span>Vince Young</span> was the guy, then he wasn't, then he was suicidal, then he was the guy again briefly ... but he's done as a Titan.</p>
<p>Tennessee would like to have someone like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36902/blaine-gabbert">Blaine Gabbert</a> fall to them in the first, or perhaps <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6810/ryan-mallett">Ryan Mallett</a> in the second, but he just went to Arizona, so they have to choose between Ponder or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14842/colin-kaepernick">Colin Kaepernick</a> out of Nevada. It's not a bad position to be in by any means, as both quarterbacks could end up being something special when it all comes down to it, but they go with the more pro-ready guy in Ponder.</p>
<p>Ponder had a great season, had the best Scouting Combine of any quarterback, had a good pro day and is reportedly impressing teams. He could sneak into the first round, but in this mock, the Titans land him, and they are absolutely happy to do so.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/14/2109719/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-tennessee-titans-christian-ponder-florida-state-seminolesJames Brady2011-04-13T14:30:29-07:002011-04-13T14:30:29-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 38. Arizona Cardinals - Ryan Mallett, Arkansas Razorbacks
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<h4><b>38. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6810/ryan-mallett">Ryan Mallett</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/arkansas-razorbacks">Arkansas Razorbacks</a></b></h4>
<p><i>This is a guest pick from <a target="_blank" href="http://sbnation.com/users/Tre9er">Tre9er</a>, one of the front page writers at <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com/">Niners Nation</a> and frequent abuser of Twitter's abilities to re-tweet the opinions of others to his followers. You can follow him <a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/tre9er">@Tre9er</a>.</i></p>
<p>At this point in the draft, Mallett's value begins. He actually has first-round talent in his arm but the question marks are enough to make teams wait until the second tier of QB's before they take him. Are the rumors true? Are they not? The fact that we're weeks away from the draft and those questions aren't yet answered cast enough shadow of doubt on the guy. </p>
<p>Mallett's arm fits well into what Arizona likes to do on offense. A natural thrower, great arm-strength, and throws one of the best deep-balls in this draft. If the Cardinals can get the power running game working like they've long hoped, Mallett should find enough time in the pocket to deliver the laser-strikes we saw during his years at Arkansas. Mallett also has some experience playing in an offense that more easily translates to the NFL than some others, such as Spread/Option QB's. The route trees and reads he made at Arkansas will help the signal caller feel somewhat at home in the NFL...or as much as a rookie QB can feel at home with thousands of pounds of beef moving at top speed. </p>
<p>The pass rushers left at this point don't have the value as 3-4 OLB's that you'd like to see for an early second round pick. I considered a guy like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14883/dontay-moch">Dontay Moch</a>, but his size and low floor don't seem to warrant this high of a pick. There will be some real gems to be had later in this draft, and Arizona knows it. </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/13/2109108/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-arizona-cardinals-ryan-mallett-arkansas-razorbacksJames Brady2011-04-13T12:00:58-07:002011-04-13T12:00:58-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 37. Cleveland Browns - Marvin Austin, North Carolina Tar Heels
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<h4><b>37. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5234/marvin-austin">Marvin Austin</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/north-carolina-tar-heels">North Carolina Tar Heels</a></b></h4>
<p>In the first round, the Browns got a strong offensive weapon for quarterback <span>Colt McCoy</span> when they landed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36143/a-j-green">A.J. Green</a> out of Georgia. Green is a can't-miss talent that fell because the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have significant quarterback needs, and the Browns were perfectly happy to catch him when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> didn't so much as glance in his direction. After spending a premium pick on premium offensive talent, they'll need to spend another premium pick on the best defensive talent they can find.</p>
<p>Marvin Austin fits the bill right here at pick number thirty-seven. He can go in the first round, and is probably a late-first talent, so they get good value and don't have to reach to fill this big need on defense. Austin will fill the void that <span>Shaun Rogers</span> occupied prior. He's got the size and the skill to do all things on the line, rushing the passer and stopping the run.</p>
<p>The reason he's not in the first round though: consistency issues, plus a fair bit of rust after being suspended by the NCAA. He could disappear at times, but Cleveland will be banking on him being there more often than not. </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/13/2108875/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-cleveland-browns-marvin-austin-north-carolina-tar-heelsJames Brady2011-04-13T10:00:54-07:002011-04-13T10:00:54-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 36. Denver Broncos - Corey Liuget, Illinois Fighting Illini
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<h4><b>36. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/48948/corey-liuget">Corey Liuget</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/illinois-fighting-illini">Illinois Fighting Illini</a></b></h4>
<p>In round one, the Broncos took <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78561/nick-fairley">Nick Fairley</a> out of Auburn and the defensive line that has so many question marks started to look a lot better. In round two, they're going to get Corey Liuget, and the defensive line didn't just look better, it became a force and a surefire strength heading into 2011. They lost <span>Ronald Fields</span>, <span>Justin Bannan</span> and <span>Jamal Williams</span>, all of which aren't great individually, but that's a lot for your line to take. Big deal, look who they just added in the draft: two of the top four or five defensive tackles.</p>
<p>Liuget is a guy that the Broncos can play all over the line, but he'll work best if they put him under a tackle and have him consistently wear down one guy throughout the course of a game. In a line where Fairley will be the star, Liuget will be the guy who does everything that Fairley doesn't. The only knock on Liuget is that he doesn't have a great motor, and that's why he fell this far to begin with, but he won't have to be the focal point of that line and that's the key here.</p>
<p>The Broncos want to be strong defensively so they can grow their offense into something special, but that will definitely take some time. It takes less time to come out and grow as a defensive player than it does to groom a quarterback like <span>Tim Tebow</span>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/13/2108656/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-denver-broncos-corey-liuget-illinois-fighting-illiniJames Brady2011-04-12T11:46:47-07:002011-04-12T11:46:47-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 35. Cincinnati Bengals- Randal Cobb, Kentucky Wildcats
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<h4>35. <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a>- <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36491/randall-cobb" class="sbn-auto-link">Randall Cobb</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/kentucky-wildcats" class="sbn-auto-link">Kentucky Wildcats</a> </h4>
<p>As our 2011 NFL Mock Draft has rolled into the second round, the debate between whether to draft for talent or draft for teams needs becomes more pertinent with every pick. The players aren't as elite as those players drafted before them but there are still a lot of high-caliber players on the board, including wide receiver Randall Cobb from the University of Kentucky. </p>
<p>I think Cobb is a great fit for the Bengals, especially in terms of our draft. The Bengals selected <span>Cam Newton</span> in the first round, and will be a savvy move to draft a receiver to grow along with him, learning the ropes step by step, and hopefully becoming a tuned-in duo on the field. At just a shade over 5'10", Cobb isn't going to be grabbing balls up over the head of defenders too often, but he's got top end speed, got great hands, is incredibly tough, and absolutely fearless when he's running routes. He isn't afraid of contact, and is strong enough to hold on to a lot of balls after a jarring hit in mid air, while his fluidity running routes can gain him that extra separation that his speed and size can't. As a slot receiver, I think he can do some serious damage. </p>
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<p>But not only can Cobb catch, he can throw and run too. Two seasons ago Cobb broke the SEC single-season record for all-purpose yardage with 2,396; 1,017 receiving and 424 rushing. Last year he scored at least one touchdown as a receiver, running back, quarterback and returner, a total of 16 touchdowns in all. He can be used is variety of ways including but not excluded to wildcat formations and an emergency back up QB, and will bring tremendous versatility to the Bengals, however they choose to utilize him. </p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/12/2106656/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-cincinnati-bengals-randal-cobb-kentcky-wildcatsErnie Pomin2011-04-12T09:30:29-07:002011-04-12T09:30:29-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 34. Buffalo Bills - Andy Dalton, TCU Horned Frogs
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<h4><b>34. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/12996/andy-dalton">Andy Dalton</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/tcu-horned-frogs">TCU Horned Frogs</a></b></h4>
<p><span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> earned a lot of respect last season around the league, but he just isn't the answer going forward. The Bills will need to address the position in either the first or second round, and I didn't see them passing up on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37943/von-miller">Von Miller</a> in the first round, so they have their pick at the top of the second round. Andy Dalton is slowly picking up steam and will definitely go at some point in the second, but I can see him going this early if the Bills like him enough. I figure they do, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/4827/christian-ponder">Christian Ponder</a> or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14842/colin-kaepernick">Colin Kaepernick</a> could be selections at this point as well. I don't think someone like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/6810/ryan-mallett">Ryan Mallett</a> is an option, I just don't see him as being mobile enough for the Bills and their current offense.</p>
<p>One good thing I'll say about the Bills, they looked like one of the best 4-12 teams I've seen in a very long time. They fought hard in every game they played, and have a lot of pieces in place. When they took Miller in the first round, they got an awful lot stronger, and now they'll get a guy who can be a franchise quarterback and lead that offense. Dalton is mobile, with a good arm, and Chain Gailey had some experience coaching him in the Senior Bowl. He's the guy going forward in my mind, but they could go several ways here.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/12/2105841/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-buffalo-bills-andy-dalton-tcu-horned-frogsJames Brady2011-04-12T05:30:44-07:002011-04-12T05:30:44-07:002011 NFL Mock Draft, SBNBA Version: 33. New England Patriots - Akeem Ayers, UCLA Bruins
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<h4><b>33. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/9459/akeem-ayers">Akeem Ayers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ucla-bruins">UCLA Bruins</a></b></h4>
<p>The Patriots are a team that always drafts smart, and they continue to do so here when they take the best player on the board in Akeem Ayers. Wouldn't you know it, Ayers happens to fill a significant need, as they've been looking for help rushing the passer for awhile now. Most feel like Ayers would go in the first round, but he doesn't fall far as the Patriots grab him with a pick acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> in one of New England's many, many trades in which they always seem to come out on top. Definitely on top in this case, as they had many players they could grab at this point, including the guard, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/75573/danny-watkins">Danny Watkins</a> out of Baylor, what with <span>Stephen Neal</span>'s retirement and all.</p>
<p>I do have my problems with Ayers as a prospect, but when it comes to the Patriots, they will know just how to maximize his potential and get the best out of him in the pass rushing department. Some are questioning his preparation and dedication to being totally physically fit, but the Patriots will get the most out of him. I imagine they'll send him on basically every play and he'll be a force to reckon with at that point.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/4/12/2105832/2011-nfl-mock-draft-sbnba-version-new-england-patriots-akeem-ayers-ucla-bruinsJames Brady