This is a mock draft for the 2011 NFL Draft based on the players coming out of college and before any NFL scouting. This is also based on team needs prior to re-signing players and free agency.

 

Pick, Team, Player, Position, School, Reason

1 Rams - Jerome Freeman QB Michigan State - Huge arm, very good speed, and has the best upside in the draft at the QB position.

2 Falcons - Matthew Nelson DE Penn State - Best overall player in the draft, the Falcons have no choice but to take him.

3 Eagles - Tim Richardson RT Alabama - Given their desperate need at tackle, Richardson is a perfect fit. He'll start day 1 and be automatic for 10 years.

4 Bills - Todd Moore WR Miami - Will start right away, and has the hands and speed to be a #1 in the NFL early on.

5 Steelers - John Davis DT Oklahoma - Has the size to play nose tackle, and the speed and burst to get after the passer.

6 Chargers - Brian Harvey DT Michigan - A pure nose tackle, Harvey has the size and strength to eat the middle of the line.

7 Redskins - Tom Richard QB Penn State - Most well-rounded QB in the class, Richard has a great football IQ and pinpoint accuracy.

8 Jets - Jim Brown QB Georgia - Possibly a reach, but the Jets are desperate for a QB and Brown is very talented and can start right away.

9 Saints - George Bennett MLB Florida - A great talent, Bennett has the size and strength to play the run, and the speed and hands to play coverage.

10 Patriots - Brent Booth RT Penn State - Another day 1 starter at tackle, Booth is a huge player and has great feet and strength.

11 Packers - Dave Ryan ROLB Florida State - Best LB remaining, he has defensive back speed and lineman strength. Will be solid in coverage and run support.

12 Vikings - Joe Ferguson SS Mississippi - Ferguson has great speed, great strength, and is a phenomenal tackler. With some experience, he will star in the NFL.

13 Seahawks - Pat Gray LE Arkansas - Second best player in the draft, Gray will be an impact player right away. Team needs caused Gray to fall into Seattle's lap.

14 Raiders - Roger Byrd CB Michigan - Blazing speed and good size make Bryd a very appealing prospect here.

15 Panthers - Joe Jackson WR Southern Cal - Great speed and good size, Jackson will be an immediate #2 or #3 and can develop into a #1.

16 Bengals - Kevin Wright LG Penn State - Fills a glaring need. They have a 3rd rounder from last year that didn't work out, and Wright is by far the best guard in the class.

17 Colts - Brady Jackson DT Utah - Their most pressing need, and Jackson is the best on the board out of a very solid group. Has very good speed.

18 Broncos - Blake Johnson LOLB Iowa - A team without glaring needs, the Broncos look to add depth to the linebacking corps with the talented Johnson.

19 Jaguars - Bruce Maddox MLB Florida State - Maddox will be the MLB of the future for the Jags, and he will add depth to the linebacking corps.

20 Cardinals - Ryan Childress WR Ohio State - Childress adds speed to the Cards receiving corps, and will help stretch the field despite his size limitations.

21 Lions - Matthew Dixon ROLB Ohio State - Dixon is the top linebacker on the board and fills a clear need for the Lions.

22 Chiefs - Jeff Miller HB Florida - Miller is a top 5 talent that dropped into the Chiefs lap. Chris Brown will either have to share the load or hit the road.

23 Cowboys - Will Dukes HB Texas A&M - Another top 5 talent at HB, Dukes is a local boy out of Texas A&M that will fit the Cowboys well.

24 Texans - David Gates HB Clemson - Looking for depth at HB, the Texans take the top runner on the board. Gates has great speed to be a changeup from Rudi Johnson.

25 Buccaneers - Paul Davis TE Tennessee - Davis is the top TE on the board and should make an immediate impact with his solid all-around game.

26 Titans - Derek Thomas WR Ohio State - Needing to infuse some speed into their WR corps, the Titans take the speedy Thomas.

27 Bears - Marlon Austin HB Alabama - The Bears are weak at HB, and they need a boost in the running game if they want to go to the next level. Austin is a good fit.

28 Ravens - Carl Cantrell SS Virginia Tech - The Ravens desperately need a SS, and Cantrell is the best on the board. He should start this season.

29 Dolphins - Lamont Howard WR Oregon State - The 'phins badly need some youth at WR, and Howard is a big, strong wideout that will make an immediate impact in the red zone.

30 Giants - Ryan Arrington CB Youngstown State - Arrington brings youth and speed to an aging secondary. Arrington is a good pick for a team with minimal needs.

31 Bandits - Brian Lowe SS West Virginia - Lowe will be the heir apparent to SS Mike Brown who is getting up there in age. Maybe a reach, but the Bandits have few needs.

32 Browns - Charles Slaughter RG Michigan - A team with serious cap issues, Slaughter would allow them to release one of their two expiring guard contracts.