As we discussed earlier this week, the 2011 SB Nation NFL Writers' Mock Draft has been chugging along at MockingTheDraft.com. I'll need to make a second-round pick for the Bills next week, so I wanted to quickly recap the Top 15 that aired this week and get everyone's thoughts on the second round.
1. Carolina Panthers: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri. Having spoken with the proprietors of CatScratchReader.com about Gabbert, I had a feeling going in this would be the pick. It's a scary pick to make - Gabbert's not No. 1 overall material - but in the end, it was probably the right decision. How badly do you think the real Panthers would like to trade back?
2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M. John of MileHighReport.com would later explain that he made this pick with the intent of illustrating a player Denver might target if they trade down - which would explain the faulty logic of passing on Marcell Dareus.
3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. If you were with us on Monday, you already know about this pick, and you've probably read our explanation.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. I sort of expected Cam Newton with this pick, but don't fault Josh of CincyJungle.com for taking the cleaner, safer, better prospect. I have no idea what the Bengals would do at quarterback, though.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. Jess of RevengeOfTheBirds.com really didn't have a choice to go Newton given who was off the board, so I feel a little bad that he got roasted for the pick. Who else was he supposed to take?
6. Cleveland Browns: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama. I was a little surprised when Chris of DawgsByNature.com passed on three solid pass rush prospects, particularly given the presence of Ahtyba Rubin in the middle of Dick Jauron's 4-3. Dareus is a safe and potentially dominant addition, however. He and Rubin would make the Browns excellent against the run.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska. This pick is being mocked everywhere for good reason: it fits Jim Harbaugh's character and the 49ers' needs. An easy decision for NinersNation.com.
8. Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. Everyone talks up Fairley as a one-year wonder and a character risk; I think all of that is overblown. This is a perfect fit, and my favorite pick thus far of Round 1 from a team/prospect fit standpoint. Nice work, Titans Blog That Shall Not Be Named.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC. This pick makes sense from a need standpoint, and I think Smith has outstanding potential. I don't think he's good enough to take in the Top 10, but I won't fault Dave of BloggingTheBoys.com for making a logical pick. (Yeah, he's my boss... what's your point?)
10. Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina. I'm not a fan of Robert Quinn. Yes, I see his natural pass rushing ability. I think if you're looking for immediate impact, you better look elsewhere - and maybe you'll call me conservative, but I have no confidence taking a kid with a brain tumor in the Top 10. If I ran HogsHaven.com, I'd have gone with Julio Jones.
11. Houston Texans: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. As much as I like Julio Jones, I don't think it makes any sense whatsoever for the Texans to ignore their defensive front seven, given the sheer amount of talent left on the board. Was not a huge fan of this pick by BattleRedBlog.com.
12. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin. With all due respect to Chris of DailyNorseman.com, who is one of the funniest and best writers at SB Nation, this pick makes zero sense. Watt's a poor fit as an end in the 4-3, and with Da'Quan Bowers and Aldon Smith still on the board, this was a massive reach simply to avoid Bowers' knee issues.
13. Detroit Lions: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson. Best value pick of Round 1, even with Bowers reportedly sliding. Bowers is going to be a good all-around end in the NFL. Teaming him with Ndamukong Suh is a terrifying proposition. Kudos, PrideOfDetroit.com, for making the best pick of Round 1 to this point.
14. St. Louis Rams: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois. This pick should have been Aldon Smith. It's probably because he's a sophomore, but Smith is severely underrated. Liuget, on the other hand, is slightly overrated. He will, however, be a good fit for Steve Spagnuolo's defense, so I can't ding TurfShowTimes.com too hard.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama. For Matty I of ThePhinsider.com, a good friend of our blog, this pick came down to Ingram or Christian Ponder. I think he made the right decision. Ingram is going to be a durable, dependable back with longevity in this league.
Behind the scenes, we're up through Pick 25; by the end of next week, 30 picks will have published at MockingTheDraft.com. Our pick for the Bills in the second round will air Tuesday morning, April 12 at 9AM ET. As we prepare to make that pick, we'd like to solicit input from y'all in the form of answering the following questions in the comments section.
- If we look at QB in Round 2, who should be our top target?
- If we look at OT in Round 2, who should be our top target?
- If we look at DE in Round 2, who should be our top target?
- If we look at OLB in Round 2, who should be our top target?
- If we look at BPA in Round 2, who should be our top target?