2011 Beat Writer’s Mock Draft: Falcons land Akeem Ayers
UCLA's Akeem Ayers played defensive end and linebacker for the Bruins. (Associated Press)
BIRDLAND – Early in the draft week, the annual beat writer’s mock draft is a must read. Over the years, it’s been the most accurate mock out there is a world that has become full of mindless mocks.
Over the last few days, the beat writers have been sharing information about what their teams are going to do. I cut out most of that background data and will just present you all with the facts. Another key mock to monitor is the Sporting New Mock. Click here!
In this mock, the Falcons end up with UCLA’s Akeem Ayers, who played linebacker and defensive end for the Bruins. When they select on Thursday, they will be picking from Ayers, Miami cornerback Brandon Harris, Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith and Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod. It’s starting to look like Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward and Iowa’s Adrian Clayborn will be off the board.
Auburn quarterback Cam Newton responds to a question during a news conference during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Here’s the 2011 Beat Writer’s Mock draft:
1. CAROLINA (eight picks, no second, two thirds): Needs: QB, DT, CB. The pick: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn.
2. DENVER (seven picks, no fourth, no fifth and two sixths) Needs: DT, DE, LB, S, TE, RB. The pick: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M.
3. BUFFALO. (9 picks; 2 in 4th, 2 in 7th). Primary needs: Front 7 (DE, OLB, ILB), OT. Secondary needs: QB, CB. The pick: Marcel Dareus, DL, Alabama.
4. CINCINNATI (8 picks; 2 in 7th). Primary needs: QB, WR, S, O-line. Secondary needs: RB, CB. The pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia.
5. ARIZONA (8 picks, 2 in the seventh round). Needs: OLB, QB, ILB, G, WR. The pick: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU.
6. CLEVELAND. – (8 picks, 2 in the 6th (they’ve got Denver’s). Needs: Defensive ends, defensive tackle, No. 1 playmaking receiver, 3rd-4th cornerback, developmental offensive tackle, developmental quarterback. The pick: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama.
7. SAN FRANCISCO (12 picks, two in the fourth round, two in the sixth round, four in the seventh round). The pick:
Mike Mayock has Missouri's Blaine Gabbert as the top rated quarterbackentering the NFL scouting combine. Gabbert throws a pass during his team’s Setp. 19, 2009, game against Furman in Columbia, Mo. (The Associated Press/L.G. Patterson)
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri.
8. TENNESSEE — 9 picks total. Needs: QB, DT, DE, LB, S. The pick: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn.
9. DALLAS – Eight picks, including a compensatory pick in the seventh. Needs: 1. DE. 2. OT. 3. S. Strong safety. The pick: Tyron Smith, OT, USC.
10. WASHINGTON. Six picks (no third — traded to Saints for OT Jammal Brown or fourth — traded to Eagles for QB Donovan McNabb) including a compensatory in seventh. Needs: QB, NT, OLB, CB (if Carlos Rogers doesn’t re-sign), WR (if Santana Moss doesn’t re-sign, OT (if Brown doesn’t re-sign). The pick: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina.
11. HOUSTON: Picks: 8, 2 in the seventh round, including Mr. Irrelevant (compensatory pick). Needs: OLB, CB, FS, SS, WR. The pick: Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri.
12. MINNESOTA (9 picks; 0 in third, 2 in fifth, 2 in sixth, 2 in seventh. Extra 5th is from Giants for Sage Rosenfels; Extra 6th and 7th are compensatory picks) Needs: QB, S, CB, DE, DT, and OL could use an upgrade. The pick: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson.
13. DETROIT. Six picks – one in every round except the sixth. The pick: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska.
14. ST. LOUIS (7 picks–1 pick in first 5 rounds; none in Round 6; two picks in round 7. TEAM NEEDS (WR, DT, OLB, RB, CB, S, DE). The pick: The pick: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois.
15. MIAMI. (8 picks; none in the second round, three in the 7th). Primary needs: The offense, all of it is in need. (RB, C, QB, WR, TE.), Secondary needs: OLB, G. The pick: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida.
16. JACKSONVILLE (7 picks, two fourths, no 7th, one in rest of the rounds.) Needs: DL, S, LB, CB, G-C, WR, QB. The pick: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue.
Arkansas' Ryan Mallet could be to the second round of the draft. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
17. NEW ENGLAND (9 picks; 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, no sevenths) Needs: Defensive end, pass-rusher, guard, running back. The pick: Cameron Jordan, DE, California.
18. SAN DIEGO: Eight picks. (18 in the first. 50 and 61 in the second. 82 and 89 in the third. No fourth or fifth. 183 and 201 in sixth. 234 in seventh.) The pick: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin.
19. NEW YORK GIANTS: (8 picks, one each in rounds 1-4, none in round 5, three in round 6 (including 2 compensatory picks) and one in round 7. The pick: Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College.
20: TAMPA BAY: Picks: Eight total, two in the seventh. Needs: DE, MLB & SLB, RT, CB. The pick: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona.
21. KANSAS CITY. (8 picks; one each round except the fifth when they have two picks) NEEDS: LBs, WR, NT, OG-C, OT, QB. The pick: Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin.
22. INDIANAPOLIS. (6 picks, one in each of the first six rounds. Needs: OT, DT, S, WR, G. The pick: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado. (Note: In the previous 24 drafts Bill Polian has run with the Colts, Carolina and Buffalo, he’s taken only three offensive linemen in the first round; none since Blake Brockermeyer in 1995.)
23. PHILADELPHIA. 10 picks (one in 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2 in 4th, 2 in 5th, 0 in 6th and 3 in 7th). Needs: CB, OT, DE, WLB. The pick: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa.
24. NEW ORLEANS. (6 picks, 1, 2, 3, 3, 7, 7).Needs: OLB, DE, DT, RB, TE, C, OT, S. The pick: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple.
Adrian Clayborn of Iowa takes down Penn State QB Daryll Clark during the 2008 season. (Associated Press)
25. SEATTLE: Eight picks – First round (No. 25), second (No. 57), no third, fourth (No. 99), two fifths (No. 156 and 157), sixth (No. 173) and two sevenths (No. 209 and 242). The pick: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado.
26. BALTIMORE: Nine picks: First (26th overall), Second (58th), Third (90th), Fourth (123rd), Fifth (164th and 165th, both compensatory), Sixth (180th and 191st) and Seventh (225th). Needs: CB, DE-OLB, WR, OT, C. (Note: The Ravens haven’t used a first-round pick on a defensive player since Haloti Ngata in 2006.) The pick: Cameron Heyward, DE-OLB, Ohio State.
27: ATLANTA. (9 picks – 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7 (three). Overall – 27, 59, 91, 124, 158, 192, 209, 228, 229. Needs: DE, WR, CB, backup OT, CB, speed RB and backup QB. The pick: Akeem Ayers, DE/LB, UCLA.
28. NEW ENGLAND (9 picks; 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, no sevenths) Needs: Defensive end, pass-rusher, guard, running back. (Note: The Patriots are serial traders when it comes to the draft, and this year’s edition will be no different.) The pick: Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor.
91205 Atlanta, Ga. -- Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) leaps over a teammate as Florida cornerback Joe Haden (5) looks to make the tackle in the first half of the SEC Championship game Saturday afternoon at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., December 5, 2009. Jason Getz, jgetz@ajc.com
29. CHICAGO: (6 picks, one in each round except 7th) Needs: Offensive tackle, Defensive tackle, Linebacker, Tall receiver, Cornerback. The pick: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State.
30. N.Y. JETS. (six picks; no pick in second round): Needs: NT, LB, WR, S. The pick: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor.
31. PITTSBURGH. (7 picks, one each round). Needs: CB, OT, DL, WR. The pick: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas.
32. GREEN BAY. (nine picks, extra D4 compensatory for Aaron Kampman, extra D7 from Carolina in 2009 trade for LS J.J. Jansen): Needs: DE, OLB, T, G, WR, RB, maybe QB, KR. The pick: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama.
NOT IN ROUND ONE: OAKLAND: Raiders picks: 48 (Round 2), 81 (Round 3), 113 (Round 4), 148 (Round 5), 181 (Round 6), 219 (Round 7), 241 (Round 7) — The Raiders don’t have a first-round pick this year, thanks to the Richard Seymour trade with New England two years ago.
THE BEAT WRITERS
1. Carolina Panthers: Darin Gantt.
2. Denver Broncos: Jeff Legwold.
3. Buffalo Bills: Mark Gaughan.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Reedy.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Kent Somers.
6. Cleveland Browns: Tony Grossi.
7. San Francisco : Matt Barrows.
FILE - This Nov. 7, 2009, file photo shows Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis (9) being sacked by North Carolina's Robert Quinn (42), left, and Zach Brown (47) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., The NCAA declared defensive end Robert Quinn permanently ineligible, the team said Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)
8. Tennessee Titans: Jim Wyatt
9: Dallas Cowboys: Charean Williams.
10. Washington Redskins: David Elfin.
11. Houston Texans: John McClain.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Mark Craig.
13. Detroit Lions: Mike O’Hara.
14. St. Louis Rams: Jim Thomas.
15. Miami Dolphins: Armando Salguero.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vito Stellino.
17. New England Patriots: Ian Rapoport.
18: San Diego Chargers: Kevin Acee.
19. New York Giants: Bob glauber
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Roy Cummings.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Randy Covitz.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Chappell.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Paul Domowitch.
24. New Orleans Saints: Mike Triplett.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Danny O’Neil.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Jamison Hensley.
27. Atlanta Falcons: D. Orlando Ledbetter.
28. New England Patriots: Ian Rapoport.
29. Chicago Bears: Sean Jensen.
30. New York Jets: Gary Myers.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ed Bouchette.
32. Green Bay Packers: Bob McGinn.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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60 comments Add your comment
cwltank
April 26th, 2011
9:31 pm
Impact on the bench, I didnt see him standout agains Stanford or Oregon. He ran from blockers to make tackles 10 yards down the field. I thought it was a replay of Brooking in AT. Really, I did’nt see the explosiveness. I would love for them to pick him in the 2nd. Housto could play multiple positions & if we go LB he should be the pick. He is definately an upgrade.
FalconsFan284
April 26th, 2011
9:44 pm
@TD has no clue—–Matt Ryan is a Dimitroff pick that has lead this team to three consecutive winning seasons and two playoff appearances. Throw in Curtis Lofton for good measure. You sound like you have no clue!
JONESBORO SLIM
April 26th, 2011
11:12 pm
Well I see everyone drinking the “KOOL-AID” again…the TALKING HEADS got you all thinking the Falcons need to take this guy and that guy…the thing you have to keep in mind is you have never heard anyone at Flowery Branch co-signing on these players….You’ve heard me all week hoping the team takes Okla DeMarco Murray whose a running back with great speed… 4.3 forty good hands catching the ball out of the backfield a good pass protector and can be used as a slot reciever…so what you’ve got is two players in one….he will be available in the second round…GET HIM
JKA
April 27th, 2011
1:16 am
All, my son goes to UCLA so I’ve seen most of his games the past few years…..the Bruins had him put his hand on the ground as a pass rusher occasionally, but most of his success came when he was singled against mediocre blockers…Last year especially, he got a lot of attention from the other teams O-Coordinators, lots of double teams, and didn’t flash quite as much. I see him more as a linebacker with pass rush skills than a every down pass rushing DE; he’s definitely better than Weatherspoon, and has shown the knack to make the big play. We could do worse with the 27th pick….My only qualm is he’s not real intense guy, and that’s a must for a good pro pass rusher.
goooooo Falcons!
April 27th, 2011
8:54 am
D Led– I read over your posts consistently and I’m always very pleased with where your head is at. It always seems like you follow the popular topics but also address the topics that aren’t always shown. Having said that, I’m very disappointed in the mock drafts I’ve seen the last few weeks. I notice everyone is still sour from the shalacking we took at the hands of Green Bay but I want to make one point about that game: our Defense did NOT lose that game. In fact, I’d make a claim that our Defense was what put us at such a high ranking. Think about it; we had Brian Williams, a veteran nickel corner during most of the games; then the playoffs come and we have to put in Chris Owens (who is very good, but very raw) into a nickel cover package against one of the most pass-efficient offenses in the league? Obviously the D was going to bend; but it was our offense that failed to get anything going. Personally, I think we need to stop going for the Defensive position and focus on energy on either the best WR we can get (Roddy is great, and Hary will be back to his old ways since last season was still shaky due to his ankle injury but Michael Jenkins is just NOT a solid #2 receiver) or the best playmaker we can get. If that playmaker comes in the form of a defensive position, then so be it. I just think we all need to take a breather and acknowledge that our defense played completely out of their minds all of last season and had our offense been more efficient, the playoffs would have been a different story. Then again, shoulda’s coulda’s and woulda’s have no place here, so I’ll stop my tirade and say good day to all!
Kane337
April 27th, 2011
12:09 pm
Need a Playoff win!
April 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
What is this obsession with DEs by everyone ,the bottom there not going to be a great impact defensive player at that 27th spot.
————————————————————
The Packers got Clay Matthews at the 26th spot in 2009. There are impact defensive players at the bottom.
willie g
April 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
the pick will be the running back from alabama , trust me they need him , turner is getting older, and this kid will be good for 10 yrs., also take the qb from alabama and the wide receiver from fort valley state., and justin houston from uga, and fill in the rest with a db ,dl, and de,good luck TOM DIMITROFF YR PICKS THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE NOT PANNED OUT.
willie g
April 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
ALSO TAKE THE MATTHEWS KID., MY GOD DONT BLOW THIS TOM.
Joe Tess Fis House
April 28th, 2011
9:42 am
What R the Flacons going 2 do about repalcing Bust Perrier Jerry?
SIC EM!
April 28th, 2011
10:42 am
Ayers played in the PAC 1 plus 9 until USC got caught cheating. His highlights are against the equivalent of top rated division 2 schools and low rated division 1A schools. Therefore dont mean much.