2011 NFL Mock Draft, Version 1.1: Adjusting for Andrew Luck's Decision

Andrew Luck decided to throw a curveball at FanHouse's first 2011 NFL Mock Draft.

In our initial best-guess projection of what would shake down in April, Luck was penciled in as an obvious No. 1 selection by the Carolina Panthers. But the Stanford superstar turned everything upside down when he announced he would return to college for his senior season.

So where does that leave Carolina? And what's the fallout after the Panthers' shift their focus from Luck to another player?

Find out in our amended mock draft:

1. Panthers: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia (Previous pick: Andrew Luck)
So Andrew Luck won't be the QB in Carolina next season. It's a bad development for the Panthers, obviously, but what can you do? In this case, Carolina will either ride Jimmy Clausen or add a veteran QB (Vince Young? Donovan McNabb?) -- either way, the Panthers need to give that quarterback some weapons. Green is an absolute stud.
-- Chris Burke
2. Broncos: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Champ Bailey's future in Denver is up in the air -- and even with Bailey, the Broncos are still about 10 men short of being a quality unit. Amukamara, who could also be a shutdown cornerback from Day 1, would step in and, if Bailey returns to Denver, immediately give the Broncos the best corner tandem in the league.
-- R.J. White
3. Bills: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Ryan Fitzpatrick was better than expected in 2010, throwing for 3,000 yards and 23 TDs after coming on as the Bills starter in Week 3. But the QB position has long been a thorn in the Bills' offense, and the team needs a franchise guy. Mallett could be the next Ben Roethlisberger, which should be enough to pique Buffalo's interest.
-- White
4. Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (Previous pick: A.J. Green)
Cincinnati gladly would have taken Green at No. 4, given that T.O. and Chad Ochocinco likely won't be back in 2011. But instead of finding another option for Carson Palmer, the Bengals jump on arguably the best defensive player available.
-- Burke
5. Cardinals: Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn
Fairley's got a bit of a mean streak on the field, but you can't debate his ability. The bonus with Fairley is that he can play inside or outside, so no matter where Arizona winds up with its game plan in the future, the Auburn product should fit right in.
-- Burke
6. Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
Blackmon, a redshirt sophomore, led the country in receiving in 2010. If he declares for the 2011 draft, his mixture of his great hands, great route-running, and great production should cause him to jump off the board quickly. Cleveland needs a playmaker to add to the offensive core of the rough-and-tumble Peyton Hillis and the quickly-developing Colt McCoy.
-- White

7. 49ers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Alex Smith isn't coming back, Troy Smith isn't good enough and the next coach of the Niners can't build anything without a quarterback. Newton isn't a sure thing, but he's too tempting to pass up at this point.
-- Josh Alper

8. Titans: Marcel Dareus, DT, Alabama
Tennessee could be another in the long line of teams that consider taking a first-round QB, depending on the future status of Vince Young. But Dareus is a nice value at the No. 8 spot and fits in well with the 4-3 defense.
-- Burke

9. Cowboys: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
Not sure how this happened, but arguably the best player in the draft is still on the board at No. 9. And for a team like Dallas that was one of the worst in the league against the pass, Peterson would be a godsend.
-- Burke

10. Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
Is he a better prospect than Blaine Gabbert? Maybe not, but there's something about his mix of big arm and big speed that will appeal to Mike Shanahan.
-- Alper

11. Texans: Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M (Previous Pick: Da'Quan Bowers)
With the hiring of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator shifting Houston to a 3-4 defense, adding more guys that can get after the quarterback is essential. Miller's a bit of a reach here, but he fits the new scheme.
-- Burke

12. Vikings: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
Another guy that fits the versatility bill, Quinn sat out the 2010 season after being ruled ineligible just before North Carolina's first game for receiving benefits from an agent. Put the character issues aside, though, and Quinn's a potential game-changing force on defense. Is he worth the risk, though?
-- Burke

13. Lions: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
Detroit needs cornerback help and probably a couple bodies at linebacker. But the Lions also like to go with the best-player-available philosophy -- and when one of the best guys out there fits a huge need, then things fall into place. Detroit must protect Matthew Stafford better in the future and Sherrod could help.
-- Burke

14. Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
How great would Sam Bradford's rookie year have been if he had a little more help from the guys catching the ball down the field? We'll never know, but the dynamic Jones will make sure we don't have to ask the question again in Bradford's second season.
-- Alper

15. Dolphins: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
The Dolphins haven't taken a quarterback in the first round since Dan Marino. And they also haven't had a good answer at quarterback since Marino. Gabbert changes one streak; his size and ability give him a good shot at changing the other.
-- Alper

16. Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Clayborn was an absolute beast in 2009, recording 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 11 1/2 sacks in his junior year. But after posting a mediocre senior season, Clayborn needs a solid combine to remind teams that he's going to be a good defensive lineman for a long time. The Jaguars tried to address the DE position in 2008 by selecting Derrick Harvey, but that hasn't worked out so well.
-- White

17. Patriots (from Raiders): Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
The rebuilding of the Patriots' defense has gone well. All they need now is a guy who can get after the passer. Ayers fits the bill and adds three-down capability to boot.
-- Alper

18. Chargers: Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue (Previous pick: Von Miller)
Nothing really changes in the approach here. San Diego needs a difference-maker on the outside defensively -- Miller fit the bill, but so does Kerrigan. By April, the Purdue product could definitely be the higher-rated of those two anyway.
-- Burke

19. Giants: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
David Diehl belongs inside and Shawn Andrews can't stay healthy, which means the Giants need a left tackle. Castonzo has the size and ability to do the job. The fact that he went to Boston College, formerly coached by Tom Coughlin, is the icing on the cake.
-- Alper

20. Buccaneers: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State (Previous pick: Ryan Kerrigan)
As long as we're making adjustments, we may as well move Heyward up a few spots. The Ohio State DE was an absolute monster against Arkansas in the bowl game and certainly deserves a major bump.
-- Burke

21. Seahawks*: Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Miami (Fla.)
Whether it's on the outside or the inside of the defensive line, the Seahawks need players that can get after the quarterback. Bailey, who has the size and speed to excel either rushing from the edge or from the interior, should be an instant upgrade at any of the four spots along Seattle's line.
-- White

22. Chiefs*: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
After receiving high marks in their last few drafts, the Chiefs have started to hit their stride. They still need to add one more playmaker on offense, someone to draw double coverage away from Dwayne Bowe. Big and fast, Baldwin will be able to consistently stretch opposing defenses, giving the running game even more room to work.
-- White

23. Colts*: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
Even though the Colts managed to win the AFC South again, their offensive line is a disaster. The mediocrity up front even started to affect the normally unflappable Peyton Manning. With Detroit snatching Sherrod earlier, the Colts turn to Solder, a fine consolation prize.
-- Burke

24. Eagles*: Janoris Jenkins, CB, Florida
Asante Samuel gets hurt too often, Dimitri Patterson gets burnt too often, and that means the Eagles need a cornerback to slow down the passing offenses in Dallas and New York. Jenkins works well, especially if he remains willing to step up and help against the running game.
-- Alper

25. Packers*: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
Charles Woodson has continued to be brilliant long after the Packers could have imagined, but it's time for Green Bay to prepare for life without the star cornerback. Tramon Williams has shown a nose for interceptions, which would pair well with Aaron Williams' potential to lock down receivers.
-- White

26. Saints*: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
There aren't many better fits in the first round than this one would be. New Orleans could use another impact body on its front line, and Nevis, the local boy, certainly fits the bill.
-- Burke

27. Bears*: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
Wisconsin's offense preps linemen well for the rugged NFC North, even if Chicago sticks with Mike Martz's West Coast offense into the future. Carimi's a guy who can definitely get to the second level in the run game, but he's also versatile enough to slip out and pave the way for Matt Forte and Chester Taylor in the screen game.
-- Burke

28. Jets*: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
The dirty little secret of Rex Ryan's defense is that it can't get after the quarterback. Watt should help that as both an every-down end and a player who can slot inside in other schemes.
-- Alper

29. Ravens*: Stephen Paea, DT/DE, Oregon State (Previous pick: Cameron Heyward)
Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata make up two-thirds of a pretty daunting defensive line, but the team could be looking for an upgrade on veteran Corey Redding. Paea has the strength to hold up against the run in a 3-4, and when singled he should be able to consistently get in the backfield.
-- White

30. Steelers*: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
Picking a Pouncey in the first round worked out excellently for the Steelers in 2010 -- Maurkice Pouncey earned a Pro Bowl berth at center in his rookie season. Now the Steelers can double their passel of Pouncey's by picking Maurkice's twin brother, Mike. Although Mike snapped for Florida this year, he's a better fit at guard in the NFL, which works out fine for the Steelers since Maurkice is the team's long-term answer at center.
-- J.J. Cooper

31. Falcons*: Jared Crick, DE/DT, Nebraska
Crick's another guy that hasn't officially thrown his name in the 2011 draft ring yet, but if he does, he figures to be a fast-riser. He closed the year strong at Nebraska and can play anywhere on the line. Atlanta doesn't have a ton of immediate needs, but someone that can help generate pressure would be welcome.
-- Burke

32. Patriots*: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
Just what New England needs: a potential superstar running back. The Patriots went 14-2 with Benjarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead carrying the load in 2010 -- one can only imagine what a former Heisman Trophy winner could do for the offense.
-- Burke