2011 NFL Mock Draft 2.1: Grading the Picks

Turnabout is fair play, right? Since we spend the days and weeks following each NFL Draft critiquing every single draft pick, we thought it was honorable to turn the tables.

So we present our NFL Mock Draft 2.1 -- which consists of our second Mock Draft, graded by an expert. Filling that expert role for the exercise is Jon Dove, an editor at mockingthedraft.com. Jon was asked to provide some analysis of each selection we made, then to slap a grade on each pick. More than a few of our selections landed "A" marks, but Jon wasn't as high on some others.

Check out how we fared, and make sure to follow along as mockingthedraft.com covers all angles of the 2011 NFL Draft between now and April.

1. Panthers: Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn (Pick made by: Knox Bardeen)
The Panthers need to add a player capable of changing games and Fairley is that guy. His ability to penetrate will wreak havoc in the backfield.
Grade: A
2. Broncos: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
Peterson is a tremendous athlete with the potential to develop into a lock-down cornerback. However, Da'Quan Bowers might be a better fit here as the Broncos make the transition to a 4-3 defense.
Grade: B
3. Bills: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M (Pick made by: R.J. White)
Miller might be the best pure pass rusher in this draft, but the Bills need to get stronger up front. Marcell Dareus would be a great fit in this spot, giving Buffalo strong play against both the pass and run.
Grade: B-
4. Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
Bowers is an extremely talented prospect with the ability to rush the passer and hold strong against the run. However, A.J. Green might be a better need and value pick at this point in the draft.
Grade: B+
5. Cardinals: Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
Dareus is a good player, but I am not sure where he fits on the defensive line. The Cardinals already have Calais Campbell, Darnell Dockett and Dan Williams.
Grade: C+
6. Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
The Browns are in desperate need of a playmaking wide receiver. Green will be Colt McCoy's best friend.
Grade: A

7. 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
I am on board with just about any pick for the 49ers that doesn't include a quarterback at No. 7.
Grade: B

8. Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Pick made by: R.J. White)
Gabbert is a bit of a project, but with no other legitimate long-term solutions in Tennessee, he makes sense at this spot.
Grade: A-

9. Cowboys: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin (Pick made by: R.J. White)
Watt to the Cowboys has been gaining steam, but I still see it as a reach. Watt will be a good player, but No. 9 might be too high.
Grade: C+

10. Redskins: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Pick made by: R.J. White)
If there is a coach bold enough to take on a project like Newton, it's Mike Shanahan.
Grade: B-

11. Texans: Robert Quinn, LB, North Carolina (Pick made by: R.J. White)
The Texans are going to need to use this draft to improve their defense, and adding a pass rusher like Quinn is a great start.
Grade: A-

12. Vikings: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
Ray Edwards is likely moving on when free agency begins, and Kerrigan will help improve the Vikings' pass rush.
Grade: B-

13. Lions: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
I give this grade because I am not sold on Solder. He is going to need time to develop, but the potential is there.
Grade: C

14. Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
Value meets need here, and Jones will be a great partner for Sam Bradford.
Grade: A

15. Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (Pick made by: R.J. White)
It's likely that both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will be gone, so bringing in Ingram would be a smart move for Miami.
Grade: A

16. Jaguars: Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal (Pick made by: R.J. White)
Jordan looks like a promising player but might be a better fit at the five-technique position. Jacksonville would do better to find a player that would give them more of a pass rush.
Grade: C+

17. Patriots (from Raiders): Tyron Smith, OT, USC (Pick made by: R.J. White)
I have Smith as my top-rated tackle prospect because of his footwork and balance. At 20 years old, he has enormous upside.
Grade: B+

18. Chargers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
The Chargers are looking to bring in help along the defensive front, and Clayborn will fit perfectly at the five-technique spot.
Grade: A-

19. Giants: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA (Pick made by: R.J. White)
The Giants are in need of help across their entire linebacking corps, and Ayers has the skills to fill many roles.
Grade: A-

20. Buccaneers: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (Pick made by: Knox Bardeen)
Smith has a ton of potential but is without a true position. I have concerns about his slight frame and ability to hold up at the point of attack.
Grade: B-

21. Chiefs: Justin Houston, LB, Georgia (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
The Chiefs need to provide Tamba Hali with some help in the pass-rush department, and Houston has the ability to do that.
Grade: A

22. Colts: Anthony Costanzo, OT, Boston College (Pick made by: R.J. White)
This past season, we saw Peyton Manning struggle when faced with a lot of pressure -- and as he ages, protecting him needs to be the No. 1 priority for the Colts.
Grade: A-

23. Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (Pick made by: R.J. White)
Towards the end of the season, teams targeted Dmitri Patterson and were successful. His struggles definitely impacted the Eagles' early playoff exit.
Grade: A

24. Saints: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
During the Sugar Bowl, Heyward showed that he has the talent to take over a football game..
Grade: A

25. Seahawks: Mike Pouncey, G/C, Florida (Pick made by: Josh Alper)
Adding Pouncey to a young and improving offensive line will help rejuvenate the Seahawks' running game.
Grade: B

26. Ravens: Titus Young, WR, Boise State (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
Young will bring much needed speed to the Ravens offense.
Grade: B-

27. Falcons: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
Rudolph has the talent to eventually succeed Tony Gonzalez..
Grade: B

28. Patriots: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh (Pick made by: R.J. White)
Baldwin is the big target missing from the Patriots' receiving corps. He is expected to wow people this week at the combine, so be sure to keep an eye out.
Grade: B+

29. Bears: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
Carimi fits the biggest need for the Bears and has the experience to step in and start from day one.
Grade: A

30. Jets: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami (Pick made by: R.J. White)
This pick will make a ton more sense if Antonio Cromartie is not retained, but I still find it hard to believe the Jets will use back-to-back first-round selections on cornerbacks.
Grade: B-

31. Steelers: Ben Ijalana, OT, Villanova (Pick made by: J.J. Cooper)
The Steelers need help at several spots along the offensive line, and Ijalana is versatile enough to fit at tackle or guard.
Grade: B+

32. Packers: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois (Pick made by: Chris Burke)
The world is convinced that James Starks will be a star, but I need to see more to jump on that wagon.
Grade: B+