In SB Nation’s first 2011 NFL mock draft since the end of the NFL Combine, Missouri Tigers QB Blaine Gabbert surges to the No. 1 spot, with Nick Fairley falling all the way to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 9. Nothing would delight me more than the Panthers tying up money in a quarterback without fixing their lines, so this is entirely welcome.
The Atlanta Falcons get Notre Dame Fighting Irish TE Kyle Rudolph again, and while he’s a good player and plays a position they’ll likely address one way or another (though there already is a handful of young tight ends on the roster), I’m thinking pass rusher is the most likely option. Georgia’s Justin Houston goes one pick later at No. 28 … considering his monstrous Combine and his versatility, he might be a great choice.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers again go defensive line, this time picking Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan, another Combine standout, while the New Orleans Saints get Alabama Crimson Tide RB Mark Ingram, giving them one player with a Heisman Trophy.