Mocking The Draft’s first post-week 17 2011 mock draft is up, and it’s even more Southern than their midseason effort, with 17 SEC or ACC players going in the first round.
The player of the highest local interest, Georgia Bulldogs WR A.J. Green, has moved from No. 8 to No. 3 in MTD’s eyes, winding up on Chan Gailey’s Buffalo Bills and forming a surprisingly good wide receiver corps. The other first-round Dawg, No. 25 DE/LB Justin Houston, gives the Green Bay Packers defense a big versatility boost.
In the interest of ensuring the Minnesota Vikings always have the league’s most attention-prone quarterback, MTD gives Auburn Tigers QB Cam Newton to the Vikes at No. 12.
Other highly ranked conference players include No. 2 (Denver Broncos) LSU Tigers CB Patrick Peterson, No. 4 (Cincinnati Bengals) Clemson Tigers DE Da’Quan Bowers, No. 6 (Cleveland Browns) Alabama Crimson Tide WR Julio Jones, No. 7 (San Francisco 49ers) Auburn DT Nick Fairley, No. 8 (Tennessee Titans) Bama DT Marcell Dareus, and No. 9 (Dallas Cowboys) North Carolina Tar Heels OLB Robert Quinn.