SB Nation has just released its latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft and there is not a lot of change at the top of the draft. The Carolina Panthers are projected to go with Cam Newton, the polarizing Heisman-winning Auburn quarterback. Popular opinion has Newton as one of the players in the draft with the most potential but also with the biggest bust potential as well. As for the Arizona Cardinals, once again Von Miller, the coveted Texas A&M outside linebacker, is unavailable at number five. However, the Cardinals do select a player that could make a huge impact on their defense and on special teams. LSU CB Patrick Peterson is who is projected to be taken by Arizona at number five overall.
Here is what was said about the pick:
A lot of names linked to the Cardinals are already off the board, but that might be to the team's benefit - Peterson is arguably the best player available, and is a great complement to the ultra-athletic Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Peterson, if drafted, would likely start out playing behind DRC and Greg Toler, allowing Ken Whisenhunt and Ray Horton to bring him along slowly as they prefer to do with rookies. He would get looks in nickel packages and woudl likely be in the mix in the return game.
There are some doubts about Peterson, considering the failure that Antrel Rolle was at cornerback, but it is important to note that Peterson is both bigger and faster than Rolle was. However, there is no other player that seems to be as talented at number five. The Cardinals have to make that pick.
There are still three first-round QBs. Newton goes first overall, Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert goes to the Bengals and Jake Locker is taken at number 16 by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As for the rest of the NFC West, the 49ers take cornerback Prince Amukamara, the Rams draft Alabama receiver Julio Jones and the Seahawks improve their offensive line with Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod.