The SB Nation Arizona mock draft in which we try and project the actual selections of the 2011 NFL Draft will be done this week. Next up are the Chicago Bears, who, despite playing with their third-string quarterback in the NFC Championship game, just barely came up short of a Super Bowl berth.
Obviously, they would like to take the next step and make it to the big game, but surprisingly they have several holes to fill, even as a playoff team. They will try to fill one of these holes with the pick that Cory Williams projects.
Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU
Everyone remembers what happened to Jay Cutler last season, right? Cutler was sacked 57 times, including the playoffs. After being sacked nine times against the Giants in Week 4, Cutler missed the next week's action against Carolina. Basically, Cutler needs protection in the worst way. Since a lot of quality offensive tackles are already off the board, the Chicago Bears select Marcus Cannon, offensive tackle out of Texas Christian University.
Far from a sure thing, Cannon is a huge tackle who can make a difference in what has been a very difficult life in Chicago for Mr. Cutler. If the Bears don't pick an offensive lineman here, it will be an absolute shock.
Next up are the New York Jets. Scott Howard will be selecting for them.
1- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Jess Root)
2- Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Cory Williams)
3- Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Scott Howard)
4- Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia (JR)
5- Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (CW)
6- Cleveland Browns: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (SH)
7- San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (JR)
8- Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (CW)
9- Dallas Cowboys: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama (SH)
10- Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (JR)
11- Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (CW)
12- Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith, OT, USC (SH)
13- Detroit Lions: Cameron Jordan, DE, California (JR)
14- St. Louis Rams: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (CW)
15- Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (SH)
16- Jacksonville Jaguars: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (JR)
17- New England Patriots: J.J. Watts, DE, Wisconsin (CW)
18- San Diego Chargers: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (JR)
19- New York Giants: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida (JR)
20- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College (CW)
21- Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor (SH)
22- Indianapolis Colts: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (JR)
23- Philadelphia Eagles: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (CW)
24- New Orleans Saints: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple (JR)
25- Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington (JR)
26- Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland (JR)
27- Atlanta Falcons: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa (JR)
28- New England Patriots: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State (JR)
29- Chicago Bears: Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU (CW)