We’re only a week away from the real deal, so time to get those last minute mock drafts in. While this isn’t the FINAL mock draft I (or any other DB staff writer) will be posting, it’s another conversation piece to discuss some alternate ideas for your favorite team’s selections.

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck – QB – Stanford The Colts go with Luck to rebuild their franchise.

2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III – QB – Baylor No surprises here.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil – LT – Southern Cal The Vikings will do what they can to trade down, but Kalil is their guy.

4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson – RB – Alabama Offensive weapons are badly needed and you have to be able to run the ball in the AFCN.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne – CB – LSU With so many questions surrounding Aquib Talib, Keep Reading…

In the hopes of defending our Mock Draft title from The Huddle Report, here is our final mock draft for 2011.

  Cam Newton – QB – Auburn     Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama     Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M     AJ Green – WR – Georgia     Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU     JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin     Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska     Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn     Tyron Smith – OT – USC     Julio Jones – WR – Alabama     Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina     Jake Locker – QB – Washington     Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College     Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois     Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri     Ryan Kerrigan – Keep Reading…

Brooks Reed

Position: DE School: Arizona Height: 6’2 1/2" Weight: 263 lbs Class: RS-Senior 40 time: 4.65 All-Star Game: Senior Bowl Team Captain: 2010 Draft Projection: Early 2nd Round

Summary

Brooks Reed is a name that has generated a lot of buzz around the draft community. Seemingly coming from out of nowhere, Reed has been mentioned as a late 1st round pick and has drawn comparisons to Clay Matthews. Frankly, I disagree in both cases. From everything I can see, Reed is someone that you’d love to have on your team but I don’t see anything elite in his play that would make me give him a first round grade. He’s a high motor guy but doesn’t have a tremendous amount of production or consistency in his time at Arizona. However, his ability to play 3-4 rush linebacker in the NFL will bump his grade up Keep Reading…

The draft is inching closer and stocks are rising and falling. Aaron Aloysius and I decided to get together for a different take on a mock draft. To keep each other guessing, we took turns making the picks as we moved along. I took the odd numbers and Aaron picked for the even numbers. Needless to say, things got interesting!

1. Carolina Panthers Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama 

Spencer: I’m just not 100% convinced that the Panthers are, well, 100% convinced, that Newton is the guy for them. Rivera is a defensive minded head coach and missing on a #1 overall pick could set the franchise back even further. In this mock, they’re going the safe route. 2. Denver Broncos Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU 

Aloysius: While the Broncos would have loved to get Dareus here, they’ll be very happy to get am excellent consolation consolation Keep Reading…

Cameron Heyward

Position: DE School: Ohio State Height: 6’4 5/8" Weight: 294 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: 4.95 All-Star Game: Senior Bowl (invite only) Team Captain: 2010 Draft Projection: Late 1st Round

Summary

Cameron Heyward is one of the rare players in this draft that I would refer to as a “safe bet.” Sure, it’s easy to look at Heyward and say he possesses a solid combination of size, speed and strength, or point out his bloodlines, character and work ethic. At the end of the day, Cameron Heyward will be drafted due to the versatility he’ll be able to provide an NFL team. Ohio State did a terrific job of moving Heyward across the defensive line. In fact, Heyward lined up at both defensive tackle and both defensive end spots in a 4-3 alignment as well as lining up at both 5-technique defensive end spots Keep Reading…