PDA

View Full Version : Complete first-round analysis of 2011 NFL draft



chicot60
04-29-2011, 11:54 AM
By Nate Davis, USA TODAY

The 2011 NFL draft is here, and The Huddle broke down the first-round picks as they were announced Thursday evening.



RELATED: First-round draft tracker

1. Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: Jilted by Stanford QB Andrew Luck (who stayed with the Cardinal) the Panthers take the Cam Newton, right, with Roger Goodell
Newton will have a steep learning curve transitioning from Auburn's fairly simplistic offense (and its frequent shotgun/pistol sets) to the pro-style formations. But he will be supported by a stout offensive line (especially if RT Jeff Otah reclaims his dominant form after missing all of 2010 with a knee injury), a strong running game (especially if potential free-agent RB DeAngelo Williams returns to Charlotte), and a defense that should be even better under new coach Ron Rivera ... all components that could alleviate pressure on Newton whenever he takes his first pro snaps. One looming question: Whither QB Jimmy Clausen, last year's second-rounder?

2. Denver Broncos -- Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M: The Broncos allowed the most points and yards in the league last year, so his arrival should be a big help. Many mock drafts (including USA TODAY's) had predicted Alabama DT Marcell Dareus to go here, but Miller (who had 27.5 sacks over the past two years) is the choice. Denver will have to fold him into their newly recast 4-3 defense even though Miller seems better-suited coming off the edge of a 3-4 alignment. Still, he will form a potent pressure tandem with 2009 NFL sack champ Elvis Dumervil, who missed 2010 with a chest injury. Question is, without a bull like Dareus in the middle of the unit, will Miller and Dumervil be engulfed by double teams ... or run over by the potent ground games like the ones the Broncos will consistently face from their AFC West foes?

3. Buffalo Bills -- Marcell Dareus, DL, Alabama: He played in a 3-4 scheme for the Crimson Tide, so he should move in comfortably with the Bills, who ranked last in run defense (169.6 ypg allowed) in 2010. He's also got the quickness to provide some inside pressure on quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Mark Sanchez. The Bills grabbed DL Torell Troup (second round) and Alex Carrington (third) in 2010, so they have the makings of a good, young line.

4. Cincinnati Bengals -- A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: No surprise here. Green is widely regarded as one of the best wideouts to enter the league in the past decade. He could team with WR Chad Ochocinco in 2011 (and possibly replace him altogether in 2012) with Terrell Owens ticketed for free agency. But ... who will be throwing passes to Green with QB Carson Palmer vowing to never play in Cincinnati again? The Bengals may solve that dilemma later in the draft.

5. Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU: Rated as the best player in the draft in some quarters -- including NFLDraftScout.com, USA TODAY's scouting service -- Peterson will team with 2008 first-round CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to give Arizona a potential Pro Bowl tandem on the outside of its defense. If they can lock down NFC West wideouts in single coverage, new DC Ray Horton can unleash the blitz packages he brings with him from Pittsburgh.

6. Atlanta Falcons (from Cleveland Browns) -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: In the first trade of the draft, last year's top-seeded NFC playoff team vaults up from 27th to get the playmaker GM Thomas Dimitroff coveted. Jones will team with all-pro WR Roddy White, who led the league with 115 catches in 2010. Pro Bowl QB Matt Ryan finally has a No. 2 receiver to be reckoned with, and Jones is also a physical downfield blocker, which should make Pro Bowl RB Michael Turner smile. The Browns also win big, raking in the 27th pick, the Falcons' second- and fourth-rounders in this draft as well as Atlanta's first- and fourth-rounders in 2012.

7. San Francisco 49ers -- Aldon Smith, OLB/DE, Missouri: Smith beats former teammate and QB Blaine Gabbert off the board. Smith will have to transition from defensive end to outside linebacker in the 49ers defense, but his stock as a pass rusher has been on the rise in recent weeks. He should help the Niners up their 2010 sack total of 36. It's a good indication new coach Jim Harbaugh will stick with free agent QB Alex Smith or get another veteran.

8. Tennessee Titans -- Jake Locker, QB, Washington: After being mentioned as a potential No. 1 overall pick had he entered the 2010 draft -- he opted to try and lead Washington to a bowl game and succeeded -- the former Husky doesn't fall too far. His selection officially puts an end to the Vince Young era in Nashville. But Locker does possess mobility akin to VY's, and that should help keep defenses honest as they try to defend RB Chris Johnson. Locker has been panned for his lack of accuracy -- about 56% at UW -- but new Titans OC Chris Palmer is used to working with young NFL quarterbacks and should be able to help Locker become a more pinpoint thrower.

9. Dallas Cowboys -- Tyron Smith, T, USC: He becomes the first offensive lineman drafted in the first round by Jerry Jones since he bought "America's Team" in 1989. The youngest player in the draft at 20, Smith was a right tackle for the Trojans and could take over immediately for aging and injured RT Marc Colombo in Big D. Smith could also eventually mature into QB Tony Romo's blindside bodyguard.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Washington Redskins) -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: He just sneaks into the top 10 and will compete with 33-year-old QB David Garrard, who still has three years on his contract with the Jags. Gabbert may not start right away for Jacksonville -- which passed on hometown hero Tim Tebow last year -- but will enjoy the support of RB Maurice Jones-Drew and a young but talented offensive line whenever he enters the fray. The Redskins take a tack they've rarely used in the Dan Snyder ownership era, moving back to No. 16 while picking up the Jags' second-rounder (No. 49). Given Washington's unsettled quarterback situation, this indicates they weren't enamored of Gabbert. But given their numerous needs, amassing picks makes sense with other solid QB prospects still on the board.

11. Houston Texans -- J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin: A logical piece as new DC Wade Phillips transforms last year's 30th-ranked defense to a 3-4 scheme. Watt, a former tight end at Central Michigan before transferring to Madison, is arguably the draft's premier 5-technique (3-4 defensive end), and he should move in immediately as a starter. He may not post huge sack numbers himself against the likes of Peyton Manning, but his presence should help Pro Bowl DE Mario Williams and converted OLB Connor Barwin get to quarterbacks.

12. Minnesota Vikings -- Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State: A bit of a stunner as Ponder becomes the fourth quarterback called. But the Vikes need a successor to retired Brett Favre -- he must be officially done now -- and Ponder has the make-up to play immediately. He'll be groomed by new OC Bill Musgrave, who developed Matt Ryan as the Falcons QB coach. A smart player with strong leadership skills, Ponder could make Minnesota a factor in the NFC North again while handing off to RB Adrian Peterson, playing behind a decent O-line and hitting WR Percy Harvin on quick slants. If WR Sidney Rice returns, and the defense rebounds, things might be looking up in the Twin Cities.

13. Detroit Lions -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: Questions about his motivation and thin resume at Auburn may have hurt him a bit, but he goes to an ascending team building a formidable D-line. And if Fairley slacks off in his new blue-collar home, he can expect "advice" from fiery coach Jim Schwartz and new linemates DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and 2010 defensive rookie of the year DT Ndamukong Suh. And Fairley's talent must not get lost in the criticism he's recently weathered. He's a one-gap DT perfectly suited to Detroit's scheme and racked up 11.5 sacks and 24 tackles for losses on the Tigers' BCS title journey in 2010, his second year at Auburn after transferring from junior college.

14. St. Louis Rams -- Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina: The former Heel heads west. DE James Hall had 10.5 sacks in 2010 but just turned 34. Quinn, who was suspended for the 2010 season for accepting improper benefits from an agent, should form a long-term bookend with DE Chris Long, the No. 2 pick in 2008. Quinn comes with some questions: He had a benign brain tumor removed in high school, and he benefited greatly from the push provided by DT Marvin Austin in Chapel Hill. But UNC coach Butch Davis compares Quinn to former Giants DE Michael Strahan and feels he's best suited to man the edge on a 4-3 defense, which is exactly what Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo employs.

15. Miami Dolphins -- Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida: The twin brother of Maurkice Pouncey, a Pro Bowler for the Pittsburgh Steelers as a rookie in 2010, Mike Pouncey gets both his wishes: He'll likely play center in the NFL -- he rapidly improved at Florida after early struggles while replacing his brother -- and he gets drafted higher than Maurkice, who came off at No. 18 a year ago after leaving the Gators a year early ... though the twins and best friends certainly wouldn't have minded reuniting in Pittsburgh. Easily the best interior offensive lineman in this draft, Mike Pouncey will upgrade a line that only had LT Jake Long firmly entrenched entering next season.

chicot60
04-29-2011, 11:56 AM
16. Washington Redskins (from Jacksonville Jaguars) -- Ryan Kerrigan, OLB/DE, Purdue: He was widely projected to be taken here, but by Jacksonville not Washington. A 6-4, 267-pound end for the...

Condor
06-15-2011, 04:58 PM
I missed this one Chico as I missed the draft also..But now I am up to date...........

shawndaddy
09-27-2011, 10:54 PM
you really put some time and information into this. thanks for the hard work