2011 NFL Draft tracker

[MongerKhan]

No.1 Carolina picks Cam Newton QB Auburn
The Panthers become just the third team since the 1970 merger to select QBs in the top-50 in back-to-back seasons. The 2010 Heisman winner has questions about accuracy, lack of college experience, and Auburn's run-option offense, but his blend of size, arm strength, athleticism, and competitiveness was too much to pass up for a team desperately in need of a star. The Panthers realized that 16 of the past 21 Super Bowl winning QBs were drafted by the team that won. GM Marty Hurney is squarely on the hot seat, and his future will be tied to Newton. The Panthers are expected to bring in a veteran stopgap while Newton adjusts to a far more sophisticated NFL offense


No.2 Denver selects Von Miller OLB Texas A&M
A first-team All American in 2010 and second-team All American in 2009 -- when he led the nation in sacks -- Miller was one of the most productive players eligible for the draft. He racked up 33 career sacks, 50.5 tackles for loss, and 10 forced fumbles as a "joker" linebacker/end in A&M's multiple defense. The big question is how Miller will fit Denver's new 4-3 defense. Our guess is he settles in at strong-side linebacker on early downs, and rushes the quarterback with his hand in the dirt in the nickel.



No 3 Buffalo selects Marcell Dareus DT Alabama
At 6'3/319, Dareus can play the nose or two-gap end in the Bills' 3-4 alignment. Athletic and fluid with the ability to split double teams, he'll team with Pro Bowler Kyle Williams to anchor the defensive line and improve the league's worst run unit. Though Dareus isn't an elite talent who will make the instant impact of an Ndamukong Suh, he's a safe pick for a rebuilding defense.


No 4 Cincinnati picks A.J. Green WR Georgia
We're a bit surprised one of the most quarterback-needy teams in the draft didn't take this year's top-rated pocket passer (Blaine Gabbert), but most expected Green at No. 4. Randy Moss-like in his ability to get vertical, Green projects as a difference-making deep threat in year one. He scored 23 touchdowns in 27 career college starts, playing in a pro-style system at Georgia. The Green pick seals Chad Ochocinco's fate in Cincy. The Bengals will now pray a quarterback falls to them at No. 35 overall



No 5 Arizona selects Patrick Peterson CB LSU
Envisioning themselves as contenders in a weak NFC West, the Cardinals bypass a QB to grab the near-consensus best talent in the draft. At 6'0/218, Peterson will enter the NFL as the biggest corner in the league and may need to move to safety in three or four years. For now, the freakishly athletic 2010 Bednarik and Thorpe Award winner figures to use his size and 4.3 speed to make an instant impact opposite Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Peterson was also the most dangerous return prospect in the draft after averaging 29.1 yards on kickoffs and 16.1 yards on punts

 

[MongerKhan]

No 6 Falcons (from Browns) select Julio Jones WR Alabama
Atlanta surrendered its 2011 and 2012 first-round picks, 2011 and 2012 fourth-round picks, and 2011 second-round pick in an absolute blockbuster. The trade should set up Cleveland for years, assuming there is a 2012 draft at all. A monster upgrade over Michael Jenkins, Jones is another wideout with a pro-style background who blocks just as well as Jenkins and will be a better playmaker in the pass game. His fantasy value is a bit limited as a No. 2/3 option in Atlanta's offense, but will help Matt Ryan and Michael Turner's outlooks


No 7 49ers selected Missouri DE/OLB Aldon Smith
The draft's first real curveball. Jim Harbaugh obviously wasn't comfortable with Blaine Gabbert in his West Coast offense. While there are questions about Smith's tight hips and questionable coverage skills, he'll be standing up as a 3-4 pass-rushing linebacker. GM Trent Baalke continues his blue-collar approach after grabbing two linemen and a strong safety early last year

No 8 Tennessee selects Jake Locker QB Washington
Titans selected Washington QB Jake Locker with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
Considered a favorite to go No. 1 overall at the beginning of the 2010 season, Locker ends up not sliding nearly as far as expected. A favorite of ex-scout Dave Razzano, Locker rivals Cam Newton for pure athletic ability. He also gets high marks for arm strength, intangibles, and competitiveness. The major question mark is accuracy, as Locker finished his career with a 55.4 completion percentage, albeit with subpar talent at receiver and on the O-Line. The pressure is on coordinator and noted QB guru Chris Palmer to mold Locker into the next Brett Favre rather than the next Kyle Boller.

No 9 Dallas selects Tyron Smith OT USC
Cowboys selected USC OT Tyron Smith with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
Dallas hadn't selected a first-round offensive lineman since 1981, but RT Marc Colombo's declining performance and Doug Free's free agency necessitated it. Smith isn't just a workout freak with a 4.9 forty time. He has ridiculously long arms at 36 1/2 inches, and won the Morris Trophy as the Pac 10's top offensive lineman in 2010. We suspect he'll be a left tackle in year one, with Free on the right side -- assuming Free is re-signed.


No 10 Jacksonville (from Redskins) selects Blane Gabbert QB Mizzou
Jacksonville gives up the No. 16 and No. 49 overall picks in this year's draft. He may be one of the unconventional GMs in the league, but we've learned to trust Gene Smith's eye for talent. Though the Jags could continue to tread water with David Garrard as a respectable competitor, they believed an upgrade was needed to reach the next level. A favorite of NFL Network's Mike Mayock, Gabbert is an athletic passer with impressive anticipation and foot work but questionable pocket presence. Gabbert will have to transition from Mizzou's spread offense, but he landed in an ideal situation with Garrard already in place.

 

[MongerKhan]

No 11 Houston Texans select J.J Watt DE Wisconsin
New coordinator Wade Phillips wanted a bookend to Mario Williams for his 3-4 scheme, so the Texans passed on Prince Amukamara. A 6'6/290-pound monster, Watt racked up 36.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, and 14 pass breakups in two years with the Badgers. Explosive and athletic, he figures to make an instant impact for a Texans franchise that typically throws first-rounders into the fire. Watt figures to enter a rotation with Williams and underrated pocket-pusher Antonio Smith.

No 12 Vikings selected Florida State QB Christian Ponder
Ponder has drawn comparisons to Chad Pennington for his proneness to injury (three throwing arm surgeries in two years) and lack of ideal arm strength, which undoubtedly wasn't helped by those surgeries. But the Vikings felt compelled to reach for Ponder because they are desperate at quarterback, and Ponder is considered perhaps the most accurate passer in the draft. Owner of a 61.8 career completion rate, Ponder went 22-12 in 34 starts at FSU. He'll be the heavy favorite to start over Joe Webb in Week 1.

No 13 Lions selected Auburn DT Nick Fairley
Fairley's fall is reminiscent of Warren Sapp's in 1995, and the two are similar players. Fairley was red-flagged for what seem like petty concerns after he dominated the SEC as well as the national title game. We saw a player with high motor who racked up 27.5 hurries, knockdowns and sacks last season -- an incredible number for a defensive tackle. Fairley will team with Ndamukong Suh, Sammie Lee Hill, and Corey Williams to comprise the best defensive tackle rotation in the NFL. Jim Schwartz and Gunther Cunningham are building a dominant defensive front in the Motor City.

No 14 St. Louis picks Robert Quinn DE North Carolina
Medical concerns caused Quinn to slip, even though he had no trouble at UNC with the benign brain tumor that popped up as a senior in high school. Considered an ideal fit at 4-3 defensive end on the right side, Quinn was a two-time high school heavyweight champ as a wrestler in South Carolina before moving on to the Tar Heels. He finished second to only Derrick Morgan in 2009 ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting before missing 2010 due to an NCAA suspension. The Rams stuck to their board -- their doctors have cleared Quinn -- and picked up a top-notch bookend for Chris Long at 14. Assuming he beats out James Hall, Quinn projects as a double-digit sack threat as a rookie. This might be the pick of the night.


No 15 Miami selects Mike Pouncey G/C Florida
Mike can thank his twin brother for paving the way. He's going four spots higher than Maurkice even though he's not as talented or as polished. At the very least, he's a safe pick, though, at a position of great need. Pouncey struggled with snaps last season at Flordia, so look for him to start out at guard with Richie Incognito at center. Pouncey is a tough and powerful run blocker, so upgrade on the interior is good news for the Dolphins' next feature back -- whoever that might be.

 

[MongerKhan]

No 16 Washington selects Ryan Kerrigan DE/OLB Purdue
The Skins traded back, picked up an extra second-round pick (No. 49), and got a likely instant impact pass rusher to book end Brian Orakpo. Though some have questioned Kerrigan's "fluidity," many observers compare him to Mike Vrabel in terms of versatility and motor. In fact, his career stats (sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles) all trump Von Miller's, and Kerrigan arguably faced better offensive lines in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Ohio State, etc. The 2010 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year won't struggle to beat out Lorenzo Alexander to be a rookie starter.

No 17 New England selects Nate Solder OT Colorado
We suspected the Pats were up to something when they canceled a visit with Solder over the weekend, but Bill Belichick kept everyone guessing til the end -- ignoring hometown kid Blake Costanzo. Solder offers ideal size at 6'8 with highly athletic feet and massive upside. There are concerns, however, that he's more of a long-term project since he was over-powered easily the past two years after converting from tight end. The Pats now have much-needed depth if free agent Matt Light isn't re-signed and Nick Kaczur struggles to recover from back surgery


No 18 San Diego picks Corey Liuget DT Illinois
Like the Patriots just before them, the Bolts passed on Cam Jordan. Liuget led the Fighting Illini in sacks (4.5), tackles for loss (12.5), and QB hurries as a redshirt junior last season, and will particularly help San Diego's pass rush on third downs as an inside rusher. Many draft analysts pegged Liuget as a 4-3 "three technique" tackle, but at 6'2/298 with nearly 34-inch arms, he has necessary length for a 3-4 weak-side end. He'll book end Luis Castillo in San Diego, starting as a rookie.


No 19 New York Giants select Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska
Amukamara was considered the best pure cover corner in college football throughout the 2010 season, but he didn't intercept a single pass and gave up more big plays than expected. While he does face questions on ball skills, he boasts the total size-speed package with the ability to play off or press coverage. Showing confidence in their draft board, the Giants pick up a versatile NFL-ready corner to go with Corey Webster, Terrell Thomas, and Aaron Ross.


No 20 Tampa Bay selects Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
The Bucs struggled to get to the quarterback last season, ranking just 30th in sacks. In addition to concerns over an Erb's Palsy condition, Clayborn struggled to beat double teams as a senior after dominating the Big Ten the year before. On a positive note, scouts loves his motor, toughness, explosiveness, and leadership. Clayborn lands in a scheme that will allow him to flourish as an end in Raheem Morris' 4-3 scheme

 

[MongerKhan]

No 21 Cleveland (from KC) selects Phil Taylor DT Baylor
You might've heard Jon Gruden call Taylor "explosive" on the ESPN broadcast. Pass rushing isn't Taylor's game, however, as he only had 2.5 sacks as a junior and senior combined. Along with Ahtyba Rubin, Cleveland's apparent plan is to field a pair of "two-gap" tackles on the defensive interior in order for LBs D'Qwell Jackson and Chris Gocong to make plays without blockers on them. The Browns still have major needs in the pass-rushing department. Not to mention at wideout

No 22 Indy selects Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College
A no-brainer for a Colts team that struggled to protect Peyton Manning and open holes in the running game last year. LT Charlie Johnson, a potential free agent, and RT Ryan Diem both graded out well below average in pass protection and run blocking. At 6'7/313 with ideal arm length, Castonzo started an impressive 54 games at Boston College. Considered by many evaluators the top offensive lineman in the draft, Castonzo projects as Manning's blindside protector starting from day one.

No 23 Philly selects Baylor OG Danny Watkins
Perhaps the most interesting back-story in the draft, Watkins is a 26-year-old former firefighter and hockey player from Kelowna, British Columbia. The Eagles could have traded up or back, but it looks like they had their eyes on Watkins as an immediate upgrade on the offensive line. A two-year starter at left tackle for Baylor, Watkins figures to step in for Max Jean-Gilles as a rookie starter at right guard. An extremely hard worker, it would surprise us if he outplayed Mike Pouncey over the next couple of years.

No 24 New Orleans selects Cameron Jordan DE Cal
New Orleans clearly made the defensive line an offseason priority, using this pick on their new starting strong-side end and signing Shaun Rogers to play the nose. Jordan fell in the draft because he lacks elite pass-rush ability, but former six-time Pro Bowl Steve's son has massive hands (11 1/4") and arms (34 1/2"), and projects as an impact run stopper. Jordan finished his Cal career with a respectable 34 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in 32 starts

No 25 Seattle picks James Carpenter OG Alabama
ESPN's Mel Kiper is blasting this pick as a reach, but we don't see it. With 27 consecutive starts and first-team All-SEC recognition from the conference's coaches, the former JUCO transfer was Mike Lombardi of NFL Network's No. 2 overall offensive tackle in the draft. Carpenter is a rock-solid 6'5/313 with 34-inch arms. He projects as a Week 1 starter at right tackle. The Seahawks could've done much worse with this selection (Andy Dalton)

 

[MongerKhan]

No 26 KC chooses Jonathan Baldwin WR Pitt
In an odd turns of events, the Ravens "passed" on pick 26 because they were trying to trade with Chicago and knew the Chiefs wouldn't take their guy. Baldwin becomes contract-year wideout Dwayne Bowe's bookend. Often compared to Vincent Jackson for his massive catch radius, vertical jump, and downfield speed, Baldwin averaged 18.26 yards per catch in his college career, scoring 16 touchdowns. In K.C., he gets an excellent receivers coach in Todd Haley. Unfortunately for Baldwin's fantasy value, the Chiefs are a run-first team. It's not a recipe for big-time stats.

No 27 Baltimore selects Jimmy Smith DB Colorado
Slated to pick 26th, the Ravens let the time clock lapse knowing the Chiefs wouldn't select Smith. Though they were reportedly high on Smith all along, GM Ozzie Newsome was still working the phones right up to the deadline. The most physical corner in the draft with shutdown potential, Smith dropped to due major character concerns. In fact, he's drawn comparisons to Aqib Talib both on the field and off. A top-15 talent, Smith fills a glaring need in Baltimore, and defensive leaders Ray Lewis and Ed Reed figure to ensure that he toes the line.

No 28 New Orleans (from NE) selects Mark Ingram RB Alabama
The Saints surrender the No. 56 pick and next year's first-rounder. GM Mickey Loomis flies well under the radar, but he's been as successful as any exec in the league the past few years. After picking up Ingram and Cameron Jordan along with Shaun Rogers, he's announcing to the rest of the league that he's putting his eggs in the Super Bowl basket this year. The farthest the top running back has ever fallen in the draft, Ingram figures to battle Pierre Thomas for the lead-back role as a rookie. More than any coach in the league, Sean Payton mixes and matches his running backs based on situation and matchup. Ingram figures to be the primary between-the-tackers runner and short-yardage back. The Dynasty league values of Thomas and Chris Ivory are in the tank.

No 29 Chicago picks Gabe Carimi, T Wisconsin
A highly decorated college talent, Carimi earned Outland Trophy honors as the nation's top offensive lineman as a senior. He was Joe Thomas' successor for the Badgers, starting 49 games and also winning Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2010. Carimi will probably start out at right tackle or guard in Chicago. The Bears appear to have designs on starting J'Marcus Webb on Jay Cutler's blind side, though we're not overly optimistic that will turn out well. Carimi could just as easily wind up back at his college position.

No 30 New York Jets pick Muhammad Wilkerson DT Temple
The Owls' leader in tackles for loss (13), sacks (9.5), and quarterback pressures as a junior, Wilkerson left the MAC school one year early after earning first-team all-conference honors in each of his final two seasons. Wilkerson has tremendous length and underrated pass-rush skills; ESPN's Mel Kiper rated him as the tenth best overall player in the draft. He'll be an immediate starter for the Jets at one of the defensive end spots.

No 31 Pittsburgh selects Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State
The Steelers never swing-and-miss on first-round picks. NFL Network's Mike Mayock calls Heyward's Sugar Bowl performance against Arkansas one of the best game tapes he saw all season. Though Heyward underwent Tommy John surgery just after that game, the injury isn't expected to hamper him going forward. A powerful down lineman at 6'5/288, Ironhead's son is a prototypical edge-setting five-technique end consistently winning leverage battles up front. With Brett Keisel entering his age-33 season and Aaron Smith turning 36, Heyward and Ziggy Hood are the future on the Steelers' D-Line.

and with the final pick of the first round the
Green Bay Packers select Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State
Sherrod was likely GM Ted Thompson's highest rated player left. A 35-game starter in the SEC, Sherrod has smarts (second-team Academic All-American) and ideal size (6'6/312, 84-inch wingspan) for a tackle prospect. Some draftniks considered Sherrod a "tweener" left/right tackle, perhaps the reason he fell down the board a bit. If the Packers kick Bryan Bulaga to left tackle after Chad Clifton's contract expires, Sherrod could be their right tackle of the future

 

[derringer007]

I like WR Julio Jones but Atlanta gave up way to much for him.

 

[derringer007]

I like WR Julio Jones but Atlanta gave up way to much for him.

Oooops did not see the draft discussion threads

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