2011 NFL Draft First Rond Analysis and Grades plus 2nd Rond Mock Redo

Pick by Pick Analysis
1) Cam Newton QB, no surprise hear the Panthers take the QB they like best, personally I would have taken Von Miller, Dareus or Fairley but I understand the pick to energize a fan base and what could turn out to be the future of the franchise. GRADE: C

2) Von Miller OLB, Denver opts for the pass rush and explosive ability of the OLB from A&M, yes he has all the explosiveness you could want but it will be interesting to see how quickly he acclimates himself to a 4-3 scheme after playing in the 3-4 in college GRADE: B+

3) Marcell Dareus DL, This is a great pick for a 3-4 team Dareus is a more explosive version of B.J. Raji, who in his first two seasons at Green Bay has played both 5 techniques and the 0 techniques. Love this pick for Buffalo should be an impact player early in his rookie season. GRADE: A

Only Newton off the board here Cincinnati holds the key to the entire draft, will they go WR with Green or Jones, QB in Gabbert or Defense with Peterson, Fairley or Quinn

4) A.J. Green WR, rumors that Jones and his physicality might go here but Green is the best pure catcher since Calvin Johnson not as bulked up coming in as Johnson but great speed route running and hands. GRADE: A-

5) Patrick Peterson CB, maybe not a glaring need but Arizona picks the best player in the draft taking the risk averse route is worth it. GRADE: B+

6) TRADE to ATL, Julio Jones WR, first big surprise not because of the player but the picker, Don’t like this based on team needs and paid a kings ransom, 1 and four next year, 1,2 &4 this year but still they picked a strong WR with suspect hands and health. GRADE: D+

7) Aldon Smith DE, will probably play 3-4 OLB or DE explosive player with good hands and can turn the corner for the 49ers. This guy will help to take some pressure off Willis as well as the Secondary and as such got themselves an impact player at 7. GRADE: B-

8) Jake Locker QB, Don’t like this pick one bit as I have said he reminds me of the guy they picked 3rd in 06 except that he didn’t win as much as Vince in college Least favorite pick in the top 10. GRADE: D

9) Tyron Smith OT, Like this pick big hole will be filled on the Dallas O-Line will be interested to see if he can make the transition from RT to LT but either way gives them options along an aging line trying to protect Tony Romo. GRADE: B

10) TRADE to JAC, Blaine Gabbert QB, don’t hate this pick I had him rated 1 spot below Newton at 37 but Jacksonville saw value at 10 with Gabbert falling down the board. Think he lands in a good spot able to sit behind a veteran in Garrard and allows team to build elsewhere in future drafts. GRADE: C+ (instead of the Newton C because of draft slot and depth chart situation)

11) J.J. Watt DE, Like this pick may be a little high at this point but Houston needs so much help on the defensive side of the ball and Watt will get after it every down at either 3-4 DE or OLB especially with the explosion showed at the combine. GRADE: B

12) Christian Ponder QB, another QB reach I am not high on this kid slightly above average accuracy, average armstrength should be aided by the dome but will hurt him in the winters of Chicago and Green Bay , I don’t like Locker but this pick sticks in my craw even more than that pick. Just don’t see ponder being worth the 12th pick in this draft when Minnesota has so many holes on defense and O-Line. GRADE: D-

13) Nick Fairley DT, Love love love this pick creates a monster interior in Detroit and I think that he is the best DT in the draft slightly ahead of Dareus, most dominant force in college football last year on the d-line great value pick by the Lions. GRADE:A+

14) Robert Quinn DE, another good value pick the Rams have been searching for pressure up front since drafting Chris Long and get a guy who was thought to go off the board about 8 picks earlier this guy is explosive but has been out of football for a year having been one of UNC players suspended in 2010. GRADE: A-

15) Mike Pouncey OG/OC, a reach on an interior lineman based on the production of his more talented twin brother for the Steelers last year will spend at least a year at guard do to struggles shotgun snapping last year but over all a solid pick here should help to solidify Miami’s O-line other than Jake Long. GRADE: C+

16) TRADE to WAS, Kerrigan lands with Washington a 3-4 defense that could use his pass rushing ability a real motor guy with above average to very good athleticism should help a defense that had troubles all over other than Orakpo. GRADE: B+

17) Nate Solder OT, With Matt Light getting up there in age the Pats get there LT of the future in former TE Solder he’s raw and inconsistent but with a very good coaching staff should be a guy that will be a big part of NE’s future success. GRADE:B

18) Corey Liuget DT, San Diego picks up a DT who could play multiple positions along the front 3 of their base defense he will probably start out as a 5 technique but will move along the line providing a matchup mismatch for many offensive lines. GRADE:B+

19) Prince Amukamara CB, Really like this pick yes Prince has some holes in this game but with a tough coach in Coughlin he should fit into a Giants D that needs help in the secondary. The value is the wow here he was expected to be drafted in the 7 to 12 range for most of the lead up to the draft so this was great value for the Giants. GRADE:B+

20) Adrian Clayborn DE, a beast at Iowa in 2009 and 2010 Clayborn will be a great addition to brian price and Gerald McCoy from the 2010 Bucs class, solid pick not much more to say here other than the birth defect isn’t much of an issue. GRADE: B-

21) TRADE to CLE, Phil Taylor DT, Cleveland trades up from 27 which they got from Atlanta to pick up the behemoth of a man from Baylor really like Mr. Taylor needs to work on conditioning but outstanding big men are hard to find I think a bit of a reach but Holmgren and staff thought moving up pertinent. GRADE: C+

22) Anthony Castonzo OT, The Colts try again to sure up the blind side of an aging Manning with the tackle out of Boston College a good athletic tackle here not a wow pick but will be very productive in Indy and is a very good pass blocker. GRADE: B-

23) Danny Watkins OG- Solid pick versatile O-Lineman a 26 year old player out of Baylor I think this is an intriguing pick but his upside is very limited should come in and help that offensive line right off the bat he won’t have to worry about maturity of mind or body should be a good investment for Andy Reid. GRADE:C+

24) Cameron Jordan DE, New Orleans gets a steal on the defensive front 4 with Cameron Jordan will give them a bookend for Will Smith and will add another pass rusher to aid an aging defense. GRADE: A-

25) James Carpenter OL, A talented kid from Alabama played LT for Nick Saban could potentially play RT to bookend with last year’s #1 pick or kick him inside to a void that hasn’t been filled since Hutchinson left wherever he plays it will help to solidify a shaky offensive line however I think it was a bit early with Sherrod, Carimi and Wisniewski still on the board. GRADE: C+

26) TRADE to ATL, SKIPPED BAL, Jonathan Baldwin WR, a compliment to Dwayne Bowe was a must to help out Cassel and to take some pressure off of the running game by garnering respect from defenses but with Carimi still on the board I question Pioli just a little bit but with the direction of KC under his command I can’t knock the pick too much. GRADE: B-

27) MISSED ORIG. BAL, Jimmy Smith CB, missed pick because of a trade with Chicago falling through but they still got what some consider a top 2 CB in this draft in Smith and can you find a better defense to join for a player with some off the field issues, he should be a welcome addition to Lewis and Co. and Baltimore improves an aging D. GRADE: B+

28) TRADE to NO, Mark Ingram RB, GREAT pick Ingram is by far the best back in this draft gets picked a dozen picks or so late but brings NO exactly what it need a feature back with talent. Ivory is a nice piece and Thomas has his moments but neither has as much to work with as Ingram. GRADE: A+ (worth a late 2 this yr and what should be a late 1 next)

29) Gabe Carimi OT, I don’t understand what would keep him from being a LT he faced 3 DE’s last year in games and 1 in practice every day that were drafted in the first round and did well against them. This is also wonderful value at 29 getting a top 3 OT with the 4th to last pick of the 1st round. GRADE: A+- (I know funky grade but it wasn’t on par with the A+’s but was a tad better than you’re A’s)

30) Muhammad Wilkerson DT, It’s possible I ranked him too low because of a lack of knowledge and he definitely gets a plus for playing in the 3-4 in college but he didn’t make plays in the MAC against lesser talent and that’s what worries me about this pick. GRADE: D+

31) Cameron Heyward DE, Not much to say here Pittsburgh takes a solid playmaker who will provide some rush from a 5 technique and maybe shuffle in some exotic packages. GRADE: B

32) Derek Sherrod OT,A lot of Packers fans will say they should have pounced on Bowers here but with the continual accumulation of talent on the defensive side of the ball league wide and age catching up to the line in front of Aaron Rodgers this is a solid pick for TT and McCarthy should at least create solid depth in 2011 and could play either tackle down the road teaming with Bulaga to bookend the future O-Line for the Packers. GRADE: B-

2nd Round Mock Redo

Round 2		1st Rd
New England Patriots	Akeem Ayers OLB	OT
Buffalo Bills	Da'Quan Bowers DE	DT
Cincinnati Bengals	Andy Dalton QB	WR
Denver Broncos	Brooks Reed DE	OLB
Cleveland Browns	Marvin Austin DT	DT
Arizona Cardinals	Ryan Mallett QB	CB
Tennessee Titans	Kyle Rudolph TE	QB
Dallas Cowboys	Aaron Williams CB	OT
Washington Redskins	Stephen Paea DT	DE
Houston Texans	Brandon Harris CB	DE
Minnesota Vikings	Jabaal Sheard DE	QB
Detroit Lions	Rahim Moore S	DT
San Francisco 49ers	Colin Kaepernick QB	OLB
Denver Broncos	Martez Wilson ILB	OLB
St. Louis Rams	Torrey Smith WR	DE
Oakland Raiders	Benjamin Ijalana OT	n/a
Washington Redskins	Leonard Hankerson WR	DE
San Diego Chargers	Ras-I Dowling CB	DT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Justin Houston OLB	DE
New York Giants	Rodney Hudson OL	CB
Indianapolis Colts	Allen Bailey DE	OT
Philadelphia Eagles	Johnny Patrick CB	OL
Kansas City Chiefs	Stefen Wisniewski OG/OC	WR
New England Patriots	Mikel LeShoure RB	OT
Seattle Seahawks	Will Rackley OL	OT
Baltimore Ravens	Mason Foster OLB	CB
Cleveland Browns	Titus Young WR	DT
New England Patriots	Clint Boling OG	OT
San Diego Chargers	Bruce Carter OLB	DT
Chicago Bears	Jerrel Jernigan WR	OT
Pittsburgh Steelers	Davon House CB	DE
Green Bay Packers	Ryan Williams RB	OT