The 1st Round of the 2011 NFL draft is now history and what a draft it was with trade ups, trade downs, botched trades and some surprising picks.
Newton going to the Panthers was probably the world’s worst kept secret but Gabbert falling to 10 and the Jags trading up for him – well done to anyone who forecast that one !!
So who got the best value and who blew it?
Well for once we have to say we are fairly impressed with the picks, with most teams filling needs given the uncertainty caused by the labour dispute.
Best piece of business – Cleveland trading down and getting a host of extra picks. The only blemish was trading back up for Phil Taylor who although a quality player he could probably have been picked up at 27 or possibly even in round two.
Best value – Probably the NY Giants with Prince Amukamara at 19 we thought he would have been long gone by then. I doubt he was the Giants expected choice but he was too good to pass up and they can address their OT needs latter. We were also impressed by the Colts getting Anthony Castonzo at 21 and Detroit have the makings of a formidable defense with the addition of Nick Fairley.
Best overall 1st Round – The Saints with Cameron Jordan & Mark Ingram both likely starters.
Biggest Shock – Has to be the Jags moving up for Gabbert; he should have been long gone and the Skins may rue the day they effectively gave him away.
Biggest risk – The Vikings taking Christian Ponder at 12? No disrespect to Ponder but this looked a bit rich and a trade down would probably have made more sense, there was hardly a queue of teams likely to want him behind them. Still if it works out they will look like geniuses, if not they will be wiping egg off for a few years.
Biggest stretch – Has to be the Falcons, they have given up a lot to add a second wide threat, and this smacks of a roll of the dice for trade for Super Bowl 2011. Losing their 1st and 4th round picks next year will hurt them down the line, still if they reach the final it will be worth it.
Potential biggest Impact – Patrick Peterson, Arizona now have one of the best defences in the NFC and by far the best in the West, they could easily win that division in 2011 if they pick up a decent QB. Also worth a mention here is Jimmy Smith going to Baltimore, given their easy schedule the addition of Smith should see them in the post season again.
The complete NFL 1st round Draft Order
1 Cam Newton QB Panthers
2 Von Miller OLB Broncos
3 Marcell Dareus DT Bills
4 A.J. Green WR Bengals
5 Patrick Peterson DB Cardinals
6 Julio Jones WR Falcons
7 Aldon Smith DE 49ers
8 Jake Locker QB Titans
9 Tyron Smith OT Cowboys
10 Blaine Gabbert QB Jaguars
11 J.J. Watt DE Texans
12 Christian Ponder QB Vikings
13 Nick Fairley DT Lions
14 Robert Quinn DE Rams
15 Mike Pouncey C Dolphins
16 Ryan Kerrigan DE Redskins
17 Nate Solder OT Patriots
18 Corey Liuget DT Chargers
19 Prince Amukamara DB Giants
20 Adrian Clayborn DE Buccaneers
21 Phil Taylor DT Browns
22 Anthony Castonzo OT Colts
23 Danny Watkins OG Eagles
24 Cameron Jordan DE Saints
25 James Carpenter OG Seahawks
26 Jonathan Baldwin WR Chiefs
27 Jimmy Smith DB Ravens
28 Mark Ingram RB Saints
29 Gabe Carimi OT Bears
30 Muhammad Wilkerson DE Jets
31 Cameron Heyward DE Steelers
32 Derek Sherrod OT Packers
