NFL 2011 DRAFT Pick by Pick Analysis

ROUND 1
1.) Carolina Panthers select: Cam Newton QB, Auburn
-This is the pick we all expected was going to happen and it all played out that way. With Newton the Panthers get a guy who has all the tools to be a new type of Elite QB in the NFL once he develops. Questions will remain about if he can transition his game to the NFL, and there are red flags about character issues. It is also a big boost for the marketing and ticket sales which is another bonus for the Panthers. A true BOOM or bust pick, if he does turn out this will turn the Panthers around.

2.) Denver Broncos select: Von Miller OLB, Texas A&M
-I am a little suprised by this pick but it is definitely a great one. After seeing the effect Clay Matthews has had for the Green Bay Packers, Denver wants there own guy like him. Miller is a great pass rusher who can also play the run fairly well. He is a great defensive player and can start right away for the Broncos defense behind John Fox. Miller is the type of player who could make the Pro Bowl in his first year and I think he does just that. Great pick for the Broncos

3.) Buffalo Bills select: Marcell Dareus DT, Alabama
-Another great defensive player and someone who I thought would go to Denver. Dareus leaped over all other DL after blowing away in drills and really impressing coaches. He can force inside pressure on the QB and clog up running lanes to force the RB to the outside. He played in the 3-4 defense at Alabama and will play that now in the NFL. Can start day one, and will make the Bills better on defense.

4.) Cincinnati Bengals select: A.J Green WR, Georgia
-Another pick that was no real surprise to anyone, as the Bengals get a needed weapon. Carson Palmer will likely never be a Bengal again and the fates of Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens seem to be that they are out. So why not draft one of the best Wideouts . A.J Green is very talented, can run his routes and go to get the football. He has drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald and even if he falls shorts he will make the Bengals next QB very happy.

5.) Arizona Cardinals select: Patrick Peterson CB, LSU
-Probally my favorite pick in the Top 10, based off of talent. Peterson is the best player in this class talent wise and can be a Pro Bowler from year one. Pairing him with Rodgers-Cromartie will give them a huge advantage in the secondary.  Peterson can also step in and be a great returner for the team, and could be there Deion Sanders. Arizona made a terrific pick and will love it for a long time as Peterson will become a star in the secondary
6.)(TRADE) Atlanta Falcons select: Julio Jones WR, Alabama
-HUGE move for the Atlanta Falcons. Gives them the star power on offense to put them up their with the best in the NFL. Roddy White was dominant last year and now to take coverage away from him with Julio Jones, makes things very scary. You give Matt Ryan White, Jones, Michael Turner,  and possibly Tony Gonzalez and you have a ELITE offense. Now are the likely favorite to win the South


7.) San Francisco 49ers select: Aldon Smith, DE Missouri
Biggest Surprise for a team staying put so far. It appeared the 49ers were going to take Gabbert but they take the other Missouri top player. Aldon Smith is very athletic but in a 3-4 as an OLB can get after the QB. Smith has questions about if he can get the QB or not. A very interesting pick but one that will make this 49ers defense into a bigger threat to QB's

8.) Tennessee Titans select:  Jake Locker QB, Washington
-The new surprise pick in the draft. Locker has the tools to be a first overall value but really needs time to improve his accuracy and decision making. He is a few years away from being an NFL Starter but if given the time to develop he could be great for the Titans. Can't make a real grade or impact for another 3 years but Titans are in love with this guy. Gabbert could have been the pick but it appears Tennessee likes Locker's tools more

9.) Dallas Cowboys select: Tyron Smith OT, USC
-Jerry hasn't taken an OT in the first round in awhile. But taking Tyron Smith here is the best pick and a smart decision for them. Smith is very athletic and will only get better as he learns to play LT more. If he doesn't he can still be a great RT for the Cowboys and protect Romo for a long time. He is only 20 years old so he can still grow, and that makes hsi value even better. Bravo to the Cowboys for this pick

10.) Jacksonville Jaguars select: Blaine Gabbert QB, Missouri
Jacksonville has David Garrard as their QB, but it appears he may not be there for long. Gabbert comes in being the msot liekly NFL reeady QB and can compete for the starting job week 1. Even if he lsoes the battle they can help develop him into a better QB and let him start late in the season or have him be the future starter in 2012. Gabbert is a more polished QB, questions about his accuracy are a little overblown because of dropped passes and lack of talent. With the skill set he has, his great leadership and character qualities the Jaguars must be smiling with another steal.

11.) Houston Texans:J.J Watt DE, Wisconsin
-Aldon Smith may have been the guy they secretly wanted but the Texans loved Watt and were just fine getting him at 11. Watt is a force off the edge, and is a former TE who has speed. He has the talent to be an Elite pass rusher but has to work on his moves to shed blockers. Will play the 5 technique in Houston and play along side Mario Williams to give the Texans two solid pass rushers

12.) Minnesota Vikings select: Christian Ponder QB, Florida State
-Another surprise pick and we are only in the Top 15. Ponder is a average sized QB with a decent arm, has the football IQ that you want in a player. Ponder needs to show he can avoid the injuries, and be an NFL QB. He will get the chance to hand it off to Adrian Peterson. Ponder is a very good West Coast QB, and can make the quick throws. A very interesting pick but can work out well for the Vikings

13.) Detroit Lions select: Nick Fairley DT, Auburn
The Lions may be putting together a bone chilling scary DL by teaming up with Suh and Vanden-Bosch. Fairley is a big player who can team up with Suh and making running against the Lions nearly impossible. Fairley can make an immediate impact and had talent to be a stud on the DL for Detroit. Fairley does have issues with maturity and character but if things can be ironed out the entire NFL will have to take notice.

14.) St. Louis Rams select: Robert Quinn DE, North Carolina-
-The Rams got Bradford last year and now they begin to build that young defense. Robert Quinn was suspended all last year for recieving illegal benefits, but he is a Top 5 talent and is a big time steal for the Rams. He fell because he went to a party he admits he never should have been at, and teams are concerned about a brain tumor. Talent wise he is the best DE in the draft and will end up being a star in this league. Rams get a steal with this pick


15.) Miami Dolphins select: Mike Pouncey OG, Florida
-The Dolphins take the quiet pick, but the best one they could make with who is available. Pouncey gets to stay in Florida and can be inserted into the starting Gaurd spot immediately. He is a great leader and can shore up the inside offensive line for the Dolphins. Building a great offensive line can give Henne more time and open up holes for whoever the Dolphins RB is. I like this pick alot by Miami, and I think it will be the best result they could have asked for

16.) Washington Redskins select: Ryan Kerrigan DE, Purdue
- After trading down to the 16th overall spot the Redskins pick up a guy who will always work in Ryan Kerrigan. Washington gets needed help at the LB position and know what they are getting in Kerrigan. He can be a solid pass rusher but will never be an elite player. He is a smart player and they get an additional 2nd rounder via the Jaguars trade, while still getting a very safe pick

17.) New England Patriots select: Nate Solder OT, Colorado
-Solder is a guy who is extremely gifted and ahs the potential to be a great protector for Tom Brady. He needs to work on getting lower and keeping his hands down. He needs to learn to keep the knees down in order to be better. Can be a future LT for the Patriots and as long as he learns what to do and improves he will be another great pick for the Patriots

18.) San Diego Chargers select: Cory Liuget DT, Illinois
-I don't think the Chargers were expecting Liuget would fall to them, but I can imagine they are very happy. Liuget is a talented player who would be great in a 4-3 but will instead be going to a 3-4 will be interesting  and could change the way Liuget plays. He is a tough player and can help open up lanes for the Chargers to rush the passer. It will be fun to watch how he transitions to the Chargers defense, but if he pulls it off it is a nice pick.

19.) New York Giants select: Prince Amukamara CB, Nebraska
-Talk about getting a true BPA late in the draft. Amukamara is a true shutdown corner and will be able to put a lid on Miles Austin, Desean Jackson and other great recievers in the NFL. The Giants get someone who will get alot of knockdowns or limit the throws to a teams No.1 reciever. People question if he can get the ball or not, I think he can. Giants fans should rejoice as they get a Top 10 talent at the 19th pick

20.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Adrian Clayborn DE, Iowa
-The Bucs have a huge hole at the DE position. They need serious help against the pass and the run. Clayborn is talented but has seen his stock fall after a poor senior season and major concerns about him having Erbs Palsy. At pick 20 he is worth the pick, and acn help out this defense and could push them closer to the playoffs
Phil
21.)  Cleveland Browns  select: Phil Taylor DT, Baylor
-The Browns who traded all the way down to 27, move back up to 23 to get Phil Taylor. Taylor is a huge guy who improved as the year went down. He also has dropped alot of weight and has good speed you look for in a DT. Fell because of character concerns and a serious foot issue. If he can have a clean surgery and recover he will make this a very good defense

22.) Indianapolis Colts select: Anthony Costonzo OT, Boston College
-The Colts really needed help to protect Peyton Manning, and they got the 2nd best OT out there. Costonzo has shown fluid hips and is very athetlic as a LT. Is a talented pass blocker and can protect Manning  and the eventual Manning repalcement in the future. A solid pick for the Colts and one that will provide great insurance for the team. The wait for Costonzo will be worth it because now he can be in the playoffs and protect a future Hall of Famer

23.) Philadelphia Eagles select: Danny Watkins OG, Baylor
-Michael Vick will be getting the protection he so desperately needs. After seeing what happened in the playoffs the Eagles realize they need to protect the franchise so he can put up MVP numbers. Watkins is an older guy at 27 which hurt his stock but is a very solid player who is a versatile OL. Can step in right away and play either the Gaurd or Tackle position. Very solid decision amdde by the eagles, who improve at a needed position.

24.) New Orleans Saints select: Cameron Jordan DE, California
-The Saints are getting Cameron Jordan one of the most balanced DL in the draft. Jordan can help against the run and the apss and will help the Saints out tremendously. Jordan can play in any system and was seen in most mock drafts going in Top 15. Going all the way at 24 is a very good value for the Saints. New Orleans should love this pick because it gives them a very strong DL core with Ellis, Jordan and Smith

25.) Seattle Seahawks select: James Carpenter OT, Alabama
-The Seahawks tried to trade down but were unable to do so. So they take someone who they can pair with Russel Okung and build a young OT duo that will give their eventual QB the protection he will need. Carpenter was ranked in the mid 2nd round range but boosted his value after an impressive Senior Bowl. Carimi and Sherrod were available but Carrol prefers the SEC guys.

26.) (Ravens miss time and passed up) Kansas City Chiefs select: Jonathan Baldwin, Pittsburgh
-Baltimore loses track of time and the Chiefs jump ahead. The Chief\s needed to add a weapon alongside Dwayne Bowe and they get that player with Jonathan Baldwin. A tall WR out of Pittsburgh Baldwin has good hands. Pairing him with Dwayne Bowe will let Baldwin get open often and really rack up the stats. It also will take some attention off Bowe and give Cassel another target

27.) Baltimore Ravens select: Jimmy Smith CB, Colorado
-The Ravens got the guy they wanted all along in Jimmy Smith. Smith fell down draft boards because of red flags because of his character. He is a very solid CB who can step in for the Ravens and have a noticeable impact. Concerns about character could be a concern but being teammates with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will have a big impact on him. Expect Smith to be put in place and the character issues to dissapear.

28.) (TRADE) New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram RB, Alabama
-The Saints have made major strides to match Atlanta trading up to get Julio Jones. They add a solid RB who they can use immediately. He is a good pass catcher and a goal line back. He wont give you a star but he could rack up TD's in his career as a goal line carrier. Outstanding pick for the Saints and they are huge winners in the first day

29.) Chicago Bears select: Gabe Carimi OT, Wisonsin
-The Bears love Carimi not only because he is a tough football player, but because now Jay Cutler won't have to spend as much time on the turf. Caarimi is a starter at RT from Week 1, and will give the Bears the help they so desperately needed. I don't think Carimi will improve much from here or be a star OT, but he will be a solid blocker to help Chicago
30.) New York Jets select: Muhammed Wilkerson DT, Temple
-Wilkerson is a great player for a team that needs depth and versatility. Rex Ryan gets a guy in Wilkerson who can play DT or DE, and eventually replace Shaun Ellis when he leaves. Wilkerson is very athletic, can play multiple positions and he knows the scheme, also can get to the QB or the RB. Very nice pick for the Jets, will really help their defense

31.) Pittsburgh Steelers select: Cameron Heyward DE, Ohio State
-Going into the 2011 football season many people believed Heyward was a top 10 pick. After a bad season his stock plummeted to the bottom of the 1st. The Steelers get a solid DL who if they can turn him into his 2010 form, could be another steal in the draft. I think he will be a very good starter in the NFL, and he will make the outstanding Steelers defense better.

32.) Green Bay Packers select: Derrek Sherrod OT, Mississippi State
-The Defending Super Bowl Champs go with the guy who will be the future protector of the Super Bowl MVP. Sherrod has a 1st round great and is very versatile. With Chad Clifton getting older they needed to find a future replacement and Sherrod is that. Sherrod does need to work on his strength and really working on his leverage. A great pick that will help protect the Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers


This wraps up the 1st round analysis of each pick in the 1st round. Check in tomorrow for breakdowns of Round 2 and 3