I know, I know, the first round of the NFL draft isn't until April 28th but why not make my very first blog about something I know best; the NFL.
This year has been tough though, with regards of picking who's going to go where. This years draft has an interesting mix of talent at different positions. In prior years, you already knew who was going to be the first pick of the whole draft. You knew the Rams needed a franchise QB last year, so Bradford it was. The year before, the Lions needed one as well, so Stafford was taken. This year, not so much.
#1- Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers hold the first pick of the draft but they already have a potential franchise QB on their roster with Jimmy Clausen. The problem is, their is a new coach in town and may want to start fresh. Head coach Ron Rivera has a tough decision to make. He could stick with Clausen, whom played less than stellar last season, or he could draft a fresh, new face to lead the team. But which QB would he draft? There are only two first-round worthy QBs in this draft; Missouri's Blaine Gabbert and Auburn's Cam Newton. Neither one of them, in my opinion, are elite. Newton has accuracy and deep-ball issues and Gabbert just focuses on one receiver the whole time and wasn't in an NFL-ready offense in college.
Coach Rivera is also a big defensive guy. This draft is a big defensive-loaded draft, with elite talent everywhere. Defensive tackles, Marcell Dareus from Alabama and Nick Fairley from Auburn are probably the best lineman in the draft. Teams, more-often than not, start building at the trenches. The teams sack leader last year, Charles Johnson, could use some help on the line, So I could see the Panthers taking one of them.
Some believe LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson is the most NFL-ready player in the draft and can make an immediate impact. I could see them going this route as well because they need an impact player right away.
So with the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers take:
QB Cam Newton from Auburn
I know I said earlier that they had Clausen, but he was terrible. Rivera needs a new fresh face to lead the team. Even though Newton has his troubles, he could still help a team sell tickets at leaProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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and bring excitement to a team. He's the most popular player in the draft and he's going to go to the most un-popular team in the league.
#2- Denver Broncos
Woof!, what a cluster this team was last year. The team had no identity (other than Tim Tebow sitting on the bench for most of the season) and literally had no defense last year. They were dead-last in points allowed with 29.4 and gave up 154.6 yards on the ground. So this makes this choice pretty simple...
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
It's pretty simple. They don't need a QB right now, they have Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow. RB, they are set with Moreno. WR, I could see them picking AJ Green purely because their leading receiver, Brandon Lloyd, is older and they could infuse some talent into that core but, like I said before, you start building at the trenches.
#3 Buffalo Bills
Oh those Buffalo Bills. They haven't been to the playoffs since Doug Flutie graced the red, white, and blue of the Bills, and haven't had a franchise QB since Jim Kelly. Many "experts" believe that they need a franchise QB on their roster, even though they have Ryan Fitzpatrick, who didn't play that bad last year. I could see them going that route, but with Newton gone, it's going to be tough to fill in the shoes of Jim Kelly with a guy named Blaine. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bills got ran over. They allowed 169.6 yards on the ground and only had 27 sacks. They need elite talent and can't miss with the third overall pick. They need someone who can help right now, not 3 years down the road.
With the third pick in the draft, the Buffalo Bills take...
Von Miller, LB, Texas AM
Elite LB can help the Bills sorry run defense and pass rush. Coach Chan Gailey already knows a bit about Miller; he coached him in the Senior Bowl. He can help out Paul Posluszny and try to make that linebacking core elite. The man is a beast and brings a blue-collar type work ethic that the Bills fan will love.
#4 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are in a tough situation right now because Carson Palmer wants out, OchoCinco and TO are old, and Cedric Benson didn't have that great of a season. So, what in the world are they going to do? I don't think the Bengals are going to trade Palmer; they want him there for the rest of his career. TO and OchoCinco are headaches and they could live without them. Benson just had a down year, he'll be good next year. I think they will try to keep Palmer happy and get him a play maker who won't complain if he doesn't get the ball all the time...
AJ Green, WR, Georgia
Green has Larry Fitzgerald-type of talent and you just can't pass this up. If they can keep Palmer, this is going to be a good offense. They will have explosiveness, something they didn't have last year.
#5 Arizona Cardinals
They need a QB, period.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Some people have him as the best QB in the draft, but he slips down to #5 and Larry Fitzgerald is happy to have him.
#6 Cleveland Browns
Quarterback Colt McCoy did a great job as a rookie stepping into a tough situation. The Browns need play makers and help for McCoy. GM Mike Holmgren is going to do everything to turn this team into something good. The defense though is something of desire. They don't really have a great pass rusher and could use some help at stopping the run. I know, it's like every teams' problem.
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
This might be a little high for Jones, but Holmgren won't care. McCoy is someone to build a team around and he needs someone to throw to. Especially after seeing his combine, I know this kid is going to be a beast.
#7 San Fransisco 49ers
The offense for San Fran is talented. It isn't a pressing need to add someone on that side of the ball. The defense needs help though. One glaring need is the cornerback position.
Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
The most NFL-ready player goes to the 49ers. With Nate Clements slowing down, they are going to need someone to replace him. Peterson is an elite talent that can step into any situation and play well.
#8 Tennessee Titans
I know the Titans need a QB, but there isn't another one that is worthy a top-10 selection after Gabbert and Newton. After Haynesworth left, the Titans lacked a big, tough, run-stopping DT that can plug up the lanes.
Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
Cam Newton's teammate becomes a Titan. He brings a personality that might turn some people off about him. But, Fairley's old DL coach at Auburn, Tracy Rocker, is now the DL coach in Tennessee. If Rocker can keep Fairley in line, Fairley would be a huge asset to the team.
#9 Dallas Cowboys
Last year, they were a pre-season Superbowl pick. Injuries and a defense that couldn't stop anyone hurt them. Tony Romo getting hurt was obviously the biggest injury. Their offense is good with Jason Garrett being their head coach. They need defensive help, especially in the secondary and with a division with a lot of depth at WR, they need help fast.
Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
Cowboys need help in their secondary, so they will go with the 2nd best CB in the draft. They need someone with ball-hawking abilities and someone who can actually stop someone from scoring.
#10 Washington Redskins
I have no idea what to think of this team. They were terrible on offense and defense. For some reason, Mike Shanahan thinks he's a wizard and can fix any team. No, he's overrated. The only reason why he won those Superbowls in Denver was because of John Elway and Terrell Davis. They screwed McNabb last season and treated him terribly. So, I'm going to try to give Washington the benefit of the doubt and say they will actually have a good pick.
Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
His knee injuries hurt his draft stock, but he is still the best DE in the draft. He's a play maker and can help the Redskins. I know you expected offense here, but I think they'll wait till the second round to address it.
