For football fans it may be the only excitement that is seen for a
period of time due to the lockout threatening regular season games. The
t’s have been crossed and the I’s have been dotted and now lets’ see
what your favorite team is expected to do in round one.
1. Carolina Panthers-Marcel Dareus-Defensive Tackle-Alabama
I know it may shock some with this move, but The Panthers can still select a quarterback in round two if they have given up on Jimmy Clausen. New Panther head coach Ron Rivera is a defensive minded coach and he will need a good defense in a division with quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. Dareus is a play maker on the defensive line who makes players around him better.
2. Denver Broncos-Nick Fairley-Defensive Tackle-Auburn
New Bronco head coach John Fox loves offense and new general manager John Elway loves offense, so something will have to give. The fans in Denver love Tim Tebow and would like to see the former Heisman Trophy winner get a chance to show that he can play the quarterback position in The NFL.
The defense was terrible to be kind in 2010 and they need to start
over. Fairley plays with a mean streak and has a knack to take over a
game. In The 2011 BCS Title Game, Fairley spent as much time in The
Oregon backfield as Oregon tailback LaMichael James is helping Auburn to a National Title.
3. Buffalo Bills-Blaine Gabbert-Quarterback-Missouri
The bottom line is that The Bills need a face of the franchise at the quarterback position. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the solution at quarterback despite what Bills head coach Chan Gailey thinks.
4. Cincinnati Bengals-A.J. Green-Wide Receiver-Georgia
Last
year it was all about The Big 12 in round one and now The SEC is
reigning supreme. Green is the best receiver in the draft and he has a
knack for making big plays. Green missed the first four games of 2010
and it is no shock that Georgia was 1-3 in those ballgames.
5. Arizona Cardinals-Von Miller-Outside Linebacker-Texas A&M
If Gabbert drops to this pick, The Cards will scoop him up, but Miller would definitely fit here. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt wants his defense in the mold of The Pittsburgh Steelers, and they need pass rushers from the linebacker position.
6. Cleveland Browns-Julio Jones-Wide Receiver-Alabama
Colt McCoy
has the look of a man that plans on being around for a while as Browns
quarterback and now it is time to get a deep threat at wide out. Jones
made a name for himself at The NFL Combine when he ran a 4.34 40 yard
dash with a broken bone in his foot.
7. San Francisco 49ers-Patrick Peterson-Cornerback-LSU
One
of the biggest questions heading into the draft is whether or not The
Niners will draft a quarterback. They will still have the opportunity in
round two and Peterson who is rated by many as the best player in the
draft will fill a void at corner.
8. Tennessee Titans-Robert Quinn-Defensive End-North Carolina
Although The Titans used a first round pick last year on a defensive end in Derrick Morgan, they still need to bolster the pass rush. Morgan is recovering from an ACL injury and in a division where they face Peyton Manning twice a season, the more pass rushers the better.
9. Dallas Cowboys-Anthony Castonzo-Offensive Tackle-Boston College
Quarterback Tony Romo is looking to bounce back from a broken collarbone and he needs someone to protect his blindside. Drafting Castonzo would give The Cowboys two BC offensive linemen at the tackle positions as Castonzo could team with current right tackle Marc Colombo.
10. Washington Redskins-Cam Newton-Quarterback-Auburn
The bottom line is The Redskins need a quarterback and Rex Grossman
is not the long term answer. Newton still has the chance to be the
first overall selection, but he needs a coach that can tutor him and
show him the in’s and out’s of the position and Redskin head coach Mike Shanahan.
11. Houston Texans-J.J. Watt-Defensive End-Wisconsin
Watt
probably has the most upside of all the potential first round picks.
Watt can play defensive end in both the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. Watt can
also be a stand up pass rusher in the 3-4 system as well as line up at
defensive tackle. The Texans will start to run the 3-4 defense under new
defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and versatile players in the front seven are needed for the scheme to be effective.
12. Minnesota Vikings-Jake Locker-Quarterback-Washington
Plain and simple The Vikes need a quarterback to kick start the post Brett Favre
era. Locker was hurt by staying in school for his senior season as he
would have been the first overall pick last season. Critics can question
Locker’s intangibles such as his accuracy, but he stayed and helped the
turnaround and let The Huskies to their first bowl win 2001. Locker is
as tough as nails and it will not take his teammates at the pro level to
find that out.
13. Detroit Lions-Da’Quan Bowers-Defensive End-Clemson
Bowers
was hurt by a bad showing at his pro day along with questions about his
knee. Eventually someone will have to draft him and for him he can pack
his bags for Motown.
14. St. Louis Rams-Corey Liuget-Defensive Tackle-Illinois
There are several ways The Rams can go with this pick, but is time that they beef up the middle of the defensive line.
15. Miami Dolphins–Mike Pouncey-Guard-Florida
Mike’s twin brother Maurkice helped to anchor the offensive line of The Pittsburgh Steelers and that has helped Mike’s draft stock along with him being pretty good as well. Dolphin head coach Tony Sparano loves to run the football and a tough interior lineman like Pouncey will help.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars-Adrian Clayborn-Defensive End-Iowa
Former first round pick Derrick Harvey has not panned out at defensive end for The Jaguars and it is time to try again.
17. New England Patriots-Gabe Carimi-Offensive Tackle-Wisconsin
Not unless Bill Belichick
receives a sweet offer will he actually trade this pick. As good as The
Pats were in 2010, they still have needs especially on the offensive
line. Matt Light is on the wrong side of 30 and The Patriots still face the possibility of losing Logan Mankins to free agency.
18. San Diego Chargers-Cameron Jordan-Defensive End-California
As good as the defense was last season, they still need improvement on the front. In a division where teams such as The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have strong running games, it is imperative for The Chargers to remain stout on defense.
19. New York Giants-Tyron Smith-USC
Smith will be more
vital as a right tackle. Age and injuries are starting to catch up with
current Giant right tackle Kareem Mckenzie. Smith is tall and athletic
and could be plugged in as a starter immediately.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Ryan Kerrigan-Defensive End-Purdue
Whether it was Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden who was head coach of The Bucs they both had good pass rushers on their respective defenses. With head coach Raheem Morris,
The Bucs are on the verge of something and know they are forming a
defense that will harken to the glory days of the late 90’s and early
2000’s. Kerrigan has a very high motor and can get to the football.
Quarterback Peyton Manning has been spending too much time running away from defenses that he normally doesn’t. At 6’8″ it will be hard for most defensive ends to get around him.
Amukamara is better than being the 23rd overall pick, it is just that
some teams do not have the glaring need like The Eagles at this
position.
priority in this draft will be defense. I won’t be surprised if general
manager Mickey Loomis uses all the team’s picks on defense.
championship, but they need help from the secondary. Smith would have
been drafted higher, but opponents hardly threw the ball his way during
his senior season.
is not getting any younger and it is time to groom his predecessor.
Prior to his season ending hamstring injury, Rudolph was a lock for the
first round. Questions began to mount, but Rudolph put them to bed with a
strong showing at his pro day which moved him back into the first
round.
didn’t have the greatest offensive line last season and his damaged knee
is a testament to that. The Bears have to protect Cutler.
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