2011 NFL Draft Grades: Thursday's 10 Biggest Fails
At 8 p.m. ET, I figured it would be a stretch to find five picks that I really took issue with.
Three hours later, its hard to find five I don't take issue with. Seriously, narrowing it down to only the 10 biggest draft fails of the day was a challenge.
I did like a few picks, my congratulations to the Detroit Lions and Nick Fairley
However, the glut of quarterbacks taken early in the first round was disgusting. It's hard to fathom who is behind these picks, but it's clear: This is not a talent-laden quarterback draft and yet multiple teams not in need of a quarterback felt compelled to waste their first round pick by drafting a QB.
I've got no issues with Carolina and Cam Newton. I do have issues with the rest, and a few teams who needed to upgrade under center and failed to do so.
Dennis Miller like rant aside, these are the 10 biggest fails of day one of the 2011 NFL Draft.
The Indianapolis Colts Draft Anthony Costanzo with the 22nd Pick
1 of 10
The Colts have an awesome offense but can they stop the pass?
Their most valuable asset is Peyton Manning. Drafting Anthony Costanzo protects their most prized asset. But, couldn't they have done so later in the draft? Costanzo might not have dropped to the second round, but the middle rounds are loaded with potential steals that could mature on the Colts bench.
The Colts could not sack opposing quarterbacks, nor could they intercept them. Cornerback and defensive line are deep with first round talent. The Colts sacked or intercepted opposing quarterbacks on only seven percent of drop backs last year. That only the Broncos did a worse job of pressuring the opposing quarterback last year.
Perhaps protecting their most valuable asset actually wasn't the most prudent decision the Colts could make.
The Seahawks Reach for James Carpenter with the 25th Pick
2 of 10
James Carpenter is a good offensive lineman in a tough conference.
But the Seahawks really jumped the gun with this pick. Most analysts had Carpenter going in the late second round. Their hadn't really been any sort of run on O-linemen so it seems strange that the Seahawks would panic and over reach on Carpenter.
Skill set wise, Carpenter is raw, but talented, he will have Tom Cable to work with in Seattle and could blossom into a prominent member of the Seattle offense.
Drafting someone in the first round, doesn't make them a first round talent.
Cincinatti Bengals Draft AJ Green with the 4th Pick
3 of 10
I don't hate the player, I hate the game, or team in this case.
The Bengals already have a variety of wide receiver talent with Jordan Shipley behind TO and Chad Ochocinco/Johnson. Regardless if their top receivers return or not, taking a wide receiver in the first round is a dangerous proposition, see Darius Heyward Bey.
They are in quarterback trouble with Carson Palmer demanding a trade. I suppose the Bengals idea was to appease Palmer with more wideouts to throw to, but in this case it appears misplaced.
AJ Green will be a solid wide out with a chance to be a breakout player in the NFL. He was taken too high, and by the wrong team. He will require a bit of time in the Bengals system to become a contributing player.
Again I'm not knocking green, just the Bengals for taking him with this pick.
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The New England Patriots Draft Nate Solder with the 17th Pick
4 of 10
The Patriots always manage to surprise at the NFL Draft.
The Patriots have had one the best offensive lines in the the NFL over the last decades. Why are they trying to change that?
A major problem for New England has been their lack of pass rush. Nate Solder will be a good NFL offensive lineman. He could be very good on New England but when will he get a chance? If the Patriots maintain their line Solder could be in for a long time on the bench.
The Patriots decided to add to their strength, but will their lack of defensive initiative hurt them in the end.
Jacksonville Jaguars Trade Up to Take Blaine Gabbert at Number 10
5 of 10
The Jaguars needed to shore up their defense. Maybe they forgot they had a quarterback.
The Jags traded up from the 16th pick to take Blaine Gabbert with the 10th pick via the Washington Redskins. The trade doesn't bother me, the player taken does.
Blaine Gabbert had a phenomenal season at quarterback, two years ago. Last year, he did not fair so well. His completion numbers declined and his interception numbers increased. He is "mobile" in the collegiate sense, but his skills their won't translate to the NFL.
He will get a few years seasoning behind David Garrard, but frankly the Jaguars have many larger needs on their defense. Their pass defense was worst in the league.They allowed the most yards per dropback and really need a pass stopper either in the pass rush or in the secondary.
Gabbert was a pick for the future, but perhaps the Jaguars needed to look to their immediate defensive issues.
The Cleveland Browns Trade Up to Take Phil Taylor at 21st
6 of 10
Is Colt McCoy destined for greatness? He better be.
The Cleveland Browns traded up six spots to 21st to take nose tackle Phil Taylor. No issues with Taylor. I've got issues with an offense that averaged less than 17 points per game using their first-round pick to improve defense.
The Browns are not a good football team and, while this pick may help them with their run defense, their offense is going to continue to struggle until they make some serious tweaks to their offensive corps.
The Minnesota Vikings Take Christian Ponder with the 12th Pick
7 of 10
This one has me shaking my head.
I get that the Vikings need a quarterback. Tavaris Jackson and Joe Webb are not the Vikings quarterbacks of the future. Sadly, neither is Christian Ponder.
He has many questions about his durability and when flushed out of the pocket he runs recklessly. In his college years he has rarely looked impressive. TCU's Andy Dalton is a much more accomplished and talented play that is still on the board after day one.
Perhaps there is still time for the Vikings to pick him up in day two.
The Tennesse Titans Take Jake Locker with the Eighth Pick
8 of 10
The Titans finally decided to move beyond the Vince Young era.
Now begins the era of Jake Locker. Something tells me they might yield similar results. Jake Locker is at best a decent quarterback.
His college numbers were less than spectacular, partially due to an inferior supporting cast. But some of his career 55 percent completion rate is the fault of Locker.
He was tabbed as the third best quarterback in the draft which I feel is a reach. The Titans know they need to move on from Vince Young, but they took a quarterback who's style is very similar and who's skill set has many red flags at the NFL level.
I see Jake Locker as a less talented Tim Tebow type, a guy who can run and pass, but can't do either at a high enough level to be a starting quality NFL quarterback.
The San Francisco 49ers Don't Take a Quarterback with the Seventh Pick
9 of 10
Aldon Smith might be a fine defensive end someday, perhaps even soon.
I have no problem with Aldon Smith, its another A. Smith that I have a problem with. By drafting Aldon, the Niners have essentially told Alex Smith that he is their quarterback for the 2011 season.
The Niners needed to finally concede the Alex Smith experiment is over. Now it continues, mercilessly. I have heard rumors from the Philadelphia Daily News that the Niners are looking to flip Aldon Smith for Kevin Kobb, and, if true, please disregard my previous statements.
If untrue, be prepared for a very tough first season for Jim Harbaugh.
Atlanta Falcons Trade Up to Number Six and Draft Julio Jones
10 of 10
Again I don't hate the player, I hate the trade.
Julio Jones has the tools to be a very effective wide receiver. Pairing Jones with Roddy White could create one of the most dynamic pass-catching duos in the NFL. The problem is cost.
The Falcons needed to trade up big time to take Jones at six. They paid, big time. Besides swapping their 27th pick, the Falcons gave Cleveland their second round and fourth round pick in this year's draft. In addition the Falcons sent their 2012 first and fourth round picks to the Browns.
Five picks for one is too steep a price to pay for a very good, but certainly not guaranteed wide receiver.
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