NFL Draft 2011: 5 Things To Look for on Draft Day
The NFL Draft is awesome. It's the only draft that makes you become a human couch potato for three days, and the 2011 NFL Draft could be one of the most exciting in recent years.
With an arsenal of quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive ends and cornerbacks, there is a ton of potential.
There are five things to look for on Draft Day come April.
Now, what are they?
5. Mr. Irrelevant
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Probably the most disappointing label for any player to have is Mr. Irrelevant, a nickname given to the last player selected in the NFL Draft. This person rarely ever makes a career in the NFL.
On the other hand, at least the prospect can say he was drafted.
4. Who Will Be the First Cornerback Selected?
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In 2011, who will be the first cornerback selected?
There is a display of corners in this year's draft.
However, Patrick Peterson of LSU is the most touted corner since Champ Bailey, who was drafted seventh overall by the Washington Redskins in 1999.
Besides Peterson, there are two other corners who could shock the nation on Draft Day: Prince Amukamara of Nebraska and Jimmy Smith of Colorado.
3. How Many Wide Receivers Will Go in the First Round?
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In 2010, there were only two receivers selected in the first round: Demaryius Thomas by Denver and Dez Bryant by Dallas.
This year, we won't see an explosion of wideouts in the first round like the 2009 draft, when there were six receivers off the board in the first round.
However, there very well could be four receivers selected in the first round in 2011.
A.J. Green of Georgia
At 6'4", he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the NFL Combine this past week and was already considered a top 10 pick.
Julio Jones of Alabama
He is another guy with a big frame at 6'4" who showed off his PF Flyers at the Combine, running the third-fastest time for receivers with a 4.39 40-yard dash.
Randall Cobb of Kentucky
This guy is a speed demon who recorded a 40-time of 4.46.
Torrey Smith of Maryland
Known as a small receiver who plays with a lot of heart, he tied for fourth out of all receivers at the Combine with a 4.43 40-yard dash time.
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2. Who Will Your Team Select with Its First Pick?
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This is the biggest question fans ask themselves all offseason leading up to Draft Day.
It's the selection that will make you either as excited as a kid on Christmas, or cry like when your grandma gets you a new sweater instead of the video game you wanted.
Usually, when a team has a first or second-round pick, they want to address the position they need an immediate impact at.
So, it all depends on who your team is and what it needs.
1. Who Will the Carolina Panthers Select with the First Pick?
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The Carolina Panthers have a multitude of needs.
They have offensive question marks at wide receiver, tight end and even quarterback. The Panthers could shock the world and select Cam Newton No. 1 overall and get a possible franchise player for years to come.
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers need an interior lineman, pass rusher and possibly another corner.
Most would say if Carolina goes defense, it will select Da'Quan Bowers or Nick Fairley.
However, I believe new head coach Ron Rivera could surprise a lot of people by selecting Marcell Dareus.
Darues can do an array of things—he can take the double-team inside and fly off the ball on the outside.
Watch out for Marcell Dareus to be the No. 1 pick in 2011.
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
