NFL Draft 2011: A Fourth Look at the First 16 Picks

Here’s a fourth look at the first sixteen picks of the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.

1.  Carolina Panthers:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri:  I'm more convinced that the Panthers will take a quarterback in the draft. Jimmy Clausen will likely have to go somewhere else to get a shot. Cam Newton is a popular pick, but I'll stick with the best QB in the draft going number one.
Previous Pick:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

2.  Denver Broncos:   Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama:  Dareus dramatically improved his stock at the NFL Combine and he fills a need at tackle for the Broncos.
Previous Pick:  Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabam

3.  Buffalo Bills:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn:  The Bills need a QB in the worst way. They also need a buzz. I know it’s not apples to apples, but if Blake Griffin can make the Clippers relevant, Newton can give the Bills hope.
Previous Pick:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

4.  Cincinnati Bengals:  Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M:  Da'Quan Bowers knee is becoming a concern. The Bengals turn to Von Miller instead. Miller is a freakish athlete that could immediately improve their pass rush.
Previous Pick:  Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

5.  Arizona Cardinals:  Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina:  With Miller gone, the Cardinals turn to Robert Quinn, who could end up being the best DE in the draft anyway.
Previous Pick:  Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M

6.  Cleveland Browns:  A.J. Green, WR, Georgia:  What a turn of events for the Browns. Suddenly they find themselves with the opportunity to take a game-changing wide receiver. All of the sudden Colt McCoy has a chance.
Previous Pick:  A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

7.  San Francisco 49ers:  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU:  Peterson still makes sense for the 49ers. He could be the top talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Previous Pick:  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

8.  Tennessee Titans:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: Finally the slide stops for Fairley. With Gabbert and Newton off the board, it only makes sense to improve on the defensive side of the ball.
Previous Pick:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

9.  Dallas Cowboys:  Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: In this scenario Prince is both available and sensible for the Cowboys.
Previous Pick:   Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

10.  Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama:  The Redskins have a major shortage of skill position players so Jones is still the pick. He burned up the track on a broken foot.
Previous Pick:  Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

11.  Houston Texans:  Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson:  Bowers knee forces him out of the top ten, but Houston is there waiting with open arms.
Previous Pick:  Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina

12.  Minnesota Vikings:  Jake Locker, QB, Washington:  The Vikings are not going to trade for Kevin Kolb or Kyle Orton. They aren’t going to find their answer at quarterback via free agency. They could try to trade down and take Locker later, but with so many teams in need of a quarterback, they may be best served taking Locker at 12.
Previous Pick:   Jake Locker, QB, Washington

13.  Detroit Lions:  Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri:  I’m beginning to think the Lions may still need to improve their offensive line to protect Matthew Stafford, but I’m sticking with Aldon Smith to improve their pass rush.
Previous Pick:  Previous Pick:  Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

14.  St. Louis Rams:  Cameron Jordan, DE, California:  They need to add a WR, but that can wait. No change here. The Rams add Jordan to improve their pass rush.
Previous Pick:  Cameron Jordan, DE, California

15.  Miami Dolphins:  Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State:  The Dolphins need RB help, but running backs are much easier to find than franchise quarterbacks.  Ponder looked great in the Senior Bowl and at the combine.
Previous Pick:  Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

16.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa:  The Jags have struggled to find the right mix at defensive end. They managed just 26 sacks last year, which was second to only Denver.
Previous Pick:  Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa 


Click here to see picks 17-32.