2011 NFL Draft: 25 Key Questions Heading into the Draft
The NFL Draft is approaching fast and teams from all around the league are trying to find answers to some of their franchise's most pressing questions.
Cam Netwon, Blaine Gabbert and other NFL hopefuls are waiting to hear their name called as NFL teams are attempting to put the pieces together to have a quality product whenever the lockout is finished.
This slideshow will take a look at some of the biggest issues around the NFL heading into draft weekend and provide some answers as to the draft plans for some of the league's most intriguing teams.
No. 25: Do the Miami Dolphins Have Their Quarterback?
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The Miami Dolphins have been the subject of many quarterback rumors for the last few months and with only weeks left before the draft, still no solid answer has come full circle.
Chad Henne performed inconsistently in 2010 and rumors of a possible Carson Palmer deal are put on hold until the new collective bargaining agreement is established.
The Dolphins have also been connected to Cam Newton, Jake Locker and Christian Ponder through various ESPN rumor reports.
No. 24: Where Will Kyle Rudolph Go?
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Kyle Rudolph is easily the best tight end prospect in the 2011 draft class but his stock has slipped out of the first round in many mock drafts across the country.
Rudolph has amazing talent, but missed much of last season due to injury. Many teams also have more pressing needs than a play-maker tight end which may cause him to fall away from some of the weaker teams and into the laps of Super Bowl contenders.
Rudolph had 90 receptions during his career at Notre Dame and compiled 1,032 yards along with eight touchdowns.
No. 23: How Healthy Is Stephen Paea?
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Stephen Paea made headlines around the NFL Combine as he broke the record for most bench press repetitions with 225 pounds for any player in combine history.
Although that feat was impressive, his injury concerns have scouts and fans wondering how that strength will translate into the NFL.
Paea suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee during Senior Bowl practices and has not had a formal workout in front of NFL scouts. Paea was formerly mocked as a first round selection but may be falling as many teams have put him on the shelf.
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No. 22: Colt McCoy? Jake Delhomme? Someone Else?
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The Cleveland Browns are just one of many teams that seem to be making waves when it comes to their quarterback situation for next season. The team has labeled Colt McCoy as the quarterback of the future but has more recently held private workouts with Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick.
Jake Delhomme will also be asked to take a pay cut before next season in order to remain on the roster.
Team president, Mike Holmgren, likes to keep all options open on draft day. Cleveland fans just hope they're not headed for another quarterback controversy.
No. 21: What Is Patrick Peterson Worth?
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Patrick Peterson looks like he will be a shutdown corner for the next several years in the NFL but his draft position seems to be one of the main topics of discussion among the NFL community.
Many experts feel that Peterson has the potential to be taken first overall by the Carolina Panthers while others have him falling to the Cleveland Browns at number six or the San Francisco 49ers at seven.
If Peterson falls out of the top five he will more than likely be considered a steal by NFL Draft standards. His impact on the field should be felt immediately in 2011 and his selection will have a very significant impact on how the top ten picks are chosen.
No. 20: How Good Is Jonathan Baldwin?
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Jonathan Baldwin has already drawn comparisons to Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals and he is yet to play a snap in the NFL.
Baldwin has good size and speed and put up some quality numbers in 2010 as he caught 53 passes and five touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Baldwin's numbers actually declined in 2010, which led to him falling behind the likes of A.J. Green and Julio Jones on many draft big boards. Teams that are interested in Baldwin will have to hope he can return to his 2009 form where he posted 58 catches for 1,111 yards and eight touchdowns.
No. 19: Who Can Run in Miami?
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The Dolphins make their second appearance on this list as the team has now parted ways with their top two rushers from last season and will most likely be looking for help in the backfield during the NFL Draft.
Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both have free agency opportunities to go elsewhere next season and Miami seems well aware of their intentions as they have been linked to prospects Mark Ingram and Ryan Williams over the last several weeks.
Ingram looks as if he would be a perfect fit in Steve Sparano's offense as the former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama has a downhill rushing style and can also become a pass receiving option out of the backfield.
No. 18: What Will New England Do with All of Their Picks?
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The New England Patriots have six picks in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft and with the team's history of success, it will be very interesting to see who they can pick up.
The Patriots have had some of the best draft classes in the past decade and it has resulted in multiple Super Bowl victories and playoff appearances.
No. 17: Was Nick Fairley a One-Year Wonder?
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Nick Fairley had a tremendous year for the Auburn Tigers but many scouts are wondering why it took him so long to develop into such a dominant force.
Fairley's numbers increased dramatically from his first to his second season as he collected 12 sacks and 56 tackles while leading the Tigers defense to a BCS National Championship.
Fairley has taken a lot of criticism for his athletic build and workout results at the combine but while his on the field production as high as it was, it will take a great amount of careful scouting to draft him into the NFL.
No. 16: Do the Buffalo Bills Need Another Quarterback?
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The Buffalo Bills will be in a position to draft one of the top quarterbacks available but with Ryan Fitzpatrick's emergence last season, one would have to wonder if the team needs another signal caller.
Fitzpatrick did not have a Pro Bowl caliber season for the Bills, but did improve in every statistical category from the previous season and finally solidified himself as a team leader.
The Bills could also do a variety of different things with their top draft picks as the team has a number of holes on the defense that could use an upgrade.
No. 15: Will New Quarterbacks Have Enough Time to Learn?
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With the collective bargaining agreement sidelining the players for an uncertain amount of time, concerns regarding practice time would have to factor into a team's decision to draft a quarterback.
Training camp could possibly be cut short due to the lockout and games could even be missed if the owners and players association can not work out a deal. This situation would put rookies far behind schedule and possibly hinder a team's progress for an entire season or more.
No. 14: What's Up with the Cincinnati Bengals?
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Carson Palmer has threatened to retire instead of playing for the Bengals next season and Chad Ochocino is off playing soccer rather than doing football-related activities.
The team is surrounded by a world of uncertainty and can hopefully figure it out before it comes time to draft a franchise player.
No. 13: Can Greg McElroy Handle the NFL?
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Greg McElroy was a former National Champion with the Alabama Crimson Tide and is an impressive talent coming out of the highly regarded SEC.
After scoring a 43/50 on the Wonderlic Test at the NFL Combine, McElroy impressed scouts with his football knowledge and some even think that he may be too smart to play in the NFL.
Even though McElroy has the brain power, he still has a lot to learn about the quarterback position while many scouts are calling him a disciple of Tom Brady.
Only time will tell how good McElroy will be at the next level but he surely has the skills to take him to the top.
No. 12: What Are the Minnesota Vikings Draft Plans?
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Brett Favre has officially retired again and Tavaris Jackson is slated to become a free agent as the Minnesota Vikings look to rebuild the franchise heading into the summer months.
The Vikings have worked with multiple quarterbacks during the draft process and have even been linked to possible rumors of trading up to acquire a top talent.
Minnesota ended 2010 ranked 26th in the league in passing offense and 29th in overall points per game.
No. 11: Who Will Be the Shock of the 1st Round?
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The Denver Broncos shocked the NFL when they selected Tim Tebow in the first round last year. Tebow was not expected to go off the board until early in the second and many teams expected him to slip even farther.
It is hard to predict what players teams may make a stretch for this season but rest assured there will be at least a few "head scratchers" in the first round.
No. 10: Is Da'Quan Bowers' Knee Fully Healed?
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Da'Quan Bowers has reportedly failed multiple physicals while trying to deal with a nagging knee injury that is beginning to worry some teams with higher draft picks.
Bowers is an elite pass rushing talent but if he can not overcome his injuries he will quickly turn into a draft bust and have a short career in the NFL. Bowers has been mocked in every pick from first to sixth and has been declared as a question mark even for teams who are searching for defensive talent.
No. 9: Is Mark Ingram an Elite Rushing Talent?
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Mark Ingram quietly rushed for 23 touchdowns last season after his phenomenal Heisman Trophy performance in 2009. The Alabama running back displayed his powerful style and quick lateral movements as he cut through the defense for 875 yards and did it all after missing the first two games of the season.
Ingram will be taken in the first round of this draft and will more than likely be the first running back taken off the board. His talents should translate well to the NFL but do not expect him to be taken in the top 15 picks.
No. 8: Will the Bengals Go Offense or Defense?
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No. 7: Is Tony Romo the Quarterback of the Future in Dallas?
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Tony Romo missed a great part of the 2010 season due to a shoulder injury and watched as the Cowboys limped to a 6-10 record.
Romo has had success with the Cowboys throughout his career but has failed to deliver the Super Bowl championship that Jerry Jones so desperately wants. Even though it is hard to see Romo being shipped out of town next season, his time may be running out as the quarterback of America's Team.
No. 6: Is Jimmy Clausen Done in Carolina?
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Jimmy Clausen struggled mightily in his first season with the Carolina Panthers and now many are expecting the team to look for another quarterback with the first overall pick. With Clausen not performing well and Matt Moore sitting as the seasoned veteran, Clausen may soon find himself as a third stringer on one of the worst teams in the league.
No. 5: What Does Blaine Gabbert Have over Cam Newton?
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Blaine Gabbert did not receive as much media attention as Cam Newton during the 2010 season but mock draft experts seem to have the two as equals when it comes to draft stock. Gabbert is a true pocket passer that has struggled with accuracy at times but has a much larger body of work than Newton at the college level.
Gabbert started for Missouri for two seasons and threw for more than 6,000 yards and 40 touchdowns throughout his career.
No. 4: Will the Raiders Go for the Fastest Player?
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The Oakland Raiders have made a poor habit of drafting the fastest players in the class rather than fulfilling specific team needs. Even though that does not seem to be the case this year, Raider fans will likely have this in the back of their mind until their top picks are off the board.
No. 3: Can Robert Quinn Return to Form in the NFL?
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Robert Quinn missed the entire 2010 season at North Carolina as he was declared ineligible by the NCAA.
In his prior two seasons before 2010, Quinn posted strong numbers as he compiled 11 sacks in 2009 and had two forced fumbles each season. Teams should be weary of Quinn because they will be evaluating him based on statistics from over one year ago. A year away from the game of football can have a significant impact on a player and Quinn will be no different.
Given the flashes of brilliance that he showed in the college game, NFL fans can only hope that he can return to form.
No. 2: Who Will Trade Up or Trade Down?
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First round trades are probably the most intriguing events in the entire draft process and could have a significant impact on the upcoming season due to the NFL lockout.
Teams such as the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans have reportedly been interested in moving down in the drafting process while teams like the Dallas Cowboys wouldn't mind moving up.
Trading will be harder this year as players will not be able to be exchanged but fans should expect to see at least a few deals go down over draft weekend.
No. 1: The Carolina Panthers Select...
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The Carolina Panthers have been on the clock since the Super Bowl and experts still do not have much of an indication as to what the team may do. Many believe that Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton will become the new franchise quarterback while some believe that defense will be the key to the Panthers plans.
The Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen in 2010 and signed Matt Moore as a free agent it 2007; Former Cincinnati Bearcats standout, Tony Pike, was also drafted by the team last season.
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