NFL Draft 2011: 10 Bold Predictions for the First Round of the Draft

The NFL Draft never goes the way the experts predict it will.

There's always someone who gets drafted too high and someone who gets drafted too low.

Some teams change their draft strategy at the last second, while some teams seemingly don't have a strategy at all.

I've decided to try my hand at predicting some of the curveballs that will be thrown during the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Here's a list of 10 bold predictions for the first round of this year's draft.

(Note: I don't think these will all come true. I'm just saying each of them individually have a slight chance of happening.)

10. New England Patriots Actually Use Their First Round Picks

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

Bill Belichick and the Patriots are known for stockpiling draft picks.

They've been doing it for years, and now find themselves with a pair of first round draft picks this year.

This is the year they'll actually use them.

With a rookie wage scale likely on the horizon, the Patriots won't be afraid of overpaying for busts this time around.

9. Gabe Carimi Falls to the Green Bay Packers at No. 32

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers sets to block against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2008 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Volunteers won 21 - 17. (Photo by Al Mess

Derek Sherrod has been rising up some teams' draft boards with his solid offseason performances.

If he were to jump ahead of Carimi in the first round, it's reasonable to think that Carimi might fall late into the first round.

It's unlikely he'll fall to the Packers, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

8. Indianapolis Colts Select Andy Dalton with 22nd Pick

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs looks to pass against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star said the Colts held a private workout with Dalton on Monday.

They'd probably love to draft him in the second or third round, but I doubt Dalton will be on the board that long.

If they really want to make him Peyton Manning's backup and heir apparent, they'll need to use their first round pick on him.

7. Someone Will Take Jimmy Smith Too Soon

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies makes a reception against the defense of Jimmy Smith #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during NCAA college football action at Folsom Field on November 7, 2009 in Boulder, Colorado

Smith has first round talent.

But he doesn't have early-to-mid first round talent.

He should get drafted between 24-32 based on his talent level.

However, someone (possibly the Lions at No. 13) will take him too soon.

I just don't think he belongs that high in the first round.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers Trade Up to Get Mike Pouncey

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators hugs teammate Mike Pouncey #55 after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Steelers already have one Pouncey (Maurkice).

It makes sense that they'd try to complete the set in this year's draft.

They'll have to trade up a few spots to make that happen, but it would be worth it.

My guess is that the twins would be better together than they would be apart.

5. Mark Ingram Will Be the Only RB Taken in the First Two Rounds

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ingram is already going to be the only RB taken in the first round.

I'm here to tell you that no RB will be taken in the second round.

Mikel LeShoure and Daniel Thomas and other talented running backs will have to wait until Round Three to come off the board because teams won't want to overpay for guys with an average shelf life of three years.

4. Julio Jones Will Be Taken Before A.J. Green

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty I

Most draft experts have A.J. Green as their highest rated WR in the 2011 draft.

But, Julio Jones will be the first WR taken.

I predict the Bengals will want Jones as a complement to Ochocinco.

His size makes him endearing to Cincy.

3. Da'Quan Bowers Falls out of Top 5

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Concerns about Bowers' knee injury will make him fall out of the top five.

He won't get past the 49ers at No. 7, but that will be the first team that will risk taking him.

The Panthers will be scared away by the fact he hasn't been healthy all offseason.

2. Ryan Mallett Will Be Taken in the First Round

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew

Mallett has some character issues and hasn't performed as well as he should this offseason.

That's caused him to fall out of the first round on most draft boards.

But, there will be a team that will fall in love with his big arm and draft him in the first round.

1. No Quarterback Will Be Taken in the Top 5

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are the best two quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL Draft.

But, they aren't top five worthy.

Gabbert will fall to Tennessee at No. 8 an Newton will fall to the Vikings at No. 12.

But, after all this hype about which QB will be the No. 1 overall pick, the answer will be neither.