Are You Mocking Me? Worst Case Scenario for the Top 10 Picks of the 2011 Draft
When Roger Goodell steps up to that podium, fans across the nation hold their breath in anticipation for the player their team just picked in the first round. On April 28th as player's names are called there will be cheering and crying. There will be applause and cursing. Every pick will be analyzed microscopically when their name is called.
Everyone is interested in the best case scenario for their team. Well, instead of looking at the glass half full, we are going to look at the half empty glass. Here is a look at the worst case scenario for each of the top 10 team's first round draft pick.
1. Carolina Drafts Cam Newton
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It is an absolute fact that the Carolina Panthers need a quarterback in the worst way. We saw what Jimmy Clausen can do and I'm quite sure my eight-year-old niece could play better. It is also an absolute fact that Cam Newton possesses a rare combination of athletic ability and talent that has never been seen in the NFL.
However, there are too many question marks surrounding Newton's character to be ignored. If I were Carolina, I would take the best player in the draft, whether that is A.J. Green, Marcell Dareus, or Patrick Peterson, and run the ball 99 percent of the time.
2. Denver Doesn't Address Its Defense
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Denver needs to improve their defense in the worst way. There are currently four "can't miss" defensive prospects: Patrick Peterson, Von Miller, Marcell Dareus, and Prince Amukamara. Peterson is the best of the bunch and if he is available with the second pick, Denver needs to take him. He has all the tools to be a play making, Pro Bowl cornerback for years and years and his skill set has been compared to Charles Woodson.
If Denver drafts either a quarterback or wide receiver with this pick and I were a Broncos fan, I would be very, very angry at John Elway.
3. Buffalo Doesn't Pick Cam Newton
3 of 10
Everything I previously said about Cam Newton is still true, but Buffalo needs a new face for their franchise. Newton would instantly fill seats in Buffalo and would bring in swarms of new fans. His playing style would give the Bills offense a much needed makeover. Newton also couldn't get into much trouble up in Buffalo, as it is nearly impossible to go outside due to the cold for nine months of the year.
Newton is a huge risk, but Buffalo has been so bad for so long that they need a little excitement in their lives. There is no player that will be more exciting to watch than Cam Newton.
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4. Cinncinnati Trades Carson Palmer on Draft Day
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This might sound a little crazy, but I think Palmer is going to have a huge comeback year this year. I know his play has been on a downfall for the past three or four years, but I think he still has it. I also think that if Cincinnati can add a player like Julio Jones in the draft, they could make a run at the AFC North title. Cincinnati still has a good and young defense, even if they struggled at times last year.
Palmer has threatened to retire if he isn't traded, but Cincinnati is only one year removed from the playoffs and if they can give Palmer a new stud receiver to throw to who isn't a basket case, he should stay and help them win.
5. Arizona Is Forced to Settle for Ryan Mallett at Quarterback
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The only team who needs a quarterback more than Carolina is the Arizona Cardinals. Their trio of Derek Anderson, Max Hall, and John Skelton was a major failure. Now Ryan Mallett isn't a terrible quarterback by any means, but he isn't worth the fifth draft pick. He probably has the best arm of any quarterback in the draft this year, but has major off-field issues that need to be figured out.
If Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton are gone in the first four picks, Mallett is Arizona's only option. Hopefully they can trade up later in the round to grab him, but I don't know if they want to risk losing him to another team like San Francisco or Tennessee.
6. Cleveland Doesn't Get A.J. Green or Julio Jones
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It is highly unlikely that A.J. Green is still available with the sixth pick, but if Julio Jones is available, Cleveland needs to pick him. Jones has a rare skill set of strength, speed, and willpower and would be the anchor of Cleveland's receiving group for years to come. He would also be a major help in the development of Colt McCoy. Having a player to throw to like Jones would be an instant confidence boost to McCoy.
I've heard people saying that Cleveland doesn't need to address wide receiver in the first round, but that is just crazy talk. Benjamin Watson was their leader in receiving yards last year. Enough said.
7. San Francisco Doesn't Draft a Cornerback
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The 49ers got demolished through the air last year. For example, Matt Moore, who was replaced by Jimmy Clausen, threw for over 300 yards against San Francisco. That is just bad for any team. The 49ers also need a quarterback, but will most likely wait until the second round to draft one.
Patrick Peterson will definitely be gone, but Prince Amukamara is a shutdown corner who has been compared to Darrelle Revis. He would be an instant upgrade over any corner on San Francisco's roster.
Unless Jim Harbaugh sees something in a quarterback to warrant the seventh pick, the only other option for San Francisco should be cornerback.
8. Tennessee Doesn't Draft the Best Available Player
8 of 10
The Titans have needs almost across the whole board, so drafting the best player available with the eighth pick seems to make sense. My guess is that player will be Robert Quinn, a dominating defensive end oozing with potential. Quinn missed the entire 2010 season for the Tar Heels due to suspension, but he appeared as if he hadn't missed a day of practice at the combine. He has the power and quickness to terrorize opposing quarterbacks for the next decade.
With so many needs, Tennessee needs to take the best player available, whether that is Quinn is up for debate, but they can't waste this pick looking to address too specific of a need.
9. Dallas Doesn't Trade Down
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The Cowboys already have good players at the important positions, but could really use a solid offensive tackle. The ninth pick seems a little high to take any of this years tackles, so Dallas should trade down a few picks and look to wrap up a player like Gabe Carimi. They could move anywhere from 15 to 20 and still get a starting caliber offensive tackle.
Offensive line is Dallas' biggest need and if they could trade down and pick up some later round draft picks while still getting the player they need, they should definitely do it.
10. Washington Decides Rex Grossman Is Their Future Quarterback
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Let me set the record straight. I loved Rex Grossman when he played for the Bears. I knew that every time Rex stepped on the field against the Packers, the Bears were either going to lose or Rex was going to get hurt. I'm sorry to say this, but Rex Grossman shouldn't be starting for any NFL team. For the Redskins to not attempt to pick a quarterback in the first round would mean that they are settling with Grossman for another year and that is just a mistake.
I would take Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, or Ryan Mallett before settling on Grossman if I was Washington. Heck, I would take Andy Dalton, Ricky Stanzi, or Colin Kaepernick before settling on Grossman. Heck, I would take my little sister before settling on...I'm just kidding.
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