2011 NFL Draft: A Seventh Look at Picks 1-16

Here’s a seventh look at the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.

1.  Carolina Panthers:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn:  All signs seem to be pointing towards Cam Newton as the number one pick. I’m not sure it’s the right decision, but the Panthers will have to live with it.
Previous Pick:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

2.  Denver Broncos:   Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama:  Dareus almost seems like a lock. He fills a need at defensive tackle for the Broncos. Fixing their defense, a priority for John Fox, starts on the defensive line.
Previous Pick:  Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

3.  Buffalo Bills:  Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M:  Now that Cam Newton isn’t even a possibility, Miller seems like an obvious choice for the Bills.
Previous Pick:  Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M

4.  Cincinnati Bengals:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri:  Closing the door on the Carson Palmer era, the Bengals take a shot at a new franchise quarterback.
Previous Pick:  Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

5.  Arizona Cardinals:  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU:  Pairing Peterson with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would give the Cardinals one of the best cornerback duos in the league.
Previous Pick:  Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

6.  Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia:  I’m going back to Green. He’s too big of a talent at a position of need for the Browns.
Previous Pick:  Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina

7.  San Francisco 49ers:  Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska:  With Sam Bradford coming off an unbelievable rookie season the Niners will need to improve their secondary.
Previous Pick:  Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

8.  Tennessee Titans:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: Fairley was once in the conversation for the number one pick. He did not have a strong showing at the Combine. He looked good at his Pro Day though, solidifying him as a top ten pick.
Previous Pick:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

9.  Dallas Cowboys:  J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin:  The Cowboys wanted to nab one of the top two corners in the draft, but have to turn their attention elsewhere.
Previous Pick:   J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

10.  Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama:  With A.J. Green off the board, I’m back to Jones going to Washington. They desperately need playmakers.
Previous Pick:  A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

11.  Houston Texans:  Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina:  The Texans’ switch to a 3-4 defense creates a need for a rush linebacker. Robert Quinn could help put Houston over the top.
Previous Pick:  Akeem Ayers DE/OLB, UCLA 

12.  Minnesota Vikings:  Jake Locker, QB, Washington:  As much as I don’t think Locker necessarily provides better value than what they can get in the second round at quarterback, I think it’s enough of a priority for the Vikes to make Locker their quarterback of the future.
Previous Pick:  Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

13.  Detroit Lions:  Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal:  The Lions offensive line wasn’t terrible last year, but Jeff Backus will be 34. It’s time to look to the future to protect Matthew Stafford’s blind side.
Previous Pick:  Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal

14.  St. Louis Rams:  Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri:  They need to add a WR, but that can wait. Adding Aldon Smith to boost their pass rush makes sense.
Previous Pick:  Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri

15.  Miami Dolphins: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State: Chad Henne isn’t it. The Dolphins need to find a quarterback. They don’t have a second round pick so it’s either trade down or find a QB now.
Previous Pick: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

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.