Eight Is Enough: My Final Look at the First Round of the 2011 NFL Draft Part 1

Here’s a eighth and final look at the first round of the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn: All signs seem to be pointing towards Cam Newton as the No. 1 pick.

I’m not sure it’s the right decision, but the Panthers will have to live with it.

Previous Pick: Cam Newton, QB Auburn

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: Cam Newton would breathe life into the franchise, but with him out of the picture, the Bills turn to the athletic Miller.

Previous Pick: Von Miller, DE/LB, Texas A & M

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: I had Gabbert going to the Bengals, but they seem to stubborn to to consider Carson Palmer’s threats legitimate.

I think they’ll try to mend fences by cutting ties with T.O. and giving Palmer a shiny, new toy.

Previous Pick: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

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.

Even though Gabbert is available, I think they go with the more “can’t miss” prospect.

Previous Pick: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

6. Cleveland Browns: Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina: With A.J. Green off the board, the Browns will address their pass rush need.

Previous Pick: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska: With Gabbert in the picture, he will get strong consideration, but I think his slide continues one more pick.

Previous Pick: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

8. Tennessee Titans:  Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri: I still like Fairley for the Titans, but they are floating downstream without a paddle at quarterback.

Gabbert could easily go number one in this draft. It would be hard to imagine the Titans passing on him.

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: Jake Locker, QB, Washington: The Redskins need playmakers, but they must address the quarterback position first.

Previous Pick: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith, DE/LB, Missouri: The Texans’ switch to a 3-4 defense creates a need for an rush linebacker. Smith is the top choice available.

Previous Pick: Robert Quinn, LB/DE, North Carolina

12. Minnesota Vikings:  Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn: With Locker out of the picture, a quarterback doesn’t make sense here.

Julio Jones is a possibility, but Leslie Frasier is a defensive-minded coach. Pat Williams may not return to Minnesota so pairing Fairley with Kevin Williams makes sense.

Previous Pick: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

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: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama: Suddenly, Sam Bradford has an explosive weapon.

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: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue: 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 of the 2011 NFL Draft.