2011 NFL Draft Will Be the Most Intriguing Draft Yet

The NFL Draft kicks off tonight with first-round picks only. This is a huge moment not only for the young athletes hoping to hear their name called, but also for the NFL Franchises and their fans.  This moment acts as a reward to the athlete for the countless hours he has spent playing and studying the game of football. For the franchise and fans, the reward comes in in the form of the athlete that has potential to help take the team to the biggest reward of all, the Super Bowl. 

The 2011 draft will be different than any draft that the NFL has staged in previous years.  The on-again-off-again cycle of a work stoppage is threatening to delay the start of the 2011 NFL season. Even though a judge just ended the lockout, when (not if) it’s appealed, the lockout will be implemented.

With a lockout, players are not allowed to train with the coaching staff, practice with the coaching staff or workout at any team facility. They can’t even have contact with any coach or front office staff member of the franchise.

What makes this draft different is the fact that these young athletes, whose dreams of becoming an NFL star will come true at some point between today and Sunday, will join the ranks of unemployment at the moment of being drafted. They’re going to be part of an NFL franchise, but they’re not going to receive the perks of being an NFL player. They won’t get any money, they can’t practice with the team and they can’t use the team’s facilities. Basically, they’re on their own until a deal can be reached.

What makes this draft intriguing is what the teams will do with their picks. Do you take a guy based on talent that can contribute right away, or do you take a guy based on his potential and risk not being able to work on his game in the offseason. The Carolina Panthers, which have the first pick in the 2011 Draft for example, have a tough decision ahead of them. Do you take a quarterback that is unproven but very talented even though you do not need one, or a proven defensive lineman that you know will contribute and you absolutely need?

Quarterbacks are the NFL's precious children. They’re glamorous, put people in the seats and quite frankly, win you ball games. Look at Manning, Brady and Brees, without them their teams would be nothing. No offense to Jimmy Clauson, but he’s not the answer in Carolina. He’s a solid quarterback to get you by until you can groom a new one, but he’s not going to lead them to the playoffs. The Panthers need a solid defensive lineman to fill the void of losing Julius Peppers to the Chicago Bears last offseason. You might think the obvious pick is a defensive lineman, but there are a lot of risks associated with taking a D-Lineman with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. 

Picking a quarterback, for example Cam Newton, will put people in the seats. He can be a huge help to this franchise, but with a lockout the team can’t work with him on their strategies.  Additionally, if Newton is the No. 1 draft pick, the Panthers have to play him, which means Clauson is gone. Here is the problem; with no workouts or team practices, Newton will get absolutely no NFL guidance or help until the lockout issues are resolved. That just sounds like a recipe for failure.

That’s the problem all 32 NFL teams will face this weekend in regards to their picks.  Do you take the attractive player that will fill seats or the experienced player that will make an immediate impact? That is one decision I am glad I do not have to make, and a reason why I am sitting here writing this article instead of out there with the owners, making the calls.