2011 NFL Draft Grades: Reviewing Top 4 Picks of 2011 Draft

In the 2011 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals had picks 1-4 respectively, and there was some surprise, but not much.

With the first selection, the Panthers selected Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, a classic boom-or-bust prospect.

At No. 2, the Broncos selected Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, an explosive pass rusher who had 28 sacks in his last two years with the Aggies.

At No. 3, the Bills selected Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus to shore up their run defense; he's a strong, athletic run-stopper who can also rush the passer.

And with the fourth selection of the 2011 NFL draft, the Bengals grabbed the preeminent wideout in the draft for the possible departures of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. A.J. Green could become the next superstar receiver in the National Football League.

For a look at my grades for each selection, read on, fellow football fans.

1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Cam Newton, #1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers holds up a jersey on stage after he was picked during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers had needs at quarterback, defensive tackle and cornerback coming into the 2011 NFL draft.

With the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft, your Panthers select...Cam Newton, QB, Auburn.

Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a national championship in 2010, becoming the second player in NCAA history to rush for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for at least 20 touchdowns.

He's a classic boom-or-bust prospect, with the ability to be a perennial Pro Bowler and the question marks that have people thinking of Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young.

His NFL combine performance was concerning, but his play on the field is hard to dismiss.

GRADE: C+

I am obviously one of those guys who didn't think the Panthers should have selected Newton. He has too much uncertainty associated with him, ranging from his accuracy at the NFL combine to what happens when he can't run past defenses the way he used to.

The Panthers could have gone with the top cornerback and top player in the draft in LSU's Patrick Peterson, given Richard Marshall is likely gone and Chris Gamble disappointed in 2010.

They also could have gone with Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.

Both would have been better picks in my opinion—two players with less risk and just as much potential.

2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Von Miller, #2 overall pick by the Denver Broncos, as he holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Ph

The Denver Broncos needed a defensive pass rush first and foremost in the 2011 NFL draft. They found a strong player in Texas A&M outside linebacker Von Miller, who had 28 sacks in his last two seasons. That's two sacks more than the Broncos had as a team last season.

He was the third-best player in the draft in my opinion, behind LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson and Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus.

He could become a force in the NFL for a team that desperately needs a difference-maker to get to the quarterback.

GRADE: B+

READ MORE: NFL Draft 2011 Results, Draft Grades: Live Blogging and Grading the Picks

The Broncos made a very solid pick in Miller, who figures to be a handful rushing off the edge, so they did address a primary need in rushing the passer. But because I thought Dareus would have been a better player for them overall, I'm going to give them a B+ instead of an A here. Solid pick, though. Broncos fans can't be unhappy with this selection.

3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Marcell Dareus, #3 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills, as Dareus holds up a jersey during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Phot

The Buffalo Bills could have gone for a linebacker, defensive lineman or quarterback here, but they decided to shore up the D-line after allowing the second-most rushing yards in a single season in franchise history last year.

Marcell Dareus has tremendous potential, and he comes with no character or injury concerns. He exploded out of the gates during pre-draft workouts, and he could become a franchise player for a Bills team looking to assert itself in 2010.

They could have gone with quarterback Blaine Gabbert here or defensive tackle Nick Fairley, but they probably figured QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was good for at least another season after an impressive campaign in 2010, and Fairley had character concerns.

GRADE: B+

I would give the Bills an "A" here if I didn't believe they should have taken LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, the best player in the draft. Corner wasn't a primary need for the Bills, but when you have Tom Brady in your division, you need a lockdown corner. Peterson could have been this player.

But you can't exactly be mad at them for selecting Dareus, who could be a star in the NFL. He rose up teams' big boards for a reason.

4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver A.J. Green of Georgia runs with the ball during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals figured to pick a receiver or a quarterback here. Receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco could be gone by the start of the season, and Bengals QB Carson Palmer wants out of Cincy fast.

Georgia receiver A.J. Green was the obvious choice, given he projects to be a superstar playmaker in the NFL. He'll greatly help out anyone the Bengals choose to plug under center in 2011. With his athleticism, out-of-this-world leaping ability, route-running and speed, this guy looks like he has it all to be an impact player.

No real surprise here, but that's a good thing in my mind. Green could be something truly special, and he fills an immediate need with the chance to start right away for the Bengals.

GRADE: A

Honestly, who were the Bengals going to take here? They got the chance to pick the preeminent wideout in the draft with Owens and Ochocinco being disgruntled, and they hit a home run by selecting Green. He fills a primary need and is one of the best players in the draft, and he easily could be one of the top five players that come out of the draft.