2011 NFL Draft Grades, Picks One to 16: Who Reached and Who Had "Sneaky Success"
After the fans in New York cascaded chant after chant onto Roger Goodell, the draft finally began.
There was no shortage of surprises, with Atlanta moving all of the way up to no. 6 to take Julio Jones.
Jake Locker to Tennessee was another shocker and few suspected Christian Ponder would be a Viking by the end of the night.
Prince Amukama, Mark Ingram, and Anthony Costanzo are all left on the board after the first half of the draft and one can only expect the run on quarterbacks to continue to the latter part of the draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
1 of 16Grade: B+
This has been a foregone conclusion for weeks now, but it is relieving to finally surpass the moment where he received that call and put that Panthers hat on his head.
Newton fits in well with Carolina. They will tailor their offense around him and his strengths. If they are patients, he could become an incredible player and have the Panthers back in the playoffs.
He says that he will put in the work, but it remains to be seen if he is self-motivated enough. He says the first thing he will do is take his mom on vacation, but he needs to take a playbook with him because the NFL life starts now.
2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller, DE, Texas A&M
2 of 16Grade: B-
The best pass rusher in the draft, Miller, has the ability to become a premier edge rusher. Similar to Newton, he has risen up draft boards and he ends up at pick no. 2.
Although undersized slightly, he will be paired with Elvis Dumervil, potentially forming one of the most feared pass-rush combos in the NFL.
I am concerned with his technique though. He will have to be more consistent to succeed at the next level.
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3 of 16Grade: A+
Dareus is incredibly versatile. He can play any position in any scheme, which made him more attractive to Buffalo.
He is a monster, weighing in at 320 lbs., and the best run stuffer in the draft. He also plays with great instincts and should not be shocked by the speed of the NFL. He has a strong personality, but in a positive manner. Dareus will likely start from day one.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
4 of 16Grade: A
A.J. Green heads to a Cincinnati franchise in shambles. Carson Palmer wants out and Chad Johnson may be gone as well.
Green has huge potential though, and could make a Randy Moss type impact in Cincinnati. He makes big plays and his hands are lethal weapons. He isn't too shabby after the catch either.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson
5 of 16Grade: A
The Cards pass on Gabbert for the player considered by some to be the top overall talent in the draft. Arizona will have a dangerous secondary when you consider that he will be paired with Dominique Rodgers Cromartie.
Peterson is a playmaker in every sense of the word. He is an immediate difference maker who will be an elite cornerback in the near future.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
6 of 16Grade: B
In the first trade of the night, Atlanta shockingly trades up to grab the talented wideout from Alabama.
He is physical, tough, and will be a red zone threat. In Atlanta's offense, he will become one of the most sought after rookie fantasy players.
Roddy White and Matt Ryan will love the addition to their already dangerous offense, but it may take him longer to adjust than A.J. Green.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Aldon Smith, LB, Missouri
7 of 16
Grade: C+
Oddly, Smith is the first Missouri product off the board. He is very raw, but the ceiling is very high. He is athletic and can be a ferocious pass rusher.
The shock is that they passed on Blaine Gabbert, who would present good value at pick no.7. Smith is a good fit in the 3-4 though.
8. Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker, QB, Washington
8 of 16
Grade: C-
This was a shocker. Blaine Gabbert was still on the board and is a far safer pick, if that is possible at the quarterback position.
Locker is incredibly inconsistent and his career outlook is very unpredictable. He has the potential to be a star, but the inconsistency to fail and set the Titans back further.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
9 of 16
Grade: B
Finally, another pick goes according to plan.
Roger Goodell butchered his first name, but Smith has been known to butcher defensive linemen's hopes on occasion. He has great ability and looks like an elite talent at times.
He played against good competition in the PAC 10 and could become a Pro-Bowler down the road, but first, he needs to improve as a pass blocker in order to make that transition to the left side.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
10 of 16
Grade: A-
The Jaguars make the questionable move to select the falling quarterback. Gabbert will immediately challenge Garrard for a starting job, but likely won't win it in year one.
He does have the potential to be the future of the franchise. He's a prototypical quarterback who has stellar accuracy and good size.
This is a pick for the future, which typically bodes well as long as they remain patient.
11. Houston Texans: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
11 of 16
Grade: C
Watt is a pure 5-technique who is very physically gifted.
This is a bit of a reach in my mind though. He may have the strength and size, but he is not a difference maker.
Prince Amukamara or Robert Quinn would have made more sense here.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
12 of 16
Grade: B+
As I expected, the run on quarterbacks would begin around the 10th pick.
Many will question it, but I have a good feeling about Ponder. He makes all of the necessary throws and is incredibly smart.
But just when Minnesota fans though they were finished with the crazy quarterback drama...
13. Detroit Lions: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
13 of 16
Grade: A+
This is the steal of the draft. Fairley has a mean streak and if he is kept motivated, he will be a force in Detroit.
He does it all. From pass rushing to run stuffing, Fairley has the ability to dominate. Off-the-field issues raise the only concerns.
14. St. Louis Rams: Robert Quinn, DE, UNC
14 of 16
Grade: A-
He accepted agent benefits while at UNC, raising character concerns, but he has great talent and is an impact pass rusher.
If he had played in the 2010-2011 season, he may have been the no. 1 pick overall. You can't live in the past though. If Quinn moves on and puts in the hard work, he will become an explosive pass rusher and one of the steals of the draft.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida
15 of 16
Grade: C-
This is a reach. The Dolphins saw the success of his twin brother Maurkice, and bit on Mike.
They are not the same player though. Maurkice is much more powerful and physical. Mike wants to play center, but struggled there the entire 2010 season.
The Dolphins may think they are getting a steal, but I am not a fan of the pick, considering that Ryan Mallet and Mark Ingram were still available.
16. Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
16 of 16Grade: B+
Kerrigan is considered a safe pick. He is an excellent all around player who provides good value at no. 16.
Kerrigan had great production at Purdue, plays smart and has the physical talent to make a quick impact.
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