2011 NFL Draft: Grading the First Four Picks

The first four picks are in for the 2011 NFL draft and grades are already rolling out.

There were not a lot of surprises at Nos. 1-4, but the players are definitely well known and on top of their game.

All four teams landed the players they needed and this was hardly a shocking surprise to us as they nailed major needs.

A quarterback, wide receiver, defensive and outside linebacker were the favorites coming in—did they come off the board?

Cam Newton the Smart Pick at No. 1?

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL COmmissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Carolina Panthers #1 overall pick Cam Newton from Auburn during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty

We all expected it, but the Carolina Panthers made Cam Newton the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

This a good start for this organization as they had to find a place to restart quickly after falling so fast from the top of the NFC.

Newton is 11th quarterback to go No. 1 in the last 14 years.

We know all about his athletic ability, arm and determination to win football games, but how will it translate?

Grade: B

The Carolina Panthers cannot really control how this works out. They can work as hard as they can with Cam Newton, but this will all come down to him.

A quarterback had to be the pick here without a second round selection and now they have to hope they can get things together in the later rounds.

Carolina had little choice here, but now it is on Cam Newton to turn this B into an A.

Cam Newton could easily be the best player to come out of this draft but it will all depend on him.

Does Von Miller Fit the Denver Broncos Defense?

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SAINT PAUL, MN - APRIL 6: Linebacker Von Miller of Texas A&M, who is entered in this year's NFL draft, arrives for a hearing at the U.S. Courthouse on April 6, 2011 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. NFL players have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL owne

There is no denying the ability that Von Miller has as a football player, but he is making a position transition in the NFL and curiously the Broncos have a new defense as well.

Miller was best noted for his pass-rush ability in college off the edge and in a 4-3 he will not have the opportunity.

He's arguably the safest pick in this draft, but the Broncos also left a safe player on the board in Marcell Dareus. 

Grade: B

This is non-knock on Von Miller, who could be an elite player at the next level, but Dareus would have fit this team better.

The Broncos had the worst defense in the league last year and, while Miller will help immensely, Dareus would have helped stuff the run in a division that features a run-first Raiders and Chiefs team.

Look for Miller to be used as blitzer more frequently early on, but he'll be a complete all-around linebacker.

Miller is an incredible talent and his pass-rushing ability could make him the next LT-like threat off the edge.

Is Marcell Dareus a Perfect Fit for Buffalo Bills?

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

No team is happier with how the top two turned out than Buffalo. They may have been high on Miller, but Dareus does exactly what they need; stop the run.

Marcell Dareus is arguably the top prospect in the draft, has everything you look for in a franchise defensive lineman and will be an immediate impact in Buffalo.

He has incredible lateral quickness, can chase down quarterbacks and has the versatility to play any position on the line. 

Grade: A+

This could easily be the best pick of the first round.

Dareus "falls" to the team that needed him the most and now he has the chance to be a franchise changer.

The Bills did a nice job of avoiding pressure here and now have the best possible player for them in the entire draft.

They can take a quarterback in the second round if they really want one.

Bengals Get Immediate Impact with A.J. Green?

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Wide receiver A.J. Green of Georgia runs through a drill 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 needed a wide receiver and they decided to go get one.

Facing the possibility of a new starting quarterback, running back and wide receiver, the Bengals needed the best possible offensive player on the board.

Quarterback would not be the answer for them here and Green could have been the No.1 pick in this draft. 

Grade: A

Avoiding a quarterback here was the best move they made.

A.J. Green is a great route runner, is ready to contribute immediately and could conceivably coax Carson Palmer out of "retirement" this season.

Now the Bengals have a great player to build off of whenever they want to find a new quarterback.