NFL Draft 2011 Results: Recapping Draft Picks 9-12

The 2011 NFL draft results are here for picks nine through 12. It has been one exciting night from Radio City Music Hall.

The majority of the heavy hitters are gone, and Da'Quan Bowers continues to twiddle his thumbs on the sidelines.

The following four picks exemplify what the night's festivities have been like. They include a couple of quarterbacks, one that is a surprise find for the first round.

The night is still young, and there are sure to be a bunch more surprises. So let's break down the next four athletes and see how they will affect their teams next year.

Dallas Cowboys Take Tyron Smith at No. 9

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 7: Tyron Smith #70 of the USC Trojans stretches before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 7, 2009 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. USC won 14-9. (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys gave us a bit of a shock here. I had them taking Tyron Smith, I just didn't think they would.

Jerry Jones loves a flashy position with the majority of his first-round picks. There is nothing sexy about Tyron Smith's selection, but it is the right one.

The Cowboys have depth at the line now. Most of all, they have a future blindside tackle of the future. I am confident that a couple of seasons on the right side will do Smith well.

Jacksonville Jaguars Take Blaine Gabbert at No. 10

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Missouri Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert answers questions during a media session at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

I was about to feel bad about Blaine Gabbert's station in life. He was poised for a huge drop on the draft board. Three quarterbacks had been taken, and Gabbert was starting to look sullen.

That is when the Jaguars stepped up to save the day. I didn't see this one coming. With David Garrard in tow, the Jaguars hardly needed a QB.

However, I love this pick for Gabbert. He is game-ready now, but he will now get the time to really polish his NFL game.

Wait a couple of seasons. That is when we will really fall in love with this pick.

Houston Texans Take J.J. Watt at No. 11

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Defensive lineman J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Houston Texans get some glue for their locker room. You can't say enough about J.J. Watt the player. He is a great talent that will make the Texans better on defense immediately.

What I really like is his work ethic. He came into the combine and had great power numbers. This guy will have to go up against huge lineman soon. It is a good thing that moving mountains is what he does best.

The Texans can slide him on either side. He is versatile enough to improve not only the pass rush, but the run defense as well.

Minnesota Vikings Take Christian Ponder at No. 12

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles throws for a first down during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Surprise, surprise.

The Minnesota Vikings needed a quarterback. I am not sure they needed it this much. Perhaps a little birdie told them that Ponder would be gone later in the first round.

I think Joe Webb can win the job and do alright for the Vikings next season, and this would buy Ponder time to mature to the NFL game.

He is a very precise quarterback who is an even better leader. After a season or two, he may just be the surprise steal of the draft.