NFL Draft 2011 Results: The 10 Biggest Surprises from the First Round
As expected, Round 1 of the draft offered up a wealth of surprises. Nearly every mock draft created was proven incorrect by the second pick.
This year was loaded with draft-day shockers from start to finish, which made for an exciting Day 1 packed with storylines.
Von Miller Goes to the Broncos
1 of 10
Von Miller might be the best 3-4 outside linebacker prospect to come out in the last decade. Most teams completely wrote off the Broncos as a potential landing spot for Miller, as they are transitioning to John Fox's 4-3.
Miller can still play in a 4-3, but it still seems like Marcell Dareus might have been a more logical selection there. Miller is an incredible talent and the Broncos are going to find ways for him to be productive, but it is surprising that Fox and Elway would bypass Dareus.
Blaine Gabbert Drops to the 10th Pick
2 of 10
Blaine Gabbert was projected in most mock drafts to go to the Cardinals with No. 5 pick. After the Cardinals decided to draft Patrick Peterson, it seemed likely that the 49ers or Titans would select him.
Gabbert didn't have to wait too long on draft day, but certainly longer than anticipated. The quarterback-starved top of the draft didn't take the Gabbert bait, which comes as somewhat of a shock.
Jake Locker Is the Second Quarterback Taken
3 of 10
Some draft experts had Jake Locker being selected in the top 12, but nobody believed Tennessee was in the Locker discussion. What made the situation even more surprising was the cold shoulder the Titans gave to Blaine Gabbert.
There were some who believed Locker would be a second-round pick at best, but as we learn time and time again, it only takes one team.
The Titans knew who they wanted and got the guy they think is going to be the quarterback of the future.
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Aldon Smith Is Taken by the 49ers
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The 49ers need a pass-rusher, and Aldon Smith was the best one on the board.
They were also looking at a board with Prince Amukamara still available and Blaine Gabbert begging to be selected to fill the quarterback void.
In a somewhat surprising move, the 49ers reached for Smith.
He's big, fast and should be able to fill the pass-rushing need right away. The 49ers haven't had a double-digit sack player since Andre Carter. The move is surprising, but no necessarily a poor decision.
The Falcons Sell the Farm to Bring in Julio Jones
5 of 10
The Atlanta Falcons gave an arm and a leg to trade up to get Julio Jones. They essentially gave up a first-round pick, a second-round pick and two fourth-round picks to trade up.
The Falcons are nearly a complete NFL team. They needed another big-play receiver to stretch the field and take some of the heat off Roddy White. They got their guy and go into next season with one of the best receiver tandems in the entire league.
Well played by the Falcons and the Browns.
Christian Ponder Goes to the Vikings
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Christian Ponder would have been a great value if he were selected in the second round, perhaps even at the end of the first round.
The 12th overall pick, though?
The Vikings shocked everyone by reaching way down and pulling out Ponder.
The run on quarterbacks was anticipated to happen at the end of the first round. By the 12th pick, there had already been four quarterbacks selected. The Vikings needed a quarterback and Ponder has a legitimate chance to compete for a starting job immediately.
Prince Amukamara Skids to the Giants
7 of 10
Prince Amukamara would have been a reasonable selection for the 49ers, Titans, Cowboys and a number of other teams who selected prior to the Giants.
It is somewhat shocking that, with all of the teams who need a cornerback, he could fall to the 19th overall pick.
This pick was a no-brainer and Amukamara is outstanding for where the Giants were able to select him.
Anthony Castonzo Falls All the Way to the Colts
8 of 10
Anthony Castonzo might be the most NFL-ready left tackle in the entire draft.
Nate Solder was selected before him, probably because of his upside. Tyron Smith looks the most like a true blind-side protector, but he didn't even play left tackle in college.
The Colts need to rebuild, and a true left tackle was in the cards as a draft-day possibility for the Colts. It's not surprising that they took Castonzo—it's surprising he fell all the way there.
The Seahawks Select James Carpenter
9 of 10
I was actually at the draft, where they gave each guest a pamphlet of the top 20 or so players in each position group.
When the Seahawks selected Carpenter, everyone feverishly searched through the pamphlet to see who he was.
Carpenter was not on the list.
The Seahawks didn't get the best available tackle or guard by selecting Carpenter. It is unclear why they would spend a first-round pick on a guy they would probably get a shot at on Day 2.
Regardless, I suppose they got the guy they wanted.
Da'Quan Bowers Free-Falls out of the First Round
10 of 10
Da'Quan Bowers was once the top-rated player on many team's board. A 4-3 pass-rusher with tremendous edge-rushing ability, Bowers could have been a top-three selection, had he checked out physically.
A blown knee caused teams to ignore Bowers' upside, allowing him to slip to Day 2.
He could be the best pass-rusher from the draft when it is all said and done. It looks like a team could get a steal. Frank Gore and Willis McGahee are two players who overcame injuries from their college careers.
Bowers will try to follow suit.
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
