NFL Draft 2011: Round 1 Grades
Round 1 of the 2011 NFL draft is in the books and, quite frankly, I've never seen Mel Kiper look worse. Not to say I'm a huge Kiper supporter anyway, but that's not what I'm on here to discuss.
Some of the picks in the draft made me scratch my head. I don't find that to be much different than anyone else who watched Thursday night's cluster of athletes march up after being drafted. Guys like Cam Newton were expected to go early, but Christian Ponder may have been the shock of the night. That being said, I present grades for all 32 picks last night.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: C
1 of 32
Do I agree that Newton has great skills and displayed them at Auburn? Absolutely. My problem with Newton is that I see a lot of JaMarcus Russel in him. They're roughly the same size and I am not a believer in his football knowledge. Time will tell, but I think Von Miller or Blaine Gabbert would have been the better pick.
Von Miller, Denver Broncos: A+
2 of 32
The only A+ you'll see on this list. The Broncos need defensive help and they certainly get it with arguably the best player in the draft. Miller is a classy guy and can be on the same field as Dumervil—the defense will be tough.
Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills: A-
3 of 32
The needs for this team are too large to really give any pick a bad grade. They were horrendous against the run last year, so Dareus was probably the best option for the Bills.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals: B
4 of 32
Like the BIlls, the needs for the Bengals' include...well, almost everything. A.J. Green is a great athlete, but the reason it's a B grade is because it appears there will be no one to throw to the star-studded athlete. If Ochocinco stays in Cincy, this duo could be a force to beware of.
Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals: B+
5 of 32
Peterson was rumored to be head of the NFL draft class, so why is this a B+ grade? The Cardinals really didn't need secondary help, at least not immediately. Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Adrian Wilson are great in that defensive scheme. Still, good pick up for the Cards.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons: A
6 of 32
Tip my hat to the Falcons here; they gave up a massive amount of draft picks to get this one, and Jones in the process. Is he worth that much? I think he is, contrary to popular belief. The simple fact is that the Falcons just don't need much more than some help in the secondary. However, Jones gives Matty Ice another target.
Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers: B+
7 of 32
Good pick for the 49ers? Yes, they did need help on the line, but more so on the offensive one. Not to mention, Gabbert was still available as well as better defensive ends.
Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans: A-
8 of 32
Let the Titans' fans come get me now for that grade. I believe Locker will be the best QB out of the draft—he had a bad senior year, which makes people forget about his incredible junior year. His knowledge of the game and abilities are better than that of any other quarterback. Once he adjusts to the Titans' offense, Locker is capable of producing a great team.
Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys: A
9 of 32
Very simple: They needed line help, and got it with the ninth pick. Both parts of the offense struggled; Smith is a large man who will protect Romo.
Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars: A
10 of 32
Talk about some surprises: Jacksonville traded up to get Gabbert, and perhaps put the final nail in David Garrard's coffin. I love this because it is clear that Garrard was no longer effective. Gabbert, assuming he isn't the bust that I've heard so many discuss, is a great future option for the Jaguars.
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans: B
11 of 32
Given that they were God-awful against the pass this year, I'm not too high on this pick by the Texans. It's a good option to be on the other side from Mario Williams, but this wasn't their biggest need at all. Prince Amukamara would have been their best option.
Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings: D
12 of 32
Most people would give this an F. The reason I don't give them that low of a grade on this pick is because Ponder has potential. That being said, Minnesota could have drafted him in round two, or at least taken Dalton, who is the better of the two. Someone has to compete with Tarvaris Jackson and Joe Webb so, hopefully for Vikings' fans, Ponder will be a good answer.
Nick Fairley, Detroit Lions: A
13 of 32
I actually was able to call this one: Fairley was one of the top projected guys but, the fact is, DT was not a top priority on any lists before the Lions. Fairley with Suh? Good luck to any running backs.
Robert Quinn, St. Louis Rams: B+
14 of 32
St. Louis did need help on defense, but mostly in the way of linebackers. What was more needed here was a receiver for Bradford. Who knows if Amendola will repeat his performance?
Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins: A-
15 of 32
Part of the reason Henne isn't affected is because there is a lack of help on the line in front. That trouble began at the center, so Pouncey fits very will in Miami.
Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins: B-
16 of 32
They're lucky that this grade is even that high. The 'Skins need help in quite a few areas, but DE was not an immediate position need. Quarterback would have been a better way to go, though I don't agree with them trading off that tenth overall pick.
Nate Solder, New England Patriots: A
17 of 32
Can anyone think of a position that didn't perform during last season's 14-2 run? Yeah, me either. The closest to that was the offensive line, as they broke down due to injury. Solder is a monster and will protect Brady even better.
Cory Liuget, San Diego Chargers: B
18 of 32
Once again, not a position that they desperately need. Seems to be the theme of the draft this year, but this is helpful. San Diego's defense was rough to watch against even a halfway decent offense in 2010, and Liuget makes a good pass-rusher.
Prince Amukamara, New York Giants: A
19 of 32
One of the best secondary players in the draft, behind Peterson. Excellent pick by the Giants, the defense was horrible in the second part of the year in 2010.
Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
20 of 32
This team is a hard one to nail down as it comes to needs. In 2010, one game the defense would look good, and then the offense would look good in the following game. More help is needed for the defense however, so Clayborn's aggressive style is good to stop Michael Turner and Pierre Thomas.
Phil Taylor, Cleveland Browns: C+
21 of 32
Both sides of the ball needed help for this team but, overall, the Browns showed potential in 2010. This pick is confusing; the defensive end and linebacker positions are in much more trouble. Da'Quan Bowers would have been a great steal.
Anthony Costanzo, Indianapolis Colts: A-
22 of 32
Protection for Manning last year was hard to come by. The offensive line needed help and reinforcements are coming in the form of the large lineman from Boston College.
Danny Watkins, Philadelphia Eagles: B
23 of 32
Not much to say here; the Eagles are in some trouble on the lines on both ends of the ball. This guard will protect Vick and McCoy for another NFC East title.
Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Saints: A
24 of 32
Even after their world title run in the 2009 season, defense was rough. This goes especially for the defensive line, who now gets a treat in the agile Cameron Jordan.
James Carpenter, Seattle Seahawks: B+
25 of 32
Did you watch the NFC divisional game against the Bears? Hasselbeck was running for his life the whole game. The 'Hawks would have been better served by a tackle, but a guard was the second best thing.
Jonathon Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs: A
26 of 32
Besides Dwayne Bowe, name another receiver for the Chiefs. I can't think of any either. This became a huge problem in the playoffs, so Baldwin brings a double-headed threat to the Chiefs.
Jimmy Smith, Baltimore Ravens: B
27 of 32
Eh, we all know that the Ravens will have a stellar defense anyway. Great addition to the guys who are aging, so you've got to applaud the Ravens for going defense.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints: A
28 of 32
In today's football world, every team has two runners. Reggie Bush just has not panned out as a good running back. Pierre Thomas and a new Heisman Trophy winner together? Sounds like some of Brees' thunder could disappear and shift to the running game.
Gabe Carimi, Chicago Bears: A
29 of 32
One of the best picks the first round had to offer. Cutler (ridicule him all you want) needs more protection, as he was always running for his life. Carimi equals force.
Muhammad Wilkerson, New York Jets: B-
30 of 32
The Jets defense has been pretty good the last couple years, especially in the playoffs. Jason Taylor isn't getting any younger, so it goes without saying that this guy can be what Taylor once was.
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers: A
31 of 32
The high-powered defensive end brings aggression and speed to a defensive line that is aging (besides Ziggy Hood). No doubt that he is going to give opposing quarterbacks a lot of trouble.
Derek Sherrod, Green Bay Packers: B-
32 of 32
The Packers definitely need offensive line help—Rodgers spent a lot of time on the run or having to hurry up his release. Unfortunately, Sherrod was not the best option at the time, but they got some help here, so hopefully they recover with their remaining selections.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
