2011 NFL Draft: Top 6 Teams with the Best Picks in the First 2 Days
The 2011 NFL draft has been full of surprises, but five teams stand out high above the rest.
Whether you believe this is the worst draft in history, or the most interesting one, there is no denying that the 2011 NFL draft is without a doubt one of the most memorable in recent history. Big names falling hard, huge trades throughout and gambles that could be heroic or monumental failures.
Strategies have run from addressing pertinent team needs to aiming for the best on the board. With no free agency preceding the draft, teams have had to improvise their way through the first three rounds wondering if they will even be able to land the big-name players currently floating without a team. Teams have no idea whether their own free agents will be sticking around to join them for the 2011 campaign. This draft will definitely be remembered.
So, after three prime-time rounds, let's take a look at the five teams that have had the best draft performances so far in the first two days.
No. 6 New England Patriots: Five Picks in Two Days with Solder and Mallett
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I originally had this post as the top five, but there is just something about the New England Patriots every year that is impressive during draft season.
The Patriots managed five picks in the first three rounds. While they have hardly addressed any of their biggest needs, they have added some drama in the first two days.
Their first pick, Solder, could grow into one of the best offensive tackles in the league in the next few years. Ras-I Dowling was a bit of a reach, but has potential at the position and could make a nice pair with 2010's surprise rookie McCourty.
With pick No. 56 and No. 73, the Patriots surprised with two running back selections. Shane Vereen is an underrated back who could add instant stats for the Patriots "running back by committee" scheme. Sticking to that theme, they reached pretty far for Stevan Ridley, but he is a complement to Vereen's running style.
Finally, they chose the heir to Brady's throne, Ryan Mallett. Mallett surprisingly fell to the 10th pick in Round 3. Mallett provides first-round talent and endless opportunity under the tutelage of Tom Brady. With this pick the Patriots managed to secure their quarterback future for years to come.
No. 5 Detroit Lions: Daring You To Establish a Run Game by Adding Fairley
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They need a cornerback. They need linebackers. They said screw it.
The Detroit Lions are going to dare you to run on them. With Nick Fairley surprisingly falling to their 13th pick in the NFL draft, the Lions jumped at the opportunity to have the most impressive defensive interior in football.
Fairley was arguably the most dominant force in college football last season and he will be joining 2010's Defensive Rookie of the Year, Ndamukong Suh. Expect to see unrelenting pressure up the middle and an astounding number of tackles for loss.
They followed up this bold move taking wide receiver TItus Young of Boise State in Round 2. Young was the most explosive receiver on the board and will make a great second target for oft-injured and unproven quarterback Stafford. He will also give the Lions numerous opportunities to unleash their offense on a shorter field by improving the return game in his first year in baby blue.
At No. 57 they saw the second-best running back in the 2011 NFL draft class fall into their laps. Mikel Leshoure is a large and powerful running back who could provide a much-needed one-two punch to the Lions run game. The combo of Leshoure and Best could be a driving force for years to come on the Detroit offense.
No. 4 Buffalo Bills: Showing Faith in Their Offense, Snagging Marcell Dareus
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One would think that the Bills would be on this list because of an upgrade at quarterback. Or even by making an impressive pick up to provide some kind of push on the offensive line. But the Bills decided that they have a capable offense and showed faith in their current starters. Maybe one more year is all they need to pull things together.
Instead, the Bills opted to make a massive defensive stand with each of their picks. They started things off with Marcell Dareus, arguably the best player in the entire 2011 NFL draft class. He is an ideal fit in their scheme and will be an absolute anchor for the Bills D. Darius not only boldly improves the run-stopping that Buffalo lacked in 2010, but he will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks likely improving Buffalo's sack count immensely.
They followed this pick by taking one of the most aggressive cornerbacks of the draft in Aaron Williams. His 6'0" frame and outstanding strength will allow him to possibly make the transition to safety. His abilities will mesh nicely with the rest of the Bills' young secondary.
In Round 3, they opted to draft the instinctual Kelvin Sheppard out of LSU to fill their void at linebacker. He can start at inside linebacker immediately and may prove to be a Round 3 steal by midseason.
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No. 3 New Orleans Saints: Stealing the First Round Adding Jordan and Ingram
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If the NFL draft were a single round, the Saints would be on the short list of Super Bowl candidates. With a first-round trade, the Saints shook things up and inspired an army of tweets across the country. And they followed an impressive first day with two smart choices in the second and third rounds.
The Saints saw Cameron Jordan fall to them at No. 23. Scooping up this top-10 talent will add to the Saints assault on opposing quarterbacks. Jordan will fit nicely into the exotic blitzes, twists and deceptions used by the Saints front seven. Jordan can beat blockers with a straight bull rush or with his quickness and footwork sneaking around the outside.
A trade allowed New Orleans the 28th pick in the first round as well where they snatched the 2011 NFL draft class' top running back, Mark Ingram. This former Heisman Trophy winner gives them a punishing talent to complement their already impressive running game. The already dynamic offense takes on a new set of skills with this pickup.
Martez Wilson started the second day as one of the best linebackers remaining on the board. Wilson's strength lies in his ability to play inside or outside, giving the Saints defense even more options with which to attack you. Finally, the Saints opted for a speedy ballhawk to add to their defensive backs with Johnny Patrick of Louisville.
No. 2 Cincinnati Bengals: Rookie Duo Green and Dalton Could Turn Heads in 2011
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The Bengals came into the draft with a firm reality that they had a ton of positions to fill, namely all of them. They got right to work putting together the second-most impressive set of picks thus far in the 2011 NFL draft.
It was no surprise to see the Bengals take A.J. Green with their fourth overall selection in Round 1. Green is one of the most impressive wide receiver talents to come out of college in the last 10 years. He can do everything. Green will beat you with his speed, shake you with his routes, leap over you with his athleticism or just plain embarrass you with his hands. He could team up with Ochocinco (or is it Johnson again?) to create a feared WR tandem in the AFC.
Choosing to pass on a QB with their first pick proved to be a wise one when they snagged Andy Dalton of TCU in the second round. With Palmer apparently out of the picture, Cincinnati thinks it has found a new franchise quarterback in Dalton. He will fit into the Bengals' new West Coast offense and has the awareness and leadership to be an instant talent if his offensive line can hold up.
They ended day two with the blindingly talented linebacker, Dontay Moch. As you may recall, Moch blew scouts away with his times in the 40 and will bring that speed and explosiveness to the poor pass rush of the Bengals. On passing downs, Moch will show his skills in Cincinnati's blitz packages.
No. 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Clayborn, Bowers Add 15-Plus Sacks to Struggling D
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the 2011 NFL draft with a handful of questions. They need a running back to counter Blount's attack, and offensive linemen to make that possible. Recently, questions were raised at cornerback as Barber ages and Talib faces legal problems. But Tampa Bay didn't let these factors mess with what were the biggest holes in its game—the pass rush and outside run defense.
Tampa ended an impressive 10-6 last year, but critics are skeptical seeing that all but one of its victories came against teams with a losing record. A talented, young group of skill players kept the Bucs close, but their severe lack of pressure crumbled them against more formidable offensive teams.
In 2010, Tampa Bay dedicated both of its first picks to the defensive interior, which proved to be a strong move. Mark Dominik adopted the same strategy in the 2011 NFL draft, making the Tampa front a group bounding with potential.
With their first-round selection, the Bucs went after a pure pass rusher in defensive end Adrian Clayborn. His fast first step and ideal size will provide guaranteed pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He has the potential to add double-digit sacks to the second-worst QB-sacking defense of 2010.
As if Clayborn wasn't enough of an outside presence, the Buccaneers saw top-10 prospect Da'Quan Bowers fall all the way to No. 51. Like Clayborn, Bowers has instant starting potential. He comes packed with speed, strength, size and pure athleticism. Bowers is without a doubt the steal of the draft.
With its third pick, many figured Tampa would stray from the game plan and go for a defensive back or even a running back, but it again addressed the front seven by adding a strong, run-stopping talent. Mason Foster from Washington has good range as a linebacker and can be used in a number of positions. While he may not see immediate starts, he could prove to be an asset in seasons to come after honing his skills in Tampa Bay.
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