2011 NFL Draft Grades: 5 Winners and 5 Losers from the 2011 NFL Draft
2011 NFL Draft Grades: Texans and Lions Among Winners, Panthers and Eagles Among Losers
While the build-up to the 2011 NFL draft seemed like it took forever, the actual event was done and in the books in a hurry.
A total of 15 hours and eight minutes went by from the time the Panthers took Cameron Newton first overall to the Texans' pick of Cheta Ozougwu at No. 254.
With that in mind, which teams made the most of their time and picks at the draft?
Here are five winners and five losers from the 2011 NFL draft.
Winner: Detroit Lions
1 of 10
Best picks
DT Nick Fairley (No. 13), RB Mikel Leshoure (No. 57)
Why they won
I love the way GM Martin Mayhew went after this draft.
He actively pursued the best football players on his board and didn't sacrifice any quality to fill immediate needs on the roster. As an active follower of Ted Thompson over the past six years, I can appreciate that discipline.
The Lions are a team on the rise, and this draft might finally give them the tools necessary for a playoff run.
Grade
A-
Loser: Seattle Seahawks
2 of 10
Worst picks
OT James Carpenter (No. 25), K.J. Wright (No. 99), Kris Durham (No. 107)
Why they lost
Pete Carroll and his staff did a solid job in 2010 in finding talent at good value positions, but accomplished the complete opposite this draft.
Three of their first four picks were reaches, and I'm not sure I see a player who can impact this team besides the two offensive linemen.
Also, not drafting a quarterback leads me to believe that Carroll is comfortable with Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst. That in itself could be a huge mistake.
Grade
C-
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3 of 10
Best picks
Adrian Clayborn (No. 20), Da'Quan Bowers (No. 51), Mason Foster (No. 84), Luke Stocker (No. 104)
Why they won
If Bowers ever turns out to be the player we thought he was before the knee injury, 31 other teams are going to look pretty foolish for having passed on him. He was worth the risk at No. 51.
The part I like most was the Bucs' commitment to helping their defense. That could have been hard to do in the offensive arms race that is the NFC South, but Tampa Bay really revamped their defensive front with Bowers and Clayborn. Foster should also be a starter at linebacker.
This is a young and talented team that might be ready to make the jump to the playoffs in 2011.
Grade
A-
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Loser: Carolina Panthers
4 of 10
Worst picks
Terrell McClain (No. 65)
Why they lost
The Panthers had to take Newton No. 1 overall, but name me a player who's going to make an impact for this team in 2011?
Newton might need a year on the bench to learn the NFL game, and the rest of the class lacks playmakers.
Even if Newton sees playing time next season, this is a franchise that could find itself right back at No. 1 overall next draft.
Grade
D+
Winner: Cleveland Browns
5 of 10
Best picks
Jabaal Sheard (No. 37), Greg Little (No. 57), Owen Marecic (No. 124), Buster Skrine (No. 137)
Why they won
The Browns added a handful of talented players and positioned themselves nicely for next year's draft by robbing the Falcons of several high picks.
Sheard and Little were solid finds in the second round, and Phil Taylor is the type of athletic nose tackle that is really hard to find. Skrine and Jason Pinkston could also be fifth-round steals.
And with so many holes on this roster overall, Mike Holmgren and his staff did an admirable job of filling some this year and setting themselves up for the 2012 draft.
Grade
A-
Loser: Washington Redskins
6 of 10
Worst picks
Roy Helu (No. 105), DeJon Gomes (No. 146), Aldrick Robinson (No. 178)
Why they lost
While I think the Redskins got good players in Ryan Kerrigan and Leonard Hankerson, this draft put an emphasis on quantity over quality.
Washington traded down to gain 10 day-three picks, and that's really drawing at straws when it comes to those players turning into impact players.
And with no quarterback selected, you'd have to think Mike Shanahan has other options in mind. That could take up future picks to get the guy he wants.
Grade
B-
Winner: Houston Texans
7 of 10
Best picks
J.J. Watt (No. 11), Brandon Harris (No. 60), Rashad Carmichael (No. 127)
Why they won
I love how the Texans went heavy on defense in this draft.
They have an offense that will undoubtedly score points, but the defense has been the letdown for several years. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips should now have the players necessary to turn this unit from one of the NFL's worst to at least average.
If their defense can improve like it should, the Texans have a realistic shot at making the playoffs for the first time in their franchise's history.
Grade
A-
Loser: Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 10
Worst picks
Alex Henery (No. 120), Dion Lewis (No. 149)
Why they lost
The city of Philadelphia will love their first-round pick Danny Watkins, and he should be a really good player in this league.
But you have to think the Eagles had some reaches after day one, most notably Henery and Lewis.
Even if the Eagles did get value in this draft, the fact that Kevin Kolb is still in Philadelphia robbed them of a likely high pick. Who knows who they could have added with another early pick.
Grade
B-
Winner: New Orleans Saints
9 of 10
Best picks
Mark Ingram (No. 28), Cameron Jordan (No. 24), Martez Wilson (No. 72)
Why they won
Did any Super Bowl contender add more pieces that can contribute right away than the Saints?
Jordan should help a defensive line that has let them down on occasion, and nobody would be surprised if Ingram put up a 1,000-yard season in their offense next season.
Wilson and Johnny Patrick (No. 88) could also play important roles on the Saints defense. Injury-prone but talented defender Greg Romeus was a savvy pick in the seventh round.
Grade
A-
Loser: Undrafted Free Agents
10 of 10
Why they lost
With the lockout back in place, some 320 or so undrafted free agents were stripped of their opportunity to sign with an NFL team.
Just think of that—254 players were drafted in the three days, but teams usually give chances to around 10 players immediately after the draft.
But because of the lockout, those players will be stuck in football purgatory until the NFL figures out its labor situation.
And that's really too bad. Most of these kids deserve a chance to make a roster, and there have been plenty of feel-good examples from previous undrafted free agent pools.
It's just another casualty from a labor war that has gone on too long.
Grade
F
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
