2011 NFL Draft Results: 50 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Rookies
The 2011 NFL draft has come and gone, and now we can start to speculate on how each draftee's first season will go in the NFL.
Some players will be busts, some will be huge surprises, and some may just end up being what they were projected to be.
After taking a much closer look at the 2011 NFL draft class, I have compiled 50 BOLD predictions for the 2011 NFL rookie draft class.
Check them out, and be sure to leave me your feedback!
This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
Cam Newton Will Not Play a Game in 2011
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The first pick of the 2011 NFL draft, Cam Newton, will not start a game for the Carolina Panthers this season.
Despite Newton joining Jimmy Clausen in a quarterback competition in Carolina, the Panthers will be signing a veteran quarterback to control their offense until either player is ready.
Da'Quan Bowers Will Have a Solid Rookie Season
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Believe it or not, Da'Quan Bowers' knee will be fine after all.
The 51st overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not start immediately, but will end up being one of the team's top pass rushers as he'll tally up at least 10 sacks in his rookie campaign.
Jake Locker Will Lead the Tennessee Titans to a Playoff Berth
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Despite Jake Locker's extremely low 53.9 completion percentage at Washington, he will develop into quite a fine quarterback his rookie season as a Titan.
Tennessee used their eighth overall pick on Locker, and despite so much scrutiny, Locker will pan out to be the best rookie quarterback in the 2011 season.
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Jake Locker Will Complete Less Than 55 Percent of His Passes
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Even though Jake Locker will lead the Titans to a playoff berth, he will continue to be an inaccurate passer as he'll complete less than 55 percent of his passes.
Mark Ingram Will Be Not Be Effective in 2011
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The New Orleans Saints traded for the 28th overall selection to draft Alabama's Mark Ingram. However, this will end up being a poor decision for the Saints.
Ingram may have a very solid NFL career, but his rookie season with be plagued with injuries.
Ryan Mallett Will Play More Than Brian Hoyer
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The New England Patriots shocked the world as they selected Ryan Mallett with the 74th overall pick in the draft.
Mallett will be competing with Brian Hoyer for the backup quarterback job, and Mallett will win it and earn the clean-up duty during games that Tom Brady and the Patriots blow out the opposing team.
Robert Quinn Will Be a Complete Bust
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After missing the entire 2010 season due to a suspension handed down by the NCAA, he'll enter training camp with the St. Louis Rams in non-football condition.
Sure, Quinn will be physically fit, but a year out of football will set Quinn back dramatically.
Christian Ponder Will Throw More Interceptions Than Touchdowns
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The 12th overall draft pick in the draft will end up having a very poor rookie season as a Minnesota Viking.
Ponder will get his chance to lead the Vikings, but he'll struggle as he'll throw more interceptions than touchdowns.
Ryan Williams Will Lead All Rookies in Rushing Yards
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The 38th overall selection made the Arizona Cardinals will end up being one of the best decisions made in the 2011 NFL draft.
Running back Ryan Williams will solidify himself as the lead back in Arizona, over Beanie Wells, and will lead all rookies in rushing yards with at least 1,300 yards.
Robert Quinn Will Only Record Three Sacks
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As I predicted before, Robert Quinn will be complete bust and he will only record three sacks during his rookie year...Very unfortunate for Rams fans.
Mike Leshoure Will Fail Dramatically in Detroit
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Running back Mikel Leshoure will have a very poor season as a Detroit Lion.
The Lions already have second-year running back Jahvid Best, and Leshoure will simply not get enough touches and will struggle his entire rookie season.
Jimmy Smith Will Be Considered a Steal
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Jimmy Smith, although was the 27th overall pick, should have been a much higher pick.
Smith was considered to be the second-best cornerback in this draft class, and he'll be a huge impact player for the Baltimore Ravens in his rookie year.
Nate Solder Will Start at Left Tackle for the New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots selected Nate Solder with the 17th overall pick, and he'll end up replacing Matt Light as the team's starting left tackle.
Patrick Peterson Will Have at Least Five Interceptions
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Patrick Peterson may have been the highest-rated prospect in the draft, but for certain, he's definitely the most freakish athlete.
Peterson will turn Arizona's secondary into one of the league's best as he'll snag at least five interceptions in 2011.
Von Miller Will Not Work Out in Denver
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Von Miller was projected to be an elite pass rusher in a 3-4 defense, but he was selected by John Fox and the Denver Broncos.
Miller will be inserted into Denver's 4-3 defense, and he'll simply not be a fit—he just won't work out.
Julio Jones Will Crack Under Pressure in Atlanta
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The Atlanta Falcons made a major trade for Julio Jones in the 2011 draft. The Falcons traded five total picks, including their first-round selections in 2011 and 2012, for the Alabama wide receiver.
With all that pressure of turning into a solid receiver, Jones will simply crack under pressure and will not perform to the high standards set by the Falcons' draft team.
Julio Jones Will Only Have Three Touchdown Receptions
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As I predicted in the previous slide, Julio Jones will crack under pressure and will only manage to score three touchdowns in his very disappointing rookie season.
Julio Jones Will Lead All Rookies in Dropped Passes
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While watching Julio Jones' game film, I've noticed that he tends to drop a lot of passes.
Whether if it's from losing focus or just not having consistent hands, Jones will lead all rookies in dropped passes.
Marcell Dareus Will Solidify Buffalo's 3-4 Defense...Well, Kind Of
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Marcell Dareus is just the ultimate defensive lineman and he was a great selection by the Buffalo Bills.
Dareus will act like the Buffalo Bills' version of Vince Wilfork. Dareus will play multiple positions along Buffalo's defensive line, and he'll be a cornerstone of the franchise for many years to come.
Corey Liuget Will End Up Being a Very Poor Selection by the San Diego Chargers
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Corey Liuget may look like a talented defensive lineman on paper, but he doesn't have much of an arsenal of moves.
Liuget will not work out in San Diego at all—on top of it, he's very slow and slobby.
Tyron Smith Will End Up Being the Dallas Cowboys' Left Tackle for the Future
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Tyron Smith will live up to all expectations of being a monsterous left tackle that can handle power rushers and speed rushers. Smith will be the Cowboys' left tackle for many years to come.
J.J. Watt Will Work Out Perfectly as a Houston Texan
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Defensive end J.J. Watt was projected as an elite 3-4 defensive end, and he found the perfect fit as the Houston Texans selected him at 11th overall.
The Texans will switch to the 3-4 defense, and Watt will flourish.
Dontay Moch Will Not Record a Sack
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Cincinnati Bengals draftee Dontay Moch was projected to be one of the draft's top pass rushers with his amazing speed coming off of the edge, but he lacks football skills.
Moch is simply an athlete, not a football player.
Prince Amukamara Will Choke on the Big Stage in New York
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Prince Amukamara out of Nebraska will not adjust well to the bright lights in New York.
As the Giants' first-round draft pick, Amukamara will have a subpar rookie season for the Big Blue.
Adrian Clayborn Will Dominate the NFC South
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' pick at the 20th overall selection will be considered a brilliant decision by Tampa Bay's front office.
Adrian Clayborn will be dominant in the NFC South and bring nightmares into the dreams of Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, as he'll record at least 10 sacks as a rookie.
Aldon Smith Will Be a Big-Time Bust
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Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith went seventh overall to the San Francisco 49ers—that selection is considered quite the reach.
Smith was not worth a top-10 draft pick, and he'll struggle his first season as a 49er.
Nick Fairley Will Turn Detroit's Defensive Line into a Dominant One
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Nick Fairley will mature and develop quite the work ethic as he joins Ndamukong Suh in one of the league's top defensive fronts.
James Carpenter Will Turn Heads in Seattle
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Many speculated that the Seattle Seahawks made an awful decision by draft offensive guard James Carpenter in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, but he'll turn into one of the league's top linemen.
Ras-I Dowling Will Play Much Like Devin McCourty
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The New England Patriots did not trade the 33rd overall pick; they kept it and selected cornerback Ras-I Dowling.
Dowling will pair up with Devin McCourty and will have a very similar rookie season to McCourty's in 2010.
Colin Kaepernick Will Start More Games Than Any Rookie Quarterback
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I strongly believe that Colin Kaepernick will end up being a very productive player for the San Francisco 49ers.
Kaepernick was the 36th overall selection by San Francisco, and he'll flourish in Jim Harbaugh's West Coast offense.
Andy Dalton Will Lead the Cincinnati Bengals to the Playoffs
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Andy Dalton had the most wins of the quarterbacks entering the 2011 NFL draft at an impressive 42-8 during his time at TCU—and he will carry over his success into the NFL.
The Bengals will trade away Carson Palmer, and Dalton will earn the starting job midseason and lead the Bengals to a playoff berth.
Titus Young Will Not Live Up to Expectations
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Wide receiver Titus Young will be expected to jump into Detroit's offense and start opposite of Calvin Johnson—that wont happen. It will take some time for Young to develop and adjust to the speed of the game at the next level.
Blaine Gabbert Will Start One Game During His Rookie Season
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As usual, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard will get beaten up and likely miss one game during the regular season. As Garrard misses a week, rookie Blaine Gabbert will start in his place.
Cameron Heyward Will Develop into a Quality Defensive End for the Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round draft choice, Cameron Heyward, will end up being quite the pick.
Heyward, who has all the talent and ability in the world, was just inconsistent at Ohio State. However, now playing in the NFL, he will focus much more and turn into one of the league's top rookie defensive ends.
A.J. Green Will Snag 10 Touchdown Passes
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The fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, A.J. Green, will have an amazing rookie season as a Cincinnati Bengal. In fact, Green will score at least 10 touchdowns during his rookie year.
Seven of Green's Touchdowns Will Be Thrown by Andy Dalton
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As I predicted in the previous slide, Green will score at least 10 touchdowns, and seven of those will be thrown by rookie Andy Dalton.
Cameron Jordan Will Face an Injury-Plagued Rookie Season
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I know this is kind of ridiculous, but I've got a hunch, just a hunch, that Cameron Jordan will face multiple injuries during his rookie season.
Hey, these are bold predictions, right?
Cam Newton Will Resemble Steve McNair
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There's just something about Cam Newton that reminds me of the late Steve McNair, whether it's his running ability or his cannon arm.
Shane Vereen Will Run for More Than 700 Yards
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Shane Vereen will be the second coming of Corey Dillon for the New England Patriots. But, this time, the Patriots got a running back much younger in his career rather than grabbing Dillon at the tail end of his.
Kyle Rudolph Will Be Have Very Unproductive Rookie Season
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Tight end Kyle Rudolph will not fit well with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011, as the Vikings have a starting tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe, so playing time will be at a minimum for Rudolph.
Undrafted Linebacker Mark Herzlich Will Make the New England Patriots Roster
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Former cancer patient Mark Herzlich was a very productive linebacker for the Boston College Eagles and unexpectedly went undrafted.
The New England Patriots will capitalize on the mistake of not selecting Herzlich, and he'll make New England's 53-man roster.
Stephen Paea Will Develop into a Solid Anchor for Chicago's Defensive Line
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The current record holder for most reps of the bench press at the NFL scouting combine is now Chicago Bears defensive linemen Stephen Paea.
Paea will become an unmovable object on the Bears defensive line.
Danny Watkins Will Play Like a Seasoned Veteran
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Danny Watkins, who entered the draft at 26 yards old, will play like a seasoned veteran on the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line.
The offensive guard out of Baylor will start for the Eagles in the 2011 season and be a very effective blocker.
The New York Jets Will Cut Greg McElroy
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Unfortunately, Greg McElroy will simply not work out with the New York Jets—he'll be a wasted pick as the Jets will cut him prior to the start of the regular season.
Daniel Thomas Will Emerge as a Quality Back for the Miami Dolphins
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Daniel Thomas may not run for over 1,000 yards, but he'll post a nice 4.0 yards-per-carry average for the Miami Dolphins in his rookie season.
Ryan Kerrigan Will Be a Huge Disappointment
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Ryan Kerrigan will simply not workout for the Washington Redskins. According to multiple scouts, Kerrigan isn't best suited for a 3-4 defense, and I happen to agree.
Brooks Reed Will Emerge as an Elite Pass Rusher
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Brooks Reed, the 42nd overall selection by the Houston Texans, will emerge as an elite pass rusher—as he'll only be good at rushing the passer.
Reed will be a very talented and effective pass rusher in Houston's 3-4 defense as a sub-package situational player.
DeMarcus Van Dyke Will Amount to Nothing
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DeMarcus Van Dyke, who was the 81st overall pick by the Oakland Raiders, should have just been a track and field athlete with his amazing 4.28 40-yard dash time—as that's the only positive trait that he possesses.
A.J. Green Will Win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
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A.J. Green will have a monstrous rookie season as a Bengal. As Green will spent a lot of his team reeling in passes from the young Andy Dalton, he'll make the most of it and develop quite the chemsitry with the TCU product.
Green will lead the Bengals in receptions, and not only win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, but he'll be named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad.
J.J. Watt Will Win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award
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Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was drafted into the most ideal situation: a 3-4 defense.
Watt will flourish in Wade Philip's 3-4 defense and he'll back a sack machine—and not only being a sack machine, he'll turn into quite the run stopper.
He may not be the most talented defensive player in the 2011 draft class, but he's definitely in the best situation and has one of the most impressive work ethics.
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