2011 NFL Draft: 25 Predictions for the 2011 Class
After months of speculation and hearsay, the 2011 NFL draft is officially in the books.
Draft weekend proved to be a wild and unpredictable few days that has left us with many more questions than answers at this point.
This yearโs incoming rookie class is filled with star power, but with the league still in full lockout mode, thereโs no telling whatโs going to happen this season, if there even is one.
All we can do right now is continue to speculate as to what type of impact all of this yearโs prospects will make once they finally strap on an NFL uniform.
In these uncertain times for the NFL, it seems almost impossible to forecast what the future holds, but hereโs a look at 25 bold predictions for this yearโs draft class.
WR Titus Young Will Win the Offensive Rookie of the Year
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The Detroit Lions have been in need of a true complement to WR Calvin Johnson basically since the day they drafted him back in 2007.
Theyโve finally found their man with WR Titus Young, one of the most explosive offensive prospects available this year.
Young, who has already heard his name mentioned with the likes of DeSean Jackson, has field-stretching speed, and he should become a favorite second option for QB Matt Stafford this season.
The Lions had one of the best drafts this year, and with the continued influx of young talent, they seem poised to make a run at an NFC North crown sooner rather than later.
OLB Aldon Smith Will Win the Defensive Rookie of the Year
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One of the more surprising top-10 picks this year was San Francisco selecting Missouri DE Aldon Smith.
Although Smith is still a bit raw after only seeing the field for two seasons at Missouri, he has as much potential as any other prospect in this class.
Smith, who racked up 17 sacks in 23 games in college, should make a fluid transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 rush linebacker.
The 6โ4โโ 265 lb. dynamic pass-rusher will be a terror coming off the edge, and it wouldnโt be surprising to see Smith reach a double-digit sack total as a rookie.
Cam Newton Will Prove His Doubters Wrong
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If you were to listen to all of Cam Newtonโs critics, you would probably think that Newton was simply a dumb, arrogant fool with zero leadership abilities who is incapable of ever surviving in an NFL locker room.
And it all makes me wonder, were all of these guys watching the same Auburn games I was watching last year?
Because the Cam Newton I saw looked really darn impressive, as he pretty much single-handedly carried a team through the toughest competition in college football all the way to a national championship.
Sure, thereโs a few things not to like about Cam Newton, but when you look at this young man from a pure ability standpoint, heโs off the charts.
There's a chance Cam Newton could be a complete bust, and there's also a chance he could be a transcendent player who ushers in a new era of QBs in the NFL.
Why don't we all swallow a few rational pills, and let's slow down on labeling Newton until he actually takes an NFL snap first.
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Robert Quinn Will Be the Biggest Bust
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I would have loved to see what Robert Quinn was capable of doing as strictly a 3-4 rush linebacker in the NFL, however, I just donโt see him being a great fit for the St. Louis defense.
Quinn is a phenomenal athlete for his size, but he also happens to be a one-trick pony, who disappears against the run.
You also have to wonder how rusty Quinn's going to be considering he hasn't played in an actual game since December of 2009.
If I were a Rams fan, Iโd hold off on purchasing a Quinn jersey until he proves heโs capable of being a legitimate factor in the NFL.
At Least Five Running Backs Will Be Better Than Mark Ingram
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And their names are Ryan Williams, Mikel Leshoure, Daniel Thomas, Bilal Powell and Shane Vereen.
I know everybody applauded the Saints for trading back up into the first round for Mark Ingram, and I understand their motivation and reasoning for making the move. But I donโt understand why they just couldnโt wait and get a better value with one of the talented second-day backs.
Ingram was an absolute stud player in college, but as weโve seen, knee injuries are always tricky to deal with, and that could have been a major reason so many teams passed on the former Alabama RB.
The Heisman winner should turn into a decent complementary backfield mate for Pierre Thomas but donโt be shocked if guys like Williams, Leshoure and Thomas end up outproducing him in the NFL.
Von Miller Will Eventually Turn out To Be the Best Player of This Class
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It may take some time adapting to his role as a 4-3 outside linebacker, but when Von Miller finally figures it all out, heโs going to be scary good for the Broncos.
Itโs true, Millerโs strengths would have been better suited for a 3-4 defense, but when youโve got the type of talent that Miller possesses, youโre going to make an impact regardless of where you line up.
When we look back on this draft five years from now, Iโd be shocked if Von Miller isn't considered the best player of this class.
Christian Ponder and Jake Locker Will Become Serviceable Starters
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After the first round concluded, it quickly became fashionable to bash the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings because both teams reached to find starting quarterback help.
Even though Jake Locker and Christian Ponder werenโt valued as top-15 caliber prospects, that doesnโt mean that the two wonโt evolve into successful pro players.
Neither Locker nor Ponder will probably turn into the next Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but thereโs a good shot that both can settle in and become consistent leaders of their respective offenses for years to come.
Andy Dalton Will Not
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Iโll admit, I still donโt understand the Andy Dalton hype.
Sure, I would absolutely love to have the guy as my go-to backup if my starting QB goes down for a game. But I just canโt see Dalton, who has a marginal skill set at best, leading the Bengals to big things as their everyday starter.
Intangibles are great to have, and they may take you far in the Mountain West Conference, but when youโre going up against NFL defenses week in and week out, youโve got to have something more than just the โwinning traitโ to succeed.
The Offensive Tackle Group Will Dominate
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In five years, weโre going to look back on this offensive tackle class and wonder how we didnโt value these guys as elite players.
Tyron Smith, Nate Solder, Derek Sherrod, Anthony Castonzo and Gabe Carimi all have the chance to be anchors of their respective lines for the foreseeable future.
This was considered to be a solid yet unspectacular group of tackles this year, but I could see all five first-round picks developing into perennial Pro Bowlers.
Jimmy Smith Will Be a Better NFL CB Than Patrick Peterson
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Itโs almost become taboo to criticize everybodyโs golden boy prospect, CB Patrick Peterson, but Iโm sorry; it just has to be done.
If I were building a team of the best pure athletes, Peterson would probably be my No. 1 pick. But that doesnโt change the fact that the guy is an average cornerback at best.
All you have to do is ask Julio Jones or Jeff Fuller.
When Peterson faces real competition, he stumbles.
Everybody who is expecting Peterson to come in and revolutionize the cornerback position needs to take a 10-minute timeout in the corner and relax.
If youโre looking for the best CB in this draft, look no further than Jimmy Smith, who is set to be next star of the Baltimore Ravens defense.
Smith doesnโt come into the league with Petersonโs level of hype, but heโs got more substance, and when all is said and done, weโre going to look back and wonder why it wasnโt Smith who was the top-five pick.
Julio Jones Will Be Worth All the Picks
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A lot of analysts have been questioning the Falcons for giving up so many picks in order to move all the way up from No. 27 to No. 6. But you have to remember that if you want something of value, you need to be willing to invest something substantial.
In my opinion, Julio Jones was the best receiver prospect in this draft, and he has a chance to be one of the biggest impact players..
GM Thomas Dimitroff knew that if the Falcons wanted to be considered a true Super Bowl contender, they were going to have to find a complement to star wideout Roddy White.
Well, they found it.
Jarvis Jenkins Will Be the Steal of the Draft
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The Redskins really did a great job filling out the front seven of their defense with their first two picks, OLB Ryan Kerrigan and DT Jarvis Jenkins.
Jenkins, in particular, might turn out to be one of biggest steals of the draft.
Washington has been searching for a nose tackle since making the switch to a 3-4 defense last year, and it looks like theyโve now got the guy to fill the role.
If he reaches his potential, the 6โ4โโ, 310 lb. Jenkins has a chance to be one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley Will Become a Dynamic Duo
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Am I the only one who actually liked what New England did in the draft this year?
Iโve seen a lot of analysts and fans beat up on the Patriots for some of the moves they made in this draft, and while itโs understandable to be concerned that they didnโt pick up one of the many quality pass-rushers available. Overall, Iโd have to say they had some real quality selections.
The RB duo of Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley has a chance to be really effective.
Yes, you can make the case that the Pats reached for Ridley in the third round, but heโs the type of player that could really excel as a bigger change of pace back in New Englandโs offense.
Vereen is also a nice looking RB prospect who could surprise some people.
Da'Quan Bowers' Fall Will Be Justified
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As a big Bucs fan, this pains me to say, but I just donโt think DaโQuan Bowers will be all that great of an NFL player.
Knee issues aside, it seemed like Bowers was one of those players who turned on the light only at certain times during his college career, and those players never really seem to reach their full potential in the pros.
Remember, these NFL teams do their homework, so if a highly regarded player drops as far as Bowers did, thereโs usually a serious reason for it.
Iโm hoping Iโm wrong because the young man seems to have the right mindset to succeed and heโs been through a lot of adversity recently both professionally and personally. But I just have to say that I donโt have the greatest feeling about this pick.
Adrian Clayborn, on the other hand, is a player that Iโm really excited to see in a Tampa Bay uniform.
Colin Kaepernick Will Lead the 49ers Back to Prominence
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Since Hall of Fame QB Steve Young retired back in 1999, it seems like the 49ers franchise has been stuck in a thick malaise for the better part of a decade. But that could all be about to change.
New head coach Jim Harbaugh is bringing a new attitude to town, and heโs also bringing in a QB who is oozing with potential in second-round pick Colin Kaepernick out of Nevada.
Admittedly, itโs going to take some time for Kaepernick to adjust from playing in a pistol offense in college to a West Coast-based attack in the pros. But once Kaepernick gets his feet under him, he has a chance to really develop into something spectacular.
Colin Kaepernick vs. Sam Bradford could turn into one of the premier QB rivalries in the NFL.
Randall Cobb Will Become Aaron Rodgers' Favorite Target
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I canโt really justify in words how exceptional I thought this pick was for the Green Bay Packers.
Randall Cobb perfectly fits the profile of the new breed of NFL receiver.
Cobb is a smaller slot receiver with devastating quickness and speed, and heโs the type of player who has to be accounted for on every snap.
With the exception of Greg Jennings, Green Bayโs receiving corps have been plagued by inconsistent play recently, so Cobb has a great shot to come in and be an immediate impact player as a rookie.
Chris Carter Will Be a Great Fit in Pittsburgh
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One of my favorite prospects this year was Fresno State DE/OLB Chris Carter. And I have to say that I was a little shocked to see him last all the way until the fifth round.
Carter will fit in well as a rush linebacker in Pittsburghโs 3-4 defense.
He has a great chance to develop into a starting-caliber player, and he should compete with Jason Worilds for the shot to ultimately replace the aging James Harrison.
Jabaal Sheard Will Terrorize Quarterbacks
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The Cleveland Browns were smart to add some firepower to their defensive line with DT Phil Taylor and DE Jabaal Sheard in the first two rounds.
The Browns need bodies up front now that their attempting to transition to a 4-3 defense, and Sheard is a player that could turn into the pass-rusher the team has been craving for.
At 6โ3โโ, 265 lbs., Sheard may not be the biggest defensive end, but he certainly knows how to find his way to the QB, and it wouldn't be surprising if he led the team in sacks as a rookie.
Luke Stocker Will Be Better Than Kyle Rudolph
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I know everyone was really caught up with Notre Dameโs Kyle Rudolph, saying he was the only top TE prospect in this class, but I have a hunch that it will be Luke Stocker who makes the bigger impact.
Maybe itโs the Tampa Bay homer in me talking, but Stocker looks like the real deal, and heโs the type of workmanlike, get things done kind of player who you just canโt help but root for.
Austin Pettis Will Be a Great Fantasy Pick
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Dear fantasy football junkies, if youโre looking for a rookie to take your team to the next level, make sure you take note of St. Louis WR Austin Pettis.
The Rams knew they needed to find QB Sam Bradford a go-to WR, and Pettis could turn out to be that guy. He may not be a dangerous deep threat, but Pettis is a proven producer who catches every ball thrown in his direction.
Jerrel Jernigan Will Be the Most Valuable Member of the Giants' Draft Class
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I really like what the Giants did in this draft even though they didnโt address their obvious offensive line need until the third day. CB Prince Amukamara and DT Marvin Austin were both great value picks, and they should be two foundation players for New Yorkโs defense for years to come.
The real intriguing pick though was receiver/returner extraordinaire Jerrel Jernigan.
The Giants special teams were their Achilles Heel last year, and the team was definitely in need of a return man who could provide them with adequate field position on a consistent basis.
Not only can Jernigan fulfill that need, he also provides insurance as a receiver in case Steve Smith, who underwent microfracture surgery, isnโt at full strength to start the season.
Ryan Mallett Will Succeed Tom Brady Whether He Likes It or Not
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It appears like people either love or hate this pick, and Iโm one that falls into the former category. Drug and alcohol issues aside, thereโs no doubt that Ryan Mallett is the best pure QB prospect in this class.
Tom Brady may say heโs going to play another 10 years, but letโs be realistic. Every QB has to ride into the sunset sooner or later.
Also, you have to remember that the track record of quarterbacks once they hit the age of 35 isnโt that great.
The Pats will give Mallett two or three years to mature, soak in everything about the offense and learn behind one of the best to ever play the game.
After that, theyโll unleash him and let him cause havoc.
Chris Culliver Will Solve San Francisco's CB Woes
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For years, the 49ers have seemed to need cornerback help, and they may have finally gotten the guy that can come in and help solidify the position in Chris Culliver out of South Carolina.
Although Culliver didnโt receive much publicity heading into the draft, heโs one of the most athletic cornerbacks in this class, and he could become a favorite of San Francisco secondary coach Ed Donatell very quickly.
Beware of Bruce Carter
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Outside of Von Miller, Bruce Carter was the undisputed best linebacker prospect available this year.
A Torn ACL really hurt Carter, who was on track to be top-20 pick, and he dropped all the way to pick No. 40 where the Cowboys wisely pounced on him. But once he gets fully healed up, Carterโs going to be a very dangerous player.
Beware of Bruce Carter.
Keith Williams Will Be the Best Late-Round Pick
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Coming into this draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers were looking to bolster their offensive line, which had been depleted due to injuries last season, and they may have found a late-round gem in guard Keith Williams out of Nebraska.
The 6โ4โโ, 315 lb. Williams has all the physical traits to be a starter in the NFL, and if the coaching staff can make sure he stays focused, he has a chance to be one of the real late-round steals of this draft.
Other Predictions
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1. Rahim Moore and Ahmad Black will be the only two starting safeties to emerge out of this draft.
2. Scotty McKnight and Mark Sanchez will get into some type of trouble in New York City.
3. Brandon Hogan will be everything Pacman Jones should have been.
4. Andrew Gachkar will be a special teams demon.
5. Delone Carter and Johnny White will shock people with their production.
6. Tandon Doss will outplay Torrey Smith.
7. Jonathan Baldwin will either be a huge success or a huge failure.
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