2011 NFL Season Preview: The Rookie on Each Team Destined for Greatness
With the 2011 NFL draft in the books, it is time to look ahead and predict the future for each of the 32 franchises.
From the 2011 class, will we find the next Tom Brady or DeMarcus Ware?
It's easy to forget that the best players do not always come in Rounds 1 and 2, so we are taking a look at the entire draft and giving you a look at the player on each NFL roster who is destined for greatness.
Buffalo Bills: Defensive End Marcell Dareus
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The Buffalo Bills used the No. 3 draft pick overall to select Marcell Dareus, a big-body who can anchor the defensive line in either a three- or four-man front.
Buffalo is hoping Dareus can step in sooner rather than later.
Defensive ends in a 3-4 defense are rarely given awards or much recognition by the media, as they do not generate tons of sacks or tackles, but Dareus has something special that will propel him into the upper echelon of the NFL.
Miami Dolphins: Running Back Daniel Thomas
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The Miami Dolphins backfield is wide open for the taking.
The man carrying the rock in Miami next year will have the opportunity to produce big numbers behind a solid offensive line.
That man will be Daniel Thomas.
Thomas is a name to remember in fantasy football, Rookie of the Year voting and more. He'll be given every opportunity to succeed as a rookie.
New England Patriots: Cornerback Ras-I Dowling
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The Patriots first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, offensive tackle Nate Solder, may not see the field enough in 2011 to warrant mention here.
The longer the lockout goes on the more likely it is that a player at wide receiver or cornerback will dominate in their first season, as these two positions require less coaching and rely more on natural ability.
This is the reason we like Ras-I Dowling here.
Much like Devin McCourty in 2010, Dowling is NFL-ready and could surprise people early on.
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New York Jets: Nose Tackle Kenrick Ellis
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It may surprise some to not see first-rounder Muhammad Wilkerson here, but we really like what Kenrick Ellis can bring at nose tackle in New York.
Ellis had late first-round talent but fell in the draft after character concerns from his days at Mississippi State.
Under the firm hand of head coach Rex Ryan, we believe Ellis will blossom into one of the better nose tackles in football.
Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Jimmy Smith
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The Baltimore Ravens do a great job of using the draft to re-stock their roster, perhaps more than any other team in the NFL.
With their first pick in the 2011 draft we believe the Ravens found a starting cornerback in the Nnamdi Asomugha-mold.
Smith will be a Week 1 starter and potential Rookie of the Year.
Cincinnati Bengals: Quarterback Andy Dalton
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The Bengals used Rounds 1 and 2 to draft their No. 1 wide receiver and quarterback of the future.
It may surprise some that we feel the quarterback, Andy Dalton, will be a star before the receiver, A.J. Green.
Of course, if you think about it, they truly go hand-in-hand. For Dalton to do well, he must utilize his most talented receiver.
Cleveland Browns: Defensive End Jabaal Sheard
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The Browns had one of the best drafts of any team this year—and their roster shows it.
Cleveland loaded up on the defensive line, adding Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard to anchor at defensive tackle and defensive end.
The Browns also added potential playmakers on offense with Owen Mareric, Greg Little and Jordan Cameron. In all, a very solid draft.
That is why picking just one standout player was tough, but in the end, we went with a player bound to produce as a rookie at right defensive end.
Jabaal Sheard.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Outside Linebacker Chris Carter
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have become known for developing linebackers, which is why we chose outside linebacker Chris Carter as our player destined for greatness.
Carter will learn behind James Harrison before taking over for him down the road.
As a college defensive end Carter has the ability to rush the passer, in fact he's similar to LaMarr Woodley's skill set coming out of Michigan, just not as finished of a product.
Houston Texans: Outside Linebacker Brooks Reed
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The Texans will move to a 3-4 defense in 2011 under new coordinator Wade Phillips. To do so, they needed to address the defense early and often during the 2011 draft.
First-round pick J.J. Watt is an interesting player, and we believe he will be very good, but it is second-rounder Brooks Reed who we think we will have the greatest impact.
Lining up at outside linebacker, opposite Mario Williams, Reed will have the opportunity to produce from very early on in his career.
Indianapolis Colts: Offensive Tackle Anthony Castonzo
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Offensive tackles are not generally thrown in the spotlight, but when your job is to protect future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, you can figure the public will be watching.
Anthony Castonzo comes to the NFL ready to start from Week 1. He was coached up at Boston College and is prepared for NFL pass rushers.
If Castonzo performs as well as we think he can, the Colts could be looking at another Super Bowl appearance in 2011.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert
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It could realistically be one, two or even three years before we see Blaine Gabbert on the field as the Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback.
The longer the better, in our opinion.
Gabbert has star capability, but neither he nor the Jaguars are ready for him to enter the starting lineup.
Given time to sit, watch and learn, Gabbert will be better off—and this will give the team around him time to improve.
Tennessee Titans: Defensive Tackle Jurrell Casey
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It would be easy to rank Jake Locker, the Titans' first-rounder, as our player destined for greatness.
Except we don't think Locker will be more than an average starter during his career.
Casey, on the other hand, looks like a steal.
If playing a nose tackle or one-technique position we love Casey's ability to stop the run and cause traffic jams at the line of scrimmage.
He's also a pretty darn good pass-rusher.
Denver Broncos: Outside Linebacker Von Miller
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It should come as no surprise that the No. 2 pick from the 2011 draft would make our list of the most dominant players from the draft class.
Von Miller is quite simply a beast.
Miller ranks as our No. 1 linebacker prospect since we began covering/scouting the draft back in 1997 as a teenage kid writing for a highly trafficked draft website.
Over the course of those 14 years we have seen many workout warriors and solid college linebackers make the move to the NFL but none had the overall skills of Miller.
Great things are on the horizon in Denver.
Kansas City Chiefs: Center Rodney Hudson
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It was hard to choose just one player from the Kansas City Chiefs excellent draft class, but in the end we settled on the player we believe will make the most impact early on in his career.
Center Rodney Hudson.
While Jonathan Baldwin, Allen Bailey and Justin Houston will all be major contributors as rookies we love the ability of Hudson. In fact, he was our No. 1 rated center at New Era Scouting before the draft began—higher than first-round pick Mike Pouncey.
Oakland Raiders
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How should we say this...
The Oakland Raiders draft class was not very good.
Even when you consider their first-round pick was traded for defensive tackle Richard Seymour there is still not much here to like.
Except for center Stefan Wisniewski.
Stefan will be coached by his uncle Steve, who is now the Raiders offensive line coach. If the younger Wis plays anything like his uncle, the Raiders will be very, very happy.
San Diego Chargers: Running Back Jordan Todman
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Attention fantasy football players: Draft Jordan Todman.
If you are looking for a late-round steal in your fantasy football league, this year consider the Chargers rookie running back Jordan Todman.
Todman is a shifty runner with the skills to be a threat between the tackles and as a third-down back. When teamed up with 2010 first-rounder (and disappointment) Ryan Mathews, Todman has a chance to make waves in his rookie season.
Dallas Cowboys: Inside Linebacker Bruce Carter
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Bruce Carter will have the chance to make an immediate impact on the Cowboys' roster.
Bradie James and Keith Brooking may have the inside track on the starting linebacker positions in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, but watch out for two youngsters stealing playing time.
Playing alongside another star in the making, Sean Lee, Carter's scary athleticism and nose for the ball will make him a household name in the Lone Star State before the end of the 2011 football season.
New York Giants: Defensive Tackle Marvin Austin
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Marvin Austin had top-10 talent compared to the rest of the 2011 draft class, but character concerns and a missed 2010 season pushed him to the second round of the draft.
Every team that passed on him will regret it.
Austin's ability to split the offensive line and make plays in the backfield is legendary in the ACC. Put in film from the Tar Heels' 2009 season and Austin is scary good.
So good that before the 2010 season, we graded Austin out as a better penetrator and better athlete than Ndamukong Suh—who went on to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.
Philadelphia Eagles: Safety Jaiquawn Jarrett
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The Philadelphia draft class was once again very solid, making it hard for us to choose just one player as a future star.
That player was a second-round pick from nearby Temple University.
His name is Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Jarrett will line up at strong safety for the Eagles in 2011 and has the inside track to start from Week 1. His range, tackling ability and speed will make him a playmaker on par with Earl Thomas and T.J. Ward—2010 rookies who excelled in their first seasons.
Washington Redskins: Outside Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan
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Ryan Kerrigan will enter the NFL with a benefit that few rookies have: lining up opposite Brian Orakpo.
Kerrigan will have the advantage of some anonymity with the All-Pro level pass rusher Orakpo blitzing the edge opposite him.
Washington, by drafting Kerrigan, will feature two kamikazi style pass rushers from the outside, something few teams have been able to do successfully.
If Washington can find the defensive linemen to hold the offensive tackles back, Kerrigan will have a huge presence in 2011.
Chicago Bears: Offensive Tackle Gabe Carimi
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The Chicago Bears wisely used their first-round pick on a mammoth left tackle to protect Jay Cutler and power the running game of Matt Forté.
Gabe Carimi graded out as the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect on our top 500 players before the 2011 NFL Draft, and we firmly believe he will have an instant impact on the Bears' offense.
Carimi has similar skills as Joe Thomas, who made the Pro Bowl his rookie season.
Detroit Lions: Running Back Mikel Leshoure
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Defensive tackle Nick Fairley may be the more popular choice for the Lions rookie destined for greatness but we have a love affair with running back Mikel Leshoure.
Leshoure is a similar player to Rashard Mendenhall, if not as shifty he's stronger between the tackles. Leshoure will be an ideal complement to scat-back Jahvid Best and might even garner a starting job as Best is suited better for a third-down role.
Green Bay Packers: Wide Receiver Randall Cobb
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The Packers used their first three picks on offense, selecting tackle Derek Sherrod and running back Alex Green in addition to wide receiver/utility man Randall Cobb.
At Kentucky Cobb was featured as a Wildcat quarterback, at running back, wide receiver and is one of the best return men to ever play for the Wildcats.
For Green Bay Cobb will be featured similarly to Percy Harvin or DeSean Jackson as Aaron Rodgers is asked to simply get him the ball and watch him run to daylight.
Minnesota Vikings: Tight End Kyle Rudolph
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The Vikings are hedging their bets that first round quarterback Christian Ponder will become a star—something we do think is possible.
However, for Ponder to become a star in the NFL, he will need a tight end to bail him out of the middle, stretch the field and pressure safeties.
No tight end in the 2011 draft class is better suited for the NFL than Kyle Rudolph.
The former-Notre Dame star missed most of the last two years with freak injuries. He's healthy now and ready to show the talent that made him the No. 1 tight end on all draft boards we saw.
Atlanta Falcons: Wide Receiver Julio Jones
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Wide receiver Julio Jones may not be as talented as Cincinnati Bengals draftee A.J. Green, but he has Matt Ryan throwing to him and Roddy White to serve as his mentor.
Jones enters an ideal situation with the Falcons. He will be given excellent coaching, is not being asked to take over as a No. 1 receiver and has one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL to rely on.
Jones may have been drafted two spots later than A.J. Green, but we believe he'll enter the realm of "NFL stardom" much sooner.
Carolina Panthers: Nose Tackle Sione Fua
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Sione Fua, not No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton, will be the best player from the Carolina Panthers 2011 draft class.
Fua has the makings of a great nose tackle, or one-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme.
He has the wide body and low center of gravity that all defensive coordinators love in their gap-plugging tackles. He's also an extremely intelligent player who will be able to handle a starting job as a rookie.
With speedsters Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson on the outside at defensive end and Fua in the middle, the Panthers defensive line is on the upswing.
New Orleans Saints: Outside Linebacker Martez Wilson
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A bit of a disclaimer here.
The Saints two first-round picks, Cameron Jordan and Mark Ingram, are both fine players—but we are not sold on their ability at the NFL level.
Jordan would have been a great fit at defensive end in a 3-4 defense. In the Saints 4-3 scheme he is almost without a position. Jordan has never shown quick-twitch ability as a pass rusher, so he may slide inside and play the three-technique position. Although, that is where Sedrick Ellis has made a home.
Jordan could be a platoon player throughout his time in New Orleans.
On Mark Ingram, to be nice, he's one of the most overrated draft prospects I can remember. Bust city, folks.
Martez Wilson, on the other hand, has it all. He's a player worth watching in his rookie season as the Saints try to get younger and faster on defense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a killer draft class from the 2011 lottery.
Both defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers have the ability to be very special—but both must answer questions about health concerns first.
That alone keeps them from making out list.
Instead, we stay on the defensive side of the ball and look at the man who will replace Barrett Ruud at middle linebacker, Mason Foster.
Foster's speed and instincts will endear him to Bucs fans in a hurry. His tackle numbers, especially behind the line of scrimmage, will make him a well-known player overall.
Arizona Cardinals: Cornerback Patrick Peterson
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It is easy to get caught up in hyperbole when looking at draft prospects.
In my time as an evaluator/scout I've made a few proclamations:
1. I called Matt Ryan the second-best quarterback that I had ever seen (Peyton Manning at the time being No. 1, Andrew Luck has taken his place).
2. I was also guilty of calling Ndamukong Suh the best player I had ever scouted (and he still is).
3. Von Miller's tape was the best from a linebacker that I had ever scouted.
4. Before the 2011 draft, I was caught calling Patrick Peterson "the best cornerback since Charles Woodson."
And I still believe all of those things.
Patrick Peterson is ready to set the NFL on fire. I will always contend Peterson, and not Cam Newton, should have been the No. 1 pick this year.
St. Louis Rams: Wide Receiver Austin Pettis
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The St. Louis Rams chose one of my personal favorites in defensive end Robert Quinn, but that doesn't mean Quinn automatically makes our list.
Wide receiver Austin Pettis will have the honor of working with wonder-kid quarterback Sam Bradford, an honor that will see Pettis becoming Bradford's favorite deep threat before the end of the 2011 season.
It seems that every year a mid-to-late round pick at wide receiver stands out. This year that player will be Austin Pettis.
San Francisco 49ers: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick
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Before becoming a national writer for Bleacher Report and New Era Scouting, after many stops elsewhere, I was raised a San Francisco 49ers fan.
Born in the early 1980s I, like most of you, enjoyed the successes of Joe Montana, Steve Young and then Jeff Garcia before being haunted by Tim Rattay, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and Trent Dilfer.
Colin Kaepernick is the great hope for 49er fans everywhere. And it doesn't hurt that new head coach Jim Harbaugh has quite the track record with quarterbacks—having been a successful college and NFL passer himself.
So maybe this entry is based partly on pure hope and faith, but there is also substance here.
Kaepernick is an ideal fit for the West Coast offense and will have at least one season to sit behind Alex Smith (it hurts to type that...) before he is thrown to the wolves.
We believe in Colin Kaepernick, even if it's only because we really, really want to.
Seattle Seahawks: Guard John Moffitt
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If you look up "unsexy" in the dictionary, you are likely to see a picture of Fergie and a write-up on the Seattle Seahawks 2011 draft class.
Seattle used nine draft picks on players the average fan had never heard of, using their first two on offensive linemen projected to go many rounds later than they were picked.
Seattle needs John Moffitt and first-rounder James Carpenter to step in to starting roles immediately. Of the two, Moffitt playing guard has the best chance to make an impact.
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