2011 NFL Draft Results: Power Ranking Top 10 AFC North Rookies to Watch in 2011
There may not be a division with better rivalries than the storied AFC North. Every fan base loathes the other three, which makes it one of the most intense divisions in any sport.
All four teams—Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh—greatly improved through the 2011 NFL Draft, as they each landed elite talent. The Browns and Bengals are setting up to be highly competitive after selecting several franchise cornerstone pieces, while Pittsburgh and Baltimore filled holes that will allow them to compete for the Super Bowl this season.
Which team had the most players on my top 10 AFC North rookies to watch in 2011? Which player will have the biggest impact of them all?
Read on to find out.
10. Owen Marecic, FB (Cleveland Browns)
1 of 10Height: 6’1”
Weight: 248 lbs.
Career Stats: 36 attempts, 67 yards, 9 touchdowns
40-yard Dash: 4.91
Bench Press: 22.0
Vertical Jump: 28.5
Broad Jump: 102.0
Three-cone Drill: 7.1
20-yard Shuttle: 4.56
60-yard Shuttle: 11.71
A fullback? Yes, but not just any fullback.
This is one of the most intense fullbacks to come out of college in recent years and may even rival New York’s John Conner for the best young lead-blocker in the game.
Owen Marecic is a two-way player with the ability to play fullback and linebacker. It would not surprise me at all to see him become one of the top special teams players in the league, but get used to also seeing him play linebacker should the Browns suffer any injuries.
He is a quality linebacker because of his great understanding of the running game, as he leads the way for his running backs with great vision to see holes quickly. Couple that with great strength and fine speed to help pave the way.
In Cleveland, he and Peyton Hillis will create a backfield duo few linebackers will want to impede.
9. Phil Taylor, DT (Cleveland Browns)
2 of 10Height: 6’3”
Weight: 334 lbs.
Career Stats: 107 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 interception
40-yard Dash: 5.14
Bench Press: 31.0
Vertical Jump: 29.5
Broad Jump: 100.0
Three-cone Drill: 7.75
20-yard Shuttle: 4.77
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
The Browns’ first-round selection is the best 3-4 nose tackle in the class, but with Phil Taylor’s mammoth size and great athleticism, he will still succeed in a 4-3 defense.
Taylor is a massive force up front and will help set the tone for the rest of the defense. With his push up front and pressure on the quarterback, the entire defense will be much improved, as they will not be relied upon as much to create plays by themselves.
There are some who are concerned with his inoperable foot injury, but his recent weight loss will help ease the pressure on his feet to allow him to stay on the field.
With Taylor anchoring the defense, the Browns will put out a competitive defense once again.
8. Curtis Brown, CB (Pittsburgh Steelers)
3 of 10Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Career Stats: 105 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown
40-yard Dash: 4.68
Bench Press: 23.0
Vertical Jump: 33.5
Broad Jump: 112.0
Three-cone Drill: 6.69
20-yard Shuttle: 4.32
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
How Curtis Brown fell to the end of the third round is beyond me.
He is one of the top six or seven cornerbacks in the class and had no business being taken after some of the other corners who went in the third round. I had him pegged as a second-rounder all mock season, so needless to say, he was clearly a steal for the Steelers (no pun intended), who may lose Ike Taylor to free agency.
Brown is a quality cornerback who has very good size and speed. He has quality instincts and will even help in run support. I believe he will become the No. 1 cornerback by his second year if Taylor does not return, but at the very least, he will be a great No. 2 corner.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
7. Dontay Moch, OLB (Cincinnati Bengals)
4 of 10Height: 6’1”
Weight: 248 lbs.
Career Stats: 189 tackles, 29 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
40-yard Dash: 4.44
Bench Press: 21.0
Vertical Jump: 42.0
Broad Jump: 128.0
Three-cone Drill: 7.09
20-yard Shuttle: 4.38
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
Dontay Moch is another player I couldn’t believe fell to the third round.
He is one of the best pass-rushers in the class and has the ability to play defensive end or outside linebacker in any system. He is a strong, quick and athletic defender who will excel in Cincinnati.
The Bengals now have one of the top linebacker units in the game with Moch, Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga. Moch will assist in run support, but will instantly improve the Bengals’ pass-rush.
For a team in need of a pass-rusher, they landed a gem in the third round.
6. Jabaal Sheard, DE (Cleveland Browns)
5 of 10Height: 6’3”
Weight: 264 lbs.
Career Stats: 141 tackles, 19 sacks
40-yard Dash: 4.69
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 31.0
Broad Jump: 115.0
Three-cone Drill: N/A
20-yard Shuttle: N/A
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
In another draft class, Jabaal Sheard probably would have been a first-round selection. He was my No. 10 defensive end in the draft though since this class was littered with elite defensive linemen.
A great athlete, Sheard has a very good motor on the field and is a menacing pass-rusher. He has the quickness to shred blockers off the line of scrimmage as he pursues the opposition.
Paired with Phil Taylor, Sheard will help anchor a much-improved defense. Should the Browns switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 defense, he has the ability to be a fine 3-4 outside linebacker with his pass-rushing abilities.
5. Greg Little, WR (Cleveland Browns)
6 of 10Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220 lbs.
Career Stats: 86 receptions, 969 yards, 6 touchdowns
40-yard Dash: 4.53
Bench Press: 27.0
Vertical Jump: 40.5
Broad Jump: 129.0
Three-cone Drill: 6.8
20-yard Shuttle: 4.21
60-yard Shuttle: 11.28
Right now, the only legitimate offensive option for Colt McCoy is running back Peyton Hillis. That is going to change in 2011 with Greg Little on board.
I’ve likened Little to a smaller version of Terrell Owens. He is one of the fiercest competitors in the draft with his tough nature and willingness to fight for every ball thrown his way. He has great speed and will be used as the Browns’ deep threat, but he will also be the primary possession receiver with his strength and quickness to go over the middle.
Little is the do-it-all receiver the Browns desperately need to change the offense. He will become McCoy’s No. 1 target and help open the offense for Hillis.
No longer will defenses be able to gear up to stop just Hillis.
4. Andy Dalton, QB (Cincinnati Bengals)
7 of 10Height: 6’2”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Career Stats: 10,314 yards, 71 touchdowns, 30 interceptions
40-yard Dash: 4.87
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 29.5
Broad Jump: 106.0
Three-cone Drill: 6.93
20-yard Shuttle: 4.27
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
My No. 5 quarterback in the class, Andy Dalton is the high-character, poised-in-the-pocket, experienced leader the Cincinnati Bengals need to replace Carson Palmer. With Dalton on board, a player who will bring a strong, winning mentality to the organization, the Bengals can get rid of Palmer without having to worry.
Although he does not have incredible arm strength, Dalton will do just fine in the Cincinnati cold as he has the accuracy and experience to succeed as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
3. Cameron Heyward, DE (Pittsburgh Steelers)
8 of 10Height: 6’5”
Weight: 294 lbs.
Career Stats: 162 tackles, 15 sacks, 1 interception
40-yard Dash: N/A
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 30.0
Broad Jump: N/A
Three-cone Drill: N/A
20-yard Shuttle: N/A
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
Although I feel the Steelers already had a quality defensive line, Mike Tomlin is creating one of the best in the game, highlighted by Cameron Heyward.
Heyward was one of the top 3-4 defensive ends in the class with the speed, power and ability to bull rush offensive linemen. He also has the bloodlines and high football IQ to excel in this league. As a rookie, he will draw attention from the offense immediately with his knack for destroying game plans early and often.
He is a force on the defensive line with his ability to wrap up any ball carrier and is also a relentless pass-rusher who will not give up until he gets his man.
With Heyward on board, the Steelers’ blitz package will actually be better in 2011, as scary as that sounds.
2. A.J. Green, WR (Cincinnati Bengals)
9 of 10Height: 6’4”
Weight: 211 lbs.
Career Stats: 166 receptions, 2,619 yards, 23 touchdowns
40-yard Dash: 4.5
Bench Press: 18.0
Vertical Jump: 34.5
Broad Jump: 126.0
Three-cone Drill: 6.91
20-yard Shuttle: 4.21
60-yard Shuttle: 11.46
A.J. Green is the most dynamic offensive talent in this class.
He has incredible athleticism, and his receiving skills are so good that it is difficult to highlight just one. He gets fantastic separation from defensive backs and his footwork, leaping ability and hands are top-notch. With the speed to beat just about any corner in the game, he just might do with his ability to break away from defenders.
Green will draw the coverage instantly from Week 1 as a rookie, and if the defense does not shift his way, he will consistently burn them. He is not afraid to go over the middle, but like Calvin Johnson in Detroit, Green will be one of the top deep threats in the game.
Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer—it doesn’t matter who’s throwing him the rock, he’s going to haul it in.
1. Jimmy Smith, CB (Baltimore Ravens)
10 of 10Height: 6’2”
Weight: 211 lbs.
Career Stats: 160 tackles, 19 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
40-yard Dash: 4.46
Bench Press: 24.0
Vertical Jump: 36.0
Broad Jump: 123.0
Three-cone Drill: 6.93
20-yard Shuttle: 4.06
60-yard Shuttle: N/A
On talent alone, Jimmy Smith may actually rival Patrick Peterson for the top cornerback in the class, vaulting over Prince Amukamara.
Yes, he is that good.
A big, strong defensive back, Smith has remarkable instincts and ball-hawking skills. He is a very good tackler who is willing to help in run support, using his speed to close in quickly on ball-carriers.
Smith will be used as the Ravens’ complete shut-down corner, as he will be put on an island all to himself ala Nnamdi Asomugha and Darrelle Revis, the two elite corners in the game today. Smith has great hands, which allow him to pull down interceptions. He also has the blazing speed to keep up with any receiver in the league.
Baltimore finally has the lock-down corner they’ve been searching for the past few seasons.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
