NFL Draft 2011: Review

    

            The NFL Draft in 2011 has come and gone. There were a few surprises in the early rounds, but nothing that made you jump off the couch, unfortunately. 

There were four quarterbacks taken in the first round; Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, and Christian Ponder Cam Newton, quarterback from Auburn, was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers. He is expected to become a starter, change the whole dynamic of the team, and become the face of the franchise. Can you say pressure?

Jake Locker was taken by the Tennessee Titans. He may not be pushed to become a starter though, since Kerry Collins is still with the team. Gabbert was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and his situation depends on what happens with present starter Carson Palmer. Ponder was selected by the Minnesota Vikings, but it is unsure if he will be the starter. The Vikings have Tavaris Jackson who has been decent, but whoever starts can be thankful they’ll have Adrian Peterson in their backfield.

-An analysis of these QB’s can be seen in my story “NFL Draft 2011 Preview”

One of the biggest stories of the draft came early in Round 1 when the Atlanta Falcons traded away five draft picks to obtain Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones. If Jones turns out to be a bust, then Atlanta will be harshly criticized. Last season the Falcons finished 13-3 and were the number one seed in the NFC, so there was not a lot of improving to do. Jones will line up with fellow receivers Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, as well as have Matt Ryan throwing to him.

Another huge headline was the Detroit Lions picking up defensive tackle Nick Fairley, from Auburn. He was the MVP of the 2011 National Championship game and a Lombardi Trophy winner. He will line up alongside another great defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh. He’s the 307 lb., 6-4 guy who was a monster in college, and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season. Those two young men should give the Lions a serious advantage against other teams.

                

              There were seven offensive linemen, and 12 defensive linemen taken in the first round, which made it one of the more boring first rounds to watch. The University of Southern California produced the most draft picks this year, with nine, followed by the University of North Carolina, with eight. The position picked the most was wide receiver, as 28 were picked, followed by running back.