by Alex Muchnok
The 2010 NFL season was an exciting year to kick off the new decade. Rookies such as Lions defensive tackle, Ndamokung Suh, Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, and Steelers All-pro center, Maurkice Pouncey are proving to be potentially dominant players. Rising stars like Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, and Packers linebacker Clay Matthews took huge steps in becoming “household names”.
Patriots veteran quarterback, Tom Brady proved that he still has a lot of fire left in him.
The great Peyton Manning showed us possible signs of “aging”.
Mark Sanchez showed us that it was no fluke, and he can win.
Aaron Rogers joined several others as one of the leagues “elite quarterbacks”.
Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to yet another super bowl, but was a game-winning drive away from capturing his third ring.
Now here we are, in early March, already missing football more than ever. So we set our sights on what is next to come- The 2011 NFL Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers- Da’Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
Bowers’ 6’4, 270-pound frame makes him a modern-day prototype at the 4-3 defensive end position. Losing Julius Peppers last off-season proved to hurt the Panthers much more than they had wanted it to. Bowers, who had 15.5 sacks last year, could help add pressure to opposing quarterbacks this upcoming season.
2. Denver Broncos- Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
The Broncos have a lot of weaknesses to fix during this off-season. They will more than likely start with the defensive-line, by adding the quick and powerful Dareus. He not only adds great run support, but is a dangerous pass rusher as well.
3. Buffalo Bills- Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
A lot of critics think that the Bills will decided to upgrade their secondary by adding a DB to help out Jarius Byrd. However, from a team who finished dead last in rushing yards given up last season, I predict the Bills to go big in the first round, and pick up the 6’4, 300-pounder out of Auburn. Their recent release of veteran Marcus Stroud could have been a possible hint.
4. Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green, WR Georgia
The Bengals are in desperate need of a number one receiver. Chad Johnson, (yes that’s his name once again), is aging quickly. Green has excellent hands, and a 6’4 210-pound frame. He will definitely provide more options for whoever quarterbacks for the Bengals next season…
5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
As the Browns learned a few years back, Derek Anderson is not a franchise QB… That’s all I have to say.
6. Cleveland Browns- Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M
Finishing 25th last year in total sacks with only 29, the Browns will look to upgrade their pass rush. Miller had 9.5 sacks last season at outside linebacker. He can also play as a down defensive end as well, despite his small 237-pound build.
7. San Francisco 49ers- Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
Although in need of a quarterback, there isn’t really a guy out there that fits the niners system, at least not worth taking in the first round. Peterson is possibly the most athletic player in the draft. He stands at 6’1, weighs in at 212 pounds, and runs a 4.42. He won the Thorpe, and Bednarik awards last season.
8. Tennessee Titans- Cam Newton, QB Auburn
No one is quite sure what Titans new head coach, Mike Munchak, has in store. One thing that is known is that the Titans also need a quarterback. Anyone could go on all day about Cam Newton. I mean, the guy was the Heisman trophy winner. But the question still remains out there- “Is he a pro?”
9. Dallas Cowboys- Anthony Castonzo, T Boston College
Although it’s possible that the Cowboys could pick a DB here, I’m predicting them to upgrade their offensive line. The 6’7, 305-pound Castonzo was a four-year starter at Boston College, and is considered as one of the best offensive lineman in the draft.
10. Washington Redskins- Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
The Redskins have several spots to fulfill, so I predict that they will probably just pick the best available player, which in this case, is Amukamara. He and DeAngelo Hall would make quite a coverage duo.
11. Houston Texans- Aldon Smith, OLB-DE Missouri
Smith was a defensive end in college, but plans on making the transition to outside linebacker, as many college ends do. A lot of critics will say that picking a corner would be the Texans best option for upgrading their pass defense, but if Amukamara is unavailable by this point, (which I’m confident that he will be), their best option would be to add another pass rusher to accompany Mario Williams, especially with the Texans switching to a 3-4.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
Because of the lack of pro-potential quarterbacks in this year’s draft, I have a gut feeling that the Vikings will give Joe Webb a shot to start off the year, similar to what they did with Tarvaris Jackson a few years ago. Despite of being suspended for the 2010 season, Robert Quinn still fits the 4-3 defensive end spot well, and would look excellent in that purple jersey next fall.
13. Detroit Lions- Tyron Smith, T USC
I’m very confident that the Lions are on the rise… On the defensive side of the ball, they have just about everything they need to be a playoff team. Offensively, their o-line could use some help.
14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones, WR Alabama
Offensive rookie of the year, Sam Bradford was a game away from taking his team to the playoffs. God knows how far the Rams would have went if they had a talented receiver.
15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram, RB Oklahoma
The Williams-Brown duo can only last for so long. With the “wildcat” offense becoming ineffective, the Dolphins will need to find a premier back. The Heisman trophy winner of 2009 was repressed by injuries throughout last season. The fins may have lucked out…
16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Corey Liguet, DT Illinois
The Jaguars have definitely improved their pass rush since the 2009 season, when they totaled only 14 sacks, but they still have a lot of work to do. Adding Liguet would help them fully recover from the loss of John Henderson a few seasons back.
17. New England Patriots- Ryan Kerrigan, OLB-DE
Some think that Mark Ingram will be available. Even if he is, Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. I think that the Patriots will stick with him for the mean time. Kerrigan is one of those guys that you can just picture in a Pats uniform. The co-captain at Purdue was an All-American last season, and totaled 12.5 sacks.
18. San Diego Chargers- Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
Since Shawne Merriman’s injury back in 2008, the Chargers have definitely been in need of an outside pass rusher to accompany Shaun Phillips. Larry English turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment, so the Bolts best option would be to simply, draft again.
19. New York Giants- Nate Solder, T Colorado
At 6’8, 315, Solder, who cracked the starting line-up late into his freshman (RS) season, could start with the Giants from day one.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
Almost everybody thinks that the Bucs will draft a defensive end here, but many are forgetting that Ronde Barber may not play after this upcoming season. The Bucs will need to replace someone who has started for them since 1998. Jimmy Smith, who is very similar to Raiders cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, is, in my opinion, the best defensive back in the draft.
21. Kansas City Chiefs- Mike Pouncey, G Florida
The Chiefs need a lot of work done to their offensive line. Steelers All-Pro center, Maurkice Pouncey’s twin brother, Mike, could be just as good, if not better than him. It’d be interesting to see what would happen if he were to fall to the 31 spot…
22. Indianapolis Colts- Cameron Jordan, DE California
With pass rushers, Dwight Freeney, and Robert Mathis coming of age, the two could certainly use a solid young athlete to form some sort of rotation.
23. Philadelphia Eagles- J.J Watt, DE Wisconsin
Trent Cole and J.J Watt coming off the edges could be an intimidating phrase here in a few seasons.
24. New Orleans Saints- Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
The defensive end position is definitely the Saints most pressing concern. Although he may not get too many sacks, Heyward will always be in the quarterback’s face, regardless of where he lines up.
25. Seattle Seahawks- Jake Locker, QB Washington
With Hasselbeck growing old, it’s probably best that the Hawks at least attempt to find a franchise quarterback. Locker threw for 2,265 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions last season. In 2007 during his freshman campaign, he ran for nearly 1,000 yards (986). For his career, he had 29 rushing touchdowns, and 1,939 yards.
26. Baltimore Ravens- Aaron Williams, CB Texas
A lot of cornerbacks have played for the Ravens over the years. It’s time they settled down and picked up a solid franchise player. Williams played in all 13 games as a freshman, and started his sophomore and junior years.
27. Atlanta Falcons- Jabaal Sheard, DE Pittsburgh
Sheard’s elite pass rushing abilities could make for an excellent duo with John Abraham as early as next season… A lot of defensive ends will be gone after the first round.
28. New England Patriots- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
Wilkerson will provide depth at the defensive tackle position. As good as Vince Wilfork is, he can’t play every down…
29. Chicago Bears- Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
It’s obvious that the Bears had some protection issues. Who knows, this team could be an offensive-line away from a super bowl… After being redshirted in 2006, Carimi started in every game that he played for the Badgers from 2007-2010.
30. New York Jets- Justin Houston, LB Georgia
The Jets have lacked a “key” pass rusher for the past couple of years. Houston, who has the ability to rush from the down, and up positions, could help fix that problem.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Brandon Harris, CB Miami (FL)
After a disappointing end to a remarkable season, it’s obvious that the Steelers defense, for as good as it was, lacked a strong, consistent corner. Brandon Harris cracked into the starting lineup midway through his freshman season. During his collegiate career, he proved to be a lock-down defender, with the ability to make big plays and game changing performances.
32. Green Bay Packers- Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
Although there is little room for this team to improve, their running game was below average. Adding Derek Sherrod could boost the Packers running game, making them even more dangerous on the offensive side of the ball…
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