NFL Round 1 Thoughts

Here is my review on the 1st round of the 2011 NFL Draft:

Best Picks:

- Buffalo Bills: Marcel Dareus, DL, Alabama. Love this pick for so many reasons. He wasn't a one-year wonder, he fits into either the 4-3 or 3-4, the Bills were last in run defense, and THEY DIDN'T PICK A RUNNING BACK! They have a lot of holes and this was a good fit.

- Detroit Lions: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn. Wasn't the biggest need, but no one thought he would be there at 13. Suh and Fairley on the same line? Yikes.

- Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins: This has less to do with who they picked and more to do with them trading back. Both teams have a ton of holes and needed to add more players. However, Phil Taylor and Ryan Kerrigan do fit needs, so they were solid picks.

- Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado. The last great corner the Ravens had was Chris McCallister. They have been looking for his replacement for almost 10 years. They might have found him in Smith, who has the body and skills to be great.


Picks I am not that fond of:

- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn. Just not buying him yet. They have so many holes that Cam can't change the franchise himself.

- Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama. It isn't the pick that I am not a fan of. I actually like it. It is the fact that they gave up so much for it. 5 picks, including next year's first rounder and a 2nd this year, is just a ton for one guy.

- Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State. Again, not really the pick, cause they do need a QB, but at 12? I think this was kind of a panic move. I know one Vikings fan. He hated the pick.


So far, not many picks that have been awful Most teams fit needs, no real surprises outside of Ponder and Locker at 8. So it has been fine. Day 2 starts at 6 pm ET. Who will land Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick (Skins...) and Ryan Mallet? We will find out. Enjoy