2011 NFL Draft Grades

The 2011 NFL Draft was full of surprises, particularly in the 1st Round. Some teams did a lot to improve their chances for the upcoming season - assuming we have one - and beyond. Other teams did not do a whole lot to bolster their rosters. Here is a division by division look at how I graded each team's performance this weekend. Keep in mind that a true draft grade cannot be determined for at least 2-3 years, but I will take stab at it for the time being.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills - B-

1 - Marcell Dareus DT/Alabama
2 - Aaron Williams CB/Texas
3 - Kelvin Shepherd LB/LSU
4 - Da'Norris Searcy S/North Carolina
5 - Chris Hairston OT/Clemson
5 - Johnny White RB/North Carolina
6 - Chris White LB/Mississippi St.
7 - Justin Rogers CB/Richmond
7 - Michael Jasper DT/Bethel

The Bills clearly believe that Ryan Fitzpatrick is capable of leading this football team at QB. They did not draft a QB of the future. They spent their first 4 picks shoring up a shaky defense. Marcell Dareus will start right away and Aaron Williams should contribute.

Miami Dolphins - B

1 - Mike Pouncey C/Florida
2 - Daniel Thomas RB/Kansas St.
4 - Edmund Gates WR/Abileine Christian
6 - Charles Clay FB/Tulsa
7 - Frank Kearse DT/Alabama A&M
7 - Jimmy Wilson CB/Montana

The Dolphins addressed needs on the offensive line and in the backfield with their first 2 picks. Pouncey will start from day 1 and Thomas should get some carries. Look for Edmund Gates to get the ball thrown his way too.

New England Patriots - B-

1 - Nate Solder OT/Colorado
2 - Ras-I Dowling CB/Virginia
2 - Shane Vereen RB/Cal
3 - Stevan Ridley RB/LSU
3 - Ryan Mallett QB/Arkansas
5 - Marcus Cannon OG/TCU
5 - Lee Smith TE/Marshall
6 - Markell Carter DE/Central Arkansas
7 - Malcolm Williams CB/TCU

The Patriots made some interesting picks throughout the weekend. Nate Solder was selected in the 1st Round to protect Tom Brady. They used 2nd and 3rd Round picks on RBs which doesn't necessarily give Benjarvus Green-Ellis the vote of confidence. They also picked Ryan Mallett with the hopes of him learning and maturing under the tutelage of Brady and Bill Belechick.

New York Jets - B

1 - Muhammed Wilkerson DE/Temple
3 - Kenrick Wilson DT/Hampton
4 - Bilal Powell RB/Louisville
5 - Jeremy Kerley WR/TCU
7 - Greg McElroy QB/Alabama
7 - Scotty McKnight WR/Colorado

The Jets needed help at end in their 3-4 scheme and got it with their 1st Round pick. They did not pick again until 94. They did a nice job of making some nice value picks later on in the draft.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens - A-

1 - Jimmy Smith CB/Colorado
2 - Torrey Smith WR/Maryland
3 - Jah Reid OT/Central Florida
4 - Tandon Doss WR/Indiana
5 - Chykie Brown CB/Texas
5 - Pernell McPhee DE/Mississppi St.
6 - Tyrod Taylor QB/Virginia Tech
7 - Anthony Allen RB/Georgia Tech

This draft was certainly about bolstering the defensive backfield and the receiving corps for the Ravens. Ultimately, whether Jimmy Smith can stay out of trouble will be the difference in what type of grade this draft ends up getting Baltimore. If nothing else, they picked up 2 WRs that could contribute right away.

Cincinnati Bengals - B+

1 - AJ Green WR/Georgia
2 - Andy Dalton QB/TCU
3 - Dohntay Moch DE/Nevada
4 - Clint Boling OT/Georgia
5 - Robert Sands S/West Virginia
6 - Ryan Whalen WR/Stanford
7 - Krey Lindsey CB/Southern Illinois
7 - Jay Finley RB/Baylor

The Bengals got good value at positions of need. All signs point toward the end of the Carson Palmer/Chad Ochocinco era in Cincinnati. They got their immediate replacements in AJ Green and Andy Dalton who could be starters from the beginning.

Cleveland Browns - B+

1 - Phil Taylor DT/Baylor
2 - Jabaal Sheard DE/Pittsburgh
2 - Greg Little WR/North Carolina
4 - Jordan Cameron TE/USC
4 - Owen Marecic FB/Stanford
5 - Buster Skrine CB/Chattanooga
6 - Jason Pinkston OT/Pittsburgh
7 - Eric Haag S/Nebraska

The Browns have been getting props for gaining an abundance of draft picks. Initially, I wanted an impact player for them at #6, but the more I think about it, the happier I am with the moves. They got much needed players on the D-Line and gained overall toughness across the board. Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren look like they finally have this team headed in the right direction.

Pittsburgh Steelers - B

1 - Cameron Heyward DE/Ohio St.
2 - Marcus Gilbert OT/Florida
3 - Curtis Brown CB/Texas
4 - Cortez Allen CB/The Citadel
5 - Chris Carter DE/Fresno St.
6 - Keith Williams OG/Nebraska
7 - Baron Batch RB/Texas Tech

The Steelers were typically solid in this year's draft. Cam Heyward and Marcus Gilbert should be able to make an impact immediately, while CBs Curtis Brown and Cortex Allen will provide them with added depth in the defensive backfield.

AFC South

Houston Texans - B+

1 - JJ Watt DE/Wisconsin
2 - Brooks Reed LB/Arizona
2 - Brandon Harris CB/Miami
4 - Rashad Carmichael CB/Virginia Tech
5 - Shiloh Keo S/Idaho
5 - TJ Yates QB/North Carolina
7 - Derek Newton OG/Arkansas St.
7 - Cheta Ozogwu DE/Rice

I like what the Texans were able to do in the draft. While I thought they could have filled a bigger need with equal value with their first pick, JJ Watt is still a solid pick here. I love what they acquired in the 2nd Round. Brooks Reed is a tremendous pass rusher and Brandon Harris could wind up being a starter at corner.

Indianapolis Colts - B

1 - Anthony Castonzo OT/Boston College
2 - Ben Ijalana OG/Villanova
3 - Drake Nevis DT/LSU
4 - Delone Carter RB/Syracuse
6 - Chris Rucker CB/Michigan St.

The Colts invested their first 2 draft picks on help for their most important investment, Peyton Manning. Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana should have the opportunity to start as rookies. Drake Nevis helps out at a position of need, and Delone Carter could be given some carries.

Jacksonville Jaguars - C

1 - Blaine Gabbert QB/Missouri
3 - Will Rackley OG/Lehigh
4 - Cecil Shorts WR/Mount Union
4 - Chris Prosinski S/Wyoming
5 - Rod Issac CB/Middle Tennessee

The Jags failed to address what was perceived as their biggest need, defensive line. Instead they opted to spend their 1st Round pick on their QB of the future. It appears that David Garrard will be handing the keys to the car over to Blaine Gabbert at the end of the season, or potentially this season if the team struggles.

Tennessee Titans - C

1 - Jake Locker QB/Washington
2 - Akeem Ayers LB/UCLA
3 - Jurrell Casey DT/USC
4 - Colin McCarthy LB/Miami
4 - Jamie Harper RB/Clemson
5 - Karl Klug DE/Iowa
6 - Byron Stingily OT/Louisville
7 - Zach Clayton DT/Auburn
7 - Tommie Campbell S/California (PA)

After the decision was made that Tennessee would be moving on from both Jeff Fisher and Vince Young, it was evident that they needed to go after a QB. However, few thought that that QB would be Jake Locker. Nonetheless, Locker was the pick and he will be a work in progress. The Titans did pick up two solid LBs in Ayers and McCarthy.

AFC West

Denver Broncos - B

1 - Von Miller LB/Texas A&M
2 - Rahim Moore S/UCLA
2 - Orlando Franklin OT/Miami
3 - Nate Irving LB/NC State
4 - Quniton Carter S/Oklahoma
5 - Julius Thomas TE/Portland St.
6 - Mike Mohammed LB/Cal
7 - Virgil Green TE/Nevada
7 - Jeremy Beal DE/Oklahoma

In John Elway's first year running the draft for the Broncos, the focus was on defense. Denver used 4 of their top 5 picks on the defensive side of the ball, and could have found themselves potential starters in all of them. The Broncos came away with a more talented D than they began the weekend with.

Kansas City Chiefs - B+

1 - Jon Baldwin WR/Pittsburgh
2 - Rodney Hudson OG/Florida St.
3 - Justin Houston LB/Georgia
3 - Allen Bailey DE/Miami
4 - Jalil Brown CB/Colorado
5 - Ricky Stanzi QB/Iowa
5 - Gabe Miller LB/Oregon St.
6 - Jerrell Powe DT/Ole Miss
7 - Shane Bannon RB/Yale

Though I thought Kansas City reached a bit for 1st Round pick, Jon Baldwin, I think they got great value in the picks to follow. The Chiefs are already a very young and talented team, and they certainly added to this over the weekend.

Oakland Raiders - C-

2 - Stefan Wisniewski C/Penn St.
3 - Demarcus Van Dyke CB/Miami
3 - Joseph Barksdale OG/LSU
4 - Chimdi Chekwa CB/Ohio St.
4 - Taiwan Jones RB/Eastern Washington
5 - Denarius Moore WR/Tennessee
6 - Richard Gordon TE/Miami
7 - David Ausberry WR/USC

It was an average draft day for the Raiders and its fans. Not having a 1st Round pick did not help, but the Raiders did not get any players that should have a very big impact this coming season. Wisniewski and Barksdale should compete for playing time, and Van Dyke and Chekwa could help out the secondary.

San Diego Chargers - B-

1 - Cory Liuget DT/Illinois
2 - Marcus Gilchrist CB/Clemson
2 - James Mouton LB/Michigan
3 - Vincent Brown WR/San Diego St.
3 - Shareece Wright CB/USC
6 - Jordan Todman RB/UConn
6 - Steve Schilling OG/Michigan
7 - Andrwe Gakchar LB/Missouri

I think San Diego had a solid if unspectacular draft. They got a man they wanted in Liuget, who should start right away. They also got help in the secondary, which is an area they had planned on addressing.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys - B

1 - Tyron Smith OT/USC
2 - Bruce Carter LB/North Carolina
3 - DeMarco Murray RB/Oklahoma
4 - David Arkin OG/Missouri St.
5 - Josh Thomas CB/Buffalo
6 - Dwayne Harris WR/East Carolina
7 - Shawn Chapas RB/Georgia
7 - Bill Nagy C/Wisconsin

The Cowboys needed help along their O-Line and they got it in this draft. They used their 1st, 4th, and 7th Round picks to add talent and depth to that unit. They got solid value with their acquisitions of Bruce Carter and DeMarco Murray as well.

New York Giants - B

1 - Prince Amukamara CB/Nebraska
2 - Marvin Austin DT/North Carolina
3 - Jernel Jernigan WR/Troy
4 - James Brewer OT/Indiana
6 - Greg Jones LB/Michigan St.
6 - Tyler Sash S/Iowa
7 - Jacquian Williams LB/South Florida
7 - Da'Rel Scott RB/Maryland

The Giants failed to address any of their biggest needs, but did get tremendous value with some of their picks. Many thought they would target an offensive lineman with their 1st pick, but thought that Amukamara was too good to pass up at 19. Jones, Sash, and Scott should all make the team despite being late round picks.

Philadelphia Eagles - C

1 - Danny Watkins OG/Baylor
2 - Jaiquawn Jarrett S/Temple
3 - Curtis Marsh CB/Utah St.
4 - Casey Matthews LB/Oregon
4 - Alex Henery K/Nebraska
5 - Dion Lewis RB/Pittsburgh
5 - Julian Vandervelde OG/Iowa
6 - Jason Kelce C/Cincinnati
6 - Brian Rolle LB/Ohio St.
7 - Greg Lloyd LB/UConn
7 - Stanley Havili FB/USC

This was an interesting draft for Philly. They were loaded with draft picks, but I don't walk away thinking that they got too many impact players. Their biggest needs were addressed in the first few rounds, but I question some of the selections. Andy Reid has a good track record though so I could be wrong.

Washington Redskins - C+

1 - Ryan Kerrigan DE/Purdue
2 - Jarvis Jenkins DT/Clemson
3 - Leonard Hankerson WR/Miami
4 - Roy Helu RB/Nebraska
5 - Dejon Gomes CB/Nebraska
5 - Niles Paul WR/Nebraska
6 - Evan Royster RB/Penn St.
6 - Aldrick Robinson WR/SMU
7 - Brandyn Thompson CB/Boise St.
7 - Markus White DE/Florida St.
7 - Chris Nield DT/West Virginia

Many thought that the Redskins would go after a QB in the draft. That didn't happen and it appears that the Rex Grossman era is upon us in DC. Washington chose to go after Ryan Kerrigan in the 1st Round. Later in the draft they got much needed help at WR by drafting 3 of them, including one that many felt was among the top available in this draft, Leonard Hankerson.

NFC North

Chicago Bears - B

1 - Gabe Carimi OT/Wisconsin
2 - Stephen Paea DT/Oregon St.
3 - Chris Conte CB/Cal
5 - Nate Enderle QB/Idaho
6 - James Thomas LB/West Virginia

The Bears only had 5 picks total, but they used their first 2 on positions of need. Gabe Carimi should start right away, and help Jay Cutler stay upright a little more often this season. Stephen Paea has 1st Round talent that feel due to some injury concerns. I expect both of these players to contribute early in their careers.

Detroit Lions - A-

1 - Nick Fairley DT/Auburn
2 - Titus Young - WR/Boise St.
2 - Mikel Leshoure RB/Illinois
5 - Douglas Hogue LB/Syracuse
7 - Johnny Culbreath OT/South Carolina St.

The Lions desperately needed help at corner but when it came time for them to pick in the first 2 rounds, there was way too much value for them to pass up. Nick Fairley was their 1st Round pick. If this pick pans out, dare I say that the Detroit Lions will have the best D-Line in the NFL. Titus Young and Mikel Leshoure were solid picks that will help immediately.

Green Bay Packers - B+

1 - Derek Sherrod OT/Mississippi St.
2 - Randall Cobb WR/Kentucky
3 - Alex Green RB/Hawaii
4 - Davon House CB/New Mexico St.
5 - DJ Williams TE/Arkansas
6 - Caleb Schlauderaff OT/Utah
6 - DJ Smith LB/Appalachain St.
6 - Ricky Elmore DE/Arizona
7 - Ryan Taylor TE/North Carolina
7 - Lawrence Guy DT/Arizona St.

The rich get richer. The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers addressed every one of their biggest needs, and got terrific value throughout as well. There is a reason that this team has been able to become football's finest, and you need to look no further than the draft. 2011 was another success for GM Ted Thompson.

Minnesota Vikings - C

1 - Christian Ponder QB/Florida St.
2 - Kyle Rudolph TE/Notre Dame
4 - Christian Ballard DE/Iowa
5 - Brandon Burton CB/Utah
6 - Demarcus Love OG/Arkansas
6 - Mistral Raymond CB/South Florida
6 - Brandon Fusco OT/Slippery Rock
6 - Ross Homan LB/Ohio St.
7 - De'Aundre Reed DE/Arizona
7 - Stephen Burton WR/West Texas A&M

The Minnesota Vikings may have reached a bit for QB Christian Ponder with the 12th overall pick, but they needed a QB and they liked what they saw in Ponder. He is now the man who will be in charge of leading the Vikes into the future. They got him some help in TE Kyle Rudolph in the 2nd Round.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons - B

1 - Julio Jones WR/Alabama
3 - Akeem Dent LB/Georgia
5 - Jacquizz Rodgers RB/Oregon St.
6 - Matt Bosher K/Miami
7 - Andrew Jackson OT/Fresno St.
7 - Cliff Matthews DE/South Carolina

Atlanta made a splash with the 2st Round pick, picking up Julio Jones from Alabama. Jones will pair with Roddy White to give QB Matt Ryan an outstanding duo. The Falcons did not do much else with the rest of this draft. They did pick up Jacquizz Rodgers hoping that he can turn into a Warrick Dunn type back down the road. All in all the Falcons feel close enough that they thought one move could put them over the hump.

Carolina Panthers - C

1 - Cam Newton QB/Auburn
3 - Terrell McClain DT/South Florida
3 - Sione Fua DT/Stanford
4 - Brandon Hogan CB/West Virginia
5 - Kealoha Pilares WR/Hawaii
6 - Lawrence Wilson LB/UConn
6 - Zachary Williams OG/Washington St.
7 - Lee Ziemba OT/Auburn

With the 1st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Cam Newton. This pick basically voided their 2nd Round pick from 2010, QB Jimmy Clausen. With the Newton selection, the Panthers get the ultimate boom or bust pick. It was a little too risky for me. Elsewhere, the Panthers picked a player at every one of their most glaring needs.

New Orleans Saints - B+

1 - Cameron Jordan - DE/Cal
1 - Mark Ingram RB/Alabama
3 - Martez Wilson LB/Illinois
3 - Johnny Patrick CB/Louisville
7 - Greg Romeus DE/Pitt
7 - Nate Bussey LB/Illinois

New Orleans did not have a pick in Rounds 4,5,or 6, so they had to make the most of their early round picks. Their top 3 picks should all make an immediate impact. Cameron Jordan and Martez Wilson are capable of starting, while Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram should definitely get his fair share of carries. If these picks pan out, it should be fun to watch this team battle with Atlanta in 2011.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - B+

1 - Adrian Clayborn DE/Iowa
2 - Da'Quan Bowers DE/Clemson
3 - Marion Foster LB/Washington
4 - Luke Stocker TE/Tennessee
5 - Ahmad Black S/Florida
6 - Allen Bradford RB/USC
7 - Anthony Gaitor CB/Florida International
7 - Daniel Hardy TE/Idaho

Similarly to last year, Tampa Bay used their first 2 picks on defensive lineman. In 2010 they wanted to shore up the middle of the line with Gerald McCoy and Brian Price. The goal in 2011 was to generate an edge rush at the DE position. They picked Adrian Clayborn in the 1st Round and saw Da'Quan Bowers fall to them in the 2nd. It was too good to pass up, as Bowers could be the best steal in the draft if he recovers from injury.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals - B

1 - Patrick Peterson CB/LSU
2 - Ryan Williams RB/Virginia Tech
3 - Robert Housler TE/Florida International
4 - Sam Acho LB/Texas
5 - Anthony Sherman FB/UConn
6 - Quan Sturdivant LB/North Carolina
6 - David Carter DT/UCLA
7 - Demarco Sampson WR/San Diego St.

The Cradinals had an interesting draft. Though CB was not a position of need, Patrick Peterson is perhaps the best player in the draft class of 2011. He should immediately team with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to form a dynamic duo that will be tough to pass against, as well as provide a spark in the return game. They did not address the QB position, so they better hop the lockout ends in time for them to make a move.

San Francisco 49ers - C+

1 - Aldon Smith DE/Missouri
2 - Colin Kaepernick QB/Nevada
3 - Chris Culliver CB/South Carolina
4 - Kendall Huner RB/Oklahoma St.
5 - Daniel Kilgore OG/Appalachain St.
6 - Ronald Johnson WR/USC
6 - Colin Jones S/TCU
7 - Bruce Miller DE/Central Florida
7 - Michael Person OT/Montana St.
7 - Curtis Holcomb CB/Florida A&M

With a new coaching staff, often comes a new QB. That was the case in San Francisco. After 5 QBs were plucked off the board in the first 35 picks, the 49ers felt the need to move up and draft Colin Kaepernick. Many think that Kaepernick is a work in progress, having ran the Pistol at Nevada, but Jim Harbaugh is confident he found his guy. Elsewhere, they got pass rushing help with Aldon Smith and added depth in the backfield with Kendall Hunter.

Seattle Seahawks - C-

1 - James Carpenter OT/Alabama
3 - John Moffitt OG/Wisconsin
4 - KJ Wright LB/Mississippi St.
4 - Kris Durham WR/Georgia
5 - Richard Sherman CB/Stanford
5 - Mark Legree S/Appalachain St.
6 - Byron Maxwell S/Clemson
7 - Lazarius Livingston DT/LSU
7 - Malcolm Smith LB/USC

Seattle used their first 2 picks to beef up their offensive line. They may have reached a bit to grab James Carpenter in the 1st Round. He will book end the line with last year's number 1, Russell Okung. They followed that up by picking John Moffitt in the 3rd Round. These men are forced to protect for a questionable QB situation which was not addressed in the draft.

St. Louis Rams - B

1 - Robert Quinn DE/North Carolina
2 - Lance Kendricks TE/Wisconsin
3 - Austin Pettis WR/Boise St.
4 - Greg Salas WR/Hawaii
5 - Jermale Hines S/Ohio St.
7 - Mikail Baker CB/Baylor
7 - Jabara Williams LB/Stephen F Austin
7 - Johnathan Nelson CB/Oklahoma

It was evident that the Rams draft was centered around providing some necessary help to Sam Bradford. The number 1 overall pick in 2010 had a fantastic rookie year, and St. Louis wants to see him progress in year 2. Their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks were all used on targets for Bradford. With their 1st pick the Rams acquired pass rushing extraordinaire Robert Quinn.

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