Despite the lockout, the NFL draft took place last weekend. Some teams found a major role player to fill gaps in their rosters, while others found stud players at great value.
Here’s my take on the first 16 picks of the first round:
No.1 Carolina Panthers — QB Cam Newton, Auburn
In order to truly compete in the NFC South for a division title, the Panthers have to get a franchise QB to match up with Drew Brees (Saints), Matt Ryan (Falcons), and Josh Freeman (Buccaneers). QB Jimmy Clausen cannot fill that role, and should Newton be named the starter, he will no doubt make an immediate impact.
No.2 Denver Broncos — OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
The Broncos have always been a linebacker heavy team, and now as they transfer to a 4-3* defense. Miller is a perfect fit to sit on the perimeter awaiting opponents.
*4-3 Defense involves four defensive linemen and three linebackers.
No. 3 Buffalo Bills — DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama
The Bills spent last year filling their main offensive needs with running back CJ Spiller, as their main area of concern coming into this year was their defensive line. Dareus played a similiar scheme at Alabama, an organization consistently produces top notch D-lineman, and is a solid addition who will intimidate opponents from the get-go.
No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals — WR A.J. Green, Georgia
With T.O. wanting out, the Bengals were in need of a deep threat that can get vertical. Green was deemed the most athletic player in the draft by scouts, and his play at the NFL combine leave him with high expectations to fulfill.
No. 5 Arizona Cardinals — CB Patrick Peterson, Louisiana State
The Cardnials pass defense last year was lackluster at best, but the team picked up a great supplement to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to fill that right side gap. Peterson is a phenomenal kick returner, who will likely start at both positions immediately.
No. 6 Atlanta Falcons — WR Julio Jones, Alabama
The Falcons really had no spot that needed immediate attention, so they traded up to draft an insurance pick for Roddy White. This is one of the smarter picks in the draft if you consider what kind of trouble the Falcons would be in if White went down with an injury.
No. 7 San Francisco 49ers — DE Aldon Smith, Missouri
I disagree with this pick for two reasons. First, the Niners have major secondary issues to address, and secondly Smith was certainly not the best DE available with J.J. Watt and Robert Quinn still on the board. The Niners faithful were really fixing for a QB, but I saw this coming considering new coach Jim Harbaugh is notorious for molding fantastic quarterbacks out of anyone.
No. 8 Tennessee Titans — QB Jake Locker, Washington
As the Brett Favre comparisons keep rolling in, Vince Young’s chances of starting disappear. Locker has mile high expectations to fill and he definitely has the tools, but until the Titans find him targets other than Kenny Britt, don’t expect those kind of results just yet.
No. 9 Dallas Cowboys — OT Tyron Smith, Southern California
It’s no secret that the Cowboys have O-line woes. This allows them to move Doug Free from left tackle to right tackle (his natural position) and put a versatile Smith in to block Tony Romo’s blind side. Smith is an exceptional run blocker from whom Felix Jones and Marion Barber will benefit greatly.
No. 10 Jacksonville Jaguars — Blaine Gabbert
Gabbert’s pro day showed unprecedented accuracy as he completed 39 of 40 passes before a handful of scouts. The Jaguars need a starting QB immediately because David Garrard’s turn is up and Trent Edwards is hardly a starter.
No. 11 Houston Texans — DE J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
The AFC South better find running backs who can pound it up the middle because the Texans are not giving up anything on the outside. Former No. 1 pick Mario Williams on one end, and JJ Watt on the other provide one of the most intimidating D-lines in the league (Key words being “one of the most”. See Detroit Lions below)
No. 12 Minnesota Vikings — QB Christian Ponder, Florida State
In Leslie Frazier’s first real move as head coach, he drafted a solid, consistently accurate quarterback who is both versatile and coachable. Ponder put up solid numbers in college, and will likely fill the Vikings immediate need for a starting QB.
No. 13 Detroit Lions — DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
Fairley is a vicious defender, notorious for ruining an O-lineman’s day. He played exceptionally in the national championship game, and now the Lions have the best one-two punch out of any D-line in the league.
No. 14 St. Louis Rams — DE Robert Quinn, UNC
There is some speculation about the brain tumor that Quinn had in high school and that it may affect his playing career, but I personally think that as long as he can stay healthy, he will be a major asset to this front line. Playing opposite Chris Long gives the Rams a fearsome front four not to be reckoned with.
No. 15 Miami Dolphins — C Mike Pouncey, Florida
I predicted this pick from the get-go. The Dolphins have drafted well to just about every major need, and center was way up that list, and Pouncey is a perfect fit. He has good size and footwork, and boosts an already solid offensive line which also features former No.1 pick Jake Long.
No. 16 Washington Redskins — DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
The Redskins transferred to a 3-4 system last year, and the Redskins defensive woes last year can be attributed to putting square pegs in round holes — most of the players were fitted and used to a 3-4 system. Kerrigan is a solid addition to the team, and fills a major gap that has needed attention for the past five years.
