Well the first round of the 2011 draft is over and as always there are a few surprises. Here are my snapshot opinions of the first round.
- The Titans are reaching with Jake Locker at 8 even though I had heard rumors that they were looking at him with that pick. Jake Locker is a shorter and smarter version of Cam Newton and what I mean by that is that he looks to run first, has not shown that he is a pocket passer. At least Cam Newton won ball games wherever he went, it took a full coaching staff change for Locker to produce his first winning year. Never mind the fact that the Titans were given the gift of Blaine Gabbert falling this far, who is by far the safest pick at quarterback in this draft. For some reason certain teams still feel the need to gamble and prove that they know better than everybody else.
- I think the Falcons trading up to pick Julio Jones showed balls and I love the pick. Jones is going to produce early for this franchise and even more important is that he loves to run block, which is essential if you are going to Atlanta, who at times still play offense like it is 1982.
- A.J. Green is a fine pick at #4 as I think he is a polished receiver with a good head on his shoulders. That being said I am not sure what the Bengals are thinking picking him in this spot considering they don't have a quarterback. If they think changing their wide receiver corps is going to make Carson Palmer see the light and stay in Cincy, well I would like to have to whatever they are smoking. Palmer wants to leave because he can't stand the organization and no draft picks are going to change his mind. He has been there and knows what goes on there and if I am the Bengals I am trading up with NE and taking Andy Dalton ASAP.
- Giants are given a gift with Prince Amukamara falling all the way to #19. End of story.
- Detroit is going to win at least 8 games this year. Nick Fairley is a huge value pick and any comparison to Warren Sapp is going to be magnified as they now both dropped in their respective drafts for off the field issues. Fairley is known to be lazy but head coach Jim Schwartz has had Albert Haynesworth and will know how to deal with him if there are issues. Ndamukong Suh will also be there to whip in to shape, just in case. Good luck blocking these guys NFC North. Just a side note, notice who Green Bay picked with the 32nd pick, an offensive tackle. Ted Thompson gets it.
- Surprised to see Da'quan Bowers still on the board as well as Brandon Harris. Jimmy Smith was a huge value pick at 27 for the Ravens.
- My last point will be on the quarterbacks going so quickly it almost made me feel like a fantasy football draft when everybody starts picking a certain position earlier than expected so there will be a run on a position, which is exactly what happened with 4 quarterbacks going in the first 12 picks. This makes it all the more surprising that Andy Dalton is still up there. The funniest part is that besides Gabbert, I am not sure any of them deserve a first round grade including Newton, but at least he can sell some seats.
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