Now that the first round of the NFL draft is over, and all of the shock and aw has passed, I will touch on how I think each team did, especially my own. But before I give my thoughts and analysis from my armchair on the first round and which teams did a good job, and which teams will be calling me Monday for an interview for their soon-to-be vacant GM position, I want to discuss how ESPN ruined my Christmas.
Part of the excitement and anticipation of watching the NFL Draft is hearing the commissioner announce each pick, and then watch and hear the reaction of the players getting drafted and the fans reacting to their team's pick. But in today's news breaking society, the competition of being the first to report the breaking story has completely ruined Christmas for this draft honk. My coverage of choice is always ESPN and now with the emergence of the NFL Network, it completely changed how the draft is covered. This year, ESPN would have the camera on player expecting to the drafted, show him having a long, tearful conference call with his new employer, and then finally 4 minutes later, the commissioner would walk to the podium and make the announcement of the selection. It completely ruined the moment for us viewers of the draft, looking for that shock and aw moment that we have been waiting for all offseason.
With that being said, there were plenty of surprise picks and movement in the first round of this year's draft, much not predicted by yours truly. I actually had a lot of faith in my mock draft this year, but in the end, it didn't fair too well against the experts. I'll blog more about that next week when the draft is officially over, but I wanted to get out my analysis of the first round, already a day late. Let's dive into the madness.
1. Carolina Panthers - Cam Newton, QB Auburn
Analysis - We all knew this pick was going to happen and we all agree that this pick was about selling jersey's and putting fans in the seats after finishing with the leagues worst record. I will admit that I believe Cam can be a good QB purely on his athletic ability, but he must want to put in the work, and he has a lot of work to do. If all put together, he can win you games with both his arm and his legs. He will definitely get a chance to play and play earlier, as his competition won't be hard to beat out.
2. Denver Broncos - Von Miller, OLB Texas AM
Analysis - I don't like this pick. Don't get me wrong, I like Von Miller as a player and think he will be very good in the NFL, but I'm not sure how he fits in with the Broncos. Playing in the AFC West, you need to stop the running game, and Marcell Dareus would have been a better player to achieve that goal. Miller would have been better suited as a strong side linebacker for a 3-4 defensive scheme, pass rushing off the edge.
3. Buffalo Bills - Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
Analysis - Once Von Miller was taken, this pick was an easy one to make. They will be able to move Dareus across the line and have him cause havoc, a la Shu for Detroit. I still would have drafted Blaine Gabbert here because I don't believe Ryan Fitzpatrick is the QB of the future for them. They could have drafted Gabbert and have him sit and develop while Fitzpatrick keeps the seat warm.
4. Cincinnati Bengals - A.J. Green, WR Georgia
Analysis - They took a pass on Gabbert and took A.J. Green, best receiver in the draft, highly talented and polished, and will be a dynamic receiver in the league. By passing on Gabbert, they are either signaling that they think Carson will return and just provided him with a new shiny toy, or bank that one of the next tier QB's will be there in round two.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
Analysis - The Cardinals just drafted the best player in the draft and sometimes, that is the best move you can make. This wasn't a need for the Cardinals, but you can't pass on talent like Peterson. You take him and find a way to get him on the field. Great cover corner and return specialist. Duel threat.
6. Atlanta Falcons (from Cleveland Browns via trade) - Julio Jones, WR Alabama
Analysis - This was huge. Statement move by the Falcons. The Falcons mortgaged a lot to move up from the late 20's to get Jones. I'm still scratching my head though. Jones will be a good receive if he cleans up the drops. I think they gave up way too much and although I am a believer in the philosophy of going and getting the player you want at any cost, this was redic. Phil Simms said it best and I agree, "if you think that your team is one piece away from being great, chances are you are one pierce away from being worse." When you start thinking like that, that is how GM's lose their jobs.
7. San Francisco 49ers - Aldon Smith, OLB Missouri
Analysis - Not a sexy pick, but I see where they were going with it. This is like getting a B- on a geometry test that you knew would be tough but felt good going into it. You were hoping for an A, but happy you didn't get a D; so you'll take your B- and live with it. The 49ers were hoping for Von Miller or Patrick Peterson to fall, but knew it wouldn't happend and were just happy they didn't have to reach for a player, like J.J. Watt or Robert Quinn. Personally, if I were running the 49ers from my armchair, I would have drafted Nick Fairley, Prince Amukamara, or desperately tried to trade down. Rumor has it the Minnesota Vikings tried. Smith will help with the pass rush but will need to add bulk to be effective against the run.
8. Tennessee Titans - Jake Locker, QB Washington
Analysis - This was the first big shocker of the draft. The highest I saw Locker going was #12 and the lowest was early second. Supposedly though, Locker was a hot commodity. Minnesota tried hard to trade with the 49ers at #7 to get ahead of Tennessee and draft Locker, but when the 49ers wouldn't budge or Minnesota wouldn't up their offer, Tennessee couldn't get that card to the commish fast enough. Locker has all the tools to be a good QB. He will need to work on his accuracy, but I called him the perfect project QB before the draft, and I'm sticking to that assessment despite how high he went.
9. Dallas Cowboys - Tyron Smith, OT USC
Analysis - Jerry Jones was working the phones hard to try and trade down. I bet it just killed him that he had to take an offensive tackle this high in the draft, let alone actually be drafting this high in the draft. If you were going to draft a tackle though, why not draft the best tackle in the draft. Smith is a power tackle who will slide into the left side of the offensive line and free up Doug Free to move to the right side.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Washington Redskins via trade) - Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
Analysis - This was a bold move by both teams in my opinion. Washington desperately needs a QB, and for them to pass on Gabbert here, really sends up red flags about his skills and ability. From Jacksonville's prospective, I like the pick. I originally had them taking Christian Ponder at 16 or trading down to take him, but once they saw that Gabbert was still available, they went and got him.
11. Houston Texans - J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin
Analysis - Well, the philosophy of curing a bad passing secondary is with a great pass rush holds true here. They passed on Prince Amukamara to take J.J. Watt, a strong, high-motor DE. I question is where will he fit? They already have Mario Williams and Antonio Smith at DE. If they were going to add to the pass rush, they should have looked for more of a OLB type pass rusher.
12. Minnesota Vikings - Christian Ponder, QB FSU
Analysis - The second big shocker of the draft comes with another unexpected QB getting drafted much higher than expected. Much, much higher than expected. I know I had predicted Christian Ponder to go to the Jaguars at 16, but I had no real faith in the pick. Some scouts are saying that Ponder is the most NFL ready QB in the draft, and with the Vikings in limbo on whether to rebuild or gear up for a playoff run, Ponders solves both.
13. Detroit Lions - Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
Analysis - I think this is the steal of the draft and best pick in the first round. Matching up Nick Fairley to play along side Ndamukong Shu is pure geniuses. This is going to create all sorts of match-up problems for opposing teams and I already feel bad to the interior linemen who will have to attempt to block them.
14. St. Louis Rams - Robert Quinn, DE UNC
Analysis - I like this pick for the Rams. It gives them another pass rushing end off the edge opposite Chris Long, and Quinn is a top 10 talent assuming he played last season. He has some knee issues which is why he fell, but drafting him here is worth the risk.
15. Miami Dolphins - Mike Pouncey, C Florida
Analysis - I hope they take a RB in the second or third round because I'm wondering who will be running the ball for the Dolphins and providing pressure relieve for Chad Henne. Pouncey is a solid pick here and will be a steal if he lives up to his brothers billing.
16. Washington Redskins - Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB Purdue
Analysis - This is a good pick for the Redskins. Kerrigan will take pressure off of Orakpo and give the Redskins a pass rushing 3-4 outside linebacker. He is a high motor effort player who will thrive in their defensive scheme, much like Orakpo did last year.
17. New England Patriots - Nate Solder, OT Colorado
Analysis - I have mixed feels about this pick. I watched Solder play earlier in the year against Cal and he got destroyed by their pass rush. Cal beat Colorado badly that game and Colorado's offense only managed to put up 7 points in garbage time. However, some drafts experts say that Solder could be the best tackle in this draft class when it's all said and done, and I am not one to question the hoody as well.
18. San Diego Chargers - Corey Liugent, DT Illinois
Analysis - This was a need pick for the Chargers are they needed to fill the hole at DT. Liugent was the best available and highest on their board. He will eat up space and free up the linebackers in their new 3-4 defensive scheme they will run next year.
19. New York Giants - Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
Analysis - This is a great pick for the Giants. I know OT was a huge need for them, but Prince should develop into a solid CB for the Giants and when you have to face Tony Romo and Mike Vick 4 times a year, it doesn't help to have as many CB on deck.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
Analysis - It was no secret that the Buccaneers were coming into this draft looking for a pass rushing DE, and they found a good one in Clayborn. Clayborn probably would have been a higher draft pick if he had come out last year, but regardless, he is still talented.
21. Cleveland Browns (from Kansas City Chief via trade) - Phil Taylor, DT Baylor
Analysis - For a team that just hired a new, offensive minded coach, you would think they would look at drafting someone to help that side of the ball. They passed on Julio Jones, not because he wasn't good, but because the Falcons were crazy enough to give the Browns the farm. Taylor will help fill the role that Shaun Rodgers played last year.
22. Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Castonzo, OT BC
Analysis - Peyton Manning is doing cart-wheels after this draft pick. The life expectancy for Peyton just went up 5-6 years. Castonzo will help solidify the offensive line that was average, but you would have never known it because Peyton moves so well in the pocket.
23. Philadelphia Eagles - Danny Watkins, OG Baylor
Analysis - I guess Mick Vick can't run for his life forever. I would have preferred that the Eagles have taken a CB here, but I guess you can never go wrong drafting to a line. Watkins is a big, solid kid, who will open holes up the middle for Vick to run through.
24. New Orleans Saints - Cameron Jordan, DE Cal
Analysis - This is a nice pick for the Saints. Some experts had Jordan getting drafted as high as #9 to the Cowboys, and as low as #17 to the Pats. I'm not sure why Jordan fell this far, but he will have an immediate impact for the Saints defense.
25. Seattle Seahawks - James Carpenter, OT Alabama
Analysis - The Seahawks follow up last years great draft with a reach for their first pick. Carpenter was suppose to go somewhere in the middle of the second round, plus with Carimi and Sherrod still on the board, this makes Carpenter even more of a surprise pick.
26. Kanasas City Chiefs - Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
Analysis - This was a need position for the Chiefs, as they needed another wide receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe. Matt Cassel is only getting better and with the emergence of Jamaal Charles at RB, they needed to get a receiver to stretch the field and keep the defense honest. I didn't have Baldwin rated this high, but I understand the logic.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
Analysis - Smith has great talent but had major character issues coming into the draft which caused him to fall this far in the draft. Those character issues will soon be dissolved when he walks into the Ravens lock down and sees #52, Ray Lewis. The Ravens do a great job at self-policing the locker room and Smith's character issues will not be a problem for the Ravens. Solid pick here by a team that always drafts well.
28. New Orleans Saints (from New England Patriots via trade) - Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
Analysis - Countering the statement move made by division foe Atlanta Falcons, Saints trade back into the first round and take a Heisman RB. This pick also signals the end of the Reggie Bush era for the Saints. Ingram is a low to the ground runner with good balance and will be that of the Deuce McAllister mold, who was also a RB unexpectedly drafted by the Saints (the Saints already sold the farm to get Ricky Williams).
29. Chicago Bears - Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
Analysis - Carimi was suppose to go mid-first, but fell to the Bears, making both Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari fall over in their beach chair on Malibu beach. Carimi will move in and start ASAP at the left side tackle.
30. New York Jets - Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
Analysis - Mel Kiper called this the steal of the draft. He had Wilkerson rated as the 9th player on his big board. I think this is a very good pick for the Jets to get Wilkerson at #30. He can play all three positions on the defensive line, but I worry that coming from a small school, he won't be battle tested against tough competition.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers - Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio St.
Analysis - This pick yet again proves the theory that the cure for a bad pass defense is a great pass rush. The Steelers got picked a part by the Packers in the Super Bowl. The Steelers clearly need CB help and had Aaron Williams and Brandon Harris on the board, both first round talents.
32. Green Bay Packers - Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi St.
Analysis - There is not much improving you can do to a team that just won the Super Bowl with a great mix of veterans and young players at each position. The rule of the thumb is when in doubt, draft to a line. Sherrod will add depth to the offensive line and Chad Clifton can't play forever.
Mr. Armchair Speaking
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