Well, the first round of the 2011 draft is in the books, and like usual, it was a first round of surprises and trades. First, the picks:
1 Cam Newton QB Panthers
2 Von Miller OLB Broncos
3 Marcell Dareus DT Bills
4 A.J. Green WR Bengals
5 Patrick Peterson DB Cardinals
6 Julio Jones WR Falcons
7 Aldon Smith DE 49ers
8 Jake Locker QB Titans
9 Tyron Smith OT Cowboys
10 Blaine Gabbert QB Jaguars
11 J.J. Watt DE Texans
12 Christian Ponder QB Vikings
13 Nick Fairley DT Lions
14 Robert Quinn DE Rams
15 Mike Pouncey C Dolphins
16 Ryan Kerrigan DE Redskins
17 Nate Solder OT Patriots
18 Corey Liuget DT Chargers
19 Prince Amukamara DB Giants
20 Adrian Clayborn DE Buccaneers
21 Phil Taylor DT Browns
22 Anthony Castonzo OT Colts
23 Danny Watkins OG Eagles
24 Cameron Jordan DE Saints
25 James Carpenter OG Seahawks
26 Jonathan Baldwin WR Chiefs
27 Jimmy Smith DB Ravens
28 Mark Ingram RB Saints
29 Gabe Carimi OT Bears
30 Muhammad Wilkerson DE Jets
31 Cameron Heyward DE Steelers
32 Derek Sherrod OT Packers
I think the big surprise was our own Vikings picking Christian Ponder at #12 overall. Personally, I like the pick and think it was good to get a real, by God, quarterback of the future. The Vikings must get competitive at the quarterback position, as the NFC North is loaded with young QB talent at every team. The second biggest surprise, at least for me, was Atlanta dealing 403 picks to Cleveland so they could move up to the #6 slot and draft WR Julio Jones. I didn’t even think that was the biggest need for the Falcons, but they are going all in to win the Super Bowl in 2011, and Jones is very talented. That’s a lot of picks to give up, though.
The other big surprise was Da’Quan Bowers, a guy that many people thought the Vikings would target at #12, dropping completely out of the first round. Around the NFC North, the Lions took DT Nick Fairley, which means that they might have the best young defensive line in football. Both the Bears and Packers selected tackles to protect their franchise quarterbacks. Chicago took Gabe Carimi and Green Bay took Derek Sherrod.
Overall, a very interesting first round. The second round will begin tomorrow at 5 PM CST.