Round 1 Grades and Analysis

Updated: April 29th

#1) Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton (QB Auburn)
Everyone who has been following the site knows that I think Cam Newton is going to be a colossal bust, and I believe Ron Rivera and Marty Hurney have just signed their Pink Slips. As I have stated before, aside from having a strong arm, there is nothing that Cam Newton did in college that will work for him at the next level. In college, if Newton's first receiver was not open, he will just take off running, which he would no longer successfully be able to do. Also since Auburn ran the ball so well, he rarely ever saw any Safeties in coverage, and most defenses just put 9 guys in the box. So when Cam was completing a pass, it was to a wide open receiver, or a single covered receiver. Cam Newton is just so far away from being able to play in the NFL, and I don't see him ever getting there. Grade- F

#1) Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton (QB Auburn)

Everyone who has been following the site knows that I think Cam Newton is going to be a colossal bust, and I believe Ron Rivera and Marty Hurney have just signed their Pink Slips. As I have stated before, aside from having a strong arm, there is nothing that Cam Newton did in college that will work for him at the next level. In college, if Newton's first receiver was not open, he will just take off running, which he would no longer successfully be able to do. Also since Auburn ran the ball so well, he rarely ever saw any Safeties in coverage, and most defenses just put 9 guys in the box. So when Cam was completing a pass, it was to a wide open receiver, or a single covered receiver. Cam Newton is just so far away from being able to play in the NFL, and I don't see him ever getting there.

Grade- F

#2) Denver Broncos- Von Miller (OLB Texas A&M)
I heard all the talk over the past 2 days about how Denver was poised to take Von Miller here at the 2nd overall pick, but I just could not get myself to believe they would do something so stupid! This one makes me even more mad than the Newton pick because this is simple X's and O's stuff. Linebackers are completely useless unless there is a functioning defensive line in front of them, which Denver does not have. The opponents offensive line will be able to easily block the D-Lineman, and then move on to taking the linebackers out of the play. And on top of that, Von Miller can't stop the run! He is a tremendous pass rusher, but when he is going to be double teamed on every pass rushing situation, and stonewalled against the run, he will not be able to get much done. Denver should have done what they wanted to do all along and take a stud defensive tackle in Marcell Dareus. Grade- F

#2) Denver Broncos- Von Miller (OLB Texas A&M)

I heard all the talk over the past 2 days about how Denver was poised to take Von Miller here at the 2nd overall pick, but I just could not get myself to believe they would do something so stupid! This one makes me even more mad than the Newton pick because this is simple X's and O's stuff. Linebackers are completely useless unless there is a functioning defensive line in front of them, which Denver does not have. The opponents offensive line will be able to easily block the D-Lineman, and then move on to taking the linebackers out of the play. And on top of that, Von Miller can't stop the run! He is a tremendous pass rusher, but when he is going to be double teamed on every pass rushing situation, and stonewalled against the run, he will not be able to get much done. Denver should have done what they wanted to do all along and take a stud defensive tackle in Marcell Dareus.

Grade- F

#3) Buffalo Bills- Marcell Dareus (DE Alabama)
Going into this pick the Bills were going to be in a good spot. They were very high on Newton, Miller, and Dareus and no matter which one fell to them they'd get a player they liked and needed. In my opinion they got the best of the three. Dareus is consider one of the best prospects in the draft and fills a huge need at defensive end in their 3-4 defense. Dareus has the experience playing in the 3-4 from his days at Alabama. Great Pick. Grade- A

#3) Buffalo Bills- Marcell Dareus (DE Alabama)

Going into this pick the Bills were going to be in a good spot. They were very high on Newton, Miller, and Dareus and no matter which one fell to them they'd get a player they liked and needed. In my opinion they got the best of the three. Dareus is consider one of the best prospects in the draft and fills a huge need at defensive end in their 3-4 defense. Dareus has the experience playing in the 3-4 from his days at Alabama. Great Pick.

Grade- A

#4) Cincinnati Bengals- A.J Green (WR Georgia)
There was a lot of talk leading up to the draft that the Bengals might take Julio Jones over Green because he fits their offense better. Lets just say that the Bengals made the right choice. AJ Green is the best receiver prospect to come out since Calvin Johnson and one of the top 3 players in the draft. He gives the Bengals a new young #1 receiver that isn't a head case. Green can do it all. He has great hands, good speed, willingness to go over the middle, and a premier deep threat. The addition of Green, and the eventual departure of Chad Ochocinco and TO might be enough to try and convince Carson Palmer to stay. Grade- A

#4) Cincinnati Bengals- A.J Green (WR Georgia)

There was a lot of talk leading up to the draft that the Bengals might take Julio Jones over Green because he fits their offense better. Lets just say that the Bengals made the right choice. AJ Green is the best receiver prospect to come out since Calvin Johnson and one of the top 3 players in the draft. He gives the Bengals a new young #1 receiver that isn't a head case. Green can do it all. He has great hands, good speed, willingness to go over the middle, and a premier deep threat. The addition of Green, and the eventual departure of Chad Ochocinco and TO might be enough to try and convince Carson Palmer to stay.

Grade- A

#5) Arizona Cardinals- Patrick Peterson (CB LSU)
I applaud Arizona for making the smart decision, which I realize is rarely a given now, and just taking the #1 overall player on pretty much everybody's board. Everyone knows how much I love Patrick Peterson, and I do not think it will be long before he is the best cornerback in the league. He is 225 and build like a linebacker, but is among the fastest guys in the draft. He is 6-2, but as agile, and fluid as any cornerback I have seen. Excellent grab for Arizona, and now Peterson and DRC make up the best CB combo in the league! Grade- A+

#5) Arizona Cardinals- Patrick Peterson (CB LSU)

I applaud Arizona for making the smart decision, which I realize is rarely a given now, and just taking the #1 overall player on pretty much everybody's board. Everyone knows how much I love Patrick Peterson, and I do not think it will be long before he is the best cornerback in the league. He is 225 and build like a linebacker, but is among the fastest guys in the draft. He is 6-2, but as agile, and fluid as any cornerback I have seen. Excellent grab for Arizona, and now Peterson and DRC make up the best CB combo in the league!

Grade- A+

#6) Atlanta Falcons- Julio Jones (WR Alabama)
I really like Julio Jones, and I think Atlanta is much better for having him, but giving up a 2nd and 4th this year, and their 1st and 4th next year just not make sense to me. There are other places to get good receivers, if you look at many of the top receivers in the league, they were not taken in the top 10, but rather in the 2nd round or later. What is especially confusing about this, is that it wasn't like they were in dire need of a receiver, they already have one of the best receivers in the game. To give up so much for a player who will only touch the ball 8-10 times a game maximum is not wise in my opinion, and I think they would have been much better served to do like KC and just take Jonathan Baldwin late in round 1. Grade- D

#6) Atlanta Falcons- Julio Jones (WR Alabama)

I really like Julio Jones, and I think Atlanta is much better for having him, but giving up a 2nd and 4th this year, and their 1st and 4th next year just not make sense to me. There are other places to get good receivers, if you look at many of the top receivers in the league, they were not taken in the top 10, but rather in the 2nd round or later. What is especially confusing about this, is that it wasn't like they were in dire need of a receiver, they already have one of the best receivers in the game. To give up so much for a player who will only touch the ball 8-10 times a game maximum is not wise in my opinion, and I think they would have been much better served to do like KC and just take Jonathan Baldwin late in round 1.

Grade- D

#7) San Francisco 49ers- Aldon Smith (DE/OLB Missouri)
I knew San Francisco was not going to take Blaine Gabbert like everybody expected, which I agree with, and I also really like what they did with this pick. Instead of the new regime risking their jobs by taking a project in Gabbert, they are instead taking what I believe to be the correct route, and build up your team, and plug in the QB Later. San Francisco has been dying for a good pass rusher for a long time, and Aldon Smith has the potential to be elite. The only reason I don't give this pick an A, is because I absolutely love Robert Quinn, and if they were going pass rusher, he should have been the guy, but this is still a very solid selection. Grade- B+

#7) San Francisco 49ers- Aldon Smith (DE/OLB Missouri)

I knew San Francisco was not going to take Blaine Gabbert like everybody expected, which I agree with, and I also really like what they did with this pick. Instead of the new regime risking their jobs by taking a project in Gabbert, they are instead taking what I believe to be the correct route, and build up your team, and plug in the QB Later. San Francisco has been dying for a good pass rusher for a long time, and Aldon Smith has the potential to be elite. The only reason I don't give this pick an A, is because I absolutely love Robert Quinn, and if they were going pass rusher, he should have been the guy, but this is still a very solid selection.

Grade- B+

#8) Tennessee Titans- Jake Locker (QB Washington)
To some this pick is a little confusing. Locker did not have a good senior season, to get taken before Gabbert, who most viewed as the #1 QB was a shock to many. However, there had been many rumblings leading up to the draft that Tennessee would take Locker over Gabbert if the both of them were available. Locker will be raw, but the Titans have a good offensive line, and a good running game. Bottom line is the Titans needed a franchise quarterback and they pulled the trigger on the guy that they really wanted. And I personally don't believe the gap between Locker and Gabbert is very wide, so we are good with this pick. Grade- B

#8) Tennessee Titans- Jake Locker (QB Washington)

To some this pick is a little confusing. Locker did not have a good senior season, to get taken before Gabbert, who most viewed as the #1 QB was a shock to many. However, there had been many rumblings leading up to the draft that Tennessee would take Locker over Gabbert if the both of them were available. Locker will be raw, but the Titans have a good offensive line, and a good running game. Bottom line is the Titans needed a franchise quarterback and they pulled the trigger on the guy that they really wanted. And I personally don't believe the gap between Locker and Gabbert is very wide, so we are good with this pick.

Grade- B

#9) Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith (OT USC)
Very solid pick here for Dallas, as now I think after Romo's injury last year, they fully realize the importance of protecting your QB. I think this is a very solid choice, but I really think taking Prince Amukamara would have been the smartest choice, as Dallas' secondary last year was horrendous. Also, I'm not a huge Tyron Smith fan, I think he will be pretty good, but never a perennial Pro-Bowler. He has never played Left Tackle, has put on a ton of weight just to be considered this high, and I think he has a major lack of aggression. As I mentioned, I like, but do not love this pick for Dallas. Grade- B-

#9) Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith (OT USC)

Very solid pick here for Dallas, as now I think after Romo's injury last year, they fully realize the importance of protecting your QB. I think this is a very solid choice, but I really think taking Prince Amukamara would have been the smartest choice, as Dallas' secondary last year was horrendous. Also, I'm not a huge Tyron Smith fan, I think he will be pretty good, but never a perennial Pro-Bowler. He has never played Left Tackle, has put on a ton of weight just to be considered this high, and I think he has a major lack of aggression. As I mentioned, I like, but do not love this pick for Dallas.

Grade- B-

#10) Jacksonville Jaguars- Blaine Gabbert (QB Missouri)
With Blaine Gabbert available at the 10th pick the Jaguars wasted little time moving up to get their new franchise quarterback. David Garrard hasn't been a bad quarterback, but he isn't going to take over many games on his own. Jacksonville is hoping Gabbert can come in and revitalize their offense the same way that Matt Ryan did for Atlanta in his rookie year. This is a nice situation for Gabbert because the Jaguars have a good offensive line, a strong running game, and a veteran quarterback who can show him the ropes. Grade- A

#10) Jacksonville Jaguars- Blaine Gabbert (QB Missouri)

With Blaine Gabbert available at the 10th pick the Jaguars wasted little time moving up to get their new franchise quarterback. David Garrard hasn't been a bad quarterback, but he isn't going to take over many games on his own. Jacksonville is hoping Gabbert can come in and revitalize their offense the same way that Matt Ryan did for Atlanta in his rookie year. This is a nice situation for Gabbert because the Jaguars have a good offensive line, a strong running game, and a veteran quarterback who can show him the ropes.

Grade- A

#11) Houston Texans- J.J Watt (DE Wisconsin)
Houston was rumored to be one of the teams looking to move up to Arizona's spot to get a hold of Patrick Peterson and since they weren't able to do that, the Texans were forced to stay at 11 and find a piece to their new 3-4 defense. Aldon Smith was considered their top target (after Peterson) but with San Francisco taking him the Texans went in a different direction. JJ Watt is one of the top 5 technique defensive ends in the draft and is a good fit for them. I however believe (As becomes a theme) that they should have taken Robert Quinn who would have been an excellent 3-4 edge rusher. Grade- C+

#11) Houston Texans- J.J Watt (DE Wisconsin)

Houston was rumored to be one of the teams looking to move up to Arizona's spot to get a hold of Patrick Peterson and since they weren't able to do that, the Texans were forced to stay at 11 and find a piece to their new 3-4 defense. Aldon Smith was considered their top target (after Peterson) but with San Francisco taking him the Texans went in a different direction. JJ Watt is one of the top 5 technique defensive ends in the draft and is a good fit for them. I however believe (As becomes a theme) that they should have taken Robert Quinn who would have been an excellent 3-4 edge rusher.

Grade- C+

#12) Minnesota Vikings- Christian Ponder (QB Florida State)
I think Minnesota really wanted Jake Locker, and they believed he would be available here, so when he wasn't, they were caught with their pants down and made this blunder. I have been critical of people who think Christian Ponder was worthy of a late first round choice, let alone worthy of the #12 pick. I just don't get it with Christian Ponder, he is just very very average, he reminds me a lot of Chad Pennington. And while Chad Pennington was not a bad player in the league, if I am drafting a QB in the first round, he needs to be a top-notch guy, not just somebody who is there to not lose the game. Christian Ponder will have a long and average career in the NFL, which I think is a terrible value at pick #12. Grade- F

#12) Minnesota Vikings- Christian Ponder (QB Florida State)

I think Minnesota really wanted Jake Locker, and they believed he would be available here, so when he wasn't, they were caught with their pants down and made this blunder. I have been critical of people who think Christian Ponder was worthy of a late first round choice, let alone worthy of the #12 pick. I just don't get it with Christian Ponder, he is just very very average, he reminds me a lot of Chad Pennington. And while Chad Pennington was not a bad player in the league, if I am drafting a QB in the first round, he needs to be a top-notch guy, not just somebody who is there to not lose the game. Christian Ponder will have a long and average career in the NFL, which I think is a terrible value at pick #12.

Grade- F

#13) Detroit Lions- Nick Fairley (DT Auburn)
Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on the same team, Wow! Detroit is really serious about this whole Best Player Available strategy, and did not flinch when Fairley, who was in consideration to be the #1 overall pick a month ago, fell to them at 13. Detroit now has the best defensive line in the league, and will be terrorizing opponents backfields for the foreseeable future. I don't give this pick a top grade, because once again, I love Robert Quinn and think he should have been the pick. Especially with the Lions already having Suh, Corey Williams, and Sammy Hill, which already was a great core of defensive tackles. Grade- B

#13) Detroit Lions- Nick Fairley (DT Auburn)

Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on the same team, Wow! Detroit is really serious about this whole Best Player Available strategy, and did not flinch when Fairley, who was in consideration to be the #1 overall pick a month ago, fell to them at 13. Detroit now has the best defensive line in the league, and will be terrorizing opponents backfields for the foreseeable future. I don't give this pick a top grade, because once again, I love Robert Quinn and think he should have been the pick. Especially with the Lions already having Suh, Corey Williams, and Sammy Hill, which already was a great core of defensive tackles.

Grade- B

#14) St Louis Rams- Robert Quinn (DE North Carolina)
Tremendous pick by the Rams, and I believe the best pick of round 1. I truly believe had Robert Quinn played last year that he would have been in serious consideration for the #1 overall pick, and I have no doubts he will emerge as the classes top pass rusher. Robert Quinn is the perfect 4-3 DE prospect, he has the ideal size, phenomenal athleticism and explosion, and is hard worker and great guy. Excellent job by St Louis picking up the drafts top pass rusher at pick #14. Grade- A+

#14) St Louis Rams- Robert Quinn (DE North Carolina)

Tremendous pick by the Rams, and I believe the best pick of round 1. I truly believe had Robert Quinn played last year that he would have been in serious consideration for the #1 overall pick, and I have no doubts he will emerge as the classes top pass rusher. Robert Quinn is the perfect 4-3 DE prospect, he has the ideal size, phenomenal athleticism and explosion, and is hard worker and great guy. Excellent job by St Louis picking up the drafts top pass rusher at pick #14.

Grade- A+

#15) Miami Dolphins- Mike Pouncey (Guard/Center Florida)
Taking an interior lineman in the first round is never the sexy pick, but as was the case here, it was the smart pick. When Miami was going good a few years ago they were running the ball down peoples throats, and since there was no running back worth this selection, taking a terrific Guard/Center prospect in Pouncey does just as much good. There is no reason why Mike can't have just as much impact as his brother did last year for the Steelers. He has the size and strength to be an excellent run blocker, and the quickness and athleticism to protect against the pass. Pouncey will be an immediate starter for Miami, and make their whole offense better. Grade- B+

#15) Miami Dolphins- Mike Pouncey (Guard/Center Florida)

Taking an interior lineman in the first round is never the sexy pick, but as was the case here, it was the smart pick. When Miami was going good a few years ago they were running the ball down peoples throats, and since there was no running back worth this selection, taking a terrific Guard/Center prospect in Pouncey does just as much good. There is no reason why Mike can't have just as much impact as his brother did last year for the Steelers. He has the size and strength to be an excellent run blocker, and the quickness and athleticism to protect against the pass. Pouncey will be an immediate starter for Miami, and make their whole offense better.

Grade- B+

#16) Washington Redskins- Ryan Kerrigan (DE/OLB Purdue)
Leading up to the draft the belief was that the Redskins were either going to take a Quarterback, Robert Quinn, or Cam Jordan. Blaine Gabbert fell right into their laps and seemed like a perfect fit for Mike Shanahan's offense. However, instead of taking him the Redskins traded back with Jacksonville, hoping Robert Quinn would fall. But with Quinn going 2 picks earlier to St. Louis, the Redskins had to go with another option. Instead of taking Cam Jordan who would be a great value and fill a big need. They choose Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan is a good pass rusher, but I question whether he can make the transition to the 3-4 defense. Kerrigan has a great motor but he lacks the athleticism that you need to play the hybrid end/linebacker role. With Cam Jordan available the Redskins could have done better. Grade- D

#16) Washington Redskins- Ryan Kerrigan (DE/OLB Purdue)

Leading up to the draft the belief was that the Redskins were either going to take a Quarterback, Robert Quinn, or Cam Jordan. Blaine Gabbert fell right into their laps and seemed like a perfect fit for Mike Shanahan's offense. However, instead of taking him the Redskins traded back with Jacksonville, hoping Robert Quinn would fall. But with Quinn going 2 picks earlier to St. Louis, the Redskins had to go with another option. Instead of taking Cam Jordan who would be a great value and fill a big need. They choose Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan is a good pass rusher, but I question whether he can make the transition to the 3-4 defense. Kerrigan has a great motor but he lacks the athleticism that you need to play the hybrid end/linebacker role. With Cam Jordan available the Redskins could have done better.

Grade- D

Picks 17-32

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