1. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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The real grade should be “incomplete” because this is a complete boom or bust pick. Carolina gambling again which is why they were in this position to be begin with. Grade: B
2. DENVER BRONCOS: VON MILLER, OLB, Texas A&M
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The Broncos got the most dynamic playmaker in the draft. John Fox will put Miller on one side and Dumervil on the other and look out AFC West QB’s. Grade: A+
3. BUFFALO BILLS: MARCELL DAREUS DT, ALABAMA
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Great player and better pick because they stayed away from Gabbert. The Bills needed a big time difference maker on D and they got one in Dareus. Grade A.
4. CINCINNATI BENGALS: A.J. GREEN, WR, GEORGIA
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One of the top play making offensive players in draft. Also a need pick with the departure of Ocho-Stupido & TO. Grade: A
5. ARIZONA CARDINALS: PATRICK PETERSON, CB, LSU
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Probably the safest pick in the draft. Peterson will be a 10-year starter and potential shut down corner who will get to practice against one of the NFL’s best WR. Grade: A+
6. ATLANTA FALCONS: JULIO JONES, WR, ALABAMA
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Jones is a great player and the Falcons have a need there, but we think they gave up too much for Jones. Jones is beast but can be inconsistent catching passes. If Atlanta wins Super Bowl due to JJ contributions this grade goes to an A. Grade: B
7. SAN FRANCISCO 49ER’S: ALDON SMITH, OLB, MISSOURI
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Smith is a good pass rusher but this is tad early for him. San Fran didn’t address their biggest need of QB and Gabbert was still on the board. Grade: C+
8. TENNESSEE TITANS: JACK LOCKER, QB, WASHINGTON
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I like Locker and the Titans need a QB. Locker chose to return for his senior season otherwise he might have been a top 5 pick last year. Time to officially forget Vince Young. Grade: B
9. DALLAS COWBOYS: TYRON SMITH, OT, SOUTHERN CAL.
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Either two things were happening here. Dallas thinks Smith can be the next Jackie Slater on left side or Jerry was asking for the moon in a trade. Dallas easily could have picked up a 2nd round pick and still nabbed LT that graded in same class as Smith. Grade: C+
10. JACKSONVILLE JAUGUARS: BLAINE GABBERT, QB, MISSOURI
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Smart move on the Jags part. Garrard is not the long-term answer and Gabbert was projected by some as the #1 overall pick. Grade: A
11. HOUSTON TEXANS: J.J. WATT, DE, WISCONSIN
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The Wade era has begun. The Texans have plenty of offense but a terrible D. Watt will bring a high-motor, toughness & leadership. Grade: B+
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: CHRISTIAN PONDER QB, FLORIDA STATE
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Biggest reach pick in 1st round. Yes they needed a QB, but Ponder would have been there later. Ponder will pick things up quickly but must stay healthy. Grade: C
13. DETROIT LIONS: NICK FAIRLEY, DT, AUBURN – B+
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The Lions are on the right track and felt Fairley was too good to pass up. Him and Suh will shut down the NFC North. Grade: B+
14. ST. LOUIS RAMS: ROBERT QUINN, DE, NORTH CAROLINA
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A great pass rusher to build with Long to make a potentially dominant defensive line. We view Quinn as double digit sack guy in NFL. Grade: A
15. MIAMI DOLPHINS: MIKE POUNCEY C/G, FLORIDA
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Another favorite of mine. Pouncey will provide leadership and toughness which is something needed in the AFC East. Grade: B+
16. WASINGTON REDSKINS: RYAN KERRIGAN, DE, PURDUE
Great move trading down 6 spots and picking up a 2nd round pick (Snyder did what Jerry Jones should have). The Skins got someone who can consistently pressure the QB. Kerrigan’s motor never stops and has a great work ethic. Look for him to become a leader on this defense. Grade: B+
17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: NATE SOLDER, T, COLORADO
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Somehow you just know the Pats will turn this project into a pro bowl player. With questions about Matt Lyght coming back for 2011 this was solid pick. Could be the best tackle in the draft in 2-3 years time. Grade: B+
18. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: COREY LIUGET, DL, ILLINIOS
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Liuget can play inside and outside in the 3-4 scheme and will give the Chargers versatility and youth along the defensive line. Grade: B
19. NEW YORK GIANTS: PRINCE AMUKAMARA, CB, NEBRASKA
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Any time you get top 10 talent at #19 and fill a need you have done well. Prince has to work on his mechanics some but he will be a welcome relief for the Giants talented front 7. Grade: A
20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: ADRIAN CLAYBORN, DE, IOWA
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The up and coming Bucs lack anyone who can consistently pressure the QB until now. Clayborn is similar to Kerrigan because of his high-motor and productivity. Grade: B-
21. CLEVELAND BROWNS: PHIL TAYLOR, DT BAYLOR
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The Browns wanted someone who can clog the middle which is essential in this black-n-blue division. Probably could have had him at 27, but not a major reach considering the extra picks they acquired from Atlanta. Grade: C+
22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: ANTHONY CASTONZO, OT, BC
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Another potential top pick gotten late. The Colts needed help on the offensive line and Castonzo can step in and start from day 1. Grade: A
23. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: DANNY WATKINS, OG, BAYLOR
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Good player, great leader. But he will be 27 this year and will be 30+ when his second NFL contract rolls around. We know what the eagles do with 30+ players. Grade: C
24. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: CAMERON JORDAN, DE, CAL.
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A steal this late. The Saints get potential top 10 talent and address a major need at the same time. Who dat? Grade: A
25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: JAMES CARPENTER, OL, ALABAMA
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Kind of an underwhelming pick. Trading down (if possible) would have been a better option rather than reaching for the inconsistent Carpenter. Grade: D
26. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: JON BALDWIN, WR, PITT.
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The Chiefs needed another weapon on the outside for Cassel. Baldwin is a big man with good football speed. Baldwin did not run well at the combine but plays a lot faster. Grade: B
27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: JIMMY SMITH, CB, COLORADO
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Close in talent and athleticism to Peterson. Another similarity is that both players are extremely confident. However, Smith has a bad-boy persona which is why he lasted until 27. bad tats? check. bad reputation? check. He fits right in with the Ravens! Grade: C+
28. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: MARK INGRAM, RB, ALABAMA
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This grade comes with an incomplete because if Ingram’s knee. If he stays healthy he will be a steal and another major weapon for Drew Brees. Grade: B/incomplete
29. CHICAGO BEARS: GABE CARIMI, OT, WISCONSIN
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He has the persona of a monster of the midway. Big, mean, cocky & nasty. I like him and so will Jay Cutler who was on his back more times than…..Grade: B
30. NEW YORK JETS: MUHAMMAD WILKERSON, DT, TEMPLE
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A good value pick at this point. Rex was probably hoping to get Smith since he loves cornerbacks but the Jets D-line was not a strength last season. Grade: B
31. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CAMERON HAYWARD, DE, OHIO ST.
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A perfect Steeler. Iron-head’s boy will fit right in with the Steelers. He’s a hustler who likes to play physical football. He also addresses age on the line. Grade: B
32. GREEN BAY PACKERS: DEREK SHERROD, OT, MISS
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No major needs going into next season. Sherrod is ready to play now but doesn’t necessarily have to. The pack had a lot of injuries on their line last season and Sherrod will provide valuable depth. Grade: B+
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You just love handing out A’s everywhere you go huh? Shouldn’t it be special for a team that did really well. I feel you are inconsistent with a lot of your pick explanations. Jags have an A… Packers have a B? Gabbert may be the future but you need to pick players that help you in the first… Which is around the reason you gave the packers a b. Your a little A trigger happy.