1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton QB Auburn
Newton has had success leading the Panthers to the Divisional Round of the playoffs and made a Pro Bowl. However the jury is still out, Newton has all the physical tools and looks to be putting it together, but needs to take that next step. But Newton is arguably the best quarterback in this class so taking him was worth it.
Grade: B+
2. Denver Broncos: Von Miller OLB Texas A&M
Denver needed to add a play maker to their defense and they nailed it here with Miller. Ever since he stepped onto the field he's used his elite speed and quickness to cause havoc. He rated as the top 4-3 OLB this past season according to Pro Football Focus this past season and has been a multi-time Pro Bowler. The only knock on him has been his suspensions for performance enhancing drugs.
Grade: A+
3. Buffalo Bills: Marcel Dareus DE Alabama
Going into this draft the Bills wanted to shore up their run defense and Dareus has helped them do that. He's one of the best run stoppers in the league. Dareus ability to play in both the 3-4 and the 4-3 has helped since he's played both schemes in Buffalo. The only negative is that Dareus is facing some very serious off field charges this offseason.
Grade: A
4. Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green WR Georgia
Green came in as the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson and hasn't disappointed. He's a touchdown machine and has played at a All Pro level since day one. He looks to be one of the best receivers in the game today. Cincinnati nailed this pick.
Grade: A+
5. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson CB LSU
Everybody knew Peterson was a special athlete, but some wondered if he'd be a corner or a safety. Not only has Peterson proved that he can play corner back, he's shown that he has the making to be one of the best corner backs in the league. Add in his elite punt return ability and the Cardinals have one of the best players in the league.
Grade: A+
6. Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones WR Alabama
It was quite the bold move for Atlanta to trading up form #21 to here to take Jones. It was even more risky with Jones having a stress fracture in his foot leading up to the draft. However the gamble paid off and Jones looks to be one of the great young receivers in the league. If he can stay healthy (missed most of this past season) this will be a genius pick.
Grade: A+
7. San Francisco 49ers: Aldon Smith OLB Missouri
On the field Smith has been great for the 49ers. He's a dynamic pass rusher whose 42 sacks in three years is nothing short of amazing. However the big issue is his behavior off the field. He's had two DUI charges, weapons issues, and the imfamous bomb issue at an airport. These off the field issues could lead to him being cut from the team which is sad considering how much talent he'd be wasting. But there were red flags before the draft, so the 49ers had to know at least a little bit.
Grade: A-
8. Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker QB Washington
After seven great picks we finally get our first dud. Locker was once considered to be the #1 pick in the 2010 class but really struggled in his senior year. Instead of looking at Locker's poor season and accuracy issues they reached for him hoping to get their QB of the future. He's been widely inconsistent his first three years and will get one final year to prove that he should be their QB. But it's looking like another top 10 bust, especially with Kaepernick being a second round pick
Grade: F
9. Dallas Cowboys: Tyron Smith OT USC
It was quite the risk taking Smith who only played RT at USC to be the Cowboys LT of the future. Another risk paid off as Smith has emerged as one of the best left tackles in the league. He graded this past year as the fifth best tackle in the NFL and his athletic ability has made him great for their zone blocking scheme.
Grade: A
10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri
This was a pick that was bound to fail as soon as they traded up with the Redskins. Gabbert had the look of an NFL QB but played in a wide open spread offense and really struggled with phantom pass rush rattled him. His inability to read defenses and struggling with any bit of a pressure got him benched and traded to San Francisco for a 6th round pick. Another enormous bust.
Grade: F
11. Houston Texans: JJ Watt DE Wisconsin
Remember that Watt was a two star recruit to started his college career at Central Michigan as a tight end. Now Watt is one of the most feared defensive lineman and the building block for the Texans. Watt is a do everything defensive end. Easily one of the best defensive players in the NFL and a contender for DPOY every year.
Grade: A+
12. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder QB Florida State
A major reach at the time looks even worse three years later. Yeah Ponder helped the Vikings to the playoffs in his second year but that was more Adrian Peterson than anything Ponder did. Ponder struggled in year three and was benched in favor of Matt Cassell. With the Vikings taking Teddy Bridgewater in the 2014 Draft it will be only a matter of time before he is cut.
Grade: F
13. Detroit Lions: Nick Fairley DT Auburn
Best player available is the philosophy the Lions have used and that shows here with them taking Fairley a year after taking Ndamukong Suh the previous year. Fairley has shown glimpses of the dominance he showed at Auburn, but he's been marred with the same personal fouls and boneheaded plays he also had at Auburn. With a new regime in Detroit Fairley's option hasn't been picked up and they could look to part ways when his contract is up.
Grade: B
14. St. Louis Rams: Robert Quinn DE North Carolina
Quinn fell this far mainly because he didn't play his final year at North Carolina for taking improper benefits. Quinn's career started off slow but he's gotten increasingly better each year with this past season him tallying 19 sacks this past season. He was the Pro Football Writers Defensive player of the year and arguably the best young defensive end in the NFL. Well worth the gamble.
Grade: A+
15. Miami Dolphins: Mike Pouncey C Florida
Needing some help along the offensive line the Dolphins landed a their center of the future. Pouncey has started since day one and even made the Pro Bowl in his second year. All that is why he remains on the team despite being a key member in the Jonathan Martin bullying scandal. Good centers are hard to come by, so when you can get one you go for it.
Grade: A-
16. Washington Redskins: Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue
All questions on how Kerrigan would translate to the 3-4 were answered immediately. Not only did Kerrigan contend for the Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first year, but went to the Pro Bowl in year two. This past season he still tallied 9 sacks despite tearing his meniscus early in the season. Kerrigan hasn't been an elite player, but Justin Houston is the only player taken after him that has come close to him.
Grade: A
17. New England Patriots: Nate Solder OT Colorado
The eventual replacement for Matt Light, Solder had the raw skills to be a stud but lacked a ton of experience. However having a year to fill in and watch Light and Vollmer really did wonders for him. Solder took over his second year and the Patriots haven't skipped a beat. Despite not making a Pro Bowl yet, he's been rock solid and graded out as the 9th best tackle this past season.
Grade: A+
18. San Diego Chargers: Corey Liuget DT Illinois
It would have been easy to say that the Chargers should have gone with Cameron Jordan instead of Liuget. However even though they are both labeled as DEs they play different positions. Liuget hasn't been as dominant, but he's still developing and along with Kendall Reyes has given the Chargers two studs along their defensive line. His second season was his best when he was only out done by JJ Watt when it comes to 3-4 DEs. A solid pick here.
Grade: B+
19. New York Giants: Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska
Prince was thought to be a steal here with his size and athletic ability he could have easily gone in the top 10. However it hasn't been smooth sailing for Amukamara. He's been solid and regular starter but injuries and inconsistent play has plagued him throughout his three year career. However Prince has been great against the run which has likely saved his starting spot. But this is going to be a big year for him to prove that he deserves an extension.
Grade: B
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa
A big versatile end, Clayborn came in with a bunch of promise. However he's been a big disappointment for the Bucs. As a rookie he wasn't bad, but a knee injury cut his second year short. While this past season he had six sacks but struggled throughout the season. But with the team adding Michael Johnson this off season it looks like Clayborn's days are numbered. It's safe to say that Clayborn needs a bounce back year.
Grade: C
21. Cleveland Browns: Phil Taylor DT Baylor
After trading down from the sixth pick the Browns end up taking a nose tackle with Taylor missing out on a ton of talent they could have had if they stayed. Taylor has been alright, but he's not a great run stuffer you would like by taking one in the first round. Most teams can get guys like him in the middle rounds. Could you imagine JJ Watt, Aldon Smith, or Julio Jones on the Browns?
Grade: D
22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Castanzo OT Boston College
Protecting the quarterback was a big need for the Colts with Peyton Manning and now Andrew Luck. Castanzo has been only average as a pass blocker giving up 20 sacks in his past three years. But he's a much better run blocker which fits the Colts new offensive scheme. You would want better out of your first round pick, but he's been the third best tackle in this draft (3rd taken), so it's hard to really fault this pick.
Grade: B
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Danny Watkins G Baylor
What an epic failure this pick has been for the Eagles. It was a reach on draft night and looks even worse for the Eagles with Watkins only making it two years on the roster. He's now a backup for the Miami Dolphons. Watkins struggled transitioning from tackle to guard and with his inexperience playing football didn't help.
Grade: F
24. New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan DE California
Early in Jordan's career he started at DE in the Saints 4-3 defense and was solid but not spectacular. He was great against the run but still raw rushing the passer. He did tally 8 sacks in this second year, but wasn't great. However when Rob Ryan came on board and switched to the 3-4, Jordan blossomed into one of the NFL's best 3-4 DEs and had 14 sacks.
Grade: A
25. Seattle Seahawks: James Carpenter OT Alabama
Under Pete Carroll the Seahawks' first round picks usually are viewed as good values but fits for their schemes. Carpenter's athletic ability looked to translate to their zone blocking scheme, however Carpenter has been a complete bust. He's struggled every year and the only reason he's still on the roster is he can play multiple positions along the offensive line.
Grade: F
26. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonathan Baldwin WR Pittsburgh
What looked like a great pick to pair with Dwayne Bowe has turned out to be a giant bust. Whether it was fighting his teammate during the preseason of his rookie year or only having 607 total yards receiving and just two touchdowns in his career. He was traded to the 49ers after his second season and for a team that needed a deep threat bad he wasn't able to make any difference.
Grade: F
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jimmy Smith CB Colorado
Going into the draft Smith was right there with Prince Amukamara battling for the #2 CB spot behind Patrick Peterson. If it wasn't for some off the field issues, Smith could have gone higher. Now Smith hasn't been terrible in his three years, but hasn't be great either. He only has 4 career interceptions and hasn't graded out well, but he's made plays when he had to and was big in the Super Bowl vs the 49ers that helped the Ravens win it.
Grade: B
28. New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram RB Alabama
Looking to improve their running game, the Saints traded back into the first round to get the physical back out of Alabama. Ingram was a part of a three or even four man backfield and had some success, but was never really able to beat out Pierre Thomas. He's barley over 1,000 in his career and the Saints decided not to pick up his additional year option which means he'll likely be a free agent if he doesn't have a monster year this season.
Grade: C
29. Chicago Bears: Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin
For a team that had huge issues protecting Jay Cutler, taking Carimi was thought to be a great pick. However a horrible knee dislocation in the second game of his rookie season really took away his athletic ability. His second year he struggled at right tackle and was moved to guard at the end of the season. After the season was over he was traded to the Buccaneers where he was cut after the year and is now with the Falcons. His injury really derailed what could have been a good career.
Grade: D+
30. New York Jets: Muhammad Wilkerson DE Temple
It's hard to find a better value than Wilkerson here. In his three year's he's played as one of the best players in this draft and is a big reason the Jets have had such a good defense the past couple of years. He was graded by Pro Football Focus as the second best 3-4 DE in his second year and was in the top 10 last year. His 18.5 career sacks are pretty impressive for the position he plays.
Grade: A+
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State
Like most Steelers picks they get quality players. Heyward has been solid since joining the starting lineup during his second year. He's gotten better each year, but as a 3-4 defensive end he isn't in the same category as Liuget, Jordan, or Wilkerson. Getting a long term starter in the first round is nice, but you rather see them get an impact player. That's why it's a B and not an A.
Grade: B
32. Green Bay Packers: Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State
For a team that has as much success as the Packers do without a good offensive line is amazing. A big part of that is missing on picks like Sherrod. Unfortunately Sherrod had a nasty leg break in the preseason of his rookie year and hasn't been able to bounce back. He's only played 121 snaps in his career so far and likely is a backup for the rest of his career.
Grade: D
Notable non first round picks
#35: Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton QB TCU
#36: San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada
#43: Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame
#58: Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith WR Maryland
#64: Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb WR Kentucky
#70: Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston OLB Georgia
#71: Dallas Cowboys: DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma
#77: Tennessee Titans: Jurrell Casey DT USC
#99: Seattle Seahawks: KJ Wright OLB Mississippi State
#102: Cleveland Browns: Jordan Cameron TE USC
#129: Denver Broncos: Julius Thomas TE Portland State
#148: Oakland Raiders: Denarious Moore WR Tennessee
#154: Seattle Seahawks: Richard Sherman CB Stanford
#242: Seattle Seahawks: Malcolm Smith OLB USC
Best Value: Richard Sherman (Seattle) at #154 (5th Round) is an All Pro and one of the best corner backs in the league in the 5th round.
Worst Value: Jake Locker (Tennessee) at #8 , Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville) at #10, and Christian Ponder (Minnesota) at #12 with Dalton and Kapernick going in round two.
Best Class: San Francisco. They got four starters (Smith, Kaepernick, Culliver, Miller) out of this draft including their franchise QB in Kaepernick while Aldon Smith is one of the best pass rushers in the league. They also got two very good backups in Daniel Kilgore and Kendall Hunter.
Worst Class: Jacksonville. For a second straight year the Jaguars had the worst class and it's shown in them having two horrible years back to back seasons. Not only did they whiff on Gabbert in the first round, they moved up to get him sending away their 2nd round pick. The only redeeming pick is Cecil Shorts who will be their slot WR and the only player still on their roster.
Overall Summary: After a very strong 2010 class, this draft just doesn't have the same appeal. 13 of the 32 first round picks made at least one Pro Bowl and there are some elite players that came out. But this draft is very top heavy with the top 9 out of the top 11 picks being top level talent. However if your going to remember anything about this draft it might be the three reaches at QB in the top 12. Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, and Christian Ponder were all overdrafted and all three are or will be replaced.
