The picture says it all. Carolina this is your future.1) Carolina Panthers- Cam Newton, QB Auburn
Now, here's the deal I'm an Oakland Raider fan (Spare me your jokes). Everytime I see Newton I think of Jamarcus. I know it's unfair to do that. I can't help it. Newton scares me like a hot girl in a horror film running for my life scared. I personally didn't care for any of the quarterbacks in this draft (more later). Newton goes to a team in desperate need of a make over. Carolina has nothing to do go on. Steve Smith wants out, John Fox is out and nothing is left but spares. Good luck Mr. Newton and for crying out loud save your money.
2) Denver Broncos- Von Miller, LB Texas A&M
I was a bit surprised with this pick. Miller's stock rose in a matter of weeks. I'm not quite sold on Miller over Dareus. Miller isn't much of a run stopper. He's more of a blitzing outside Linebacker. I felt new head coach John Fox missed here. Miller will be a good player but you have to address your need. Broncos didn't do that.
3) Buffalo Bills- Marcel Dareus, DT Alabama
One man's misfortune is another man's fortune. I had penciled the Bills and Miller from the get go. I didn't think they would reach for a Quarterback at number 3. Instead, they pick up a beast inside and a guy I really like. He's not Donkey Kong Suh from Nebraska or Warren Sapp. Dareus will just be a solid starter for years and years and be the anchor of the Bills interior defensive line.
4) Cincinnati Bengals- A.J. Green, WR Georgia
My buddy Chris, big Bengal fan, was doing cartwheels. Every Bengal fan should have been with this pick. Green was their need and possibly the best athlete in the draft. The Bengals were starring at a no brainer and went with it. There was rumors of a trade out but they stuck to their guns and got the player they need. Great choice by the Bengals.
5) Arizona Cardinals- Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
A lot of experts liked Peterson as the best football player in the league. I was mildly surprised Gabbert wasn't the choice. Arizona must want to see if they can develop Max Hall. I like Peterson a lot though. He's a good player and return man. With Warner, they couldn't stop anyone, now they have the opposite problem. The Cardinals defense is getting better but their offense stinks.
6) Atlanta Falcons- Julio Jones, WR Alabama
I was stunned with how much the Falcons gave up to get Jones. The total of 4 picks 2 are first round picks is quite a bit. They were very high on getting wide receiver and they found their man. Jones gives Matty Ice another weapon. The Falcons may have jeopardized their future to some degree by giving away 4 picks. In the end, they got their guy and that's what matters.
7) San Francisco 49ers- Aldon Smith, DE Mizzo
I have a firm belief the Niners wanted Peterson. They weren't able to get him so they go with Smith. Smith is an athletic defensive line man that should help the Niner defense that slipped a little bit last year. With Patrick Willis and Corner Nate Clements, the defensive line now has their leader. We will see because I'm not quite sold on Smith.
8) Tennessee Titans- Jake Locker, QB Washington
When this pick was announced, I wondered if the Raiders had traded for the pick. This was the Al Davis reach in the top ten. I saw enough of Locker to know he's a big fat bust. My 5 alarm siren went off immediately when I saw him. Locker stunk it up against any team with a real defense. All you needed to see was him against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Locker is the white Vince Young, which means he will whine, cry, runaway and end up being a bust.
9) Dallas Cowboys- Tyron Smith, OT USC
Our BBSD blogger Larry was pretty upset with this pick. He wanted a Prince. Well I'm here to tell you that if you want to see Romo end up on the IR again, then Price was your pick. Romo needs protected and Smith can do that. He may have played on the Right side of the offensive line, that's perfect since that's what Dallas needs. He was the need and sometimes that's not sexy.
10) Jacksonville Jaguars- Blaine Gabbert, QB Mizzo
The Jaguars never had complete confidence in Garrad and it always showed. This pick proved they are ready to move on. Gabbert is their guy for the future. I disagree. You can tell me how much Jon Gruden loves Gabbert. My rebutal will be Gruden loves every player who ever put pads on. Gabbert should not have gone 3rd in the order of quarterbacks off the board. He's better than Locker but that's not a big complement.
11) Houston Texans- J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin
I hated this pick for several reasons. One, the Texans always take defensive linemen with their 1st round pick, it's not a need anymore. Two, their secondary was torched by everyone and Prince was on the board. Three, you have a great defensive linemen in Mario Williams that gets to the quarterback. In a division with Peyton Manning, you need someone in the secondary to take away his options and Prince could have helped you out. Unless they some how manage to sign Asomugha, then this pick sucks.
12) Minnesota Vikings- Christain Ponder, QB Florida State
I'm almost positive half of these teams didn't even watch film on these kids. The Vikings should have thanked their lucky stars they didn't end up with Locker and moved on to another need. Nope, don't want to do that. Webb played well late in the year but forget him. They completely reached Ponder and I hated it. Ponder wasn't worth a 1st round grade. Nick Fairley were still there. Williams wall is about to blow over unless they keep using their "performance enhancers". Bad pick Minnesota. I guess it could be worse that one old guy could come back to play QB for them again.
13) Detroit Lions- Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
At first, I didn't like this pick as much. Lions needed a corner and Prince was sliding right to them. The more I received text and tweets, I love it. Suh can teach Fairley how it's done as far as work ethic. Fairley seemed like a one year wonder. You pair him with Suh and this defensive line is really strong. The Vikings aren't going to be able to run through these two. The Lions are moving up. If we actually have a season, I'd pick the Lions to make the playoffs.
14) St. Louis Rams- Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina
The Rams couldn't get a top WR for Bradford and will look ahead to the 2nd round for that glaring hole. As long as this Quinn doesn't end up like Brady Quinn, it helps the Rams solidify the defensive line. This pick certainly felt like a Steve Spags pick.
15) Miami Dolphins- Mike Pouncey, OG Florida
Well, well, well, maybe the Dolphins have more confidence in Henne than we thought. Pouncey is a solid selection. I ranked him high. Pouncey or Ingram would have been fine by me. He should be a starter from the get go.
16) Washington Redskins- Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue
This was one of the picks the Redskins got in the trade with Jax. Can you figure out who will play quarterback for the Skins? Me neither. I guess Grossman. Kerrigan is a nice player and should help their defense. I just can't understand what the hell Synder is dreaming about for a QB. The world may never know.
17) New England Pats- Nate Solder, OT Colorado
I had Solder picked a few spots down to the Colts. This was a good pick, not great. The Pats are lacking a pass rush on their defensive line and Cameron and Bowers was sitting here. Still, Brady is getting older and you have to protect him. Especially when the Jets have guys blitzing all over the place.
18) San Diego Chargers- Corey Luiget, DT Illinois
Other than Luis Castillo, I couldn't name a single guy on the Chargers defensive line. They need some help stopping the run when you look at Oakland and Kansas City pounding the ball at you constantly with 2 or 3 running backs. Luiget has to fix that problem. This is what a good team does. They have a need and they fill it.
19) New York Giants- Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
The Prince finally came off the board. I figured the Giants were looking for a tackle to help keep Eli upright. Prince was the best guy still on the board. I love this kid and think he is a day one starter. The Giants defensive line is damn good at getting the quarterback and now they have a CB to help cover the number 1.
20) Tampa Bay- Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
Clayborn has some concerns about his stamina. I saw several games where Clayborn was down on one knee sucking wind late in games. In his defense, he took on a ton of double teams and/or the best offensive lineman. I like the pick here to Tampa though. Gerald McCoy has to pan out to make this a great 1 2 combo.
21) Cleveland Browns- Phil Taylor, OT Baylor
The Browns needed a playmaker for McCoy and failed to do that. They had a shot at Jones and passed and there wasn't another WR worthy of a 1st round pick. McCoy can still be happy to get a guy to protect his blind side for years. That is as long as McCoy develops into a starting QB in the NFL.
22) Indianapolis Colts- Anthony Castonzo, OT Boston College
The Colts may have gotten the biggest steal of the first round. Castonzo fits their philosophy to a T. He's a great pass blocker and gets to play with Peyton Manning. Anthony just won the lottery and the Colts have to be very happy. A win win situation.
23) Philadelphia Eagles- Danny Watkins, OG Baylor
I figured for sure the Eagles would take Jimmy Smith. They seem to need a secondary player. Andy Reid had to be thinking about Michael Vick's health at the end of the year. He was getting pumpelled by everyone. Watkins could develop into a starting guard or tackle. I don't know about right now though.
24) New Orleans- Cameron Jordan, DE California
Good choice for the Saints. People rarely talk about their defense. I saw several mocks having the Saints taking Ingram. I'm happy they went to the defense side of the ball. Ingram would have been nice but they need help. Jordan helps getting to the quarterback in a conference that has an mobile Freeman and icy Ryan.
25) Seattle Seahawks- James Carpenter, OG Alabama
I have no idea why they went with Carpenter. This was a very puzzling pick. Ingram was here to help their offense. Camiri would have been a better reach even. At least he was a tackle to put on the other side of Okung. Seattle wanted out according to insiders. They couldn't get it done and then reached.
26) Baltimore Ravens- Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
I think a lot of people had this pick. It makes sense. Baltimore's defense is getting older. You have to get younger at certain positions. The window is closing on the Ravens defense while the offense is starting to peak. Ravens always seem to do it right and this year was another correct call.
27) Kansas City Chiefs- Jon Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
I know Goodell said 26th but I had already typed Smith in with the Ravens well before they picked him. Baldwin is a good choice for Kansas City. They already have Bowe and adding another weapon for Cassel to throw to is perfect. Kansas City still needs some help on the offensive line and will be addressed in later rounds.
28) New Orleans Saints- Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
The Pats once again add another 1st round pick for the following year. Wow that is very smart. Oh yeah the pick. My bad. . Ingram is a power house and should finally help eliminate all the other no names the Saints threw out there late in the year. Good player. I think Bush is gone but other people say he stays with Ingram.
29) Chicago Bears- Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
Cutler was hit far to often and Carimi is a mauler. He will keep Cutler upright instead of faking a knee injury in the biggest game of the year, allegedly. Bears have a good core of players only I'm not sold on Coach Smith. Crap, I did it again. I have to stick to the picks. Anyway, I do like the pick to help a bad offensive line.
30) New York Jets- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
The guy with the crazy hair on that mega network really like Wilkerson. I figured the Jets would go defense. They always look to help somewhere on the defensive side. I hate the Jets and can't stand Sanchez. However, the front office does a lot of smart moves. Wilkerson will team up with Jenkins to really fill some gaps.
31) Pittsburgh Steelers- Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
Another team always looking for defensive help, the Steelers gets some with Heyward. He switched between outside and inside the line during the year. He fits the Steelers system of a 3-4. Pittsburgh may have looked for a corner if there was one fitting the bill. They must not have liked anyone and went with the guy they liked the most which was Heyward.
32) Green Bay Packers- Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi State
If the champions had one glaring weakness, it was the offensive line. I know it's not a major weakness but they needed to get younger and plus Sherrod doesn't start at Left Tackle. I thought the pick would be Bowers who fell all the way from top 5 or 10 to 2nd round. He will be chosen quickly in the 2nd round. The champions found a guy they can use right away on the right side of the line and move last years 1st round pick Bulaga to the left side.
The draft was a lot of fun until about pick number 25, then it hit a wall. The whole thing slowed down and picks weren't coming in at all. Baltimore pulled a Mike Tice and passed even. In the end, everyone is going to remember Newton for better or worse. I was tweeting during the NFL draft and if you would like to follow me it's @mccall316 or email me jcall@bigbadsportsdaddy.com. You can find more sports on www.bigbadsportsdaddy.com.
J Call
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