With so many of us already looking forward to the2012 Draft, I thought it would be good to take a second and look back to see how the 2011 1st round class faired. This week is picks 1 through 16:
1. Cam Newton (Panthers): Newton set all sorts of rookie records, immediately became the cornerstone of the franchise, blah, blah, blah. AKA, “Ace Boogie’s” only negatives were trying to do too much with the ball at times and his demeanor (pouty face, sitting alone with a towel over his head) when the Panthers were down big.
2. Von Miller (Broncos): It was easy to see that Miller had a great rookie season stat wise but definitely fizzled out some after thumb surgery in Week 12, as evident of his 10.5 sacks (11 games) prior and 1 sack (4 games) after.
3. Marcell Dareus (Bills): Never heard one bad word of Dareus all year but also didn’t hear much of the Bills after that big week 3 win against the Pats.
4. AJ Green (Bengals): Green was an awesome trade piece for my fantasy team but I think the Bengals have full intentions of keeping him around awhile after 65 receptions, 1057 yards and 7 TDs.
5. Patrick Peterson (Cards): Peterson did exactly what the Cardinals hoped he would do when they drafted him. He contributed (Big Time) as a return man (15.9 yards per and 4 TDs) and improved as a cornerback as the season went on.
6. Julio Jones (Falcons): Despite a lingering hamstring injury, Jones became a big part of the Falcons O. However, with Jones, the Falcons seem to have lost their identity. They can’t decide if they are a “air it out” team or still a “run first to set up the play action” team.
7. Aldon Smith (49ers): Smith became the “sexy” pick for DROY late in the season as he burned past Von Miller while ending the season with 14 sacks.
8. Jake Locker (Titans): Locker got to play sporadically due to random Matt Hasselbeck injuries but was inconsistent in those opportunities. He did seem to still have the inaccuracy problems (51.5 %) that were discussed prior to the 2011 Draft.
9. Tyron Smith (Cowboys): Everyone in Dallas and plenty of scouts raved about the youngest player in the 2011 season. Smith ended up being one of the Cowboys few bright spots after a season to forget. He will probably be moving to left tackle next season, as well.
10. Blaine Gabbert (Jags): gabbert was probably the most bashed player of the 2011 Draft but the Jags seem to be looking for a offensive minded coach to groom him and will for sure be attempting to find some weapons (WRs and the ghost of Marcedes Lewis, in particular) for Gabbert.
11. JJ Watt (Texans): When it is all said and done Watt might have been the most consistent rookie from start to finish. The guy became an immediate anchor of the Texans D and should be for years to come.
12. Christian Ponder (Vikings): Not a good sign for Ponder or the Vikings entering the offseason if plenty of “experts” are asking if a WR/QB (Joe Webb) should be getting a chance to start next year instead of Ponder.
13. Nick Fairley (Lions): After Fairley dropped to the Lions on draft day many anointed Detroit’s D-Line the best in football. Unfortunately, after a preseason foot injury Fairley missed several weeks and the D-Line never formed to build that unstoppable unit.
14. Robert Quinn (Rams): The Rams had one of the most disappointing seasons of any team and were all but unwatchable for most. I hear Quinn had 5 sacks.
15. Mike Pouncey (Fins): Pouncey started all 16 games at center after being drafted as a guard for the Fins and it doesn’t sound like the Dolphins will be moving him back to guard.
16. Ryan Kerrigan (Redskins): All season long there were plenty of articles on how well Kerrigan played as a rookie but when it is all said and done the only time I recall seeing Kerrigan is his INT for a TD against the Giants (Week 1) in yet another forgetful Redskins season.