sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Sporting News correspondents
Sporting News' team of 32 correspondents provide the latest news, notes and observations about the 2011 NFL draft:
Washington Redskins
Quarterback is a top priority for Washington, and there’s a growing sense that Jake Locker (Washington) could be the team’s target. He fits what coach Mike Shanahan wants: Athletic, good arm and the ability to make plays outside the pocket. Selecting him No. 10 overall would be a reach, so don’t be surprised if the Redskins trade down in the first round to get him.
Houston Texans
With the team moving to a 3-4 scheme, it needs an outside linebacker who can rush the passer. Texas A&M’s Von Miller is the best option on the board, and new coordinator Wade Phillips needs an outside linebacker who can rush the quarterback from the weak side in his 3-4 defense. Because Gary Kubiak’s job is on the line, look for the team to trade up from the 11th spot to get him. The coaches also want to move their best cornerback, Glover Quin, to free safety. They were hoping to use free agency to sign a veteran corner, but it’s a need they’ll have to fill in the second round if not the first. If they stay at 11, Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara could be the choice.
Dallas Cowboys
This draft has trade down written all over it. Owner/G.M. Jerry Jones likes to move down, and the team needs extra picks to address its many needs -- right tackle, defensive end, cornerback and safety. Trading down from No. 9 overall would allow the Cowboys to select a tackle such as USC’s Tyron Smith or Colorado’s Nate Solder or a defensive end such as Cal’s Cameron Jordan or Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt while adding a pick in the second or third round.
Buffalo Bills
The team has been searching for a franchise quarterback since Jim Kelly retired in 1996. Although coach Chan Gailey says he’s committed to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick as his starter, there is a growing belief the Bills will draft a quarterback with the No. 3-overall pick. G.M. Buddy Nix had dinner with Cam Newton after Auburn’s pro day—a sign the team has serious interest. Newton is expected to have a private workout in Buffalo as well.
Cleveland Browns
When president Mike Holmgren hired Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator, he assured him the team would make defensive line a draft priority to help the transition to a 4-3 scheme. DT Ahtyba Rubin is the only returning starter up front. DTs Nick Fairley (Auburn) and Marcell Dareus (Alabama) and DEs Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson) and Robert Quinn (North Carolina) are candidates for the No. 6 overall pick.
Cincinnati Bengals
In an ideal world, the team would trade the No. 4-overall pick to Philadelphia in exchange for QB Kevin Kolb and the Eagles’ No. 23 pick. Then, the club would trade QB Carson Palmer to the Seahawks for their pick at 25. If that plan fizzles or if the CBA impasse stands and teams are not allowed to trade veteran players before the draft, Newton, Fairley, Dareus, WR A.J. Green, CB Patrick Peterson and OLB Von Miller are in play at No. 4. Newton’s mobility and improved accuracy fits new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s West Coast system. Bowers is drifting off the Bengals' radar because the coaches have faith in veteran DEs Antwan Odom and Michael Johnson. Strength up the middle on defense is a priority, making Bowers a luxury the team doesn’t need. Passing on Newton in Round 1 would shift the focus on Florida State QB Christian Ponder in Round 2.
San Francisco 49ers
Look for the quarterback-needy team to bypass a passer in the first round but target one in the second. Niners officials say their roster is strong overall and would not be averse to trading up to snag a quarterback. They are intrigued by three QBs who could be available in Round 2: Ponder, TCU’s Andy Dalton and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick. The Vikings also consider Dalton a good second-round value.
New England Patriots
All the buzz in New England is about the search for a pass rusher, but with C Dan Koppen aging and G Dan Connolly just serviceable, don’t be surprised if they use one of their two first-round picks on an interior offensive lineman. Florida C/G Mike Pouncey and Baylor G Danny Watkins are targets.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The coaches say there is enough depth and quality at cornerback in the '11 draft to get a good one with the 31st-overall pick. Typically, the team likes big, physical corners who can stop the run. But the Super Bowl performance highlighted the need for a corner who can run and cover.
Detroit Lions
The team needs a cornerback and Colorado’s Jimmy Smith is worthy of the No. 13 pick, but he likely has too much off-field baggage for the Lions to take a chance on him there. If Amukamara falls, the Lions will take him at No. 13 overall. If he isn’t available, they’ll pass on a corner. Don’t be surprised if the Lions select a defensive lineman in the first round, such as Missouri DE Aldon Smith. Yes, that position already is a team strength, but the Lions might not like their options elsewhere and want to keep that line even stronger.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Almost everything the team does in the draft will be geared toward fixing a defense that has been in decline for the last four years. They need more speed at linebacker (starters Kirk Morrison and Justin Durant are pending free agents), an impact safety and a third cornerback. The Jaguars are also targeting a pass rusher, and DEs Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Watt and Smith could be on the board with the No. 16-overall pick.
San Diego Chargers
With a number of potentially NFL-ready ends available, G.M. A.J. Smith should have plenty of options when he picks at No. 18. In the team’s “cluster” of possible picks will also be Watt, and he could well be their pick if he falls that far. Ohio State's Cameron Heyward figures to be another likely target.
Sporting News' team of 32 correspondents provide the latest news, notes and observations about the 2011 NFL draft:
Washington Redskins
Quarterback is a top priority for Washington, and there’s a growing sense that Jake Locker (Washington) could be the team’s target. He fits what coach Mike Shanahan wants: Athletic, good arm and the ability to make plays outside the pocket. Selecting him No. 10 overall would be a reach, so don’t be surprised if the Redskins trade down in the first round to get him.
Houston Texans
With the team moving to a 3-4 scheme, it needs an outside linebacker who can rush the passer. Texas A&M’s Von Miller is the best option on the board, and new coordinator Wade Phillips needs an outside linebacker who can rush the quarterback from the weak side in his 3-4 defense. Because Gary Kubiak’s job is on the line, look for the team to trade up from the 11th spot to get him. The coaches also want to move their best cornerback, Glover Quin, to free safety. They were hoping to use free agency to sign a veteran corner, but it’s a need they’ll have to fill in the second round if not the first. If they stay at 11, Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara could be the choice.
Dallas Cowboys
This draft has trade down written all over it. Owner/G.M. Jerry Jones likes to move down, and the team needs extra picks to address its many needs -- right tackle, defensive end, cornerback and safety. Trading down from No. 9 overall would allow the Cowboys to select a tackle such as USC’s Tyron Smith or Colorado’s Nate Solder or a defensive end such as Cal’s Cameron Jordan or Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt while adding a pick in the second or third round.
Buffalo Bills
The team has been searching for a franchise quarterback since Jim Kelly retired in 1996. Although coach Chan Gailey says he’s committed to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick as his starter, there is a growing belief the Bills will draft a quarterback with the No. 3-overall pick. G.M. Buddy Nix had dinner with Cam Newton after Auburn’s pro day—a sign the team has serious interest. Newton is expected to have a private workout in Buffalo as well.
Cleveland Browns
When president Mike Holmgren hired Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator, he assured him the team would make defensive line a draft priority to help the transition to a 4-3 scheme. DT Ahtyba Rubin is the only returning starter up front. DTs Nick Fairley (Auburn) and Marcell Dareus (Alabama) and DEs Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson) and Robert Quinn (North Carolina) are candidates for the No. 6 overall pick.
Cincinnati Bengals
In an ideal world, the team would trade the No. 4-overall pick to Philadelphia in exchange for QB Kevin Kolb and the Eagles’ No. 23 pick. Then, the club would trade QB Carson Palmer to the Seahawks for their pick at 25. If that plan fizzles or if the CBA impasse stands and teams are not allowed to trade veteran players before the draft, Newton, Fairley, Dareus, WR A.J. Green, CB Patrick Peterson and OLB Von Miller are in play at No. 4. Newton’s mobility and improved accuracy fits new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s West Coast system. Bowers is drifting off the Bengals' radar because the coaches have faith in veteran DEs Antwan Odom and Michael Johnson. Strength up the middle on defense is a priority, making Bowers a luxury the team doesn’t need. Passing on Newton in Round 1 would shift the focus on Florida State QB Christian Ponder in Round 2.
San Francisco 49ers
Look for the quarterback-needy team to bypass a passer in the first round but target one in the second. Niners officials say their roster is strong overall and would not be averse to trading up to snag a quarterback. They are intrigued by three QBs who could be available in Round 2: Ponder, TCU’s Andy Dalton and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick. The Vikings also consider Dalton a good second-round value.
New England Patriots
All the buzz in New England is about the search for a pass rusher, but with C Dan Koppen aging and G Dan Connolly just serviceable, don’t be surprised if they use one of their two first-round picks on an interior offensive lineman. Florida C/G Mike Pouncey and Baylor G Danny Watkins are targets.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The coaches say there is enough depth and quality at cornerback in the '11 draft to get a good one with the 31st-overall pick. Typically, the team likes big, physical corners who can stop the run. But the Super Bowl performance highlighted the need for a corner who can run and cover.
Detroit Lions
The team needs a cornerback and Colorado’s Jimmy Smith is worthy of the No. 13 pick, but he likely has too much off-field baggage for the Lions to take a chance on him there. If Amukamara falls, the Lions will take him at No. 13 overall. If he isn’t available, they’ll pass on a corner. Don’t be surprised if the Lions select a defensive lineman in the first round, such as Missouri DE Aldon Smith. Yes, that position already is a team strength, but the Lions might not like their options elsewhere and want to keep that line even stronger.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Almost everything the team does in the draft will be geared toward fixing a defense that has been in decline for the last four years. They need more speed at linebacker (starters Kirk Morrison and Justin Durant are pending free agents), an impact safety and a third cornerback. The Jaguars are also targeting a pass rusher, and DEs Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), Adrian Clayborn (Iowa), Watt and Smith could be on the board with the No. 16-overall pick.
San Diego Chargers
With a number of potentially NFL-ready ends available, G.M. A.J. Smith should have plenty of options when he picks at No. 18. In the team’s “cluster” of possible picks will also be Watt, and he could well be their pick if he falls that far. Ohio State's Cameron Heyward figures to be another likely target.