2011 NFL Draft Team Grades and Rankings – The Top 10 Winners from the 2011 NFL Draft: Grading the NFL draft is kind of like predicting the draft. Until the picks are actually made, everyone is just speculating. Similarly, no one really knows how this year’s NFL picks will pan out until they actually get a chance to step on the field. That being said, preliminary grades can be made based on the needs of each team heading into the draft, the production of the picks in college, and the performance of former players with similar skill sets at the NFL level.
1. Cincinnati Bengals – GRADE A+:In the wake of Carson Palmer’s mandate, give Cincinnati credit for not panicking and picking a quarterback in the first round the way a number of other teams did. Instead, they grabbed receiver A.J. Green, making it possible to get rid of Chad Ochocinco and start fresh with new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Picking up QB Andy Dalton in the second ground filled the team’s two biggest needs with low-risk players and gave the franchise a new face going forward.
The Bengals went on to add depth to their offensive line and receiving core, and they beefed up their suspect pass rush with third-round pick Dontay Moch. With his speed, Moch is an ideal linebacker for pass rushing downs. With a pair of former first-round picks already lining up at cornerback, adding pressure to opposing QBs could revitalize the Cincinnati defense.
The Bottom line is that the Bengals filled their needs, added depth, and they stayed away from some of the risky picks that have burned them in the past. The potential loss of Palmer will make create a transition period for the franchise, but this draft laid the foundation for success.
2. St. Louis Rams GRADE A+:The Rams got the best of both worlds with their draft class. They needed a pass rusher, and they needed significant help for second-year quarterback Sam Bradford. They got both during the draft.
St. Louis spent their first round pick on defensive end Robert Quinn. His measurable are off the charts, and the fact that he kept himself in amazing shape despite missing the season at North Carolina should answer any questions about his dedication. Quinn can now team with the team’s former first round selection Chris Long to form a formidable duo capable of pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
The Rams used their next three picks to surround their reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year with some playmaking weapons. Pass-catching tight end Lance Kendricks can stretch the middle of the field, and receivers Austin Pettis and Greg Salas were both very productive in college and should see significant playing team immediately. In a very suspect NFC West, the Rams could contend thanks to this draft.
3. Detroit Lions GRADE A+:Coming off a six-win campaign, the Lions were just a few pieces away from having a shot at the postseason. The Detroit front office did its best to find those pieces in the draft, filling needs as well as adding injecting some serious potential on the defense.
Auburn stud Nick Fairley fell into Detroit’s lap in the first round, and the team jumped on the chance to team him with Ndamukong Suh. The Lions could find themselves with one of the most-feared front lines in the NFL if Fairley plays to his immense potential. In a division that features road games at Chicago and Grenn Bay, being stout up front is a must.
Detroit used its next two picks to find counterparts for its two best offensive weapons. Receiver Titus Young can play on special teams and play across superstar Calvin Johnson. Meanwhile, running back Mikel Leshoure can be the thunder to Jahvid Best’s lightning, giving the Lions a reliable short yardage back that can wear down opposing defenses. For the first time in a long time, the Lions could make some noise.
4. Cleveland Browns GRADE A:The Browns draft could be the best thing to happen to the team since the acquisition of Peyton Hillis. A trade with the Atlanta Falcons Cleveland a chance at a much-needed elite receiver, but in the long run, it set the franchise up for a successful rebuilding process. Not to mention the fact that the Browns still managed to address a lot of other needs.
Since the plan for Cleveland is to convert to a 4-3 base defense beginning this season, adding defensive tackle Phil Taylor in the first round and Jabaal Sheard in the second round made sense. The Browns will need an edge rusher and an interior presence in order to make their new defensive scheme work, and Taylor and Sheard should both be reliable starters.
Even though the Browns didn’t land a highly-touted receiver, they did give quarterback Colt McCoy some new toys to play with. Receiver Greg Little is the big target McCoy needs on the outside, and tight end Jordan Cameron has the potential to stretch the field. Even fourth-round pick Owen Marecic could have a quick impact. Marecic has reliable hands for a fullback, giving McCoy another underneath option. The Browns are still a few years away from competing, but with this year’s picks and the future picks they picked up, they have a chance.
5. Houston Texans GRADE A:What do you do when you have an explosive offense but a horrendous defense? You load up on defensive players during the draft, and that is exactly what the Texans did, spending early picks to address every level of their defensive unit.
Houston started operation save the defense by adding defensive end J.J. Watt, who has the necessary combination of size and speed to play in the team’s newly adopted 3-4 defense. With Mario Williams lining up on the same defensive front, the Texans now have the edge rushers needed to play a 3-4 scheme.
The team went on to add linebacker Brooks Reed and a pair of cornerbacks in Brandon Harris and Rashad Carmichael. Reed had solid pass rushing skills for a linebacker, which is needed in a 3-4 base. Meanwhile, Harris is a proven starter capable of being an every-down corner, albeit not a shutdown corner. The offensive is already in place, the Texans just need enough out of their defense to give Andre Johnson and company a chance.
6. New Orleans Saints GRADE A:Coming off a Super Bowl win two years ago and a playoff appearance last season, the Saints were in a position to go after specific needs. They did exactly that during the draft, solidifying a few weak points in an attempt to make another run at a title.
The team’s two biggest needs entering the draft were a pass rusher and a reliable running back. The Saints got their edge rusher with Cameron Jordan and then made a trade to grab running back Mark Ingram with a second first round pick. The New Orleans offense was hampered by its game of musical running backs last season, and Ingram will step in and be the between the tackles presence the team has been missing.
The Saints went on to add some depth at linebacker and in the secondary, but this draft was all about their top two picks. This is a team built to win now, and Jordan and Ingram can play right away. Although they didn’t have a lot of high picks, New Orleans got the most out of the ones it did have.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers GRADE A-: When the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl, they did it with defense. After a second-consecutive defensive-minded draft, Tampa Bay is one step closer to bringing back the glory days. With young quarterback Josh Freeman developing nicely, the Buccaneers could afford to focus on defense yet again.
Tampa Bay took defensive tackles with its first two selections in 2010, and they added a pair of defensive ends to the mix this year. The Bucs went with Adrian Clayborn in the first round, who is equally effective against both the run and the pass. In the second round, they grabbed the top sack artist in college football in Da’Quan Bowers. Bowers was expected to be a top-five pick until concerns about his knee killed his stock, allowing Tampa Bay to grab an extremely talented player at a discounted rate.
The Buccaneers added the very-underrated linebacker Mason Foster to the mix with their next pick. Although he isn’t flashy, he was one of the top tacklers at the college level year in and year out. There is always room on a team for a sure-fire tackler. Tampa Bay now has the groundwork for long-term success on the defensive side of the ball.
8. Indianapolis Colts GRADE B+:Although the Colts still managed to win their division yet again, Peyton Manning had arguably his worst season since his rookie year. Injuries to his offensive line and his offensive weapons were the culprit, and Indianapolis made sure they fixed the problem during the draft.
The team spent its first-round pick on offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo, who is considered an immediate starter. The Colts then traded up to take another tackle in Ben Ijalana, who is expected to move to guard. In the span of two picks, Indianapolis solidified its offensive line, and keeping Manning upright will go a long way to taking the team back to the Super Bowl.
Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai and Pierre Garcon will all be back from injuries this season, which is like a draft class in itself. The Colts actual draft was another case of a team with only a few needs making sure they addressed though needs in a big way. Quality and not quantity was the theme of this draft, and the Colts got exactly what they needed.
9. Arizona Cardinals GRADE B+:More than anything, the Cardinals should be praised for resisting the urge to go after a quarterback in the first round. Instead, the team drafted for talent and focused on putting players around their current QBs. Not to mention the fact that the team is expected to go after a veteran signal caller in free agency anyway.
With the fifth pick, Arizona landed cornerback Patrick Peterson, and that pick alone made the draft a successful one. Peterson was the consensus top player in the draft, making him a steal at pick No. 5. The Cardinals don’t necessarily have a huge whole at cornerback, but adding the best available player is always a smart decision. Considering his rare combination of size and speed, many expect Peterson to become a game-changing safety in the near future as well.
With its next two picks, Arizona added running back Ryan Williams and tight end Rob Housler. Williams possesses the agility and mean streak that Beanie Wells has lacked, and Housler gives the team a legitimate receiving threat at the tight end position. Whoever ends up under center with the Cardinals will have an easier time because of both picks. That being said, the story of this draft was Arizona’s first pick. A few years from now, the selection of Peterson could shape this franchise.
10. Atlanta Falcons GRADE B+:No team gave up more during this draft than the Falcons, but the team’s long-term loss could provide a title in the short term. Atlanta sent five picks to Cleveland in exchange for the No. 6 spot in the draft, which the team used to select wide receiver Julio Jones. The Falcons firmly believe they are one offensive weapon away from a Super Bowl, and Jones could be that missing piece.
The downside was that Atlanta gave up a chance to add a needed pass rusher during the draft, but there is always free agency. However, the Falcons did pick up a potential steal in running back Jacquizz Rodgers later in the draft. He is undersized, but he is an explosive player capable of helping on the ground and through the air if he can stay healthy.
Whether or not trading up was the right decision remains to be seen, but you can’t fault the Falcons for making a move to win now. Even if Jones need some time to develop, his speed alone is a threat that opposing teams must respect. More running room for Michael Turner and fewer double teams for Roddy White is never a bad thing.