2011 NFL Draft Thread

[CaliforniaRaisin]

That is, if there is a 2011 NFL Draft.

 

Here are the underclassmen who have declared so far:

 

OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA

WR Jon Baldwin, Pittsburgh

DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson

CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

WR DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss

CB Brandon Burton, Utah

DT Jurrell Casey, USC

RB John Clay, Wisconsin

OT Nick Claytor, Georgia Tech

WR/RB Randall Cobb, Kentucky

DT Marcel Dareus, Alabama

WR Tandon Doss, Indiana

RB Darren Evans, Virginia Tech

DT Nick Fairley, Auburn

QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

WR AJ Green, Georgia

WR Tori Gurley, South Carolina (soph)

DT Lawrence Guy, Arizona State

CB Brandon Harris, Miami (FL)

S Will Hill, Florida

OLB Justin Houston, Georgia

FB Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh

RB Mark Ingram, Alabama

WR Julio Jones, Alabama

RB Dion Lewis, Pittsburgh (sophomore)

DT Corey Luigett, Illinois

RB Mikel Leshoure, Illinois

QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

S Rahim Moore, UCLA

QB Cam Newton, Auburn

CB Patrick Peterson, LSU

DT Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss

RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame

S Robert Sands, West Virginia

S Tyler Sash, Iowa

DT Sealver Siliga, Utah

DE Aldon Smith, Missouri (soph)

WR Torey Smith, Maryland

OT Tyron Smith, USC

RB Jordan Todman, Connecticut

RB Shane Vareen, California

DE JJ Watt, Wisconsin

CB Aaron Williams, Texas

RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech (soph)

DT Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple

MLB Martez Wilson, Illinois

 

Returning Players:

 

WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State (soph)

WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

OLB Nigel Bradham, Florida State

WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

RB LaMichael James, Oregon

CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida

OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma

QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

WR Marvin McNutt, Iowa

CB Chase Minnifield, Virginia

WR DeVier Posey, Ohio State

S Kenny Tate, Maryland

[rawaction]

Sweet. I am an NFL draft nut.

 

Tyron Smith is the 1 OT that I am willing to use a first round pick on (just don't think any others are that good). I'm surprised that Smith came out because he's only 6'6", about 285. With no bowl game and an early declaration, Smith should be able to simply work on adding size and strength until the combine. If he gets up to 295-300lbs and can put up 15-20 reps in the bench, he may go really high. He's getting comparisons to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was also slightly undersized coming out a few years back. Smith may be looked at by a lot of teams as a project, who needs a season of coaching before he can play. But he's a guy that could have been a top 3 pick next year if he stayed for his senior year.

 

Jurrell Casey was my first round pick for the Bears in a mock I did in September. He's now looking like a 2nd round pick. Nothing he has done really, just a lot of guys at the DT position stepped up this year and scouts want to see him drop some of his belly fat.

[Guest]

Sweet. I am an NFL draft nut.

 

Tyron Smith is the 1 OT that I am willing to use a first round pick on (just don't think any others are that good). I'm surprised that Smith came out because he's only 6'6", about 285. With no bowl game and an early declaration, Smith should be able to simply work on adding size and strength until the combine. If he gets up to 295-300lbs and can put up 15-20 reps in the bench, he may go really high. He's getting comparisons to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was also slightly undersized coming out a few years back. Smith may be looked at by a lot of teams as a project, who needs a season of coaching before he can play. But he's a guy that could have been a top 3 pick next year if he stayed for his senior year.

 

Jurrell Casey was my first round pick for the Bears in a mock I did in September. He's now looking like a 2nd round pick. Nothing he has done really, just a lot of guys at the DT position stepped up this year and scouts want to see him drop some of his belly fat.

 

I'd rather have Derek Sherrod than Smith. Also, Smith didn't play LT this year at USC.

[rawaction]

Sweet. I am an NFL draft nut.

 

Tyron Smith is the 1 OT that I am willing to use a first round pick on (just don't think any others are that good). I'm surprised that Smith came out because he's only 6'6", about 285. With no bowl game and an early declaration, Smith should be able to simply work on adding size and strength until the combine. If he gets up to 295-300lbs and can put up 15-20 reps in the bench, he may go really high. He's getting comparisons to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was also slightly undersized coming out a few years back. Smith may be looked at by a lot of teams as a project, who needs a season of coaching before he can play. But he's a guy that could have been a top 3 pick next year if he stayed for his senior year.

 

Jurrell Casey was my first round pick for the Bears in a mock I did in September. He's now looking like a 2nd round pick. Nothing he has done really, just a lot of guys at the DT position stepped up this year and scouts want to see him drop some of his belly fat.

 

I'd rather have Derek Sherrod than Smith. Also, Smith didn't play LT this year at USC.

 

I like Sherrod, but I am assuming he'll be gone. Smith hasn't played LT, but I'm not too worried. He has LT written all over him. I don't think the adjustment will be that tough.

 

Any Illinois fans around? I'm a huge fan of a couple guys they had on D. Martez Wilson and Corey Liuget. What's the word on if they will stay in school or not?

[treebird]

Sweet. I am an NFL draft nut.

 

Tyron Smith is the 1 OT that I am willing to use a first round pick on (just don't think any others are that good). I'm surprised that Smith came out because he's only 6'6", about 285. With no bowl game and an early declaration, Smith should be able to simply work on adding size and strength until the combine. If he gets up to 295-300lbs and can put up 15-20 reps in the bench, he may go really high. He's getting comparisons to D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was also slightly undersized coming out a few years back. Smith may be looked at by a lot of teams as a project, who needs a season of coaching before he can play. But he's a guy that could have been a top 3 pick next year if he stayed for his senior year.

 

Jurrell Casey was my first round pick for the Bears in a mock I did in September. He's now looking like a 2nd round pick. Nothing he has done really, just a lot of guys at the DT position stepped up this year and scouts want to see him drop some of his belly fat.

 

I'd rather have Derek Sherrod than Smith. Also, Smith didn't play LT this year at USC.

 

I like Sherrod, but I am assuming he'll be gone. Smith hasn't played LT, but I'm not too worried. He has LT written all over him. I don't think the adjustment will be that tough.

 

Any Illinois fans around? I'm a huge fan of a couple guys they had on D. Martez Wilson and Corey Liuget. What's the word on if they will stay in school or not?

 

i'm no super authority or anything, but from everything i've heard, i'd be pretty surprised if liuget didn't come back. wilson seems like a closer call.

[Guest]

I'd rather have Derek Sherrod than Smith. Also, Smith didn't play LT this year at USC.

 

I like Sherrod, but I am assuming he'll be gone. Smith hasn't played LT, but I'm not too worried. He has LT written all over him. I don't think the adjustment will be that tough.

 

Any Illinois fans around? I'm a huge fan of a couple guys they had on D. Martez Wilson and Corey Liuget. What's the word on if they will stay in school or not?

 

Fair enough. I do agree Smith should be fine at LT in the NFL. He has great footwork and is much more athletic than most of the other OL available. USC really fell apart when Smith was out against Notre Dame.

[sneakypower]

i'm hoping we win at least 2 of the final 3, but if we don't Peterson/Prince would at least be a good consolation prize

[hawkeyecub]

There will be a draft regardless of any other problems. At least that's how I understand it.

 

I don't care about any position in this draft but QB. I want Cam or Mallett, that's it. If they both shoot up too high I'll take Locker. I just want a QB that I can be sold on being the future.

[Guest]

Yes, I'd love to see the Vikings blow their first rounder on Locker.

[Guest]

Most fans would be disappointed when their team doesn't have a first round pick. But seeing as how the Raiders eff up most of their first rounders anyway, I don't mind at all, especially since they got Seymour in the deal.

[Andy]

In the year when Carolina needs more help than they ever have before, it's nice that we traded the 33rd overall pick for Armanti [expletive] Edwards.

[Guest]

It would seem to be a great draft for the Chiefs to get another WR to complement Bowe, since they'll be picking their lowest in several years and this draft should be loaded with WR.

 

On the college side, I'm hoping for Gabbert and Smith to come back, especially Gabbert.

[Butterscup1679666578]

It would seem to be a great draft for the Chiefs to get another WR to complement Bowe, since they'll be picking their lowest in several years and this draft should be loaded with WR.

 

On the college side, I'm hoping for Gabbert and Smith to come back, especially Gabbert.

 

I can't imagine Gabbert leaving. With another solid year next year he should be a first rounder without question.

 

I don't THINK Smith will leave, but you never know. I don't know how much his draft stock was affected by the broken leg. Either way we're stacked at d-line, especially if Richardson makes it in, so it wouldn't be a totally huge loss. Of course I'd rather keep him around, though.

[shnsajax]

Will they even have a draft if there is a lockout after the Super Bowl and no agreement by April or May?

[Derwood]

I'm still pretty confident there won't be a lockout

[da bears]

It would seem to be a great draft for the Chiefs to get another WR to complement Bowe, since they'll be picking their lowest in several years and this draft should be loaded with WR.

 

On the college side, I'm hoping for Gabbert and Smith to come back, especially Gabbert.

 

I can't imagine Gabbert leaving. With another solid year next year he should be a first rounder without question.

 

I don't THINK Smith will leave, but you never know. I don't know how much his draft stock was affected by the broken leg. Either way we're stacked at d-line, especially if Richardson makes it in, so it wouldn't be a totally huge loss. Of course I'd rather keep him around, though.

It sounds like Smith is gone, even without a first round grade. Mizzou's d-line should be

pretty good even without him. Although I really want one year of Smith and Richardson. Gabbert on the other hand could be 50/50. I guess this is a case of how patient both want

to be. They both need another year, and both could cement themselves as top 15 picks next

year with solid seasons. I hope both come back but I'm not counting on it.

[dew1679666265]

I'm still hoping the Titans take a QB in the draft (Mallett would be really nice, if we lose out then Luck might be a possibility). However, I still think Bud will hang onto Vince and dump Fisher, which means I have no idea where the Titans will go in the draft.

 

It all depends on the new coach and his schemes.

[imb]

my favorite thread!

 

justin blackmon ... please go pro

[hawkeyecub]

Yes, I'd love to see the Vikings blow their first rounder on Locker.

 

I'm desperate and need someone to believe in.

[shnsajax]

Saben is cautioning his juniors about entering the draft this year. Guessing we will see a lot of this over the next month.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=5938951

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Saben is cautioning his juniors about entering the draft this year. Guessing we will see a lot of this over the next month.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=5938951

Some agents who represent NFL players are taking a different tact, however. One prominent sports agent who represents players said he's advising juniors to enter the draft as soon as possible because of the possibility of a rookie wage scale that could limit players' earnings in the first few years of their careers.

 

"I tell them, 'You need to get into the system as quickly as possible,' " the agent said. 'You'll need to get to that second contract as soon as you can.' "

This makes no sense to me. If they declare for the draft and hire representation then there's a lockout and new agreement with changes to rookie wages before the draft, aren't they also subject to the new wage scale?

[jersey cubs fan]

Saben is cautioning his juniors about entering the draft this year. Guessing we will see a lot of this over the next month.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=5938951

Some agents who represent NFL players are taking a different tact, however. One prominent sports agent who represents players said he's advising juniors to enter the draft as soon as possible because of the possibility of a rookie wage scale that could limit players' earnings in the first few years of their careers.

 

"I tell them, 'You need to get into the system as quickly as possible,' " the agent said. 'You'll need to get to that second contract as soon as you can.' "

This makes no sense to me. If they declare for the draft and hire representation then there's a lockout and new agreement with changes to rookie wages before the draft, aren't they also subject to the new wage scale?

 

It's possible that the new wage scale could go into effect for the 2012 draftees and not 2011. But most likely it's just an agent acting in his own self interest. Same with coaches telling people to stay.

[davell]

I want to see the Bears address the O-Line in both FA and with their 1st rounder, assuming there's someone who's there that's close to value. It's a weak draft for O-Linemen, at least top end ones. Sherrod, Castonzo, and Carimi are the only 3 I'd possibly use our 1st rounder on. But, there's solid depth with Love, Barksdale, and Solder being 2nd round talents. I don't think Smith is a 1st round type and he may not even be a 2nd rounder, due to the depth at the OT spot this draft.

 

I'd love to target an interior offensive lineman in either the 3rd or 4th round, as I think we could add a starter that way.

 

If there's not a OT worth taking with our 1st, I'd go WR or defensive line. But, as much as I've always clamored for the Bears to use a 1st rounder on a WR, I'd actually prefer for them to go find one in FA this year. SD will probably tag VJ, but if you could get them to deal him without giving up a 1st THIS year, I think I'd do it. If not him, I actually think Ochocinco could be a decent fit for us. Let Knox continue to be the deep threat and use Ocho as more of a possession type, but he'd draw defenders away from Knox anyway. Carolina Steve Smith could be a decent fit as well. I think he's still very solid, just suffering from not having anyone who can get him the ball.

 

The D-Line(especially DE's) are very strong in this draft and we could find someone that can either start alongside Peppers, or preferrably, someone who can capably replace Harris soon.

[Guest]

Carimi is a RT and Love a guard in the NFL (imo). There's not a lot of scouting reports out there on Smith but I totally agree with rawaction on his talent level. He might be the most athletic OT in this draft; especially when compared to Carimi, Love and Matt Reynolds.

 

And if you're not sold on the OTs at the end of the 1st round, I'd go guard/center. One of Pouncey or Brewster should be available and should be able to start from day 1.

[davell]

Carimi is a RT and Love a guard in the NFL (imo). There's not a lot of scouting reports out there on Smith but I totally agree with rawaction on his talent level. He might be the most athletic OT in this draft; especially when compared to Carimi, Love and Matt Reynolds.

 

And if you're not sold on the OTs at the end of the 1st round, I'd go guard/center. One of Pouncey or Brewster should be available and should be able to start from day 1.

 

 

Part of me wouldn't mind Pouncey or Brewster, but I think we can find value later in the draft with an interior lineman and would prefer to use the 1st on something else, if it came to it.

 

I like Carimi myself, but I do keep forgetting that Webb is possibly a bright spot on the O-Line right now and we may not need to change positions with him.