 Despite an NFL labor dispute going through legal proceedings, the 2011 NFL Draft went down as planned Thursday night (April 28), and it was QB Cam Newton who was drafted with the #1 overall pick.
As expected, the Carolina Panthers chose the Auburn quarterback with the #1 pick, after which the Heisman Trophy winner promised to turn around the team's luck.
"I'm ready to change this whole organization around, to go from worst to first," said Newton, who became the third straight quarterback taken first overall. "Just being a Panther is the most special part about this."
Newton led Auburn to an undefeated season and its first national championship since 1957. However, there was some controversy during his college carer regarding his eligibility, after accusations arose that his father sought a big sums of cash from colleges trying to recruit his son.
While it was proven true, Newton was quickly reinstated Newton after the NCAA declared that there wasn't sufficient evidence that Cam nor Auburn had any knowledge of Cecil Newton's (his father) actions.
Last year, Carolina went 2-14, using four quarterbacks, two of them rookies. Newton definitely has his work cut out for him next season, if it comes.
With the second pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Texas A&M's Von Miller to help bolster the team's defense, which was one of the NFL's worst last season. Miller is regarded as an outstanding pass-rusher, and should be able to make an impact.
The Buffalo Bills also hoped to bolster their their defense by taking Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus with the third pick. Dareus is "a versatile player who can excel on the interior or in the pass rush as an end in a 3-4 scheme," says ESPN.
The fourth pick was the Bengals, who selected the Draft's top receiver in A.J. Green of Georgia. He is considered an immediate starter as Cincinnati tries to sort out its uncertainty at quarterback; Palmer is demanding a trade.
The Arizona Cardinals chose LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson with the fifth pick, who ESPN analysts dubbed the "best overall talent in the draft."
The Cleveland Browns had the sixth pick, but Atlanta cut a deal with the team to move from #27 to #6 and pick Alabama receiver Julio Jones. The Browns received the Falcons' first-rounder, second- and fourth-rounders, plus their first pick and a fourth-rounder in 2012.
"As an organization we felt very strongly about the move for a player who truly adds the explosive, urgent athleticism we're looking for," Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff told ESPN.
With the seventh pick, the San Francisco 49ers drafted Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith; while the Tennessee Titans picked up quarterback Jake Locker with the eighth pick.
At #9, the Dallas Cowboys picked USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith; and at #10, Jacksonville traded with the Redskins to pick up Missouri's QB Blaine Gabbert.
For a full breakdown of the 2011 NFL Draft, visit ESPN.com.
|
