How did your team do in the 2011 NFL draft? Lets take a look, beginning with the NFC East.
The Dallas Cowboys landed the elite blocker needed to round out their offensive line. USC tackle Tyron Smith is athletic and has the frame to add strength and weight. Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray adds youth to the backfield and may replace Marion Barber on the roster. Murray is yet another example of the Cowboys landing bit time talent at running back in the middle rounds (Barber and Tashard Choice). Dallas took a chance on UNC linebacker Bruce Carter, a first round talent that fell due to a major knee injury his senior season. The Cowboys may have landed a bargain late in the draft in East Carolina receiver Dwayne Harris. Harris was honored as Conference USA player of the year after 101 receptions last season. Harris fell on draft boards after a mediocre combine, but has the talent to contribute in the slot along with Roy Williams and Miles Austin. The Cowboys mined smaller schools in the mid-rounds, Buffalo corner Josh Thomas and Missouri State guard David Arkin were nice, under the radar picks.
The Washington Redskins entered the 2011 draft with far more holes than draft picks to fill them. It’s a quarterback driven sport and the ‘Skins certainly needed one. Unexpectedly, Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert slipped to the tenth spot, held by Washington. GM Bruce Allen opted to pass, or not to under the circumstances, and trade down with Jacksonville. The Redskins went defense at the top, getting Purdue DE/LB Ryan Kerrigan and Clemson DL Javris Jenkins. From a fantasy standpoint, Miami wideout Leonard Hankerson has the skills to start week one. The Skins took three receivers in all, the last, SMU’s Aldrick Robinson, who may be turn out their best late round value pick. Running back is also a huge area of need in the Nation’s Capital. Washington traded up in the 4th round to grab Nebraska I-back Roy Helu. Helu possesses great size and speed and the skills that fit Mike Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme. Penn State running back Evan Royster, a hometown hero, may be late round value, dropping after a very disappointing senior season in happy valley. While ignoring the quarterback position was a surprise, waiting to address offensive line needs until the 7th round was as well. Look for QB to be addressed with a veteran free agent with Donovan McNabb shown the door.
Like the Redskins, the New York Giants addressed defense at the top of the draft. Elite Nebraska cover corner Prince Amukamara was not expected to be available when the G-Men picked, so they gladly gobbled him up when time came. Next to Patrick Peterson who is a freak of nature, Amukamara was the top corner in the draft. The Giants nabbed North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin in the second round. Austin, one of many Tar Heels that sat out the 2010 season due to off the field issues, is certainly first round talent. New York relies on depth, athleticism and versatility along the defensive line and Austin fits the bill perfectly. Linebacker depth was also addressed with Michigan State’s Greg Jones. Entering the 2010 season. Jones was mentioned as a potential first round pick, so landing him in the sixth is pennies from heaven. Troy State reciever Jerrel Jernigan isn’t a track guy, nor have prototype size, but he can play. Look for Jernigan to contribute immediately in the slot and become a favorite target of Eli Manning. While the Giants look to have acquired excellent late round value, getting Maryland running back Da’Rel Scott in the seventh has to be considered a steal. Productive as a Terrapin, Scott turned some heads with the fastest 40 times at the combine. He should be an excellent change of pace and insurance to co-starters Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.
Of all the teams in the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles may have enjoyed the best draft across the board. Guard Danny Watkins is one of the more interesting stories in the draft. Watkins arriving as a 26 year old rookie, working as a firefighter for four years prior to his career at Baylor. Free agency may have created an opening at right guard, Watkins may slide right in to protect Michael Vick’s blind side. Staying with the offense, Philadelphia took a pair off running backs. Pittsburgh tailback Dion Lewis is undersized, but quick and could be an ideal development third back. In the seventh round, Philadelphia selected USC fullback Stanley Havili. Havili is an outstanding receiver and could develop into a third down back. Defensively, the Eagles address the defensive backfield with Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett and Utah State corner Curtis Marsh. The high profile defensive selection was Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews. Obviously, if Casey can follow in the family footsteps at the pro level, Philly received a mid round steal. Matthews has the versatility to play inside and outside, and could impact immediately as a rusher on passing downs. The most surprising pick was the mid-round selection of Nebraska kicker Alex Henery. The arrival of Henery probably means the end of kicker David Akers career wth the Eagles.
Tomorrow, we will take a look at the NFC North
