Round 1 – 3 Reaches and 3 Steals….

by Derek Stephens on April 29th, 2011
Posted In: 2011 NFL Draft
Derek Stephens

Here’s a look at a few potential reaches as well as a couple of possible steals from the first round…

Steals

1.  Detroit Lions – Nick Fairley (DT – Auburn) - 13th Overall – Fairley’s maturity and consistency has been called into question after only one strong college year prior to entry into the draft.  But that one year showed a combination of size, instincts and explosiveness that is unmatched by any other DT in this year’s crop.  On tape, there’s no doubt that this guy is not an accident, and he knows what he’s doing out there.  Putting him next to Ndomukong Suh should round out a tandem of DTs that could terrorize opposing QBs and O-lines for the next decade.   Fairley had been projected as the possible top pick overall, only a few weeks ago, so the fall to 13 is a huge potential steal for Detroit.

2. St. Louis Rams – Robert Quinn (DE – N. Carolina) – 14th overall – The Rams weren’t expecting Quinn to fall this far, and for good reason.  He’s the most naturally gifted pass-rusher that there is in the ’11 group, and was expected to potentially go top 5.  A year long suspension and iffy medical history (brain tumor) may have played a part here, but at 20 years old and with no signs of ill effects from the tumor which is benign (and is checked every 6 months), the Rams solidify their edges by adding Quinn to Chris Long for a solid tandem of D-ends.

3.  New Orleans Saints – Cameron Jordan (DE – California) – 24th overall - Jordan arguably tumbled the furthest of anyone picked in the first round, and brings huge value to the Saints D-line.  He’s long, athletic and extremely versatile with the ability to be plugged in at either end spot and provide a disruptive presence both in rushing the passer and in run support.  He had a top 10-15 grade coming in.

Reaches

1. Atlanta Falcons – Julio Jones (WR – Alabama) – 6th overall (traded up) - The Falcons gave up a load of picks (this year and next) for the opportunity to move up and grab Jones.  This reach is less about the player and more about the price. Jones is a solid prospect with good potential, but he would have been available further down.  The Falcons simply got taken to school here by Mike Holmgren and the Cleveland brass.  Perhaps they felt so strongly that they’re only a key piece or two away from contending that it was worth paying a premium to get one of those pieces.   Good player, but questionable price.

2. San Francisco 49ers – Aldon Smith (DE – Mizzou) - 7th overall – Smith reminds some of former Jets bust Vernon Gholston, in that he appears to have all the tangibles – big, long, lean, fast, explosive, but instincts and flexibility are big question marks.  He’ll be used as a rush linebacker in the SF 3-4 which raises some flags as he may not possess the hip flexibility or lateral quickness to develop a solid array of pass-rush moves at the next level.  He had a mere 5 sacks as a starting rush end at Mizzou during his sophomore campaign and many feel he’s simply too raw to have come out so early.  Smith was graded as a top 15 pick by several scouts, but it’s all on potential at this point.  He’s far from refined, and the ‘Niners can’t afford another disappointment at outside linebacker after having spent a first rounder on the average-at-best Manny Lawson.

2.  Seattle Seahawks – James Carpenter (OT – Alabama) – 25th overall - A curious pick here for Seattle as Carpenter was a ways down the list of OT prospects, on many scouts boards.  Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin) was still available here, and many thought that Carpenter could have been had in the middle of the 2nd round.  Seattle tried to trade the pick and position themselves higher in the 2nd in the process, but it simply didn’t work out after entertaining 3 possible offers.  Carpenter was still the best OT on Seattle’s board after a strong Senior Bowl showing and further tape review, revealing a toughness and nastiness that O-line coach Tom Cable relishes when assembling his group.  Again, it’s less about the player here, and more about the failure to trade down and still get their guy at a lower spot, while gaining an extra pick or two in the process.