With the first round of the NFL Draft in the books, who are the winners and the losers? And what surprises were made?
Winners
Cam Newton - From BCS National Championship to No. 1 overall pick, Newton will cash in once he signs (and probably earlier with endorsements)
Jake Locker, Christian Ponder - Both quarterbacks were expected to go later on in the first round, but Locker went before Blaine Gabbert and Ponder meets a perfect situation in Minnesota.
Detroit Lions - Nick Fairley fell right into their laps and now they can team him with Ndamukong Suh in the middle of the defensive line, putting fear into NFC North quarterbacks.
New York Giants - They drafted Prince Amukamara, a player who could have gone in the top 10.
New Orleans Saints - They draft Cameron Jordan and then are able to re-enter the first round to take RB Mark Ingram.
Losers
Andy Dalton, Ryan Mallett - Late buzz had both players going in the first round, but they're both available on Day 2.
Da'Quan Bowers - Did concern over his knee injury send him out of the first round?
Surprises
James Carpenter - Who? That's what many Seattle Seahawks fans thought when their team took him with the 25th pick. He had been thought of as a second- or third-round pick by some draft experts.
Here is the complete list of picks to make your own determinations:
|
Team |
Pick |
| 1 |
Carolina Panthers |
Cam Newton, Auburn QB |
| 2 |
Denver Broncos |
Von Miller, Texas A&M OLB |
| 3 |
Buffalo Bills |
Marcell Dareus, Alabama DT |
| 4 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
A.J. Green, Georgia WR |
| 5 |
Arizona Cardinals |
Patrick Peterson, LSU CB |
| 6 |
Atlanta Falcons |
Julio Jones, Alabama WR |
| 7 |
San Francisco 49ers |
Aldon Smith, Missouri DE |
| 8 |
Tennessee Titans |
Jake Locker, Washington QB |
| 9 |
Dallas Cowboys |
Tyron Smith, USC OT |
| 10 |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
Blaine Gabbert, Missouri QB |
| 11 |
Houston Texans |
J.J. Watt, Wisconsin DE |
| 12 |
Minnesota Vikings |
Christian Ponder, FSU QB |
| 13 |
Detroit Lions |
Nick Fairley, Auburn DT |
| 14 |
St. Louis Rams |
Robert Quinn, UNC DE |
| 15 |
Miami Dolphins |
Mike Pouncey, Florida OL |
| 16 |
Washington Redskins |
Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE |
| 17 |
New England Patriots |
Nate Solder, Colorado OL |
| 18 |
San Diego Chargers |
Corey Liuget, Illinois DT |
| 19 |
New York Giants |
Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB |
| 20 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE |
| 21 |
Cleveland Browns |
Phil Taylor, Baylor DT |
| 22 |
Indianapolis Colts |
Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT |
| 23 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
Danny Watkins, Baylor OL |
| 24 |
New Orleans Saints |
Cameron Jordan, Cal DE |
| 25 |
Seattle Seahawks |
James Carpenter, Alabama OL |
| 26 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
Jonathan Baldwin, Pitt WR |
| 27 |
Baltimore Ravens |
Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB |
| 28 |
New Orleans Saints |
Mark Ingram, Alabama RB |
| 29 |
Chicago Bears |
Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT |
| 30 |
New York Jets |
Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple DT |
| 31 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
Cam Heyward, Ohio State DL |
| 32 |
Green Bay Packers |
Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State OT |
SB Nation has everything you need to prepare for it - NFL mock drafts, draft projections, scouting reports, the full NFL draft schedule and more. Check it all out at our 2011 NFL Draft Hub and our NFL Draft blog Mocking the Draft. Visit Mile High Report for more on the Broncos and head to the Ralphie Report for more on the Colorado Buffaloes.
