The 2011 NFL Draft Starts Tonight

Originally, I was going to put together a first round mock draft to pretend like I had any clue how the 2011 NFL Draft was going to unfold and thankfully I talked myself out of kidding myself. Besides, all I have time to do is worry about the Miami Dolphins selecting Christian Ponder with the 15th pick tonight. Seriously, if that happens I will fully endorse the lockout until he’s old enough to retire. But that’s the fun of the NFL Draft – speculation, worrying, complaining, crying, protesting, cursing, stamping feet, blaming girlfriends, threatening lives, hoping players are hit by buses. You know, all the best of the “in good fun” stuff.

Instead of making predictions so you all can call me wrong – or more wrong than usual – or trying to outbest the best in mock draft coverage at Kissing Suzy Kolber, I figured I’d collect the latest and last of the big first round rumors before this little fun party begins.

Cam Newton offered contract by Carolina?

Now, roughly nine hours before the Panthers are on the clock, rumors are starting to surface (via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post) that Carolina has already “unofficially outlined contract parameters” with Newton and his agents.

This is about as shocking as news of a Khloe/Lamar sex tape in 2014. Carolina’s owner loves Cam, so pencil this one in.

Raiders looking to trade back into the first round?

There have been some rumors about them trading up into the first round if Colorado defensive back Jimmy Smith begins falling.
Of course, rumors around the NFL draft are just that … rumors.

Hey Raiders, if you want to have a first round pick so badly, maybe don’t give it to the New England Patriots next time. K? Thanks.

Cowboys and Rams talking first round swap?

More talk of the Dallas Cowboys and the St. Louis Rams making a draft day swap for picks #9 and #14. Naturally, it’s from the Cowboys’ perspective, but it is still something to consider.

I’m not a Rams fan, but being from St. Louis I follow the team and everything I’ve read says they’re not interested in moving up to draft Julio Jones, which I can’t believe because he fits a major need for them, but that franchise ain’t exactly a shining example. As for the Cowboys, their rumors have been everywhere. Today’s latest had Jerry Jones talking to the Browns, Bengals and Broncos about trading up as well.

Are the Patriots chatting with the Browns about No. 6?

Bill Belichick and company could package a couple of picks — they have six of the first 92 picks, after all — perhaps their two first round selections, Nos. 17 and 28 overall.

Hooray, the Patriots’ plan to stockpile draft picks is paying off. Now where did I leave that loaded gun?

Dolphins digging Mike Pouncey?

But what would the Dolphins do if Ingram isn’t around when they pick? How would the Dolphins improve their running game then?
Meet center Mike Pouncey as the likely possibility.

If only a team would save me and my Dolphins angst and step in with a desire to trade up…

Do the Steelers also want Mike Pouncey?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are rumored to want to pair up Maurkice Pouncey with his twin brother Mike Pouncey. The Steelers currently have the 31st overall pick, so in order to make that a reality they’d need to move up into the mid-teens. It’s likely they’d have to get ahead of the Miami Dolphins at pick 15, but he could potentially be available at pick 16 as well.

I don’t think this will happen, but stranger things have happened. Anyway, the Dolphins have better ways to waste their first round pick…

The Miami Herald’s Armando Salguero hears from two “NFL types” that Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph is high on the Dolphins’ board and could be a possibility at No. 15. Salguero’s sources are not in the “media,” but he also doesn’t suggest they’re in the Dolphins organization. The report strikes us as speculative as opposed to insider information. Rudolph does add a needed element to the Dolphins offense, but mid-first is too rich. (Via Rotoworld)

Outstanding.

Buffalo Bills in love with Christian Ponder?

Due to the fact that Bills head coach Chan Gailey feverishly recruited Ponder out of high school, their time spent together at the Senior Bowl, and Andre Reed’s tweet to Ponder last week, the FSU alum has long been linked to the Bills organization.

Bills fans can’t be this tortured can they? CAN THEY??? I hope so. Ponder is a second round prediction for the Bills, mind you, so Blaine Gabbert is still the hot rumor for them with the No. 3 pick.

Redskins to trade down from 10?

Asked if trading up is a luxury that Redskins can’t afford because they don’t have third- and fourth-round picks to deal, Shanahan agreed. “Yeah, that’s very possible, very realistic,” he said.
Trading down seems more likely—and more logical, considering the Redskins extensive roster needs.

Or if he’s there, they take Julio Jones like any smart team needing a stud wide receiver would do. But why would the Redskins start being smart now? The original rumor had the Redskins trying to trade up to the 2 pick for Blaine Gabbert but the Broncos are apparently hellbent on taking a top defensive player (Von Miller, Marcel Dareus, Patrick Peterson).

Jets are locked in on improving defense…

Or the Jets could look for a potential pass rusher such as UCLA’s Akeem Ayers or Arizona’s Brooks Reed. Georgia’s Justin Houston had 10½ sacks last year in his junior season, but there are character concerns swirling around him now that it’s come out that he tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine.

That’s not really surprising at all. What would be awesome is if the Jets draft a player and later find out he’s Antonio Cromartie’s son. The chances are like 5-in-1.

49ers to pass on QB and focus on defense?

Harbaugh is heralded as a quarterback maker, from Tampa Bay backup quarterback Josh Johnson when they were at the University of San Diego to Andrew Luck at Stanford.

Harbaugh doesn’t need an established quarterback to be successful. He needs a pliable piece of clay he can mold into his NFL image. Those types of players are readily available in the second and third rounds.

He’s also a total dreamboat, am I right, ladies?

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