vikings/nfl
NFL draft: first round
- Updated: April 29, 2011 - 12:04 AM
Thursday's first-round selections:
- 0
- comments
resize text 
- buy reprints
1. CAROLINA CAM NEWTON
Quarterback, Auburn
• There is no questioning his athletic ability, but can he continue his meteoric college success in the NFL?
2. DENVER VON MILLER
Linebacker, Texas A&M
• With a unique blend of power and speed, he could make an immediate impact as a pass rusher for a team that needs one.
3. BUFFALO MARCELL DAREUS
Def. tackle, Alabama
• At 319 pounds, Dareus is big enough to plug the middle in the 3-4 defense but can rush the passer, too.
4. CINCINNATI A.J. GREEN
Wide receiver, Georgia
• Green fills a need for a team that likely needs to replace Ochocinco and T.O. Also, will this persuade Carson Palmer to return?
7. SAN FRANCISCO ALDON SMITH
Linebacker, Missouri
• The 49ers see Smith as a strong-side outside linebacker who'll join a unit led by All-Pro Patrick Willis.
9. DALLAS TYRON SMITH
Off. tackle, Southern Cal
• Cowboys want to better protect Tony Romo, and Smith is their answer. He'll have to switch from right to left tackle.
10. JACKSONVILLE
From Washington
BLAINE GABBERT
Quarteback, Missouri
• Certainly a move for the future, because the Jaguars have David Garrard at QB. Jags gave up a second-round pick to move up.
11. HOUSTON J.J. WATT
Defensive end, Wisconsin
• No one will question Watt's effort, and he joins a defense that ranked last against the pass and 30th overall last season.
12. VIKINGS
CHRISTIAN PONDER
Quarterback, Florida State
• The Vikings definitely drafted for need. Did Tennessee taking Jake Locker force their hands into this move?
13. DETROIT NICK FAIRLEY
Def. tackle, Auburn
• Some teams had character concerns, but Fairley and Ndamukong Suh give the Lions a formidable pair.
14. ST. LOUIS ROBERT QUINN
Defensive end, North Carolina
• Standout pass rusher's draft stock fell because of brain tumor in high school and an NCAA suspension in 2010.
5. ARIZONA PATRICK PETERSON
Cornerback, Louisiana State
• Considered the best corner in the draft and brings big-time return skills, too. Tackling may be a weakness.
16. WASHINGTON
FROM JACKSONVILLE Ryan Kerrigan
Defensive end, Purdue
• A consistent performer for the Boilermakers, he likely will be used as an outside linebacker.
17. NEW ENGLAND
From Oakland
NATE SOLDER
Off. tackle, Colorado
• With plenty of picks available, Patriots could afford to address their basic need up front.
18. SAN DIEGO COREY LIUGET
Def. tackle, Illinois
• Brings an inside pass-rushing presence and is versatile enough to play several positions along the line.
19. N.Y. GIANTS PRINCE
AMUKAMARA
Cornerback, Nebraska
• Was expected to go earlier, but should provide Giants with an immediate impact for depth in the secondary.
21. CLEVELAND
FROM KANSAS CITY Phil Taylor
Def. tackle, Baylor
• Browns traded up to get this 6-3, 334-pounder to plug the middle. His draft stock improved at the Senior Bowl.
22. INDIANAPOLIS ANTHONY CASTONZO
Off. tackle, Boston College
• With issues on the offensive line, Colts make a logical selection to protect Peyton Manning's blind side.
23. PHILADELPHIA DANNY WATKINS
Guard, Baylor
• The 26-year-old British Columbia native came to football late, but his Senior Bowl showing turned heads.
24. NEW ORLEANS CAMERON JORDAN
Defensive end, California
• The Saints can expect the son of ex-Vikings tight end Steve Jordan to mirror his college play: consistent.
26. KANSAS CITY
FROM ATL. THROUGH CLEV. Jon Baldwin
Wide receiver, Pittsburgh
• The clock ran out on Baltimore, so the Chiefs moved up to select the 6-6 Baldwin.
27. BALTIMORE
JIMMY SMITH
Cornerback, Colorado
• The strong cover corner slipped after reportedly having a positive marajuana test while at Colorado.
29. CHICAGO GABE CARIMI
Off. tackle, Wisconsin
• The Bears allowed a league-high 56 sacks last year. Adding a 6-7, 314-pound Outland Trophy winner should help.
30. N.Y. JETS MUHAMMAD WILKERSON
Def. tackle, Temple
• The Jets shied away from Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers and took the Temple pass rusher instead.
31. PITTSBURGH CAMERON HEYWARD
Def. tackle, Ohio State
• The Steelers address their aging defensive line by selecting the son of the late Craig "Ironhead'' Heyward.
32. GREEN BAY DEREK SHERROD
Off. tackle, Mississippi State
• The Packers picked what might be the long-term replacement for left tackle Chad Clifton.
25. SEATTLE JAMES CARPENTER
Off. tackle, Alabama
• At 6-4 and 321 pounds, Carpenter has an NFL frame. Seahawks might have reached with this pick.
8. TENNESSEE JAKE LOCKER
Quarterback, Washington
• The Titans certainly wanted a quarterback who'll produce less off-the-field drama than Vince Young, so Locker is their pick. Locker was considered a top-five talent had he entered the 2010 draft, but his college stats are a concern. He never completed 60 percent of his passes in a season, and all the Huskies had to show for his four years was one Holiday Bowl trip.
6. ATLANTA
From Cleveland
JULIO JONES
Wide receiver, Alabama
• At 220 pounds, Jones brings the power of a tight end to his sprinter's speed. He'll make a nice tandem with Falcons receiver Roddy White. However, Atlanta better hope Jones cuts down on dropped passes. The price to move up from No. 27 to No. 6 was high; the Falcons gave up their second- and fourth-round picks this year and their first and fourth in 2012.
15. MIAMI MIKE POUNCEY
Guard/Center,
Florida
• Twin brother of standout Steelers center Maurkice should anchor the middle for the Dolphins.
28. NEW ORLEANS FROM NEW ENGLAND Mark Ingram
Running back, Alabama
• The Saints traded a 2012 first-round pick and a 2011 second-rounder to New England for the chance to choose the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner. The move addresses a major need for a team that ranked 28th in the league with an average of 94.9 yards rushing per game. Ingram will try to rebound from a 2010 season limited by a knee injury.
20. TAMPA BAY
ADRIAN CLAYBORN
Defensive end, Iowa
• Had a stellar junior season with 11 sacks, but his play tailed off as a senior, when his sack total fell to four.
- 0
- comments
- resize text
- buy reprints
explore the Vikings/NFL
ADVERTISEMENT
| Seattle - LP: F. Hernandez | 0 | FINAL |
| Cleveland - WP: J. Masterson | 6 |
| Toronto | 0 | Postponed |
| NY Yankees | 0 |
| Arizona - LP: W. Miley | 1 | FINAL |
| Miami - WP: R. Nolasco | 2 |
| Cincinnati - LP: A. Chapman | 2 | FINAL |
| Philadelphia - WP: A. Bastardo | 3 |
| Houston - LP: L. Harrell | 0 | FINAL |
| Pittsburgh - WP: J. Locke | 1 |
| Los Angeles - LP: K. Jansen | 2 | FINAL |
| Atlanta - WP: L. Avilan | 5 |
| Tampa Bay - WP: M. Moore | 3 | FINAL |
| Baltimore - LP: C. Tillman | 1 |
| Boston - WP: J. Lackey | 5 | FINAL |
| Minnesota - LP: P. Hernandez | 1 |
| Milwaukee - LP: K. Lohse | 2 | FINAL |
| St. Louis - WP: J. Gast | 4 |
| NY Mets - WP: S. Rice | 4 | FINAL |
| Chicago Cubs - LP: K. Fujikawa | 3 |
| Chicago WSox - LP: J. Peavy | 2 | FINAL |
| LA Angels - WP: J. Vargas | 6 |
| Kansas City - LP: K. Herrera | 3 | FINAL |
| Oakland - WP: J. Blevins | 4 |
| Washington - LP: D. Haren | 4 | FINAL |
| San Diego - WP: A. Cashner | 13 |
| San Francisco - LP: B. Zito | 0 | FINAL |
| Colorado - WP: J. Nicasio | 5 |
| Detroit - LP: J. Ortega | 8 | FINAL |
| Texas - WP: R. Ross | 11 |
| Memphis | 83 | FINAL |
| San Antonio | 105 |
| Los Angeles | 0 | FINAL |
| Red Bull New York | 1 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 1 | FINAL |
| D.C. | 1 |
| Real Salt Lake | 4 | FINAL |
| Chivas USA | 1 |
- Vikings' Henderson gets answers on how to ask questions
- Hartman: Vikings defensive line can walk after season
- Rand: Here's what local pro teams are missing
- Hartman: Webb shifts from QB to full-time receiver for Vikings
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Neighborhood residents weigh in on new Vikings stadium design
- Warrant issued for Chad Johnson's arrest
- New Vikings stadium unveiled
| Date/Opponent | Time | W | L | Score |
| 2013 preseason | ||||
| Aug 9 - vs. Houston | 7 pm | |||
| Aug 16 - at Buffalo | 6 pm | |||
| Aug 25 - at San Francisco | 7 pm | |||
| Aug 29 - vs. Tennessee | 7 pm | |||
| 2013 regular season | ||||
| Sep 8 - at Detroit | Noon | |||
| Sep 15 - at Chicago | Noon | |||
| Sep 22 - vs. Cleveland | Noon | |||
| Sep 29 - vs. Pittsburgh (in London) | Noon | |||
| Oct 6 - Bye | ||||
| Oct 13 - vs. Carolina | Noon | |||
| Oct 21 - at. NY Giants | 7:40 pm | |||
| Oct 27 - vs. Green Bay | 7:30 pm | |||
| Nov 3 - at Dallas | Noon | |||
| Nov 7 - vs. Washington | 7:25 pm | |||
| Nov 17 - at Seattle | 3:25 pm | |||
| Nov. 24 - at Green Bay | Noon | |||
| Dec 1 - vs. Chicago | Noon | |||
| Dec 8 - at Baltimore | Noon | |||
| Dec 15 - vs. Philadelphia | Noon | |||
| Dec 22 - at Cincinnati | Noon | |||
| Dec 29 - vs. Detroit | Noon |
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters