NFL Draft 2011

Jake Locker/Christian Ponder

Beginner's Luck

Who is better positioned to have a bigger impact as a rookie -- Jake Locker or Christian Ponder? Our experts face off. Hot Button » DiscussLive   Kuharsky: Sit Locker, Gabbert? » Year of the QB »

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MUST-SEE NFL DRAFT COVERAGE

  • Play The Feud
    Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker battled to be drafted higher and will now be division rivals.
  • Looks Familiar
    Denver picked Von Miller, who plays like longtime Broncos nemisis Derrick Thomas
  • The Only Play
    Minesota is taking heat for drafting Christian Ponder, but it really didn't have a choice.
  • D.C. Moves
    The Redskins made the right call when they selected Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan.
  • Safety Dance
    By avoiding the lure of the QB, the Bills and the Dolphins played it safe with their picks.
  • Mild West
    NFC West teams had QB questions, but their answer was to beef up other areas of need.

LOOK BACK AT PREVIOUS NFL DRAFTS

2010
  • Bradford
    Ram Tough?
    Injury concerns did not deter St. Louis from making ultra-accurate QB Sam Bradford its franchise player.
    2010 NFL draft coverage »
2009
  • Stafford
    Detroit QB City
    The Lions had many needs but couldn't pass up a chance at a franchise QB like Matthew Stafford.
    2009 NFL draft coverage »
2008
  • Long
    Fish Tale
    Seeing an OT who could anchor its line for years to come, Miami selected Jake Long No. 1 overall.
    2008 NFL draft coverage »
2007
2006
2005
  • Smith
    49ers' Mr. Smith
    San Francisco liked the potential of QB Alex Smith and made him the No. 1 overall pick.
    2005 NFL draft coverage »

Twitter FOLLOW THE NFL DRAFT ON TWITTER

  • @SteveMuenchESPN Should say late in 2010 Iowa game not at the end. 1 day ago
  • @SteveMuenchESPN Ohio State WR DeVier Posey good size/speed but not an explosive route runner. Drop at end of 2010 Iowa game sticks in mind as well 1 day ago
  • @Kevin_Weidl Barkley cont.. Elite poise in the pocket and does not panic. Sees the entire field and understands situations. Made some big time throws. 2 days ago
  • @Kevin_Weidl Barkley lacks elite physical tools + inconsistent deep ball accuracy, but the manager tag needs thrown out the window. 2 days ago
  • @Kevin_Weidl As 4 Barkley extremely polished. Great control of pro-style O. Oblivious to the rush and consistently gets to 2nd and 3rd progressions. 2 days ago
  • @Kevin_Weidl Kalil plays with an edge and moves people off the ball in the run game. Game comes easy to him especially protecting the edge. 2 days ago
  • @Kevin_Weidl Just finished up 5 cc tapes of USC O. OT M. Kalil has everything u look 4 in a franchise LT. Length (6'7), great feet+ natural athleticism. 2 days ago

ESPN's NFL draft coverage on Twitter »

Mel Kiper's rankings on Insider

Cities

: Was CB the right move at No. 33?

: Grading every Bears draft pick

: Character important for Cowboys

: Giants got what they wanted

: What does Powell mean for LT?

MEDIA

Podcasts
Todd McShay

ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay says the Lions and Broncos had good drafts. McShay is a little concerned with what the Jaguars did, but he does like QB Blaine Gabbert.

John Clayton, NFL

John Clayton shares his thoughts on the winners and losers from the NFL draft.

Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton says he shouldn't be faulted for not having long plays at Auburn. Plus, Newton says the offense he ran was not simple.

More Podcasts »

COMPLETE DRAFT HISTORY

How has YOUR team drafted in previous years? View the history of the draft dating back to 1967.

2011 NFL DRAFT ORDER

NFL DRAFT EXTRAS

Take a deeper dive into the NFL Draft with a statistical look at this year's draftees and how your team has fared in past drafts.
NFL Draft Stat Shots McDonald's Stat Shots

QUARTERBACK CENTRAL

ESPN's Year of the Quarterback initiative is covering the lives and careers of QBs from high school to the NFL and has the top 2011 draft prospects under the microscope.