2011 NFL Draft 1st Round Immediate Impact Players

by Jon Dove on May 4, 2011 2:01 PM EDT

The 2011 NFL Draft is over and many of us are hoping the selected players will be able to provide an immediate impact. With free agency on hold, the only hope we have for an immediate improvement are the rookies. Free agency will take place but without knowing the specifics we have no choice but to rely on the draft selections. Below is my list of the top 5 1st round players I expect to have an immediate impact.

1. Von Miller- LB- Denver Broncos

- The Broncos had one of the worst defenses in the entire NFL and Miller will help make improvements. Miller's ability to create pressure will impact the play of the entire defense. He also has the quickness to purse and cover sideline to sideline. Miller could easily produce double digit sacks which would help greatly improve this defense.

2. Anthony Castonzo- OT- Indianapolis Colts

- Peyton Manning wasn't his perfect self last season especially when faced with pressure. Castonzo is an athletic tackle that will be able to protect Manning's blindside from day one. His addition also allows other members of the offensive line to shuffle around strengthening the unit as a whole.

3. Gabe Carimi- OT- Chicago Bears

- The Bears were 1 win away from a Super Bowl appearance and the biggest team weakness was the offensive line. Many will talk about how much pressure was on Jay Cutler but the offensive line also struggled to open consistent running lanes. Carimi's presence could help his team in a few ways ultimately giving them another shot at a Super Bowl run.

4. Marcell Dareus- DL- Buffalo Bills

- The Bills won more games than many expected and that was basically because of their effort. Through the draft, the Bills added a lot of talent and non more talented than Marcell Dareus. Dareus will help bring stability to the defensive line which struggled to consistently stop the run. Dareus is the type of player that will demand double teams making the players around him better.

5. Nick Fairley- DT- Detroit Lions

- Detroit has one of the best defensive lines in the NFL and the addition of Fairley only makes them nastier. Fairley's ability to penetrate will wreak havoc in opponents backfields. This will also command some extra attention from the offensive line opening things up for the rest of his team. There are not enough offensive lineman on the field to control both Fairley and Suh.

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Danny Watkins

As an Eagles fan, I sure hope Danny will be an immediate starter, seeing as he’s 40-something years old already and his window of opportunity is a little narrower than most rookies..

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by JimmyK on May 4, 2011 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

def..

there are plenty of players in the 1st round that will start right away but i rounded it down to my top 5 that will have them most impact.

Jon Dove
NFL Analyst at Mocking the Draft
@Jon_Dove42

by Jon Dove on May 4, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Right, didn’t mean for that to sound like a criticism of your list; was just poking fun at my team.

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by JimmyK on May 4, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah i got ya!

Jon Dove
NFL Analyst at Mocking the Draft
@Jon_Dove42

by Jon Dove on May 4, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

What about skill players?

I know you only listed your top 5, and obviously none made the top 5, but what skill players, if any, do you see having an impact in year one?

AJ Green seems to be a popular choice. But with the QB situation up in the air, not to mention that he will have to share the ball with Grisham and the Texas kid, I think Green will top out around 500 receiving yards this year and only 2-3 scores.

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by NMVike on May 4, 2011 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Offensive skill players that is

Or DBs I guess. You already have a LB on your list.

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on May 4, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Finally Miller getting some love on this site! lol

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by DBroncs1414 on May 4, 2011 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Vikings said they're thinking about starting Ponder...if yes, then he HAS to top this list

Bow to the Fresh Prince of the Meadowlands.

by BigBlueIntervention on May 4, 2011 3:49 PM EDT reply actions

Not if he sucks

And by that logic, Cam Newton should top the list as well as the other two QBs

by ATL Lion on May 4, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

haha well, by impact it could mean good or bad

And I think Clausen or Moore are going to start the year.

Bow to the Fresh Prince of the Meadowlands.

by BigBlueIntervention on May 4, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

No way they start Clausen over Newton

There will be a “competition” during training camp and the preseason games (assuming there are any) and then Newton will be declared the winner and start day 1. They know what they have in Clausen (a pickle) and they didn’t give him any extra tools to work with. If they want Steve Smith back, they will have an easier time by saying Cam will be throwing the ball vs telling him they are throwing away a year on Clausen.

by ATL Lion on May 5, 2011 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Gabbert

wont be starting game one year one

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions

He might not

but Garrard is about 100x better than clausen. Not saying Garrard is that good, just Clausen is that bad.

by ATL Lion on May 5, 2011 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

How is Tyron Smith NOT on this lust

by Alexcomestokill on May 4, 2011 3:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

cuz they drafted him because of his super high ceiling.

He will start this year, but it’ll be a couple years before he is a top impact player from this class. anthony castonzo was more nfl ready. tyron smith just had more potential in the long run

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by HailToTheRedskins on May 4, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Well I agree with that, but this list was for immediate impact.

I think anyone who starts day one is considered immediate impact.
Same situation when you guys drafted Richardson over Okung. Would you say Richardson had less of an impact?

by Alexcomestokill on May 4, 2011 4:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It's not Richardson, it's Williams

Trent Williams. The Post is about his top five, not every 1st rounder who will have an impact on their team.

by ENsDad27 on May 4, 2011 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Upside or not

Tyron Smith should be pretty good his first year. The idea is he’ll be a pro bowler in a couple of years.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions

how the hell could Tyron Smith be on this list?

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by Rorschach44 on May 4, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Definitely Jimmy Smith should be on here

The Ravens have already said he will be starting and going against the other team’s best player from Day 1

by terpfan812 on May 4, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

How is Tyron Smith NOT on this list?

He is a day one starter without a doubt.

by Alexcomestokill on May 4, 2011 4:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

HA!

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on May 4, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Check out this article on Randall Cobb

Forget first round players, this kid has talent
http://tinyurl.com/3cbg8mz

by R91stern on May 4, 2011 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

I personally am not big on Castonzo. I hear he is supposed to be a great pass blocker, but saw him getting beat during the senior bowl and Quinn killed him when they went against each other. He definitely has the ability, but I just don’t think he is as good as some say he is.

by AV23 on May 4, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Teamed up with Peyton

he should do well. Just needs to be smart and he’ll do fine. Get to your landmark and don’t let them get inside.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Aldon Smith?

Kellen Moore is awesome
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by manraj7 on May 4, 2011 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

IMO he is could use a bit of time before really contributing

by Jagsrok9008 on May 4, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Good player

but very very raw. He’ll also be making a position change.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I would assume the first 2 CBs off the board should also be immediate contributors

I find it hard to quantify these guys are higher up on the immediate contributor list than Prince and Patrick

by Jagsrok9008 on May 4, 2011 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

I agree, Peterson and Amukamara will likely both start from day 1

by billsfan24 on May 4, 2011 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Amukamara

will take some time to get used to the change of speed at this level. His instincts don’t seem up to par yet either.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Can you expand on that thought?

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

by Omaha Sun on May 5, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

So will Pat Peterson

so will every other rookie.

And his instincts are much better then Peterson, thanks.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on May 7, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Amukamara will NOT start from day one.

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on May 7, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d also add J.J Watt and Robert Quinn

by billsfan24 on May 4, 2011 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

Watt yes

but he’s at a position that might take a little time to develop, especially making a bit of a position change. Quinn hasn’t played in a year so he will probably take a while to get used to the swing of things again. Not to mention he’s only won as a speed rusher. He’ll need time to develop some more pass rush moves as he doesn’t have Miller like burst around the corner.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions

WTF, no Ingram?

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by Jon Banks on May 4, 2011 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

he's talking about impact on the field, not in your pants.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

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by shake n bake on May 4, 2011 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Haha

by RamblinWreck7 on May 4, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Ingram

will make a huge impact this year.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions

The main thing I think will limit

Ingram’s impact is that I don’t know how much of an upgrade he is to what they already have. Pierre Thomas is hugely underrated. Not to mention Chris Ivory is pretty darn good too. And Reggie is already the receiver RB.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That may be true, but how many of those guys were still active by the time the playoffs started?

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

by Omaha Sun on May 5, 2011 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I have a feeling

Colin Kaepernick will have a huge impact on the 9ers. He has great arm strength, which helped Flacco get by early one. He has a good OL to help him out. He’s got a very good coach in Harbaugh that made Luck a top prospect. And Harbaugh also made Josh Johnson a prospect coming out of U of San Diego having him go 43 TD’s with only one pick while also developing his ability to run. Kaepernick has all the tools and the ability to run when his progressions break down.

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 2:04 AM EDT reply actions

One last impact player

Rahim Moore. Moore is a pure FS. Under the tutelage of Brian Dawkins he should do well for himself. He’s also a student of the game. And having Miller and Dumervil rush off the edge on third down while having Bailey, Cox, and Goodman underneath should allow Moore to get as many more PBU’s/INT’s as Earl Thomas of last year’s draft class. We’ve already seen a few UCLA DB’s do well their rookie year. (Alterraun Verner, Chris Horton)

by Ewdtrey on May 5, 2011 2:10 AM EDT reply actions