Dallas Cowboys 2011 Draft Class
Round
Position
Player
School
1
OT
Tyron Smith
USC
2
LB
Bruce Carter
UNC
3
RB
DeMarco Murray
Oklahoma
4
G
David Arkin
Missouri State
5
CB
Josh Thomas
Buffalo
6
WR
Dwayne Harris
East Carolina
7
FB
Shaun Chapas
Georgia
7
C
Bill Nagy
Wisconsin
Draft Recap: For the first time in his 22 years of owning the Cowboys, Jerry Jones signed off on the selection of an offensive lineman in the first round. It was an overdue addition to what had become an aging offensive line, though it's yet unclear as to whether Smith, considered the most athletic tackle in the draft, will start out as a right or left tackle.
Watch Out For: After adding a quality linebacker in the second round last year in Penn State's Sean Lee, the Cowboys went back to the well in 2011 with Carter, once considered a first-round prospect before tearing his ACL last December. And don't sleep on Murray, who should compete for carries right away with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.
To-Do List: The Cowboys still need to address a secondary that struggled mightily in 2010 and is likely to add both a cornerback and safety in free agency. As such, they are rumored to be players in the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes.
New York Giants 2011 Draft Class
Round
Position
Player
School
1
CB
Prince Amukamara
Nebraska
2
DT
Marvin Austin
UNC
3
WR
Jerrel Jernigan
Troy
4
OL
James Brewer
Indiana
6
LB
Greg Jones
Michigan State
6
S
Tyler Sash
Iowa
6
LB
Jacquian Williams
South Florida
7
RB
Da'Rel Scott
Maryland
Draft Recap: After a surprising slide, Amukamara fell to the Giants at No. 19 overall. The consensus No. 2 cornerback prospect in the draft, Amukamara joins a solid stable of Giants corners that includes Aaron Ross, Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas. The pick may not have addressed an immediate need, but to the Giants, the value was too tempting to pass up.
Watch Out For: After setting the Giants' single-season record with 108 receptions in 2009, Steve Smith lost the second half of his 2010 season to a knee injury and has since undergone microfracture surgery. With long odds that Smith will get back to the height of his abilities, the speedy Jernigan could become a vital part of the Giants offense as a slot receiver who can find open space in the middle of the field.
To-Do List: There aren't any glaring holes on the Giants roster, but there are a few places, like linebacker and offensive line, where an infusion of youth is still necessary. But in free agency, all eyes will be on running back, where both Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are set to hit the open market. The Giants' backfield could look quite different in 2011.
Washington Redskins 2011 Draft Class
Round
Position
Player
School
1
LB
Ryan Kerrigan
Purdue
2
DT
Jarvis Jenkins
Clemson
3
WR
Leonard Hankerson
Miami (Fla.)
4
RB
Roy Helu
Nebraska
5
S
DeJon Gomes
Nebraska
5
WR
Niles Paul
Nebraska
6
RB
Evan Royster
Penn State
6
WR
Aldrick Robinson
SMU
7
CB
Brandyn Thompson
Boise State
7
OL
Maurkice Hurt
Florida State
7
LB
Markus White
Florida State
7
NY
Chris Nield
West Virginia
Draft Recap: In a vast departure from their draft strategy in recent years, the Redskins were big-time movers in the 2011 draft, acquiring future picks throughout the draft and adding a league-high 12 players. It all started when the Redskins traded the No. 10 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the 16th overall pick and a second-round pick. At No. 16, the Redskins added Kerrigan, a pass rusher to complement Brian Orakpo, though there are questions as to whether Kerrigan is an ideal fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Watch Out For: There are many potential gems in the 'Skins' haul, from the three wide receivers to their Mr. Irrelevant, Nield, who has a chance to make an impact as a nose tackle. But the player who could make the most immediate impact is Helu, who averaged over 6.5 yards per carry as a senior. It wouldn't be a surprise if Helu beats out the likes of Ryan Torain, Keiland Williams and Royster to be the team's leading rusher in 2011.
To-Do List: Even with their multitude of picks, the Redskins failed to address two of their most pressing needs. Cornerback remains a big question mark beyond DeAngelo Hall, with Carlos Rogers set to hit free agency. But even that pales in comparison to the quarterback situation; where John Beck, he of the four career starts and 62.0 career passer rating, is the apparent incumbent. Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman are unlikely to return, so expect the Redskins to look for a veteran signal-caller come free agency.
