2011 NFL Draft Props – How Will The Top Three Picks Shake Out?

With the NFL Draft now just hours away, it’s never too late to get in some 2011 NFL Draft Props.

Here’s a look at the teams at the top this year, and what directions they may go.

Carolina Panthers First Pick In The Draft Will Be?

Offensive Player: -800

Defensive Player: +450

With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers will select? Even just a few hours to the draft, we’re all still wondering.

Common logic would be that they’d take Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, meaning that you should go offensive with your 2011 NFL Draft Props. However, one has to wonder, after drafting quarterbacks Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike last year, is it the smartest move on their end to take Newton here?

Remember too that the Panthers had one of the worst rush defenses in the league last year, allowing 123 yards on the ground per game. Could Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus or Newton’s Auburn teammate Nick Fairley be the smarter pick?

Still, we’re going to go with what we know, and in a draft with no sure things, Newton seems like as close to it as you’re going to get. The Panthers seem likely that if they keep the No. 1 pick they will take Newton.

Play it safe, and assume the Panthers will take an offensive player in the 2011 NFL Draft Props.

NFL Draft Props: Carolina Will Select An Offensive Player With Their First Pick (-800)

Denver Broncos First Pick In The Draft Will Be?

Offensive Player: +500

Defensive Player: -1000

Next, let’s look at the Denver Broncos, who seem increasingly likely with each passing day to take a defensive player with their first pick, at No. 2 overall. After all, in last year’s draft they did select their quarterback of the future, Mr. Tim Tebow himself.

There is one thing problem though: If Newton does not get taken No. 1 overall, it isn’t totally infeasible that Denver would select him here. It’s important to remember that Josh McDaniels was the coach who selected Tebow in last year’s draft, and he has since been fired. Reports indicate that new head coach John Fox is less than enamored with the second year signal-caller, or the incumbent Kyle Orton.

Still, we’ve got to think that considering Denver finished dead last in the NFL in both total defense and scoring defense (allowing 390 yards and 29.4 points per game), that they’ll go with someone on that side of the ball.

Even with the long odds, that seems like the smartest of all the 2011 NFL Draft Props.

2011 NFL Draft Props: Denver Will Select A Defensive Player with Their First Pick (-1000)

Buffalo Bills First Pick in the Draft Will Be?

Offensive Player: +220

Defensive Player: -300

Despite finishing the 2010 regular season, the Buffalo Bills really weren’t nearly as bad as their record might indicate. They lost three games in overtime, and four games by a field goal each. Simply put, they weren’t that far off from being a .500 club.

Either way, looking at the 2011 NFL Draft Props, we’re going to take a gamble and say that they go with an offensive player; either Newton or Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Understand that Buffalo has an adequate signal-caller right now in Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he’s hardly the long term solution.

Unlike the two teams drafting in front of them, Buffalo can draft a quarterback and be patient with him, and that’s exactly what they’ll do.

Take the Bills to go with an offensive player in your final 2011 NFL Draft Props.

2011 NFL Draft Props: Buffalo Will Select An Offensive Player With Their First Pick (+220)