Cam Newton vs. Von Miller matchup highlights deep talent in 2011 NFL draft

Cam Newton vs. Von Miller matchup highlights deep talent in 2011 NFL draft, Wade Phillips able for the 2011 NFL abstract in hopes of accepting an alfresco linebacker.

Von Miller was there, and the then-Houston Texans arresting coordinator accomplished the Texas A&M brilliant wouldn't abatement to Houston at No. 11. But again there was Aldon Smith out of Missouri. Abstract day came and Smith went in the top 10 as well.

Phillips ample he could move Mario Williams over and grab a amateur out of Wisconsin. The Texans fabricated a arguable pick: J.J. Watt.

Nearly 5 years later, that top 11 is arresting in agreement of the NFL aptitude it produced. Cam Newton went aboriginal overall, and is the MVP frontrunner on the eve of his aboriginal Super Bowl actualization with the Carolina Panthers. Miller is his foe in the game, his additional Super Bowl (he was alone in Denver's endure appellation bold appearance, a accident to the Seattle Seahawks).

The next 5 picks all became Pro Bowlers: Marcell Dareus, A.J. Green, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, and Smith. Tyron Smith went ninth to Dallas and Watt went two picks later.

Several of these players are arguably the best at their positions in the league. Even Smith, who got into off-field agitation afore getting abeyant from the alliance endure year, helped the 49ers to a Super Bowl.

There's more: six added Pro Bowlers went in that aboriginal annular – Robert Quinn, Mike Pouncey, Ryan Kerrigan, Cameron Jordan, Mark Ingram and Muhammad Wilkerson.

That's 15 Pro Bowlers out of 32 first-round picks (so far), and a acceptable MVP.

A lot of these players accept become prototypes: Watt is the ideal canyon rusher, Newton is a new-age quarterback with old-school ability, Miller is a amalgam linebacker-rusher (exactly what Phillips anticipation he'd be), Jones is tall, wide, and fast, and Peterson is exciting and dynamic.

"It was a lot of appropriate guys, man," Newton said this anniversary afore reciting some of the names from memory. "J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Julio Jones, A.J. Green. Sheesh, that's amazing. We are all impacting the bold in some appearance or form."That ability be an understatement; it's harder to brainstorm the Panthers after Newton, the Broncos after Miller, the Texans after Watt, the Cardinals after Peterson or the Falcons after Jones. Even Richard Sherman, drafted in the fifth annular that year, seems as abundant of the bottom of the Seahawks as any added amateur except conceivably Russell Wilson.

The abstract itself was different even afore the aboriginal aces took place. A activity altercation amid the players' abutment and the alliance imperiled the accessible season, and alone a CBA accouterment accustomed the abstract to go forward. Trades of players for picks were forbidden, and Miller was called as a plaintiff in an antitrust accusation adjoin the league.

Despite the tumult, the players at the top of the chic excelled about immediately. Watt, whose name was booed by Texans admirers if it was announced, bound justified his team's choice. Newton, who was compared to adolescent first-rounders Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker, became Rookie of the Year, and Miller battled with Smith for Arresting Rookie of the Year ceremoniousness (which Miller won).

Five of the top 11 from that abstract took allotment in these playoffs, and three fabricated championship games. On Sunday, it will be No. 1 vs. No. 2. And it's Phillips, now a coordinator with Denver, who is tasked with allowance Miller get to Newton.

"Hope they see anniversary added a lot on Sunday," he said.

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