Partner Pulse

By DEREK STEPHENS
The Blue Bird Herd

Here’s a look at a few potential reaches as well as a couple of possible steals from the first round ...

Steals
Detroit Lions – Nick Fairley (DT – Auburn) - 13th Overall
Fairley’s maturity and consistency has been called into question after only one strong college year prior to entry into the draft. But that one year showed a combination of size, instincts and explosiveness that is unmatched by any other DT in this year’s crop. On tape, there’s no doubt that this guy is not an accident, and he knows what he’s doing out there. Putting him next to Ndomukong Suh should round out a tandem of DTs that could terrorize opposing QBs and O-lines for the next decade. Fairley had been projected as the possible top pick overall, only a few weeks ago, so the fall to 13 is a huge potential steal for Detroit.

Reaches
Atlanta Falcons – Julio Jones (WR – Alabama) – 6th overall (traded up)
The Falcons gave up a load of picks (this year and next) for the opportunity to move up and grab Jones. This reach is less about the player and more about the price. Jones is a solid prospect with good potential, but he would have been available further down. The Falcons simply got taken to school here by Mike Holmgren and the Cleveland brass. Perhaps they felt so strongly that they’re only a key piece or two away from contending that it was worth paying a premium to get one of those pieces. Good player, but questionable price.

Click here to see more reaches and steals in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Read more of Derek Stephens at The Blue Bird Herd.