The new CBA, including its rookie wage scale, has definitely decreased the price tag for top-five picks, but the repercussions for missing are still huge. Before you have even played a down, before you have even had your first jersey stitched, draft analysts and fans are asking whether you are a star or a bust.

Relive the 2011 NFL Draft by viewing the photos.

Here’s a look back at the incredible journey of Boston College LB Mark Herzlich, who went from projected first-round draft pick following his 2008 junior season to cancer survivor.

It’s not easy keeping Shannon Sharpe quiet for too long, but the loquacious new member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame was kept off the Radio City Music Hall stage — at least temporarily — when the 49ers traded up to take QB Colin Kaepernick with the fourth pick in the second round.

Defensive line saw the biggest move from the previous 10 drafts, with 12 guys getting plucked where an average of just under eight were taken in years prior.

Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books.

It was a very telling point of the NFL draft when the Buccaneers, badly in need of a pass rusher at No. 20, selected Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn. Not that Clayborn was a reach, but that the Bucs chose him over Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers, who is sliding because of concerns over his surgically repaired knee.

NEW YORK — The Bills have taken their share of criticism for poor drafting, which has done plenty to cause them to go 11 consecutive years without a playoff appearance. This year, they seem to have gotten their first pick right — and it didn’t even require a whole lot of effort on their part.

NEW YORK — John Fox kept it fairly simple for his first draft as coach of the Broncos. He is a defensive-minded coach who has always believed that success begins with a strong pass rush.

Fine. I’ll do a mock draft. Seems like everyone else has done it. Then revised it. Then revised it again. Amateurs, all of ‘em. Anyone could list off the top 32 prospects and assign them the NFL team that’d make the most sense. That’s what I call child’s play. If I’m gonna do a mock draft, I’m going deep. So here it is – my mock draft for the seventh round.

Cam Newton is selected first overall at the 2011 NFL Draft.

We are less than 24 hours away from having our most pressing question of the 2011 NFL Draft answered: Will the Panthers take Auburn QB Cam Newton with the top overall selection?

The bigger question, however, is if Newton has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback.

The personal life of Ryan Mallett has been dissected and discussed in the days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, but our Micheal Lombardi believes that the talented quarterback will end up going in the first round. Possibly to the Dolphins.

The question about Cam Netwon‘s ability to be a franchise quarterback is moot, according to our Michael Irvin. The true question is if Carolina has the players that will allow Newton to reach his full potential. Irvin talks about that and more.

According to NFL.com analyst and legendary Dallas Cowboys personnel guru Gil Brandt, six linebackers have been drafted in the top 10 during the past decade with less-than-fantastic results … like having only one Pro Bowl appearance collectively.