1-16 17-32 2nd Round 3rd Round 4th Round 5th Round 6th Round 7th Round
33. Miami Dolphins- QB Colin Kaepernick (Nevada)
Trade:
New England receives pick 2-7 (510) and pick 4-14 (74)
Miami receives pick 2-1 (580)
Miami moves again, this time up, to secure Colin Kaepernick, leapfrogging Buffalo, Cincinnati, Arizona, and Denver, all who have shown interest in quarterbacks, to do so. At the price of a 4th rounder, it’s worth it. New England, meanwhile, moves down again, as they always seem to. They don’t feel there are any players they want here that can’t be had at 39.
34. Buffalo Bills- TE Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame)
The Bills pass on another quarterback here, passing on Andy Dalton after passing on Blaine Gabbert in the first. Adam Schefter seems to think that they aren’t going to take a quarterback early, instead going with Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2011 with a better supporting cast. Normally I wouldn’t agree with this decision, but this quarterback class is so bad, and so many teams need quarterbacks, it doesn’t make any sense to reach for a quarterback. Waiting until 2012 seems like the smart move. Yes, I did just say the word “Bills” and “smart move” in the same sentence. Rudolph gives them a much needed upgrade at tight end. Their leading receiver at tight end last year had 12 catches for 111 yards. That’s not good.
35. Cincinnati Bengals- QB Andy Dalton (TCU)
Carson Palmer’s not walking through that door. Some might argue that’s a good thing. Dalton is an excellent fit for their west coast offense under new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and the Bengals have predictably shown a lot of interest in him this offseason.
36. Denver Broncos- DT Marvin Austin (North Carolina)
Again building that defensive line, they need more than one upgrade at defensive tackle, where they have next to nothing currently. Getting Nick Fairley, Da’Quan Bowers, and Marvin Austin allows them to shore up their defensive line and still have a couple picks in the 3rd round to work with. Remember, they also have Tennessee’s 2nd rounder in 2012 and a trade chip in Kyle Orton. It’s fine if they don’t fill all their needs this offseason. This isn’t a one year rebuilding project, unless Tim Tebow becomes an elite quarterback in his 2nd season. This is going to be a long term thing, at least two years.
37. Cleveland Browns- DE Adrian Clayborn (Iowa)
They desperately need help on their new 4 man line. Their top 2 defensive ends going into next season are Matt Roth, who hasn’t played in a 4-3 as a pro, and Marcus Bernard, who is too small to play in the trenches. Besides, they only managed 29 sacks last season anyway so pass rushers were a need before they switched schemes. Concerns about Clayborn’s Erb Palsy could drop him into the 2nd round, but not very far into it given how in demand pass rushers are.
38. Arizona Cardinals- CB Jimmy Smith (Colorado)
Character problems drop Smith out of the first round, not his lack of talent. Smith is a top 15 talent at cornerback and the Cardinals get him here at 38. Not only does he fill a big need for a team that ranked 25th against the pass last year, but his size at 6-2 fits what they like in a cornerback. This would be a no brainer pick for them in this situation.
39. New England Patriots- OT Benjamin Ijalana (Villanova)
After moving down 6 spots, the Patriots take Benjamin Ijalana. Ijalana can play right tackle or left tackle for them and gives them a bookend opposite Sebastian Vollmer, wherever they decide to line him up. Matt Light is over 30 and wants a long term deal and I just don’t see him getting it. That’s not the Patriot way.
40. Dallas Cowboys- S Rahim Moore (UCLA)
Alan Ball struggled in his first year at free safety and it’s probably his last. He couldn’t cover and at 185 pounds he was too small to do anything too positive against the run either. They’ll look for replacements through the draft.
41. Washington Redskins- WR Torrey Smith (Maryland)
The Redskins got their quarterback, Jake Locker, by trading down in the first. If history is any indication, this pick will be an offensive player and given their need at wide receiver, I think a wideout like Torrey Smith makes the most sense. Santana Moss is a free agent and wants to go to a contender, while Anthony Armstrong could be upgraded even if Moss were resigned.
42. Houston Texans- CB Brandon Harris (Miami)
They may have concerns about taking a corner in the first round for the 2nd straight year, but they’ll take one at some point. They ranked 31st against the pass and their 2010 #2 corner Glover Quin is likely going to be moving to free safety in 2011.
43. Minnesota Vikings- OT Marcus Cannon (TCU)
Another team that took a quarterback in the first that will likely be looking offense in the 2nd to build around their franchise quarterback. Marcus Cannon can play right tackle for them if they chose to move Phil Loadholt to guard or Cannon could also play guard.
44. Detroit Lions- CB Aaron Williams (Texas)
BPA here also fills a major need as the Lions ranked 26th versus the pass despite 44 sacks. The Lions have shown a lot of interest in Aaron Williams, who could be anywhere from the 3rd to the 6th cornerback off the board this year.
45. San Francisco 49ers- 3-4 DE Christian Ballard (Iowa)
The 49ers passed on Nick Fairley for Robert Quinn at 7, but they take their 3-4 end here. Isaac Sopoaga has played significant snaps for them for 6 years at end and has never managed more than 1.5 sacks in a season. Ballard would be a big upgrade as a pass rusher.
46. Miami Dolphins- RB Mikel Leshoure (Illinois)
Instead of taking Mark Ingram at 15, they move around a little and get Colin Kaepernick and another talented running back in Mikel Leshoure. They also moved up in the 3rd round a little and had to give up their 4th round pick, but I think Dolphins fans would rather have this scenario than just taking Ingram, not filling their quarterback need at all, and keeping their 4th rounder.
47. St. Louis Rams- DT Stephen Paea (Oregon State)
I suspect Steve Spagnuolo is trying to coach up one of the late round ends he took last year to be James Hall’s future replacement, which is why I can’t see them using an early pick on a defensive end. Defensive tackle is a different story. They have nothing after the 34 year old Fred Robbins at defensive tackle and Spags love pass rushers, especially interior pass rushers.
48. Oakland Raiders- CB Ras-I Dowling (Virginia)
Ras-I Dowling ran a 4.37 at 6-1 197. In Al Davis’ mind, this makes him the 2nd greatest cornerback of all time, 2nd to Stanford Routt that is.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars- S Quinton Carter (Oklahoma State)
Adding a defensive end in the first is not going to be enough to upgrade their pass defense. They need actual upgrades in the secondary. Carter is a high character, hard working kid, who Jaguars GM Gene Smith will value higher than most teams.
50. San Diego Chargers- WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh)
I think Baldwin could be a potential surprise possibility at 18 in the first round for the Chargers, so I think they’d jump at the opportunity to get him here at 50. The long term futures of Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson are both up in the air and at 6-4 Baldwin has the size the Chargers love in a receiver. He has first round talent, but I could see him slipping as a result of work ethic and character issues.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DE Allen Bailey (Miami)
Another defensive end? Why not. They’ve managed just 54 sacks in the last 2 years combined so it’s clearly their biggest need. They went back to back with defensive tackles in the first 2 rounds last year when it was their biggest need and they also doubled up on wide receivers. They spent their first rounder on a right end in Justin Houston. Allen Bailey can be their left end.
52. New York Giants- MLB Martez Wilson (Illinois)
The Giants love taking best available and Wilson, the consensus top middle linebacker prospect in this class, represents that at this point in the draft. Linebacker is a major need of theirs as they have questions both inside and out. Wilson can play both inside and outside, but will likely be put at middle linebacker, their biggest need and his more natural position, first.
53. Indianapolis Colts- G Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State)
Another offensive line upgrade for the Colts. This pick just makes too much sense. He’s a perfect fit for their scheme and he fits what they look for in terms of character. He fills a major need and fits their trend of going offense early. Finally, he’s one of the best available here.
54. Washington Redskins- RLB Sam Acho (Texas)
Again, this team has so many needs that they can just take BPA at every pick, with a few exceptions. Here they take Acho to play opposite Brian Orakpo. Andre Carter is a free agent and he also struggled mightily in the 3-4 last year. Acho is a natural fit for the 3-4 and a capable replacement for Carter.
55. Kansas City Chiefs- WR Titus Young (Boise State)
No wide receiver other than Dwayne Bowe caught more than 22 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown last year. Wide receiver has to be their #1 offseason priority. They need to get Matt Cassel some better receivers if they want their big money investment to lead them deep into the playoffs ever. Young, who ran a 4.43 at The Combine and plays faster, is the perfect speed compliment to Dwayne Bowe, more of a possession receiver.
56. New Orleans Saints- RB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
The Saints have a laundry list of questions at the running back position from can Pierre Thomas stay healthy to will Reggie Bush return to why the hell would they give Julius Jones and DeShawn Wynn key carries in a playoff game. Given those questions, Williams is way too talented to pass on at this point.
57. Seattle Seahawks- G Rodney Hudson (Florida State)
Rodney Hudson helps improve their horrendous run blocking. They didn’t run block well at all, with the exception of on that Marshawn Lynch run (that was really the only time all year they did anything right on the ground). Hudson fits the scheme like a glove and after taking Ryan Mallett in the first round, it makes a lot of sense that they’d go offense here.
58. Baltimore Ravens- WR Randall Cobb (Kentucky)
The Ravens brought in Donte Stallworth, Anquan Boldin, and TJ Houshmandzadeh last offseason to give Joe Flacco the weapons he needed to take this team to the Super Bowl in his 3rd season. However, those receivers all underachieved and, one might even argue, cost them the game against Pittsburgh in the playoffs. The problem was they brought in a bunch of old, veteran, possession receivers who couldn’t stretch the field to compliment Derrick Mason who is also an old, veteran, possession receiver who can’t stretch the field.
They need to add a young burner, like Pittsburgh has with Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, this offseason if they want Flacco to take that next step. That’s what Titus Young can do for them.
59. Atlanta Falcons- WR Jerrel Jernigan (Troy)
Roddy White is a great receiver with 371 catches in the last 4 years and 115 last year, but he’s not a burner, someone who can stretch the field. That’s what they need opposite him. They didn’t complete a pass longer than 46 yards last year and their lack of big play ability really hurt them in games against Philadelphia and Green Bay, two explosive offenses that can score in a hurry. They couldn’t keep up and lost both games by double digits.
If they want to make it to the Super Bowl, they’ll probably have to get through those 2 teams, and besides, of all the final 8 teams last year, their receiving corps are the thinnest. Jernigan and his 4.32 speed will be a huge asset to Matt Ryan and company.
60. New England Patriots- WR Leonard Hankerson (Miami)
If their loss to the Jets proves one thing, it’s that they miss Randy Moss. Well maybe not crazy Randy Moss who Tom Brady had to worry about getting the football. They got better after trading him away for a reason. Brady was free to throw to whoever he wanted and his favorite target was the open one. That doesn’t mean they don’t need a deep threat, especially one with size like Hankerson.
Hankerson had good size speed numbers at The Combine with a 4.45 at 6-2 209. He dominated The Senior Bowl, and should have been MVP as he was the reason Christian Ponder’s numbers looked good enough to win him MVP. He also was very productive at Miami last season with 72 catches for 1156 yards and 13 touchdowns running more pro style routes than normal, with inconsistencies at the quarterback position. He’s no one year wonder either as he produced in 2009 with 45 catches for 801 yards and 6 touchdowns. He’s the real deal.
61. San Diego Chargers- RLB Jabaal Sheard (Pittsburgh)
The Chargers probably won’t draft a rush linebacker in the first round, not willing to admit their mistake with 2009 1st round pick Larry English who has not panned out. However, with 5 picks in the first 3 rounds, they’ll take one at some point.
62. Chicago Bears- CB Davon House (New Mexico State)
The NFL is a reactionary league as much as it is a copycat league. The Bears’ biggest rivals are the Green Bay Packers, who beat them in the NFC Championship to advance to the Super Bowl, which they ended up winning. Undoubtedly, they are going to be trying to build their team such that it can beat the Packers. Adding more depth at cornerback to counter the Packers’ depth at receiver is necessary to do that.
63. Pittsburgh Steelers- G Orlando Franklin (Miami)
The Steelers need depth up front, especially versatile depth that can play multiple positions. They need help at both guard and tackle and Franklin can play either position, though the general consensus seems to be that he’s better off at guard.
64. Green Bay Packers- G Danny Watkins (Baylor)
Danny Watkins showed at the Senior Bowl that he’s ready to play right now. He might be the best technician of any offensive lineman in this class. He’s that good. He’s also 26, which might scare some teams away. The Packers won’t mind as they’re built to win now. Watkins is an upgrade over Daryn Colledge, the weak link on their offensive line, who is also a free agent this offseason.
Go on to 3rd Round
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