No Hype: April 2011

I usually do a billion mock drafts but this year I decided to just do two. Since there was no free agency, there hasn't been any roster movement. Player evaluations change everyday so I thought it was best to do one mock draft before the combine and then one right before the draft. The one I'm posting today is for the first two rounds, so we will see how accurate I was in a few days...

1. Carolina Panthers – Marcell Dareus, DT Alabama
Before you jump the gun, this is not a typo. Yes, I realize I don’t have Cam Newton being selected number one. Here is my reasoning…As much as I like Cam as a player, he isn’t worth the first pick in this draft. I think he has the talent to be a very successful quarterback one day but it will take some time. This is time that the Panthers can’t afford to waste. Not only is Cam coming from a spread offense, that is rarely seen in the NFL but he also had a very simple play book at Auburn. He has even admitted this. If you haven’t already, watch Grudens QB Camp on ESPN and pay close attention to when Cam Newton diagrams a play and then watch when some of the other QB’s diagram a play. It’s clear that he will be a step behind the other QB’s from a playbook stand point. With that said, the Panthers should go with the best player and or the biggest need. I personally have Dareus rated has the best player overall, above Patrick Peterson and AJ Green and he fits a major need. Panthers do your selves a favor and take the safe pick.

Obviously, the second option here is Cam Newton. A sleeper pick would be AJ Green. Last receiver taken number one was Keyshawn Johnson in 1996.

2. Denver Broncos – Patrick Peterson, CB LSU
This is a tough pick and I didn’t get much help looking at mock drafts because everyone had Cam Newton going first, so they put Dareus second with the Broncos. The Broncos are in a weird situation. They keep saying they are interested in a QB but how is that possible with Tim Tebow, Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn on the roster. They are also switching from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense, which means major player personnel changes in their front seven. If Dareus was here, I’d say he is the easy choice, but he shouldn’t be here. I’m a big fan of Nick Fairley and wouldn’t be mad if he was taken here but I do think that is a little too high for him. Patrick Peterson has instant playmaker written all over him. He will get to learn under Champ Bailey and won’t be asked to cover other team’s number one wide receivers this year. This would be a great situation for him and the team.

3. Buffalo Bills – Cam Newton, QB Auburn
Now this is where Cam Newton belongs. There is no other team that deserves a player with Cam Newton’s potential as much as the Bills. This team hasn’t been good since the “Music City Miracle.” Their defense is slowly coming around and now it is time to draft the QB of the future. Cam will get to groom in Chan Gailey’s system for awhile, as he plays behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. Assuming there is a rookie salary cap, there is an even higher incentive for the Bills to draft a QB this high and not rush to play him because his salary won’t be as high as many early picks in the past. We have all seen what Cam is capable of on the field, now he just needs time to develop into a pro QB.

4. Cincinnati Bengals – Blaine Gabbert, QB Missouri
I’m going to be honest. I’m not in love with this pick. The only reason I have Blaine Gabbert here is because it makes sense. The Bengals have a very young core of players. The two veterans on the team that immediately come to mind (Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer), want out. I assume Ocho Cinco will not get his wish but with Palmer claiming that he would rather retire than come back to the Bengals, it is time to move on. The situation sounds like a bridge that will never be repaired, so the Bengals should draft their future QB now. From what I’ve seen, there isn’t much to get too excited about with Gabbert. In fact, most people had never even heard of him until after the season. The kid has a decent arm, he’s very athletic and kind of looks like Ken (the Barbie Doll). He will definitely be a marketable player and will be an easy sell to the Cincinnati fans as the new face of the franchise. He had a productive year, throwing for over 3,000 yards and led his team to a 10-3 record, including a win over Oklahoma. What scares me is that he only threw 14 touchdowns and tallied nine interceptions. That’s not a very good ratio for the number four pick in the draft. I wish he had won his bowl game but Missouri suffered a heartbreaker to Iowa. I say all this to say, Gabbert has no business being picked fourth overall. I think he would be better suited going eighth to the Tennessee Titans but with the situation the Bengals are in, Gabbert should be the choice.

Another option here would be AJ Green. That doesn’t make as much sense as Gabbert but Green is a much better player right now.

5. Arizona Cardinals – Von Miller, OLB/DE Texas A&M
Von Miller…Wow, I haven’t seen a pass rusher get this much hype since Gaines Adams. It is amazing to me how much Von Miller has flown up the draft boards since the Bowl games ended. Don’t get me wrong, Miller is a great player and I think he will have a successful career but there is no way I’d rate him a top-3 player in the draft. He is definitely an elite pass rusher in this class, but that’s the only thing he does that truly impresses me. I assume he will land on a team that runs a 3-4 defense, where he is allowed to chase the QB all game. That would be great for his career, which is why I think Arizona is a perfect fit for him. Their front seven is decent but what they are really lacking is someone coming off the edge and that is where Von Miller will make his money.

6. Cleveland Browns – AJ Green, WR Georgia
I’m not sure if this is possible but I believe AJ Green has been underrated during this scouting process. The guy is a complete animal and will give opposing defensive backs problems for years. If teams drafted by best player on the board, there is no way Green makes it to pick number six. I think this is a match made in heaven and if he is still on the board, Browns execs will be drooling. The Browns are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense, so many people think they should focus on making that transition easier but let’s be honest, what kind of message would they be sending Colt McCoy if Green is on the board and they didn’t take him.

7. San Francisco – Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska
This pick will probably catch people off guard. In my opinion, the 49ers two main needs are an elite pass rusher and a franchise QB. Unfortunately, the way this mock has worked out, the two top QB’s have already been selected and so has the top pass rusher. Robert Quinn makes a lot of sense here, but medical reports showed he used to have a brain tumor and while it is gone now, it could return in the future. It really sucks how things you can’t control dictate your life and sometimes your money (I’ll get to this later). With Quinn having medical issues and missing the last year’s season because of suspension, the 49ers should take a safer pick. Amukamara is a very solid player and should be a play maker from day one.

8. Tennessee Titans – Nick Fairley, DT Auburn
Nick Fairley is one of my favorite players in the draft. I loved watching him play all year. I’ve seen some of the negative things scouts say about him and I agree with most of the things I’ve seen. He does take plays off and he does have “character issues.” Nick Fairley is human and shouldn’t be expected to be perfect. Yes, he takes a few plays off but a lot of players in the NFL do. A lot of good players in the NFL take plays off. Look at the film and you will see that when he is playing hard, he is unblockable. Another thing to note is that Fairley is a clutch time player. He knows when to bring it and when his team is depending on him for a big play. The whole character issue thing is over blown. Many people say he is a dirty player. I’d say he plays with a nasty streak. It is funny how once you get labeled something it sticks. Rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (a player I loved and if you check my mocks from last year, you will see I was praying he landed in Tampa) had several “dirty” plays this year but everyone swept it under the rug because well, we all love Suh. For whatever reason, Fairley isn’t liked by many people and every little thing about him gets blown out of proportion. If you question Fairley, watch his workouts (some of the quickest feet I have ever seen from a defensive tackle) and then watch the game film. Fairley isn’t a Hall of Famer but he will be a very productive player at the next level. Go ahead and quote me on that.

9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith, T USC
The Cowboys looked horrible last year and for that reason they have the ninth pick in the draft. Normally we would be looking for them to make the sexy pick, but because their offensive line stunk last year they are forced to upgrade up front. Tyron is a very athletic tackle. In fact he used to play tight end at USC before he moved to tackle. The question with him is will he be able to play left tackle or will he have to stay at right tackle? The good news for the Cowboys is they could use both, so either way it’s a win-win for them.

10. Washington Redskins – Julio Jones, WR Alabama
I think this is a pick that most people had penciled in months ago. Then Julio Jones left us all in ah after his workout at the combine. As much as that workout made me want to move him up in my mock, I just couldn’t see it. I also secretly would love to see him as a Redskin. The only way this could be ruined is if AJ Green goes higher than sixth, forcing the Browns to take Julio Jones or if the Skins make a bad call and draft a pass rusher. Robert Quinn and Aldon Smith would both probably be good picks but Jones is just a better player.

11. Houston Texans – Robert Quinn, DE/OLB UNC
Robert Quinn is one of my favorite players in the draft. In my last mock, when he at the time was being underrated, I said that once the combine came and scouts really starting evaluating him, his stock would rise. Well I was right…well sort of. What I did not know was that he had a brain tumor in the past and that some scouts question him as a stand up linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Somehow his stock grew tremendously but I still have him getting drafted outside of the top-10 like most people originally had. Where ever he lands I anticipate Quinn rewarding the team that believed in him and causing havoc to opposing offensive linemen for many years. It will be interesting to compare Von Miller and Robert Quinn’s careers in about four or five years.

12. Minnesota Vikings – Ryan Mallett, QB Arkansas
If I had to guess, I’d say the Vikings will trade this pick. But if they stay put, they should target Ryan Mallett. He is the only QB in this draft that is ready to play right now. He has the size, the arm strength and the accuracy. He is not very athletic which may be an issue in the pocket but when you look at the stats, he was sacked 25 times which isn’t great but that is only two more times than Christian Ponder, Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert who are all considered much better athletes. Mallett can throw anywhere on the field and the Vikings were in the NFC Championship two years ago. They aren’t rebuilding, they just need a QB. They should go with the guy that is ready to play now and lean on Adrian Peterson to carry the offense.

13. Detroit Lions – Anthony Castonzo, T Boston college
The Lions need defensive back help badly. With Prince off the board they need to worry about protecting their injury prone QB. As we have seen in the past, the Lions will go as far as Matthew Stafford takes them, so they need to keep him healthy. Castonzo is a great tackle and is probably being considered by the Cowboys as well.

14. St. Louis Rams – Corey Liuget, DT Illinois
Cory Liuget is a player not many people know much about. Trust me when I tell you that the Rams have done their homework on him and if they can’t find a way to get Julio Jones, then they will likely address the defensive line. Liuget should be able to bolster the weak defensive front the Rams have and make life for their linebackers a little easier.

15. Miami Dolphins – Mike Pouncey, C/G Florida
The Dolphins are in an interesting situation. At pick 15 they are in the area where it is safe to gamble. They also are a team that has several needs. With the future of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams unclear Mark Ingram would be a good selection here. There offensive line could use help across the board so Mike Pouncey is a good fit but so are any of the remaining tackles. Lastly, the Dolphins could quit on Chad Henne and draft the QB of the future. While all those picks make sense, I think Mike Pouncey has the best value at pick 15. They can address the running back and possible quarterback needs in the 2nd round if they want.

Random Note: Mike Pouncey visited with the Cowboys a few weeks ago and later tweeted that he was going to be a Cowboy. I found that to be odd but maybe he revealed the Cowboys plans to trade back and select Pouncey. It will be interesting to see how this plays out on draft day.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aldon Smith, DE/OLB Missouri
The Jaguars need help in a lot of areas but defensive line is the biggest need. They drafted a defensive tackle in the first round last year and now it is time to get a pass rusher. They have had bad luck drafting pass rushers in the past but I have a good feeling about Aldon Smith.

17. New England Patriots – JJ Watt, DE/DT Wisconsin
I have JJ Watt as a top-10 talent in this draft, which gives me more of the reason to believe he will somehow fall to the Patriots. What can I say, like them or hate them, the Patriots know how to draft. Watt would come in and fill the void left by Richard Seymour a few years ago. He is a very solid player who will likely go unnoticed for most of his career but he plays hard and does his job. Watt won’t be the pass rusher that the Patriots need but with five picks in the first two rounds, they can address the pass rusher need later.

18. San Diego Chargers – Cameron Jordan, DE California
Cameron Jordan is an interesting prospect. From what I’ve seen from him, he doesn’t jump out at me as a special talent. He is a versatile defensive end that can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3 system. A lot scouts love him and expect him to be a play maker instantly. I personally just don’t see it, but eh, what do I know? Enjoy Cameron Jordan Chargers.

19. New York Giants – Mark Ingram, RB Alabama
I feel bad for Mark Ingram. In three years at Alabama he won the Heisman Trophy, led his team to a National Championship, rushed for over 3,000 yards, had 42 rushing touchdowns and never averaged under five yards per carry. People compare him to Emmitt Smith but yet scouts still question his impact at the next level. There is no doubt that he is the best running back in the draft but his stock is all over the place. I’ve heard he could go as high as the Redskins or as low as the early second round. If you look at his stats and then watch his game film, the only question anyone should be asking is what else does he have to prove? If the Giants can’t get the offensive lineman they are targeting I hope they grab Ingram. He could instantly become the best back in the NFC East.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB Purdue
As much as I’d love to talk about how happy I was that Tampa Bay surprised everyone last year and won an astounding 10 games but somehow did not make the playoffs, I won’t. The truth of the matter is that we played a very very very weak schedule and we took advantage of it like we were supposed to. Injuries and the lack of a pass rush plagued the team all season and ultimately became the reason the Bucs didn’t make it to the post season. There is no secret that Raheem Morris is targeting a defensive end in the first round and if Ryan Kerrigan is available he will be a great fit. He isn’t a standout pass rusher but he is very solid; he has the ability to get to the QB and he has an extremely high motor. Watching him play reminds me a lot of Clay Matthews in college. Note that I said in college and not the manimal that destroyed the league this year for the Packers. If Da’Quan Bowers is still on the board it will be tough to pass on him but with defensive end being such a huge need, the Bucs should go with the safe pick.

21. Kansas City Chiefs – Justin Houston, DE/OLB Georgia
The Chiefs should target an offensive lineman with this pick but I have a feeling they will go pass rusher. This draft is loaded this defensive line prospects and many of them will come off the board in the first round so I can understand the Chiefs taking one with pick 21. I think Justin Houston is a little overrated and should be drafted between picks 25-35 but he does fit a need that the Chiefs have. Hopefully he will be a more productive player than I’m predicting.

22. Indianapolis Colts – Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA
The Indianapolis Colts had a rough season. It almost seemed like every week a new player went down with an injury. My gut is telling me that if Gabe Carimi is still on the board like I think he will be, that they should draft him but for some reason I can’t see them passing on Akeem Ayers. They desperately need outside linebacker help and Ayers can fill the void. The Colts are one of those teams that can draft offensive linemen in the middle and late rounds of the draft and turn them into starters. Ayers is a first round talent and would fit in well with their defense.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Da’Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
Finally, we get to a team that is willing to take a chance on Da’Quan Bowers. Remember back at pick number seven when I said it is unfair how sometimes things you can't control alter your fate or your money. Well I was mainly referring to Bowers and his knee injury. If he ends up falling this far it will be a sad sad story. A few months ago this guy was a lock for the first or second pick. Now scouts question the severity of his knee injury. He and his agent say he is fine but if you saw his pro day, he didn’t look fine. Of course he is still rehabbing the knee but will it ever back to 100%? That’s the million dollar question or in Bowers case 50 million dollar question. It is easy to pick on someone when they are down and that is what scouts have done to this kid. Once we found out his knee was hurt more than anyone thought, all of a sudden everyone questioned his play on the field. Yes, he had a breakout year with 16 sacks but why did the former number one recruit in the nation according to ESPN only have four total sacks in his first two years? Does he play he play hard every down? Does he have the explosiveness off the line that it will take to be an elite pass rusher? These are all questions that GM’s and scouts are asking each other about this kid and as of right now, most teams are not willing to take the chance. At pick 23 the Eagles don’t have much to lose. If Bowers doesn’t pan out it would be a low risk pick at this point but if he does play like the top-5 talent everyone initially thought he was, then the Eagles have the steal of the draft.

24. New Orleans Saints – Kyle Rudolph, TE Notre Dame
Saints are a Super Bowl contender that doesn’t have a ton of holes. They could use some help on the defensive front and at linebacker but I think Rudolph is the best value pick for them. Rudolph will step in and instantly be an upgrade from Jeremy Shockey. The passing game will become even more dangerous because not only is Rudolph athletic for his size but he is also a very smart player. He understands how to read a defense and where he needs to be so the QB can get him the ball. On top of that he is an underrated run blocker which will help the Saints poor running game. Linebacker and defensive line depth can be found in the later rounds.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Jake Locker, QB Washington
This is a pick that I think is perfect for both the player and the team. No one denies that Jake Locker is a hard-nosed QB with a ton of talent. What people hate about him is his accuracy in the pocket. The good news for him is that accuracy is not a god given ability; it is something he can perfect over time with thousands of reps in practice. Locker belongs in Seattle…They need a franchise QB of the future and he will be the hometown hero (He played at the University of Washington). Pete Carroll knows a lot about Locker and likes him. Locker actually upset Pete Carroll’s USC Trojans two years ago, so if you can’t beat em, join em. He will have the opportunity to sit and learn under Matt Hasselback for at least a year and then Pete Carroll can throw him in the trenches when he feels he is ready. I absolutely love this pick.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Temple
As I previously stated in my first mock, the Ravens seem like that team that will always be in the hunt but will never get over the hump. With that said, as dominant as their defense may seem, it can use a lot of work. The secondary is average, they need another pass rusher, they should consider grooming someone to be Ray Lewis’s replacement and they need help on the defensive line. If you’re paying attention I pretty much just said they need help at every level on defense. Muhammad Wilkerson was a very productive player at Temple. In three years he tallied a whopping 139 tackles playing defensive tackle! At 6’4 315 lbs he will not only plug up gaps but he has also shown signs of great pass rushing ability.

27. Atlanta Falcons – Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
Adrian Clayborn was a player I was high on a few months ago but apparently scouts aren’t as high on him as I was. Some people think he could fall to the second round but I have a hard time believing that. I think he would be a good fit for an Atlanta Falcons team that has been trying to build a stout defensive front but hasn’t seen the progression they would like up to this point.

28. New England Patriots – Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
With five picks in the first two rounds the Patriots will likely do a lot of maneuvering during the draft. Many people anticipate them moving back a lot and targeting specific players and trading picks to get picks in next year’s draft. I think they should only trade back if they really need to. If guys they like are on the board when they are picking, they should take them. No need to plan for next year because you never know what will happen. Take these five early picks and surround Tom Brady with more help and a better defense. He isn’t getting any younger but with a successful draft they can extend their window of opportunity. They need to address the offensive line at some point and if they can grab Carimi, it should be a no brainer.

29. Chicago Bears – Nate Solder, OT Colorado
The Bears over achieved last year and the truth is they have a lot of positions that need to be upgraded. Their season ended last year because Jay Cutler got hurt, so their number one priority should be protecting him in Mike Martz pass friendly offense.

30. New York Jets – Phil Taylor, DT Baylor
The Jets need to upgrade their front seven on defense. They could use a pass rusher and someone to command double teams on the line. Phil Taylor is a massive player and will gladly accept the role as the block absorber. The Jets will be happy with this pick.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jimmy Smith, CB Colorado
The Steelers defense got shredded by the Packers in the Super Bowl. At times it looked like they were playing with 10 men not 11 on the field. The secondary MUST be upgraded. There are three players that would be a good fit. Jimmy Smith, Aaron Williams and Brandon Harris would all likely start immediately, at least as the nickel back. I think Jimmy Smith is the most talented of the three and the only reason he isn’t a top-15 pick is because of character issues. The Steelers are no strangers to players with character issues and with a veteran group already in place, Jimmy Smith should be fine.

32. Green Bay Packers – Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio St
For the past few weeks all I’ve been hearing is that the Packers will target a pass rusher off the edge or a running back with their first round pick. I think those are both good ideas if: A. Mark Ingram is still on the board and if B. Justin Houston is still on the board. Since I don’t think either will be available they should address the defensive line. Cameron Heyward is a player with a ton of talent but he just doesn’t have the high motor you’d like to see from him. If Green Bay drafts him, he will fit in well as a rotational player and won’t need to worry about saving any energy.

33. New England Patriots – Jonathan Baldwin, WR Pittsburgh
The New England Patriots have everything on offense except and elite running back and a receiver that can stretch the field. Jonathan Baldwin does one thing really well and that’s run fly routes. He has the size and athletic ability to beat most corners and win any jump ball. He should be able to fill the small shoes that Randy Moss left before getting traded.

34. Buffalo Bills – Derek Sherrod, OT Mississippi St
If the Bills get Cam Newton in the first round they need to find someone that will protect him. Derek Sherrod makes a lot of sense here if he is still available. They can also look at a pass rusher but I think Sherrod is a better player than any of the pass rushers that will still be on the board at this point.

35. Cincinnati Bengals – Aaron Williams, CB/S Texas
Assuming the Bengals go QB in the first round, they should look to upgrade their defense in the second round. Aaron Williams is a versatile player that can cover the slot as a corner but will likely find safety as his natural position. This is the same team that started “Can’t Cover Roy Williams.” It’s time to move on.

36. Denver Broncos – Marvin Austin, DT UNC
If Denver is unable to get Marcell Dareus they need to look for a defensive tackle in the second round. Marvin Austin is a first round talent but because he sat out a year, his stock has dropped a little. If he is still on the board the Broncos should take him immediately.

37. Cleveland Browns – Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB Pittsburgh
Jabaal Sheard was a very productive player at the collegiate level. As a junior he thrived while playing opposite of Greg Romeus. As a senior he dominated and earned Big East Defensive Player of the Year honors, while playing injured. He had an off the field issue where he threw a man through a window (as the story goes, throwing him through the window wasn’t enough. He proceeded to beat him up on the ground, even as cops attempted to control him) in defense of one of his teammates but other than that he is a great kid! He sounds like someone I want on my team if I’m going to battle.

38. Arizona Cardinals – Brandon Harris, CB Miami
The Cardinals would love to get their hands on Patrick Peterson but if he isn’t available they can still fill their corner back need with a player like Brandon Harris. Harris wasn’t very productive last year but if Sam Shields from the Packers is an indicator of anything, maybe Miami just didn’t know how to use these guys.

39. Tennessee Titans – Christian Ponder, QB Florida St
The Titans must come away with a QB in this draft. They have two rounds to make it happen. Assuming they don’t take one early they should have their choice of three or four solid guys to choose from. Christian Ponder should be a good fit in Tennessee. He doesn’t have the “wow” factor that some of the other QB’s in this draft have but he is a solid player and unlike Vince Young, he isn’t crazy.

40. Dallas Cowboys – Rahim Moore, S UCLA
The Cowboys need secondary help if they are going to improve next year. Two of their divisional opponents have very explosive passing games, so they will need to counter that. Rahim Moore is a very solid player and if he played a position of higher value he would be a first round pick. He will start from day one.

41. Washington Redskins – Andy Dalton, QB TCU
If the Skins play their cards right they will come away with their franchise QB and receiver of the future. I think drafting Andy Dalton and Julio Jones with their first two picks is the dream scenario. The offense will instantly be revamped and they can start working on how they are getting Donovan McNabb out of town.

42. Houston Texans – Stephen Paea, DT Oregon St
I originally saw Stephen Paea as a possible top-10 talent. Unfortunately, he blew his knee out during a Senior Bowl practice and his stock plummeted shortly after. The good news is that he set a record for most bench press reps at the combine with 49 (UNREAL) and his knee appears to be rehabbing well. There is always the question if a man his size will ever fully recover after knee surgery but in the second round he is worth the risk. Assuming all goes well, Houston will love his production.

43. Minnesota Vikings – Allen Bailey, DE Miami
Because of the lockout, the Vikings have no idea what will happen with free agent defensive end Ray Edwards. They should take Allen Bailey as insurance.

44. Detroit Lions – Danny Watkins, G/T Baylor
I mentioned earlier that the Lions need to focus on protecting Matthew Stafford. If Danny Watkins is still on the board they need to grab him. Watkins may get taken late in the first round but he will likely slip to the second round because he is 26 years old. I know you are wondering why he is 26 and just finishing college, so I’ll tell you. Danny was a firefighter for four years before pursuing his college football career.

45. San Francisco 49ers – Brooks Reed, DE/OLB Arizona
Brooks Reed is a talented pass rusher who has seen his stock all over the place. The Packers like him a lot, so he could be drafted in the first round but I think he will likely be taken by the 49ers at pick 45.

46. Denver Broncos – Martez Wilson, MLB Illinois
Martez Wilson is the best middle linebacker in the draft. Unfortunately linebackers aren’t valued very high (unless you are a pass rusher). He is a first round talent but because of the position he plays, he will fall to the second round. With the Broncos changing defenses they need to draft their defensive leader now.

47. St. Louis Rams – Leonard Hankerson, WR Miami
Assuming the Rams don’t land Julio Jones, they will have a decent crop of receivers to choose from in the second round. Leonard Hankerson will be the most polished of those available so they should go with him. He will start from day one.

48. Oakland Raiders – Stefen Wisniewski, C/G Penn St
An article I read recently, stated that Stefen Wisniewski’s uncle played 13 years under Al Davis and is currently an assistant coach for the Raiders…Sounds like this pick is written in stone.

49. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia
The Jaguars need secondary help, so a corner would be a good pick here. Plus, how could you pass on a guy named Ras-I Dowling?

50. San Diego Chargers – Torrey Smith, WR Maryland
The Vincent Jackson saga is not over. He was franchised in February, which means there will be more contract disputes after this season. Torrey Smith is a speedster from Maryland and can be a productive slot receiver right now as he develops into a starter.

51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bruce Carter, OLB UN C
The Bucs somehow got by with an average defense last year. I wouldn’t count on that happening again. They have a few major needs that they need to fill. One of them is outside linebacker. Bruce Carter was a very solid and consistent player at UNC. Even this year when they were playing with several backups in the lineup because of suspensions, Carter still produced at a high level. Assuming he is still there at pick 51, the Bucs should grab him with no hesitation.

52. New York Giants – Rodney Hudson G/C Florida St
The Giants grabbed their franchise running back in the first round and now it is time to find some people to block for him. Hudson can play guard or center, which will always keep him in the rotation.

53. Indianapolis Colts – Benjamin Ijalana, OT/G Villanova
Earlier I mentioned how the Colts are the type of team that can draft linemen in the middle and late rounds and make them starters. Well this is the second round but Ijalana is a player that most people have never heard of. That is because he played at Villanova, a school that most people didn’t know had a football team. Regardless, Ijalana is a massive specimen and looked great in his workouts. He may not start immediately but he will be insurance if they run into injuries again.

54. Philadelphia Eagles – Colin Kaepernick, QB Nevada
This is a little bit of a surprise pick but if you think about it, it really makes sense. It is almost a guarantee that Kevin Kolb will be traded. Too many teams have a need for a QB of his talent and experience for the Eagles to hold on to him as a backup. Michael Vick was electrifying last year but his body started to wear down towards the end of the season. He isn’t a very big guy and he is already 30. The Eagles should draft some insurance in case Vick gets hurt and Kaepernick is the perfect solution. He is an athletic QB who will fit well in the Eagles’ offense. He will have plenty of time to learn and groom under Vick and maybe one day he will take over the starting job.

55. Kansas City Chiefs – Titus Young, WR Boise St
The Chiefs need a number two wide receiver. I’m a big fan of Dexter McCluster but there is no way he should be the number two receiver. Titus Young was extremely productive at Boise St and his game should translate well to the NFL. Dwayne Bowe will be happy teams can’t triple team him anymore.

56. New Orleans Saints—Quan Sturdivant, MLB UNC
This pick is a reach but when you don’t have many holes you have to focus on what you need. Jonathan Vilma is a great player but he should be playing outside linebacker. If the Saints draft Sturdivant, then Vilma can move over to outside linebacker. The Saints can also consider Casey Matthews or Colin McCarthy.

57. Seattle Seahawks – Mikel LeShoure, RB Illinois
The Seattle Seahawks did well by taking Marshawn Lynch off of the Bills hands last year. Now they need to take another running back that can play with Lynch. Mikel LeShoure is a great player and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went in the first round to either the Saints or the Packers.

58. Baltimore Ravens – Sam Acho, DE/OLB Texas
Last year the Ravens took a dominant pass rusher in Sergio Kindle and he suffered a severe injury before he even signed his contract. Kindle may never return to true form again so the Ravens should take a pass rusher just in case. Kind of interesting that Sam Acho is another sack artist from Texas just as Kindle was.

59. Atlanta Falcons – Orlando Franklin, G Miami
This is simple, the Falcons will go as far as Matt Ryan takes them…He needs to be protected.

60. New England Patriots – Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech
I have a feeling the Patriots will push this move off as long as possible but at some point they will need to draft a long-term reliable running back. Ryan Williams can be that player and if they get him at the end of the second round, it will be a steal.

61. San Diego Chargers – Quinton Carter, S Oklahoma
The Chargers don’t have a ton of holes but they could use help at safety. Quinton Carter is a very skilled player and he should compete for a starting job early.

62. Chicago Bears – Kenrick Ellis, DT Hampton
The Bears upgraded the offensive line in the first round with Nate solder and now it is time to upgrade the defensive line with Kenrick Ellis.

63. Pittsburgh Steelers – Will Rackley, OT/G Lehigh
The Steelers made a great pick by drafting Pouncey last year. The offensive line still needs to be upgraded, so Will Rackley should be the pick here.

64. Green Bay Packers – Dontay Moch, DE/OLB Nevada
The Packers didn’t come away with a pass rusher in the first round but Moch would be a great selection at the end of the second round. This could be a little bit of a reach for him but a player with his athletic ability won’t be waiting for them in the third round. They should take Moch while they can.