2011 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Bolster Defense, Take Aldon Smith
By on February 22, 2011
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With Oakland Raiders' Pick, Patriots Select Raw Star Out of Missouri
The Patriots have many different routes they can go with the Oakland Raiders' pick. One thing is a guarantee though, they need to bolster their defense.
Some mock drafts have J.J. Watt or Adrian Clayborn going here, and while those are solid fits, I am actually not sold on either of those two as NFL stars. Cameron Jordan is not going to be here either.
Aldon Smith seems to fit very well in the 3-4 scheme the Patriots have. There's no question that he's raw and likely won't be a day one starter, but if he can be groomed to be a force for the long haul, then this could be a steal five years down the road, even though it's a risk now.
1. Carolina: Nick Fairley, DT | 17. New England: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB |
2. Denver: Da'Quan Bowers, DE | 18. San Diego: Corey Liuget, DT |
3. Buffalo: Patrick Peterson, CB | 19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT |
4. Cincinnati: A.J. Green, WR | 20. Tampa Bay: J.J. Watt, DE |
5. Arizona: Robert Quinn, DE | 21. Kansas City: Stephen Paea, DT |
6. Cleveland: Marcell Dareus, DT | 22. Indianapolis: Anthony Castonzo, OT |
7. San Francisco: Von Miller, DE/OLB | 23. Philadelphia: Gabe Carimi, OT |
8. Tennessee: Blaine Gabbert, QB | 24. New Orleans: Justin Houston, OLB |
9. Dallas: Prince Amukamara, CB | 25. Seattle : Mike Pouncey, G |
10. Washington: Cam Newton, QB | 26. Baltimore: Aaron Williams, CB |
11. Houston: Ryan Kerrigan, DE | 27. Atlanta: Cameron Heyward, DE |
12. Minnesota: Cameron Jordan, DE | 28. New England: Torrey Smith, WR |
13. Detroit: Akeem Ayers, OLB | 29. Chicago: Ben Ijalana, OT |
14. St. Louis: Julio Jones, WR | 30. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, DT |
15. Miami: Mark Ingram, RB | 31. Pittsburgh: Brandon Harris, CB |
16. Jacksonville: Jimmy Smith, CB | 32. Green Bay: Adrian Clayborn, DE |
For complete draft coverage, check out our NFL Draft Hub. For a look at a video mock draft, check out All 32 Selections With Video Highlights.
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