2011 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Bolster Defense, Take Aldon Smith

By (Featured Columnist) 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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