NFL Draft 2011: Predicting Where the Nebraska Cornhuskers Will Be Picked

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A year after Ndamukong Suh went second overall in the NFL draft out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Huskers have several draft prospects eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft.

Leading the pack is cornerback Prince Amukamara, who is projected to be a top 10 pick in the draft.

Niles Paul, Pierre Allen, Roy Helu Jr.,Alex Henery, Keith Williams, Dejon Gomes, Ricky Henry, Mike McNeill and Eric Hagg could all possibly go in the draft.

 

Here are predictions for what teams might take them. 

Round One, Pick No. 9: Dallas Cowboys—CB Prince Amukamara

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Guess who will be visiting Dallas this week?

The Cowboys need to make their secondary better, much better. Amukamara would be a great starting point for that improvement.

While the Cowboys public interest in Amukamara has waned somewhat in the past few weeks, I don't buy into their ploy. There is no way that the Cowboys could reasonably not consider drafting Amukamara.

As Huskers fans know, not drafting Amukamara will become even harder after his private workout this week.

Round Four, Pick No. 5: Cleveland Browns-—WR Niles Paul

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The Browns have a lot of areas they need to address, and wide receiver is one of them.

Paul would give them a strong, physical receiving threat. Even if the Browns do take A.J. Green with their first pick as many experts are predicting, this pick could still happen. That's how much help the Browns need at receiver.

In 2010, the Browns receiving corps was led by a tight end who caught for just 763 yards. Can't you just imagine Colt McCoy throwing to Paul?

Round Four, Pick No. 14: Miami Dolphins—RB Roy Helu Jr.

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Helu is a guy whose stock consistently rose throughout the season and then continued to rise in pre-draft workouts.

If the Dolphins don't take him in the third round, which they might, they will surely take him in the fourth round if he's still there.

The Dolphins seem to be leaning towards quarterback Ryan Mallet in the first round, which means they would have to find a replacement for Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the later rounds.

Helu would be a great fit for them and probably see significant playing time as a rookie.

Round Four, Pick No. 31: Pittsburgh Steelers—DE Pierre Allen

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Allen is a little unlucky that he is in the 2011 draft. Normally, he would be a high-to-mid third-round pick, but the 2011 draft is stocked with defensive ends.

Pittsburgh has two aging defensive ends, but have time to ease a young, talented defensive end into their system. 

Allen and Pittsburgh would make a great fit.

Round Six, Pick No. 24: Denver Broncos—OG Keith Williams

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The Broncos have a need to upgrade at offensive guard, but because of other pressing needs they will likely have to wait until late in the draft to address it.

Lucky for them, Keith Williams will likely be there for them to take. 

Williams was part of a strong 2010 offensive line that helped Roy Helu Jr., Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez put up crazy rushing numbers.

Round Seven, Pick No. 51: Dallas Cowboys—K Alex Henery

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The Cowboys are one of the few teams in the NFL with a need for a kicker.

Henery is about as consistent as you can get, and the Cowboys would surely love to have him. It's possible they may even take him with the 10th pick of the seventh round because they may not want to risk someone else using their last round pick to get Henery. 

Undrafted—Dejon Gomes, Mike McNeill, Eric Hagg and Ricky Henry

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Despite having outstanding careers at Nebraska, these players will slip through the seven rounds of the draft. 

While it's very possible that any of these guys could go in the sixth or seventh round of the draft, especially Hagg and McNeill, it is just as likely that they will not be drafted.

Despite not being drafted, I think all of these guys will end up on an NFL roster somewhere, at some point. Their battle might be a little more uphill, but don't count them out.

 

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