2011 NFL Mock Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars Make Call for Boilermaker Kerrigan

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In the 2011 NFL Mock Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Purdue Boilermakers defensive end Ryan Kerrigan with the No. 16 pick in the first round.

Last year, the Jaguars made people say "who who" when they drafted Tyson Alualu. That pick seemingly worked out very well for Jacksonville in the rookie's first season. This year, while many more people will be familiar with the name of Kerrigan, the team is hoping he can find similar success in his rookie campaign.

Kerrigan is an excellent pass rusher, which is an area where Jacksonville would like to upgrade, but he is also fairly stout against the run. He also led the nation in tackles for loss at Purdue last season, and possesses great speed on the end. He would be a natural with the rest of the Jags' defense up front.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay feels that the Jaguars may have bigger holes to fill, if Kerrigan is still on the board when they pick at No 16, they would be hard pressed to pass on drafting him.

"The Jaguars have bigger needs but defensive end offers the most value here," says McShay. "I would be tempted to take a shot on Bowers or the upside offered by Missouri's Aldon Smith here, but Jags GM Gene Smith has proved he will take the player with the higher floor rather than the higher ceiling. Kerrigan has some limitations but Jacksonville knows exactly what it would be getting, which is a player with the overall skill set to immediately push for a starting job opposite Jaguars DE Aaron Kampman."

After all, they signed Kampman to a big contract and have not yet received the benefits since they have nobody to help out on the other side. Kerrigan could be the player who finally helps the team justify that big contract.

If Kerrigan goes before the Jags pick, or if they decide to go in another direction, expect to hear the name of either J.J. Watt (Wisconsin), Da'Quan Bowers (Clemson), Aldon Smith (Missouri), Mike Pouncey (Florida), Corey Liuget (Illinois) or Cameron Jordan (California).

For more on the holes that the Jaguars need to fill most on draft day, make sure to check out Bleacher Report Correspondent Alec Dopp, who takes a look at the NFL Draft 2011: Jimmy Smith & 10 First Round Targets for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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