NFL Mock Draft 2011: Complete Second Round Projections and Analysis
Alright folks, we're currently just over 12 grueling weeks away from what looks to become one of the most highly anticipated NFL Draft weekends in the sport's history.
So, I figure we should take a much deeper look into some of the unknown talent and hidden capabilities poised to be taken in the second round of the NFL Draft.
So for you, the fan, here are my second-round projections and analysis leading up to the big day in April.
Enjoy!
**Please note: This article is a follow-up to my first-round projections**
33. New England Patriots: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma
1 of 32
New England won't be able to reach the promised land again without a legitimate deep threat outlet for Brady in the shotgun.
A pickup of Oklahoma State's best wideout prospect in nearly a decade, Blackmon would make an immediate impact for Brady and the Patriots.
34. Buffalo Bills: Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma
2 of 32
A defensive overhaul is projected for the Bills in this year's draft. So why not follow up with Oklahoma's most stout pass-rusher from 2010? Sounds like another solid pick for Buffalo.
35. Cinncinatti Bengals: Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
3 of 32
USC's mammoth defensive tackle would be one of the best potential snags for the Bengals with their second round pick.
Let's remember: you can't stop Ben Roethlisberger unless you bring him down. Selecting Casey would help do just that.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
36. Denver Broncos: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
4 of 32
John Fox never seemed to be much use for the TE, but adding a stellar pass catcher -- like Rudolph -- simply makes positional sense. Furthermore, adding another threat to help Tim Tebow progress and grow as a passer give Denver another solid addition.
37. Cleveland Browns: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
5 of 32
The top receivers are off the board, so the Browns shore up their free safety position and take the Bruins underclassman with a nose for the football, 14 career picks. As the top safety, he could easily move into the first round.
38. Arizona Cardinals: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
6 of 32
If defense wins championships, the Cardinals are in for a long, prosperous journey to the promise land. And that journey starts with drafting Harris to bolster their laughable defensive unit.
39. Tennessee Titians: Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
7 of 32
After the release of Jeff Fisher and Vince Young, look for the Titans to go defensive in the earlier rounds. Drafting Bruce Carter is a great way to start off young on the defensive side of the ball.
40. Dallas Cowboys: Sam Acho, DE, Texas
8 of 32
An exquisite pick-up for any team in the draft, Texas defensive stud Sam Acho is as solid as they come defensively.
Should the Cowboys pull the trigger on Acho, they would have a perennial Pro-Bowl caliber talent to upgrade their defense.
41. Washington Redskins: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
9 of 32
Notre Dame's leading receiver last season, Floyd would serve as an aid to a potential first-round quarterback drafted by the Redskins.
If that quarterback is Cameron Newton, Mike Shannahan's offense would be in complete overhaul.
42. Houston Texans: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
10 of 32
Houston's lackluster defense could really use a pick-me-up type cornerback. So with their second pick, Virginia's superstar cornerback Ras-I Dowling fits the criteria to the max.
Dowling is as physically attributed (if not more) than a bundle of the AFC South's receivers. So, for the sake of Houston's defense, the Texans need to take him with their second round pick.
43. Minnesota Vikings: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
11 of 32
We all know how solid Minnesota's defensive line has been over the last few seasons, so taking a monster in Drake Nevis would only bolster the Vikings' NFC North title chances.
44. Detroit Lions: Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State
12 of 32
Local fan-favorite, Michigan State's stout linebacker Greg Jones could be another huge addition to a rapidly growing Lions defense.
45. San Fransisco 49ers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
13 of 32
San Fransisco's defense needs immediate promotion from the get-go in 2011. So with their first two picks in the draft, taking Prince Akukamura and Aaron Williams immediately reinforces Jim Harbaugh's defensive unit.
46. Denver Broncos: Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
14 of 32
Denver recorded a shameful 10 interceptions last season. Time for a promotion? I think so.
Taking House would be Denver's best bet against divisional quarterbacks such as Philip Rivers and Matt Cassel.
47. St. Louis Rams: Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh
15 of 32
Sam Bradford needs serious help with his receivers, so taking another wideout isn't out of the question in the second round.
However the Rams have showed signs of improvement in their pass rush last season, accumulating 43 sacks in 2010 (good enough to be seventh-best in the NFL). Taking Romeus would only add fuel to St. Louis' fire in the long-term. Solid pickup here.
48. Oakland Raiders: Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech
16 of 32
I'm not sure what Oakland plans to do about free-agent Nnamdi Asomugha's relationship with the team in 2011. So for confidence purposes, taking Carmichael would be the most sensible pick in the second round.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars: DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
17 of 32
Jack Del Rio's defense ranked an embarrassing 28th in the league last season in yards per game allowed, including only furnishing 13 interceptions all of 2010. And with virtually no talent in the secondary, the Jaguars must take a talented safety like that of McDaniel.
50. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
18 of 32
It's ridiculous to reflect on the horrid talent Philip Rivers was given to work with last season. So to sure things up for Norm Turner and the Chargers, taking Oklahoma's premier target last year makes all the sense in the world.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina
19 of 32
The Bucs need to start thinking about replacing Ronde Barber, and Deunta Williams is the guy for the job.
52. New York Giants: DeMarcus Love, OT, Arkansas
20 of 32
Taking USC's Tyron Smith in the first round was as necessary as possible. So with their second selection, Arkansas' offensive-blocking juggernaut DeMarcus Love makes all the sense in the world.
Protecting Eli Manning should be New York's number one priority this offseason.
53. Indianapolis Colts: Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi
21 of 32
Indianapolis' defensive line is beginning to take on the limitations of age. How much longer can Dwight Freeney affectively take on opposing offensive linemen?
Mississippi's Jerrell Powe would be the best possible pickup for the Colts.
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
22 of 32
Asante Samuel recorded seven of Philadelphia's 23 interceptions last season, the next closest being Dimitri Patterson with four. However, Philly's secondary gave up a 80.1 passer rating on average to opposing quarterbacks last season, and they could certainly get some help around the edges.
Curtis Brown will make huge strides in his first season as an Eagle, eventually becoming Samuel's successor sometime down the road.
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
23 of 32
One of the most consistent and highly-regarded centers entering this year's draft, Stefen Wisniewski can be the type of versatile guy the Kansas City offensive line desperately needs.
With a knack for great run-blocking, Wisniewski will help boost an already potent Chiefs running game.
56. New Orleans Saints: Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois
24 of 32
Reggie Bush is due to either receive a pay-cut, or a release from the team this offseason.
This looks like an already unneasy situation for the Saints. Drafting the nimble-footed Mikel LeShoure would give certainty to the New Orleans running game that isn't getting any younger as we speak.
57. Seattle Seahawks: Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU
25 of 32
Seattle's offensive line gave up a moderate 35 sacks on the quarterback this past season, including 63 total quarterback hits to boot.
Let's sure things up by taking the best offensive tackle remaining, Marcus Cannon.
Not only would this benefit Seattle's plethora of quarterbacks, but Cannon is also a great run-blocker. All around, a superb selection for Seattle.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Orlando Franklin, G, Miami
26 of 32
Baltimore has maintained a reputation for having one of the best offensive lines in the game today. However age may start to creep its way in sooner or later.
Orlando Franklin has the strength and agility to revamp the Ravens up front.
59. Atlanta Falcons: Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
27 of 32
Beyond John Abraham, the Falcons have almost no pass rush to speak of. So, first things first: draft a worthy defensive end to complement Abraham and the lacking defense.
Who should Atlanta key on? Well, none other than Iowa's Christian Ballard.
Taking Ballard would not only ensure a consistent pass rush, but it would also benefit the Falcons' entire defense with his notoriously high intensity.
60. New England Patriots: Travis Lewis, LB, Oklahoma
28 of 32
If you haven't heard, New England needs help on defense... fast -- especially at the linebacker position.
A selection of the best linebacker left on the board in Oklahoma's Travis Lewis would give the Patriots a consistent play-maker for many years to come.
61. San Diego Chargers: Mason Foster, OLB, Boston College
29 of 32
The Chargers have had all sorts of issues in their linebacker crew the past few years. Foster might project as an inside linebacker in the NFL but he could also have the versatility to play left outside or left inside linebacker. Foster has a nose for the football, leading the Washington Huskies with 163 tackles this season.
62. Chicago Bears: Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
30 of 32
Mark Herzlich excelled at Boston College as a linebacker/defensive end for four seasons.
Maintaining 11 interceptions and seven forced fumbles, Herzlich would be a great addition to the vaunted Chicago defense. What's not to love?
31. Green Bay Packers: Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
31 of 32
The emergence of James Starks may put this draft pick on hold. However, as I see it, now is the perfect time to draft another explosive, athletic running back to tandem with Starks.
Selecting Daniel Thomas makes all the sense in the world for Mike McCarthy and the Packers; who must continue to improve on their running game.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
32 of 32
Let's face it, if Burton had gone to a bigger school, he'd have a higher draft status. Pittsburgh continues to stay ahead of the game with Burton, a prospect who can do everything well.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")