2011 NFL Mock Draft: Will Aldon Smith Rise Into the Top 10?
The NFL Draft is all about stock.
One day it's up, one day it's down, and another day, it isn't doing much of anything.
But for someone like Missouri's Aldon Smith, this week's NFL Combine could be huge in determining whether his draft stock plummets or skyrockets.
The defensive end is looking to impress scouts and make the leap from a top-20 selection to inside the top 10.
Will he do it, though?
Well, no one will actually know until the end of April, but I'm here to offer my thoughts on where Smith will end up, along with 31 other premiere college players.
Here is my latest 2011 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
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Why Green is Special: Green's the most complete wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. He's the most polished route runner in the last few drafts, and his measurements and production are both off the charts.
Why Green Goes Here: The Panthers were all in on Andrew Luck, but he stayed at Stanford. Carolina isn't in love with Blaine Gabbert like they were with Luck, and if the Panthers can lock up Charles Johnson, then wide receiver becomes a more pressing need than both defensive tackle (Nick Fairley) and defensive end (Da'Quan Bowers).
Why Green Fits: The addition of Green would give Jimmy Clausen another elite talent at wide receiver who could help take some pressure off of Steve Smith on the other side. Adding the draft's most talented receiver would certainly do wonders for Carolina's 32nd ranked scoring offense of 2010.
2. Denver Broncos: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Why Fairley is Special: If it wasn't for Cam Newton, Fairley would be the Auburn player who everyone talked about all season long. He was the most dominant defensive player in the SEC in 2010, racking up 56 tackles and 12 sacks, which is tremendous for a defensive tackle.
Why Fairley Belongs Here: Watch this dude play. He eats up a ton of space in the middle. Though not as polished, he's this draft's Ndamukong Suh.
Why Fairley Fits: The Broncos were atrocious on defense all season, giving up more points than any defense in the league (29.4 per game) and the second most rushing yards (154.6 yards per game). Denver—who ranked dead last in the NFL with just 23 sacks—needs all the help it can get on that side of the ball, and it starts with a guy like Fairley on the defensive front
3. Buffalo Bills: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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Why Newton is Special: If you watched any college football this season, you know why Newton is so special. He's a Heisman Trophy winner, a national champion and a human highlight reel. Newton is one of the top players, based purely on talent and potential, to enter the draft in years.
Why Newton Goes Here: Newton is an incredible dual-threat quarterback who is a better passer than Tim Tebow was, a more complete quarterback than Michael Vick was and clearly the best running quarterback prospect since Vince Young. Newton's recent workout impressed scouts enough that he's jumping up into the top 10 of many draft boards and could surpass Blaine Gabbert's as the top quarterback in the 2011 class.
Why Newton Fits: Though quarterback isn't Buffalo's biggest concern, chances are that Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't the long-term solution there. By drafting Newton, the Bills get a guy who can marinate on the bench for a year or two and has arguably the best physical tools of any player, not just quarterback, in the entire draft.
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4. Cincinnati Bengals: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
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Why Bowers is Special: Size, strength, athleticism, speed, agility; you name it, Bowers has it. He was virtually unstoppable this season, with 24 tackles for loss and an FBS-high 16 sacks.
Why Bowers Goes Here: Bowers will undoubtedly be the first or second defensive end off the board. It's just a matter of how high he goes. I can't see him slipping out of the top five no matter what, though.
Why Bowers Fits: The Bengals could go with a quarterback if they give in and trade Carson Palmer (doubtful) or A.J. Green (to make up for the loss of Terrell Owens and potentially Chad Ochocinco) if the Panthers don't take him. But they need help on the defensive line. Cincinnati ranked 27th in the NFL with just 27 sacks this season, and Bowers was a sack machine throughout his career at Clemson.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
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Why Miller is Special: Miller is a phenomenal athlete who possesses that rare ability scouts drool over. Want evidence? He had 16.5 sacks last season. He was also so impressive at the Senior Bowl that ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted that Miller is a lock to go in the top five picks.
Why Miller Goes Here: He's got excellent speed and has proven to be an incredible pass rusher off the edge. Miller has drown comparisons to guys like Clay Matthews and DeMarcus Ware for his ability to get after the quarterback and could be Arizona's primary target unless the team goes with Patrick Peterson instead..
Why Miller Fits: Arizona's defense had struggles all over the place in 2010, but arguably the team's biggest concern was its pass rush. The Cardinals had an incredibly difficult time getting to/after the quarterback, and Miller is one of the best pass rushers in this draft class.
6. Cleveland Browns: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Why Peterson is Special: Peterson is listed at 6'1", 211 pounds, which is monstrous for a cornerback. Teams never threw his way because he was the nation's best shutdown cornerback and one of college football's most feared defensive players. He also showed some amazing skills as a return man this season.
Why Peterson Goes Here: He's not falling past this spot. It's not very often that you find a defensive player who's big enough to play safety but fast/athletic enough to line up at cornerback. From a skills/talent perspective, Peterson is arguably the best overall player in the draft class, and Cleveland would likely jump on him if he's still available.
Why Peterson Fits: Can you imagine the Browns lining up Joe Haden and Patrick Peterson at cornerback for the next several years? What a combination that would be, and one that makes sense, too. Eric Wright's a free agent, while Sheldon Brown is 32 years old.
7. San Francisco 49ers: Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama
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Why Dareus is Special: Dareus possesses the same size, strength and agility as your prototypical NFL defensive tackle. He can stuff the run, rush the passer and even play defensive end in certain 3-4 schemes.
Why Dareus Goes Here: He's one of the premier run-stuffers in this year's draft class and has shown the ability to be an unstoppable force up the middle. Dareus is the consensus No. 2 defensive tackle prospect in this draft, though the gap between him and Fairley isn't as big as most people think.
Why Dareus Fits: I could see the Browns taking Dareus because of their issues against the run last season, but if they don't, San Francisco could take him here. Blaine Gabbert could be an option, but Dareus could step in and immediately start at d-end alongside Justin Smith and Aubrayo Franklin
8. Tennessee Titans: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
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Why Gabbert is Special: At 6'5", 240 pounds, Gabbert looks like your prototypical NFL quarterback. He's quickly risen up draft boards because of his surprising agility, his solid mechanics, his ability to avoid pressure and his potential to develop into an elite NFL starter.
Why Gabbert Goes Here: He's the No. 1 quarterback on most (though not all) draft boards, and he likely won't slip out of the top 10, especially considering how many quarterback-needy teams are near the top of the draft. Though Gabbert's still a bit raw and has some accuracy issues, he's seen as the quarterback who's most likely to develop into a franchise-caliber player.
Why Gabbert Fits: Jeff Fisher is gone, Vince Young will be traded or released, and the new regime in Tennessee could be looking for a long-term solution at quarterback because Kerry Collins will turn 39 next season (and is currently a free agent). Though the Titans may try to sign or trade for a veteran, I'd expect Gabbert to get a long look either way if he's still on the board.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Why Amukamara is Special: Everything about Amukamara makes scouts think he's going to be a superstar. He's quick, he's fast, he has excellent cover skills, and at 6'0", 203 pounds, he's very big for a cornerback. He'd probably be the top cornerback in 99 percent of drafts, but he's rated slightly behind Patrick Peterson in this one.
Why Amukamara Goes Here: One of the most interesting debates of the 2011 NFL Draft will be about which cornerback will go first: Amukamara or Peterson. No matter what happens, both of these guys should be franchise corners for the next 10 years. And both will go in the top 10, unless something out of the ordinary happens prior to the draft.
Why Amukamara Fits: Dallas certainly needs some help in the secondary. Mike Jenkins is on his way out of Big D, and Terence Newman's cover skills are clearly diminishing, so Amukamara would be an instant starter for the Cowboys. They'll be lucky to see him slip this far, though.
10. Washington Redskins: Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
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Why Quinn is Special: Although he will not have played football for more than a year when he takes his first NFL snap, Quinn will be an absolute stud. He's one of the draft's best pass rushers—slightly behind Bowers and Miller—and can play either defensive end or outside linebacker.
Why Quinn Belongs Here: Though his absence from football could cause him to slip down the draft considerably, Quinn entered the season as a top-five worthy talent. The Redskins made the switch to a 3-4 last season and could use another pass rusher opposite Brian Orakpo.
Why Quinn Fits: Orakpo was the only player on Washington's defense with more than 2.5 sacks last season, and Andre Carter did not adjust well to the new 3-4 scheme. The Redskins need another player who can get pressure on the quarterback, and Quinn is one of the very best.
11. Houston Texans: Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
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Why Smith is Special: Though durability is a bit of an issue with Smith, he's expected to be the guy that wows everyone with his physical skills. His incredible athleticism and agility give him enough versatility to play end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
Why Smith Goes Here: Again, Smith may be somewhat injury-prone, and it's unclear whether his physical skills will translate to success in the NFL. Though he's one of those "freak of nature" players, he's also still a bit raw and needs to get a better grasp on the game, which could cause him to fall to somewhere around pick 20.
Why Smith Fits: With Wade Phillips coming in as Houston's new defensive coordinator, the Texans will be shifting to a 3-4 scheme. DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing will likely switch to inside linebacker, so Smith could provide Houston with an elite outside linebacker who has the ability to rush off the edge.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California
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Why Jordan is Special: Jordan's a very versatile defensive lineman with the ability to play end or tackle, depending upon the scheme. He is an absolutely unstoppable pass rusher—either on the inside or the outside—who was arguably the most dominant player during the entire Senior Bowl week.
Why Jordan Goes Here: Jordan has skyrocketed up draft boards after a stellar showing at the Senior Bowl, going from a late first-rounder to an early-to-mid first-round selection. Though it's unclear whether he'll play defensive tackle or defensive end, his unsure position is seen as a plus rather than a minus.
Why Jordan Fits: Ray Edwards is headed for free agency, and the Vikings could be looking to fill his shoes if he heads elsewhere. If Edwards does indeed bolt Minnesota, I'd expect the team to go with a defensive end one way or another. Just which d-end is the question.
13. Detroit Lions: Tyron Smith, OT, USC
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Why Smith is Special: Smith has shown incredible athleticism for an offensive tackle, and he's getting high grades from scouts and analysts across the country. At 290 pounds in college, he was exceptionally quick, and he showed up at the Combine at 307 pounds but didn't lose a step.
Why Smith Goes Here: Smith is a bit more of a project than most other offensive tackles in the draft, but he also has more potential than those guys. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him jump ahead of tackles with resumes.
Why Smith Fits: The Lions have to do something to prevent Matt Stafford from getting injured again. That is, they need to give him some more protection. Detroit linemen Gosder Cherilus is coming off an injury while Jeff Backus turns 34 in September, so the Lions definitely need some help along the offensive line.
14. St. Louis Rams: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
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Why Jones is Special: Jones needs to work on his route-running, but he's arguably the most dominant physical presence—not just at wide receiver, but in all of college football. He is huge with good hands and great speed.
Why Jones Goes Here: Jones is an incredible playmaker at wide receiver and in the kick return game, but A.J. Green is a better pure receiver, so Jones will be the No. 2 wideout on the board. Jones' draft status all depends on which teams will be looking for a wide receiver, and not many will be looking for one right away once Green is off the board.
Why Jones Fits: Casual NFL fans probably can't even name a single Rams wide receiver, and though Danny Amendola and guys like Brandon Gibson and Danario Alexander are decent, none of them are elite playmakers. However, Jones could provide a huge, instantaneous lift to Sam Bradford and the Rams wide receiver corps.
15. Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
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Why Ingram is Special: I believe this guy has had a solid college career. Didn't he win the Heisman Trophy or something like that?
Why Ingram Goes Here: He's the top running back in this draft, but another team in need of a running back could scoop him up prior to the Dolphins' selection. Still, any team looking for one of the hardest runners in recent college football history will gladly take him.
Why Ingram Fits: Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are both free agents this offseason, and there's a chance neither are brought back to Miami. Ingram would be a nice long-term replacement in the Dolphins backfield.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Why Kerrigan is Special: Kerrigan was a monster all season long at Purdue, raking in 12.5 sacks and leading the nation with 26 tackles for loss. His versatility will allow him to play defensive end in a 4-3 or outside linebacker if a 3-4 scheme.
Why Kerrigan Goes Here: Kerrigan is known for his non-stop motor and ability to get after the quarterback. At just 259 pounds, he's similar to the Colts Robert Mathis. However, scouts aren't sure whether he'd be best suited lining up on the d-line or standing up at the NFL level.
Why Kerrigan Fits: Aaron Kampman tore his ACL for the second straight season, and his career is in doubt. Though Kerrigan might not be a pure end, he could still provide Jacksonville with a nice compliment to 2010 first-round choice Tyson Alualu on the defensive front.
17. New England Patriots: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
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Why Ayers is Special: Ayers was one of the nation's most highly-touted recruits coming out of high school, and his physical attributes rank among the best in this draft class. He's got good size, he's quick and he excels as a push rusher.
Why Ayers Goes Here: Ayers would benefit from playing on a team with a 3-4 scheme because he'll make his money by applying pressure to the quarterback off the edge. But he also is versatile enough to play multiple positions in several different schemes.
Why Ayers Fits: The Patriots could choose to address the defensive line here, but they have two more picks in the top 33 selections, so they might be able to splurge here on Ayers, who is the best player still available at this point.
18. San Diego Chargers: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
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Why Watt is Special: Watt was a force for Wisconsin up the middle this season, registering 62 tackles, two forced fumbles and seven sacks at defensive tackle. His size (6'6", 292 pounds) makes him versatile enough to play end or tackle depending upon the scheme.
Why Watt Goes Here: His ability to play multiple positions makes him an attractive option for plenty of teams in the first round. Watt might be off the board by this point, but if he's not, he could go here to San Diego, which is looking to upgrade at the defensive end position.
Why Watt Fits: Jacques Cesaire is currently a free agent, and he's really struggled over the last season or two anyway. Watt is in the top 10 of many mock drafts, but this is probably a more likely landing spot on a Chargers team that's looking to get younger and quicker along the defensive front.
19. New York Giants: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
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Why Solder is Special: At 6'8'', Solder is massive even for an offensive tackle, and he uses his extreme size and length to his advantage. He was widely recognized as the best offensive line prospect at the Senior Bowl, even though he still is a bit raw and needs to add 20 pounds or so to his lanky frame.
Why Solder Goes Here: The 2011 draft class is surprisingly thin at the tackle position, but Solder really opened up scouts' eyes at the Senior Bowl. He's got the look and feel of a future franchise left tackle, but how well he develops will go a long way in determining his success.
Why Solder Fits: William Beatty really seemed to struggle at left tackle this season, and the Giants could use an upgrade at that position. Solder is the top tackle available on numerous draft boards, though he doesn't have quite the upside of someone like USC's Tyron Smith.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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Why Clayborn is Special: His production hasn't really been there this year, but scouts love how he measures up. He's 6'3", 285 pounds and has the ability to take over a game when his mind is right.
Why Clayborn Goes Here: The 2011 draft class has some incredibly talented defensive line prospects, and Clayborn is one of them. He's just not the best one of the bunch. If he puts up an impressive showing at the combine and shows he can be motivated, however, then Clayborn has the potential to climb up five spots or more.
Why Clayborn Fits: The Buccaneers need a compliment alongside Gerald McCoy on the defensive line. When his head's on straight, Clayborn is a monster, who could give Tampa Bay a heck of a young corps of players on the defensive line.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
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Why Houston is Special: Houston exploded onto the college football scene in 2010, with 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks during his junior season. He's really made a name for himself as one of the better pass rushers in this year's draft class.
Why Houston Goes Here: He's sort of a one-hit wonder who came from nowhere to have a stellar season. Houston got into the backfield and disrupted play more than any defensive player in the SEC not named Nick Fairley.
Why Houston Fits: Tamba Hali was a beast for Kansas City this season, but the Chiefs didn't have much of a pass rush outside of the former Penn State player. Houston would provide them with another outside rusher, one who would really help out Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers in the secondary.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Gabe Carimi, OT/G, Wisconsin
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Why Carimi is Special: Remember a guy named Joe Thomas who played at Wisconsin? Carimi's not quite the player Thomas was/is, but he's pretty damn good. Carimi was a first team AP All-American this season and was the glue that held together one of the nation's best rushing attacks.
Why Carimi Goes Here: Tackles usually fly off the board during the NFL Draft, and Carimi has more experience than most players at that position in this year's draft class. But Carimi was one of the most disappointing players at the Senior Bowl, having made the draft-status killing switch from tackle to guard.
Why Carimi Fits: Carimi may still play tackle at the NFL level, and Indianapolis could really use some help at that position. But either way, Carimi will be a starter somewhere along the offensive line in 2011.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
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Why Castonzo is Special: He's one of the top offensive lineman in this year's draft class with a big 6'7" frame that should fill out once he matures a bit more.
Why Castonzo Goes Here: Castonzo could very well go in the top 20 if he bulks up, but he's listed at just 295 pounds, which is pretty thin for an offensive tackle who is that tall. He needs to hit the weight room and prove he can add strength without losing any of his mobility.
Why Castonzo Fits: The glaring weakness on Philadelphia's offense this year was its offensive line, which gave up the fourth most sacks in the NFL (49). Castonzo might be a bit of a project considering his weight issues, but he could eventually develop into a quality starter and help the Eagles give Michael Vick a little more protection.
24. New Orleans Saints: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
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Why Liuget is Special: The best player on the Illinois defense, Liuget led the Fighting Illini in sacks (five), tackles for loss (12.5) and quarterback hurries (10). He really opened scouts' eyes with a dominant performance against Baylor in the Texas Bowl, racking up five tackles and a sack.
Why Liuget Goes Here: Liuget probably would benefit from playing in a 4-3 scheme, but he's arguably the No. 3 pure defensive tackle in the draft behind Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus. His performance against Michigan State (11 tackles) and strong end to the season pushed him into the back end of the first round.
Why Liuget Fits: The Saints struggled at both stopping the run and getting to the quarterback in 2010, and Liuget can do both. Liuget would provide New Orleans with a very good (and young) defensive tackle duo that could open up the lanes for the team's defensive ends.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
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Why Smith is Special: In 40 career games, Smith has just three career interceptions. But you wanna know why? Smith has only allowed a staggering 11 career completions, because teams hardly ever throw his way. He also had 70 tackles in each of the past two seasons, proving that he's not afraid to contribute against the run either.
Why Smith Goes Here: At 6'2", 203 pounds, Smith is a physically-imposing defensive back, not unlike LSU's Patrick Peterson. Though not quite the player Peterson is, Smith shows great cover skills and speed. He's just flown under the radar at Colorado.
Why Smith Fits: Seattle's pass defense was flatout awful in 2010, and the Seahawks could lose Kelly Jennings to free agency. They need to trade for or a draft a cornerback in the top two rounds, but I'd fully expect them to do the latter.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
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Why Harris is Special: At 5'11", 193 pounds, Harris has the prototypical size of an NFL cornerback to go along with good speed at the position. He's also got quick feet, is able to shed blocks from bigger wide receivers, and contributes in run support more than most corners.
Why Harris Goes Here: He's good in all aspects of the game but really isn't great in any of them. While he'll likely develop into a No. 1 corner rather quickly, he doesn't have the upside of guys like Patrick Peterson, Prince Amukamara or even Jimmy Smith.
Why Harris Fits: The Ravens only have two cornerbacks under contract for next season and one of them, Dominique Foxworth, will be returning from an ACL injury. Needless to say, Baltimore needs to draft more than just one cornerback, but they should start with Brandon Harris, who is the third or fourth best corner in the draft.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
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Why Cobb is Special: The true definition of a do-it-all wide receiver, Cobb caught 13 touchdown passes, returned two punts for touchdowns and scored 22 rushing touchdowns while at Kentucky. Though undersized (5'11", 186 pounds), he's as quick and elusive as they come.
Why Cobb Goes Here: Again, his size might be an issue, but he's similar in body type and playing style to electrifying Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (though not quite that fast) and could develop into a gamebreaker in the NFL. He'll likely be used as a slot receiver, wildcat quarterback and running back, making him extremely versatile.
Why Cobb Fits: After Roddy White, the next best receivers for the Falcons in 2010 were Michael Jenkins (41 receptions) and Harry Douglas (22), so it's pretty clear that Atlanta needs another weapon in the passing game. Cobb would fit in well as a compliment to both Jenkins and White.
28. New England Patriots: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
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Why Wilkerson is Special: At 6'5", 305 pounds, Wilkerson is an incrediblye physical specimen who has played defensive tackle at Temple but is versatile enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme at the NFL level. In his final season at Temple, he was a beast up the middle, racking up 68 tackles, one forced fumble and 10 sacks.
Why Wilkerson Goes Here: Inconsistency was Wilkerson's biggest issue during his junior season, as he had two three-sacks game but also went sackless in six games. Still, scouts love his size and his aggression when he's got everything together.
Why Wilkerson Fits: He'd be a perfect choice as a 3-4 end in New England, because the Patriots really need some depth along the d-line. Though they might address that need earlier in the first round, it never hurts to stack up defensive linemen, especially on a team with a young secondary.
29. Chicago Bears: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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Why Baldwin is Special: He's the closest thing to Larry Fitzgerald Pittsburgh will ever see, and he managed to put up good numbers even with a shaky quarterback situation there. Baldwin will make jaw-dropping catches to bail out his quarterback and is as sure-handed of a wide receiver as there is in the draft.
Why Baldwin Goes Here: Baldwin needs to work on his route-running, but at 6'5'', 230 pounds, he's freakishly huge for a wide receiver. His potential is just too much for every team in the first round to pass up, especially one like Chicago who could use some serious help at that position. Though the Bears could go with an offensive tackle right here, all the elite ones are already off the board.
Why Baldwin Fits: Devin Hester is a nice weapon, while Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox are nice pieces. But the Bears really need a nice weapon on the outside. Sure, they'd like to have someone like Randy Moss or Vincent Jackson, but Baldwin comes cheaper, younger and with less baggage.
30. New York Jets: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
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Why Smith is Special: If you're looking for a gamebreaker at wide receiver, look no further than Torrey Smith. He could very well be the fastest wide receiver in this draft and possesses a rare ability to stretch the field. His second gear is second to none.
Why Smith Goes Here: Though exceptionally fast, he's not the most polished receiver out there, as he doesn't run the greatest routes or have the best ball skills. He'll likely continue to draw comparisons to former Maryland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, which could cause teams in the top half of the first round to shy away from him.
Why Smith Fits: Both Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes are free agents this offseason, and there's a real chance one of them won't be re-signed. That opens up the need for another wide receiver on the Jets roster. Someone like Torrey Smith.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey, OG/C, Florida
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Why Pouncey is Special: The apple doesn't fall far from the family tree. Pouncey has a similar playing style to twin brother, Maurkice, who is currently Pittsburgh's starting center and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.
Why Pouncey Goes Here: The Steelers are looking to upgrade their interior line (one of the team's few weakness), and Pouncey is one of the very best, with an NFL-ready skill set. He should be picked higher than this, but he could still be on the board because interior linemen generally aren't selected in the top portion of first round.
Why Pouncey Fits: Have twins ever played right next to each other in the NFL? I definitely think we need to see it happen. In all seriousness, though, Pouncey probably would have been a first-round pick last season. Yeah, he's that good.
32. Green Bay Packers: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
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Why Williams is Special: Williams was stuck in a three-back rotation at Virginia Tech this past season, but he ran for more than 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2009. He has been highly touted throughout his prep and college careers.
Why Williams Goes Here: Williams will likely be the No. 2 running back in the draft, but not many teams are looking that way in the first round. His falloff in production in 2010 was alarming, though it wasn't his skills that diminished so much as it was his playing time. Some scouts, however, feel like Williams is more of a second-round prospect.
Why Williams Fits: The Packers didn't have much of a running game all season, and, even with Ryan Grant returning in 2011, it's clear that Green Bay needs to improve its rushing attack. James Starks might have had initial success, but no one is sure he'll be the long-term answer there.
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