2011 NFL Draft Preview: A Third Look at Picks 17-32

Here’s a third look at picks 17-32 for the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.


17.  New England Patriots:   Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal

Predicting what Bill Belichick will do is virtually impossible, but assuming he won’t trade out of this spot, Smith makes too much sense. By acquiring Smith, the Pats won’t have to bring back Matt Light for big bucks.

Previous Pick:  Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

18.  San Diego Chargers:  Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

The Chargers don’t have many holes, but adding a defensive end makes a lot of sense as Jacques Cesaire and Travis Johnson are free agents.

Previous Pick:  J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

19. New York Giants:  Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College

To keep the ground game humming and Eli off his back, the G-Men improve their offensive line.

Previous Pick:  Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

20.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

The Bucs have been filling their holes well in recent NFL drafts. One area that needs to be addressed in this draft is an outside pass rush.

Previous Pick:  Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia

21.  Kansas City Chiefs:  Nate Solder, T, Colorado

The Chiefs were a major surprise last year, but if they want to continue their resurgence they’ll need help in their offensive line.

Previous Pick:  Nate Solder, T, Colorado 

22.  Indianapolis Colts:  Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

Carimi is the third different offensive lineman I’ve suggested in these mocks, but the constant has been the Colts improving their offensive line.

Previous Pick:  Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College

23.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

To get past the Packers and the Saints of the world, the Eagles will need to improve their defensive backs.

Previous Pick:  Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

24.  New Orleans Saints:   Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

It appears the Saints are committed to Pierre Thomas. That means they should turn their attention to improving their pass rush.

Previous Pick:  Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois

25.  Seattle Seahawks:  Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

While they need to improve their secondary, they also need offensive line help. Pairing Russell Okung and Pouncey gives the Seahawks a strong foundation.

Previous Pick:  Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

26.  Baltimore Ravens:  Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

Anquan Boldin needs a burner to stretch the field to make him more effective.

Previous Pick:  Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

27.  Atlanta Falcons:   Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia

The Falcons had 31 sacks last year and 28 the year before. They need help in this department.

Previous Pick:  Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

28.  New England Patriots:  Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

The Pats have made improvements on defense, but there is still work to do. Namely, improving their pass rush from the defensive end position.

Previous Pick:  Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

29.  Chicago Bears:  Benjamin Ijalana, G, Villanova

The Bears can’t let Jay Cutler take the beating he did in 2010 so improving the line play is a necessity.

Previous Pick:  Mike Pouncey, C/G, Florida

30.  New York Jets:  Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

If Braylon Edwards bolts in free agency, Baldwin would be a nice replacement. He’d give the Jets a big target (6’5″, 230) to help Mark Sanchez continue his development.

Previous Pick:  Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

31.  Pittsburgh Steelers:  Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State

Big Ben can’t continue to take the pounding he does every year. The Steelers need to upgrade at tackle.

Previous Pick:  Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

32.  Green Bay Packers:  Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

The Packers are loaded making an accurate prediction difficult. That said, they could use improvement at defensive end.

Previous Pick:  Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State


Click here for Picks 1-16.