2011 NFL Draft: 10 Options for New England Patriots' 2 First-Round Picks

As usual, the Patriots have stocked up on draft picks early and often in this year's draft. After trading Richard Seymour two years ago for the Raiders' first-round pick this year, the AFC's number one seed now has the No. 17 and No. 28 picks in the first round (along with the first pick of the second round).

With only two or three "major" needs on their roster, the Patriots will have plenty of options for these two picks no matter how the draft above shakes out. Here are some potential draft picks who the Patriots can go after in the first round.

J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

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MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers encourages the crowd during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 31-18. (Photo by Jonathan

At one point, it looked as though taking J,J, Watt at pick 17 would be a major reach for the Patriots. Now, it's looking more and more likely that the high motor, well-sized defensive end could end up in the top 15, maybe even the top 10.

While I don't believe Watt will ever be a star in the NFL, he does have the length, size, and aggression to be a very good 3-4 defensive end, where he can just push upfield and cause pressure while fighting through double teams. In that sense, he's a great fit for what the Patriots want to do and where they have a need.

If Watt is there, I can't see him not being the selection. Reports are that the Patriots have some issue with Watt's agent (who also represented and caused a major headache with Ben Watson), but I don't see a player's agent altering which prospects the Patriots look at on draft day.

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Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

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ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Justin Houston #42 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after returning a fumble for a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Ima

This year's draft features as many as 10-12 defensive line prospects who could be first-round selections. However, outside of Von Miller and maybe Robert Quinn, few of them are the 3-4 outside linebacker type prospects who have first-round value.

However, Justin Houston was a tweener in college, and thanks to his 267-pound size and 4.57 40-yard dash speed (both numbers from his recent pro day), he has first round-type build and speed. Houston was effective as a college pass rusher thanks to his great burst off the snap and quick moves just before he engaged with his blocker.

New England drafted Jermaine Cunningham early in last year's draft as a bit of a reach, and the Pats still need pass rushing help at the outside linebacker spot. Getting Houston could give them some much-needed pass rush for the Patriots defense.

Mike Pouncey, C, Florida

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Jordan Reed #11 and Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Im

Last year, the Steelers hit gold with their late first-round selection of Maurkice Pouncey from Florida. He was one of the best four or five centers in the league according to many NFL coaches, and for how impressive he was, he could have been in the mix for NFL Rookie of the Year.

His twin brother, Mike, is now a prospect in this draft, and some scouts feel they are very close as far as how much of an impact they can make in the NFL.

Based on that alone, odds are that Pouncey won't make it out of the top 20, and he already has meetings with many top 20 teams such as the Vikings, Lions and Dolphins. If he's there at No. 17, which is a solid possibility, I think the Patriots will take a strong look at him.

Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 06: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide tries to catch the ball near Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers defeated the

The draft's best running back in this draft class on almost every NFL team's board, Mark Ingram will end up in the first round in some way. And with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead as the two "feature" backs for the Patriots, running back could be high on their priority list.

Ingram is viewed as a first-round running back not because he has electrifying Chris Johnson speed or CJ Spiller open field moves, but because he is a tremendously polished running back who already has a great understanding of the nuances of the position.

Ingram can step in right away and be an every down, 20-25 carry a game guy, and can finally give Tom Brady some stability behind him.

Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Boston College Eagles congratulates teammate Montel Harris #2 after Harris scored a touchdown in the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles on October 3, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Che

Grabbing Sebastian Vollmer in the early rounds two years ago was a steal of a draft pick, as that raw, mammoth talent has the potential to be one of the best right tackles in the NFL.

But Matt Light on the left, and more important, side has shown that he's on the downside of his career, and it's the Patriot way to move guys out of the lineup just before they get to the unproductive point of their careers.

Odds are Anthony Castonzo of Boston College likely won't last past the early 20s, so if they want him, they'll have to go after him with the 17th overall selection. But with no potential starting tackles on my board past the first round, it could be worth it to reach a bit to secure a left tackle of the future.

Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

One of the more raw talents in this draft class, Aldon Smith of Missouri is similar to a mid-first rounder last year in Jason Pierre-Paul. Both players have great length, rare athletic ability and a lot to learn before they can maximize that skill.

However, Smith is more of a speed, downhill rusher whereas Pierre-Paul is a power-based, inside out rusher, and that difference is big in contrast to which schemes they can play in the NFL. Smith is a good fit for a 3-4 team as an outside linebacker, but ideally he's a Cover 2 defensive end.

Still, at the middle-to-late first round, if Aldon Smith is available for the picking, I think Bill Belichick and the Patriots staff may consider molding him into a fit for their 3-4 defensive scheme.

Cameron Jordan, DE, California

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BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 09: Kevin Price #4 of the UCLA Bruins is tackled by Cameron Jordan #97 of the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Staying with the 3-4 defensive end idea in J.J. Watt, if Watt is gone and the Pats still feel they have a major need there, Cameron Jordan could be available. Jordan, who's a top-10 prospect at www.OptimumScouting.com and ranked higher than Watt, is a steal in the middle-to-late first round, and the Patriots may have to select him at No. 17, or else the Chargers will almost certainly snatch him up with the next pick.

Jordan wowed at the Senior Bowl and pushed his stock from the second-round area to the solid first-round mix thanks to his ability to play in both a 4-3 and 3-4, his ability to be a hand-down and a stand-up rusher, and his motor. It would be a great value for any team that got him after the top 10, and he'd be a perfect versatile option for New England.

Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (FL)

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MIAMI - AUGUST 28: Defensive back Jacques Bazile #13 of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers dives to try and knock down a pass intended for wide receiver Leonard Hankerson #85 of the Miami Hurricanes at Dolphin Stadium on August 28, 2008 in Miami, Florida

I'm not sure how much the Patriots would really value a receiver after A.J. Green and Julio Jones, but if they don't feel that Brandon Tate can be the No. 1 receiver for their team and think there is some value here, don't be surprised if they strongly look at Leonard Hankerson.

Not as low on most boards as the media and other draft sites project, Hankerson is potentially a No. 1 receiver in the NFL if he can improve his quickness in his routes. He has great hands, is reliable down the field, uses his body well and is a consistent, productive receiver. Hankerson fits in the Patriots' mold, and could be a solid top 20-25 selection.

Trade Up: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Julio Jones #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a touchdown during the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Im

Sure, once they traded Randy Moss, the Patriots offense stayed relatively productive, so a need at receiver probably isn't at the top of their concerns.

However, long term, the Patriots need a go-to weapon for Tom Brady, and Wes Welker and Deion Branch play much better when a bigger receiver is there to open the field up.

Odds are, the Patriots will have to package both first-round picks and probably their later second- or third-round pick to get into the top 10, and that's only if Julio falls past No. 6 to the Browns. But with no immediate needs, they have the luxury to finally utilize those continuously stockpiled picks to get an elite talent like Julio Jones.

Trade Down: Teams Going After QBs

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack celebrates with fans after defeating the UNLV Rebels 44-26 at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

As is the custom with the Patriots (and there's no reason to think it will stop now), they may trade down in the draft and maximize the value of their picks. They are known for stockpiling draft selections throughout the draft, and this year is a great example of that (Oakland's No. 17 overall pick, Carolina's No. 33 overall pick).

So with many teams considering trading back into the first round and drafting some top defensive line, offensive line and in particular, quarterback prospects, I would think the Patriots would be one of the first two or three teams they'd call.

Colin Kaepernick is getting more in demand in this draft class, so he's a prime candidate to be a trade-up value prospect come draft day. If the Patriots do trade down, look for them to stockpile 2012 NFL draft selections, as there will be a rookie salary cap, meaning much better value come next year.