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

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

17.  New England Patriots:  Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue: Predicting what Bill Belichick will do is virtually impossible, but assuming he won’t trade out of this spot, Kerrigan makes sense as the Pats continue to rebuild their defense.
Previous Pick: Tyron Smith, T, Southern Cal

18.  San Diego Chargers:  Cameron Jordan, DE, California:  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: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

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: Anthony Castonzo, T, Boston College

20.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA: 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: J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

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: Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

23.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: Jimmy Smith has character issues, but he’s a big time talent. He also fits a need for the Eagles.
Previous Pick: Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State

24.  New Orleans Saints:  Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State: It appears the Saints are committed to Pierre Thomas. That means they should turn their attention to improving their pass rush. He also is good playing the run.
Previous Pick: Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA

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: Mike Pouncey, G, Florida

26.  Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland: Anquan Boldin needs a burner to stretch the field to make him more effective.
Previous Pick: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

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: Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia

28.  New England Patriots: Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State: The Pats addressed defense with the first pick. Now they look to protect Tom Brady in the event that Matt Light doesn’t return.
Previous Pick: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

29.  Chicago Bears: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois: The Bears need to improve their offensive line, but that can wait for later rounds. Liuget can replace Tommie Harris and help free up Chicago’s playmakers on defense.
Previous Pick: Benjamin Ijalana, G, Villanova

30.  New York Jets: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State: The Jets aren’t going to lose both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards. They could possibly keep both. Baldwin no longer makes sense. Paea will help bolster their defensive line.
Previous Pick: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

31.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas: Reaching for an offensive lineman doesn’t make sense here. The Steelers go with Aaron Williams to improve their secondary. Their primary competition (Patriots, Colts, Packers, Saints) are all strong passing teams.
Previous Pick:  Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU

32.  Green Bay Packers: Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple: Wilkerson gives the Packers another disruptive force playing alongside B.J. Raji.
Previous Pick: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State



Click here to see picks 1-16.