A Seventh Look at Picks 17 Through 32 of the 2011 NFL Draft

Here's a seventh look at picks 17-32 of the 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:  Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

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:  Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

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:  Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson:  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. Bowers knee is a concern, but the Bucs have been willing to take some risks in recent years.
Previous Pick:  Cameron Jordan, DE, California

21.  Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor:  While bolstering their offensive line is a priority, the Chiefs have to plug the middle of their defensive front.
Previous Pick:  Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

22.  Indianapolis Colts:  Nate Solder, T, Colorado:  I had Carimi going to the Colts in the last mock, but Solder wasn’t on the board. Either way it seems like offensive line help is the direction the Colts will go.
Previous Pick:  Nate Solder, T, Colorado 

23.  Philadelphia Eagles:  Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin:  The Eagles allowed far too many sacks last year. If they are serious about trading Kevin Kolb (when they are able to) they will need to protect Michael Vick better.
Previous Pick:  Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin

24.  New Orleans Saints:   Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple:  The Saints still have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the football.
Previous Pick:  Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia

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:  Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State: While finding a burner to stretch the field makes sense, the Ravens have always been about defense. Heyward is a good fit here.
Previous Pick:  Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

27.  Atlanta Falcons:  Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland:  The Falcons could use a pass rusher, but adding a compliment to Roddy White makes sense as well.
Previous Pick:  Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

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:  Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State

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:  Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

30.  New York Jets:  Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA:  The Jets could use another pass rusher to get after the likes of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
Previous Pick:  Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

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) all all strong passing teams.
Previous Pick:  Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

32.  Green Bay Packers:  Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia:  Houston gives the Packers a pass rusher to play off of Clay Matthews.
Previous Pick:  Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State