NFL Draft Predictions 2011: One Prospect Each Team Should Target on Day 3
By now, all NFL teams have addressed their most pressing roster needs - or at least fans hope that's the case.
The 2011 draft has such depth at certain positions, however, that each squad can continue to improve on Saturday. Providing they make the correct pick, of course.
The following slideshow lists every player who will help each team next season, if that team has the wherewithal to pick him.
Carolina: Ronald Johnson, USC WR
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Carolina improved their defense with Terrell McClain and Sione Fua. Now they need to give QB Cam Newton another target.
Johnson was a productive receiver for the Trojans (64 catches in 2010). He also returned punts and kicks for a 14 and 24 yard career averages, respectively.
Denver: Bruce Miller, Central Florida OLB
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Defensively the Broncos got better with Von Miller, Rahim Moore and Nate Irving. But they could still use some depth.
Miller, meet Miller. The 6-1, 254-pound Central Florida product wreaked havoc as a defensive end, earning All-Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors. He had 8.5 sacks and returned two INTs for touchdowns.
At his pro day, he ran a 4.67 40. While he'll be known as the "other" Miller, he'll add something to the Big D.
Buffalo: Chris Hairston, Clemson OL
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The Bills helped themselves on D with Marcel Dareus, Alabama DT and Aaron Williams, Texas DB and Kelvin Sheppard, LSU LB.
Hairston could come in to help the Bills' perpetually weak O-line right away.
The Clemson product would bulk up Buffalo's front five. He's gigantic (6-6, 326) and strong (33 bench reps).
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Cincinnati: Brian Rolle, Ohio State OLB
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Their offense got boosted with A. J. Green, Georgia WR and Andy Dalton, TCU QB. Dontay Moch will help the pass rush, but the Bengals can stay in-state to further bolster their D and special teams by snaring Rolle, a quick, strong college linebacker whose speed (4.50 40) could allow him to play strong safety in the pros.
Arizona: Adam Froman, Louisville QB
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Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams can carry the ball, but who's going to throw it?
From one team of Cardinals to the other, Froman will help Arizona emerge from their QB mess as a solid backup at least.
He has prototypical size (6-4, 220) and unusual speed (4.54 40) for a QB. He completed over 61 percent of his passes for over 1,600 yards last year on a team that loved to run the ball.
Cleveland: Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech QB
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Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard will help the defense. Greg Little will help the offense, but Cleveland needs someone dynamic under center.
The ACC Offensive Player of the Year comes to the Browns with the athleticism of a running back. More importantly, he possesses a quarterback's eye for looking downfield.
In 2010, Taylor passed for over 2,500 yards.
San Francisco: Anthony Sherman, UConn FB
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If San Francisco has faith in Colin Kaepernick, he'll have to have faith in his blocking.
Sherman was a pass-catching fullback for the Huskies who rarely carried the ball. He can bring back the old school attitude of winning Niners squads from oh so long ago.
Tennessee: T. J. Yates, North Carolina QB
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The Titans go from a lightning rod in Vince Young to high potential in Jake Locker. They'll need a backup, and they get a great one in Yates, a solid, game-manager type who set dozens of passing records at UNC.
While Yates has stayed under the radar of many scouts, his accuracy (67 percent in 2010) and ability to check down will keep Tennessee in plenty of games.
Dallas: Greg McElroy, Alabama QB
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Solid draft for Dallas thus far, addressing O-line and defensive needs.
Dallas coach Jason Garrett - a college QB at Princeton - appreciates brains in his QBs. McElroy, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, fits the bill.
McElroy threw for 20 TDs against five INTs in 2010, which puts him way ahead of any current Cowboys under center.
Washington: Jamie Harper, Clemson RB
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As defense was addressed with Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue and Jarvis Jenkins of Clemson, the 'Skins turn to the other side of the ball on Day 3.
Few teams rushed for fewer yards than the Redskins last year. The 5-11, 233-pound Harper can bang inside but also stretch it outside.
He can catch the ball out of the backfield as well (at least one grab in every game last season), giving Washington's QB another option and their team improve time of possession.
Houston: Clint Boling, Georgia OG
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After seeing to their defense (and rightly so) with J. J. Watt and Brooks Reed, the Texans go offensive here.
Boling is a tough interior lineman who will help establish the line of scrimmage and give Houston the ability to salt away games late.
Minnesota: Aldrick Robinson, SMU WR
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Rookie QB Christian Ponder has Kyle Rudolph as a big target.
Beyond Rudolph, Ponder needs another pass-catcher. Though he's got speed, Robinson's no Randy Moss, and that's probably a good thing.
He blazed his combine 40 (4.35 seconds) and showed great athleticism (40-inch vertical, 10-6 broad jump). More importantly, he caught 14 touchdown passes and had 1,300 receiving yards in 2010.
Robinson would give any QB a great downfield option - retired or no.
Detroit: Jeron Johnson, Boise State SS
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Their offense is better today with WR Titus Young and RB Mikel Leshoure.
The Lions made their front line ridiculous with DT Nick Fairley; now it's time to bulk up their defensive backfield.
Johnson started 44 games in his college career, leading BSU in tackles for the past three years. His speed (4.50 40) makes him a threat to cover tight ends. His size (212 pounds) ensures he can support his run defense.
St. Louis: Ollie Ogbu, Penn State DT
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Robert Quinn joins Chris Long providing QB pressure. They need a young D tackle to anchor the middle and Ogbu could be that one.
Ogbu showed great athleticism on his pro day, running a 4.84 40 and benching 225 pounds 26 times. He led the Nittany Lions with 8.5 tackles for loss this season.
Miami: Mark Herzlich, Boston College LB
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The Dolphins offense get better overnight with Mike Pouncey and Daniel Thomas. Now for the D.
Herzlich is strong, smart and savvy, with four interceptions this past season. His 65 tackles get amplified considering he missed all of 2009 battling cancer.
Miami has some solid players on defense but they need a playmaker with flexibility. Herzlich can play inside or outside in the Dolphins' 3-4.
Jacksonville: Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State WR
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The Jags' passing game - i.e., Blaine Gabbert - needs help, and Sanzenbacher could become Gabbert's new best friend. One of the quicker guys at the combine (6.46 3-cone drill), he knows how to get open and catches everything thrown his way.
Sanzenbacher was named Offensive MVP for the Buckeyes in 2010.
Oakland: Josh Portis, California-PA QB
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Stefen Wisniewski and Joseph Barksdale improve the O-line. Who's going to play behind it?
Portis, a transfer from Florida, was made to play for Oakland. He's athletic (4.59 40, 40-inch vertical) and productive at the D-2 level (2,650 passing yards in 2010).
As a bonus, Portis got in trouble last summer for allegedly using a stolen credit card.
Al Davis, you're welcome.
San Diego: Delone Carter, Syracuse RB
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Carter provides a savvy backfield presence, even as a rookie. He had over five yards a carry for the Orangemen in 2010. The Chargers have addressed many needs in this draft and could deepen their RB corps here.
New York Giants: Chas Henry, Florida P
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As usual, the Jints have made smart picks on D with Prince Amukamara and Marvin Austin. What could be missing?
We won't dwell on the dark days of Giants special teams past. Let's just say that, if Coach Tom Coughlin were to tell Henry to punt the ball out of bounds, it would probably happen.
Henry won the Ray Guy award this year for best college punter.
Tampa: Charles Clay, Tulsa TE
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Who did a better job drafting for defense than Tampa? With Adrian Clayborn, Da'Quan Bowers and Mason Foster in the fold, the Bucs go with offense on Day 3.
Clay made his mark as a fullback for Tulsa but will project as a pass-catcher in the NFL with over 2,200 receiving yards in his career.
Kansas City: Stephen Schilling, Michigan OL
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The Chiefs can run wild in the weak AFC West, but come playoff time, they'll need some more muscle. They began to address that with Rodney Hudson. They continue with Schilling.
This Wolverine has the speed (5.18 40) and strength (30 bench reps) to hold down the line for KC against the out-of-division competition they'll hope to face next January.
Indianapolis: Adrian Moten, Maryland OLB
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After three offensive linemen - Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana and Drake Nevis - Indy wants to add depth to their D.
In 2010, the Colts injuries went through players like a cold through a kindergarten class. Moten fits the smaller, quicker mold of Indy's linebacking corps.
He made a lot of plays for the Terps last season, including 2.5 sacks and four interceptions.
Philadelphia: Greg Jones, Michigan State LB
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With two DBs in pocket (Jaiquawn Jarrett, Curtis Marsh), Philly looks to deepen their linebacking corps with the solid Jones, who had 465 tackles in his Spartan career.
Should the Eagles suffer injuries as they did in 2010, Jones should be able to step up for playing time.
New Orleans: Derrick Locke, Kentucky RB/KR
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New Orleans has done a great job with the defense (Cam Jordan, Martez Wilson, Johnny Patrick) and got a bulky back in Mark Ingram. Now for some dynamite.
The diminutive Locke (5-8, 188) averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 27 yards per kick return in his career. Yes, the Saints have Reggie Bush, but with Locke they'd have instant leverage.
Seattle: Mario Harvey, Marshall LB
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James Carpenter and John Moffitt bolster the offensive line. And that's great.
The Seahawks couldn't stop the run last year; Harvey could help at any linebacker position.
The 5-11, 257-pounder has unusual speed (4.46 40) and solid strength (27 bench reps). The Conference USA First-Teamer had 143 total tackles in 2010.
Baltimore: Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh DE
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The Ravens took CB Jimmy Smith on D and WR Torrey Smith on O. They seek a hybrid player on Day 3, and find one in Romeus.
The 6-5, 265-pound Panther had 38.5 tackles for loss in 40 career games. He comes to Baltimore's formidable defense as a flexible player providing an outside rush.
Atlanta: Karl Klug, Iowa DE
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Akeem Dent will improve the Cards' linebacking corps. On Day 3, they deepen their front line.
Klug was a consistent performer for the Hawkeyes, with 13 tackles for loss in 2010. With his relative quickness, he can provide more harassment of opposing QBs.
New England: Sam Acho, Texas OLB
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So, a team with a glaring need for a pass-rusher gets... two running backs?
Nothing against Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, but the Patriots need to improve their league-worst pass defense.
Acho, with 17 tackles for loss last year, is one of the best remaining prospects.
Chicago: Andrew Jackson, Fresno State OG
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The Bears need to improve their O-line. They began the process with Gabe Carimi.
They continue it with Jackson, who has been underrated due to an ankle injury in 2010. His recent pro day has gotten him back in the draft conversation.
The Bears could certainly use a 6-5, 300-pound brawler on their interior offensive line, and Jackson (All-WAC in 2009) fits that bill.
New York Jets: Jake Rogers, Cincinnati K
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The Jets have the defense and offense to compete with anyone. They've added a mass of humanity on D with linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis (660 total pounds, fyi).
With the addition of Cincinnati's career scoring leader in Rogers, they solidify their field goal unit and have nothing holding them back in 2010.
Pittsburgh: Robert Sands, West Virginia S
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Pittsburgh's run defense? Awesome. Cam Heyward won't hurt, either.
Their pass defense? That got some immediate help in CB Curtis Brown. Sands adds needed depth in the middle of the field, having the size (6-4) and speed to contribute right away.
Green Bay: Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma OLB
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The Packers went all offense on Days 1 and 2 with OT Derek Sherrod, WR Randall Cobb and RB Alex Green.
What do you get a team with a great D? A little more of what they've already got.
The 6-2, 262-pound Beal had great production at OK with at least 8.5 sacks in each of the past three years. He was named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and should get on the field right away as a sub-rusher.
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