NFL Draft 2011: 8 Is Enough, My Final Look at the First Round of the Draft, Pt.2

Here’s an eighth and final look at the second half first round of the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.


17.  New England Patriots: Cameron Jordan, DE, California: Predicting what Bill Belichick will do is virtually impossible, but assuming he won’t trade out of this spot, Jordan makes sense as the Pats continue to rebuild their defense.

Previous Pick:  Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

18.  San Diego Chargers: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State: 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:  Cameron Jordan, DE, California

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 needing 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: Gabe Carimi, T, Wisconsin: The Chiefs desperately need to bolster their offensive line.

Previous Pick:  Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

22.  Indianapolis Colts: Nate Solder, T, Colorado: Solder is the pick to protect Peyton.

Previous Pick:  Nate Solder, T, Colorado 

23.  Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado: He has character issues, but that hasn’t stopped Andy Reid in the past. The Eagles need secondary help and Smith has the ability.

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:  Muhammad Wilkerson, DE, Temple

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: Brooks Reed, LB, Arizona: While finding a burner to stretch the field makes sense, the Ravens have always been about defense. Reed is a good fit here.

Previous Pick:  Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State 

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:  Toreey Smith, WR, Maryland

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. Of course, trading out of this slot makes perfect sense for New England. Andy Dalton would likely be the prize.

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:  Justin Houston, DE/LB, Georgia


Click here to see picks 1-16 of the 2011 NFL Draft.