2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Entire Second Round with Analysis
Wow, what an interesting yet entertaining first round!
The first round of the 2011 NFL draft was a record setting one as 12 defensive linemen were selected, which is good enough for the most in NFL draft history.
Not only were a lot of defensive linemen drafted, a lot of quarterbacks were selected as well—including the shocking selection of Jake Locker at eighth overall to the Tennessee Titans.
As the first round concludes, it's still going to be a busy night for all 32 teams as they prepare themselves for the second round Friday night.
Here is complete mock draft of the second round—keep in mind that I do not incorporate trades!
I have stated several times before, I am not an expert, but I consider myself an expert fan—a fan with strong insight and great knowledge of the NFL.
I hope you all enjoy this mock draft, and I have a strong feeling that it's going to be fairly close to what happens in the second round—be sure to leave your feedback!
This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @ TonySantorsa.
33. New England Patriots: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
1 of 32
I do not see the New England Patriots keeping this pick whatsoever—it is going to present so much value to other teams that will do anything for a quarterback. Teams who need a quarterback, and who want to jump ahead of teams like the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, if the Patriots do stay at 33rd overall, I can definitely see Belichick capitalizing on the free fall of Da'Quan Bowers.
Bowers may be your typical 4-3 defensive end, but keep in mind that New England played in a sub-package dime defense 57 percent of the time last season and desperately needs a pass rusher, which Bowers can offer.
34. Buffalo Bills: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
2 of 32
Andy Dalton to the Buffalo Bills seems like a nice fit to me.
The Bills already have a quality NFL starter in Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he is not the long-term answer at the quarterback position. Therefore, Buffalo can bring in Dalton and will be able to groom and develop him into an NFL starter.
35. Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
3 of 32
Besides Christian Ponder, I believe that Ryan Mallett is the most NFL-ready quarterback in the 2011 draft class.
The Cincinnati Bengals will likely trade away their current quarterback Carson Palmer, and Mallett could be the team's potential starter, but at least he'll be the team's quarterback of the future.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
36. Denver Broncos: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
4 of 32
The Denver Broncos will continue to draft defensively under new head coach John Fox.
Georgia's Justin Houston would definitely help out Denver's sub-par pass rush along with fellow rookie Von Miller.
37. Cleveland Browns: Akeem Ayers, OLB / DE, UCLA
5 of 32
After trading back to the 21st overall pick and grabbing defensive tackle Phil Taylor, the Cleveland Browns will be selecting UCLA's Akeem Ayers.
Ayers is your typical 3-4 outside linebacker, but by joining the Browns' 4-3 defense, Ayers will be able to line up as either a defensive end or a linebacker—most likely a defensive end.
38. Arizona Cardinals: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
6 of 32
The Arizona Cardinals will not be drafting a quarterback in the second round, but they'll bring in the draft's top tight end: Kyle Rudolph out of Notre Dame.
The Cardinals tight end corps is rather weak, and Rudolph will definitely bolster that position with his high potential and impressive talent.
39. Tennessee Titans: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
7 of 32
One of the Tennessee Titans' biggest weaknesses is their defensive line. Their current right defensive tackle, Sen'Derrick Marks, isn't going to cut it and selecting Marvin Austin out of North Carolina would be a definite upgrade.
40. Dallas Cowboys: Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA
8 of 32
UCLA's Rahim Moore appears to be a quality selection for the Dallas Cowboys.
Moore would add much needed youth into Dallas' secondary and is the draft's top free safety, so it'd be a smart decision to grab him while he's available.
41. Washington Redskins: Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
9 of 32
Believe it or not, I strongly believe that this would be a brilliant selection by Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins.
Washing desperately needs a quarterback and they missed their chance at grabbing prospects who were considered to be "elite," but drafting Nevada's Colin Kaepernick isn't a bad decision at all.
Kaepernick is the best available quarterback and has major upside—the Redskins are rebuilding and that will give ample enough time for Kaepernick to develop into a quality NFL starter.
42. Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
10 of 32
After drafting J.J. Watt, who will fit perfectly in Wade Philips' 3-4 defense, the Texans will continue to address their defense in the biggest area of concern: cornerback.
The Texans were among the worst pass defenses in the NFL last season, and Miami cornerback Brandon Harris is a very quality prospect and overall a solid selection.
43. Minnesota Vikings: Stephe Paea, DT, Oregon State
11 of 32
The "Williams Wall" up in Minnesota isn't getting any younger and will be looking for potential replacements in the near future.
Oregon State's Stephen Paea could possibly be a future suitor along the Vikings' 4-3 defensive line. Paea is a large anchor and has freakish power and strength that will demand to be double teamed nearly every single play.
44. Detroit Lions: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
12 of 32
The Detroit Lions passed on cornerback Prince Amukamara in the first round Thursday and instead selected Auburn's Nick Fairley.
After passing on the draft's second best cornerback, the Lions will select Aaron Williams out of Texas—a very solid defensive back that can play multiple positions.
45. San Francisco 49ers: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
13 of 32
The San Francisco 49ers could definitely use some help at the cornerback position and the best available is Ras-I Dowling out of Virgina.
Dowling is a physically gifted cornerback who stands in at 6'1" and was a very productive player at Virgina (160 tackles and eight interceptions).
46. Denver Broncos: Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU
14 of 32
Ryan Harris, who was the Denver Broncos' right tackle in 2010 is set to become a free agent and will likely not return as he's not the best fit in John Fox's power-running offense.
TCU's Marcus Cannon can immediately step in as a starter and has the size and power to be a quality run blocker.
47. St. Louis Rams: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
15 of 32
The St. Louis Rams failed to find Sam Bradford a number one wide receiver in the first round, so they'll have to settle with Maryland's Torrey Smith.
Smith is a blue-colored wide receiver that will work to get his way open and is a solid fit as a Ram.
48. Oakland Raiders: Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
16 of 32
This selection makes a lot of sense for the Oakland Raiders as the Raiders could use an upgrade at the center position.
Wisniewski's uncle played 13 season for Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders, so I'm sure that Davis will recognize the connection and the pull trigger on the Penn State product.
49. Washington Redskins: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky
17 of 32
Kentucky's Randall Cobb could be a potential first-year starter for the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins have one of the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL, and Cobb certainly addresses their needs as he was a very productive player during his time at Kentucky.
50. San Diego Chargers: Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
18 of 32
Linebacker Martez Wilson doesn't just address one of the San Diego Chargers' minor needs, he's a value pick.
Wilson is a solid prospect and top inside linebacker in the 2011 draft class—he's the best player available for the Chargers.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
19 of 32
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers absolutely need a tight end, and with Kyle Rudolph already gone, the Bucs will have no choice and grab Lance Kendricks, who is the best available.
Kendricks will enter Tampa and challenge Kellen Winslow Jr. for the starting job, as Winslow has failed to stay healthy and productive on a consistent basis.
52. New York Giants: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois
20 of 32
The New York Giants will likely lose running back Ahmad Bradshaw to free agency which will open up a hole in New York's offense.
Running back Mikel Leshoure out of Illinois had a breakout season in 2010 when he rushed for 1,697 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. His draft stock is high, and would be a solid pick to pair up with Brandon Jacobs.
53. Indianapolis Colts: Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson
21 of 32
The Indianapolis Colts don't have any pressing needs besides improving the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Clemson's Jarvis Jenkins is a very athletic and explosive linemen to throw into Indy's 4-3 defensive front.
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
22 of 32
The 6'3", 245 lbs outside linebacker out of North Carolina would be quite the value pick at this point for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bruce Carter is a very solid prospect and would add some much needed depth in the Eagles' linebacker corps.
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Jabaal Sheard, OLB, Pittsburgh
23 of 32
Jabaal Sheard is one of the best pass rushers available and would fit very nicely in Kansas City's 3-4 defensive alignment.
Sheard would play opposite of Tamba Hali as an outside linebacker and would make quite the pass rushing tandem for the Chiefs.
56. New England Patriots: Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona
24 of 32
Arizona's Brooks Reed has Patriot written all-over him.
Reed is one of the draft's more prolific pass rushers and would definitely bolster New England's below average pass rush.
As a Patriot, Reed would line up as an outside linebacker in New England's 3-4 defense, but may only be used as a sub-package player unless he can improve his pass coverage skills.
57. Seattle Seahawks: Titus Young, WR, Boise State
25 of 32
Boise State's Titus Young is a very explosive wide receiver that would fit nicely in Seattle's offense.
The Seahawks have one of the worst wide receivers corps in the NFL and Young would certainly add some speed and play-making abilities to the group.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Rodney Hudson, C, Florida State
26 of 32
The Baltimore Ravens are a smash-mouth football team and need to have tough and nasty linemen protecting Joe Flacco and blocking for Ray Rice.
Florida State's center Rodney Hudson is the best linemen available, and conveniently, the Ravens could use some depth at the center position.
59. Cleveland Browns: Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
27 of 32
Miami defensive linemen Allen Bailey could be a potential star in Cleveland's 4-3 defensive scheme.
Bailey is a very underrated versatile player that can play multiple techniques on the defensive line and is a huge upgrade for the Browns.
60. New England Patriots: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
28 of 32
After passing on Mark Ingram at 28th overall and trading their pick to the New Orleans Saints, the New England Patriots will likely draft a running back in the second round.
Ryan Williams is a very solid well-rounded running back that is equipped with speed, power and explosiveness—an ideal running back to join New England's backfield.
61. San Diego Chargers: Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy
29 of 32
Troy wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan is currently on the rise on most draft boards as he's been recently compared to players like DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith.
The San Diego Chargers could definitely use an explosive receiver like Jernigan, and I'm sure that Philip Rivers wouldn't mind adding him to the wide receiver corps.
62. Chicago Bears: Benjamin Ijalana, OG, Villanova
30 of 32
Benjamin Ijalana is a very powerful run blocking offensive guard that would be an easy decision for the Chicago Bears at this point.
The Bears need help along the offensive line at every position, and by taking the best available, Ijalana, wouldn't be such a bad idea.
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
31 of 32
The lone quality cornerback on the Pittsburgh Steelers is Ike Taylor, who's 30 years old.
The top cornerback available at this point is New Mexico State's Davon House, who is a very solid defender that has major upside.
Cornerback is by far the Steelers weakest position.
64. Green Bay Packers: DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
32 of 32
The Green Bay Packers are the most complete team in the NFL. It appears that the 2011 NFL draft is all about adding depth for the Packers.
Running back DeMarco Murray out of Oklahoma doens't just add depth to Green Bay's rushing attack, but he does have potential to be a solid NFL running back in the future.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
