NFL Draft 2011: Second Round Mock Draft

The first round of the 2011 NFL draft is in, and there were plenty of surprises, trades, and great prospects falling down the board. The second round is likely to be just as unpredictable but, for now, here are my best educated guesses as to how it will shake out.

New England Patriots: Marvin Austin, DE/DT, North Carolina

Most people are probably expecting Bill Belichick to address outside linebacker here, and he may like Akeem Ayers or Brooks Reed enough to do so. But Marvin Austin is a tremendous prospect who many thought would go in the first round. He can step in as a 5-technique where Richard Seymour used to be, and help generate pressure up front while stuffing the run. The Patriots passed on Muhammad Wilkerson and Cameron Heyward to coax a future first-rounder out of New Orleans, but they can still come away with an excellent lineman here.

Buffalo Bills: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona

Von Miller would have been a great fit for Buffalo, but it was not to be. Instead, they get their pass-rusher in the second. Brooks Reed, a very explosive defender who has drawn comparisons to Clay Matthews, could help the Bills forget about the Aaron Maybin blunder.

Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

In a first round where teams reached for quarterbacks left and right, the Bengals deserve credit for resisting that temptation and instead landing the best offensive player in the draft. However, they still need someone to get the ball to him and, while Mike Brown still seems to be holding onto the hope that Carson Palmer will come back, it would be foolish to ignore the position outright.

Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, and Ryan Mallett are the best remaining quarterbacks, and the latter is a poor fit for new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden’s scheme. Dalton makes the most sense here.

Denver Broncos: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

The Broncos passed on Marcell Dareus in the first. Never mind that Von Miller makes little sense for them. The bigger question is, who mans the interior of that defensive line, where they currently have next to nothing? Stephen Paea, the combine bench-press record holder, was considered a first-rounder until his injury. He’s good enough to be worth rolling the dice on.

Cleveland Browns: Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh

The Browns need to fill out their new 4-3 front. They picked up the monstrous Phil Taylor to play inside. Now they get a quality edge-rusher to complement him.

Arizona Cardinals: Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

The Cardinals have one of the worst defenses in the league in terms of generating pressure, thanks in large part to their over-the-hill OLB duo. Ayers is a talented and versatile linebacker who has great upside as a pass-rusher.

Tennessee Titans: Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

The slide ends for Bowers. He might need knee surgery and may not even make an impact until his second year, but he’s a phenomenal athlete who was unstoppable this season. With Jason Babin possibly leaving as a free agent, the Titans need help here.

Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Williams, CB/S, Texas

The Cowboys have a very talented roster with two major holes: offensive line and secondary. They addressed the former in round one. Now they pick up an excellent defensive back who can play either corner or safety, which is convenient because Terence Newman and Alan Ball both need to go.

Washington Redskins: Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada

The Redskins passed on Blaine Gabbert in the first. Here, Mike Shanahan gets his young quarterback to develop. Physically, Kaepernick has everything he needs to succeed. The drawback is that he needs to learn a pro-style offense, but who better to teach him than offensive guru Shanahan?

Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

The Texans had an epically bad defense last year. They’ve strengthened their new three-man defensive line and, while they could use a pass-rusher, there isn’t great value here. Instead, they help out a sorry secondary with one of the top cornerbacks in the draft.

Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

Honestly, I have no idea what the Vikings are thinking after making a ridiculous reach for Christian Ponder in the first round. But Kyle Rudolph, who has drawn comparisons to Rob Gronkowski, is one of the top players available and can help out Ponder as both a receiver and blocker.

Detroit Lions: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

Many were surprised when the Lions passed up Prince Amukamara in the first, but you can’t really blame them when Nick Fairley was still available. However, they do need to address the atrocious secondary, and Ras-I Dowling is a great pick here. He’s got some health issues but, if he can shake them, he has the talent to be a legitimate number one corner.

San Francisco 49ers: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky

The Niners could really use a QB, but everyone is gone except for Ryan Mallett, who doesn’t fit Jim Harbaugh’s offense. They’ll probably look at some veteran options this year, but whoever is under center in San Francisco will need someone to throw to. Randall Cobb is one of the top receivers available, and great in special teams as well.

Denver Broncos: Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois

John Fox goes from having two stud running backs in Carolina to hoping Knowshon Moreno can stay healthy in Denver. Mikel Leshoure is a power runner who should make a great complement for Moreno.

St. Louis Rams: Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

The Rams are doing great in this draft while standing pat. Sam Bradford impressed everyone last year, but it’s obvious he needs better receivers to throw to. Smith is a great value here, and he and Bradford should make a great duo under the tutelage of Josh McDaniels.

Oakland Raiders: Marcus Cannon, G, TCU

Finally, the Raiders get to pick. The offensive line and secondary are Oakland’s two biggest worries. There’s no great value at corner here, and they took Bruce Campbell last year to play tackle. They’ll complement Campbell with the monstrous Marcus Cannon, who has the size to succeed in their new power-blocking scheme.

Washington Redskins: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami

Mike Shanahan’s got his quarterback; now he needs to upgrade one of the worst receiving groups in the league. Leonard Hankerson has been very impressive in draft season, and should develop into a reliable target for Washington’s new quarterback.

San Diego Chargers: Benjamin Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova

General manager A.J. Smith has a history of neglecting the trenches, but he broke that trend by drafting Corey Liuget in the first. Hopefully he comes to his senses and realizes that he needs to protect his quarterback, too. Ijalana garnered some late first-round buzz, so he’s a real steal here.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Houston, DE, Georgia

The Buccaneers spent their first two picks last year on defensive tackles. They could do the same this year at end. Justin Houston is a first-round talent who fell because of his failed drug test. However, Tampa Bay has a history of taking a chance on players with character concerns. If Houston and Adrian Clayborn are as good as advertised, the Buccaneers could have a dominant defensive line in the making.

New York Giants: Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State

The Giants got a steal and a half in the first round with Prince Amukamara, but that meant they had to wait an extra round to fix the offensive line. No matter, as they get one of the top interior linemen in the draft, who can also play different positions along the line.

Indianapolis Colts: Titus Young, WR, Boise State

The Colts got someone to protect Peyton Manning in the first. Now they need someone for him to throw to, given Reggie Wayne’s age and Austin Collie’s concussions. Titus Young is a speedster who could develop into an elite receiver with Manning throwing to him.

Philadelphia Eagles: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA

Philadelphia’s secondary is a major liability, and one they cannot ignore when they have to play four games a year against Tony Romo and Eli Manning. Rahim Moore, the top safety available, could step in for impending free agent Quintin Mikell.

Kansas City Chiefs: Rodney Hudson, G, Florida State

Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe had career years for the Chiefs, but the offense was ransacked by Baltimore in the playoffs. Finding a second receiving option in Jonathan Baldwin was a good start, but the offensive line needs to be solidified if Kansas City is to stand up to the elite teams in the league. The Chiefs should be able to plug in Rodney Hudson and upgrade the line right away.

New England Patriots: Curtis Brown, CB, Texas

Cornerback may not be the most pressing need for the Patriots, but Curtis Brown is the type of intelligent, instinctive player Bill Belichick loves. He can play nickel and learn for a year or two under Leigh Bodden, and then take over the starting spot across from Devin McCourty.

Seattle Seahawks: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

Pete Carroll finally gets his quarterback to succeed Matt Hasselbeck. As a passer, Ryan Mallett is as good as anybody in this draft. The problems with him are his mobility and issues off the field. Carroll is known to forgive the latter, and he drafted Russell Okung and James Carpenter to cover up the former. This is an educated gamble for Seattle.

Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida

The Ravens could use a defensive end or outside linebacker, but there’s no standout available here. Rather, they’ll look for a tackle to replace Jared Gaither, who can’t seem to get healthy. Joe Flacco is shaky under pressure, so the Ravens need to make sure he’s got time to throw. Gilbert is the best available tackle.

Cleveland Browns: Edmond Gates, WR, Abilene Christian

The Browns have already picked up one piece for their new defense and, in this mock, I gave them another. Now they need to find a weapon for Colt McCoy after taking Atlanta’s lucrative offer to pass up Julio Jones. Edmond Gates, who blew everybody away with his 40 time, will provide McCoy with a speedy target.

New England Patriots: Orlando Franklin, G, Miami

After getting pushed around by opposing defenses in three straight playoff losses, the Patriots want to get bigger up front. They now have two towers on the edges in Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder; the 316-pound Franklin gives them a solid presence on the interior.

Some may object to the Patriots getting through two rounds without addressing outside linebacker. However, Belichick is not known to take pass-rushers early, and there’s nobody here good enough for him to change tactics. He’ll have some good options later on, like Dontay Moch, Sam Acho, and Greg Romeus.

San Diego Chargers: Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois

San Diego could see some turnover at the inside linebacker position due to free agency. Martez Wilson is a little raw, but he’s a great athlete who could anchor the defense for years to come.

Chicago Bears: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

The Bears got a great offensive lineman in round one; now, they need to fix the other line with the departure of Tommie Harris. Drake Nevis can be a disruptive presence up front.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Clint Boling, G, Georgia

The Steelers aren’t really known for taking offensive linemen early, but they can’t keep letting Ben Roethlisberger get pounded like this. Clint Boling should be able to step in from day one and upgrade a very shaky line, as Maurkice Pouncey did last year.

Green Bay Packers: Jarvis Jenkins, DE/DT, Clemson

The Packers could consider bringing in a receiver here to groom as Donald Driver’s successor. But right now, they’re more concerned with the likely departure of Cullen Jenkins. The dominance of their defense was instrumental in making the jump to a championship-caliber team, and they stay strong up front with the addition of Jenkins.