2011 NFL Draft Grades: Round Two Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Day two of the draft is upon us, and if it’s anywhere near as unpredictable as round one is, then we are in for a treat. I’ll once again be going through each pick of the second and third round with instant grades and analysis. We’ve got a lot of quality players left in the draft, and it should be another exciting night of action!
33. New England Patriots: CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
1 of 32
I think that he is a good player who dropped due to his injuries last season. I think that this fills a need for the Patriots, but I think that Aaron Williams or Brandon Harris would’ve been better selections.
Grade: B-
34. Buffalo Bills: CB Aaron Williams, Texas
2 of 32
This is a pick I question a bit, because their secondary is their strongest defensive unit. With so many defensive end/outside linebackers available, I think they should’ve taken one of them.
Grade: D+
35. Cincinnati Bengals: QB Andy Dalton, TCU
3 of 32
Excellent pick by the Bengals here, as Dalton is going to be a very good starting quarterback. He will love throwing to his new top target in A.J. Green. Two very good picks by the Bengals thus far.
Grade: A
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36. San Francisco 49ers (from Denver): QB Colin Kaepernick, Nevada
4 of 32
This is a nice pick for the 49ers, even though I was expecting Mallett. I think Kaepernick will be a good fit for them, but I do think that he needs to sit for a year or two before starting.
Grade: B
37. Cleveland Browns: DE Jabaal Sheard, Pittsburgh
5 of 32
This fills a huge need for them, but how do they take him over Bowers? I like Sheard as a player, and he should be a good fit in Cleveland, but very surprised they passed on Bowers.
Grade: C+
38. Arizona Cardinals: RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
6 of 32
I don’t really get this pick much, unless the Cardinals are really concerned about the health of Beanie Wells. Williams is a nice player, but I think the Cardinals had much bigger needs at this point.
Grade: C-
39. Tennessee Titans: OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
7 of 32
A very nice pick here, as he’s a first round talent. He fills a pretty big need for the Titans, and I think this is an excellent pick. A nice pick by the Titans after a questionable first rounder.
Grade: A-
40. Dallas Cowboys: OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina
8 of 32
I’m surprised a bit by this pick, as Carter fits best in a 4-3 defense. He is a solid player, but I wonder if the Cowboys are hoping for him to gain some more weight to play the inside linebacker position.
Grade: C
41. Washington Redskins: DT Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson
9 of 32
This fills a pretty solid need for the Redskins, but I think that Jenkins is a bit of a reach here. I think that the Redskins could have gotten a lot of better talent that could help them immediately here.
Grade: C-
42. Houston Texans: OLB Brooks Reed, Arizona
10 of 32
An excellent pick for the Texans, as he will provide a solid pass rush for the Texans. I think that Reed will start right away, and he could make a very big impact for Houston next season.
Grade: A
43. Minnesota Vikings: TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame
11 of 32
They are got a solid weapon for Christian Ponder here, but it’s another head scratcher for the Vikings. They have multiple other needs that they could’ve filled here. A nice player for Minnesota, but I don’t think it was the right choice.
Grade: D+
44. Detroit Lions: WR Titus Young, Boise State
12 of 32
This is another surprising pick by the Lions, but I like it. He will give them an excellent weapon in the slot for the Lions, and Matt Stafford is probably pretty happy with this selection.
Grade: B
45. Denver Broncos: S Rahim Moore, UCLA
13 of 32
The Broncos get the best safety in the draft all the way down here with Moore. He fills a big need for the Broncos moving forward, and he could be the long term replacement for Brian Dawkins in Denver. I really like this pick for them.
Grade: A
46. Denver Broncos: OG Orlando Franklin, Miami
14 of 32
I don’t get this pick. Stephen Paea and Da’Quan Bowers are still available here, and they take Franklin? I’m not even sure if he has the ability to play the tackle position, as he will likely end up as a guard.
Grade: D-
47. St. Louis Rams: TE Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
15 of 32
I like this pick for the Rams, as they need to surround Bradford with as many weapons as possible. He is a very good pass catcher, and he’ll provide a nice safety blanket for Bradford in the future.
Grade: B+
48. Oakland Raiders: C Stefan Wisniewski, Penn State
16 of 32
I’ve had him mocked to the Raiders for months now, as he gives them a big presence on the interior of the line. I think that his best position will be at center after spending last season at guard for Penn State.
Grade: B
49. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ben Ijalana, Villanova
17 of 32
The Colts are double dipping here with Ijalana, but I like the direction they are heading in. They know that they have to keep Manning upright, and Ijalana will help do that. He could play tackle or guard next season for the Colts.
Grade: B-
50. San Diego Chargers: CB Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson
18 of 32
This is a big time reach in my opinion. I had Gilchrist as a late fourth round prospect, and I’m surprised to see him this high. I’m not sure if he’ll play safety or corner for the Chargers, but either way, it’s a bad pick in my book.
Grade: F
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
19 of 32
This is the best value pick thus far in the draft. I know there are concerns about his knee, but he is a great pass rusher who will make a great pairing with Adrian Clayborn. This is an excellent draft thus far for the Bucs.
Grade: A+
52. New York Giants: DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina
20 of 32
A very nice pick for the Giants here, as they continue to build their defensive line depth. He missed all of last season, so we’ll see how rusty he is. I think he can make a nice impact along the middle of the defensive line.
Grade: B
53. Chicago Bears: DT Stephen Paea, Oregon State
21 of 32
Another nice value pick for the Bears here, as they get a player who can start right away. Paea will replace Tommie Harris, and I think he will be a nice starter for them next season.
Grade: A-
54. Philadelphia Eagles: S Jaiquawn Jarrett, Temple
22 of 32
Jarrett is a very underrated player who will be a great addition to the Eagles’ defense. He will make a very nice duo at safety for years to come with Nate Allen. Another solid pick for the Eagles, and I think he’ll be a big help to the defense next season.
Grade: B-
55. Kansas City Chiefs: OG/ C Rodney Hudson, Florida State
23 of 32
Hudson is a solid pick for the Chiefs, as they continue to build up the talent for the future on their offensive line. I’m surprised that they didn’t go with Justin Houston here, but it’s a very solid pick for them.
Grade: B-
56. New England Patriots: RB Shane Vereen, California
24 of 32
Vereen is a solid pickup for the Pats, but why would they take him over Mikel Leshoure? Vereen won’t be an every down back, which is something that Leshoure will be. This fills a sizeable need for the Patriots, but they picked the wrong player.
Grade: C-
57. Detroit Lions: RB Mikel Leshoure, Illinois
25 of 32
I think this is a solid pick, as he will make a nice pairing at running back with Jahvid Best. He is a big back who can be an every down running back, and I’m surprised he was still available here.
Grade: B+
58. Baltimore Ravens: WR Torrey Smith, Maryland
26 of 32
This is a very smart pick for the Ravens. Smith is an excellent player who I’m a big fan of. He will be a nice compliment to Anquan Boldin, and I think he will develop into a number one receiver in a few years.
Grade: A-
59. Cleveland Browns: WR Greg Little, North Carolina
27 of 32
Little is a nice pick here for the Browns, because they needed a top receiver. I think that Little can develop into a number one receiver, but it remains to be seen how he plays next season after sitting out the entire 2010 season.
Grade: B
60. Houston Texans: CB Brandon Harris, Miami
28 of 32
This is a very good value pick for the Texans here, as Harris will start right away next season across from Kareem Jackson. He has a lot of potential, and he’ll be a very good starter for them next season.
Grade: A-
61. San Diego Chargers:OLB Jonas Mouton, Michigan
29 of 32
I like Mouton as a fifth or sixth round player at best. This is another waste of a pick by the Chargers, especially with Justin Houston still on the board. I don’t get what they are thinking, as they obviously don’t understand value.
Grade: F
62. Miami Dolphins: RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
30 of 32
I am a big fan of Thomas, and he will do a nice job replacing either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams. I think the Dolphins made a nice pick here, and they will be very happy with the size of Thomas.
Grade: B+
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Marcus Gilbert, Florida
31 of 32
This is a decent pick for the Steelers, as they really need another offensive lineman. This is a little bit high for him in my opinion, but he will get an opportunity to start next season.
Grade: C
64. Green Bay Packers: WR Randall Cobb, Kentucky
32 of 32
This is a pretty solid pick for the Packers, as he fills their giant need for a return man. It looks like James Jones won’t be back next season, but Cobb should do a nice job replacing him next season.
Grade: B+
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