2011 NFL Draft Grades: Results and Analysis of Each Team's 2nd Round Pick
After one of the most exciting first rounds in recent memory, one can only hope that the round two of the 2011 NFL Draft was just as good and surprising.
Going into the second round, there was plenty of talent and potential still left on the board like Da'Quan Bowers and Akeem Ayers. Some good potential quarterbacks were going quick in the first round so when will the rest go on day two?
Ryan Mallett obviously did not strike any lights on for scouts as he is still left on the board going into Round Three. There were some great picks still to be had in the second round.
Here are the draft results and grades for each 2nd round pick.
33. New England Patriots: Ras-I Dowling, CB Virginia
1 of 32
Ras-I Dowling was supposed to be a sleeper pick. The Patriots did not think so as they selected him with the first pick on day two.
Dowling was limited by injuries last year or else he would have been a first rounder.
He has good size and great speed.
Grade: B
34. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Williams
2 of 32
It was very surprising that Aaron Williams was not selected ahead of Dowling.
Williams is a good cover corner with good instincts. Bills are definitely trying to re-tool and build through their defense with their first two selections.
An interesting note: Williams had zero INT last season.
Grade: B-
35. Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton, QB TCU
3 of 32
Paging Carson Palmer...you may get your wish for a ticket out of town.
With the Bengals picking Dalton here, the Bengals show that they want to establish a new regime in Cincinnati.
Dalton and A.J. Green is a good start.
Grade: B+
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36. San Francisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick, QB Nevada
4 of 32
The 49ers traded nine picks to ensure that they got their QB.
After Dalton went, the 49ers did not want to take a chance at Colin Kaepernick falling.
Kaeperick is a very motivated and determined player and is a good project for Jim Harbaugh.
Grade: B-
37. Cleveland Browns: Jabaal Sheard, DE Pitt
5 of 32
Jabaal Sheard is a guy that has improved every year over the course of his four seasons at Pitt.
He has a good initial burst off the line that helped him rack up nine sacks last year.
Hard to say this was a great pick though with Da'Quan Bowers still available.
Grade: C
38. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Williams, RB Virginia Tech
6 of 32
Ryan Williams was a first rounder if he was able to come out of school last year.
He went back to VT for another year and had a rough, injury-plagued season where he only started five games.
His red-shirt season was phenomenal. He gained over 1,800 total yards and 22 TD.
Did the Cardinals need him though?
Grade: C+
39. Tennessee Titans: Akeem Ayers, LB UCLA
7 of 32
Great value pick for the Titans here selecting Akeem Ayers.
They need another pass rusher and that is who they got.
Ayers does not put up the sack numbers, but he is able to pressure the QB and get into the backfield to stop the run. He is an above average coverage man as well.
Grade: B+
40. Dallas Cowboys: Bruce Carter, OLB UNC
8 of 32
Bruce Carter seems to be a perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys.
Carter has good speed for the OLB position, but is a little small. He needs to gain a little weight.
Interesting that the Cowboys did not take a chance on Da'Quan Bowers to pair up with DeMarcus Ware.
Grade: B+
41. Washington Redskins: Jarvis Jenkins, DT Clemson
9 of 32
Jarvis Jenkins gets taken over Da'Quan Bowers?
Something must be really wrong with his knee that is not getting out to the public.
Jenkins is a massive player that can clog up the middle and stop the run.
Little stretch here though.
Grade: C
42. Houston Texans: Brooks Reed, LB Arizona
10 of 32
I absolutely love this guy and absolutely love this pick for Houston.
With their transition to a new 3-4 scheme, the Texans needed a pass rusher coming from the second level.
Brooks Reed has already drawn comparisons to Clay Matthews.
Grade: A+
43. Minnesota Vikings: Kye Rudolph, TE Notre Dame
11 of 32
Kyle Rudolph was expected to be the first TE off the board, and was.
He has great size at 6'5" and runs very well.
He was not very productive in college, but he has the raw size and skills to become a good starter in the NFL.
Grade: B+
44. Detroit Lions: Titus Young, WR Boise State
12 of 32
Titus Young is the first WR taken on day two.
Young is an explosive deep ball threat and will be a good compliment to the big Calvin Johnson on the other side.
Two great picks by the Lions so far this year.
Grade: B+
45. Denver Broncos: Rahim Moore, S UCLA
13 of 32
With Brian Dawkins' future in doubt, Rahim Moore fell just enough to the Denver Broncos here at No. 45.
Moore provides both value and fills a big need on defense. The Broncos are another team that has concentrated on rebuilding their defense early in the draft.
Moore is a ball-hawking safety that has great instincts.
Grade: A-
46. Denver Broncos: Orlando Franklin, OT Miami
14 of 32
Orlando Franklin is the Broncos first offensive pick and a big one.
He is 6'6" and 315 pounds. He played LT at the U, but might shift inside to OG to fill Denver's need for an interior lineman.
Very good upside for the big man.
Grade: B-
47. St. Louis Rams: Lance Kendricks, TE Wisconsin
15 of 32
It might not be Julio Jones, but the Rams got Sam Bradford a new toy to play with.
Lance Kendricks broke out after getting the chance to start.
Kendricks is a natural receiver that will have to improve his blocking in order to be a complete TE.
Grade: B
48. Oakland Radiers: Stefen Wisniewski, C Penn State
16 of 32
Interesting that Rodney Hudson did not go ahead of Stefen Wisniewski.
Regardless, Al Davis made a sensible pick here because Samson Satele is a free agent.
I just think Rodney Hudson is the better pick here.
Grade: C
49. Indianapolis Colts: Ben Ijalana, OT Villanova
17 of 32
The Colts drafted Anthony Castonzo to start right away and LT.
Ben Ijalana is the eventual replacement for Ryan Diem.
Ijalana could also fill in at the OG position if a player goes down.
He is a big athletic lineman, but can he hold up against good competition?
Grade: B-
50. San Diego Chargers Marcus Gilchrist, CB Clemson
18 of 32
Gilchrist is a tough, durable DB that can play both corner and safety.
He has decent size and jumped up draft boards with his great combine performance.
He provides another option at S if Bob Sanders cannot stay healthy again.
Grade: C+
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson
19 of 32
Finally. Da'Quan Bowers is finally taken.
The Bucs were thinking of taking him with their first round selection and they get him with the 51st overall pick.
Great great value here for the Bucs who need a pass rusher and can take a chance on Bowers this late.
Grade: A
52. New York Giants: Marvin Austin, DT UNC
20 of 32
Marvin Austin is another Tar Heel that missed the 2010 season.
Slipping all the way to the Giants was definitely a surprise though.
Rocky Bernard and Barry Cofield are both free agents so Austin has a chance to step in right away.
Grade: B+
53. Chicago Bears: Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State
21 of 32
Stephen Paea was another first round prospect who slipped.
Paea is a huge DT who has the strength of an ox.
He dominated at Oregon State and will start right away in Chicago with both of their DT going off into free agency.
Love this pick. Best one of the second round.
Grade: A+
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaiquawn Jarrett, S Temple
22 of 32
Jaiquawn Jarrett is another pick I love.
Quintin Mikell is a free agent and Nate Allen is coming off a sever knee injury.
Jarrett is a big heavy hitting player who has the chance to start as a rookie.
Grade: B+
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Rodney Hudson, C Florida State
23 of 32
Rodney Hudson is an experience OL that was a four year starter at FSU.
He played LG in school, but always practiced at the C position just in case he was needed.
Either position is needed for Kansas City.
Grade: B
56. New England Patriots: Shane Vereen, RB Cal
24 of 32
Shane Vereen is another product out of Cal who may go on to be a great NFL player.
Vereen is an average-sized back who fits New England's pass-happy system.
He lacks top-end speed to make the big play.
Grade: C
57. Detroit Lions: Mikel Leshoure, RB Illinois
25 of 32
Jahvid Best has a bright future, but he is coming off a season where he barely played.
The Detroit Lions get another playmaker on offense here with the big RB Mikel Leshoure.
Leshoure is 230 pounds and has a knack for the endzone.
Grade: B+
58. Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR Maryland
26 of 32
The Ravens love the Smiths. After selecting Jimmy Smith in the first, Baltimore goes on the offensive side and drafts Torrey Smith.
Torrey is a vertical wide-out who is a much needed deep threat for Joe Flacco.
Smith is a great KR as well and will immediately help on special teams.
Grade: B+
59. Cleveland Browns: Greg Little, WR UNC
27 of 32
Wow. Imagine if this UNC team had all these guys play last season.
Greg Little sat out in 2010 due to the same reasons as the previous Tar Heels.
Little is very big and strong WR and a great pick for the Browns here.
Grade: B+
60. Houston Texans: Brandon Harris, CB Miami
28 of 32
Brandon Harris was a potential first rounder. It seemed like all the corners dropped this year though.
Harris is an average-sized corner with above average speed. Nothing stands out about this kid, but he has no glaring weaknesses. Houston desperately needs a corner. Good value here.
Grade: B
61. San Diego Chargers: Jonas Mouton, LB Michigan
29 of 32
Jonas Mouton was a four year starter in Ann Arbor. Mouton was recruited as a S originally.
Shows the athleticism to close gaps and drop into coverage.
I do not think he is a second round pick though.
Grade: D
62. Miami Dolphins: Daniel Thomas, RB Kansas State
30 of 32
My second favorite pick of round two.
Daniel Thomas is a big finesse back who has produced for four years at Kansas State.
He is not the fastest back, but he is much like Ronnie Brown who he may eventually take over for.
Grade: A
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Gilbert, OT Florida
31 of 32
Marcus Gilbert has excellent size and fits a huge need for the Steelers. He will have the chance to play right away.
He will need to work on his technique and footwork though if he wants to crack the starting lineup for a very good Pittsburgh team.
Grade: B-
64. Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb, WR Kentucky
32 of 32
The Packers get good value here, but did they not already have the best WR group in the NFL last year?
The Pack do need a special teams returner, but I think Justin Houston would have been a steal here.
Grade: C-
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