2011 NFL Draft Grades: Complete Second Round Draft Results and Grades
Now that the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books, we have to give our initial grades for each selection. We saw some surprise picks, but the round did not disappoint.
The biggest standout of the second round was Andy Dalton to the Cincinnati Bengals. Does this mean the Bengals are ready to grant Carson Palmer his wish and trade their former superstar? They did exactly what I said they should do—grab replacements for Palmer and Chad Ochocinco, and ship them off to whoever will take them. It remains to be seen if they will actually trade the two veterans, but they are in great hands for the future.
Was Da’Quan Bowers finally selected, or did his knee cost him another round?
Who did the Oakland Raiders select? More importantly, was it just the player with the best 40-yard dash time?
Who made the best picks in the second round? Which players fell?
Here are your second-round draft grades!
33. New England Patriots: Ras-I Dowling, DB (Virginia)
1 of 32
Ras-I Dowling was a first-round talent, but his stock dropped this offseason. He is a fine cornerback who has the ability to play safety, and that versatility is most likely what caused Bill Belichick to pick him. It is rather odd though that he did not select Aaron Williams or Brandon Harris if he’s looking for a cornerback. Even Williams has the versatility to play cornerback.
I’m also surprised to see Belichick pass on Akeem Ayers and Brooks Reed here. Still, I like Dowling’s potential in the NFL. I believe New England is the perfect destination for a player of his caliber and versatility.
Grade: B+
34. Buffalo Bills: Aaron Williams, CB (Texas)
2 of 32
A surprise move here as I believe the Bills should have taken an outside linebacker like Brooks Reed, Akeem Ayers or even Martez Wilson to help improve the pass-rush.
Still, I can’t deny that the Bills desperately needed help in the secondary.
Aaron Williams has the ability to play cornerback and safety in the NFL. For a team like the Bills, with multiple voids to fill, they need versatile players.
Williams will be able to start immediately, but his risk-taking nature could be a problem in a division with Tom Brady.
Still, he is a first-round talent and my No. 5 corner in the draft.
Grade: B+
35. Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton, QB (TCU)
3 of 32
Cincinnati stands pat with their draft picks and land the next two superstars of their organization in A.J. Green and Andy Dalton in the first two rounds.
Dalton is one of my No. 5 quarterbacks in the class and is a prime fit for the Bengals here. He is a winning quarterback with fine accuracy, experience and leadership. He now has an elite target to throw to in Green, so this is a fantastic destination to begin his career.
Dalton is a high-character player, which is exactly what this organization needs going forward. It’s good to see Cincinnati made the right pick with Dalton and didn’t throw it away with Ryan Mallett.
Grade: A
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
36. San Francisco 49ers (from Denver Broncos): Colin Kaepernick, QB (Nevada)
4 of 32
San Francisco moves up to acquire a quarterback many believe fits their system. Jim Harbaugh grabs his franchise quarterback, who was also my No. 4 QB in the draft. Kaepernick is an excellent talent with great arm strength, accuracy and most importantly, elusiveness in the pocket and ability to scramble.
Kaepernick thrived at Nevada and should thrive in the NFL. San Francisco a fantastic place to call home for a player with his abilities. He will have two of the elite players at their positions in Frank Gore and Vernon Davis, plus Michael Crabtree should develop into one of the top possession receivers in the league entering his third season.
Grade: A
37. Cleveland Browns: Jabaal Sheard, DE (Pitt)
5 of 32
Although I thought Cleveland would gamble on Bowers, this is a great selection by the Browns. Sheard is one of the top defensive ends in the draft and will greatly help first-round pick Phil Taylor succeed.
The Browns needed a capable 4-3 defensive end as they make the shift, especially after selecting a 3-4 defensive tackle in the first round. He has solid athleticism and will fit in very well in this defense.
The Browns will become a force in the future.
Grade: B+
38. Arizona Cardinals: Ryan Williams, RB (Virginia Tech)
6 of 32
An extremely odd pick for the Cardinals with top linebackers on the board. The Cardinals have capable runners in the backfield already and did not need to add somebody like Ryan Williams.
This is a poor selection by Ken Whisenhunt after he landed a steal in the first round with Patrick Peterson. Williams may be my No. 4 running back, but with Mikel Leshoure on the board, this is an extremely odd selection in the beginning of the second round.
Grade: D+
39. Tennessee Titans: Akeem Ayers, OLB (UCLA)
7 of 32
The Titans land a first-round talent to help bolster their defense. Ayers is a great sideline-to-sideline linebacker, which the Titans haven’t had since Keith Bullock was in his prime. Ayers is one of my favorite linebackers in the draft and lands in a great place.
The only concern with Ayers is his work ethic, but if he can stay at a high level in the NFL, he’ll be a great addition to the Titans' defense.
Grade: A
40. Dallas Cowboys: Bruce Carter, OLB (UNC)
8 of 32
An excellent selection by the Cowboys, who land one of the top linebackers in the draft. Dallas needs an upgrade in run support and pass-rush, and Bruce Carter will do just that. This is a quick, powerful linebacker who is ready to take center stage in Dallas for Jerry Jones.
Dallas is playing it safe with their selections in Tyron Smith and Bruce Carter.
Grade: B+
41. Washington Redskins: Jarvis Jenkins, DT (Clemson)
9 of 32
The Redskins needed to replace Albert Haynesworth, who should be gone following a tumultuous tenure in Washington. Jenkins is a versatile piece, but should be able to anchor the entire defense.
It is actually surprising that the Redskins are focusing on defense—I like the move by Mike Shanahan after most people thought they would revamp their offense in this draft.
Still, I think this is a rather interesting selection. There were better defensive tackles on the board, despite his versatility; Marvin Austin, Stephen Paea and Jurrell Casey come to mind from the defensive tackle position. The Redskins should have attempted to trade down or land a different prospect, even if they have two second-round selections.
Grade: C+
42. Houston Texans: Brooks Reed, DE/OLB (Arizona)
10 of 32
Wow. Wade Phillips and the Texans are making out like bandits in this draft.
They land two of my top pass-rushers in the draft with their first two picks. They needed to upgrade their secondary—J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed are prime candidates to do that without selecting a secondary player in a deep class!
Reed is a fantastic player and will become an instant fan favorite. Expect him to be used as an outside linebacker in Phillips’ 3-4 defense and watch him excel. He is a high-character player with a great work ethic and motor. More importantly, he has the knack for demolishing quarterbacks. He could very well be the next Clay Matthews, as he has first-round talent and is one of the safer players in the draft.
Peyton Manning is definitely happy the Colts landed Anthony Castonzo to protect him—but rookies Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker should be shaking in their nice new No. 1 jerseys.
Grade: A+
43. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Rudolph, TE (Notre Dame)
11 of 32
Often, the key to success for a young quarterback is a security blanket receiving tight end.
Christian Ponder will love to have Kyle Rudolph whenever he lines up behind center. Rudolph is the clear-cut best tight end in the draft. He resembles Oakland’s Zach Miller and should go on to have a successful career.
I thought the Vikings would have drafted an offensive or defensive lineman, but Rudolph is a fine receiving tight end.
Grade: B
44. Detroit Lions: Titus Young, WR (Boise State)
12 of 32
The Lions needed to upgrade their receiving corps as they really only have Calvin Johnson and two quality tight ends. Titus Young is a very good receiver, but it remains to be seen if he can really compete against top-level secondary units.
I thought the Lions would have selected an outside linebacker to improve the pass-rush or even a cornerback to improve the secondary.
Still, Detroit is setting up a great offense for Matthew Stafford to succeed.
Grade: B
45. Denver Broncos (from San Francisco): Rahim Moore, FS (UCLA)
13 of 32
I like this pick by Denver a lot. They need to get younger in the secondary, and Moore is the clear-cut top safety in the class.
Denver is able to trade down and still address a glaring need. With Von Miller and now Moore, John Fox and John Elway are building a defense capable of competing for the division title in 2011.
Grade: A
46. Denver Broncos: Orlando Franklin, OG (University of Miami)
14 of 32
In order for Tim Tebow to succeed as a pocket-passer, he needs time in the pocket to make reads and complete passes. Denver lands one of the top offensive guards of the draft in Franklin.
He is solid in run support, which will help third-year runner Knowshon Moreno and will help protect Tebow as well.
Franklin is a safe pick for Denver.
Grade: B+
47. St. Louis Rams: Lance Kendricks, TE (Wisconsin)
15 of 32
I’m not a fan of this pick. St. Louis jumped the gun on a tight end, despite Kendricks being a top-two or three tight end in the class.
The Rams could have taken a defensive tackle like Marvin Austin, an outside linebacker or receiver with this selection.
Grade: C+
48. Oakland Raiders: Stefen Wisniewski, OG/C (Penn State)
16 of 32
I really like this pick by the Raiders. They are priding themselves on strong running with superstar Darren McFadden.
Oakland needs a versatile and intelligent offensive lineman like Wisniewski, who is strong in run-blocking and pass-blocking.
I also like that the Raiders are starting to draft with intelligence instead of 40 times.
This is a fine selection by Oakland to improve the offense, although they could have traded down and still acquired him.
Grade: B
49. Indianapolis Colts (from Wash. Via Jax): Benjamin Ijalana, OT (Villanova)
17 of 32
Gotta love the pick by the Colts. They know they need to upgrade the offensive line, and they are going full force.
Benjamin Ijalana is a top-10 offensive tackle in the draft and could be shifted across the line. With Anthony Castonzo and Ijalana coming on board, Peyton Manning will feel safe returning to Indianapolis for the remainder of his career because he got knocked around too often last year.
Grade: B+
50. San Diego Chargers: Marcus Gilchrist, DB (Clemson)
18 of 32
I like Gilchrist a lot. He is a versatile player who could play cornerback and safety. He joins a great defense and will make an impact in the secondary and run support.
Still, this is a reach pick for the Chargers at this point with other safeties on the board and Brandon Harris available.
The Chargers could have traded down a bit to grab him. This grade has far more to do with the Chargers than Gilchrist himself, who is a quality player.
Grade: B
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Da’Quan Bowers, DE (Clemson)
19 of 32
Arguably the biggest high-risk, high-reward player in the draft, Bowers was a popular mock pick to the Buccaneers in the first round.
Amazingly, he falls all the way back to them in the second round, and they pounce.
It is going to be tough to grade Bowers until he actually steps on the field, but for now, you have to like the risk by Raheem Morris and the Bucs organization. He could be a major bust, but at least they didn’t have to take him in the second round.
Tampa Bay was able to land the two most popular mock picks in Adrian Clayborn and Bowers, so this is essentially a freebie for the Bucs. If Bowers is healthy to start the season—wow, Tampa Bay will be a force.
As of now, the Bucs can have one of the top defensive lines in the league with Gerald McCoy, Bowers and Clayborn.
Is there a tougher division in the NFL than the NFC South following this draft?!
Tampa Bay takes a risk on a player people believed would go No. 1 overall back in January, so for that, I commend them.
Grade: A+
52. New York Giants: Marvin Austin, DT (UNC)
20 of 32
A fantastic selection by general manager Jerry Reese. He takes the best player available in Round 1 in Prince Amukamara and does so again in Round 2 with Marvin Austin.
I started to pencil in Corey Liuget for the Giants in recent mock drafts to solidify the defensive line, but he was taken one spot ahead in the first round.
Here in the second, the Giants are still able to solidify the defensive line with Austin up front. He will take a ton of pressure off Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul. Reese knows the game is won in the trenches and loves selecting defensive linemen to keep everyone fresh.
Once again, the Giants will boast one of the best defensive lines in the entire league.
Grade: A
53. Chicago Bears (from Redskins Via Colts): Stephen Paea, DT (Oregon State)
21 of 32
We know the Bears need to upgrade the defensive line, and they do so with the bench press record-holder, Stephen Paea.
Now with Paea, Julius Peppers will be able to dominate further. Now with Peppers, Paea will dominate even further.
The Bears miss out on Marvin Austin, who I ranked higher at the position, but they land a great consolation prize.
Grade: B
54. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaiquawn Jarrett, S (Temple)
22 of 32
The Eagles needed to upgrade their secondary, but why they selected Jaiquawn Jarrett here is beyond me.
They needed a cornerback to start off, and Brandon Harris was still on the board. Harris could have been a first-round selection, but fell to the end of the second. First Philadelphia passes on Jimmy Smith, now Harris. With him there for the taking, the Eagles pass for a safety they could have had in the third round.
This is a poor selection for the Eagles in the second round.
Grade: C+
55. Kansas City Chiefs: Rodney Hudson, OG/C (Florida State)
23 of 32
A great selection by the Kansas City Chiefs. Although I think the team would have been far better off with Gabe Carimi in the first round and waiting for a receiver to fall in the second, they are still able to upgrade their offensive line.
Rodney Hudson is a monster of an interior lineman and is versatile enough to play anywhere on the inside of the line. The Chiefs needed an interior lineman to provide Matt Cassel with more time in the pocket and create wide running lanes for superstar Jamaal Charles.
The Chiefs find their complement to Dwayne Bowe in Jonathan Baldwin and now have a powerful interior lineman up front.
Grade: B+
56. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Shane Vereen, RB (Cal)
24 of 32
Once again, after an entire offseason praising Bill Belichick, I don’t like his selection.
Although one of the best receivers at his position, Vereen is an undersized running back. The Patriots already have Danny Woodhead for the same role he would fill.
I projected Daniel Thomas at this pick, as I believe he would have been a much better fit—that was because my No. 2 running back in the draft, Mikel Leshoure, was expected to be off the board.
Belichick passes on my No. 2 and No. 3 backs in Leshoure and Thomas for a receiving running back he could have had later in the draft with other top running backs on the board, including DeMarco Murray.
Grade: F
57. Detroit Lions (from Seattle Seahawks): Mikel Leshoure, RB (Ilinois)
25 of 32
And the Detroit Lions do it again! Wow, the Lions are having one of the best drafts of any team.
The Lions trade back into the second round to acquire my No. 2 running back. Leshoure will compliment Jahvid Best and help complete this offense. They grab a receiver to compliment Calvin Johnson and now have the running game set.
The Lions are quietly building a championship contender, and the NFC North better watch out heading into the 2011 season.
Leshoure is a first-round talent with great all-around speed, power, balance and footwork. More importantly, he will not cough up the rock; he hasn’t fumbled in more than 400 touches.
The Lions officially have a complete offense.
Grade: A
58. Baltimore Ravens: Torrey Smith, WR (Maryland)
26 of 32
Baltimore had two glaring needs heading into the offseason—cornerback and wide receiver.
In the first two rounds, they land their two ideal players.
Although I’m not high on Torrey Smith and feel he is another Donte Stallworth, I love the story. He played at Maryland and now gets to continue playing in Baltimore.
The Ravens needed to get faster at the receiver position, and Smith was the ideal target. Baltimore is not just an ideal destination for Smith because he played at Maryland, but because he has Anquan Boldin opposite him and Joe Flacco tossing him the rock.
Grade: B
59. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons): Greg Little WR (UNC)
27 of 32
Little is the perfect receiver for the Browns. He has great speed, toughness and competitiveness, as well as solid hands and is very powerful after the catch. He reminds me of a smaller version of Terrell Owens.
He put up limited production at North Carolina, but if you watch the game film, he has the ability to become a superstar in the NFL.
Cleveland passes on Julio Jones, but still lands an ideal receiver for this offense. He will instantly become Colt McCoy’s favorite receiver, as he will attack the ball and every defensive player on the field.
Grade: B
60. Houston Texans (from New England Patriots): Brandon Harris, CB (Miami)
28 of 32
Another great move by the Texans. They desperately needed a cornerback, as I said all offseason, and they trade up for my No. 4 corner in the class.
The secondary will already be much improved with J.J. Watt and Brooks Reed in the front seven, plus a healthy DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams. Now they have a quality cornerback to call their own since Dunta Robinson left.
The Texans realize they have the ability to take the AFC South. With their first three picks, they have officially taken the lead heading into the 2011 season.
Grade: A
61. San Diego Chargers (from Jets): Jonas Mouton, LB (Michigan)
29 of 32
Wow.
I do not understand this pick with much better linebackers still on the board. San Diego could have traded down to take Mouton, who definitely would have been there in the third or maybe even fourth round.
Dontay Moch, Martez Wilson, Mason Foster and Kelvin Sheppard are among linebackers I ranked higher than Mouton.
San Diego was clearly reaching for players they wanted.
Grade: F
62. Miami Dolphins (from Redskins Via Bears): Daniel Thomas, RB (Kansas State)
30 of 32
Miami trades up into the second round and grabs a player who perfectly fits their system.
Last month I said Miami should target Thomas, who has the speed and power necessary to become a superstar behind Miami’s offensive line. They already upgraded the line with Mike Pouncey and now solidify the backfield with Thomas.
He will greatly help Chad Henne improve as a quarterback because he will stay on the field as the workhorse runner for the Dolphins.
Excellent move by Miami to grab my No. 3 running back.
Grade: A
63. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Gilbert, OT (Florida)
31 of 32
I thought we were going to see picks No. 31 and No. 32 in the first round switched, but both Pittsburgh and Green Bay made great selections in Cameron Heyward and Derek Sherrod, respectively.
I made note all offseason in my mock drafts that the Steelers needed to upgrade their offensive line. Although I have other players ranked higher than Gilbert, the Steelers had to make the move to upgrade the line.
John Moffitt of Wisconsin would have been a better choice in my eyes though.
Grade: B
64. Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb, WR (Kentucky)
32 of 32
I’m not surprised at all that the Packers decided to go with a wide receiver, but I’m a bit surprised they went with Cobb over Leonard Hankerson.
Still, the Packers needed to find a receiver with the possibility of James Jones bolting in free agency and Donald Driver aging rapidly.
Cobb is an all-purpose receiver who will help in the running game and on special teams, as well as through the air. This is a great destination for Cobb, as he gets to play with next year’s potential MVP.
Grade: B
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
