Re-Drafting the First 2 Rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft

The NFL has just completed Week 5, where several rookies have already made a major impact.  We have seen three rookie starting quarterbacks, two receivers have 10-catch games and several defenders create a ton of pressure.

This biggest thing when re-drafting is looking over the teams current needs.  These current needs then need to be matched with talent and good draft strategy.  Sometimes, re-drafts look a lot like the original, which is a compliment to the drafting teams.

My redraft has a handful of the same picks but starts to really change as the draft progresses.  Don't be alarmed if you have a lot of the top 10 looking similar to the actual draft.

Please keep in mind that I went with the original draft order; avoid any draft-day trades.  This includes the blockbuster deal involving the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.  Cleveland remains at No. 6 and Atlanta keeps their No. 26 overall selection.

No. 1 Carolina Panthers - Cam Newton

The Carolina Panthers are currently sitting at 1-4, but that isn't because of the play of Cam Newton.  He has shown that he deserved to be the No. 1 overall selection.

Most evaluators felt that Newton would need time to develop before he was able to take the field.  However, he showed enough to earn the Week 1 starting role.  In that opening week, Newton threw for over 400 yards, nearly leading the Panthers to a Week 1 victory.

Nobody questioned Newton's athletic ability, but he surprised everyone with the way he orchestrated the offense.  He was able to locate the open target, even when his first read was covered.  The sky has always been the limit for Newton.  However, I think his early success shows he could be much better than most thought.

No. 2 Denver Broncos - Von Miller

Originally, I felt that the Denver Broncos should not have selected Von Miller.  Miller has all the makings of a dominant 3-4 outside linebacker.  His role in Denver seemed unclear, as they were switching to a 4-3 defensive scheme.

However, I underestimated John Fox's ability to utilize his defensive playmakers.  Miller leads the Broncos with five sacks.  He has shown that he has the ability to be a very good pass-rusher, even out of the 4-3 alignment.

The Broncos have several positions of need, but adding a playmaker like Miller is not something to pass up.

No. 3 Buffalo Bills - Marcell Dareus

Yes, I am aware this is suppose to be a re-draft, but that doesn't mean I should make unnecessary changes.  The Buffalo Bills addition of Marcell Dareus has helped strengthen the entire defense.  His presence along the defense line allows the linebackers to flow to the football.

Dareus' impact will not show up in the stat sheet, but he is proving to be a true difference maker.  The Bills defense is far from a finished product, but adding Dareus was an important piece to the puzzle.

The only other direction Buffalo could have considered was drafting Von Miller, but he is already off the board.

No. 4 Cincinnati Bengals - A.J. Green

I promise that there will be some changes, but there is no way the Cincinnati Bengals will pass on A.J. Green.  Aside from Cam Newton, A.J. Green has been the most explosive rookie.  He is already proving to be a very tough matchup.

Green already has three touchdown receptions and a 10-catch game under his belt.  The Bengals desperately needed a playmaking wide receiver after the departure of Chad Ochocinco.

I considered going with a quarterback in this situation, because it seems unlikely that Andy Dalton will slip into the second round.

No. 5 Arizona Cardinals - Aldon Smith

The Arizona Cardinals' biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball.  I think they made a good decision by drafting Patrick Peterson but may have had a bigger need at outside linebacker.  At this point in the season, Joey Porter only has one sack.

Arizona runs a 3-4 defensive alignment, a scheme that relies on creating pressure for the outside linebacker position.  Aldon Smith would have been a perfect fit in the Cardinals defensive scheme.  He has already registered 3.5 sacks.

Smith is still a work in progress but has already displayed excellent pass-rushing ability.

No. 6 Cleveland Browns - Julio Jones

In this redraft the Atlanta Falcons do not trade up to select Julio Jones.  However, he still doesn't make it past the the No. 6 selection.  Jones' playmaking ability would be a perfect fit for the Cleveland Browns, who need offensive talent.

Jones would be the immediate No. 1 target of Colt McCoy.  His ability to make the tough catches is something that every quarterback loves.  Prior to the draft, many experts had predicted Julio Jones would be selected by the Browns.

Adding Jones to the mix would have a major impact on the offense.  He would be a security blanket for Colt McCoy, while also opening up the running game.  Defenses would have to respect Jones as a deep threat, providing more running room for Peyton Hillis.

No. 7 San Francisco 49ers - Patrick Peterson

The San Francisco 49ers have several needs including the cornerback position.  They ideally would still want to upgrade their pass rush, but there isn't anyone remaining worthy of this spot.  If Aldon Smith was still on the board, he would be a great fit for the 49ers.

Instead, San Francisco upgrades their secondary with Patrick Peterson.  During free agency, the 49ers were among the teams mentioned in the Nnamdi Asomugha sweepstakes.  Peterson is a younger and less expensive alternative.

Peterson is not only a good defensive back, but he also possesses playmaking ability on special teams.  While at LSU, Peterson showed that he is capable of returning both punts and kickoffs.

No. 8 Tennessee Titans - Jake Locker

The Tennessee Titans have had a surprising start to the season, but they still need to focus on the future.  Matthew Hasselbeck is a good bridge quarterback but is on the downside of his career.  He is the perfect mentor for a young quarterback.

Hasselbeck's presence makes the selection of Jake Locker a good decision.  Locker possesses all the physical tools necessary to be a successful NFL quarterback.  He just needs someone to show him the ins and outs of the game.

For Locker to be successful, he needed to spend time on the bench.  However, he showed some real promise during the preseason.  I kept this pick the same because he has the most upside of the remaining quarterbacksa position the Titans needed to address.

No. 9 Dallas Cowboys - Tyron Smith

As evident by my re-draft, the teams in the top half of the draft did a great job.  This is another selection that I wouln't dare change.  Tyron Smith is exactly what the Dallas Cowboys need, as the offensive line is their greatest weakness.

Smith is still a good fit on the the right side of the line, but he still has left-tackle potential.  When selecting an offensive tackle in the top 10, he should have the potential to play left tackle.

I think Dallas would have considered someone like Patrick Peterson if he fell, but he went a couple selections earlier.  Mike Pouncey was also in consideration for this pick, as the interior of the offensive line is also a weakness.

No. 10 Washington Redskins - Ryan Kerrigan

Ryan Kerrigan to the Washington Redskins is a great fit, even if it's at the No. 10 overall selection.  Washington was able to land Kerrigan several spots lower in the actually 2011 draft.  However, Kerrigan's play and scheme fit makes him worthy of the early selection.

Washington knew they wanted to be a defensive oriented football team.  They also wanted to be a defensive team that was able to create pressure.  The duo of Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan is one of the more feared pass-rushing pair in the NFL.

No. 11 Houston Texans - JJ Watt

Trust me, I really spent time looking to change a lot of these picks.  However, the point of a re-draft is just to change where players went.  JJ Watt has had a real solid rookie season, mainly because he is a perfect fit for a five-technique.

Houston was making the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 scheme.  This change required some major overhaul, including key additions to the defensive line.  Watt's selection is one of the keys to the Texans' defensive success.

No. 12 Minnesota Vikings - Anthony Castonzo

If the Minnesota Vikings were able to have contact with players during the lockout, they likely would have selected an offensive tackle.  Instead, Bryant McKinnie was able to balloon up to nearly 400lbs without the knowledge of the Vikings.

Castonzo has struggled with injuries, but when in the lineup, he showed a good skill set.  He is arguably the most well-rounded offensive tackle in the 2011 draft.  He has the potential to be both an above-average pass blocker and run blocker.

No. 13 Detroit Lions - Nate Solder

The Detroit Lions are happy with their offensive tackles, but Jeff Backus is on the downside of his career.  He is already a bit of a liability on the left side of the line, so adding Nate Solder gives them long term stability.  Matthew Stafford's health is the key to the Lions winning football games.

The Nick Fairley selection was a luxury pick, where as adding depth to the offensive line is more of a necessity.  Detroit could easily add some defensive tackle depth later in the draft.

Adding Solder not only provides a long-term solution, but also immediate depth.  Injuries are a major part of the NFL.  The good teams have depth at every key position.

No. 14 St. Louis Rams - Phil Taylor

The St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spangulo loves to create pressure with his defensive front four.  This is the reason he selected Robert Quinn in the first round of the 2011 draft.  However, the Rams would have gotten more value from selecting Phil Taylor.

Taylor is a massive defensive tackle, who possesses an explosive first step.  His ability to penetrate and wreak havoc in the offensive backfield would have been a great fit in St. Louis. 

It is easy to focus on the pass rush brought by the defensive ends, but the ability to collapse the middle of the pocket is equally important.  Often times, pressure from the middle is more disruptive.

No. 15 Miami Dolphins - Blaine Gabbert

At the beginning of the season, the Miami Dolphins quarterback situation was a major question mark.  However, it became a disaster after Chad Henne went down with a season-ending injury.  Even before his injury, Henne was loosening his grip on the starting quarterback spot.

Henne was unable to play well enough to secure his future as the Dolphins quarterback.  Blaine Gabbert has already made a few starts for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  He has performed well but also has had some rookie mistakes.

Gabbert would have been a nice fit as the Dolphins quarterback of the future.

No. 16 Jacksonville Jaguars - Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton has played very well for the Cincinnati Bengals, well enough to vault himself into the first round.  Dalton was considered as a possible late first-round selection but fell into the early part of the second round.

Jacksonville was right to select a quarterback in 2011, especially if they still planned on releasing David Garrard.  Blaine Gabbert has already been selected, leaving Dalton as the top remaining quarterback. 

Another option could have been Christian Ponder, but they were seen as similar quarterback coming out of college.  Dalton has the upper hand because of his early success. 

No. 17 New England Patriots - Robert Quinn

The New England Patriots biggest weakness is there inability to create pressure on the quarterback.  Mark Anderson is leading the team with 3.5 sacks, some of which where due to good play calling.  Adding Robert Quinn would help bolster the pass rush.

Quinn is a bit raw and coming off a year suspension.  However, he has an exceptional first step and the ability to threaten the edge.  Quinn could have been a fit in either the Patriots old 3-4 system or their new 4-3 alignment.

No. 18 San Diego Chargers - Muhammad Wilkerson

The San Diego Chargers needed to address the defensive line early in the 2011 draft.  They selected Corey Liuget, but Muhammad Wilkerson might have been a better fit. 

Liuget is having a good season, but Wilkerson has had more explosive plays.  I think that the Chargers might have been more comfortable with Liuget because he was more of a known.  Wilkerson played the majority of his football against less competition.

No. 19 New York Giants - Nick Fairley

The New York Giants have had to deal with a major string of injuries, especially in the secondary.  Their first-round selection Prince Amukamara is among those on the injury report.  He has been unable to see him showcase his skills, but he is still a talented player.

However, I feel the Giants would have been to tempted to pass up on Nick Fairley.  New York loves defensive linemen who are able to get into the backfield.  Fairley excels at penetrating the pocket and creating pressure.

One way to help a questionable secondary is by generating a strong pass rush.

No. 20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Adrian Clayborn

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Adrian Clayborn appeared like a good fit in April, and Clayborn has proven it with his early season play. 

The Buccaneers felt that they needed to put an emphasis on improving their defensive line.  The previous draft, Tampa added defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price.  The 2011 draft was a good opportunity to upgrade the defensive end position.

Clayborn is not the type of player that is a major pass-rushing threat.  However, he plays a solid all-around game, contributing against both the run and pass.  He also has just enough quickness to provide a solid pass rush.

No. 21 Kansas City Chiefs - Mark Ingram

The key behind Kansas City's success is an effective running game.  In 2010, the Chiefs made a surprise playoff run, thanks to Jamal Charles.  Charles wasn't the only running back to receive carries, as Thomas Jones also played an important role.

Charles is a smaller back known for his quickness, he isn't built to take a lot of hits.  This is why Thomas Jones was such an important part of the 2010 Chiefs.  However, Jones is aging and not the player he once was, making the addition of Ingram a great move.

Ingram is the type of running back that can pound between the tackles.  He would have been an excellent complement to Jamal Charles.  Sometimes, it's better to improve a strength than to gamble to improve a weakness.

No. 22 Indianapolis Colts - Jarvis Jenkins

Nobody could have predicted that Peyton Manning would miss the 2011 season.  However, even if they could have, I still think they should not have drafted a quarterback in this spot.  Instead, they need to address their terrible run defense.

Over the past several years, the Indianapolis Colts defense has given up a ton of rushing yards.  Yet, they refused to address this issue in the draft.  Jarvis Jenkins would have been a good fit for the Colts.

Jenkins was selected in the second round by the Redskins and suffered a season-ending knee injury.  However, he showed a lot of promise as a disruptive run stuffer.  His presence would have greatly improved the Colts' run defense.

No. 23 Philadelphia Eagles - Mike Pouncey

Mike Pouncey doesn't fall to this spot because of his play but because of team needs.  However, the Philadelphia Eagles would be thrilled to add Pouncey to their offensive line.  Philadelphia could have used Pouncy at either guard or center.

The Eagles have had a terrible start to the season, with a lot of the struggles falling on the shoulders of the offensive line.  Pouncey's versatility would have been something the Eagles utilized as they tried to patch together the offensive line.

No. 24 New Orleans Saints - Corey Liuget

Entering the 2011 draft, the New Orleans Saints were looking to add some talent along the defensive line.  They decided to use their first-round selection on Cameron Jordan—a pick that hasn't completely panned out.  However, Jordan has shown some promise.

Corey Liuget would have been a good addition to the Saints defense.  His versatility would have been very useful to defensive coordinator Greg Williams.  I imagine he would have see playing time at both defensive tackle and end.

I did think about keeping Jordan in this spot but decided against it.

No. 25 Seattle Seahawks - Gabe Carimi

The Seattle Seahawks had the right idea to upgrade their offensive line.  However, they selected the wrong player in James Carpenter.  Instead, Seattle should have selected Gabe Carimi the massive offensive tackle out of Wisconsin.

Carpenter is not a bad player but was selected way to early.  Don't be surprised if he lasts into the second round of this re-draft.

Carimi would have been a great fit in Seattle, as he would have started at right tackle from Day 1.  He would have paired with Russell Okung to form one of the better young tackle tandems. 

Seattle's preference to running the football would have fit right in with Carimi's strengths.

No. 26 Atlanta Falcons - Jonathan Baldwin

The Atlanta Falcons needed to add another receiver to their offense.  However, the talent pool looks a lot different when you're selecting at No. 26, not No. 6.  Atlanta wanted to add another playmaker so badly, that they traded up to select Julio Jones.

Here at No. 26, Jonathan Baldwin is the best available receiving option.  He has yet to play this season, but when healthy, he possesses a lot of potential.

Baldwin has excellent size and leaping ability.  He would have been a nice complement to Roddy White, as he possess some similar skills to Julio Jones.

No. 27 Baltimore Ravens - Jimmy Smith

The Baltimore Ravens made a good selection when they pick Jimmy Smith.  He has the potential to be the shutdown corner this defense needs.  However, we have yet to see him live up to that potential, due to an injury.

Smith has good size and cover skill, allowing him to play good bump-and-run coverage.  Once healthy, Smith will show that he is a young and very talented defensive back.

No. 28 New England Patriots - Cameron Jordan

The England Patriots are a solid defense away from being truly dominant.  Tom Brady and the offense have been scoring at will, looking unstoppable.  However, the defense has given up way to many points.

Adding Cameron Jordan would have helped improve the defensive line.  He would have been a great fit, as he is capable of playing defensive end in either a 4-3 or 3-4 system.  His versatility would have made him perfect for the Patriot way.

No. 29 Chicago Bears - Derek Sherrod

The Chicago Bears' offensive line might be the worst in the entire NFL.  This unit was terrible in 2010, but GM Jerry Angelo decided to only make one key addition—Gabe Carimi.  Carimi was a nice pickup, but he alone cannot solve the Bears problems.

Derek Sherrod cannot solve the Bears offensive line problems, but he is the best tackle available.  He is just as talented at Carimi but might be a better fit at left tackle.  Chicago needs help all along the offensive line, so Sherrod would have fit in anywhere.

No. 30 New York Jets - Cameron Heyward

The New York Jets needed to spend an early 2011 draft selection on the defensive line.  They lucked out by having Muhammad Wilkerson fall into their laps.  However, luck doesn't often strike twice, as Wilkerson is already off the board.

Cameron Heyward has yet to make a major impact, but that is mainly due to his lack of snaps.  I think that he would have been able to land a starting role with the Jets, as they were in need of a five-technique defensive end.

No. 31 Pittsburgh Steelers - Benjamin Ijalana

The Steelers offensive line has really struggled to overcome a rash of injuries.  Their lack of depth has limited running lanes and has Ben Roethlisbeger taking major hits.  However, this problem could have been avoided had they addressed this need during the draft.

Pittsburgh also suffered major offensive line injuries during the 2010 season.  However, management felt that they didn't need to commit a lot of resources to the offensive line.

Ben Ijalana would have been a very useful addition, as he has the abilities to play several positions.  Ijalana's versatility would have allowed him to fill in at either guard or tackle.

No. 32 Green Bay Packers - Prince Amukamara

Charles Woodson will not be able to play forever, so adding a replacement would have been a good idea.  Woodson has been so successful in Green Bay because of his physical play.  He uses his size and toughness to gain an advantage.

Prince Amukamara has that same kind of toughness.  He would have been a good understudy to Woodson, while also Contributing in nickel-and-dime situations.

Amukamara would not only be a good fit, but he is also the best player available. 

No. 33 New England Patriots - Aaron Williams

More defense for the New England Patriots.  Adding Aaron Williams gives them someone capable of playing several defensive positions.  He has good coverage skills, while also being able to provide good run support.

Williams' ideal position might be playing in the box and covering the slot receiver. Williams is a slightly better choice than Ras-I Dowling, mainly due to healthy.

No. 34 Buffalo Bills - Justin Houston

The Buffalo Bills only have five sacks this season, a very unimpressive total.  The sack leader is Shawn Merriman, but he still seems like a shell of his former self.  The Bills defense really needs someone that can create pressure off the edge.

Justin Houston has the type of quickness to pressure the edge.  He has yet to register a sack but has several tackles for loss.

No. 34 Cincinnati Bengals - Christian Ponder

The Minnesota Vikings used the No. 12 overall pick to select Christian Ponder, but in this re-draft, he falls to the second round.  Ponder is a talented player but appeared to be more of a second-round talent.  However, he was able to land with the Vikings.

The Cincinnati Bengals need to address the quarterback selection.  They may have preferred Andy Dalton, but Ponder is a nice second option.

No. 36 San Francisco 49ers - Brooks Reed

The San Francisco 49ers added Patrick Peterson in the first round and now need to address their pass rush.  Brooks Reed is a relentless pass-rusher, with the quickness to threaten the edge.  His workman like attitude would fit in with Jim Harbaugh's coaching style.

Reed doesn't have the upside as Aldon Smith, but he is more than capable of creating a pass rush.

No. 37 Cleveland Browns - Jabaal Sheard

The Cleveland Browns decided to make the switch to a 4-3 defensive alignment.  However, they lacked the personal to fill out the starting lineup.  Their biggest need was at the defensive end position.  In order for a 4-3 system to be successful the front four needs to create pressure.

Jabaal Sheard has had a good start to the season and appears like a long-term starter in Cleveland.  He has the capability to create pressure and play in the backfield.

No. 38 Arizona Cardinals - Mason Foster

Arizona added Aldon Smith in the first round, and they go with another linebacker in the second round.  Mason Foster will join Darryl Washington to make up a very good middle linebacker tandem.  If your team plans on running a 3-4 system, you need to have talented linebackers.

The Cardinals could have used some help along the offensive line, but nobody equaled the talent of Mason Foster.

No. 39 Tennessee Titans - Greg Little

The Tennessee Titans offense consists of a good offensive line—Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson.  Those players are also have Matthew Hasselbeck, but not much other talent is present.  This offense needs more playmakers.

Greg Little could have been a first-round pick, if he wasn't suspended for his final season at North Carolina.  Little has a combination of good size and speed.

No. 40 Dallas Cowboys - Danny Watkins

Good teams are built from the inside out, and the Dallas Cowboys have some issues upfront.  Dallas went with Tyron Smith in the first round, and now, add a talented guard to the mix.

Danny Watkins was one of the top-rated guard prospects in the 2011 draft but has gotten off to a slow start.  However, the talent is still there, and he would be a good fit in Dallas.

No. 41 Washington Redskins - Torrey Smith

The Washington Redskins receivers are solid but do not strike much fear into a defense.  Santana Moss is still a good player but has lost a step or two.  In order for the Redskins to be a good offensive football team, they need someone to stretch the field.

Torrey Smith is one of the fastest players in the NFL and specializes at attacking deep down the field.  Adding someone like Smith would help both the passing and running game.

No. 42 Houston Texans - Titus Young

The recent injury to Andre Johnson made it apparent that the Houston Texans are thin at the wide receiver position.  Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are nice complementary players but don't really gain a lot of attention.

Titus Young has the quickness to make plays in space and get yards after the catch.  He also has the long speed to stretch the field.  His addition would help the Texans in case of a Johnson injury but also with Johnson in the lineup.

No. 43 Minnesota Vikings - Ryan Mallett

There was a point in time where Ryan Mallett was seen as a top-10 pick.  He had a successful college career, possessed a big arm and learned under Bobby Petrino.  However, off-the-field concerns pushed Mallett to the third round.

Mallett didn't let that disappointment derail his career and had a very impressive preseason.  His preseason success has some questioning their decision to pass on Mallett.  The Minnesota Vikings need a long-term solution, and Mallet is their guy.

No. 44 Detroit Lions - Daniel Thomas

The Detroit Lions are a strong running game away from having a dominant offense.  Jahvid Best is a good change of pace back but is unable to run between the tackles.  He would be more effective with someone to pick up those tough yards.

Daniel Thomas is a bigger back that does a nice job running between the tackles.  Detroit tried to address this problem with Mikel Leshoure, but he suffered a season ending injury.

No. 45 Denver Broncos - James Carpenter

The Denver Broncos needed to bring someone in to play right tackle, and that is where James Carpenter fits.  He is not the type of player that is great at any one thing, but solid at everything.  Carpenter is more than capable of protecting the passer, while also opening running lanes.

New coach John Fox wans to get to more of a power-running game, which starts with a good offensive line.

No. 46 Denver Broncos - Rahim Moore

The Denver Broncos had a big need at the safety position.  The entire secondary is aging, including safety Brian Dawkins.  John Fox is a defensive-minded coach, exactly the reason he was brought to Denver.

The addition of Rahim Moore brings a ball-hawking safety into the fold.  He has very good speed and the ball skills to create turnovers.  Moore will have the opportunity to learn alongside the great Brian Dawkins.

No. 47 St. Louis Rams - Ras-I Dowling

The St. Louis Rams have been able to mask some of the secondary concerns with their ability to create pressure.  However, this season this unit has been a real problem.  Due to injuries, Al Harris and Justin King are filling the starting positions.

Ras-I Dowling is a talented cornerback who excels at bump-and-run coverage.  He likes to play a physical style of football.  He would be a good fit for the Rams pressure-oriented defense.

No. 48 Oakland Raiders - Stefen Wisniewski

The Oakland Raiders have received a lot of criticism for their recent draft selections.  Some of those picks deserve criticism, a list including JaMarcus Russell and Darius Heyward-Bey.  However, this is one of their picks that was a hit.

Stefen Wisniewksi has family ties to the Raiders—something we know was important to Al Davis.  He also filled a need, with his ability to play either guard or center.  Wisniewski isn't a sexy pick, but someone who will be in the starting lineup for the next 10 years.

No. 49 Jacksonville Jaguars - William Rackley

This is another pick that I was unwilling to change.  Rackley has come in and earned a starting role on a team with a strong offensive line.  He helps solidify an offensive line that is very important to the success of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville's identity is tied to Maurice Jones-Drew who can only be successful with a good offensive line.

No. 50 San Diego Chargers - Kyle Rudolph

A lot of the success of the San Diego Chargers is tied to Antonio Gates.  However, Gates has not played a full season in awhile.  He seems to be constantly battling an injury, which impacts the effectiveness of the offense.

Kyle Rudolph is a good pass-catching tight end who would be able to fill in for Antonio Gates.  All the injuries will eventually catchup to Gates, likely shortening his career.  This pick would be for both the short and long term.

No. 51 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jaiquawn Jarrett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a suspect safety tandem.  They are currently starting Sean Jones and Corey Lynch, neither of which are the long-term answer.  The back end of the secondary is often overlooked and an important part of a defense.

Jaiquawn Jarrett is an athletic player with good coverage skills.  He isn't afraid to come up and support the run.  His skills make him a good fit for the Buccaneers Cover 2 system.

No. 52 New York Giants - Orlando Franklin

The New York Giants were at their best when they were able to run the football.  The power-running game with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw benefited from strong offensive line play.  That offensive line is now dismantled, with some aging parts still remaining.

Kareem McKenzie has been a very good player for a long time, but his career is winding down.  Orlando Franklin would be a nice replacement at the right tackle position.

No. 53 Indianapolis Colts - Martez Wilson

A lot of the Indianapolis Colts' struggles have been due to the loss of Peyton Manning.  However, his injury only highlighted the other major problems.  The biggest issues were on the defensive side of the ball, where they have had years of problems.

Martez Wilson is an athletic linebacker, who can play both the run and pass.  He would have brought some toughness to the Colts defense.

No. 54 Philadelphia Eagles - Akeem Ayers

The Philadelphia Eagles were dubbed the "dream team" because of all their top level free-agent additions.  However, they didn't bring in one player at the linebacker position, arguably their biggest weakness.

The linebacking group has received a lot of the blame for the Eagles defensive struggles.  Adding someone like Akeem Ayers would bring excellent talent to the unit.

No. 55 Kansas City Chiefs - Rodney Hudson

The Kansas City Chiefs have been successful due to their ability to run the football.  Jamaal Charles owes a lot of his success to the offensive line.  A strong running game is always because of good offensive line play.

Rodney Hudson is not the most physically-gifted play, but he plays with great leverage.  His ability to stay low is combined with a very high football IQ.

No. 56 New Orleans Saints - Marcus Gilchrist

The New Orleans Saints put a ton of pressure on teams because of their offense.  Drew Brees and company put up a ton of points, meaning their opponents need to score points too.  This fact means that the Saints secondary is going to constantly tested.

Marcus Gilchrist is a versatile player, with the ability to play either safety or cornerback.  He is the type of player that can line up all over the field.

No. 57 Seattle Seahawks - Randall Cobb

Every NFL team is in search of playmakers, this includes the Seattle Seahawks.  The Seahawks went out and upgraded their offense through free agency adding Sidney Rice and Zach Miller.  However, neither of those additions really bring a ton of speed to the offense.

Randall Cobb is an electrifying athlete who excels in space.  He is a dangerous kick and punt returner and someone capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.

No. 58 Baltimore Ravens - Joe Barksdale

The Baltimore Ravens would have loved to land Torrey Smith, but he was already off the board.  Instead, they decided to upgrade the right side of their offensive line.  As much as Baltimore has worked to improve their passing game, they are still a running team.

Joe Barksdale is a massive offensive lineman, who excels at run blocking.  For his size, he possesses good athletic ability and foot speed.  He will never be a left tackle but could be a very good right tackle in the NFL.

No. 59 Atlanta Falcons - Da'Quan Bowers

Da'Quan Bowers has first-round talent, but injury concerns dropped him to the second round.  Bowers had a knee condition that has many questioning his long-term health.  However, Bowers possesses the ability to rush the passer and play the run.

Atlanta added Ray Edwards via free agency, but defensive lines are successful because of depth.  Having several players part of a rotation keeps your starters fresh.

No. 60 New England Patriots - Stevan Ridley

The New England Patriots saw something in Stevan Ridley, which means they would have selected him earlier if they needed.  Ridley's early success means that he would not have lasted another round, forcing the Patriots to make this selection.

The Patriots running game has survived with lesser-known players, but Ridley could develop into a real star.

No. 61 New York Jets - Kendall Hunter

The New York Jets offense wants to play a physical game.  They want to "ground and pound" their way down the field.  However, in order to run the football, you need a strong stable of running backs.  Shonn Greene and L.T. have not looked very impressive.

Kendall Hunter is not a power back but is effective between the tackles.  He has a low center of gravity and is able to slip past defenders.  Hunter would be a great complement to Greene and L.T.

No. 62 Chicago Bears - Marcus Gilbert

I think that Jerry Angelo would have been praised had he selected two offensive lineman early in the 2011 draft.  However, he decided to trade up and select Stephen Paea, who has yet to be active for a game. 

The problems along the Bears offensive line is not limited to one specific position.  They need talented players to compete and provide depth.

Marcus Gilbert is a good fit for the right tackle position but can also kick inside to play guard.  When you have a bad offensive line versatility is key.

No. 63 Pittsburgh Steelers - Brandon Harris

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has been criticized because of their age and speed.  The age of the defense is wide spread, including the secondary.  Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark are all over the age of 30.

The teams that are consistently successful do a good job of acquiring young talent.  This means selecting players later in the draft that can develop in to future starters.  Brandon Harris is a physical corner that would be a nice fit in Pittsburgh.

No. 64 Green Bay Packers - Bruce Carter

The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl because of Aaron Rodgers and their roster depth.  They were able to overcome injuries because they had talented backups.  The best way to acquire talented backups is through the draft.

Green Bay has found more than a few late-round gems that have developed into major contributors.

Bruce Carter is a tremendous athlete who had a bright future.  He is still working his way through an injury, but the talent is there for long-term success.