For picks 1-16 in the TSJ 2011 Mock Draft 3.0, click here.
17. New England Patriots (From Oakland): Cameron Jordan – DE/DT California
Previously: Cameron Jordan
Jordan makes a lot of sense for the Patriots. The Pats were desperate for a pass rush last year and Cameron Jordan can provide a rush from a lot of different places on the defensive line. He already has experience playing end in the 3-4 scheme, but can also play end in a 4-3 scheme. On passing downs, he can line up inside. He’s a very versatile player who makes a lot of sense for a team that uses a lot of different looks and schemes.
18. San Diego Chargers: Akeem Ayers – OLB UCLA
Previously: Cameron Heyward
San Diego would do a happy dance if Akeem Ayers slips to pick 18. He fills the biggest position of need for San Diego, rush linebacker. He hasn’t piled up a ton of sacks at UCLA, but he has the frame and the athleticism to really excel in that position in a 3-4 scheme. Cameron Heyward will still get a lot of attention from San Diego because of his versatility.
19. New York Giants: Tryron Smith – OL USC
Previously: Anthony Costonzo
The Giants are still a team with no glaring weaknesses, but their offensive line is definitely getting up in age. The New York defense is still a pretty formidable group, so adding some youth to the offensive line is going to be a priority. The group of left tackles battling to be the first taken in the draft is solid, but nobody really stands out. It could be Anthony Costonzo out of Boston College.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn – DE/DT Iowa
Previously: Allen Bailey
The Bucs need to improve their pass rush and the word out of Tampa Bay is that they are really impressed with Clayborn. There are off the field issues that might be a concern, but Tampa Bay seems to be past all of that. There is no question about his ability, but the production was down last year.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Aldon Smith – OLB/DE Missouri
Previously: Aldon Smith
Smith is a freakish athlete that might be off the board by this point. He’s a great fit for any system. He has the body to grow into a pure defensive end in a 4-3 system, but the amazing athleticism to play the rush linebacker in Kansas City’s 3-4. Justin Houston has a lot more game tape on file and is also a tremendous talent at OLB. He may be the pick. If the Chiefs don’t end up getting Tamba Hali on board before the draft, OLB almost has to be the pick. They need one anyway. If Hali doesn’t get retained, they’ll need another.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Costonzo – OL Boston College
Previously: Derek Sherrod
The Colts are in serious need of an upgrade at left tackle. There should be some viable picks for Indy at 22. Sherrod could still be the pick for the Colts. The left tackle class is a lot like the quarterback class- a lump of about four guys that are pretty good, but nobody standing out as a clear number one. The Colts might consider a corner to give some youth and athleticism to their secondary, but protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side was a problem last year. If the Colts have any dreams of winning big during what remains of the Colts’ winning window, they have to keep Manning upright.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith – CB Colorado
Previously: Brandon Harris
Jimmy Smith continues to move up draft boards because of his athleticism. He had a phenomenal combine. An amazing athlete, Smith has all the physical tools to be one of the better cornerbacks in the league. Of course, his off the field scrapes bring some baggage, but the upside for the 23rd pick makes it worth the risk. This is also a huge area of need for the Eagles. The Eagles really need to address the right side of the line. Both right guard and right tackle will need to be addressed in the offseason. If the Eagles decide to answer one of the questions here, Gabe Carimi was built to be a dominating right tackle and could be the pick.
24. New Orleans Saints: Justin Houston – DE/OLB Georgia
Previously: Justin Houston
Versatility is key for the Saints and Justin Houston is exactly that. He has the speed and lateral quickness to play rush linebacker and the size and strength to play defensive end. The Saints play mostly a 4-3, but tinker in the 3-4 now and then. Justin Houston is the perfect hybrid player for their system. He was a very productive player in a fast and physical SEC.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Torrey Smith – WR Maryland
Previously: Jonathon Baldwin
Torrey Smith tore it up at the combine. He was blazing fast and showed great ability to adjust to passes that weren’t thrown right on target. He probably surpassed Jonathon Baldwin as the third wide receiver to be drafted this year. The Seahawks will give a long look to Brandon Harris, but Darrell Bevell, the Seahawks offensive coordinator is part of the Andy Reid coaching tree. They will want to upgrade the receiving corps and Torrey Smith is the type of speedy guy that can stretch the field.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Brandon Harris – CB Miami
Previously: Aaron Williams
Brandon Harris is a perfect fit for Baltimore’s defensive system. Baltimore requires their corners to be stout and physical against the run while holding their own on an island against receivers. Brandon Harris is a fireplug that veterans like Ray Lewis will take to immediately. The Ravens could be extremely thin at corner with free agency hitting them hard, and it was an area where they needed to upgrade anyway.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Nate Solder – OL Colorado
Previously: Tyron Smith
Solder’s draft stock seems to go up and down more than any other player. After his combine performance, it’s back up. He certainly has an amazing frame and very quick feet. He might be the most athletic tackle in the bunch. Some teams have him as the top offensive lineman in the draft. For a team that won so many games, the Falcons have a lot of needs. Their left tackle clearly needs to protect Matt Ryan better, but they also need a stud wide receiver. The Falcons could try to address that area with either Torrey Smith or Jonathon Baldwin, but Solder should be much higher on their draft board.
28. New England Patriots: Mikel LeShoure – RB Illinois
Previously: Bruce Carter
Some scouts believe that LeShoure is the best running back available in the draft. He has a great package of speed and size. He can catch the ball well and has a great frame to be a blocker in the passing game. Basically, LeShoure can do everything that the current committee of backs in New England is doing now. LeShoure could probably allow New England to free up some roster space by depleting some running backs. It isn’t a typical Bill Belichick pick, but it makes a lot of sense for New England.
29. Chicago Bears: Derek Sherrod – OL Mississippi State
Previously: Nate Solder
The Bears had the worst offensive line in the league and need upgrades almost across the board there. Derek Sherrod would be the best left tackle at this point, and he presents pretty good value at pick 29 also. Gabe Carimi might grade out higher, but not at left tackle. Sherrod is a great athlete for a big man, and should be a quality left tackle in the NFL.
30. New York Jets: Gabe Carimi – OL Wisconsin
Previously: Mike Pouncey
When the Jets cut right tackle Damien Woody, they opened themselves up to select a right tackle in the draft. Gabe Carimi is the ideal right tackle, the best right tackle prospect in the draft. He’s an absolute mauler on running plays. He has a mean streak which is great for a run blocking right tackle. Most are predicting the Jets to draft defense with this pick, but I think the Jets realize that their running game has to improve in order for the Jets to get over the hump.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Pouncey – OL Florida
Previously: Gabe Carimi
This selection has less to do with Mike’s brother Maurkice being the starting center and more to do with team needs. The Steelers need to improve their guard play and Mike Pouncey is the best interior lineman in this year’s draft. If a corner such as Brandon Harris or Jimmy Smith slips to this spot, the Steelers may go that route, but interior line is a big area of concern for Pittsburgh.
32. Green Bay Packers: Ryan Kerrigan – Purdue
Previously: J.J. Watt
The Packers have two needs on defense. They will be looking to add a defensive end and a rush linebacker to fit their 3-4 scheme. Kerrigan, who played defensive end in Purdue’s four man front scheme, simply doesn’t have the frame to play defensive end in the 3-4. He does have good speed and so Kerrigan is marketing himself as a versatile player that can play as a rush linebacker in the 3-4 schemes as well as a pure defensive end in the 4-3. I’m not sold he has the quickness and natural instincts to play in space as an outside linebacker, but he represents fantastic value for the Packers with the last pick of the first round. And I may be proven wrong. Kerrigan might turn out to be a fantastic rush linebacker.
