*Major contributions have been made to this article from Richard Moore. Richard is a draft nut with an extensive knowledge of this incoming class. Readers may have previously heard him on Bomani Jones' Radio show The Morning Jones.
Richard Moore's selections
17.The New England Patriots select Mark Ingram. RB. Alabama.
It's very difficult to predict the Patriots come draft day. The last two years the patriots have traded their picks. This year there are in an even better position to trade up. With the 17th, 28th and 33rd picks I would not be surprised if they traded down in the first round. I see Danny Watkins beings drafted with the 28th pick and a WR with the 33rd. The Patriots should take a chance on Mark Ingram this early.
18.The San Diego Chargers select Anthony Castonzo. T. Boston College.
The biggest need for the Chargers this draft is OL. They have one of the worst Ol in the NFL. I predict the Chargers to draft two or three OL in 2011. They need someone who can come in and start right away. Anthony Costanzo never missed a game during his college career.
19.The New York Giants select Ryan Kerrigan. DE. Purdue.
The Giants have key players hitting free agency. Ahmad Bradshaw will need to be replaced, I expect the Giants to draft a RB in the second round.
With the loss of Keith bullock to free agency the giants should be looking to draft a OLB
here.
Justin Houston and Ryan Kerrigan are the best available OLB’s. Justin Houston is the better pass rusher but Kerrigan is much better dropping back in coverage. He might also be moved to OLB due
to his size. But that would work out well for the Giants so I can’t see them passing on him.
20.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers select JJ Watt. DE. Wisconsin.
Mike Williams was outstanding for the Buccaneers last season but Freeman still needs better
options around him besides Sammie Stroughter and Michael Spurlock. It is still to early to draft
a WR, the amount of talent still available in the OL would be the best option for Tampa Bay offensively.
The Bucs would be smart to pick up a rushing defensive end to take advantage of their
strong defensive tackle play. The safety position could be taken here but I don’t believe
the risk is worth it. JJ Watt fits their system and is the most talented defensive end available.
21.The Kansas City Chiefs select Corey Liuget. DT. Illinois.
Kansas City relied on Dwayne Bowe too much during last season. They have young Dexter McCluster from last season but he is more suited to the slot. The perfect match for the Chiefs is taking Titus Young. Their need for WR isn’t as much as their need on defense.
Like many teams the Chiefs also need a second pass rushing threat from their linebackers. Tamba Hali is one of the best in the league regularly facing double teams. Ray Edwards is a free agent and that seems to be the biggest concern for the chiefs.
22.The Indianapolis Colts select Danny Watkins. G. Baylor.
Peyton Manning was under way too much pressure during last season, Someone like Danny Watkins would be a solid fit for the Colts.
23.The Philadelphia Eagles select Gabe Carimi. T. Wisconsin.
The Eagles gave up 52 sacks last season highlighting their need for a new right tackle in place of Winston Justice. The Eagles are jumping at the chance to draft Gabe Carimi or Mike Pouncey here. Carimi is more NFL ready than Pouncey so I expect them to take him here.
24.The New Orleans Saints select Derek Sherrod. T. Mississippi State.
The Saints don't have many holes through their roster. They re-signed Pierre Thomas so I don't expect them to draft offensively at this spot.
The Saints have plenty of talent in the secondary but their solid linebacking corp and defensive line unit could be upgraded. Drafting a LB here would not be a great decision, they could get the same quality in round 2. And the DL’s have started to drop in quality. Stephen Paea is the best available but he is a coin flip due to his current injury.
25.The Seattle Seahawks select Jake Locker. QB. Washington.
The WR is position not as bad as some might think. The main reason the team had problems
passing was Matt Hasselbeck. The team needs a quality center, but I don’t think Mike Pouncey will do well in Seattle. Jake Locker is the next best option at QB and there won’t be any one here next round, so this is the best time to take the plunge.
26.The Baltimore Ravens select Mike Pouncey. C/G. Florida.
A solid reviever would help joe flacco. The biggest concern on offense is the OL. The Ravens offensive line had a drop off in production last year, they could use an influx of fresh talent at right tackle with the absence of Jared Gaither. Mike Pouncey had to move to centre in his last season, he could move back to his old position and help Ray Rice get back to his form a year ago.
27.The Atlanta Falcons select Akeem Ayers. LB. UCLA.
Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling are due to hit free agency which gives Atlanta a problem at
running-back. A RB is needed to help lighten the load for Michael Turner. Drafting a RB that can
run outside will help the pass game and could be the missing piece to the offence.
Mike Peterson is 34 years of age and about to become a free agent, either way he needs to
be replaced. Coy Wire was a great signing, I expect him to start next season. The LB position does need to be filled; Akeem Ayers is the ideal LB for Atlanta’s system. He is quick and tough, and should be able to make an impact on the team by at least week 3.
28.The New England Patriots select Titus Young. WR. Boise State.
This pick should be used on an offensive talent. The jets need a WR badly, so Bill Bilichek won’t let Titus Young fall into their laps. The patriots
have another pick at #33 so they can take the chance on him. If Mike Pouncey does not get drafted by Baltimore the Patriots will take him over Young.
29.The Chicago Bears select Marcus Cannon. T. TCU.
The Bears offense is restricted only by it's offensive line. Defensive line coach Mike Tice is
working without any quality pieces which are essential in Mike Martz offense. Marcus Cannon
improved his stock at the combine this year. The big and powerful OT is the heaviest in this year’s draft.
30.The New York Jets select Stephen Paea. DT. Oregon State.
Shaun Ellis was a big player for the Jets last year, he is now a free agent and at 33 years of age. And probably won’t be resigned. A DL is the biggest need for the Jets here. Rex Ryan likes physical atheletes on his team. I am sure Rex Ryan saw Stephen Pea’s Bench press at the combine and that will be all he needs to draft the Tongan.
31.The Pittsburgh Steelers select Brandon Harris. CB. Miami.
The Steelers' biggest need is cornerback, Ike Taylor is a free agent and their younger corners haven't developed as of yet. The Safety position will need some work, but there are other parts of the defence that need to be fixed. CB seems to be the biggest are of concern and could be the reason they did not win the Super Bowl this year. Brandon Harris is the third CB taken.
32.The Green Bay Packers select Adrian Clayborn. DE. Iowa.
James Jones and Donald Drivers' contracts are up and Driver at 35 years of age could still retire. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are 34 & 33 and they are going to be replaced. Almost all of the quality OL have already been taken.
Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins are scheduled to become free agents this offseason. The best
option left for the Packers is Adrian Clayborn. He is the last quality DE availaible other than
Cameron Heyward. Clayborn is better so I see the packer taking him.
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