Juiced Sports Presents: V4, Our 2011 Mock NFL Draft, Round 1, Part 2
It’s version 4 of the mock draft, picks 16-32
MIKE KAYE
Picks 1-16 / Picks 17-32 / Round 2 / Round 3
17. New England (^ Oakland) (8-8) / Anthony Costanzo / OT / Boston College
Logan Mankins has been a problem for the Pats and Stephen Neal just retired. This is a good opportunity to pick up a local guy and take care of a need. The Pats will own this draft, if that isn’t clear already.
18. San Diego (9-7) /Akeem Ayers / OLB/UCLA
Ayers is an anomaly as he can put his hand down, rush at linebacker and play 4-3 linebacker. I think the local prospect will do well replacing long-time Bolt, Stephen Phillips who likely to walk due to free agency.
19. New York Giants (10-6) / Gabe Carimi/ OT / Wisconsin
Carimi can play outside or in and NYG needs both. He is a gamer and plays harder than any other O-Lineman in this class.
20. Tampa Bay (10-6) / Adrian Clayborn / DE / Iowa
Clayborn is a freak and the perfect complement to Brian Price and Gerald McCoy. This D-Line could get back to being the identity of the team.
21. Kansas City (10-6) / Corey Liuget / DE/DT / Illinois
Liuget is a 5-tech who can be paired with Tyson Jackson. This is a need for an average defense.
22. Indianapolis (10-6) / Jimmy Smith / CB / Colorado
Smith has shut-down corner written all over him. Unfortunately, bad personal choices have affected his draft-stock. I think the Colts have the stability to take a chance.
23. Philadelphia (10-6) / Brandon Harris / CB / Miami
Harris has been gaining steam the last few weeks. Would not be surprised to see him go earlier but I think he is a good fit for what the Eagles like to do. He reminds me a lot of a more athletic Lito Sheppard.
24. New Orleans (11-5) / Ryan Kerrigan / DE / Purdue
They picked up Shaun Rogers but Kerrigan can be a huge coup for a team sorely missing a rushing attack. Kerrigan is a beast and is very good about shedding tackles and is a pretty safe pick.
25. Seattle (7-9) / Cam Newton / QB / Auburn
I think if Cam makes it past Jacksonville, someone will trade up for him but if there is no CBA and players can’t be involved, I think Newton falls due to need and a really bad workout. Newton will face the same dilemmas as Tim Tebow.
26. Baltimore (12-4) / Mike Pouncey / RG / Florida
Pouncey can bring more punch to an already decent line. It is hard for me to find a lot of glaring weaknesses on this team and that is why I think they will improve one of their lines.
27. Atlanta (13-3) / Jon Baldwin / WR / Pittsburgh
Baldwin can run and get open. He can be a great complement to Roddy White and will provide a different ability in comparison to Michael Jenkins.
28. New England (14-2) / Mark Ingram / HB / Alabama
Ingram will allow the Pats to collect another awesome piece for both depth and marketing. His pedigree is well established and will most likely net him a starting job.
29. Chicago (11-5) / Cameron Heyward / DE / Ohio State
Heyward would be the counter-part to last season addition Julius Peppers. While some may think the WR corps need help, there is no one worth taking here.
30. N.Y. Jets (11-5) / Phil Taylor / NT / Baylor
3-4 defenses need good Nose Tackles. Taylor is the most fitting for that position and since Rex Ryan thinks his team is perfect, this will serve as a depth-piece.
31. Pittsburgh (12-4) / Derek Sherrod / OT / Miss.St
Sherrod is an O-lineman that I am quite fond of. I think this team needs help at both tackle spots and pretty much anywhere a Pouncey is located. Sherrod can help them the way Michael Oher helped Baltimore.
32. Green Bay (10-6) / Mikel Leshoure / HB / Illinois
Leshoure is considered a potential end-of-round guy but I think this is more need than value. James Starks did well in the playoffs but slowly digressed. This pick will allow for a talented three-headed monster for the defending champs.’
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As a Jets fan I gotta take issue with your projection for the J-E-T-S’ selection at #30. Sure, Rex Ryan think the team is perfect, I’ll give you that. But Rex Ryan can only think a player is perfect if that player is on his team. And right now, the Jets only have 1 safety under contract. Given that you gotta have 2 of those guys on the field at any one time, this poses a bit of a problem. Therefore, I think the Jets should and will draft a Safety.
Given that previous drafts have been strong at this position, the Jets will find themselves able to take the best Safety in the 2011 draft: UCLA’s Rahim Moore. Moore is tall (6′0″), athletic, and fast. And according to Sporting News, he has elite skill for both blitzing and coverage. And we know those are the only two things Rex Ryan likes (besides sandwiches): blitzing and coverage.
NT is a need for all 3-4 D’s, you’re right. But the Jets simply do not have enough safeties to contend for a Super Bowl next year, and that’s why they’ll choose Rahim Moore.