17. Cincinnati Bengals David DeCastro OG Stanford
The Bengals have to replace both their 2011 starting guards (Bobby Williams and Nate Livings). DeCastro can step in from day one and offer an instant upgrade to the Bengals offensive line. He is an intelligent, athletic, fundamentally sound technician who plays with a nasty demeanor. He excels in the running game, especially on the move, where he is able to locate and eliminate defenders to clear a path for the ballcarrier.
|
18. San Diego Chargers Melvin Ingram OLB South Carolina
The Chargers were able to bring back left tackle Jared Gaither, and picked up do-all outside linebacker Jarret Johnson from the Ravens in free agency. Shaun Phillips only played twelve games, and recorded only 3.5 sacks in 2011, making it essential for the Bolts to add some pass rush help. Ingram has the versatility to line up at any linebacker position in a 3-4. He can also put his hand in the dirt on passing downs and rush the quarterback, both as a defensive end and as a rush tackle.
|
19. Chicago Bears Jonathan Martin OT Stanford
The Bears traded 3rd round picks in 2012 and 2013 to acquire Brandon Marshall from the Dolphins. This eliminated the potential for them to draft a wide receiver early, and allowed them to concentrate on their other needs. J'Marcus Webb proved against Jared Allen in the final 2011 game that he is not the guy you want to charge with keeping Jay Cutler healthy. Martin was a productive left tackle for the last three seasons at Stanford, and is easily the top tackle prospect still on the board.
|
20. Tennessee Titans Stephon Gilmore CB South Carolina
Cortland Finnegan just signed with St. Louis, leaving Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner as the two corners in line to start for the Titans. Tennessee uses zone coverage almost exclusively, making Gilmore a nice fit with his experience playing zone at South Carolina. Gilmore has a quarterback's instincts, excellent closing speed, and is a sound tackler. He is also one of the better blitzing corners I have evaluated.
|
21. Cincinnati Bengals Kendall Wright WR Baylor
Jerome Simpson was inconsistent at best as the Bengals #2 wide receiver in 2011. On top of that, he is dealing with drug-related legal issues. Wright is arguably the top playmaker in this class. He is able to separate from defensive backs with great speed and elite athleticism. He adjusts well to the ball in the air, has excellent balance, and great hands. He is not afraid to go over the middle, and is a terror in the open field after the catch. He joins A.J. Green and Jordan Shipley to form one of the most talented wide receiver trios in the NFL.
|
22. Cleveland Browns Mike Adams OT Ohio State
The Browns released Tony Pashos, leaving a hole on the right side of their offensive line. Adams has rare athleticism for his size (6'7 1/4" and 323 pounds), and while he is currently more of a finesse tackle than a mauler, he has the frame to add weight and maintain his impressive footspeed and agility. Adams has the potential to be a franchise tackle in the NFL, and gets the benefit of growing into that role on the right side with All Pro Joe Thomas manning the blindside.
|
23. Detroit Lions Cordy Glenn OT/OG Georgia
Cordy Glenn is an elite-level guard prospect with the versatility to play tackle. He doesn't have adequate agility to handle speed rushers from the left side, but uses his strength and long arms effectively to keep defenders out of the pocket. With the top projected blindside defenders already off the board, the Lions take Glenn with the hopes of being able to develop him into a left tackle. If he fails at left tackle, the Lions have a powerful blocker on their interior offensive line.
|
24. Pittsburgh Steelers Don'ta Hightower ILB Alabama
With James Farrior no longer a part of the organization, the Steelers look to find an inside linebacker to compliment Lawrence Timmons. Hightower is a talented downhill thumper, who has the strength to shed blockers, reads and reacts well, closes with speed, and will deliver punishing hits on the ballcarrier. He also adds versatility to play outside if needed. He should fit in just fine with the Steelers defense.
|
25. Denver Broncos Alameda Ta'Amu DT Washington
The Broncos lost Brodrick Bunkley to the Saints in free agency, and Marcus Thomas is an unrestricted free agent. Ta'amu possesses the size and strength to hold up a double, and surprising explosiveness for a player his size. This explosiveness makes him a better fit in a one-gap 4-3 system than as a two-gap plugger in a 3-4 front. Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller should get more favorable matchups with teams forced to account for Ta'amu on the inside.
|
26. Houston Texans Mark Barron S Alabama
Glover Quin struggled at the strong safety position in 2011. Brandon Harris is not quite ready to replace free agent Jason Allen in the starting lineup - something Quin is capable of doing if the Texans acquire a replacement for him at safety. Barron has elite instincts that always seem to put him in good position to make the play. He offers a good coverage solution for the NFL's mismatch tight ends, and is an excellent run defender.
|
27. New England Patriots Shea McClellin LB Boise State
This may seem early for McClellin, but the versatile pass rushing linebacker / defensive end offers just the kind of versatility Bill Belichick loves for his multi-look defense. McClellin can play SAM linebacker in the Patriots 4-3 front, any linebacker position in their 3-4, and even put his hand in the dirt on 3rd downs. He is also surprisingly effective in staying with backs, tight ends, and even slot receivers in man coverage. I could also see Devon Still being the choice here to play 3-technique beside Vince Wilfork.
|
28. Green Bay Packers Kendall Reyes DE Connecticut
The Packers still need to replace Cullen Jenkins as a 3-4 defensive end who can pressure the quarterback, and with Mike Neal facing a four-game suspension in 2012, the 5-technique position becomes a priority for the Packers in the draft. Kendall Reyes produced 32.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks for his career at Connecticut, and has the size, strength, and explosiveness to pressure the quarterback from the defensive end position in the Packers' 3-4 defense, as well as to kick inside in their nickel and dime packages.
|
29. Baltimore Ravens Vinny Curry OLB Marshall
Jarret Johnson signed a free agent contract with the Chargers, leaving the Ravens to move on without one of their more versatile defenders. Curry is a sudden pass rusher with a variety of moves. He uses his hands well to stay clean around the edge, and plays with a high motor. He will need to do a better job of holding his edge against the run, but he shows the ability to be a solid rush linebacker in the NFL.
|
30. San Francisco 49ers Kelechi Osemele OG Iowa State
Re-signing Carlos Rogers was huge for the 49ers. Had they been unable to agree to terms with Rogers, they would likely go with a corner here. Instead, they can upgrade their offensive line at right guard. Adam Snyder took over for Chilo Rachal as the starter in 2011, but both are unrestricted free agents. Osemele is a powerful blocker who moves well laterally for his size. He looks natural when pulling on screens or toss plays to the outside, and has the size and strength to dominate at the point of attack and stonewall even the strongest defenders.
|
31. New England Patriots Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois
The Patriots lost Mark Anderson to the Bills in free agency, and Andre Carter is an unrestricted free agent as well, leaving the Patriots without their top two pass rushers from a year ago. Mercilus had a very productive 2011 season at Illinois, displaying a great motor and showing the ability to get after the quarterback. He can step into Anderson's role as a situational pass rusher right away, but will need to add strength to anchor against the run in order to be an every-down defensive end.
|
32. New York Giants Peter Konz C Wisconsin
The Giants offensive line played poorly last season, and struggled to protect Eli Manning in the playoffs. If the Giants are to have a chance to repeat in 2012, they will need to improve their run blocking and pass protection. With the top left tackle prospects already off the board, the Giants take the draft's top center. Konz is a solid run blocker who has the awareness and short area quickness to excel on the move. He does an excellent job picking up blitzing linebackers from the pivot position as well.
|
|
|
|