NFL 2011 Draft

[Jimmy... Dead.]

The NFL Draft returns to primetime in 2011, with the first round taking place Thurs., April 28, followed by the second and third rounds on Fri., April 29. Rounds 4-7 will be held Sat., April 30.

Who will your team pick?

Talk about any players you think are worth top pick or top sleepers.

Also, post-draft talk.

 

[skeptik]

I've been thinking about making this thread for days but keep forgetting. I'd be really interested in what people have to say regarding what their team needs vs what they will probably end up with.

From my extensive reading, it appears that the most likely candidates for the Steelers in the first round, without trading up (*cough*mikepouncey*cough*) are:

Aaron Williams, CB
Brandon Harris, CB
Ras-I-Dowling, CB
Curtis Brown, CB
Derek Sherrod, OT
Nate Solder, OT
Danny Watkins, OG
Phil Taylor, NT
Cameron Hayward, DE

Williams and Harris seem to be the two most likely candidates in my opinion. I really don't see them drafting Watkins due to his age. If Dowling falls to the second round and they're able to trade up in the second to get him, taking Sherrod or somebody else equally quality, I certainly wouldn't mind. Or if Brown is available 63rd overall.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

Hey Bears, please protect Jay Cutler. That's all.

 

[Mort Divine]

The Saints NEED either a OLB, DE, or DT.

My pipe dream is to somehow manage to get Cameron Jordan or Akeem Ayers, but I'm thinking that Muhammad Wilkerson is looking to be the guy. Though I've seen a few mocks saying Corey Liuget.

 

[crimsonfloyd]

As an Eagles fan I'd like to see the team draft Mike Pouncey or Nate Solider. Don't know if either will make it to #24, but they need some quality on the line. Otherwise a corner or a OLB would be good.

 

[brooks55]

Unfortunately due to Aqib Talib's inability to stay out of trouble CB is now a big need for the Buc's. Also Ronde Barber is in his last or 2nd to last year so that adds to the need for a CB. I still think we will go DE in the 1st, & probably go CB in the 2nd if there is still a CB left that warrants the pick in the 2nd. Other big needs are OL & LB. I also assume we will take a RB at some point, since Cadillac is a free agent at the moment. We will also probably draft a TE in the later rounds. At this point I'm not really sure who I want them to draft. I definitey want Cameron Jordan & Ras-I Dowling with our 1st & 2nd picks, I don't have a good feeling they will be available though.

 

[Mort Divine]

LaGarette Blunt is going to be your starting RB and I think by seasons end he'll be the best back in the NFC South. There is no major need to draft a RB.

 

[brooks55]

LaGarette Blunt is going to be your starting RB and I think by seasons end he'll be the best back in the NFC South. There is no major need to draft a RB.

I agree 100%, but we still need somebody to spell him.

 

[Jimmy... Dead.]

I know the Giants need OL, DT AND OLB but if the CB Jimmy Smith from Colorado drops to 19 they have to grab him. This dude can straight play. He might be the best pure cover corner in the draft this year, but he has been dropping down draft boards because of character concerns (failed drug tests and minor arrests). At a time when the passing game is becoming a bigger and bigger part of a teams offensive strategy, it is imperative for a defense to have depth at corner. While I think Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster both had decent seasons, the Giants could still use somebody with Jimmy Smith's talent, who I believe can end up being better than both of them. The Giants don't generally pick guys with character issues, but I think he'd be a great value pick if he is available at 19.

 

[skeptik]

The Giants' linebackers are much weaker than their secondary, man. linebackers, especially in a 4-3, are pretty damn important in the passing game too. And don't forget Aaron Ross. He's battled injuries the past two years, but he's a great corner. If the right linebacker is there for the picking in the first round, they can EASILY find a CB to plug in the nickel or dime in the 2nd-4th rounds. Bruce Johnson should be healthy next year and Joe Burnett played well his one year with the Steelers. They wanted to keep him on the practice squad this past year but he played in too many games to be eligible, so they had to cut him to make room for Bryant McFadden coming back and Crezdon Butler being drafted. Also don't forget that their safeties have pretty decent coverage skills for their position. I would be disappointed if they took a CB in the first round unless an acceptable LB or OL was unavailable.

I'm not so sure about their DT needs, assuming they resign Cofield, but I like the rotation they had last year, and they have Linval Joseph, who they took in the second round last year. Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty are more than solid starters in my opinion.

 

[Jimmy... Dead.]

Yes I see your point about LB but I really think the Giants get killed with the short passing game. I'd like to see more coverage sacks. To be honest I think the Giants are going to pick up a OL in the first. I don't really see any LB worth getting at 19 over OL or CB.

As far as the Steelers go I say Phil Taylor, Ben Ijalana or Aaron Williams. It won't happen, but J.J Watt is so damn perfect for the Steelers. Maybe if they make a trade.

 

[skeptik]

The thing is that there are always surprises in the draft with people rising and falling. For some reason I just have a feeling a solid LB will be dropping. I can see a team or two trading up back into the first to grab a QB and I predict a run on CBs as well, allowing other players to fall. DEs (both 4-3 and 3-4) will be getting a lot of attention as well. I can even see the Giants trading down a handful of picks and pick up an extra 3rd or something, although I don't suspect that will happen.

For Ijalana, I think he would be a reach in the first, but he'll be gone by their second pick I suspect, so I don't know how likely it is that he'll end up in Pittsburgh.

**WARNING: STEELERS CONTENT BELOW**

Here's a prospective list of the players that the Steelers could conceivably be interested in each round and the likelihood of them being available:

1st round (31st overall)
OT Gabe Carimi, 6-7, 315, Wisconsin, 25%
OT Derek Sherrod, 6-5, 320, Mississippi State, 50%
DE Cameron Heyward, 6-5, 295, Ohio State, 45%
CB/FS Aaron Williams, 6-0, 205, Texas, 55%
CB Brandon Harris, 5-10, 190, Miami, 60%
OT Nate Solder, 6-8, 320, Colorado, 30%

2nd round (63)
CB Curtis Brown, 6-0, 185, Texas, 45%
OT/G James Carpenter, 6-4, 320, Alabama, 45%
RT/G Ben Ijalana, 6-4, 315, Villanova, 40%
G Danny Watkins, 6-4, 310, Baylor, 25%
CB/FS Ras-I Dowling, 6-1, 200, Virginia, 35%
G/RT Clint Boling, 6-5, 310, Georgia, 40%
OG Rodney Hudson, 6-2, 300, FSU, 50%
OG/RT Marcus Cannon, 6-5, 360, TCU, 35%
DE Christian Ballard, 6-3, 285, Iowa, 40%
WR Greg Little, 6-3, 230, North Carolina, 55%
G/OT Orlando Franklin, 6-5, 315, Miami, 30%
CB Johnny Patrick, 5-11, 190, Louisville, 60%
WR Jonathan Baldwin, 6-5, 230, Pitt, 35%
ILB/OLB Martez Wilson, 6-3, 245, Illinois, 40%

3rd round (95)
WR Greg Little, 6-3, 230, North Carolina, 25%
TE/FB Lance Kendricks, 6-3, 245, Wisconsin, 30%
DE Jarvis Jenkins, 6-4, 310, Clemson, 40%
NT Kenrick Ellis, 6-5, 345, Hampton, 40%
CB Brandon Burton, 6-0, 190, Utah, 50%
OG Will Rackley, 6-5, 305, Lehigh, 25%
ILB Quan Sturdivant, 6-1, 240, North Carolina, 35%
RB Kendall Hunter, 5-7, 200, Oklahoma St., 35%
CB Shareece Wright, 5-10, 185, USC, 50%
LB Dontay Moch, 6-1, 250, Nevada, 35%
CB/FS Marcus Gilchrest, 5-10, 195, Clemson, 45%
T/G Lee Ziemba, 6-5, 315, Auburn, 60%
TE Virgil Green, 6-3, 250, Nevada, 50%
OT Marcus Gilbert, 6-6, 300, Florida, 40%
WR Edmond Gates, 6-0, 190, Abilene Christian, 45%
OT James Brewer, 6-6, 325, Indiana, 50%
CB Chimidi Chekwa, 5-11, 190, Ohio State, 50%
OLB Chris Carter, 6-1, 250, Fresno State, 45%

4th round (128)
CB Brandon Burton, 6-0, 190, Utah, 25%
T/G Lee Ziemba, 6-5, 315, Auburn, 35%
RB Taiwan Jones, 5-11, 195, Eastern Washington, 25%
TE/FB D.J. Williams, 6-3, 245, Arkansas, 45%
NT Jerrell Powe, 6-2, 335, Ole Miss, 35%
OT Jah Reid, 6-7, 325, UCF, 30%
CB Curtis Marsh, 6-1, 195, Utah State, 35%
DE Lawrence Guy, 6-4, 305, Arizona State, 45%
WR Austin Pettis, 6-3, 210, Boise State, 35%
CB Rashad Carmichael, 5-10, 190, Virginia Tech, 50%
RB Jordan Todman, 5-9, 205, UCONN, 35%
WR Vincent Brown, 5-11, 185, San Diego State, 25%
RB Jacquizz Rodgers, 5-6, 195, Oregon State, 30%
ILB Akeem Dent, 6-1, 240, Georgia, 45%
CB Buster Skrine, 5-10, 185, Chattanooga, 40%
NT Ian Williams, 6-1, 320, Notre Dame, 50%
OG John Moffitt, 6-4, 320, Wisconsin, 40%
FS Deunta Williams, 6-2, 205, North Carolina, 65%
SS Shiloh Keo, 5-11, 220, Idaho, 60%
RT/G Jason Pinkston, 6-3, 315, Pitt, 55%
ILB Casey Matthews, 6-1, 230, Oregon, 35%

5th round (162)
FS Deunta Williams, 6-2, 205, North Carolina, 45%
SS Shiloh Keo, 5-11, 220, Idaho, 30%
RT/G Jason Pinkston, 6-3, 315, Pitt, 25%
NT Sione Fua, 6-1, 310, Stanford, 35%
K/P Alex Henry, 6-2, 175, Nebraska, 40%
DE Cedric Thornton, 6-3, 310, Southern Arkansas, 45%
OT Chris Hairston, 6-6, 325, Clemson, 25%
OLB Bruce Miller, 6-1, 255, UCF, 45%
RB Dion Lewis, 5-7, 190, Pitt, 30%
WR Terrence Tolliver, 6-3, 210, LSU, 35%
RB Bilal Powell, 5-10, 210, Louisville, 40%
OG Zach Hurd, 6-7, 315, UCONN, 40%
WR Cecil Shorts, 6-0, 205, Mount Union, 45%
FS Robert Sands, 6-4, 215, West Virginia, 30%
WR Darvin Adams, 6-2, 190, Auburn, 55%
OG Andrew Jackson, 6-5, 300, Fresno State, 50%

6th round (196)
WR Darvin Adams, 6-2, 190, Auburn, 35%
OG Andrew Jackson, 6-5, 300, Fresno State, 25%
OLB/ILB Scott Lutrus, 6-2, 240, UCONN, 40%
RB Da’Rel Scott, 5-11, 210, Maryland, 40%
DE David Carter, 6-5, 295, UCLA, 45%
RB Mario Fannin, 5-11, 230, Auburn, 55%
OLB Mario Addison, 6-3, 245, Troy, 60%
NT Anthony Gray, 5-11, 315, Southern Miss, 60%
NT Chris Neild, 6-2, 320, West Virginia, 50%
RB Jamie Harper, 6-0, 235, Clemson, 60%
FB Owen Marecic, 6-1, 250, Stanford, 40%

7th round (232)
RB Da’Rel Scott, 5-11, 210, Maryland, 25%
RB Mario Fannin, 5-11, 230, Auburn, 35%
OLB Mario Addison, 6-3, 245, Troy, 35%
NT Anthony Gray, 5-11, 315, Southern Miss, 40%
NT Chris Neild, 6-2, 320, West Virginia, 30%
RB Jamie Harper, 6-0, 235, Clemson, 40%
WR DeAndre Brown, 6-6, 230, Southern Miss, 40%
ILB Josh Bynes, 6-1, 240, Auburn, 50%
TE Charlie Gantt, 6-4, 250, Michigan State, 40%
DE Zach Clayton, 6-2, 300, Auburn, 45%
DE Corbin Bryant, 6-4, 300, Northwestern, 60%
ILB Mario Harvey, 5-11, 250, Marshall, 50%
DE Frank Kearse, 6-4, 310, Alabama A&M, 70%
ILB Greg Lloyd, Jr., 6-1, 245, UCONN, 55%
RB Evan Royster, 6-0, 215, Penn State, 60%

Source: Steelers Lounge

 

[Jimmy... Dead.]

Just for fun I'm going to try and predict the Giants draft...

19. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
52. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
83. Luke Stocker, TE, Tennessee
117. Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville
185. Chas Henry, P, Florida
198. DeMarco Sampson, WR, San Diego State
221. Wayne Daniels, OLB, TCU

Oh and the Steelers just for Dodens

31. Rodney Hudson, C/G, Florida State
63. Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State
95. Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
128. Alex Henery, K, Nebraska
162. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
196. Kevin Rutland, DB, Missouri
232. Ryan Donahue, P, Iowa

 

[skeptik]

No way they take a guard if it's not Pouncey.

 

[Jimmy... Dead.]

Giants steal the Prince!

 

[King Richard]

I can't fucking believe it, the Colts actually drafted a lineman in the first round.

FUCK YEA

 

[brooks55]

& we get Clayborn. Not sure how I feel about this. Jordan was still there. I think Dominik knows more about this than me though, so I guess I'm happy.

 

[Jimmy... Dead.]

I can't fucking believe it, the Colts actually drafted a lineman in the first round.

FUCK YEA

Great pick. This guy will have Peyton's back for the next 5-7 years.

 

[Jimmy... Dead.]

& we get Clayborn. Not sure how I feel about this. Jordan was still there. I think Dominik knows more about this than me though, so I guess I'm happy.

IMHO I think the Saints got ya with Cameron Jordan as a base end.

 

[King Richard]

I'm hoping so.