WalterFootball.com: 2011 NFL Mock Draft by Greg Cox - Round 3

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Last update: Tuesday, April 26, 2011. - Round 7 added.
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2011 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | GREG'S ROUND 1 | GREG'S ROUND: 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Greg Cox was a senior writer at TheFootballExpert.com and appeared as a guest on the NFL Network's Path to the Draft. Send Greg an e-mail here: greg@thefootballexpert.com

Carolina Panthers: Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
As Walt has often pointed out in his 2011 NFL Mock Draft, teams tend to draft support for their rookie quarterbacks. Last year the Panthers triple-dipped at wide receiver. It was not very effective, and the status of Steve Smith is tenuous at best.

Personally, if they draft Cam Newton I seriously doubt Smith has a future on the team. He did not get along with rookie Jimmy Clausen, and would be replaced as the face of the franchise by another player with a lot of confidence and bravado.

The Panthers definitely have bigger needs, but Randall Cobb is a second-round prospect so they get value and add someone capable of making a few plays on their anemic offense.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
Cedric Benson's return is questionable and Bernard Scott is not durable enough to take on a much bigger role.

Ryan Williams might not be their best option to fix the problem, but this is the Bengals and they have explored the option. They also love "steals" in the form of players who drop down the board. He is considered by some to be a first-round talent.
Denver Broncos: Quinton Carter, S, Oklahoma
Brian Dawkins provided a short-term boost to the secondary, but this is why the Eagles refuse to pay older players. His best days are behind him and the Broncos need help all over their defense.
Buffalo Bills: Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
This move might surprise some people considering, as I mentioned previously, the team just spent top-100 picks on Torrell Troup and Alex Carrington.

However, those moves did not immediately upgrade their defensive front. Christian Ballard is a solid choice on Day 2 if the Bills are serious about upgrading their defense, which I believe they are.
Arizona Cardinals: Marcus Cannon, G, TCU
The Cardinals are in serious trouble at the guard position where Alan Faneca is probably retiring and Deuce Lutui is a free agent.

The running game was supposed to pick up the slack on offense after Kurt Warner retired. It clearly did not and perhaps with another marquee guard like Marcus Cannon, former first-round pick Beanie Wells will wake up from his slumber.
Cleveland Browns: Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
I would be very surprised if the Browns were not aggressive in their pursuit of defensive line options early in the 2011 NFL draft. They discarded players from their old 3-4 and will be adding new ones for their 4-3.
Dallas Cowboys: Jarvis Jenkins, DE/DT, Clemson
Marcus Spears is on his way out and the defensive position is short on quality, which is why the Cowboys have been attached to Wisconsin's J.J. Watt in quite a few mock drafts. If they decide he is not their pick at No. 9 overall, they will pursue another option on day two.
New Orleans Saints: Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
Mocking the Saints has been really frustrating for me, but I know they have problems in the backfield keeping players healthy. I also know they have looked at Kendall Hunter. Sean Payton loves toys he can play with. Hunter went over 1,500 yards rushing twice sandwiched around an injury-shortened season.
Houston Texans: DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
Multiple additions are needed to fix this secondary, and with an offense capable of putting up points, I anticipate the Texans taking a few shots at finding potential starters on the back end of their defense.
New England Patriots: Dontay Moch, DE/OLB, Miami
New England acquired this pick from the Vikings in the Randy Moss trade.

I can get creative with the Patriots because they have so many picks. One of their obvious needs is someone to get after the quarterback. Dontay Moch is a project, but is an intriguing option for Bill Belichick.
Detroit Lions: Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
Perhaps it is optimistic for the Lions to expect Bruce Carter to drop this far, but injured players are always a risk and never more than this season with an uncertain labor situation. If he is available they would take him.
San Francisco Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
Frank Gore is always injured. Brian Westbrook might not return to spell him this season. Daniel Thomas has the ability to chew up carries and catch the ball out of the backfield. He would be a nice addition to their offense.
Tennessee Titans: Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State
Someone has to start making plays for the Titans at the linebacker position, especially if Stephen Tulloch leaves in free agency.
St. Louis Rams: Titus Young, WR, Boise State
I will probably get some comments about having Titus Young this low, but I really wonder about the character issue. There are also several other receivers jumbled up on Day 2, and not all of them can go high because, well, some teams are going to pick players at other positions.

Josh McDaniels is on board to coordinate the offense, which means that things like "isn't he too similar to Danny Amendola?" don't apply. Rest assured, I will find a new home for Young in my final mock, but the Rams would probably take the value in this unlikely scenario.
Miami Dolphins: Clint Boling, OT/G, Georgia
I have no idea why I moved Clint Boling away from the Dolphins in my last mock, but he is back now where he belongs. Poor guard play led to the down seasons from their running back tandem of Ricky Wiliams and Ronnie Brown.

If the Dolphins draft quarterback Ryan Mallett, they have to protect him because he does not operate well under pressure.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Marcus Gilchrist, CB/S, Clemson
Remember when Reggie Nelson was going to solve their problems at safety? Good times. The Jaguars are very, very interested in Marcus Gilchrist.
Oakland Raiders: Jordan Cameron, TE, USC
I think I changed this pick a few times while constructing this version and finally settled on the athletic tight end from the school Al Davis loves to tap for talent.

Hue Jackson is going to use multiple tight ends, and while I believe Zach Miller is handed a big suitcase of cash, I don't know if Brandon Myers has his full confidence.
San Diego Chargers: Greg Little, WR, North Carolina
Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers will probably share a laugh on NFL Newtwork 40 years from now talking about their 2010 seasons throwing to so many different wide receivers. The Chargers missed the playoffs though, so while Rivers piled up the fantasy points the team did not succeed.

Greg Little is this year's Mike Williams, who dropped due to character concerns and had a great rookie season for the Buccaneers. Malcom Floyd could be gone in free agency and Buster Davis is what his first name indicates - a bust.
New York Giants: Luke Stocker, TE, Tennessee
When I steal, I admit it. I saw this pick in Walt's mock draft and liked it. The Giants love value and could stand to add a talented tight end who has drawn comparisons to Jason Witten.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
What is this? Did you click on the wrong link? No, this is my mock draft I just happened to really like consecutive choices in Walt's mock draft, and both coincidentally are tight ends.

The Buccaneers are building a solid offense and a lot of teams are going with two receiving options at tight end, and as Walt points out, they like him.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jaiquawn Jarrett, FS, Temple
Quintin Mikell is a 30-year-old free agent. Unless he wants to play for cheesesteaks, he is not staying with the Eagles based on their history of parting ways with older players. They are meeting a second time with Jaiquawn Jarrett so it is certainly a strong possibility they select him. At this point I suspect they are going to trade up ahead of the rival Giants (No. 83) who are also interested.
Kansas City Chiefs: Jerrell Powe, NT, Mississippi
Phil Taylor's medical situation probably rules him out in the first round which will leave the Chiefs looking for a nose tackle prospect on day two. Jerrell Powe gets pushed up the board because guys capable of filling that role are hard to come by.
Indianapolis Colts: Kenrick Ellis, NT, Hampton
The Colts are allergic to taking defensive tackles early in the NFL Draft. This is the earliest I can see them doing it and they have shown interest in Kenrick Ellis. Personally I would love the move. They need some beef to clog up some running lanes.
New Orleans Saints: Tyler Sash, S, Iowa
When the Saints were so successful during their Super Bowl run turnovers were a major part of the equation. They intercepted just nine passes during their title defense. Tyler Sash had 13 picks at Iowa including some big plays like his interception return for a touchdown against Indiana that started their rally from a 21-7 halftime deficit.
San Diego Chargers: Orlando Franklin, OG/T, Miami
Jeromy Clary is a free agent and has been a punching bag for criticism at right tackle anyway. Orlando Franklin is possible solution to that problem if available at this juncture. They might need to take him at No. 61. As you can tell I had some issues dealing with the Chargers' picks in this mock.
Baltimore Ravens: Rashad Carmichael, CB, Virginia Tech
There is little chance the Ravens walk out of the second day of the 2011 NFL Draft without help at cornerback. They have multiple free agents and need is going to force their hand.
Atlanta Falcons: Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington
Michael Turner is overused and his backups are not effective enough. Taiwan Jones opened eyes with a blistering 40, but has medical concerns have to be considered as well. I think this is a good spot for him in terms of draft position and team. He would burn up the Georgia Dome turf.
New England Patriots: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida
Uncertainty on the offensive line is one of the problems the Patriots can easily address given their bounty of picks.
Chicago Bears: DeMarcus Love, OT/G, Arkansas
If the Bears are unable to secure one of the consensus first-round offensive tackles at No. 29, they'll still be aggressive about upgrading their offensive line. Mike Tice is going to have an ulcer trying to make chicken salad out of, well, you know.
New York Jets: Sione Fua, NT, Stanford
Perhaps this is a bit of a surprise, but the Jets secure another plugger up front. Kris Jenkins is not signed and Sione Pouha is not able to hold down the job without support. He needs another guy named Sione to help him out. I'm going out a limb and saying they will be the first defensive front to Siones.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State
Because the Steelers don't place a premium on the cornerback position they could wait until Day 2 and secure a small-school sleeper like Curtis Marsh to fill their obvious need.
Green Bay Packers: James Brewer, OT, Indiana
If I don't give an offensive tackle to the Packers early in the 2011 NFL Draft, their fans will probably come after me like defenders have been coming after Aaron Rodgers. I can do without the concussion.

Bryan Bulaga is going to be Green Bay's left tackle soon, so a new option at right tackle is going to be sought.
Carolina Panthers: Buster Skrine, CB, UT-Chattanooga
There is a possibility both Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble will be gone. Marshall said as much himself, and Gamble was benched which does not make sense given his huge salary. The Panthers are going to add a cornerback in the 2011 NFL Draft.