WalterFootball.com: 2011 NFL Mock Draft by Greg Cox - Round 4

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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: Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
The Panthers used Derek Landri and Nick Hayden out of necessity during their disastrous 2010 campaign. They are going to add one, probably two new options at defensive tackle.
Seattle Seahawks: Brandon Burton, CB, Utah
Seattle acquired this pick in the Deion Branch trade.

Giving up 31 touchdown passes against just 12 interceptions while playing in a division without strong quarterback play is pretty embarrassing.
Buffalo Bills: Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU
The Bills need help stopping the run which is why they have looked at Kelvin Sheppard. I think he is a good choice here.
Cincinnati Bengals: Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State
I am certain to get at least one comment from someone screaming about Kelvin Sheppard coming off the board before Greg Jones. This is probably valid, but I am favoring team interest while trying to compile this puzzle so just accept that perhaps the Bengals trade up 10 spots and make this move.

Dhani Jones is not long for the roster and is probably fine with that given his other pursuits. Mike Brown could save money by giving the rookie Dhani's old jerseys. Same last name, so what's the difference? Seriously though, Jones is a good player who they have shown interest in. He fits in with the pair of former Trojans.
Cleveland Browns: John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin
The Browns have a need at right guard. Is it safe to say they are happy with another Badger they drafted on the offensive line?
Arizona Cardinals: K.J. Wright, OLB, Mississippi State
I have hardly given thought to what the Cardinals will do if they are unable to secure Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller at No. 5 overall, so this is not the best fit I can imagine, but they are in desperate need of pass-rushing options.
Philadelphia Eagles: DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Durability concerns push DeMarco Murray down the board, but the Eagles snatch up a good value. LeSean McCoy is not a player they want overworked, and at the same time they seem allergic to big, bruising running backs.
Houston Texans: Chris Culliver, CB/S, South Carolina
Their pass defense was a dream for fantasy players starting the opposing quarterback. The Texans will probably not use the No. 11 overall selection on help in the secondary, but will certainly attack the problem with quantity. Their offense is not the problem.
Minnesota Vikings: D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
There are some interesting tight end prospects in this draft and I have probably slotted them too low, but the Vikings are going to grab one and since Kyle Rudolph was off the board at No. 43 and this is their next chance to do so.
Detroit Lions: Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh
I guess you can say the Lions are preparing for the future on defense by adding another talented, injured player. If Greg Romeus returns to form he could be very effective on a defensive line featuring Ndamukong Suh inside.
San Francisco 49ers: Lawrence Guy, DE/DT, Arizona State
Justin Smith has nothing on the other side of him. The 49ers are going to be physical with an "F" under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Oh, that was the old guy? Well, whatever. They are going to add some help up front and Harbaugh is familiar with Pac-10 talent.
Tennessee Titans: Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana
I really think the Titans could take Alabama's Julio Jones at No. 8 overall. New head coach Mike Munchak said Kenny Britt's antics will not impact their draft strategy, but after giving Randy Moss a shot it is apparent they are not set at the wide receiver position.
Dallas Cowboys: Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU
The rumor train is steamrolling toward the Cowboys taking Tyron Smith at No. 9 overall, but if they go in another direction, Joseph Barksdale is an option to upgrade at right tackle where Marc Columbo is a #fail as the kids say on Twitter.
Miami Dolphins: Virgil Green, TE, Nevada
The Dolphins are one of the few teams left in the NFL without at least one dynamic threat at the tight end position. Now that Tuna is out of the picture I'm not limited to projecting them another "Rambo" (Mark Bavaro) type because no one would confuse Virgil Green with him.

Yes, I did consider they spending an earlier pick on the Arkansas connection by taking D.J. Williams to pair with Ryan Mallett. Those things rarely work out though so I chose not to.
St. Louis Rams: Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut
Steven Jackson's back must hurt from carrying the offense so much. At least rookie quarterback Sam Bradford provided some relief, but those years of wear on his body take a toll.

Jordan Todman is one of many running backs with a cloudy outlook in terms of draft position, but teams employ multiple running backs and will go lower than I think most people expect.
Oakland Raiders: DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB, Miami
It feels so right to give the Raiders a cornerback capable of carrying a baton in the 4 x 100 meter relay. They are moving on without Nnamdi Asomugha, and while last year's additions Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware will be given a chance, there is little doubt in my mind Al Davis brings in more competition.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon
Kirk Morrison was acquired via trade from Oakland, but did not live up to expectations. Casey Matthews is the kind of player Gene Smith dreams about.
San Francisco 49ers: Chris Conte, FS, California
The lines are starting to blur between cornerback and free safety in the NFL. Chris Conte moved to safety this past season and improved his draft stock as a result. Doing this would mean they believe earlier pick Aaron Williams can stay at cornerback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jason Pinkston, OT, Pittsburgh
Right tackle is an area the Buccaneers need to address. Jeremy Trueblood lost his starting job and is a free agent. After securing a franchise quarterback, they have to keep the offensive line strong and deep.
New York Giants: Brandon Fusco, G/C, Slippery Rock
Shaun O'Hara turns 34 in June and the Giants are in the market for a potential successor. They have given Brandon Fusco a look.
Kansas City Chiefs: Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse
Free Jamaal Charles is a popular sentiment among fans on Twitter, but I was just fine with how he was used. Running backs have a longer shelf life without being handed the ball over 300 times (or more) every season.

Delone Carter gives them a player to replace Thomas Jones who has hit the wall. I am not wild about putting him this high, but they need a big back and there are not many available.
Indianapolis Colts: Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
It is kind of funny that I would mock Ricky Stanzi to the Colts after comparing him to their backup Curtis Painter, but he might be a better version. The Colts are openly discussing the possibility of drafting Peyton Manning's possible successor and Bill Polian loves Big Ten prospects.
Philadelphia Eagles: Ross Homan, OLB, Ohio State
Going after linebacker early is not really their style, so the Eagles seek help on the outside here.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence Wilson, OLB, Connecticut
Multiple additions are going to be needed at linebacker for the Jaguars where only Daryl Smith can be relied on.
Buffalo Bills: Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii
I really like Greg Salas, and not because he has an awesome first name. He is going to great matchup problems in the slot if he is utilized there. The Bills can use all the help they can get on offense after failing to score more than 17 points on 11 occasions last season, including their final six games.
Baltimore Ravens: Nate Irving, ILB, N.C. State
Ray Lewis is mortal. This is not confirmed. We might find out he is actually a T-1000 from one of the Terminator movies sent back to kill John Connor only to refuse that mission and pursue a career in professional football.

Assuming he is an actual human being, the Ravens need to pursue options to keep the talent flowing at linebacker. This is not a replacement for him, obviously.
Atlanta Falcons: Colin McCarthy, LB, Miami
Free agency could claim outside linebackers Stephen Nicholas and/or Mike Peterson, so after drafting Sean Weatherspoon last year, the Falcons are looking to make another addition this year and have looked at Colin McCarthy.
New England Patriots: Jeremy Kerley, WR, TCU
The Patriots have worked out too many wide receivers not to take one given their massive stack of picks. They need someone to add some pop to their offense on the outside.
New York Jets: Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina
I would love to see the Jets confirm their interest in Kendric Burney by taking him on Day 3. He was terrific at the Senior Bowl, and while he might not measure up on paper or the stopwatch, he would make plays in Rex Ryan's defense.
Chicago Bears: Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
You can call this cheating if you want, and I accept that. I really like Austin Pettis for the Bears. We are all just guessing on round placement with all the variables and I can see Pettis going higher, but he would complement their speed at the wide receiver position very well.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
It never feels right for me to construct a mock draft without giving the Steelers another linebacker. Mark Herzlich is the kind of player they can draft and leave in the background for a year or two. Then when he returns to form people will be wondering how they stole him on the third day of the draft.
Green Bay Packers: Jalil Brown, CB, Colorado
Charles Woodson is going to move to free safety at some point, and just about every team in the NFL is looking for depth at cornerback anyway.
Tennessee Titans: Deunta Williams, FS, North Carolina
Eventually Peyton Manning will retire, and hopefully with a little more grace than Brett Favre. Until then, the AFC South will load up on options in the secondary.
Green Bay Packers: Shane Vereen, RB, California
Health has been an issue in the backfield for the Packers and Shane Vereen would be thievery at this point in the 2011 NFL Draft.