2011 NFL Draft: Team Big Boards: Picks 17-32

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Last update: Thursday, April 21, 2011.

This is my attempt to construct a realistic 2011 NFL Draft big board for every team. I've factored in where these teams are drafting; for instance, I'm sure Patrick Peterson is No. 1 on many teams' lists, but I didn't include him from Tennessee onward because he definitely won't be available past No. 7. I also took team needs into account.

Go here for my 2011 NFL MOCK DRAFT.

  1. New England Patriots: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

    1. Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California
    2. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
    3. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
    4. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    5. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    6. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
    7. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
    8. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
    9. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    10. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    11. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    12. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona

    It's all about upgrading the offensive line and the pash rush for the Patriots. Of course, they probably won't even be picking in this spot...

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: Cameron Jordan is off the board, which opens things up for Anthony Castonzo. I'm sure Bill Belichick would love to grab a left tackle to protect Tom Brady's blind side.


  2. San Diego Chargers: J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin

    1. J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
    2. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    3. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
    4. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
    5. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
    6. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
    7. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    8. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona

    I think the Chargers go with a five-technique over a rush linebacker. If A.J. Smith chooses the latter, he would basically admit that Larry English is a bust. I don't think he's ready to do that quite yet.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: A.J. Smith will do a jig if and when the Patriots pass on J.J. Watt. Bill Belichick absolutely hates Watt's agent, Tom Condon.

  3. New York Giants: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

    1. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
    2. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    3. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
    4. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
    5. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
    6. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
    7. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    8. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    9. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
    10. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
    11. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

    Unless the Giants really love Mark Ingram, it's hard to see them pass up on an offensive lineman especially considering that Eli Manning got killed behind a poor front last year.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: Tom Coughlin misses out on his Boston College buddy, but still grabs a potential left tackle to shore up Manning's protection.

  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

    1. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
    2. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
    3. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
    4. Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
    5. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
    6. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
    7. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
    8. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    9. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

    The Buccaneers will try to trade up for Robert Quinn, J.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan or Ryan Kerrigan (not Aldon Smith). But they really like Justin Houston and Adrian Clayborn. Houston has the edge right now.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: It's a neck-and-neck race between Justin Houston and Adrian Clayborn. The latter seems to have pulled ahead, but I'll know for sure next week.



  5. Kansas City Chiefs: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

    1. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    2. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
    3. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
    4. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    5. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    6. Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
    7. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
    8. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

    The first deviation from my 2011 NFL Mock Draft. Horray!

    I don't think Phil Taylor is atop Kansas City's board or anything, but I've continuously mocked him to this spot because Scott Pioli needs a Vince Wilfork. He regrets passing up on B.J. Raji in 2009, and I don't think he'll eschew Taylor.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: I'm hearing from Greg that there's a good chance Nate Solder will be Kansas City's pick, which is why I've moved him way up the board.

  6. Indianapolis Colts: Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

    1. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
    2. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    3. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    4. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    5. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
    6. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple

    This almost has to be an offensive lineman, right? Bill Polian regrets passing on Rodger Saffold last year, and he needs to protect Peyton Manning. The Colts have shown a ton of interest in Derek Sherrod.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: It'll be shocking if the Colts don't take the best lineman available.

  7. Philadelphia Eagles: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

    1. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
    2. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
    3. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    4. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    5. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    6. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
    7. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
    8. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
    9. Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
    10. Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
    11. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

    Like the Colts, the Eagles will be looking at offensive linemen. They'll be offering their quarterback a big contract, so they have to protect him. You can't count out Jimmy Smith - he would be a great fit - but a front-line player makes more sense to me.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: I've listed a number of ways in which the Eagles can trade up for Jimmy Smith or even Prince Amukamara.

  8. New Orleans Saints: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

    1. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
    2. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
    3. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
    4. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
    5. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
    6. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    7. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    8. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
    9. Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA
    10. Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois

    The Saints will probably target front seven players. Da'Quan Bowers is definitely the pick if other teams are scared of his knee injury. Bowers has the size New Orleans likes from its defensive ends. So do Cameron Heyward and Adrian Clayborn. And don't think that the Shaun Rogers signing will keep the Saints from picking a defensive tackle.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: Bowers could slip out of the first round, but I don't think I'll ever have him falling past the Saints. Why not take a risk at the bottom of the first round?



  9. Seattle Seahawks: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple

    1. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
    2. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    3. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
    4. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
    5. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
    6. Jake Locker, QB, Washington
    7. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
    8. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    9. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
    10. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
    11. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State

    Will the Seahawks spend this selection on a quarterback? I don't see how they can given that they gave up two Day 2 selections for Charlie Whitehurst. They have to give Whitehurst at least a shot, right? If not, why trade for him in the first place? I say Seattle picks Jimmy Smith, Mike Pouncey, Mark Ingram or one of the defensive tackles.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: I haven't changed my stance on Seattle not taking a quarterback.

  10. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State

    1. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
    2. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
    3. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    4. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
    5. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    6. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    7. Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
    8. Titus Young, WR, Boise State
    9. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    10. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
    11. Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas
    12. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
    13. Ben Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova

    Brian Baldinger vehemently stated that the Ravens will not pass on Cameron Heyward if he's available. As my recent 2011 NFL Mock Draft indicates, I believe him - though Baltimore has a ton of options at No. 26.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: Baldinger may not be able to pronounce "Colin Kaepernick," but that doesn't change the fact that Heyward rests atop this big board.

  11. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia

    1. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
    2. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame
    3. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
    4. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
    5. Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona
    6. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
    7. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    8. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    9. Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky

    The Falcons will probably take the best defensive end, wide receiver or offensive tackle on the board, but Mark Ingram and Kyle Rudolph are two interesting names. If Atlanta is concerned about Michael Turner's durability, it could certainly select Ingram at No. 27. Rudolph makes sense for obvious reasons, but would the Falcons eschew greater needs for a slightly better player?

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: Atlanta would be thrilled if Justin Houston drops to No. 27. He would be a great fit for its defense.

  12. New England Patriots: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

    1. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
    2. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    3. Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
    4. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
    5. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    6. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    7. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    8. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
    9. Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
    10. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

    Basically the same guys as before with a few new names tacked on at the end.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: The Patriots won't be drafting here, so predicting whom they'll take in this spot is futile.



  13. Chicago Bears: Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

    1. Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
    2. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    3. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    4. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
    5. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
    6. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
    7. Ben Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova
    8. Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
    9. Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
    10. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
    11. Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas

    The Bears almost have to address their offensive front to protect Jay Cutler. If all the top linemen are gone, however, one of the defensive tackles could be added to replace Tommie Harris.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: The Bears miss out on all the offensive linemen. As a result, they take Tommie Harris' replacement.

  14. New York Jets: Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

    1. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    2. Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
    3. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    4. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    5. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    6. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
    7. Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas
    8. Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
    9. Ben Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova
    10. Stephen Paea, NT, Oregon State
    11. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

    The Jets have so many quality options they may as well trade down. If they stay put, they'll probably either take Phil Taylor or the top pass-rusher available.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: It appears as though the Phil Taylor foot injury concern was overblown.

  15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas

    1. Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
    2. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    3. Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
    4. Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas
    5. Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
    6. Ben Ijalana, OT/G, Villanova
    7. Stephen Paea, NT, Oregon State
    8. Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
    9. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
    10. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
    11. Christian Ballard, DE/DT, Iowa
    12. Marcus Cannon, G, TCU

    The Steelers would love to land one of the top linemen, but they'll probably have to settle for someone like Aaron Williams, Ben Ijalana or Danny Watkins.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentioned Williams as the favorite to be the pick at No. 31 on Path to the Draft.

  16. Green Bay Packers: Brooks Reed, DE, Arizona

    1. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
    2. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
    3. Akeem Ayers, DE/OLB, UCLA
    4. Randall Cobb, WR/KR, Kentucky
    5. Christian Ballard, DE/DT, Iowa
    6. Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
    7. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
    8. Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas

    The Packers are in prime trading position. Everyone is talking about how the Patriots have a very lucrative 33rd selection. Well, what if one of the quarterback-needy teams wants to get a head start by jumping ahead a day early?

    If Green Bay stays put, Ted Thompson will take the top player on his board, as he usually does.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: It's a tough call between Brooks Reed and Akeem Ayers. Both would be great fits.

    48. Oakland Raiders: Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
    Let's do the Raiders...

    1. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
    2. Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
    3. Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State
    4. Marcus Cannon, G, TCU
    5. Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
    6. Sam Acho, DE, Texas
    7. Curtis Brown, CB, Texas
    8. Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
    9. Orlando Franklin, G, Miami
    10. Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State

    It's difficult to jump ahead 16 picks, but these are some of the players Oakland will probably target in Round 2.

    APRIL 21 UPDATE: It's pretty tough to project a big board for the 48th pick, but this is my best guess.



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