21. Cincinnati Bengals: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
21 might seem high for a running back without break-away speed but he is considered the number two RB in the draft and Cincy certainly has a need there. Green-Ellis was signed but he isn’t nearly as dynamic as Martin and while Dalton had a great rookie year, you need to have a running threat to take the pressure off of him. Martin also had good hands and could be on the field all three downs.
22. Cleveland Browns: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech
Cleveland has to add play-making ability on the outside. I am actually a Greg Little fan but he’s more of a possession/size guy and Hill would open up the field for him. Yes, McCoy doesn’t have the arm to go deep consistently but watching Hill at the combine, I think he has a chance to be the best YAC WR in this draft. Richardson and Hill would add a ton of talent to the Browns’ offense.
23. Detroit Lions: Janoris Jenkins, CB, N Alabama
Jim Schwartz and the Lions don’t mind taking talent even if coupled with character flaws. Well, Jenkins is going to push that to the limits. The guy produces kids like Detroit produces cars and is no stranger to pot. All that said, the talent is undeniable. I’ve read where many teams have him off their boards completely or won’t take him before the 4th round. The Lions have been so bad in coverage for so many years, it’s worth the risk. You just can’t give up 4000 yards passing an expect to win consistently no matter how good your offense is. Baltimore took a risk with Jimmy Smith last year and the Lions take the risk with Jenkins this year.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Donta Hightower, LB, Alabama
Hightower just looks like a Steeler. He’s all football all the time and was a leader on the most dominant college defense in recent memory. He has great size and has the football smarts to be moved all over the field. James Farrior is gone so there is room for a talent like Hightower. The fact that Poe is still on the board will make this choice difficult. NT is probably a bigger need for the Steelers and Poe could be an option, but his production doesn’t match up with his combine results.
25. Denver Broncos: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
Defensive tackle is the popular pick here and with the loss of Bunkley, that makes sense. I have seen more Worthy than Still but I think Still is the better all-around player. Worthy certainly dominates at times but when he is not shooting gaps, he can be lost for long stints. Still had some minor injuries that I think affected his 2011. The Broncos hope they get the 2010 version.
26. Houston Texans: Rueben Randle, WR, LSU
Kendall Wright will certainly get a look here but I think Randle is the perfect compliment to Andre Johnson. He has good speed for his size and is a beast with the ball in his hands. There is so much open real estate when the Texans have the ball that a YAC guy like Randle could have a huge impact. I think he has a chance to be the best receiver in the draft when we look back a few years from now.
27. New England Patriots: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC
Perry would immediately help a defense that was awful last year. With the type of leads that the Patriots play with, there is no excuse not to get more pressure on the quarterback. Perry can play in space or line up at end. He could be used a lot like Baltimore uses Terrell Suggs. The Pats won’t be trading down with Perry still on the board.
28. Green Bay Packers: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
Similar to the Patriots in that they get a steal and add the pass rusher that they really need. It’s been said a million times but still not enough that the Packers HAVE to get someone on the other side of Clay Matthews to free him up. He’s a very safe player at 28 and brings an attitude and work ethic that will fit up in Green Bay.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State
The run on versatile pass-rushers continues with McClellin. He’s a guy that has moved up the boards lately and would fill in nicely for Jarret Johnson who signed with the Chargers. He will be used primarily as a pass rusher as he needs to become better in space and in coverage. Great upside and an Ozzie Newsome kind of player.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin
Zeitler has moved up recently and ends up going ahead of linemate, Peter Konz. His versatility will help a line that needs some help, despite recent early picks. Could look at Sanu here who has become under the radar but I think Harbaugh wants to continue to take pressure off of Alex Smith and building the offensive line helps. They have already added a couple of WR’s in the offseason in Moss and Manningham so they can wait until later to add another.
31. New England Patriots: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
A definite surprise here since they Patriots signed Brandon Lloyd among others but Wright’s big-play ability is too good to pass up, here. Wright is a great route runner and despite mediocre combine numbers is a deep threat. Where he will really fit with the Pats is his route running. Once on the same page with Brady, the two will be a great combo. He can open things up for the TE’s and Welker. Could go corner here but there should be similar talent available in the 2nd round.
32. New York Giants: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
Wilson is the big-play threat in the running game that Bradshaw really hasn’t been. Wilson is explosive but also runs with power for a guy just over 200 pounds but his real attributes are vision and ability to explode through the open areas. Wilson could outshine Richardson and Martin the first year as the Giants would be the perfect situation for him. Have an obvious need at TE but that pick can come later.
Comments are closed.