Round 2
Note: Listed by pick, team, player, position, and college. Underclassmen indicated by a single asterisk (*) for juniors and a double asterisk (**) for third-year sophomores.
33. New England (via Carolina) – Brooks Reed, OLB, Arizona
After showing he can play with his hand off the ground at the combine, I’m not sure he makes it this far. I’ve mocked him in the first round and now here to the Pats. This guy is a perfect fit for head coach Bill Belichick.
34. Buffalo – Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada
After passing on the position in the first round, the Bills add an athletic quarterback, perfect for Chan Gailey to develop, with the arm strength to cut through the Buffalo winter wind.
35. Cincinnati – Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas*
I know he isn’t ideal for new OC Jay Gruden, but if (when) this pick happens, who won’t nod and say, “Yep, that’s about right” and look forward to watching this partnership develop.
36. Denver – Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson
After passing on Dareus in the first round, John Fox addresses the team’s biggest need: defensive tackle. Jenkins played in the shadow of DE Da’Quan Bowers at Clemson, but Jenkins significantly contributed to Bowers’ breakout year. It wouldn’t be a shock to hear Jenkins’ name called tonight.
37. Cleveland – Allen Bailey, DL, Miami
After taking a receiver in the first round, the Browns must address their defense here. A freakish athlete, Bailey has struggled to translate that to success on the field, but he could sneak into the second round on potential alone. New DC Dick Jauron could get the best out of him.
38. Arizona – Danny Watkins, OL, Baylor
As discussed under their first round pick, I think Arizona is all in for going the veteran route at quarterback and staying with their current developmental prospects at the position. I previously mocked OL Marcus Cannon here, but after some conflicting reports about cancer, it now appears he has non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Although it’s fortunately treatable and he was given an excellent prognosis for full recovery, he is unlikely to get drafted.
39. Tennessee – Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA*
Ayers bounced back from a disappointing combine with a solid pro day and his stock was rebounding, but questions of his football IQ could possibly drop him out of the first round again. I see this as his floor, and the Titans will be happy to plug his talent and versatility into a linebacking corps that needs to be more productive.
40. Dallas – Aaron Williams, CB, Texas*
There are some questions as to whether Williams will have to convert to safety at the next level, but Dallas can use help at both spots and will be happy to land him here if they don’t trade up for Patrick Peterson.
41. Washington – Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech**
I’m a lot more comfortable with this pick now after mocking the Redskins to draft a quarterback in the first. Williams reminds me of Clinton Portis, and I bet Mike Shanahan sees the similarities as well.
42. Houston – Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
Once considered a first-round pick before injuries derailed his season, Dowling’s value has rebounded. But he is still likely to fall into the second round, where Houston should be ecstatic to find him.
43. Minnesota – James Carpenter, OT, Alabama
The top of tier two among offensive tackle prospects, Carpenter is a nice developmental prospect for a Minnesota O-line that isn’t what it once was.
44. Detroit – Orlando Franklin, OL, Miami*
Franklin hasn’t gotten much recognition, but he’s a tough and versatile lineman. He doesn’t have the upside to work the left tackle position, but he does have excellent guard or right tackle potential.
45. San Francisco – Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State
The combine bench press champ does not have the prototypical nose tackle size, but Paea is a true interior player. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is very familiar with him from their days in the PAC-10 together, and current nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin is a free agent.
46. Denver (via Miami) – Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA*
The top-rated safety in a weak class at the position is a nice fit here for the Broncos, who have a glaring need at the position.
47. St. Louis – Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh*
I previously mocked Baldwin as the last pick of the first round, so this is quite a drop. But he would make a nice consolation prize for the Rams when they miss out on Julio Jones with their first pick. They should have plenty of good options at the position even if Baldwin is gone.
48. Oakland – Stefan Wisniewski, C, Penn State
Al Davis fooled us in the first round last year with the very non-Al Davis pick of Rolando McClain, which everyone thought was the right pick. McClain didn’t pan out as expected and now Davis will never second-guess himself again. Instead of going for some flashy measurables, Davis could bring Wisniewski (who actually isn’t a bad selection in terms of value and need) into the Oakland fold, where his uncle and long-time Raider, Steven Wisniewski, is an assistant coach.
49. Jacksonville – Brandon Harris, CB, Miami*
Concerns about Harris’ size in a deep cornerback class will push him to the second, where his fall stops with the cornerback-needy Jags.
50. San Diego – Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia*
A positive drug test should see Houston fall at least to the second round after having been strongly considered as a first-round pick.
51. Tampa Bay – Shareece Wright, CB, USC
Rumor is the recent legal problems of star CB Aqib Talib could knock him off the team. Injuries and academic ineligibility prevented Wright from putting together much of a resume, but he has been a riser in the postseason.
52. New York Giants – Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois*
A value pick here for GM Jerry Reese, who would have a new power back to replace Brandon Jacobs.
53. Indianapolis – Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
There’s lots of talk of the Ginger Maestro going in the first. I don’t buy it. If he falls to the second, the Colts, who have looked into him a bit, could finally have a legitimate backup and developmental prospect behind Peyton Manning.
54. Philadelphia – Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois*
After blowing up at the combine, Wilson had a less impressive pro day. Because of concerns about his neck, he falls out of the first round and someone gets a steal with his versatility and athleticism.
55. Kansas City – Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland*
Hands will keep the speedy Smith out of the first round, but his speed will help open things up for Dwayne Bowe.
56. New Orleans – Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
Expected to be a first-round pick before blowing out his ACL late in the season, Carter could be a steal here.
57. Seattle – Will Rackley, G, Lehigh
The small-school prospect has gotten a lot of buzz since his big Pro Day.
58. Baltimore – Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville
If they don’t address the position in the first round, the Ravens will likely hoard. The unheralded Patrick doesn’t get much press, but he is a second-round talent.
59. Atlanta – Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
The Falcons need to address defensive end somewhere early in the draft. Sheard emerged from the shadow of injured teammate Greg Romeus in 2010 to be the Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
60. New England – Shane Vereen, RB, California
A newer model of Kevin Faulk.
61. San Diego (via New York Jets) – Titus Young, WR, Boise State
The wide receiver situation remains a bit uncertain in San Diego.
62. Chicago – Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami
Hankerson’s postseason should push him into the second round, and GM Jerry Angelo loves players from The U.
63. Pittsburgh – Ben Ijalana, OL, Villanova
The versatile small-school prospect is a nice fit to bolster Pittsburgh’s line. He has the size of a guard, but the arm length to possibly play tackle.
64. Green Bay – Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky*
A strong postseason has the stock of the versatile Cobb rising. He’s a great fit in many roles, and the Packers wide receiver corps could thin quickly with the aging of Donald Driver and James Jones likely leaving via free agency.
