Mock Draft V3.0- Second round

Descriptions might be shorter as I want to get in as much as I can before the draft starts.

33. Detroit Lions- Darius Butler, CB, Connecticut

The Lions have some great choices out of players that slipped past the first round. Harvin or Nicks are the ‘sexy’ picks, but this is a defensive minded coach, so defense it is. I really like Butler, so that’s my pick. I could see James Laurinaitis being the pick as well, but Butler is a better value.

34. New England Patriots- Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut

The Patriots would love to see Butler or Smith fall to them at this point but that doesn’t happen here. New England has three second round picks so they can just sit back and fill needs from what’s left on the board. I could also see Brown’s teammate William Beatty being the pick here as well seeing as Bill Belichick wants to find a long term replacement for Matt Light. I like Brown a bit better as he can come right in and challenge the injury riddled Laurence Maroney for the starting spot. Unfortunately the rich get richer and one of the best offenses in the league gets a legit home run hitting back.

35. St. Louis Rams- James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State

A WR would be a good pick here based on the value, but once again the defensive minded coach will push hard for his new starting MLB. Will Witherspoon has been playing out of position in the middle since they signed him as a free agent, and by drafting Laurinaitis, it strengthens two positions at once (since Witherspoon will move to OLB now). I also factored in that the Rams picked up Laurent Robinson from Atlanta this off-season at WR. I know he’s not a star by any means, but it makes WR less of an urgent need here.

36. Cleveland Browns- Connor Barwin, OLB, Cincinnati

As you know, Barwin really grew on me as the season progressed. I think he’s going to be a special player in the NFL because of his versatility and willingness to play any position on the field. I actually would not be surprised one bit to see him go to the Patriots in the first round because he is an almost exact clone of Mike Vrabel. Mangini has limited depth at TE with the trade of K2, so he not only gets a starting OLB to rush the QB, but he has a red zone TE now as well to use.

37. Seattle Seahawks- William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

We are five picks in to the second round and three UConn Huskies have already gone. The Seahawks got their QB of the future in the first, and now they need their blindside protector of the future as well. To me, I struggle with two top picks being these because I don’t think either of these two picks starts unless Jones or Hasselbeck get injured. But you have to look to the future with all of your draft picks, so even if they don’t bring immediate return, they bring stability for the future.

38. Cincinnati Bengals- Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina

No change here, as I absolutely love Meredith. He’s one of the more versatile OL in this draft, and if the Bengals go defense in the first, then they absolutely have to get a RT in the second. Too many people think this should be a center, but I already know the Bengals are set there with my boy Danny Santucci. Meredith can play four of the five OL positions, he’s a good enough pass blocker, and he’s a very strong run blocker. He has a huge upper body, and I think he’ll start right away.

39. Jacksonville Jaguars- Percy Harvin, WR, Florida

Harvin slips this far due to the positive test for marijuana at the combine. I read something from a former NFL front office guy that said “the drug tests at the combine are more about a test of responsibility than to see if someone is doing drugs. These kids will smoke marijuana or drink; we expect that to have happened at some point. But to do this so close to the biggest job interview of your life, that just shows how much we can trust you.” I can’t say it any better, and I really don’t believe the hype that it won’t hurt Harvin. He’s still not a true WR, so you are using him as a gimmick guy and on returns. I’m not spending a first rounder on an injury prone athlete who is essentially learning a new position. But for the WR needy Jags, it’s a great pick. Tory Holt can help teach him route running, and he couldn’t learn from any better veteran.

40. Oakland Raiders- Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech

Al Davis once again rolls the dice on athleticism and speed over on field production. I’m not a big fan of Johnson because he’s horrible against the run and is maddeningly inconsistent…BUT…if he can take to some NFL level coaching, he could be a 10+ sack a year DE. Most teams will be hesitant to pull the trigger on Johnson, and I’d even say Larry English is a better overall down DE than Johnson at this point, but this is the Raiders and normal rules do not apply.

41. Green Bay Packers- Larry English, OLB, Northern Illinois

It’s a position change for English, but he did play some stand up end and dropped into zone coverage at times in his college career. He has the talent and ability to pick this up quickly, and he’s going to be an impact pass rusher right away. A corner is a huge need, but not big enough to pass on the value of English.

42. Buffalo Bills- Jared Cook, TE, South Carolina

I flipped a coin between Cook and Shawn Nelson as I think they are very similar players. Nelson is a bit of a better blocker, but Cook is a bit of a better vertical threat. With the off-season signing of TO, a vertical threat at the TE position will help open things up in the passing game and will definitely clear room underneath in the run game.

43. San Francisco- Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina

I really like Nicks and I would not be surprised to see him go in the first round. He has first round ability, but the weight gain after the combine does scare me. He’s a precise route runner and a possession receiver, so any reductions in his speed will hurt him. This 49ers team needs offensive weapons for their new QB to throw to. And yes, if they don’t get Sanchez, I still think Nicks is the pick here if available due to the lack of depth at the WR position.

44. Miami Dolphins- Ron Brace, NT, Boston College

Parcells and company know the importance of an impact NT for the 3-4 defense. Jason Ferguson is an acceptable NT, but there is no depth outside of him. Plus he’s getting up in age, and Brace is one of the few guys who can be a true impact NT. Brian Robiskie would be very difficult to pass on, but Brace plays the more important position so he needs to be the pick.

45. New York Giants- Sean Smith, CB, Utah

The Giants have a luxury here to pick who they think is the best player at SS, CB, MLB, or even TE. I think Smith may end up being the best overall corner in this entire draft. He is a converted WR, so he’s only played this position for two years now. So give him some good coaching, and he will shine. He has all of the physical tools: great size, speed, strength, and athleticism. If he doesn’t make it at corner, he can play safety and the Giants could use a safety as well.

46. Houston Texans- Eric Wood, OC, Louisville

Patrick Chung or William Moore would be great options to fill their SS opening, but center is a very big weakness for this team. The last of the big three center prospects goes here, and he can start immediately for this team. I’m not as high on Wood as others as he’s not a great pass protector, but he is a very good run blocker (and this team will run a lot with Steve Slaton).

47. New England Patriots- Patrick Chung, SS, Oregon

This is a Patriots style of player. He is very versatile, he loves to stick his head into the run game, he’s a solid blitzer, and he can even play press man on a slot receiver. He’s Rodney Harrison’s replacement, and I think he’s going to be one of the better SS’s in the NFL inn a very short time. He’s just extremely well rounded, and that’s what makes me think that he will fit the Patriots so well.

48. Denver Broncos- William Moore, SS, Missouri

Moore played mostly at FS this past season, and I think that mistake is why he performed so poorly (along with a supposed ankle injury). Moore was one of the better safety prospects his Junior year, and I think he can be a starter at SS right away for the Broncos. Denver would hope and pray that Ron Brace falls here as he’s what they need most, but Moore is a solid addition as well. A CB like DJ Moore would help, but I think William Moore (no relation) is a better value. Brian Dawkins can help teach him the way, and there is no better teacher than him for a safety.

49. Chicago Bears- Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

I SERIOUSLY doubt that Robiskie falls to here, even though many people are starting to cool on him come draft day. He may never be more than a #2 possession receiver, but he’s going to be a damn good one. If he is there, the Bears should be jumping all over him. He’s the most NFL ready of the receivers in this draft, and he has the highest floor (meaning he has very little bust potential, but his ceiling isn’t very high either). I love Louis Delmas just as much and would like to see him be the pick…IF Robiskie is not available.

50. Cleveland Browns- LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

No change here, the Browns need depth and talent at the RB position. Jamal Lewis’ running style opens him up for injuries, and his shelf life is quickly running out. McCoy is a completely different RB than Lewis, but he’s a great compliment. He can help play the home run hitting third down back while Lewis wears down defenses in the third and fourth quarters.

51. Dallas Cowboys- Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan

Ken Hamlin can be moved inside and Delmas takes over as the deep centerfielder. I really like Delmas a lot because he plays a lot bigger than his size. He’s less than 200lbs, but he fills the hole in the run game like a linebacker. Plus he has great deep speed and is good at playing over the top in coverage. Most sources keep saying the Cowboys need a WR or CB, but I think those are two positions where they actually have some talent and depth. If Delmas is gone, then I could see Jerry Jones going with an interior line beast like Duke Robinson.

52. New York Jets- Jarron Gilbert, DE/DT, San Jose State

This is a tough pick between Gilbert and USC’s Fili Moala. I go with Gilbert because I think he has a bit more upside, especially as a pass rusher as a 3-4 DE. Rex Ryan has solidified almost every other position on the defense, and Gilbert will help give him some versatility up front.

53. Philadelphia Eagles- Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Mississippi

If the Eagles could walk away from the first day with Jason Peters, Knowshon Moreno, and Shawn Nelson I would say that they are right there with the Giants for the best team in the NFC. I think Nelson will be an impact player at TE, and it lets Andy Reid run some two TE sets with Brent Celek. This is a great value, a great fit, and a downright steal.

54. Minnesota Vikings- DJ Moore, CB, Vanderbilt

The Vikings would like a WR, and a guy like Derrick Williams of Penn State would be a smart pick because he’d improve their return game a great deal, but I think Moore is the better value here. The Vikings need depth at corner, and if Moore was a step quicker, he’d be a sure fire first rounder. He’s a physical corner that will need some help deep because of his speed, but he’s one of the more fluid perimeter defenders in this draft.

55. Atlanta Flacons- Rashad Johnson, FS, Alabama

You all know by now that I think Johnson is a terrible tackler, but he’s a smart guy who can get the defense in the right alignment. That is what this team is missing now that they let veteran LB Keith Brooking go in free agency. Johnson will start from day one, and he should bring some continuity to this otherwise questionable defensive backfield.

56. Miami Dolphins- Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Georgia

Clint Sintim will be very hard to pass up for the Tuna, but Massaquoi provides great value at a position of need for this team. He’s one of the hotter prospects going in to draft day and he could actually go to the Bears at the 49th pick. What I like the most about Massaquoi is his ability and willingness to block in the run game. He might not be a speedy deep threat, but he’s a good route runner and he plays very physical, which is why the Dolphins will value him.

57. Baltimore Ravens- Lawrence Sidbury, DE, Richmond

This may come of a bit of a surprise, but I think this makes perfect sense for the Ravens. Baltimore does not reach for need, ever. They just take who they think is the best available player when they are on the clock. Sidbury will fit right into the rotation on the DL, and he is athletic enough to play standing up when they run a 3-4 front. He’s a lot like current franchise DE Terrell Suggs, so Ozzie Newsome will not pass him up here in case he’s not available in the third.

58. New England Patriots- Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida

It’s no secret that Belichick is good friends with Florida head coach Urban Meyer. The Patriots could use an upgrade at TE, and Ingram is a bit of sleeper due to missing the entire year with a knee injury. He’s a threat in the passing game, and he’s strong enough to block in the run game as well. It might not be the biggest need, but it makes the most sense to me seeing Bill’s affinity for former Gators.

59. Carolina Panthers- Paul Kruger, DE, Utah

The Panthers need help on the DL, and Kruger is the best available DT or DE. I think Peppers will play for the Panthers this year, but I don’t think he gets signed long term. So the Panthers need not only the depth while he’s there, but someone to take over if he does leave next off-season.

60. New York Giants- Gerald McRath, LB, Southern Mississippi

I think everyone know by now that McRath is one of my absolute favorite players in this draft. I don’t understand why more people do not like him as I think he’s a fantastic overall prospect. He’s strong and technically sound enough to play MLB, and he’s fast enough to play OLB. It’s the type of player that the Giants love, so it just makes perfect sense here. I haven’t seen another mock draft that has McRath this high. So I’m either really wrong, or everyone else is!

61. Indianapolis Colts- Andre Brown, RB, North Carolina State

The Colts lost Dominic Rhodes to the Bills in free agency, and Joseph Addai missed a lot of time last year with injuries. So RB is now a bigger need than once was thought with the Colts. I think Brown is another guy who will have a better pro career than he did a college career. He’s a steal in my book, and it’s the smart move. This means the Colts can get up in the pass game, then pound teams with the run game combination of Addai and Brown.

62. Tennessee Titans- Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State

It’s not like the Titans to take a wide receiver on the first day, but Williams is a great fit for this team. The current receivers on this team are all big, strong, perimeter receivers with limited deep speed. Williams makes his hay as a slot guy who can mask his lack of size by using his speed and agility to get open in space and make big plays after the catch. He can team with Alphonso Smith in the return game as well, so it increases his value in my opinion.

63. Arizona Cardinals- James Casey, TE, Rice

There isn’t a player at a position of need for the Cardinals that is worth reaching for. Instead, they add the versatile Casey to their already dangerous passing game. Casey is a bit of a tweener who is a combo H-back/TE, but that fits this offense well. He can be flexed off is needed, and I think he’s an adequate blocker is needed. He’ll see a lot of open space underneath, especially if Anquan Boldin is still there next year. It’s smart move going for the value here instead of reaching for need.

64. Pittsburgh Steelers- Fili Moala, DE, USC

The Steelers need young talent to groom at the DE position. It’s one of the very few needs this team has, and Moala is a very good fit for them. He provides a good value as well, as I could see him going higher than this. It’s not like the Steelers to take a 3-4 DE this early, but I don’t think they can afford to wait til later and find an undersized DT to convert. Moala has played DT and 3-4 DE at USC, so he’s the most ready to play of the guys they can draft at this position.