2011 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4
taken from the sportsbank.net
What’s Casey Matthews value to N.F.L. teams?
This is round four of a seven round mock draft.
I’ve focused on exploring alternative picks teams might take as opposed to trying to accuartely predict each pick because that often happens in the draft. Just like any job a great interview can persaude teams that a player is going to be important to the company. The draft is not based all on the field, which makes it so much fun and also difficult.
Hopefully by the 7th round it will make sense for most teams.
Be kind. Leave your thoughts.
97. Carolina Panthers: Lawrence Wilson, LB Connecticut
Previous Picks: Marcel Dareus, Greg Romerus
Once the Panther bypassed a QB in the first round there was no point in taking a different developmental QB. They will just give Clausen and their young talented WR another year to develop together before addressing QB next year if Clausen doesn’t pan out this year. People should remember that the Panthers essentially took a year off of free agency last year leaving their team devoid of talent. I considered a RB here because I know DeAngelo Williams is a free agent, but Goodson averaged over 4 yards per carry and RB might not be a big need. I do know that James Anderson is a free agent as well and the Panthers need his replacement if he enters free agency. Lawrence Wilson was super productive at Connecticut and is best suited as a weakside linebacker in the 4th round, which is just what the Panthers need if Anderson leaves via free agency.
98. Seattle Seahawks-Henry Hynoski, FB, Pittsburgh
Previous picks: Cam Newton, Jurrel Casey
Henry Hynoski is one of Wes Bunting’s top 40 rated players on his big board and is excellent big board value, although his positional value is not great, which is why he’s still available. The Seahawks need to improve their run game. They could add some talent along the offensive line, but they also could find a punishing run blocking full back. Hynoski is one of the best full backs to enter the draft in awhile.
99. Buffalo Bills-Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
Previous picks: Von Miller, Gabe Carimi, Colin Kaperenick
The Bills might have the worst tight ends in all of football and Kendricks could help fix that. Kendricks was productive at Wisconsin and considered by some to be the best pass catching tight end in the draft, though he’s not much of a run blocker. After years of missing on draft picks in all rounds the Bills must add talent to their roster at all positions before they can compete for the playoffs. DL is a possibility here now with the release of Marcus Stroud, but the Bills did just draft DL in the 2nd and 3rd round last year and sign Dwan Edwards and they also have Kyle Williams had a great year.
100. Cincinnati Bengals–Will Rackley, OG/OT, Leigh
Previous Picks: Julio Jones, Ryan Mallett, Jaiqwann Jarrett
One of the biggest, under publicized reasons the Bengals struggled last year was they did not do well running the ball especially to the right side of the offense. Rackley is a good run blocker and great value at this point in the draft. Rackley can come in and compete for a starting spot to push Andre Smith or move Bobbie Williams, who will be 35 next year to a reserve role.
101. Cleveland Browns-Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut
Previous picks: Nick Fairley, Leonard Hankerson, Greg Jones
Often people will mention that the Browns need help at the WR position, but fail to acknowledge that the Browns also were only 20th in the league in rushing yards last season. Hillis averaged 4.4 yards per carry, but Mike Bell was not good. The Browns are also likely to move to a West Coast offense, an offense Hillis might not be best suited for, but Todman could be. Todman is a good receiver out of the backfield and a good overall runner. The Browns might be interested in taking an offensive linemen at this juncture, but with so far running backs off the board yet in this draft…they look to add their favorite running back to get good value and to ensure they have a back that will fit their system next season. Kiper believes Todman has put himself into the second round conversation now after a good showing at the combine.
102. Arizona Cardinals-Jeremey Beal, OLB, Oklahoma
Robert Quinn, Stefen Wisinewski, Andy Dalton
Beal at the end of the college season was a late first round pick in the blogosphere, but he’s had a rough pre-draft process. At this point though he’s worth the risk as a 3-4 OLB for a team that really needs 3-4 OLB. Beal was very productive in college and presents the best risk/reward value here in the fourth round.
103. Philadelphia Eagles-K.J. Wright, OLB, Mississippi State
Previous Picks: Corey Liuget, Ben Ijalana, ReShad Carmichael
The Eagles attack the linebacker issue the same way the Giants do, avoid it like the plague early in the draft and try to find stop-gaps and late round draft picks. Sometimes it works (Stewart Bradley) most of the time it does not, at this point in the draft Wright is fair value
104. Houston Texans-Chykie Brown, CB, Texas
Previous picks: Phil Taylor, Titus Young, Brooks Reed
The Texans play in the A.F.C South with the Colts so they could always use more CB even if they already have some young ones.
105. Minnesota Vikings- Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State
Previous Picks: Blaine Gabbert, Muhammed Wilkerson
I was considering a Safety here like Robert Sands, but chose to go the route of cornerback. Antoine Winfield is nearing the end, and even though the Vikings have young talent at the cornerback position, every team could always use more depth at the position. Marsh is tall and a very solid and is not strictly a man corner so he can become a player who fits in well with the Vikings zone-system.
106. Detroit Lions-Brian Rolle, LB, Ohio State
Previous Picks: Prince Amukamara, Adrian Clayborn, Jerrel Jernigan
Rolle is undersized, but the Lions will love his tenacity and “nastiness” that are important for linebackers. I believe that if there is free agency the Lions will attack this need in free agency making it less of a need in the draft, but if they don’t they will have to address linebacker in free agency (and probably before the fourth round) because they don’t have any good linebackers on the roster.
107. San Francisco 49ers-Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State
Previous Picks: Patrick Petereson, Christian Ponder, Kelvin Sheppard
The 49ers don’t need a starting running back because they have Frank Gore, but they could use some depth. Brian Westrbook has had a very nice, underrated career, but he’s not going to be around forever. Thomas is probably the best player left on the board here and good value to add depth to the 49ers running backs.
108. Tennessee Titans-Ricky Stanzi, QB Iowa
Previous Picks: A.J. Green, Marvin Austin, Curtis Brown, Texas
The second tier quarterbacks are off the board and what remains are the third tier quarterbacks. After getting great value in the first two rounds the Titans address their biggest need. Stanzi isn’t a prospect who WoW’s people, but he could definitely develop into a reliable starter in the N.F.L. at some point in the future.
109. Dallas Cowboys–Ahmahd Black, S, Florida
Previous Picks: Nate Solder, Cameron Heyward, Brandon Burton
I love Black as a player, but his slow 40 yard dash time might hurt him a bit because he is also undersized. I think he plays like Bob Sanders, but Sanders was faster and more athletic. Black is just a baller and good value here. The Cowboys need help in their secondary and while I don’t think they should address the secondary in the first two rounds just for the sake of it (if there’s good value makes that sense), but at this point Black is good value and if he can overcome his size/speed ratio could be a steal in the fourth round of the draft.
110. Miami Dolphins-Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon
Previous Picks: Mikel LeShoure, Marcus Cannon
The Dolphins had two players that played a combined 27 games (many of which were starts) at the inside linebacker position next to (and in replacement of an injured Dansby) and those players didn’t even combine 100 tackles in all of those games played. It is an absolute necessity that the Dolphins find a middle linebacker to play next to Dansby next season. After addressing their running game with their first two picks they turn to the defense in round four.
111. St. Louis Rams-Clint Boling, G, Georgia
Previous picks: Cameron Jordan, Mason Foster, Luke Stocker
I just read the other day that the Rams are looking to add to their interior OL and might even consider it in the first or second round. (I’d imagine they would trade down in the first to do this). I’ll try to find where I read that. Anyway Boling is good value here especially if a team is looking to add talent in the middle of their offensive line.
112. Oakland raiders-Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State
Previous Picks: Aaron Williams, Marcus Gilbert
Although Virgil Greene got all of the headlines as the TE with the huge combine, Julius Thomas won big at the combine too. Julius Thomas was a basketball player at Portland State until taken on football this past season. He is very raw, but he has soft hands he’s 6’5 inches tall and ran the 40 in the 4.68 range (4.63 according to walterfootball), which was the 4th fastest TE time. He has tremendous upside I recognize that that’s a little slow for an “Al Davis selection” but last year Rolando McClain was the pick and he’s not an absolute blazer. Thomas size to speed ratio is very good even if he’s not in the 4.5s like Virgil Green.
113. Jacksonville Jaguars-Chris Rucker, Michigan State
Previous picks: Ryan Kerrigan, Quinton Carter, Mark Herzlich
Shareece Wright of USC might be the more talented cornerback of the two, but he also has resisted arrest and was declared academically ineligible and has durability concerns so Rucker gets bumped up a notch. Rucker is a versatile player that can add depth to the Jaguars secondary. Rucker might be a little bit of a reach here, but I think he fits with the Jaguars are looking for in a cornerback.
114. San Fran 49ers- Lawrence Guy, DE, Arizona State
Previous picks: Patrick Peterson, Christian Ponder, Kelvin Sheppard
I was trying to choose between a nose tackle like Ian Williams here or Lawrence Guy and I decided on Guy. The 49ers did well vs the run last year, but their DE are not great and teams can always use more depth on the defensive line. Guy might go anywhere between rounds three and five.
115. Tampa Bay-John Moffitt, Guard, Wisconsin
Previous Picks: Aldon Smith, Bruce Carter, Tyler Sash
Last year the Buccaneers showed that they want to be a physical tough running team and that is right up Moffitt’s alley. Moffitt is good value at this point in the draft and is good depth this year if he doesn’t win a starting job and could win a starting job anytime on most teams in the next two years at guard.
116. New York Giants-Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State
Previous Picks: Tyron Smith, Ras-I Dowling, Jake Kirkpatrick
The Giants really need linebackers but they have a glutton of late round linebacker picks, which means if they don’t grab one early they shouldn’t bother grabbing one in the 4, 6, or 7th round. I think linebacker is an area they will pursue in free agency (Landon Johnson of the Panthers? or a player like that). The Giants grab Rodgers as a best player available pick, but also to fill needs. Even though the Giants have tendered Bradshaw at a round two tender and signed D.J. Ware to another contract, it doesn’t mean that they will for sure keep either of those players or keep Bradshaw on the field. Rodgers was very productive and although he is short he can help the Giants as a receiver out of the backfield (what they desperately need) and as a kick returner, which is something the Giants must address. It really depends on what running backs they keep. If they decide to keep Bradshaw over Jacobs a player like Kendall Hunter or Roy Helu might be the pick. I think based on this board Rodgers or Kendall Hunter are the most likely picks.
117. Kansas City Chiefs-Ian Williams, NT, Norte Dame
Previous picks: Mark Ingram, Jason Pinkston, Dontay Moch
Every Chiefs fan who has read this mock draft has hated how I have been drafting the best player available instead of addressing the needs of the team. But to me the Chiefs must continue to add big talent less they fall behind the Chargers again: I think if the Chiefs just reach for players to get a OLB opposite Hali, a Nose tackle, OL depth (specifically a center) they will regret it. Someone convince me that addressing needs is more important than getting great value in the draft.
The two biggest missing pieces to the Chiefs defense being a very good defense are an OLB to pair with Hali and a good nose tackle. Ian Williams is one of the few draftable nose tackles left and solid value here in round four. He won’t set the world on fire with his measurable, but he’s a good solid player who will contribute to a team and can be a starter at Nose Tackle, even though he might not be Jay Ratliff or a Casey Hampton he’ll be a solid piece to a good foundation for defensive success. And hopefully Chiefs fans will start to come around on this mock as the Chiefs get a NT without reaching for one in the first three rounds.
118. Indianapolis Colts-Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State
Previous picks: Anthony Castanzo, Rodney Hudson, Jarvis Jenkins,
I don’t think the Colts will take a running back early in this draft, but if Hunter is available to them in round four he might be too good to pass up. Hunter is a good receiver out of the backfield and has good speed. He’s also better than his measurables. Hunter would fit in well with the Colts and could ease the potential loss of Joseph Addai to free agency.
119. Philadelphia Eagles-Greg Little, WR, North Carolina
Previous picks: Corey Liuget, Ben Ijalana, ReShad Carmichael
The Eagles also like to draft best player available like many teams and have a lot of picks. Greg Little is a very talented player with some character concerns and he also fills a void that is different than what the other speedy Eagles wide receivers do as a big bodied possession WR. Little also has good Y.A.C. ability which is important in the Eagles offense. This is a value pick, and not a need as the Eagles have a lot of talented young players they will continue to let develop (just look how many picks they have the past two years).
120. Jacksonville Jaguars- Edmund Gates, WR, Abilene Christian
Previous Picks: Ryan Kerrigan, Quinton Carter, Mark Herzlich, Chris L. Rucker
Gates has great speed and good size and can be a field stretcher for the Jaguars on a team in desperate need of a field stretcher. Gates is a bit raw, but has good upside in the fourth round. This becomes even a bigger need with the recent release of mike Sims Walker.
121. Buffalo Bills-Colin McCarthy, LB, The U
Previous picks:Von Miller, Gabe Carimi, Colin Kaperenick, Lance Kendricks
The Bills need linebackers like Rex Ryan needs a muzzle. Poz could be a free agent this year, and if he leaves the Bills will have absolutely nothing at linebacker. McCarthy has great instincts and had a good senior Bowl if he impressed Gailey at the Senior Bowl as well he could be the pick with their second 4th round pick.
122. Baltimore Ravens-Robert Sands, S, West Virginia
Previous picks: Jon Baldwin, Davon House, Sam Acho
Ed Reed is great and will be playing at a high level this year, but there has been some speculation about him retiring in the near future which would leave a gaping hole on the Ravens defense. Robert Sands is good value here and might go as high as the second round. Sands can sit behind Reed and Landry this year while he learns the N.F.L. game. The Ravens are a good team that doesn’t have a ton of needs (OL upgrades and depth are possible).
Also, look out for a Tackle being drafted at some point in the draft (even in the first round) as rumors are swirling that the Ravens will take a tackle in the first round if one they like falls to them.
123. Atlanta Facons-Orlando Franklin, G, Miami
Previous Picks: Stephen Paea, Torrey Smith, Pernell Mcphee
A team can never have enough depth and Franklin provides good OL depth immediately and is a possible future starter. Franklin is not the sexy choice, but makes sense here and is good value, CB depth, TE, and linebacker are other good possibilities.
124. New England Patriots-DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB, The U
Previous picks: J.J. Watt, Brandon Harris, Justin Houston, Danny Watkins, Tandon Doss
One of the best cornerbacks and players available at this point in the draft. Van Dyke is a blazer and measured in at 6’1 inch. He has tremendous upside and was pretty good at Miami to boot. I don’t think he lasts much longer than this and could go higher.
125. Chicago Bears-Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State
Previous Picks: Derrick Sherrod, Allen Bailey, Kendric Bruney
Pettis’ biggest knock heading into the combine was his speed, but he ran a 4.56 40 yard dash, which is right about the same area as all of the other Wide receivers that are the same value at this juncture. What the Bears really need is a #1 WR, which Pettis might not be, but he’s a very good complement to the short speedy duo of Hester and Knox.
126. New York Jets-Cedrick Thornton DE Southern Arkansas
Previous picks: Akeem Ayers, Randall Cobb
Absolutely dominant against inferior competition Thornton is one of those players that might get picked in the second round that will have people scratching their head and wondering where he came from. Thornton is appropriate value here in the 4th round for the Jets who need to upgrade along their defensive line. Nose Tackle is a bigger need, but the good nose tackles are already off the board and would be a reach at this point.
127. Pittsburgh Steelers-Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky
Previous picks: Rahim Moore, Christian Ballard, James Brewer
I’m a little nervous about this pick because Locke is not necessarily the kind of running back the Steelers usually use, but he could be a nice running back for them as a Darren Sproles type player and change of pace. Both Mendenhall and Moore can get the tough yardage (and Dwyer may be that kind of back as well), but they don’t have a guy who can take it the distance on a screen pass out of the backfield. Locke is that kind of player and good value here in round 4. If not for durability worries he might be much higher.
128. Green Bay Packers-Delone Carter, RB, Syracuse
Previous picks: Mike Pouncey, D.J. Williams, Sione Fua
I don’t claim to be an expert on the Packers drafting philosophy because I really have no idea what they will do in the draft. I’ll just keep giving them good value players and see how it plays out. This roster is loaded all over, but could use depth in some areas. Carter showed off impressive athleticism for a 225 pound back at the combine and was productive at Syracuse. He’s also a patient runner and should be able to do well in the Packers ZBS. Comments from Packers fans about what they will do are appreciated.
Round 5 will be out tomorrow.
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